Modern metal/hardcore five piece band ELITHIA, hailing from the South West Of England became known after winning Plymouth Battle Of the Bands contest in 2010. The band released their debut EP “No Time For Mercy” a couple of years ago and have just been working on their brand new EP which is due for release later this year.
Metal Shock Finland‘s Blackdiamond caught up with the band after their show on Saturday at Bloodstock. The interview can be heard on the audio player below and check out more information about the band on their official facebook page.
Organisers of the Bloodstock Festival in Derbyshire have spoken to Event Industry News about their continued growth following the granting of a new license that takes its capacity up to 15,000. The new figure allows for a 25% increase in attendance based on last year’s 12,000 capacity.
Speaking to Event Industry News ahead of the event, which takes place between 8th-11th August, Rachael Greenfield said that the festival has grown organically since first being held in 2001.
“I’ve been involved since the beginning when my father Paul Gregory started Bloodstock. What started as an indoor event for 700 people has consistently grown over the last 13 years in to the animal that it is today, giving us a rollercoaster ride along the way as we’ve learned the do’s and don’ts of running a music festival.”
“Last year our capacity was 12,000”, said Rachael. “Three years prior to that it was 8,000, so the figures speak for themselves. We estimate that 75% of customers return each year, and it is those customers that have helped to shape the festival and create the atmosphere and dynamic that it now has.”
Educating themselves on an ongoing basis since the start, in 2008 the organisers made a calculated decision to step up a level, employing the services of a new production company that, in Rachael’s words, were ‘first class’. Part of this decision to step up a level also included bringing security specialist Showsec onboard, a move that has had a positive effect on several aspects of the show, not just the security.
“Showsec’s experience in working on events that are considerably larger than ours has been invaluable. We work closely with Richard Church on our security plans and since beginning our relationship with them in 2008, Richard and his team have proved a major asset to Bloodstock. Their staff are extremely easy to work with and have a great understanding and appreciation for the type of crowd that attends the festival, which has huge benefits to maintaining a safe and friendly environment.”
As the festival has grown, so has the stature of the bands that the organisers have been able to book, which in turn has contributed to the positive effect on the attendance figures. Artist booking is the responsibility of Vicky Hungerford, who like Rachael has been involved from day one. People unfamiliar with the scene may be unaware of just how many genres fall in to the category of music called ‘Metal’, which she says can prove tricky when trying to programme the stages.
“Bloodstock started as a power metal festival, but over the years has grown to embrace all genres of metal such as thrash, death metal, black metal etc..”
PureGrainAudio recently conducted an interview with UK metal festival Bloodstock founder Paul Raymond Gregory:
From where came the idea of creating the Bloodstock Metal festival? Paul: It was pretty much by accident. I was looking for somebody to do my website, this is how bizarre it is, and I found this guy. I knew he was a Metal head and he presented me the idea of putting a festival together. And I said, “Great idea”, I didn’t think about it, because to me made a lot of sense. I think is a natural progression for me as an individual to be part of something like that. And I ended up with the festival in the end. It was about four of us, but it was obviously quite a costly exercise and eventually it was just me. So I went and developed it from there.
What, in your opinion, makes the festival special? Paul: I don’t think we are any different from any other festival. Each year it gets more and more people. I think we probably have a European feel to it and that’s why people like the idea because they come to Bloodstock because we have a lot of European bands. We bring to UK a lot of bands. Blind guardian came in to England for the first time at Bloodstock. Nightwich is another band that we brought for the first time and several others I can’t think of right now. That’s probably one of the reasons, I wouldn’t say that there’s specific reason for that.
So, what can people expect from the festival? Paul: It’s just 4 days of Metal basically. We got 3 stages, the New Blood stage, the main stage which is the Ronnie James Dio stage, the Sophie Lancaster stage, and we have a smaller stage for an acoustic set. It’s just full on Metal. And is for all ages as well, you know?
This year King Diamond, Lamb Of God, and Slayer are headlining. Paul: Yeah, it’s great! Especially King. It’s the first festival he’ll headline in the UK. So we are looking forward to that. I’ve have never seen him live so it’s also a great experience for me as well.
The Festival has also become a place for young bands to develop a wider audience. A place to grow. Paul: We support a lot of young bands within the festival. We have the New Blood stage and we give bands the opportunity that they wouldn’t normally get. You know, by playing in the main stage and playing venues up and down in the UK. You never know who can become big.
The Festival has become some sort of a family affair for you. Can you tell me more about it? Paul: I brought my daughters in as directors. But there again, it was purely by accident not by design. You are not winning a lot really, not in the financial aspect. You have to be in it to win it, that’s what I say.
Did you ever imagine a decade ago that you were going to be doing Bloodstock in 2013? Paul: No. Not at all. It’s like Hamlet, the eternal optimist. I think you need to be that if you’re in a business of any kind. But is a fan thing. I never looked upon it as a money-spinner. For me was a passion that I wanted to create something that was unique and that I could see developing. So I think for me it has to be the passion of doing something you want to do, and that is how it has worked. The fans see that, they see it’s not corporate and we do it because we love to do it, and it’s just natural, organic. But we actually do try to make sure that they get value for money, not financially but in terms of what they see. We are probably the only metal festival, true metal festival in the UK.
The organisers at the UK metal festival,BLOODSTOCK, have announced the following news:
Bloodstock Festival is proud to announce the launch of their very own monthly club night, ‘CLUB SERPENT’. The inaugural party will be held on Saturday 23rd March at the infamous Intrepid Fox rock hangout, and once a month thereafter, leading into the festival weekend at Catton Park, Derbyshire on 8-11th August. Each month will see two bands playing at the club and a gaggle of your favourite metal DJs spinning the tunes.
Organised and run by Bloodstock’s VIP Serpents Lair entertainment co-ordinator, Jay ‘Griz’ Binstead (assisted by the infamous Beard), and MetalMouth.net’s editor, Fox James, the club night is also generously sponsored by Terrorizer Magazine.
Founder ‘Griz’ explains the thought process behind the new night as follows: “This isn’t a one-off event as part of an already established night where we merely help out with ticket giveaways, etc. This is OUR official monthly BOA club! The idea came from the Serpent’s Lair VIP Bar last year. Although DJ’s were playing throughout the day, once the main stage bands were all finished, we really ramped up the club vibe and rounded up some special guest DJ’s, including Ben from ORANGE GOBLIN,Alex Milas from Metal Hammer and Tina Saul from Bloodstock Radio in a three way, with The Vicious Breed’s DJ Bedlam and Monty Blitzfist from EVIL SCARECROW and the now, infamous, Saturday night party set from Daz & Emma B (Bloodstock Radio). Our aim for this new night is to keep the festival vibe going, and get you ready for the UK’s best, independent metal fest, every month of the year, whilst playing the tracks that you always want to hear in a club, but rarely do”.
Fox James adds: “Each month we’ll have two live bands kicking off proceedings, followed by the Serpents Lair’s resident DJ’s; The Vicious Breed, Terrorizer’s owner/publisher, Miranda Yardley, various Bloodstock Radio DJs and there’ll also be a few special guest DJs on the cards. We’re extremely proud to find a home at the Intrepid Fox, a regular haunt of rockers and metalheads alike, and announce that the two bands playing the launch night are the Bristol-based Death/Grinders, AMPUTATED, and the otherworldly prog of the Essex-based (but originally from another planet) GUARDIANS OF ANDROMEDA. If it gets played at Bloodstock…you’ll hear it here!”
CLUB SERPENT aims to offer THE best in metal club entertainment, with the best bands, best DJ’s and monthly give-aways from Terrorizer and Bloodstock, as well as exclusive drinks deals just for CLUB SERPENT customers.
Affordable metal club nights in London just got a whole lot better now Bloodstock is coming to town. See you on the 23rd March!
The organisers of UK’s BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR FESTIVAL have announced a new addition to the Metal 2 The Masses search for bands to play at this years festival:
“Breaking new boundaries and welcoming our metal brothers in India at the Defenders’ Of Metal & Darjeeling Meta-Legion. The heats will be held in various venues throughout Nepal, Sikkim and Darjeeling with the final being held at Darjeelings very own Capital Hall.”
More information on Metal 2 The Masses:
The METAL 2 THE MASSES is offering venues, promoters and bands the opportunity to be part of the BLOODSTOCK experience and so much more!
Were happy to announce that Amust4music Ltd, along with our associates, are bringing the biggest initiative possible to track down the best breaking metal bands along with upping the anti on some of the biggest ever prizes
up for grabs.
Speed, Thrash, Death, Doom, Folk, Battle, Gothic, Grove, MetalCore, Industrial, Neo-Classical, Nu, Post, Power, Progressive, Sludge, Stoner, Alternative, Extreme, Symphonic, Viking and more!!
So what’s in it for a successful band?
Performing at BLOODSTOCK 2013
Performing at Wacken Open Air 2014
Performing at Metal Camp Slovenia 2014
Performing at OST Festival Romania
Furthermore the initiative will be supported and witnessed by some of the biggest names in the industry – so the opportunity for your band to be seen by record companies, agents and management – is a real possibility!!
The organisers of the BLOODSTOCK Festival have announced the following news:
Hobgoblin is excited to unveil its electrifying new partnership with Bloodstock Open Air Festival. The collaboration sees both parties teaming up to bring METAL 2 THE MASSES at Bloodstock 2013, offering breaking bands the chance to perform on the Newblood Stage.
The road show, aptly titled ‘Hobgoblin presents Bloodstock’s METAL 2 THE MASSES’ will be visiting a host of UK and European venues to seek out the best new acts to grace the stage at Bloodstock Open Air 2013. Bands will also be in with a chance of playing a number of established European festivals in 2014, along with a wealth of additional prizes.
In addition to this, as part of its exclusive sponsorship deal, Hobgoblin will be opening up the search worldwide via Wychwood.co.uk , inviting acts to submit their videos online from December 2012. The contest will be mirrored on promotional packs of Hobgoblin from January 2013, where fans can vote for their favourite act, with the winner bagging the coveted slot on the Newblood stage. In exchange for their vote, drinkers also win the chance to take home a whole host of music-related prizes via an ‘instant win’ competition.
Chris Keating, Wychwood‘s Marketing Manager said: “Hobgoblin has been the official beer of Bloodstock for the last few years and what better way to intensify the brand’s long running association with music than by sponsoring METAL 2 THE MASSES? This competition will cement Hobgoblin’s place amongst metal fans and will give fans a chance to play what is arguably, the best metal festival in the UK, as well as be seen by some of the biggest names in the industry, which really is a chance of a lifetime.”
Bloodstock’s METAL 2 THE MASSES competition will be open to all genres of rock & metal, so if you’re in a speed, thrash, death, doom, folk, battle, gothic, groove, metalcore, industrial, neo-classical, Nu, post, power, progressive, sludge, stoner, alternative, extreme, symphonic, Viking metal or hard rock act, then get ready to bring the noise!
Adam Gregory says “Here at Bloodstock HQ, we are really excited and proud to have Hobgoblin supporting not just Bloodstock but more importantly our fans and the breaking music scene here in the UK for our genre of music. Our joint collaboration really does go to show how the music scene is developing here in the UK and how important both Bloodstock and Hobgoblin feel supporting this scene really is. 2013 will represent a great year for unsigned music in our country and we are sure we will unearth some more great talent.”
UK metal band OSMIUM GUILLOTINE released a song last year dedicated to their love of Hobgoblin, check it out below:
For more information about the band check out this location.
Chief Shock Video
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s ASA unveil the long-overdue release of "Collective Failure" + first music video for title-track! Check it out and stay tuned for more news! Click image to watch the video
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
Ads
Visionary artist KIMMO KUUSNIEMI's ANCIENT STREAMING ASSEMBLY (ASA) have released “Aurora Nuclearis”, a powerful 12-minute audiovisual experience, dedicated to the Late Keyboardist Esa Kotilainen. - Click image to watch the video
Kimmo Kuusniemi's Ancient Streaming Assembly - 'Perpetuae Memoriae', ft. Tuomas Rounakari + Steve Di Giorgio - Click image to watch the video
Click image to watch the video
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 