Bloodstock – Sunday and Gojira
10th August 2025
Another warm and sunny Sunday at my favourite music festival, Bloodstock! Today’s theme was Dinosaurs, so if you spot any prehistoric creatures in the photos or videos, that’s the reason why. The atmosphere was fantastic — people really went all out with costumes, from inflatable T-Rex suits to handmade raptor masks.
We started the day in the Serpent’s Lair, chatting with a guy wearing one of those inflatable dinosaur outfits. It was powered by a small air pump that ran continuously, giving the illusion that he was riding the dino. Unfortunately, as we were talking, the pump gave up and the poor dinosaur began to deflate right before our eyes. Such a shame — but it definitely added to the comedy of the day!
Between the laughter, great music, and creative costumes, Dinosaur Day at Bloodstock was another unforgettable chapter in this amazing festival’s history.
Ghosts of Atlantis
Our first band of the day was Ghosts of Atlantis. The crowd wasn’t huge, but those who gathered were full of energy and clearly enjoying themselves. At one point, a dinosaur led a conga line through the audience, and there were plenty of playful balloon sword fights adding to the fun atmosphere.
Ghosts of Atlantis delivered a strong performance — their blend of symphonic metal and melodic death metal, infused with mythological and historical themes, created a powerful start to the day. They’re a band from Suffolk, England, known for their cinematic sound and storytelling inspired by the legends of Atlantis. Even with a smaller crowd, they made a big impression and set the tone perfectly for the rest of the festival.
One Machine
One Machine hit the Ronnie James Dio stage with a fierce, precision-driven set that blended classic and modern metal perfectly. Frontman Tasos Lazaris commanded the crowd with powerful vocals, while the band’s tight riffs and crisp production kept the energy high. Drawing mostly from The Final Cull and The Distortion of Lies & The Overdriven Truth, they delivered a solid, no-frills performance that proved why they deserve their place at Bloodstock. Not the flashiest set of the day, but undeniably one of the most professional and hard-hitting.
Rivers of Nihil
Hailing from Reading, Pennsylvania, Rivers of Nihil delivered a sharp, technically-adept set at Bloodstock 2025. Their performance fused brutal death-metal ferocity with unexpected touches — including wind instruments like saxophone, which added a haunting melodic layer to the chaos. A standout for those who appreciate metal with both power and nuance.
Rock & Metal Gallery
During the afternoon, we took some time away from the stages to visit the Rock & Metal Gallery, which this year featured a stunning exhibition of artwork by the legendary Roger Dean. Best known for his iconic album covers for bands such as Yes, Asia, and Uriah Heep, Dean’s work is instantly recognisable for its dreamlike landscapes, surreal architecture, and vivid use of colour. Seeing his art up close was a real treat — the intricate details and scale of the pieces revealed the depth of imagination that has inspired musicians and fans for decades.
The gallery itself provided a calm, air-conditioned refuge from the heat and noise outside, and wandering among the artwork felt like stepping into another world. Alongside Dean’s paintings was another fascinating exhibition showcasing a collection of “out-of-this-world” guitars. These instruments ranged from custom-built masterpieces with elaborate carvings and finishes to experimental designs that looked more like sculptures than playable instruments.
Together, the two exhibitions captured the spirit of Bloodstock perfectly — creativity, craftsmanship, and a love of the extraordinary. It was a reminder that the festival isn’t just about the music; it’s also about celebrating the art and imagination that fuel heavy metal culture.
August Burns Red
The next band we saw was August Burns Red, and they absolutely tore up the stage. From the first riff, the crowd erupted — waves of people were crowd-surfing toward the barrier, keeping the ever-patient security team (wearing shirts that read “We Are Here to Help”) constantly on their toes. At one point, we even spotted someone in a full gas mask surfing over the sea of metalheads, perfectly capturing the wild energy of the set.
August Burns Red delivered a tight, explosive performance filled with technical precision and raw passion. Their mix of crushing breakdowns, soaring melodies, and complex rhythms hit hard and sounded flawless live. The band’s connection with the audience was undeniable — fists in the air, circle pits spinning, and voices shouting every word back at the stage.
It was one of those Bloodstock moments where everything clicked: the sun blazing, the crowd united, and the music shaking the ground.
Feuerschwanz
Feuerschwanz brought the party to the Ronnie James Dio stage with their high-energy blend of medieval folk and metal from Erlangen, Bavaria. The performance overflowed with theatrical flair—bagpipes, hurdy-gurdy, and thundering riffs mingled seamlessly, creating a sound that was as fun as it was ferocious. Their sense of humour was on full display, reminding everyone that while they’re serious about their music, they’re also here to crack a smile.
The crowd roared along, arms raised, as the band delivered both sing-along anthems and rollicking folk-metal bangers. If you were there for a wild good time, this set hit the mark.
The Black Dahlia Murder
The set by The Black Dahlia Murder at Bloodstock Open Air 2025 was a ferocious display of melodic death metal at full throttle. Frontman Brian Eschbach stepped into the vocal role with commanding presence, honouring the band’s legacy while charging ahead. Their performance was precise, razor-sharp and relentless—track after track landed with visceral impact. The crowd responded with massive circle pits and unrestrained energy. Technical hiccups briefly surfaced, but the band shrugged them off and never lost momentum. A reminder that even after difficult changes, The Black Dahlia Murder remain a powerhouse live force.
The Lord of the Lost
Germany’s Lord of the Lost delivered a main stage performance at Bloodstock that was a dazzling triumph of glam-industrial metal. Frontman Chris Harms and his band, decked in signature theatrical gear, were relentlessly high-energy. The set was a perfect blend of crushing industrial stomp, like “Drag Me To Hell,” and their infectious, glitter-coated anthems from Blood & Glitter. Harms commanded the Bloodstock faithful, initiating massive singalongs and encouraging the famous “one-person mosh pit.” The band was monstrously tight, translating their studio intensity into a powerful live show. This was more than just a gig; it was a gloriously dark, heavy, and celebratory party that left the crowd completely buzzed.
Feuerschwanz Signing
We then queued up to get the signatures of the German band Feuerschwanz. Really lovely group of people.
Mastodon
Mastodon delivered a monumental performance as special guests on the Ronnie James Dio stage at Bloodstock 2025. The Atlanta titans fused intricate prog with earth-shaking sludge, proving their legendary status. Brann Dailor’s frantic drumming anchored the sprawling soundscapes, while Troy Sanders’ bellowing vocals cut through the Derbyshire air. Highlights included a ferocious rendition of “Blood and Thunder,” which ignited the biggest pit of the weekend, and a tight, riff-heavy run through “Megalodon.” A masterclass in modern metal complexity and raw power. They set an impossibly high bar for the headliners.
Gojira
Closing out the Ronnie James Dio stage on Sunday, French progressive metal masters Gojira proved exactly why they earned their headlining slot at Bloodstock 2025. Following Mastodon’s immense set, the Duplantier brothers and co. delivered a transcendent performance that was as environmentally conscious as it was overwhelmingly heavy.
The set was a perfectly balanced assault of technical precision and groove, led by Joe Duplantier’s powerful, shamanistic presence and the thunderous, signature drumming of Mario Duplantier. Classics like “Flying Whales” and “Backbone” showcased their sprawling, dynamic genius, pulling the crowd into a mesmerizing frenzy.
The sheer scale of the production matched the music’s ambition. The stage erupted with colossal bursts of fire and pyrotechnics, timed impeccably to the rhythmic shifts in tracks like “Stranded” and the pulsating stomp of “Amazonia.” The heat from the massive plumes of flame added a visceral element to the atmosphere, underscoring the band’s raw power and turning the arena into a blazing spectacle that lit up the Derbyshire night sky.
The emotional high point arrived with “The Chant,” where thousands of voices sang along to the melodic chorus, offering a moment of collective harmony before the final, brutal salvo. Their encore, which notably featured a heartfelt cover of the Black Sabbath classic “Under the Sun / Every Day Comes and Goes” in tribute to the recently passed Ozzy Osbourne, brought a perfect blend of reverence and raw emotion to the festival’s close. Gojira didn’t just play a festival set; they delivered a spiritual, fiery, and deeply impactful metal mass.
Gojira Set List – Bloodstock 2025 (August 10, 2025)
Main Set:
- Only Pain
- The Axe
- Backbone
- Stranded
- Flying Whales
- The Cell
- From the Sky
- Another World
- Silvera
- Mea culpa (Ah! Ça ira!)
- The Chant
- Amazonia
Encore:
- L’enfant sauvage
- Under the Sun / Every Day Comes and Goes (Black Sabbath cover)
- The Gift of Guilt
The End
Next day we packed the tent away, and drove back home. No issues leaving the road was clear. I have Tickets for next year. The band autographs are displayed in the loo.
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