7th August 2025
Selina and I arrived at 12, with no traffic at all on our chosen route. According to the rules, Serpents Lair campers should not arrive before 12. I don’t understand how the car park is full and the campsite is almost full. I must be missing something. We carted our stuff and found a place near a huge tent. Problem: I could not find the mallet, so I borrowed one from them. I decided they must be builders, because the mallet was a builders hammer. After a walk around, I decided that we should have spent a little more time finding a location. There was quite a bit of space nearer to the showers.
The rain started before the bands played, but we were in the bar in Serpents Lair having a beer and cider. When the short shower ended, we went to pick up our goodie bag. This was before the other crowds were let in. This was an excellent change becaue we did not have to queue.
I realised I did not have the correct charger cable for my battery pack, so went in search of a camping shop. We were led to it by a bored security man. I purchased the cable at the camp shop. We heard from the owner of the shop that Bloodstock was good to the suppliers, as was Glastonbury. He detested Download and the other festivals run by Festival Republic, as they took a 10-30% charge on all items bought. To enforce this, you had to take card payments and only use their card machines. If you did not make a sales level, then you would not be on site next year.
In the Serpents Lair, we were accosted by a youngster who was wearing a gas mask. He said everyone knew him by the name Gas Mask, and he was the starter of many of the circle pits on the main stage. He is a notable, high-energy figure amongst the Bloodstock crowd and we were to see him very often.
Bands started to play at 6 in the evening on the Sophie Lancaster Stage and continued until midnight. This stage, which is the festival’s second-largest, is named in memory of Sophie Lancaster, who was tragically murdered in 2007 for being a Goth. The stage highlights the work of The Sophie Lancaster Foundation, Bloodstock’s official charity partner, which campaigns to Stamp Out Prejudice, Hatred and Intolerance Everywhere.
Dead Flesh 18:00 – 18:30
We enjoyed the band, with plenty of crowd surfers. The first band to play, Dead Flesh are a Hertfordshire-based deathcore band known for their high-intensity live show, blast beats, and breakdowns. They set the tone for the evening perfectly.
Fourway Kill 18:50 – 19:20
Next up was a band named Fourway Kill. The English groove-thrash metallers opened the main stage at the inaugural Open Air festival in 2005, following previous appearances at the indoor festival. They are known for their brutal live shows and a no-compromise approach to heavy groove thrash.
Our recent friend, the fan known as Gas Mask appeared in the crowd to create his circle pits..
Gnome 19:45 – 20:25
We were then entertained by the Belgian band Gnome, a stoner rock/metal band from Antwerp. They’re known for their distinct visual style, dressing in large, red gnome hats for their performances, a look often mirrored by their dedicated followers.
Their set at Bloodstock, is a mix of heavy riffs, playful energy, and progressive elements, entertained the audience. Gnome’s unique blend of humor and heavy music – often described as “gnome rock” – made their performance a standout, solidifying their reputation for delivering a high-energy, memorable live experience. They often draw comparisons to bands like Tool or Mastodon but with a decidedly whimsical, fantastical twist.
All for Metal 21:00 – 22:00
All for metal performed a blend of power metal and heavy metal anthems, the band delivered a powerful and visually imposing set. The presence of the lead singer, Tetzel, was truly staggering; his enormous size and robust stage presence anchored the performance. A memorable highlight was a demonstration of his impressive strength, as he effortlessly picked up and held two other members of the band.
Adding to the spectacle and musical prowess was the female guitarist and a bass guitarist who maintained a menacing aesthetic by wearing a distinctive metal mask. Coming from Germany, All For Metal embodies the Teutonic tradition of heavy, highly theatrical, and instantly catchy metal, ensuring their performance was a high-energy, unforgettable experience.
Me and that Man 2240 – 2355
Me And That Man is the dark, blues-infused, Americana-style project fronted by Adam “Nergal” Darski, best known as the leader of the legendary Polish black metal band, Behemoth. In sharp contrast to Behemoth’s extreme sound, Me And That Man offers a blend of folk, gothic country, and blues rock, creating a brooding, atmospheric mood.
Their set was skillfully delivered by the band’s guitarist and vocalist (Nergal), showcasing their rich, acoustic-heavy material. The band’s captivating style successfully drew in a large audience, resulting in a lot of enthusiastic crowd participation and singing despite the departure from the festival’s typical heavy metal focus. The performance offered a dark, compelling change of pace, highlighting Nergal’s versatility as a musician.
Serpents Lair
That was the end of the bands, so we went back to the Serpents Layer and watch some fire displays while consuming a nightcap.
Gallery
