BLOODSTOCK FESTIVAL 2025 | FESTIVAL GALLERY AND REVIEW

Bloodstock Festival 2025

Bloodstock 2025 was pure chaos, catharsis, comedy, community, and some of the best live music I’ve ever witnessed. From the moment I stepped onto the hallowed turf of Catton Park, I knew this year was going to be something special. The lineup, the people, the food, the random bits of absolute nonsense (bin jousting, I’m looking at you) — it all came together to make this the kind of festival you don’t just attend, you survive, celebrate, and carry with you long after the hangover fades.

Thursday: Warming Up the Battlefield

Thursday gave me my first taste of this year’s madness. Fourway Kill, Gnome, and Dead Flesh set the tone with sheer ferocity, while All for Metal brought the big singalongs that had the entire crowd raising horns. Me and That Man wrapped the evening in smoky, gothic blues, the perfect eerie nightcap to kick things off.

Friday: Riffs, Rage, and a Surprise Guest

Friday was stacked. Rough Justice and Ofnus woke us up with serious energy, while Nailbomb and Flotsam and Jetsam tore through sets that felt like a history lesson in brutality. Paleface Swiss delivered pure, unrelenting chaos — the kind of set that felt like being punched in the chest (in the best possible way). Their breakdowns rattled the entire field, and the pits opened up like whirlpools of madness. It was heavy, it was raw, and it was glorious.

Then came Lacuna Coil, who completely flipped the vibe with their signature mix of gothic darkness and soaring melody. Cristina Scabbia’s vocals were stunning as always, and the band’s stage presence had this almost cinematic quality. They felt like the calm before the storm — not softer, but darker, more atmospheric, drawing the crowd into a different headspace right before the big reveal.

And what a reveal it was — the Bloodstock 2026 lineup announcement. As the screens lit up with the first names, the arena erupted in cheers, chants, and more than a few gasps. For the festival’s 25th anniversary in 2026, the headliners are set to be Lamb of God, Slaughter to Prevail, and Judas Priest. It’s one of those magical Bloodstock moments where you feel like you’re part of something bigger — the future of the festival unfolding right there in front of you, with thousands of metalheads losing their minds together.

Closing the night was Trivium, who absolutely owned their headline slot, pulling from their stacked back catalogue and proving once again why they’re one of modern metal’s finest. The highlight? Frontman Matt Heafy brought out Sleep Token’s very own III for a guest spot, introducing him with the line: “Some people say that Sleep Token aren’t metal, but we say they are!” What followed was a jaw-dropping, goosebump-inducing moment that had the whole crowd buzzing. It felt like one of those “you had to be there” experiences — and luckily, I was.

Saturday: Silly Games, Heavy Hearts, and Carnage

Saturday was brutal in the best way. Ba’al, HERIOT, Warbringer, and Breed 77 dished out relentless heaviness, while Creeper turned the stage into their own twisted theatre of goth punk glory. Ministry and Static-X gave us industrial stomp, before it was time for the one and only Machine Head to take over.

And wow, what a headline set. Machine Head delivered the goods musically, but it was their crowd interaction that made it unforgettable. Robb Flynn had us playing silly games, including one where cups of beer were launched into the crowd in hopes that the legendary Banana Man would catch them. Out of three attempts, Banana Man managed to grab one — and the place erupted. Then came the emotional core of the night: a heartfelt tribute to Bloodstock’s very own Michelle Kerr, who Robb spoke about with such love and respect. It was raw, beautiful, and deeply moving. Between the silliness and the sincerity, Machine Head reminded us why they’re one of the best live bands going.

Sunday: An Epic, Explosive Finale

Sunday came out swinging with The Five Hundred, Siglos, Thrown, and One Machine before things went nuclear with Obituary, August Burns Red, The Black Dahlia Murder, and a rare reunion from 3 Inches of Blood. Mastodon weaved their epic, proggy soundscapes like only they can, but the night belonged to Gojira. 

This was less a set and more a spiritual experience. The entire crowd was a swirling pit — at times I genuinely feared for my life, and I loved every second of it. The stage production was next-level: lights, fire, a firework display that felt like the apocalypse, and inflatables everywhere. Beach balls, weird shapes, and my personal favourite: a bee-covered rubber ring that I proudly took home as a souvenir. Despite the sheer chaos, Gojira came across as humble, grounded, and thankful — proof that you can summon the earth’s fury on stage and still be absolute sweethearts off it.

Bloodstock isn’t just about music — it’s also about eating like a king between pits. I feasted on dumplings that somehow tasted like heaven in a tray, stir-fry noodles that were way too good for a muddy field, and a stew served inside a bread bowl that changed my life (and ruined my ability to enjoy normal bread forever). Burgers made appearances too, of course — greasy, glorious, and exactly what you need after headbanging your soul out.

Basically, Bloodstock’s food game is as strong as its lineup.

When I wasn’t destroying my neck in the pit, I somehow found time to get my hair braided — and yes, it was 10/10 fabulous. It’s not every day you come out of a metal festival looking like you’ve just stepped out of a glam salon, but that’s Bloodstock for you. I also took a slow wander through the gallery, pretending I was a cultured metalhead who knew exactly what each piece meant (in reality, I just nodded thoughtfully and said “that’s sick” a lot). After that, I relived my youth in the gaming tent, mashing buttons like it was still 2002 and trying not to lose to teenagers half my age.

Outside, things got a bit more medieval. Actual Vikings were clashing in full armour, and it felt like stumbling into a live-action episode of Vikings with added cider. Then came one of Bloodstock’s greatest traditions: bin jousting. I screamed my lungs out cheering them on — pure chaos, pure genius, and honestly, it deserves to be an Olympic sport.

And of course, the grand finale was the legendary closing party. I danced my butt off like no one was watching… even though everyone definitely was. Zero shame, maximum sweat, and the perfect way to close out an unforgettable weekend.

What makes Bloodstock truly special isn’t just the bands or the food — it’s the people. Bloodstockers are hands-down the nicest, most welcoming festival crowd I’ve ever met. People share food, swap drinks, hand out random trinkets, and just take care of each other. One moment you’re headbanging with strangers, the next you’re trading a wristband charm for a sip of mead.

It’s a family — a weird, loud, slightly sweaty family — but a family nonetheless.

What Stays With Me

Bloodstock 2025 wasn’t just a festival. It was riffs, sweat, fireworks, laughter, inflatables, and some of the most emotional moments I’ve ever had at a gig. From Trivium’s surprise collab with Sleep Token’s III, to Machine Head’s silly games and heartfelt tribute, to Gojira’s spiritual firework apocalypse, every headliner gave us something unforgettable. Add in the food, the activities, and the friendliest festival crowd on earth, and you’ve got something that simply can’t be matched.

If you’ve never been to Bloodstock… fix that. Buy the ticket, pack your strongest neck muscles, and prepare to join the family.