Bloodstock 2024 – Top Extreme Bands List
Bloodstock is for the fans & by the fans, so it’s always a pleasure to see the festival pick some of the best new underground & some legacy extreme metal bands every year.
We spent the weekend zipping between stages to bring you the VERY best & here’s our list of the top bands you need to check out.
Friday saw us catch the ever-ridiculous Burner. After catching their set at this year’s Incineration I knew I had to see these guys on a bigger stage & they did not disappoint. Bring that early 00s metallic hardcore sound soaked in filth. If you love Converge & Trap Them check these guys out!
Finally getting to see the Brummies DeathCollector play was a real treat but also a very sober one, Legendary drummer Andrew Whale (ex-Bolt Thrower) would be playing his last-ever show. “Deaths Toll ” was one of my favourite releases in 2023, so hearing those tracks live was an experience.
Mixing that old-school death metal sound of said Bolt Thrower, Morbid Angel with a modern production & twist these guys have something special.
Saturday saw the main stage ripped a new one by the Brazilian goddess in Crypta. Releasing one of the stand-out albums of 2023 these ladies have been raging all over the globe with their unique sound. They are mixing the pure punishment of death metal with the sadistic yet beautiful blackened sound. Singer & bassist Fernanda Lira can command the audience flawlessly without breaking a sweat it seems. If you like your death metal dark & twist then Crypta is for you!
Over at the New Blood stage, Praetorian is a great band I thought I would check out & dam did it pay off. They are a furious blend of fuzzed-out stoner doom riffs with piercing & bloodcurdling vocals. They’re opposites of each other they create this fantastic dynamic.
If you are looking for something that will push your musical taste into something unknown & abrasive give these guys a listen!
At the EMP stage Readings Public Execution brings us a lesson in grind.
With such brilliant track names like “Extreme Phaal Terror” & “No I In “Go Fuck Yourself” you know these guys are having a ton of fun & it shows. With only being a three piece they still have so much power. Giving you a heavy early Pig Destroyer playing Hatebreed riffs these guys have the heavy breakdown parts that match the intensity of their grinding blast sections.
On the main stage later in the day the legends of Deicide are heavy to give you a lesson in blasphemy. Getting to see such an iconic band with such a huge crowd in the blistering sun just enhanced the band’s already staple tracks.
“Once Upon The Cross” & “Homage For Satan” are just a few tracks that this powerhouse unleashed. Even with a 37-year career these guys still bring it just like any modern or new band. UNSTOPPABLE.
Closing out our weekend of terror were some of the best sets of the weekend. At the EMP stage, Sunderlands Yersin laid waste. Full of pure filth & misanthropy these guys bring a low-tuned, buzzsaw-blacked style of metal that’s so hard to pigeonhole. What I do know is they are ridiculously heavy lives. A three-piece of one guitar, drums & vocals that sounds this good is very rare. Their newest album “The Scythe Is Remorseless” is one to check out, you’ll love it trust me.
On the main stage the Liverpudlian titans of grotesques Carcass ended things perfectly for us. Opening with the classic “Buried Dreams” had everyone in a frenzy & singing along word by word with Jess Walker.
Getting to hear such classic grindcore tracks and the later melodic death metal tracks in the band’s discography was a magical moment.
Even the hits “Corporal Jigsore Quandary” & “Heartwork” are iconic tracks within the extreme metal world & getting to hear thousands of voices chant & throw their horns into the sky during these was truly a once-in-a-lifetime moment!
So here’s our list of our favourite extreme metal acts at this year’s Bloodstock 2024! We hope you found your new favourite band & we will see you next year for some more filthy riffs!
Joseph Mitchell