Bloodstock 2026 // The Sophie Lancaster Stage // Saturday August 8th
Saturday of Bloodstock rolls around and brings us some very classic Bloodstock sounds. I’m unsure how the crowd will participate, considering everyone seems to be patched red with sun cream, people. We may belong in hell, but the sun is a deadly laser. There seems to be an air lingering since the announcement of next year’s lineup. Some who have never considered Bloodstock on socials are excited to come, while other religious goers are thinking the fest has lost its heavy edge. I can sense the disgruntled folk within the crowd, but we’ll see if any of these bands can bring it back around.
Froglord have managed to jump from New Blood to the Sophie Stage, something not many bands can do within such a short space of time. The turnout is what we’d expect for so early, but it’s obvious there are returning fans here from their last Bloodstock appearance. The band have grown their stage presence and confidence since then, putting on a great show straight from the swamp.
Photography: Artur Tarczewski
Outer Gods come full force with their sound that blends all the heavy cores and metals you can think of. The band have had a great rise in recognition since starting during lockdown and have continued to grow. Their live performance showcased the vocalist’s strong, harsh vocals and their guitarist’s amazing riffs. The crowd were bobbing and starting to finally feel alive.
Imperium bring more groove to the stage than the prior inhabitants. The band definitely have a more modern take on thrash. The crowd is packed to the brim to get a glimpse. Whether it’s a fan or here purely for the vibes, this is definitely a band who put on a great live show no matter the setting. A circle pit forms, going at whatever energy level the crowd can bear at the moment, and ends the set on a high.
Bound in Fear came in and delivered us our first notable wall of death of today. More than half the middle of the pit cleared as the crowd geared towards each other and created a sandstorm in the process. The vocalist gave great crowd interaction, encouraging more mayhem and chaos. This deathcore band are fully embracing the dark side and are more than happy to take us there too.
Photography: Artur Tarczewski
Viking Skull are giving us some of that 2000s-style metal. The heaviness and raw vocals are taking me back (I was barely conscious in the 2000s, so just pretend I’m a veteran in the field). I swear I can sense a little punk influence, but mixed with the quick riffs and quicker BPMs, it’s hard to be sure. The crowd are pulling stank face, and there are some diehard fans in the pit singing along. I think this has been a long time coming for some here.
Photography: Artur Tarczewski
Celestial Sanctuary are introduced and come on with some heavy riffs and harsher vocals. The vocalist has great control over his chords. They remain steady and strong throughout, despite being a mix of both fry and false, going seamlessly between them. Though the crowd were bobbing their heads, there wasn’t much movement. It seems the crowd are slowly losing that energy as the day goes on. I can also spot a lot of sunburn, so I’m not surprised if the weather has gotten to some.
Stampin’ Ground have the task of getting the crowd into their grasp. Whilst the tent is busy with those interested in hearing something new, it’s clear the side is lined with those just looking to fill time until their next band comes on. It’s great seeing converted fans by the end of the set, people bobbing their heads and moving to get a better view of the stage. Once the vocalist hops down to the barrier, the crowd is getting hyped. I just know we could be bigger. The band itself has a strong aura as a unit, knowing how to work together to command the stage. I think if this was a gig at their typical venue, I’d have been a goner.
Photos: Insta madeinerror.media
Death Angel come on to a side-spilling crowd. I think this is the one. To get the crowd back into their groove. The amount of crowd surfers within the first song alone must be monumental; it was an endless wave of them, one after another. The band are loving the chaos as they roam the stage and throw out devil horns to those below. The relentless drums echo throughout the festival grounds like a calling to those wandering aimlessly. The best know what they do best, and by God, do they do it best.
Photography: Artur Tarczewski
SANGUISUGABOGG have an aura that made me think they were veterans. In actuality, they only formed in 2019. They’ve made a great staple in the scene already, and with their harsh vocal abilities and the classic death metal sound, it’s not hard to see why. The crowd are more than warmed up after Death Angel, and the hype continues into this band. The members do a great job at keeping the crowd hyped and the energy up.
Photography: Artur Tarczewski
Leprous close out Saturday night and—oh? This was not what I was expecting after the main stage headliner. We have a prog rock band that has atmosphere over energy. OH gurl, these vocals. I think the vocalist takes the cake for today’s best soft vocal ability. There are people in the crowd who clearly are as taken aback as me, and then fans lining the barrier and sides who have been waiting who knows how long for this moment. The band have a great modern synth x metal sound that makes them stand out on the stage today. A band more commonly found at the likes of Arctangent than BOA, it is a welcome change of pace and allows for a palette cleanser against the brutality quite often found at our fave festival. But quality always rises to the top, and the BOA crowd embrace Leprous and their proggy goodness into their warm sunburnt arms before setting off to slap on more cream.
Saturday’s lineup really demonstrates the breadth of what Bloodstock can offer when it comes to heavy music. The day moves through doom and sludge with Froglord, the more extreme and technical side of metal with Outer Gods and Bound in Fear, thrash and groove with Imperium and Death Angel, and into the death metal territory of SANGUISUGABOGG. Then, just when you think you’ve got the day figured out, Leprous completely changes the atmosphere with their progressive, melodic approach. It’s a lineup that manages to appeal to the traditionalists while still giving newer and more experimental sounds a place on the Sophie Stage.
As Saturday wraps, the drinks are flowing, and the buzz now turns to the final day of the 25th Bloodstock. Some great bands have graced us, and tomorrow is sure to bring more surprises and highlights. Froglord have had a particularly busy 2026, releasing Lower & Slower – Vol.1 in March and following it with “Croak” in June, before taking the new material on the road. Their summer has included a UK run supporting Bat Sabbath, Bloodstock and further dates later in the year. Stampin’ Ground’s appearance is significant in its own right, with the band returning after reuniting around the 25th anniversary of Carved from Empty Words and making their first-ever Bloodstock appearance this year. Meanwhile, Leprous continue to build on their 2024 album Melodies of Atonement, following its release with extensive touring and the An Evening of Atonement live release in 2025. Their continued touring makes their atmospheric Bloodstock set feel like another step in a very busy period for the band.
And now, we’re onto the final day. After the amount of dust, sun and questionable life choices already made this weekend, I’m not sure what’s left in the tank—but Bloodstock has a habit of saving some of its biggest surprises for when you think you’ve got it figured out.
Review: Jayne Slater
Photography: Artur Tarczewski
