Talk about a way to kick start the second half of the Sophie Stage. Ankor are a perfect mix of heaviest parts of metal and the best soft vocals of metalcore. The drummer came on first, lifting her sticks to get the crowd to WOO. On came the rest of the band. The way the vocalist seamlessly swept between the two is no doubt an incredible feat. The Barcelona band impressed the audience too. The crowd inching closer to the barrier throughout their 40 minute set. The energy of the guitarists was great to see. This band really do know how to put on a performance purely just by vibing together. Constantly between standing on the edge of the stage or shredding with other. Definitely a stand out of today.
https://www.facebook.com/Ankormusic
Sadus came on for their 45 minute set and I feel like I now I have heart palpitations with how fast their drums were. The first song felt like it had an intro that lasted 5 minutes of straight riffs, before ending with a fry scream from vocalist. The crowd seemed conflicted. Whilst some were moshing away, others just stayed in their place and didn’t move. The fans of the heavy riffs started to chant the band’s name, after the second song. Showing there is definitely a fan base here specifically to see Sadus. If you’re one of those who’s a sucker for fast double kicks and sick distorted riffs, I imagine you probably already know Sadus.
https://www.facebook.com/sadusguy
Xentrix have that remiscent sound of the pre 2000s that takes you back to the days of Metallica and the like. Fans lined the barrier, screaming out the words to their songs like this was a headliner spot. It was great seeing the turn out. A lot of the time people stop by the Sophie stage just to check someone out, but I could see people avidly rushing to claim a spot in the pit before it got too packed. Each song was met with an immense uproar from the crowd, swiftly kicking the band off into the next of their 45 minute set. The guitarists on either side would change positions throughout and approach the edge of the platform to give a little spectacle for the audience below. The band are definitely performers and have their audience in a tight grip.
https://www.facebook.com/xentrixmetal
A droning sound echoes throughout the tent and here we welcome Infected Rain. The Moldovian 4-piece know how to put on a good show. The band members constantly rotating sides of the stage like clockwork. It’s hard not to follow the singer though. With her locks being thrown every which way as she moshes, I think it was almost like a hypnotic effect just watching it swoosh. The crowd at the tent is packing in tightly, with people eagerly watching from beyond the hood. The harsh screams of the singer are something to praise. The move between the techniques she utilises is seamless and the moments of soft vocals has the audience tapping their feet.
https://www.facebook.com/infectedrain
Satyricon have big shoes to fill as they close out the festival. The set begins with the vocalist holding a flag pole, an upside down cross the sigil. There is an avid audience, some dressed in heavy makeup and garb, lining the barrier that woo at the sight and prepare to use up all the energy they have left. The first song goes on, apart from a deep blue light – nothing too unordinary. Then the second- the most insane flashing light set up I think I’ve ever seen. They were almost seizure like and when paired with the heavy riffs with that almost grunge feel you can’t help but take a moment to pause because you just forgot what you were doing. The band gave a fun send off to the festival, their confidence on stage exuding into the audience to give them that last bit of a push to get the circle pit going.
https://www.facebook.com/SatyriconOfficial
Bloodstock Open Air has finished for another year. The Sophie Stage has had an amazing line up of different metal sub genres to keep everyone entertained and maybe even introduce people to something new. Whilst other festivals try to ride up the mainstream wave, Bloodstock fills in all the in-between and you can see why it’s so beloved by a lot of the metal community.
Review & Photography : Jayne Slater
jsm.slater_films
