The 10 bands you should definitely see at Bloodstock 2025
- Chloe Sodeau
- Jun 25
- 5 min read
Catton Hall and Park, nestled in the rolling hills of South Derbyshire, will once again throw open its gates for the UK’s biggest independent metal festival this August. For over two decades, Bloodstock has excelled in delivering chaos and community for metalheads across the country and has become a true celebration of heavy music in all of its forms. Having previously attracted acclaimed headliners like Judas Priest, Slayer, and Megadeth, it’s become an experience not to be missed for anyone craving crushing sounds and the extreme side of music. This year is no different, with Trivium, Machine Head, and Gojira sure to unleash absolute devastation, but the headliners are just the beginning.
The festival is turning 21 this year, and it has grown into a three-staged beast, packed with unmissable talent. With so much to see, narrowing it down can feel like choosing your favourite riff in a Black Sabbath setlist, so we’ve done the hard work for you. Here are 10 acts worth catching in the (hopefully) blazing summer skies of Bloodstock 2025.
Konvent
The all-female Danish death doom unit KONVENT are a force to be reckoned with. Formed in 2015 before releasing their killer debut album ‘Purtian Masochism’ back in 2020, they’ve honed their intense, guttural vocals and combined them with unshakeable riffs to create something truly compelling. They’ve stormed the stages of heavy European festivals throughout their career, from Resurrection Fest 2023 to their home turf at Copenhagen Metal Fest 2022. This four-piece is breathing new life into their genre, and their Friday set over on the Ronnie James Dio stage is sure to be nothing short of punishing.
Pheonix Lake
Having previously played the Sophie Lancaster stage back in 2023, the huge strides made by the 4-piece in the past couple of years mean that it’s time for a reprise! Hailing from Nottingham, the band formed in 2018 and have been steadily carving out their own space in melodic metalcore ever since. Blending luscious vocals and captivating harmonies, their sound is heavy, powerful, and emotive. Their latest single, ‘Fractured Wings’, has achieved nationwide coverage, proving that they are a band on a serious upward trajectory. Catch their return yourself over on the Sophie Lancaster stage on Saturday.
Preyrs
A fresh force on the scene, heavy alternative rock band PREYRS is the brainchild of Belfast rock singer Amy Montgomery, and they’re just getting started. They joined New Model Army on their UK tour in 2024, honing their sharp and fierce style of performing. With lyrics delving into themes of grief and war, they weave haunting melodies with an untamed energy that demands headbanging. Don’t miss the chance to witness this rising talent first-hand over on the Hopical Storm New Blood stage on Sunday.
Paleface Swiss
Hailing from Zurich, Paleface Swiss have spent the last 8 years crafting a unique blend of slam, hardcore and deathcore, rightfully earning a Friday slot on the Ronnie James Dio stage. With a balanced combination of brutal vocals, relentless riffs, and deeply personal lyricism, they’ve carefully cultivated a dedicated fanbase, especially garnering success with ‘Chapter 3: The Last Selection’ in 2023. It’s safe to say they are more than comfortable with selling out shows, and they’re currently touring Europe to promote their latest album, ‘Cursed’. If you’re looking for experimental extreme metal at its finest, be sure to check them out.
Eihwar
Need a break from the intense breakdowns and guttural growls of the rest of the festival? On Friday, French electo-pagan duo EIHWAR will be taking the Sophie Lancaster stage by storm with their hypnotic blend of shamanic chanting, traditional Nordic folk, and pulsating electro beats. Discovered relatively recently in 2024 at Hellfest, they’ve played some impressive festivals like Wacken Open Air and are currently making waves on a European tour. While still early in their journey, they already know how to put on a great show; prepare to be entranced, and join them on what they call their “Viking dancefloor”.
Thrown
Underground stars of the metalcore scene, thrown are set to unleash utter chaos to the Sophie Lancaster stage on Sunday with their sharp and modern take on the genre. Since forming in 2019, the Swedish 4-piece have been giving us blistering riffs and aggressive vocals with short, hard-hitting tracks such as ‘on the verge’ and ‘guilt’. Known for bringing explosive energy to their live shows, they’ve toured with While She Sleeps in 2024 and supported scene heavyweights like Knocked Loose and Architects. Before continuing their tour later this year, their stopover at Bloodstock isn’t one to miss.
Ba’al
Blackened post-metal quintet Ba’al have been giving intense live performances since their formation in 2016. After taking the crown at Metal 2 the Masses Sheffield, they were invited to play Bloodstock, kickstarting the rise of their small but mighty fanbase. Fusing elements of sludge and black metal into a harrowing musical experience, their latest release ‘Re-Llipsism’, as well as upcoming ‘The Fine Line Between Heaven and Here’, is setting the tone for what to expect. Their set at Bloodstock is sure to be a dark and grisly celebration of these albums, so it will be well worth catching them over on the Sophie Lancaster stage on Saturday.
Heriot
This genre-defiant quartet from Swindon has made serious waves in the past 3 years after the success of their explosive debut EP, ‘Profound Morality’. If there’s a subgenre of metal you like, HERIOT has already torn it apart and rebuilt it from the ground up. They combine elements of death, gothic, and industrial metal with a relentless wall of mind-melting distortion. Having supported legendary bands such as Lamb of God, and with their debut UK headline tour impossible to snatch up tickets to, it’s no surprise they’ve already made it to a coveted Saturday slot on the Ronnie James Dio stage.
Static X
Do they even need an introduction? Since their creation in 1994, renowned American industrial metal greats Static X have thoroughly pushed musical boundaries across 8 albums. With hit singles such as ‘I’m with Stupid’ and ‘Push It’ coming from their debut album ‘Wisconsin Death Trip’, they’re icons of the metal mainstream. Their career includes appearances at Ozzfest, Download, and countless sold-out tours of their own, and it’s undeniable that their unmistakable energy has truly stood the test of time. They’re sure to give nothing short of a full-throttle performance when they take on the Saturday headline slot of the Sophie Lancaster stage.
Famyne
Another previous Metal 2 the Masses winner, Famyne have been carving out a name in the doom metal scene since their creation in 2014. Known for their haunting and hypnotic sound, they translate the darkest of the genre into energetic and atmospheric live performances that aren’t to be missed. They’ve toured extensively right from the get-go, including an impressive 11 countries in 2019 alone. With a growing reputation on the European festival circuit, they’ve also become Bloodstock regulars for good reason. Their set promises to be a truly immersive experience, so make sure to head over to the Ronnie James Dio stage on Friday.
Words: Chloe Sodeau
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