When the Bloodstock crew announced a one day indoor event would be held, it brought back memories for many, memories of those early days of the festival and it’s humble beginnings at the Assembly Rooms in Derby. This latest addition to the Bloodstock franchise was called Winter Gathering and was to be held at KK’s Steel Mill, much to our delight and another feather in the cap of this fantastic venue.
There would be nine bands throughout the day, spread over two stages, plus a Q&A session and band signings.
As we arrived, a good half an hour before doors were due to open, the queue was already stretching down the street and around the block. Die hard fans had been here for hours, wanting to be the first in and at the barrier for this inaugural event. A quick on the spot survey of these keen fans showed that they had come from all over the country, a coach from the south coast had just unloaded a horde of metalheads. The consensus was that it was a great line-up and these fans were excited to see the likes of Venom Inc and Candlemass, many for the first time. It was set to be a glorious day.
As we mentioned, there were going to be nine bands playing today - six on the main stage and three on the smaller second stage. Tony caught all three bands on that second stage so first up here’s his summary of those bands.
Bloodstock Winter Gathering Stage 2
Before any bands graced this stage, Bloodstock directors Vicky Hungerford and Alan Gregory, along with M2TM co-ordinator and band booker Simon Hall did a Q&A session answering questions from fans regarding all sorts of things but the main thing for me to come out of this was Vicky confirming that this would be an annual event and they were already working on next years.
Bands wise, we had up first Hellbearer (8), who, with their bludgeoning thrash filled set, manage to get a pit going in the tightly packed room, no mean feat! A big thumbs up from the appreciative crowd.
There would be nine bands throughout the day, spread over two stages, plus a Q&A session and band signings.
As we arrived, a good half an hour before doors were due to open, the queue was already stretching down the street and around the block. Die hard fans had been here for hours, wanting to be the first in and at the barrier for this inaugural event. A quick on the spot survey of these keen fans showed that they had come from all over the country, a coach from the south coast had just unloaded a horde of metalheads. The consensus was that it was a great line-up and these fans were excited to see the likes of Venom Inc and Candlemass, many for the first time. It was set to be a glorious day.
As we mentioned, there were going to be nine bands playing today - six on the main stage and three on the smaller second stage. Tony caught all three bands on that second stage so first up here’s his summary of those bands.
Bloodstock Winter Gathering Stage 2
Before any bands graced this stage, Bloodstock directors Vicky Hungerford and Alan Gregory, along with M2TM co-ordinator and band booker Simon Hall did a Q&A session answering questions from fans regarding all sorts of things but the main thing for me to come out of this was Vicky confirming that this would be an annual event and they were already working on next years.
Bands wise, we had up first Hellbearer (8), who, with their bludgeoning thrash filled set, manage to get a pit going in the tightly packed room, no mean feat! A big thumbs up from the appreciative crowd.
Next band up on this compact stage were the groove machine that is Thuum (9). Heavy riffs and gut-wrenching vocals. One minute doom, the next all sludgy. You could feel that low end reverberating through the walls and windows that lined the corridor linking the two room
The third and final band on this stage really should be playing much bigger stages! This was of course the maniacal Red Method (10). Their psychotic, industrial tinged metal fills the stage and room. It was rammed and at capacity for theses guys, disappointed fans were left queuing up to try and get into the tightly packed space, such is the reputation and draw of this band.
There is always a sense of theatre and raw energy with a Red Method show and today was no different. Despite the limited amount of room on stage, frontman Jeremy Gomez manages to be everywhere, jumping, prowling, menacing. Hopefully these guys will be given an opportunity to play a much bigger stage soon!
Bloodstock Winter Gathering Main Stage
That was what went down on the second stage, a great interlude (if you could get in) to the main stage bands, the first of which was King Kraken (8). Having the honour of being the first band to play this new event was not lost on the guys, they proceeded to play a set full of heavy groove laden rock, kicking off with the obvious, Release The Kraken before treating us to some of their new stuff off the latest album, closing out with the title track March Of The Gods.
Next up were the youthful Tortured Demon (8) who first blew Bloodstock fans away when they played the Jaeger stage back in 2021. Since then they have continued to grow in stature and maturity, now a tight blackened thrash machine reminding us why we all fell in love with old school thrash in the first place.
There’s nothing like a last minute pull out to disappoint a promoter (ooh err!) With just 24hrs to go, Scottish outfit Hellripper had to bale and Simon Hall was left desperately trying to find a suitable replacement at short notice.
In stepped local band manager Dan Carter of DC Sound Attack and hooked Simon up with Nottingham lads Devastator (9). The black metal provocateurs make the most of their opportunity and grab the chance offered to them by the (goats) horn and produce a set of pummelling black metal on speed. They mix the set up with songs that are thrashy one minute, the classic NWOBHM next, but all done with their own blackened edge, they even manage to get The Demolition Man himself up to help them out with their cover of the Motorhead classic, Iron Fist.
One of the most anticipated bands of the day were up next. Later than advertised due to the last minute changes, Raised By Owls (9) have a room full of approx. 1500 metalheads eagerly awaiting their show. Known for their humour and on stage antics, we get Mr Blobby waving giant dildos and crowd surfing, a game show to find the best headbanger amongst other things!
One of the most anticipated bands of the day were up next. Later than advertised due to the last minute changes, Raised By Owls (9) have a room full of approx. 1500 metalheads eagerly awaiting their show. Known for their humour and on stage antics, we get Mr Blobby waving giant dildos and crowd surfing, a game show to find the best headbanger amongst other things!
In between the high jinks of Sam and his cohorts they blast beat through a set of their grind core favourites like The Dark And Twisted Realm In Which Fred Durst Resides, Ainsley Advises To Give Your Meat A Good Rub, Dance Like Barney Greenway and Strictly Come Danzig. Biggest cheer of the night though is reserved for Sam’s mum as she appears on stage for a mad rendition of Break Stuff. Raised By Owls are like the half-time entertainment and perfect for a day like today.
As we head on into the evening and with the final two bands to come on the main stage, we’re already anticipating and guessing who might play next year.
Meanwhile we have Venom Inc (10) up next. This is the band with 'Demolition Man' Tony Dolan teaming up with Curran Murphy (Annihilator, 72 Legions) on guitar and Marc Jackson (Control the Storm, Sin Theta) on drums. With this latest incarnation of the band, they announced that they would be playing the 2017 album Avé in full.
So, no Black Metal, no Countess Bathory. In fact no early Venom at all, but that didn’t matter because what we got was a superb set of hard and fast thrashy black metal. This album reminded me of classic Motorhead in parts so was quite happy to hear it played live in full. The crowd were literally warmed up as the intro track was played with two fire eating ladies shooting flames out towards the crowd, and any doubts of what we would get tonight were soon assuaged with the blistering opener Forged In Hell swiftly followed by Metal We Bleed.
As we head on into the evening and with the final two bands to come on the main stage, we’re already anticipating and guessing who might play next year.
Meanwhile we have Venom Inc (10) up next. This is the band with 'Demolition Man' Tony Dolan teaming up with Curran Murphy (Annihilator, 72 Legions) on guitar and Marc Jackson (Control the Storm, Sin Theta) on drums. With this latest incarnation of the band, they announced that they would be playing the 2017 album Avé in full.
So, no Black Metal, no Countess Bathory. In fact no early Venom at all, but that didn’t matter because what we got was a superb set of hard and fast thrashy black metal. This album reminded me of classic Motorhead in parts so was quite happy to hear it played live in full. The crowd were literally warmed up as the intro track was played with two fire eating ladies shooting flames out towards the crowd, and any doubts of what we would get tonight were soon assuaged with the blistering opener Forged In Hell swiftly followed by Metal We Bleed.
There’s barely a let up as they bash out track after track, Dolan and Murphey having so much fun judging by their grins, and before you know it they’re playing the last riffs of I Kneel To No God before cranking it up for one of those Motorhead-esque tracks Black ‘n’ Roll.
And all of a sudden it’s the final band. The day as literally flown by, always a sign of a good day.
And all of a sudden it’s the final band. The day as literally flown by, always a sign of a good day.
It’s down to Swedish doom pioneers Candlemass (10) to close out Bloodstock Winter Gathering 2025. Those in the crowd that remember that pivotal release Epicus Doomicus Metallicus will have been pleased to see that there were a number of tracks off that album, along with other classics off Nightfall. This is doom in all it’s dark glory. The majestic Under The Oak and the stone cold iciness of Darkness In Paradise are the pick of the bunch, but the closing duo of Demons Gate and Solitude, show how beautifully dark, Swedish doom can be.
Another perfect set to close out the day and another great addition to the metal festival calendar. The date is set for Saturday 5th December so keep your eyes open for ticket and line-up information.
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