Bands to See at Bloodstock Open Air

For those unfamiliar, Bloodstock Open Air is the UK’s biggest independent heavy metal festival, held every August at Catton Hall in Derbyshire since 2005. With over 100 bands across four stages and around 20,000 attendees, it’s a celebration of every corner of metal.

We’ve all heard of Download Festival, but if you’ve ever wondered why McFly are headlining a metal festival, Bloodstock might be more your speed. From doom to thrash, expect a ruthless weekend that’ll leave your neck begging for mercy. Whether you snapped up your ticket before the lineup was announced or still need convincing, we've picked out the must-see bands at this year’s 25th anniversary edition of Bloodstock Open Air.

Thursday
Kicking off the festival, Thursday is a more chilled affair, with only two of the four stages open. This gives festival-goers plenty of time to arrive and pitch their tents before the weekend really gets underway.

If you enjoy your metal with a side of silliness, head to the Ronnie James Dio Stage for the dino-suited group Heavysaurus! They're followed by Evil Scarecrow, a band that combines costumes, theatrics and metal, encouraging fans to dance along to bangers like the classic 'Crabulon' with their own choreography. They’ve built up a loyal fanbase through their on-stage antics and infectious energy, proving that metal doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom. A fun start to the evening for anyone who doesn't take themselves too seriously!

Over on the Sophie Lancaster Stage, Canadian death metal innovators Cryptopsy are set to headline an eclectic lineup. Described as brutal and known for their relentless work ethic, nearly 30 years into their career Cryptopsy won the JUNO Award for Best Metal/Hard Music Album for their latest album, As Gomorrah Burns (2023). This year, they're celebrating the 30th anniversary of their album None So Vile, and their blistering sound is sure to burst a few eardrums!

They're preceded by British rockers Black Spiders, the tongue-in-cheek British hardcore punk/metal band The Hell, and fellow Brits Mantis Defeats Jaguar, whose blend of funk, metal and hip hop couldn't provide a much greater contrast. If variety is the spice of your musical life, then this is the stage you'll want to kick off your Bloodstock weekend with!

Friday

With all four stages up and running, it will be tough to choose which bands to check out! The New Blood Stage is headlined by the melodic death/groove metal band Atarka from the birthplace of metal, Birmingham, with support from hardcore/metalcore outfit Bailed Out. Another standout on this stage is ethnic death/thrash act Concrete Age, who blend traditional instruments like the Kalyuka and Sarod from their native North Caucasus region into a distinctive sound. If you like System of a Down, Viza or Bloodywood, you won’t want to miss them. In a sea of cookie-cutter metal bands, it’s innovators like Concrete Age who revitalise the genre by embracing their heritage, proving metal still pushes boundaries.

Headlining the Sophie Lancaster Stage, metalheads of a certain generation won’t want to miss Wednesday 13 for a dose of teenage nostalgia. Formed in 2004 by Joseph Poole, formerly of Murderdolls, they have built a cult following with their blend of punk vigour, glam metal swagger, gothic aesthetics and tongue-in-cheek horror themes. Meanwhile, over on the EMP Stage, metalcore outfit After Smoke Clears are definitely ones to watch alongside heavy rock/prog band Untamed Silence. Headliners Vanitas bring their blend of video game and anime-inspired symphonic prog metal to Bloodstock 2026. You won’t be able to take your eyes off frontwoman Jade Maris as she delivers the perfect blend of screams and clean vocals to complement the band’s soaring soundscapes.

There’s no denying the main action will be on the Ronnie James Dio Stage on Friday night. Headlined by New Wave of American Heavy Metal giants Lamb of God, fresh off their latest album Into Oblivion (check out our review if you haven’t already), you really can’t go wrong. Since their early ’90s beginnings, the band have gone from strength to strength, with the record delivering politically charged lyrics and crushing riffs that hit old and new fans alike. Frontman Randy Blythe’s punk sensibilities mesh with the band’s wider love of metal to confront injustice in the US and beyond.

The Friday lineup is stacked with must-sees: hardcore punk/rap metal/groove metal pioneers Biohazard, reuniting their original lineup for the first time in years while supporting Divided We Fall; crossover thrash outfit Municipal Waste; and Brazilian metal titans Sepultura. Stick with this stage and you’re guaranteed to leave the pit with some well-earned bruises by the end of the night.

Saturday
On the Ronnie James Dio Stage, you’ll definitely want to catch Scottish metalcore band Bleed From Within, touring off the back of their seventh album Zenith (2025). Expect a high-intensity set built on precision and insane energy. Prog metal legends Nevermore also return for their first live show in the UK in 15 years – longtime fans won’t want to miss this. We’d also recommend thrash/crossover/hardcore outfit Inhuman Nature and Australian metalcore heavyweights Northlane if you’re staying on this stage all day.

If your tastes lean more melodic and progressive, over on the Sophie Lancaster Stage, Norwegian prog metal band Leprous headline with a richly layered set of soaring vocals, intricate guitars and atmospheric keyboards. Known for their striking live presence and theatrical precision, they’re one of the weekend’s must-sees. Earlier in the day, death metal outfit Sanguisugabogg bring their chaotic energy from their album Hideous Aftermath, complete with their signature abrasive “snare ping” sound to warm up the crowd before Leprous. You’ll also want to check out British hardcore veterans Stampin’ Ground.

On the New Blood Stage, headliners Imbrium – featuring former members of Dreamcatcher, Memoreve and The Defiled – promise a powerful blend of heavy riffs and cinematic melodies, showcased on their new EP Singularity. Rising Floridian thrash newcomers Chained Saint also stand out, bringing sharp technical skill and high-energy performance that defies their newcomer status.

Sunday

The Ronnie James Dio Stage once again dominates Sunday’s recommendations with a lineup packed full of heavyweights. British nu-metalcore outfit Graphic Nature are well worth catching, combining garage and drum’n’bass influences with crushing riffs and an explosive live show. Canadian pioneers Kittie remain a must-see for nu-metal fans, while thrash legends Testament promise another blistering performance. Black Label Society, led by former Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Zakk Wylde, bring groove-heavy, classic rock-infused metal, while Body Count fuse thrash and hardcore with Ice-T’s uncompromising social commentary, delivering one of the weekend’s most powerful and politically charged live sets.

The Sophie Lancaster Stage is the place for fans of more experimental sounds. Masked metallers Mushroomhead bring their trademark blend of industrial, nu and alternative metal, while Dream State return with their dynamic mix of post-hardcore, electronic and pop influences. Headliners Carpenter Brut round off the stage with a cinematic darksynth set inspired by horror, sci-fi and videogame soundtracks.

The EMP Stage continues its eclectic mix, with newcomers Aethoria headlining. Their blend of hard rock and alternative debuts live following their first single, ‘Tamed’, released in May 2025. The Cartoon Cartel are similarly new to the scene, though the members are not – Dan Edwards and Mark Sharpless of Blind River, alongside Tommy Smith of Leogun, bring another dose of hard rock. Irish metalheads Following The Signs inject a heavier edge with their recent EP Evolve, contrasting with Brighton-born duo WREX, who blend electro, punk, trance, and nu-metal into their distinctive alt sound.

Last but not least, the New Blood Stage showcases metalcore with a death metal twist, headlined by Arkdown, who continue their rise after winning Metal 2 The Masses 2026. They are supported by Welsh grunge outfit Groom The Giant, blackened death metal from Death Brigade, melodic metal group Technologist and the progressive, classically influenced Chekov’s Gun, among others.

If you want to stay plugged into the latest in underground metal, the New Blood Stage is essential. In conjunction with Bloodstock’s long-running Metal 2 The Masses initiative, it remains a key part of the festival’s commitment to growing UK metal from the grassroots up.