BLOODSTOCK, the biggest metal party weekender of the year is just three weeks away, and the event has announced another handful of bands for the Sophie Lancaster Stage at Catton Park.
Manchester’s ABSOLVA bring their inspired modern take on classic British metal to the festival on Friday. Formed last Spring by two ex-members of Fury UK, the band are ready to bring tracks from their current ‘Flames Of Justice’ album to the Catton Park faithful. Check out their recent video for ‘Code Red’ here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kglG0iHm7W4 . Also picking up a Friday slot are thrash/speed afficionados, SHRAPNEL. Citing influences from Slayer Testament to Exodus Megadeth, this five-piece wrecking crew are going to fit right in on the 2013 bill, so come and wreck your neck to them on Friday afternoon. In the interim, check out the lyric video for ‘Titan’ here; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hk8rGdw13y0 , and look out for debut album, ‘The Virus Conspires’ coming soon.
Saturday sees the addition of London-based death metal up-and-comers, UNFATHOMABLE RUINATION. Drawing inspiration from genre luminaries, Death, Suffocation Dying Fetus (who they’ll share a stage with), their self-titled EP drew plaudits from Terrorizer magazine and has helped establish the band as one of the most promising death metal acts on these shores. Check them out tracking 2012’s ‘Misshapen Congenital Entropy’ release in this studio clip; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMO50NV6a7k . Also added on Saturday are road dogs, SWORN AMONGST. These guys tour relentlessly, having racked up stints with Annihilator, Bonded By Blood, Evile and fellow BOA 2013 alumni, Gama Bomb and Breed 77. The video for the first single from current EP, ‘Scourge Of The Omnipotent’, titled ‘Ruins Of Our Own Construction’ can be checked out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BqQcqR0DHI
Sunday sees the addition of downtuned metallurgy of Welsh outfit, LIFER. Laden with southern doom, stoner rock, thrash punk influences, LIFER return to Catton Park having made their BOA debut as a breaking band in 2011. Check out this promo clip of ‘Raging Waters’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCJk9nlLcu8 . Also crashing on to the Sunday bill are ‘on a roll’ hard rockers NEONFLY. They also make a return visit to Bloodstock, having first appeared in 2010, and they warm up for the 2013 event by supporting last year’s Bloodstock Sunday night headliner, Alice Cooper on his German dates this month. Check out their video for ‘A Gift To Remember’ here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AW_NzNarEc . Also tipping their hat to the monsters of hard rock, STATES OF PANIC (formerly known as Peepshow) blend old school, electronics and contemporary metal to create a modern, hybrid sound. Their aggressive, high-octane show channels the self-destructive spirit of the New York Dolls with a hefty dose of anti-establishment rebellion a la ‘Appetite...’ era Gn’R. Come check ‘em out and see some tracks from upcoming album, ‘No World Order’ or give their Facebook page a like; https://www.facebook.com/STATESOFPANIC
Last but not least, atmospheric five-piece, BOSSK join Sunday proceedings. Reforming after a few years off the grid, the band are back and garnering more attention than ever with their epic soundscapes and crushing riffs. The guys have been keeping a busy live diary while they write their new album, and recorded a live session at the world famous, BBC Maida Vale studios last Spring. Check out this clip of them performing ‘Truth’ at 2012’s Damnation Fest http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded=IC6kErGsgk8 , and while you’re watching, download the free track ‘Pick Up Artist’ from http://www.bosskonline.com/. If you’re into the likes of Cult of Luna, Baroness, and Oceansize, chances are you’ll love BOSSK.
