Bloodstock turns 25 this weekend, and if you think you can skip these sets and still call yourself a metalhead, think again, here’s the bands you absolutely cannot miss at catton park!

Words by James Crisp (@james_taking_pictures) | Aug 04, 2026

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It’s that time once again peeps. Festival season ain’t over yet! And as they say, always “save the best till last” 

A quarter of a whole damn century of dirty riffs, circle pits, dust-filled nostrils, campsite drinking shenanigans and swarms of metalheads raising them sacred devil horns oh so high into the sky.

Yes! That’s right. Bloodstock Festival turns 25 in just a couple of days, and few festivals can match the mammoth journey it’s traversed to get where it is today. What started it’s life as a small one day indoor event at the Derby Assembly Rooms way way back in 2001 has grown into the UK’s coolest, independent metal festival. Transforming the picturesque fields and rolling hills of the wonderful Catton Park into heavy metal’s b*tch or spiritual home every August for four lovely days. Along its journey it has welcomed everyone from future underground legends making their very first festival appearance to some of the most gigantic names metal has ever witnessed, all while keeping that friendly, kick ass vibe that makes Bloodstock feel more like a little (20,000 people) family reunion than an actual music festival. The silver anniversary promises one of the biggest line-ups in the festival’s history. So Choosing who to watch this year is not an easy task when it comes to a line-up like this. So, whether you’re a Bloodstock oldie or you are prepping for your first outing to Catton Park, we at Amped have put a little collection of bands together that we believe you should most probably give a cheeky little chance. Some big names and some small names.

So, let’s get to it shall we.

Fit For An Autopsy (Friday, Ronnie James Dio 14:55)

If fantastically, ridiculously brutal is your cuppa tea then Fit For An Autopsy need to be right near the top of your Bloodstock clashfinder thing. The New Jersey deathcore outfit have mastered the art of balancing bone-shaking breakdowns with huge atmosphere and genuinely some very cool songwriting, making them one of the most “I have to see them” bands in the heavy as hell scene today. I have managed to catch these guys live before and they are absolutely insane to witness, so expect one of the most intense mosh pits of the weekend. If you like leaving a set feeling like you’ve been hit head-on by a lorry and then reversed over, this one is so for you.

Shining (Friday, Sophie Lancaster 20:00)

Fancy something a tad different? Norway’s Shining mix progressive metal with jazz (yes, jazz) and just the right amount of madness. It’s odd, technical and so so unpredictable, but that’s exactly what makes them an immense amount of fun. You never quite know what’s coming next. In a festival packed with chugging riffs and mind-melting blast beats, they’ll offer something refreshingly different while still being a highlight of the festival.

Lamb of God (Friday, Ronnie James Dio 21:10)

I have to mention Friday night’s MainStage headliners cause c’mon man. There really isn’t much that I need to say about these legends is there? Lamb of God!! They truly are one of the biggest metal bands on this floating rock we call Earth. Randy Blythe remains one of the greatest frontmen in metal history and I dare you to disagree with me. While the band continue to smash out huge riffs that have become clear modern classics. Expect circle pits, circle pits, circle pits, walls of death, thousands of people shouting their lungs up to every single word, oh and some more circle pits. If you’ve weirdly never seen these legends live before then you need to make this your priority.

Froglord (Saturday, Sophie Lancaster 10:30)

Every Bloodstock line-up needs a band that makes you look at the stranger next to you and say “HOLY SH*T!” Ladies and Gentlemen Froglord is that band. They have a love for all things amphibian, as you probably could have guessed by the name (yes, I know what I said) They are sure to raise a few eyebrows and ignite a sea of people saying “huh”, but once those dirty sludgy riffs start, you’ll quickly forget about the frogs and start slowly banging your head to their doomy chugs. Behind the clear tongue-in-cheek theme of them, there is a seriously good sludge band that’s built a loyal following. Fun, heavy and for sure will be finishing their set with a lot more froggy followers.

Vended (Saturday, Ronnie James Dio 14:55)

I know, you know, we all know dammit. Yes they are the sons of members of the mighty Slipknot, but Vended have more than earned their place on this killer line-up. They’ve built a reputation for explosive live shows full of groove and anger, proving they are far more than just famous surnames. Frontman Griffin Taylor has grown over the years into a phenomenal frontman in his own right, and their confidence continues to forever grow with each show. If you’ve not seen them before, prepare yourself to come away thinking to yourself “these guys are gonna be headlining this or similar festivals in absolutely no time”.

Leprous (Saturday, Sophie Lancaster 22:40)

Need a break from constant blast beats and the sore neck? Leprous are the perfect answer my friends and in my personal opinion, the answer to all. The Norwegian progressive metallers blend ginormous melodies with eye-watering musicianship, all held together by frontman Einar Solberg’s stunning vocals honestly it doesn’t make sense how what he does vocally is humanly possible. Their music is powerful without always being balls to all the walls heavy, creating moments that are every bit as emotion-filled as they are mega technical. They’re one of those bands that pull you in from the very first note of the guitar or from drummer Baard Kolstad’s stupidly impressive beats, making them one of the most special bands on the bill.

Mushroomhead (Sunday, Sophie Lancaster 18:25)

Now these guys are a blast from the past and I can not wait to get stuck into this set. If you love a proper stage show, DO NOT! skip Mushroomhead. Masks, industrial grooviness and enough theatrics to keep your eyes locked onto the stage from start to finish. They’ve been doing their own thing now for literally decades. Combining metal with mesmerising visuals to create a show that’s as entertaining as it is heavy. Whether you’re seeing them for the very first time or the twelfth time, they always know how to put on an unforgettable show. Truly so excited for this one.

Apothis (Saturday, New Blood 12:45)

Bloodstock has always been amazing at shining a big ol, bright light on rising talent, and Apothis feel like one of those bands you’ll be glad you caught early on in what I can imagine will be a long music career. The winners on this year’s Channel Islands Metal to the Masses will be bringing their melodic death metal goodness to the New Blood stage. So expect plenty of breakdowns, angry as all hell riffs and a shed load of energy, all brought to you with a mass of swagger. Definitely another band not to be missed and another band who for sure have a monster future ahead of them.

Chug (Sunday, New Blood 15:00)

Sometimes all you need are riffs that make you bounce off your blister-covered feet. That’s exactly what Chug will be bringing to the table. This is another band on the list that also won Metal to the Masses this year and in my hometown of all places too, so I am very familiar with what to expect already and I can tell you now that this is going to be a standout set on the New Blood stage. Their groovy heavy sound is literally built for the live stage, packed with fat juicy breakdowns, infectious hooks and enough bounce to keep the pit moving throughout their set. I must mention that they are also a two-piece band which makes their sound that more impressive. They of course are not the biggest name on the poster, but they’re exactly the sort of band that belong on the big stage and I fully can’t wait to see them dominate future lineups at Bloodstock and beyond.

Orbit Culture (Sunday, Ronnie James Dio 14:55)

So I’m pretty new to these guys, but I’m also pretty sure that Orbit Culture have been getting bigger and bigger and BIGGER every time they come back to the UK on whatever line-up, and it is of course so easy to see why that is. Their mix of crushing riffs, hooky choruses and massive breakdowns is just impossible to ignore. Finding themselves somewhere between groove metal and melodic death metal. They’re one of the hottest bands in metal (I’m listening to them as I write this), and every single tour they’re on seems to bring even more fans into the Orbit Culture world. If you somehow haven’t heard of Orbit Culture before, I kindly suggest that you climb on the bandwagon and strap yourselves in.

This of course is just a few names of incredible acts that you should definitely check out. If you are anything like me then you will be running from stage to stage for 4 sweet days of sweaty goodness.

Have fun kids.