Thursday at Bloodstock is a day to ease those of us arriving early into the festival and get into the spirit of things. Tents up and site negotiated we were lucky enough to have some glorious sunshine and plenty of beer to wash it all down with naturally. There are only a few bands who start in the late afternoon and play in the Sophie Stage and it always seems to be a bit of a mixed bag on the Thursday, unlike Wacken and their ‘Night To Remember’ more a case of some band’s who might have hit your radar but then again may not have.

Someone has to play first and lucky as far as this festival is concerned it is someone rather good Saturnian. Newly signed to Indie Records from the UK’s debut album ‘Dimensions’ only just landed in our inbox the day before the festival giving us just the chance to give it the one over. Liking what we heard a lot there was no way we were not going to be propping ourselves up in the tent and expectantly waiting for the group to do their stuff. It was quickly evident as they took to the stage that the awful sound that this tent had witnessed last year was perhaps a thing of the past. Things sounded perfect like all the problems had been ironed out and this was really good news especially for a band like this whose brand of symphonic black metal really deserves a crystal clear and clean sound for it to work. Their music is incredibly dramatic and symphonic but luckily they do things without sounding overblown and pompous. Singer Wilson who was formerly in The Rotted pitches his parts in a gnarly clear fashion that completely compliments the music and the band get a loud shout of appreciation by those here, no doubt happy to be at a festival catching a band but also impressed by the band as well. New album title track sounds suitably epic and takes us through the very dimensions of time and space. This is strongly composed and would not sound out of place on a sci-fi blockbuster. I was reminded a bit of Jerry Goldsmith even here but the front man wraps it all up and gets the crowd pumped up admirably. Last number ‘Eternal Eclipse’ was electrically charged getting people singing along with its ‘flash of light’ lyrics. The only problem with this set is it was over too quickly.

It turned out that the next band also from the UK had pitched their tents right next to ours cheeky blighters but luckily they kept the noise purely on the stage, which was quite a relief. Bloodshot Dawn from Portsmouth also have a recent self titled album out and went about laying down some slabs of it which display a meaty collision of intense deathly pummelling and technical precise riffing. Again this sounded more than good throughout the tent with the drums echoing out at the back without completely drowning out the guitars and vocals. Things flailed and flowed with quite a wild abandon and it was difficult to keep your neck in check with songs such as Illusion Aesthetic powering out the speakers. The band look like they are enjoying themselves on the stage and deliver the goods well. With blazing guitars and blazing sun at 7.15pm it really does feel good to be at an English metal festival.

However it wasn’t for Swedish group Marionette as apparently they had missed their ferry, leaving us just the one remaining band for the day. (PW)

Viking Skull headlining the Sophie Lancaster stage on the opening Thursday night is an incredibly astute piece of planning. The tent is ram packed for the first time in the weekend, and the ale has already been flowing for many of us in attendance, which is as it should be for a band steeped in alcoholic lore. Their brand of no-frills, old-time Motorhead-esque rock n’ roll with a party edge is just what the doctor’s ordered, and before long, the strains of “Hair of The Dog” has even the most reserved of heads banging, and the least enthusiastic fists being thrust into the air. Their gonzo enthusiasm for the denim-und-lager brand of stripped down dirty, diesel fumed rock they play is infectious, and despite the problems with the venue PA (“we got let down by the bloke he said he would provide the sound system a week ago, which meant we had to organise another at very short notice – so to the bloke that promised us everything and delivered us nothing – you ARE a cunt and I WILL find you”, helpfully explained one of the organisers before the show), they manage to overcome the sonic difficulties by sheer force of personality alone. Hell, this ain’t the most sophisticated of bands ever, but sometimes what you need is something simple done well. Hats off all round. (CD)

Review team Chris Davison & Pete Woods

Photos  © Pete Woods

Part Two Here – http://www.avenoctum.com/2012/08/bloodstock-open-air-friday-10th-august-2012/