BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR 2012

DATE:

VENUE:

Friday 10th August - Sunday 12th August 2012

Catton Hall in Derbyshire, UK

Alice Cooper at Bloodstock Open Air, 12th August 2012

Photograph copyright © 2012 Graham Hilling - www.metal-discovery.com

Reviews by Mark Holmes & Hannah Sylvester; Photography by Mark Holmes & Graham Hilling

(Freedom Call; The Commander-In-Chief; Grand Magus)

(Moonsorrow; Andraste; Sepultura; Dio Disciples)

(Watain; Alcest; Behemoth)

(Splintered Soul; I Am I; Dripback; Chthonic; Crowbar)

(Rising Dream; Mayhem; Bull-Riff Stampede; Winterfylleth)

(Tempus Fusion; Witchsorrow; Sight of Emptiness; Testament; Machine Head)

(Kobra and the Lotus; Corrosion of Conformity; Flayed Disciple)

(Nile; The Black Dahlia Murder; Anvil; Shattered Skies)

(Paradise Lost; Dimmu Borgir; Alice Cooper)

PARADISE LOST

After seeing Paradise Lost earlier in the year on their ‘Tragic Idol’ tour, I was rather looking forward to this. And you have to love Nick Holmes and his onstage dry, droll Yorkshire wit; he’s normally on form at the best of times, but by ‘eck is he on top form today, with dry rants about the sun coming out and him not having sunglasses, to “can someone get me a fajita, I’m fuckin’ starving” and the reasons behind him being barefoot onstage as well as many more anecdotes besides. As non-funny as it may seem written, and lost as it is on some confused onlookers, trust me, live, it’s bloody hilarious. But comedy aside, they are blessed with one of the best main stage sound mixes of the weekend, and play a set comprised of a few tracks from ‘Tragic Idol’, their latest album, quite possibly their best output since the ‘Icon’/’Draconian Times’ era, peppered with classics from their ample goth/doom back catalogue like ‘As I Die’, ‘Forever Failure’, the more recent, but awesome ‘Faith Divides Us – Death Unites Us’ and closing with ‘Say Just Words’. Bleakly enjoyable, sing-a-long choruses aplenty and certainly more fun than your average goth/doom metal band. Marvellous. (HS)

SUNDAY 12th AUGUST - PART 3

DIMMU BORGIR

Unbothered (like fellow Scandinavians, Watain), by their stage time being in the daylight, I was intrigued to see how Dimmu’s set would fare in the bright sunshine, having only seen them previously either at indoor venues or playing later in the evening, such as at BOA 2008, with their full pyro show and dramatic lighting. Kicking off proceedings with 'Spellbound' from 'Enthrone Darkness Triumphant', it is clear to see from the outset that even in the blazing sun, they still put on an awesome show, and don’t necessarily need the pyros or dated theatrics that other black metal bands use to augment their show, as the music holds its own just fine. Perhaps as homage to their UK fans choosing 'Enthrone Darkness Triumphant' as the album to play in its entirety on their UK tour late last year, we're treated to another two tracks from said album ('In Death’s Embrace' and set-closer 'Mourning Palace') which I, for one, wasn’t complaining about. In addition to a few tracks from 2010's 'Abrahadabra', it's great to hear the never-tiresome 'Puritania' live again, and 'Progenies of the Great Apocalypse' too, although, to be fair, having been the first time I’ve seen Dimmu since his departure, it really does miss ICS Vortex’s clean-sung vocals live. His original vocals parts are bizarrely mimed by Shagrath – and surely with so much of the vocal/choral work being on backing, it wouldn’t have mattered with this being left on backing too, as it just looks plain odd to those of us already familiar with seeing them live. Nevertheless, still slick as ever, with a great sound, the Norwegians put the other main stage black metal offerings of the weekend thoroughly to shame. (HS)

ALICE COOPER

Closing the 2012 edition of Bloodstock with his trademark quasi-theatrical, horror-themed show is the legend that is Alice Cooper and his band. If the festival organisers were to be believed in the build-up to the announcement of Saturday night headliners Machine Head, then Alice is second billing in the overall festival lineup as Robb Flynn and co. were touted as the "biggest act" the festival had ever booked. Personally, I can't ever see Machine Head being immortalised in Hollywood cinema with a "we're not worthy" scene so, for everyone present, and judging by the bigger crowd for Alice, it's Vincent Damon Furnier himself who reigns supreme. And he does indeed prove wothy of such with a ninety minute set that incorporates slickly choreographed theatre, tightly performed music and, most importantly for a fatgiued third day festival audience, sheer fucking entertainment from this most legendary showman. With the unmistakably sinister tones of Vincent Price's voice played through the PA, a single black curtain adorned with Alice's face that's been covering audience eyes from the stage set up is torn down by roadies to reveal the full-on histrionic extravaganza. Alice strikes a commanding presence from the off, stood upon a tall tower and in some sort of spider jacket as he sings opener 'The Black Widow' as his band mates perform below him. The track ends, the tower is spun around to reveal a staircase which Alice descends as second track commences, 'Brutal Planet'. The audience is treated to hit after hit and classic after classic as costume changes, props, decapitations and other theatrical spectacles materialise during the show. Apart from Alice himself, Greek/Australian guitarist Orianthi, who's been playing in his band for almost a year now, astounds with her sustained fretboard mastery with some truly amazing playing, tonally and techinique-wise. All in all, a spectacular and thrilling end to Bloodstock Open Air 2012. (MH)

Reviews by Mark Holmes & Hannah Sylvester; Photography by Mark Holmes & Graham Hilling

(Freedom Call; The Commander-In-Chief; Grand Magus)

(Moonsorrow; Andraste; Sepultura; Dio Disciples)

(Watain; Alcest; Behemoth)

(Splintered Soul; I Am I; Dripback; Chthonic; Crowbar)

(Rising Dream; Mayhem; Bull-Riff Stampede; Winterfylleth)

(Tempus Fusion; Witchsorrow; Sight of Emptiness; Testament; Machine Head)

(Kobra and the Lotus; Corrosion of Conformity; Flayed Disciple)

(Nile; The Black Dahlia Murder; Anvil; Shattered Skies)

(Paradise Lost; Dimmu Borgir; Alice Cooper)