Bloodstock Preview

So, as you may know, Bloodstock Open Air festival is right around the corner and my level of inside excitement is beginning to rise higher and higher. Yet not everything is perfect about this year's line-up. I like a bit of variety in my metal subgenres and unfortunately there doesn't seem to be that much about for this years metal fest.
Don't get me wrong...I love the majority of the bands that have been announced but there's two little words missing for me...FOLK and POWER! Yes, I will admit now that I am a complete folk and power metal nerd. I like cheese and flutes as much as any WoW player, and totally get my jig on at folk metal gigs. But there just doesn't seem to be any this year which I have to say disappoints me a little.
Last year (which was my first Bloodstock) blew me away with its variety of genres, ranging from the extremely corny (but equally awesome) Power Quest to the blackest of Norwegian blackness Immortal through to the random world of Devin Townsend Project. Even my Mum found herself enjoying some of the bands and she's a Wham! fan most of the time. I think that's a good thing! :S
This year, we have the god himself Alice Cooper headlining the Sunday, which will be a treat and a half especially if he does all his stage tricks. Although I think it's the evil nurses which the lads are looking forward to most! The mighty black metal Behemoth headlining the Friday will certainly ease us into what looks to be a weekend of black and thrash metal. But my main niggle with the festival is the Saturday headliner. Machine Head are good granted, but they're not the prestigious act we were promised and i'm a little confused why Bloodstock have been waiting for years to book a band which would be much more familar on Download territory.
BUT...I'm not going to complain as this year is chocka full of bands that are on my list of bands to see, here is my absolutely definitely do not want to miss list (main stage only so far :L):

• Behemoth
• Alice Cooper
• Watain
• Testament
• Iced Earth
• Chthonic
• I Am I
• Evile
• Dio Disciples
• Mayhem
• Dimmu Borgir
• Paradise Lost
• Moonsorrow
• Sepultura
• Freedom Call
• Anvil

To be honest, there are plenty more from the main stage that I will probably end up seeing. And loads more from the Sophie Lancaster stage. But I have not got the time or patience to put all those on here.
Don't panic, I will review as many of the bands as I can when I get back and will give the festival a whole review also. That's one opportunity not to miss out on. If you have any opinions you want to share with me, again, if you think im talking utter bull then send me all the abuse you want! Will write some better reviews soon, especially since Testament are releasing their new album soon! Get to buying your Bloodstock tickets and maybe I just might see you there ;D Stay safe, Ta-Ta :P

Bloodstock Official Page