Halloween night got more exciting with The Fright Before Rabidfest! The ultimate pre-party before the main festival chaos(hehe)! This special warm up show blended spooky season dressing up with crushing live music, setting the perfect mood for what’s to follow.
Fresh from their Oxford Metal to the Masses run, Along The Pines hit the stage in full Village People get-up! Definitely the best dressed group in my opinion. Musically, they were tight and polished, with a standout guitar solo.
The frontman pushed hard for more crowd energy, but when the audience stayed slightly more laid back, he called the crowd “pussies”. A moment that jarred more than it landed. Still, the band’s performance shone through, capped off with a birthday shout-out to the drummer!
Next up were Imperial Avenue, who stormed the stage with a fantastic performance that had members of the crowd surging into a moshpit. Their heavy vocals hit hard, and the band kept their energy up!
The band recently announced on their socials that new music is on the way, and judging by this set, it’s something to get excited about. A special shoutout too for their newest track making it onto BBC Radio 1! A huge milestone that shows just how far they’re pushing forward.
Ocean Planet reminded all of us why they were given their spot on the line up. After storming Oxford Metal to the Masses heats and winning (yay!) and earning their place on the Bloodstock stage, it was clear they were going to bring the heat (pun absolutely shit but intended). Their performance was powerful and polished.
After Ocean Planet wrapped up their set, the ever-loud and larger-than-life Jay of Moshville Times took to the mic to announce the winners of the fancy dress contest. Unfortunately, I didn’t catch the name of the overall winner (sorry I’m a knobhead!), but I do want to give a special shoutout to my friend Dim, who snagged runner-up with an incredible Alucard costume.
I had been buzzing for Confessions Of A Traitor ever since I heard they’d reached out, and as a big fan I was practically combusting with excitement by the time they hit the stage. They went on to deliver one of the best sets we’ve ever seen in the Jericho!! So much so that the sheer amount of jumping from the crowd had me genuinely worried for the building’s foundations! The ever-charming frontman asked us all to promise we’d smile, though with a set that amazing it was it ever going to be an issue? I’ll admit, I fangirled just a little afterwards when I asked lead singer Stephen for a photo. He told me the mix of my scary costume and friendly voice was very amusing—proof, of course, that I’m obviously very lovely.
I also must give a shout-out to everyone who joined me in a duel to the death with my pool noodles! They went down a treat!
Michael Daniels dressed as Frank Durst 🙄 and I went as my usual dead self. Terrifying.
Some shows are live, some pre-recorded. All times are GMT
