Bloodstock Festival website: http://www.bloodstock.uk.com/
Buy Bloodstock Festival tickets: https://bloodstock.seetickets.com/event/bloodstock-2018/catton-park/1136700/?ClearOffer=true
Hobgoblin website (18+ only): https://www.wychwood.co.uk/
Bloodstock Festival is well known within the metal community for supported unsigned bands by giving them a chance to rub shoulders with some of the biggest names in metal, and also by giving them a chance to play on either the Hobgoblin New Blood Stage or the Jagermeiser stage. Metal to the Masses takes place all over the UK, and has now spread into Europe, and the winners of these competitions a chance to play at Bloodstock. Bloodstock organisers will also select some bands who they think really deserve a chance to get their music heard by the masses.
Valafar
Valafar are Viking themed death metal, so if you’re into Amon Amarth these are some guys you definitely want to check out. I’ve seen them live twice before, and I don’t think there’s ever a point during the music where I’m not headbanging or windmilling to their tracks. They are definitely worth a listen if you haven’t heard of them before, so go out and support them.
Valafar will play the Hobgoblin New Blood Stage on Saturday 11th August.
Buy Valafar music and merch: https://www.valafar.com/shop
Listen to Valafar on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3uePtTbAxFZKAqUa8aaM61
Follow Valafar on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valafarofficial/
Aonia
Aonia are a dual female vocals band who have some beautiful, atmospheric instrumentals. I had heard the name floating about for a while, but never really stopped to listen until I heard that they had won their Metal to the Masses final and were playing. I really enjoy their sound and will be making every effort to see them when they play.
Aonia will play the Hobgoblin New Blood Stage on Saturday 11th August.
Buy Aonia music and merch: http://www.aoniaband.co.uk/sunchaser-ep/
Listen to Aonia on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0Guknv6gERZCRdPaKo0qIc
Follow Aonia on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aoniauk/
Sellsword
Bringing their own brand of mercenary metal to Bloodstock Festival, Sellsword earned their place because of the quality of their first full-length release, …And Now We Ride. I have seen Sellsword countless time, including the Jorvik Viking Festival special run by Northern Extremity, which I reviewed earlier this year. Hailing from York, they are well known for their swordophone, and even aim to bring a t-shirt launching trebuchet to amaze the masses and lay siege to Bloodstock.
Sellsword will play the Hobgoblin New Blood stage on Sunday 12th August.
Buy Sellsword music and merch: https://sellsword.bandcamp.com/merch
Listen to Sellsword on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5dyxrQ5wTWXvhMz5eaEttp
Follow Sellsword on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mercenarymetal/
Cadence Noir
First of all, I haven’t heard a lot of Cadence Noir, but I have heard a couple of tracks and they are definitely a band I want to check out over the festival weekend. They are very folky and jiggy and I love that in a band (if you couldn’t tell by the general theme of this website). If you get a chance to check these guys out, I would recommend that you join me on a beautiful Bloodstock afternoon. Cadence Noir will play the Hobgoblin New Blood Stage on Saturday 11th August.
Buy Cadence Noir music and merch: https://cadencenoir.bandcamp.com/
Listen to Cadence Noir on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7mbdMAjF8iu82EEKTDt9js
Ostara Metal 
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