Bloodstock 2026: Ronnie James Dio Stage Preview

Bloodstock 2026: Ronnie James Dio Stage Preview

Words: Dan Barnes
Photos: Tim Finch

For this, Bloodstock’s twenty-fifth anniversary bash, all the stops have been pulled out and the organisers have assembled one of the most eclectic line-ups yet to grace the stages of Catton Park. In this first preview we’ll be looking at the bands ready to rock the Ronnie James Dio stage come August.

In honour of the Silver Jubilee, Bloodstock have opened the main arena on Thursday, for three bands to get the early revellers warmed up for the metal monster to come.

First ever headliner of a Bloodstock event, and all-round British Metal Legends, Saxon, top the bill at this special show. A constant friend of the festival with numerous revisits to Catton Park, the Yorkshire survivors finally climb back to the summit and headline the main stage once more. Everyone who witnessed their headlining show at Stonedead in 2024 knows only too well what is coming from Biff and the boys. Fifty-one years of keeping the flame burning, and twenty-four studio albums, almost a dozen live records and more miles than you can count have made Saxon one of metal’s most reliable acts.

Keeping the Barnsley brigade company is the tongue-in-cheek theatrics of Evil Scarecrow whose Bloodstock stock has seen them win the Bloodstock Unsigned competition in 2008, play the New Blood in 2011, the S.O.P.H.I.E. stage in 2013 and onto RJD performances in 2014 and 2016; they had to honour of closing out the 2021 show, topping the Sunday in the S.O.P.H.I.E. tent, where they performed after Priest had finished on the main stage and were tasked with giving one final blast of metal to the post-pandemic crowd. Thursday will be ES’s first return to Catton Park since that night, so expect fireworks, metaphorical if not literal, and a jolly old time.

Opening the show is Heavysaurus, costumed Finns, who’ll be bringing their dinosaur-themed, child-friendly shenanigans to the Ronnie James Dio stage and will launch the festival in a suitably crazy manner.

Friday’s main stage itinerary is bursting at the seams with quality from top to bottom. Topping the bill is Richmond, VA, heavyweights Lamb of God, who’ll be the first band to complete a Bloodstock hat-trick of being a main stage headliner on a Friday, a Saturday (in 2013) and a Sunday (in 2022). I’m sure they’ll be over the moon to hear of such things, but their pedigree and professionalism is unbridled and even though LoG’s new album shares its name with Venom’s latest, Into Oblivion – according to my mate Matt who knows these things – it is prime Lamb of God. A live powerhouse and the only possible way this stacked Friday line up could end.

All good things must come to an end and Bloodstock 2026 sees Brazilian legends, Sepultura, performing their final UK show. It’ll be their fourth time playing on the Ronnie James Dio stage at Catton Park, and their first with new drummer, Greyson Nekrutman, who made his recording debut on this year’s swansong EP The Cloud of Unknowing. Regardless of the debates about whether it can be Sepultura without a Cavalera – it can – this iteration of the band has been touring and recording for almost thirty-years and have produced some superb albums in that time; plus, the live show is punishing. There’s sure to be a tear in the eye of many – including your humble scribe – as the final notes of Roots Bloody Roots fade from the PA and Sep exit a British stage one last time.

Also in from Richmond, VA, is everyone’s favourite party thrashers, Municipal Waste, who’ll no doubt be looking to regain their record of people going over the top during a performance which, I think, they lost to Malevolence in 2024. Back for a fourth time the Waste are never anything but a good time and will get to showcase tracks from 2022’s Electrified Brain at Bloodstock for the first time.

Not content to be outgunned by the Richmond bands, New York is represented by Brooklyn’s finest, Biohazard, who make a third stop at Catton Park after their S.O.P.H.I.E. headliner in 2023 and the Mudstock show in 2014. Last year’s Divided We Fall album was far better than anyone could have reasonably expected from a band whose recent history had been one of turmoil and disruption. Killer crossover tracks like Shades of Grey, Wrong Side of the Tracks, Punishment and Down for Life are sure to get the blood at Bloodstock pumping and Fuck the System will not doubt up the ire to eleven.

Deathcore is certainly finding a home at Catton Park, and New Jersey’s Fit For an Autopsy make a welcome return after their destructive show here in 2023. Formed back in 2008 when the genre was fledgling at best, FFaA have issued seven albums, including latest full length, The Nothing That Is. More melodic than many of their contemporaries and in frontman, Joe Badolato they have an engaging point of contact who can inject humour as much as he can rage and scream.

Finally, after several unsuccessful attempts to get Brooklyn alternative crew, Life of Agony, to the Bloodstock stage, 2026 will – hopefully – be the year it happens. Often placed with the Hardcore scene in New York, LoA’s sound is far more complex and nuanced to be classified so easily; mixing elements of alt and hard rock, grunge and post-grunge with a punk attitude, this is a band whose uniqueness is both a gift and a curse. The debut album, River Runs Red is a bone fide Nineties classic, and though their output has been sporadic since 1997’s Soul Searching Sun, all of Life of Agony’s albums are essential listening. Another 2023 S.O.P.H.I.E. headliner. SKYND makes her RJD debut and brings her serial killer-obsessed industrial beats back to Catton Park. Having already warned us of the crimes of Aileen Wuornos, John Wayne Gacy and many others, 2026 has seen the Australian songstress turn her attention to British child killer Mary Bell, Ukrainian wrong ‘un, Andrei Chikatilo, Russian murderous grandmother, Tamara Sasanova, and dodgy copper, Mikhail Popkov. All done through some of the most infectious tunes imaginable.

Not about to cede the fun crown to Municipal Waste without a fight, Scotland’s party slammers, Party Cannon, make their return to Catton Park and their first of two engagements with Bloodstock in 2026 – the second coming in December at the Winter Gathering in Wolverhampton. Assured to be the injection of mirth and mayhem that comes with every PC show, we can expect sheer, unadulterated carnage from the moment the band walk on stage. If their tour with Internal Bleeding and Guttural Slug this spring is anything to go by, there will be not let up; expect inflatables and heed the warning that injuries are inevitable. Having already shared stages with The Smashing Pumpkins and Jane’s Addiction, and having played the 2025 Download festival, Aussie alt band Battlesnake have the honour of opening what promises to be the most fun Friday Bloodstock has hosted in a while. Drawing inspiration from as far afield as Queen, Mad Max and The Lord of the Rings, this Catton Park debut has the potential to launch the day in the most anthemic and bombastic manner possible.

Over the past couple of years, Bloodstock’s middle day seems to have been dedicated to bands who appeal to a younger demographic. Architects would not have been many folks’ guess for headliners in 2024 and I’m sure not many people would have been down William Hill’s to put a fiver on Slaughter to Prevail topping the Saturday bill this year. Arguments may ensue as to their suitability to headline a major UK festival – forget the political angle – with just three albums under their belts. But anyone who saw The Grizzly Winter Tour back in January will attest to seeing a show worthy of the biggest stage possible. Combining eye-popping visuals and ear-shattering sound, StP have the chops and the music to put this performance up there with Europe in 2009 and Parkway Drive in 2019, as one where the keyboard warriors are served up some humble pie.

Last seen in this field back in 2021, Glasgow’s Bleed From Within are more than deserving of the promotion to Special Guest slot this year. Able to infuse their aggression with melody, BfW’s most recent record, Zenith, continues the trajectory of Fracture and Shine, moving away from the Deathcore of early releases into a more mature sound. Unrelenting touring schedules and more shows you can shake a stick at have honed the band into one of the country’s most effective music machine; all they need is a stage and a start time, nature will do the rest.

The withdrawal of Of Mice and Men has led to a swift reshuffle of the bill, which finds renowned US metal band, Nevermore moving from the S.O.P.H.I.E. to a more fitting place on the Ronnie James Dio stage. Those of us with long memories may recall Nevermore played the third open air show back in 2007, when the main stage was located about where the S.O.P.H.I.E. is today. That year, we were treated to Warren Dane and Jeff Loomis proving that the band should have been huge, with Warren sadly passing away in 2017. 2010’s The Obsidian Conspiracy was the seventh and final record from Nevermore, before Jeff lent his considerable talents to Arch Enemy for a spell between 2015 and 2022. In 2024 he and drummer, Van Williams resurrected the band. Summer shows at Wacken and Bloodstock bring new life to the back catalogue and introduce Nevermore to a whole new generation of fans.

Australian metalcore progressives, Northlane make their Bloodstock debut coming in off the back of six successful albums and a host of awards since their inception back in 2009. Taking their name from the Architects song of the same title on the Ruins record, Northlane have shared stages with the likes of Counterparts and Thy Art Is Murder. Although there hasn’t been a new full-length record since 2022 and Obsidian, there has been the Mirror’s Edge EP in 2024, which featured guest vocals from Parkway Drive’s Winston. Making a second visit to Bloodstock is modern metal band Vended who include the progeny of not one but two Slipknot members: Cory and Clown, with Griffin Taylor and Simon Crahan occupying similar roles as their famous fathers. The 2024 self-titled debut was preceded by the What Is It/ Kill It EP in 2021 and proved they were more than the beneficiaries of nepotism. A few years of touring with Jinger and P.O.D. will surely have sharpened their stagecraft, meaning Catton Park is in for a real treat.

In the shake-up following Of Mice & Men’s departure from the bill, London sludge machine, Urne find themselves back on the Ronnie Jame Dio stage following their triumphant appearance there in 2023. This year they have with them the imperious new album, Setting Fire to the Sky which, I’m sure, will feature high on some of the Razor’s Edge End of Year rankings. Dublin’s The Scratch make their Catton Park debut and bring the Celtic folk with them. Hot-on the success of Flogging Molly in 2024 and Ferocious Dog in 2022, Bloodstock realised there was a gap in the schedule that only a bunch of hardy bucks and a whole host of drinking songs could fill. Third album, Pull Like a Dog, released back in the spring and craic is almost assured.

What’s that? You prefer your Metal symphonic and Atlantian… well look no further than Imperial Age who embody Bloodstock’s old school fascination with all things Power and anthemic. The sextet, hailing from Northampton and Russia, have been doing their thing since 2012, resulting in three full length albums and more live releases. Get the feeling these group of nether-worldly creatures will adequately shake off the last remnants of Friday’s booze. Opening Saturday on the main stage is Church Road Records’ thrashers, Inhuman Nature, who are no strangers to the festival stage after having made a mark at Damnation 2023 and a slot on the S.O.P.H.I.E. stage back on Friday in 2022. An early set is sure to be pumped full of Saturday morning adrenaline and certain to give the early barrier staff a dress rehearsal for what is coming their way.

Sunday sees undeniable Heavy Metal Legends Judas Priest return to Bloodstock for a third time. Five years on from the last visit and deep into their fifty-plus year career, the Priest damn-near defined the twin-guitar sound of raw metal; that, and Rob Halford’s use of leather and studs gave the metal crowd an image beyond denim and patches. Nineteen albums into the journey that began way back with 1974’s Rocka Rolla, Priest are still releasing killer records with the most recent couple, Firepower and Invincible Shield finding them exploring that most Metal of mojos once again. After seeing Saxon headline the opening day on the main stage, it only seems fitting that fellow NWoBHM heroes bring the curtain down on the show. Mr Halford has intimated at the possibility of retirement which, at seventy-five a couple of weeks after this show, would not be unreasonable, it could be the last time we get to see Judas Priest headline a major UK festival.

It probably wasn’t that long ago that the idea Ice-T’s metal mob, Body Count, would not only play at Catton Park but would be so prominent on the bill, would have been slightly absurd. Yet the 2024 release of album number eight, Merciless, and the tour that preceded it in the summer, proved Body Count is not only a mighty metal machine but a fantastic live act. Beginning at the Crossover genre, then exploding off in all manner of directions, Body Count is more than Ice and an assembly of session musicians; guitarist Ernie C and decks-man Sean E Sean have been there since the start, and even Ice’s son, Lil Ice, is involved. Classics Born Dead, Talk Shit, Get Shot, That’s Why We Ride and Point the Finger prove Body Count know how to make metal, while covers of Raining Blood, Postmortem, Ace of Spades and a fantastic version of Pink Floyd’s Comfortably Numb demonstrate bone fide rock credentials. Will we get Cop Killer? Who knows…

Zack Wylde last brought his Southern/ Biker rock outfit, Black Label Society to Bloodstock back in 2015, acting as Rob Zombie’s special guest on the closing day of that year’s festival. Formed after the dissolution of Wylde’s former band, Pride & Glory, and more accommodating of the burgeoning beard, BLS became a firm fan favourite on Ozzfest shows and in the theatres where the groove-infused sounds of the south hit a strong chord with fans. Consistently recording, with album number twelve, Engines of Destruction, hitting the shelves this year, Mr Wylde is nothing if not busy, following his stint with Pantera through much of 2025.

San Francisco thrashers, and 2007 headliners, Testament make a fifth festival appearance this year, showcasing songs from last year’s Para Bellum record. Always a firm favourite and always here to keep the party going, thrash classics like Over the Wall, Burnt Offerings, Alone in the Dark and quite literally anything off The New Order are sure to be greeted like long-lost old friends. The Eighties axis of guitarist Eric Peterson and vocalist Chuck Billy have been keeping the Testament ship afloat through a myriad of ever-changing musical styles, never deviating from the course of true thrash; it a dedication recognised and respected by the long-time fans.

Sweden’s Orbit Culture played Bloodstock’s second stage back on that baking Sunday in 2022, bringing their updating of their country’s beloved death metal template by adding a grooving element. Last year’s Death Above Life record found them onstage at Damnation in November where they killed it from start to finish, combining their melo death, with a distinctly Gojira vibe, to give a blistering performance. Having also spent much of last summer on festival stages across Europe, except a masterclass of modern death metal to be coming your way.

Canadians Kittie seemed destined for big things back in the latter stages of the Nineties. Their alternative take on the Nu metal sound, as well as their use of grooves, grunge and death metal allowed them to stand apart from the slew of similar bands coming out of the Pacific north-west around that time. Sisters Morgan and Mercedes Lander, original members dating back to 1996, are still steering the Kittie ship and their 2024 album, Fire, their first since 2011’s I’ve Failed You, saw the band nominated for the Album of the Year in the Juno Awards, alongside Devin Townsend and Spiritbox in the Metal/ Hard Rock category. Medieval doomsters Castle Rat played a blinding set at Damnation last year, a few hours before Orbit Culture if memory serves me correctly, enrapturing the Bowler’s with their traditional doom sound and bat-shit crazy stage shenanigans. A couple of albums under their furry belts have seen the band gathering a large and loyal following, so expect a bonkers time as these New Yorkers bring their heroic tales to Bloodstock.

Kent Nu/ Metalcore mob, Graphic Nature bring an eclectic mix of styles to the early part of the day, citing influences as broad as Slipknot, Deftones and Pitchshifter, they have been regular visitors to more alternative festivals such as Reading/ Leeds, 2000trees and Download, so a big stage won’t phase them at all. Opening the final day will be the countrified licks of Bootyard Bandits, out of the lawless wilds of Worcester. Heavy riffs and a new line up, including members of The Defiled and Heaven’s Basement, give the promise of a good old hoedown to warm up those tired bodies before the certain pit action of later in the day.

So, there we have it: thirty band, one stage, four days. Bloodstock’s twenty-fifth birthday celebration is surely the most diverse line-up yet hosted on the Ronnie James Dio stage. Remember the sunscreen and keep hydrated and, most importantly of all, stay safe out there.

Photo credits: Tim Finch