Bloodstock Festival 2023 – Saturday – Urne – Vice – Extort. It’s early afternoon as Urne takes to the stage. Curious how they would translate to the main stage, there is little to worry about.
Urne
The trio pack a huge punch and proceeds to deliver 40 minutes with songs that are both spine-crushing and technically stunning.
They work from their first album, Serpent & Spirit, before introducing a couple from the very fresh A Feast On Sorrow. The Burden is huge, a flowing beast of a song which draws cheers from fans and gasps from those less acquainted with their sound. 
For a three-piece, they create sonic soundscapes that envelop and captivate. It’s safe to say that any fears about that transition to the main stage are unfounded.
The London trio are triumphant. There is only one way forward, and that is up.
Vice
Another three-piece, Mancunians Vice, are seasoned performers. Vocalist and guitarist Tom Atkinson is pulling double duty following his stint on The Sophie stage with Fury the previous day. 
Vice are unpretentious. Theirs is a ferocious blend of traditional Metal and Thrash, which goes down well with old and new fans alike. It’s an assured set which features older tracks alongside those drawn from the latest release, For The Fallen.
Well received, there’s something refreshing about a band that plays the music they like. It’s a rounded 30 minutes that demonstrates their quality.
Extort
Scotland has a habit of throwing great bands into the mix. The five-piece Extort have a crazy image, with splashes of corpse paint amid more traditional stage wear. 
They draw on the energy of a fervent crowd and demonstrate their Scottish heritage, which mixes Thrash, Black and a million other genres. 
They bring a groove that underpins their style, and the hardcore following of their countrymen and women explodes in the circle pits.
This a fine entry for the Metal 2 The Masses Scotland brand and one all parties can be rightly proud of.
Bloodstock Festival 2023 is held over the weekend of 10-13 August 2023. MetalTalk’s Paul Hutchings and Adrian Stonley report from Catton Park.
All Photography: John Inglis and Paul Hutchings
All MetalTalk Bloodstock Festival 2023 coverage can be found at MetalTalk.net/tag/bloodstock-2023.
Weekend early bird tickets for Bloodstock 2024 will be available to purchase at the box office on-site for £165. This is the cheapest way to buy a 2024 ticket, minus any online booking or admin fees.
Bloodstock 2022 can be relived at MetalTalk.net/tag/bloodstock-2022.
