BLOODSTOCK - 2025

I didn’t realise just how much time had passed between when I was last at the hallowed (and we call it hallowed for a reason) grounds of Catton Hall that house the inimitable Bloodstock Festival - the UK’s premier heavy metal music festival. I have a long history with this festival and the amazing folks that run and facilitate it dating back to 2011. 

Walking back onto the grounds was a reminder how much I not only missed about this place but how excited I was to see everyone again. I was there for several reasons - least not of all to see my brother from another mother, Mr. Alan Hungerford (pictured) for some old school tag team photo pit / crowd surfer / security fun. Alan my man, you’re a seasoned professional at that and it’s a pleasure working with you. 

The RAM Gallery looked amazing this year with the various exhibitions on, not to mention the “History of Machine Head” one that Robb asked me to contribute some images to which I happily did. You can see my shot of Robb alongside his red acrylic B.C. Rich Warlock. SO SICK! 

I can’t wait to go back next year to what will be the TWENTY FIFTH anniversary of The Bloodstock Festival - a monumental achievement and especially for one that has remained independent - something they all deserve the utmost respect for in my opinion.

As always, my thanks to Alan, Paul, Vicky, Rachel, Adam, Will, Simon and everyone else. You guys RULE.

My darling friend Cheryl all the way from San Francisco!

Thanks to my dear friends whom I shared accommodation with Huff, Laura, Phil, Scott, James and good to meet you Aaliyah. :-)

Seeing and meeting Emma after all these years was another highlight as was seeing my dear friend Holly and my brother Floyd who flew all the way from Brisbane with his wife. Seeing David (Bidwell) again and all his friends (good to meet you guys), my new friend Joe who I met in the media tent, Sophie, dearest Kirsten and Rob (so good to see you guys again) meeting Sammy (from Employed To Serve), my man Lee Brewin..  

Too many to mention or even remember off the top of my head. (sorry if I’ve forgotten you).

All three headliners were stupendous - Trivium were triumphant on Friday night with Robb Flynn coming out for a Black Sabbath cover with the lads. The aforementioned Robb and his Machine Head juggernaut left us with ears ringing, bodies broken and smiles worn out after their crushing set on Saturday night with Gojira bringing their gargantuan show to close the proceedings of the 2025 edition of the festival.

All in all, seeing everyone again, finding out about new bands, meeting new friends and having an all out blast is the short version of me telling you to GO and not miss this annual celebration of all things heavy metal and all the best parts of humanity. 

Until next year,

Love and respect,

Fiaz 

MACHINE HEAD - BLOODSTOCK HEADLINE SET - SEPTEMBER 9th 2025

I’d not seen my friends in Machine Head since September 2022 when I saw them at home in Dublin, Ireland back then. They were electric then but this time round they were downright punishing. From the first notes of Imperium to Ten Ton Hammer (I’ve been listening to this song since 1997 and it STILL isn’t boring) to being attacked (musically) by a ferocious rendition of Choke On The Ashes Of Your Hate - holy shit man. Incredible!

Following up with Now We Die and IS There Anybody Out There? to the first time I was hearing Outsider at a show leaving me intrigued to hear how the new music held up in the live arena and as always, Machine Head show that it’s as vital as any other song in their repertoire. Magnificent.

Locust follows with Bonescraper not long after before the set takes a breather. A photograph of our late friend (and Machine Head’s publicist) the inimitable Michelle Kerr (rest in peace) and Robb appears on the backdrop coupled with a dedication to her before a beautiful rendition of Darkness Within. 

We’re then pummelled by Bulldozer and From This Day (seriously, my 45 year old ass is getting tired now haha) before the 1 - 2 punch of Davidian into Halo to close out one of the best Machine Head shows I’ve seen in many years. It was immediate, alive, raucous, life affirming and everything one would expect from a show by this timeless band.

GOJIRA - BLOODSTOCK 2025

I hadn’t seen my friends in Gojira since February of 2022 so the lead up to their headlining set at the 2025 edition of Bloodstock (in the UK in a beautiful part of the country called Catton Hall). To say it was a pleasure to see them all again is an understatement - it also reminded me that I was going to be experiencing the ethereal bliss that I always attain during any show of Gojira’s I’ve been present at.

It’s an experience unlike many other bands in this heavy music scene we all love so dearly. Gojira transcend a lot of what we would all deem norms of the idea of attending a live show. It connects with a part of you that’s primal, that’s deep down, that’s the centre of your being.

This is not something I can truly explain or put into words that’ll properly translate what I’m trying to convey here. You have to go to a show and see / feel for yourself.

Kicking off with a raucous version of Only Pain we were off to the races - that song never fails to get the blood pumping. What followed was such a perfectly curated setlist that took you through the gamut of emotions this band draws out of you and even got a performance of From The Sky from their seminal record; 2005’s From Mars To Sirius (incidentally, the album that’d truly cement my fandom of Gojira’s music despite having The Link and Terra Incognita already. 

From The Axe to The Chant to a cover of Black Sabbath’s Under The Sun to closing with The Gift Of Guilt I couldn’t have asked for a better show - well, Where Dragons Dwell wouldn’t have hurt :-P Haha. 

I already can’t wait for the next time I get to see them. I hope everyone likes the photos here in the attached gallery

Peace

Fiaz

September 2025