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A small corner of Derbyshire became a metal haven for fans from far and wide with the fourth Bloodstock Open Air Festival at Catton Hall last weekend. The 8000 strong crowd were ready for a weekend with more metal than a scrapyard.

And it wasn’t only British metal fans who’d come to enjoy the weekend’s mayhem and pulsating pits. Visitors had traveled from Sweden, Portugal, Poland, Holland, and Lithuania to see the likes of Opeth, Napalm Death, Nightwish, Soulfly and Dimmu Borgir.

The line-up echoed the crowd with bands from across the globe taking up the Bloodstock invite.

Of the main contenders, the three headliners Opeth, Dimmu Borgir and Nightwish all delivered the goods. Indeed, after some past lacklustre performances Opeth certainly raised their game and fed off the intimacy of the festival.

Both Dimmu and Nightwish literally lit up the stage bringing a sense of occasion with their pyro's and dramatic sets.

Elsewhere on the line up it was stalwart performances from Helloween and Napalm Death. Plenty of praise was being heaped on At The Gates, Iced Earth, Soulfly and Overkill.

The stage times flowed with no time for the crowd to get bored. A generous mix of metal genres from folk metal to pure thrash meant there was something for everyone though at times the sound quality didn’t do the groups justice - nowhere more evident than the second, unsigned stage.

This was a shame as a great part of the festival is discovering new bands and there was plenty of talent to spot.

On the unsigned stage it was a case of hats off to Hospital Of Death surely proving that ‘party thrash’ is the future! And if I were a betting woman I’d be laying money on seeing a lot more of Ted Maul and Keltic Jihad in the future.

The importance of BOA to new talent cannot be underestimated and we took some time out to visit a small corner of Essex in the campsite, weekend home to Essex bands Heaven’s Gate and 9 Days Down.

It was a case of infectious enthusiasm from the two bands who were enjoying the best of both worlds as punters and players.

It was undoubtedly inspiring for them to be on the same bill as bands who have spurred them to set out on the rocky road of metal.

For 9 Days Down it was an especially proud gig having won their spot through the Battle Of The Bands and led them to make a bit of Bloodstock history by being the first band to play two sets at the event.

The vibe of the crowd was superb. Where else could you meet friendly pirates and ninjas?

Costumes from elaborate warrior style to the impromptu ‘robot’ made from beer boxes made the crowd a piece of performance art in itself.

Flags were flying but a plea for the flag bearers of the future – drop them in the arena when the bands are on.

From vibrant costumes to the traditional all black metal uniform, there was plenty of opportunity to add to your wardrobe at the metal market (three bags hung off my arm was evidence of the bargains to be had).

Though if shopping wasn’t your thing the funfair was on hand to turn your stomach over. The open setting meant there was plenty of room for a make shift football field were the skills may not have been Olympian but the spirit was.

And even when the bad weather struck, you couldn’t help but come away with an internal ray of sunshine from time well spent with friendly people and good music.

That said Bloodstock sits now at a difficult crossroads where it needs to balance its winning intimate feel with its sprawling growth.

Now able to attract bigger names and a crowd to match, the festival is in good stead as the country’s leading metal festival but with that comes the logistics.

Small gripes this year included such things as the price of food and drink and number of campsites toilets.

Bloodstock has prided itself on being by the fans for the fans and therefore I am confident the organisers will listen to feedback of the festival go-ers on how it can further improve a weekend so many metal lovers have taken to their hearts without losing its soul.

Rebecca Hobbs