Bloodstock Festival Countdown : 30 Bands Not To Miss

2. Orange Goblin - Ronnie James Dio Stage - Friday late Afternoon

No matter what else it clashes with, you have to be in the main field for Orange Goblin. Not because they are a mainstay of British metal, not because they remain one of the finest and most authentic live acts out there and not because they are genuinely nice people. You need to be here because this is it. This is the last time Orange Goblin play Bloodstock, and come the end of December, one of the most dependable proponents of true metal will finally hang up their battle jacket and waltz away into the sun.

I know we have had so many Cry Wolves over the years that it is pretty hard to believe any band that now tries to convince you they are hanging up their spurs. Orange Goblin have made a virtue of playing everything with a straight bat. Their integrity is so integral to who they are, we cannot help but take their word that this is indeed their swansong. We all need to be in that field around four o'clock, so we can all say a heartfelt goodbye. Because Orange Goblin have been for over 30 years the real deal and believe me, we will only realise how important they are when they are gone.