Iron Maiden at Bloodstock! In art form at least > Music Festivals > Music

With only 8 weeks to go, things are heating up at Bloodstock HQ.

There's still another batch of Metal 2 The Masses bands yet to be announced and plenty more info about this year’s event to reveal, but first off, BLOODSTOCK has all the info about what to see at the festival’s unique Rock And Metal Gallery, including a very special Iron Maiden exhibition.

The festival itself is about so much more than just the music. It offers metal fans the chance to experience many things including some amazing metal inspired art and photography. It’s a must-see experience every year.

Curated by festival founder and globally renowned fantasy artist, Paul Raymond Gregory and housed in a purpose built, professionally-lit marquee, the gallery acts as a focal point for a variety of artists, photographers, and other creatives.

This year, there’s a special Iron Maiden theme.

Illustrator Mark Wilkinson returns to display a range of his impressive work for the British metal icons across the years. Plus, Maiden’s official photographer, John McMurtrie will a have a wall of his spectacular imagery, with a dozen shots from the ‘Legacy Of The Beast’ tour & a Bruce Dickinson ‘Trooper’ print.

John says, “When it comes to doing something well I cannot think of any other band that is as driven to outdo itself than IRON MAIDEN. I have been the band’s photographer since 2006 and each tour just gets bigger and more ambitious! The current Legacy of the Beast tour celebrates the music and showmanship of IRON MAIDEN with three full stage set changes representing WAR, RELIGION and DEATH. What other band on the planet would have a full size SPITFIRE dive bombing on stage, a CATHEDRAL with stained glass windows, then a scene from HELL with a 25ft monster surrounded by flames? I have a lot to photograph each night but it is the best gig in music photography and I feel honoured to play my part in capturing the IRON MAIDEN legacy.”

In addition to BLOODSTOCK’s Iron Maiden extravaganza, perhaps you’ve admired Venom Prison’s latest album artwork? It was created by artist Eliran Kantor, who is back with some new works. We can’t wait to see what else he’s been creating! The ever metal Krusher is bringing a few surprises from his lengthy ‘other’ career in art and design. Expect the unexpected! 3D artist, Liam Brandon Murray has been working on some insane ideas for his amazing three dimensional works of art - and yes, that incredible throne you may have seen in the gallery last year will be making a return.

Also, BLOODSTOCK is this year including select works from a couple of BLOODSTOCK’s official festival photography team. Be sure to check out some wonderful images from Katja Ogrin and Steve Dempsey, whose work has been featured in many international rock publications, plus BLOODSTOCK’s own Rock Society photographer, Matt Negus. When they’re not shooting bands, they’ll be roaming BLOODSTOCK to capture festival colour, shots of the crowd, and giving you a peek behind the scenes.

On a more sombre note, BLOODSTOCK was saddened last month to learn of the passing of Trevor Strnad and that BLACK DAHLIA MURDER can no longer join us this year. Filling their spot on Sunday’s Ronnie James Dio main stage will be VENOM INC, who are set to treat us to a special 'Black Metal' 40th Anniversary set. The band tell us; "To be asked to return to BLOODSTOCK is for us a great honour and we look forward to more Main Stage antics with you all! But why just do any old set, we thought let's do something uber special for you. As it's the 40th Anniversary of the 'Black Metal' album, we will deliver for the first time on British soil, the complete album in full running order, live!!! We are so looking forward to this and together with you, we will lay down our souls to the Gods of Rock And Roll, as well as the Teachers Pet while we are At War With Satan...and you can Count(ess) your Bathory on that! Ave!!"

BLOODSTOCK’s 2022 Ronnie James Dio main stage headliners are BEHEMOTH, LAMB OF GOD, and MERCYFUL FATE. Also appearing across the weekend are KILLING JOKE, DIMMU BORGIR, TESTAMENT, EXODUS, AVATAR, ALL HAIL THE YETI, VENOM INC, GWAR (in a UK festival exclusive), BURY TOMORROW, SACRED REICH, LIFE OF AGONY, SPIRITWORLD, BELPHEGOR, BUTCHER BABIES, VIO-LENCE, BLOODYWOOD, JINJER, LORNA SHORE, DOYLE, LOST SOCIETY, SLEEP TOKEN, DARK FUNERAL, EYEHATEGOD, DISCHARGE, THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA, ENFORCED, PARTY CANNON, SOEN, HERIOT, BLOOD YOUTH, BLACK TONGUE, HEART OF A COWARD, FEROCIOUS DOG, HEATHEN, NEKROGOBLIKON, CATTLE DECAPITATION, ORBIT CULTURE, SAMAEL, CYHRA, NOCTEM, NANOWAR OF STEEL, THROWN INTO EXILE, PUPIL SLICER, CAGE FIGHT, VENDED, ILL NINO, SKARLETT RIOT, DESERT STORM, SORCERER, RED METHOD, BAEST, MOTHER VULTURE, BASEMENT TORTURE KILLINGS, CREPITATION, INHUMAN NATURE, MASTIFF, PELUGION, and more, with additional 2022 announcements still to come! For more info and full line-up details, click here.

BLOODSTOCK will take place at Catton Park, Derbyshire on 11th-14th August 2022.