Bloodstock 2026 Band Feature: Imperial Demonic
Where does the time go!? Once again, Bloodstock is right around the corner, and once again, it is shaping up to be one the best festivals of the year. Not just because there are a variety of bands spread across its main two stages, not just because it is packed with fun things to do, great food and drink to enjoy, and tons of likeminded people to experience it all with, but because it champions the future of the scene with its New Blood and EMP stages. Where unsigned bands, some handpicked, but most coming through the Metal 2 the Masses events, get to play the festival.
It can be an absolute gamechanger for a band to play the New Blood or EMP stages and plenty have gone on to bigger and brighter things. We know, we’ve been paying a lot of attention to that side of things for a long time now, and every year, tried to feature as many bands playing as we could. While we can’t promise that we will see all these bands at the festival, we can promise that you will find a wealth of talent should you wander over to either.
Who knows, you may even end up finding your new favourite band.
It’s almost time for BOA 2026, so it’s time to get to know some of bands who will be playing the New Blood Stage or the EMP stage. This is Imperial Demonic!
First things first, tell us a little bit about yourself. How and when did you get started?
Our inception was as the one-man project of our drummer, Cameron Ahslund-Glass. Quite soon into hearing the material, we wanted to create a live band. Dan and I (Heathen) played with Cameron previously in Overoth, and Gaz and Cam had flirted with a BM project previously. Our studio engineer/producer Kacper added some amazing guitars parts to the EP, and subsequently became our fifth member.
Someone comes to you and asks you to sum up what kind of music you play – what do you tell them?
Intense and melodic black metal with a nod to 2000s era Swedish styles and enough nuance to keep us contemporary.
How has playing Bloodstock 2026 come about?
We were runners up in the NI final of MT2M in 2024, but recently a conversation was struck with the New Blood promoter, and we mutually agreed our slot at this year’s festival.
What does it mean for you to play the festival this year?
We’ve played some fantastic gigs and festivals so far in our short existence, but having the opportunity to play on these now hallowed grounds is an honour.
What’s the setlist looking like and can we expect any surprises?
The set is fierce, with a mixture of fan-favourites from our last release and some as yet unreleased songs. The only surprise is that we may be your extreme metal band of the festival.
Who are you looking forward to seeing, provided they don’t clash with your set?
Very much looking forward to seeing our kin in Blood Countess tear the roof off the Sophie stage and Judas Priest… obviously.
Ignoring the obvious (tent, sleeping bag, toilet roll, etc.) what’s one thing you should always take with you to a festival and why?
Bring an open mind. Some of the best music at any festival is from artists you don’t know.
It’s post-set, you’re packed away and your press is all done. It’s finally time to kick back and relax, what are you drinking and what are you eating?
I’ll find a good ale at Bloodstock, that’s for sure, and anything high quality and veggie will be consumed.
Imperial Demonic play the New Blood stage on the Saturday of the festival. Limited Bloodstock tickets are on sale now and you pick them up here.
Imperial Demonic Links
LinkTree | Facebook | Instagram
