As Godflesh, Onslaught and Conan join the latest announcements for this year’s Bloodstock, it’s the perfect time to check out the line-ups rocking some of the best metal events across this year’s festival season.

Hammerfest
First out the blocks and avoiding the pitfalls of the British weather by taking over a holiday camp for a proper old school headbanger’s ball. 2015’s fest has a Pirate Metal Marauders theme featuring Blitzkreig, Kamelot, Xentrix, Candlemass, Hell, Raging Speedhorn and Orange Goblin.
Hafan Y Mor Holiday Park, Pwllheli, Wales, 12—15 Mar.

DesertFest
There’s a stoner vibe and prog leanings at DesertFest. Another indoor festival this time spread across a handful of London’s key venues (including Koko, The Electric Ballroom, The Underworld and The Black Heart). Headliners Red Fang, EyeHateGod and Sleep are joined by Orange Goblin, Brant Bjork & the Low Desert Punk Band, Karma to Burn, Noothgrush, Angel Witch, SSS and more.
Various venues, London, 24—26 Apr.

Temples Festival
Taking over Bristol’s Motion venue with a more experimental take on extreme metal, hardcore and noise. This year’s Temples Festival is headlined by Converge, Sunn O))) and Earth. Nails, Goatwhore, Bongzilla, Pig Destroyer, Triptykon, Voivod and Pallbearer provide intense support across three indoor stages.
Motion, Bristol, 29—31 May.

Download
The biggest rock and metal festival in the country once again flexes its muscles as heavyweight headliners Slipknot, Muse and Kiss bring the noise to the hallowed grounds of Donnington. Plus an equally impressive undercard featuring Judas Priest, Faith No More, Mötley Crüe, Slash, Marilyn Manson, Billy Idol, Enter Shikari and Lamb of God.
Donnington Park, Derby, 12-14 Jun.

Les-Fest WildFire
Scotland’s own boutique metal fest featuring a mix of up-and-coming talent and NWOBHM favourites. Tygers of Pan Tang rub shoulders with Holocaust, Ten, Lawnmower Deth, Cold Spell, Estrella, Tyson Dog and The Amorettes.
Winston Lodge, Biggar, 26—28 Jun.

Bloodstock
The metal festival for true metal heads. Mixing death, doom, thrash and pure metal with Trivium, Sabaton, Within Temptation, Opeth, Napalm Death, Rob Zombie, Black Label Society, Sepultura and Cannibal Corpse among the faithful keeping the mosh pit a moshing.
Catton Park, Derbyshire, 6—9 Aug.

Reading and Leeds
Closing out the rock festival season Reading and Leeds usually have a fairly eclectic line-up but never skimp when it comes to the heavy stuff. After slaying Glastonbury, thrash titans Metallica were an early booking. Though fellow headliners Mumford & Sons might leave you cold, Royal Blood, Pierce the Veil and Refused add to the riff count.
Little John’s Farm, Reading and Bramham Park, Leeds, 28—30 Aug.