For many people, Bloodstock 2010 was more Mudstock, after torrential rain had turned the Catton Hall site into the proverbial mudbath. As nightfall began to descend, five young men prepared to take the stage. After a storming set from , perhaps it wasn’t too surprising that feelings of nervousness abounded.
But for Opeth, the evening of August 13, 2010 brought with it an even greater sense of occasion. , the reformed Ronnie James Dio-fronted Black Sabbath had been scheduled to headline. However the band had cancelled all live plans for the summer of 2010 on May 4.
Tragically, Ronnie passed away 12 days later. And now, barely three months on, Opeth, who had headlined in 2008, had boldly agreed to step into the breach left by the original headliners, to headline the now-named Ronnie James Dio Stage. Although somewhat ring-rusty, Opeth diligently opened with ’s and the epic from , warming to their theme.
Then, following ’s , Mikael Åkerfeldt, sans guitar, stepped up to the microphone. “I feel a bit emotional in a way. And a bit nervous, because I can’t really sing.
And I’m going to sing a song by one of the greatest singers of all time. It’s quite intimidating..
.” Mikael said more, of course, his trademark self-deprecating humour perhaps masking those nerves. “Bear with me if I sing like shit.
.. We’re going to try it anyway, because we fucking love .
..” And Opeth launched into a highly emotional version of that Dio’s .
For the record, and you can check .