Bloodstock 2023 Band Feature: Elimination

Bloodstock 2023 takes place from August 10th to August 13th. Across 4 stages, the festival boasts an incredible line-up that includes headliners Killswitch Engage, Meshuggah, and Megadeth. As always, we will be featuring some of the bands that will be playing this year’s festival. Giving you a rundown of who they are, what they’ve released, and what you can expect come August.

Pick up your Bloodstock 2023 tickets here!

Even though they are playing the New Blood stage this year, this is not Elimination’s first rodeo at Bloodstock. No, they played in 2021 but the scenario was quite different. They stepped in to replace a band at the last minute, without their regular guitarist and without a drummer. It should have been an absolute disaster, but it wasn’t, it was immense. The Jägermeister stage was absolutely bouncing, so it was only a matter of time before Elimination were brought back, but at full strength.

That time is now.

So, who are Elimination? Only one of the best modern thrash and groove metal bands in the UK. They’ve actually been around since 2007 and kept themselves busy from their inception to around 2011. Realising several demos, EPs, and two full-length albums (Destroyed by Creation and The Blood of Titans).

Shortly, they went on hiatus, returning with the Of Gods and Beasts EP in 2020. A return that had metalheads rejoicing as it featured three rampant and tumultuous tracks. Elimination proving that they were still at the top of their heavy game.

They were back and in 2021, they released their third full-length album, Echoes of the Abyss. One of the finest albums of that year. It continued the Elimination trend of slamming, thrashy tracks rooted in a modern sound but serving up some tasty tributes to the classic days.

2022 came along, and Elimination were only getting stronger, both on record and live. Resulting in the intense slab of thrash metal that was the single ‘Icon of Despair.’ A track influenced by false idols and the influence the media has on people.

Now, Elimination, prior to their performance at this year’s Bloodstock have announced some major changes in their ranks.

Early on in 2023 Elimination announced a change in their ranks with their guitarist Leigh deciding to leave Elimination due to personal reasons. He was instrumental in the resurgence of Elimination, and the band have said:

We will miss him greatly. We’re still great friends but he has decided that being in a band isn’t where he sees his future.

Skip forward a few months and the band have now announced that original singer Neil Stevens has also said goodbye to Elimination. The founding member of Elimination has been instrumental in the bands inception and growth over the twenty years of existence. Neil has now decided to focus on a change in direction and will be focusing on his boxing career.

A statement from Neil:

Hi Maniacs,

After much soul searching, I have come to the hard decision to step down from Elimination. This band has been a huge part of my life for almost 20 years and, even though it has been one of the hardest decisions of my life, I feel the time is right to focus other passions in my life.

I want to say a massive thank you to everyone who supported the band since we formed in 2007 and it’s been a privilege to perform to everyone who has attended our shows over the years.

Elimination will always have a big place in my heart, and I know I am leaving it in great hands. Please give David, Gus, Marcus, and Neil Miller as much support in this new incarnation of Elimination as you would if I was still a part of it. They all have my full blessing and I look forward to seeing where they now take it.

The band have said:

Although we will be sad to see Neil and Leigh go there is some much more fun news!

Moving forward Elimination will be front by David Hill, who will be handling the vocal duties. The first single that David will be debuting vocals on will be titled ‘Rebirth Of A Greater God’ and will be recorded over the summer with longtime producer Jack Helliwell (DC studios) and will be released Autumn 2023.

Aside from this Elimination have also added Marcus Norman (ex- Arms To Oblivion) and Neil Millar-Robinson (Draugrheim) into Elimination who will be undertaking bass and guitar duties. ‘Rebirth Of A Greater God’ will be the first material with which will showcase the new line up.

Which brings us to Bloodstock 2023 and their upcoming show on the Sunday of the festival on the New Blood stage. You don’t want to miss out on this show, Elimination are fantastic live and this is a chance for them to really show off their full power at the festival. We can’t wait, but don’t take our word for it. We spoke to them and asked them about what it means to play the festival, what Bloodstock means to them, and what attendees can expect from their show. They had this to say:

We are super stoked to be back at Bloodstock! 2021 was game changing for us and this year will be incredible. This is one of our final shows of the Echoes of The Abyss cycle and New lineup additions in Marcus and Neil and David moving over to vocals as well as shreds will mean this is a show not to miss. We’ll be sure to blast away your Saturday hangover. Set your alarm and we’ll see you in the pit!