CALL OF THE WILD FESTIVAL DAY 2

The Call of The Wild Festival 2026: Saturday 30^th May: Lincolnshire Showground, day 2.

Back to the Lincolnshire Showground for day 2, the weather was at 26c with a few little clouds but mainly blue covering the sky, so great for the campers & the festival goers there, and today’s bands.

The Showground atmosphere was feeling welcoming though hyped and buzzing for today’s band appearances, and the vibe was that of happy, energetic fun, but chilled out, fun-loving, merriment of all age’s creed and colour, and the kindred togetherness of the rock community was so felt, here at The Call of the Wild Festival.

The first band up at 11:40am, was the band ‘Catalysis’

Catalysis is a 5-piece metal band from Dundee Scotland.

Since their inception in late 2016 the band have released 3 Eps and 2 albums, Connection Lost in 2020, and Betrayer in 2023.

In 2022 the band received the best Metal award, at the Scottish alternative music awards.

In 2024 the band had 3 members depart, though they quickly regrouped, recruiting new members, Andrew Downie on Vocals, Jamie Patterson on Guitar, and Robi Islam on Bass.

Adding to original members Drew Cochrane on Lead Guitar, and Calum Rennie on Drums.

The band are known for their blistering, high energy sound and their music features themes of death, politics, and the environment.

From the start that revved up the atmosphere of their set, there was a spectacular burst of pyrotechnic blasts, and full-on frontal stage flame flares, and their intense energy and aggressive style was a wake up scall for the start, which the early crowd loved.

To the Introduction of the band ‘Ransom’. On the Southall Lawless Stage.

‘Ransom’ is a highly energetic audience loving charismatic rock band, based in Surbiton, who was formed in 2015 by Dave and Zach Barlow.

Originally starting as a local gigging covers band on the London and home counties pub circuit, they transitioned into writing and releasing their own original stadium -rock metal material during lockdown, which they then played on the circuit, catapulting them up levels to be sought after for bigger venue sings and more prestigious festivals.

They have gone on to, open for bands of the likes of Skid Row and The Darkness.

Ransom is loved for their fun-loving vibe, crowd participation and stage performance showmanship, but by heck and the front man Matt Fielder deliver’s, with his on-point vocals, upbeat personality persona and exuberance, with his great voice style and scale range, delivering his fun but professional performance. “And the rest of the band aren’t bad either” they are great together. All supporting each other in their various ways on stage, to implement a dynamic stage presence for all the band, and within that to engage the crowd into their musical journey, and at one point the crowd in front on the showground assembled up a line dancing crew and carelessly danced away to their music, which was so much fun to also fun to see.

And in the words of Matt Fielder, when interviewed, said … “Scorching midday sun, got the party going’, line dancing crowd, no light’s no pyros, no fuss, just fun hard rocking in the sunshine, with smiles all round”.

Ransom is … Dave Barlow on Lead Guitar, Zach Barlow on Bass Guitar, Zippy Lee on Drums, and Matt Fielder on Lead Vocals.

Next on to the Kilmister stage, for the arrival of the band Survivalist, based in Belfast Ireland.

The are a 4 -piece intense metalcore and ‘groove core’ band.

The members of this band are, Gavin Sharp on Vocals, Nic Butcher on Guitars, Lee Shaw on Bass, and Rhys Fraser on Drums.

Blending Aggressive deathcore elements, thrash, and groove metal, the band is known for disciplined breakdowns, raw emotional weight, and cathartic lyrical themes.

Survivalist has made a name for themselves in the heavy underground, both by establishing their own touring circuits and sharing stages with notable international heavy acts such as Thy Art is Murder, Chelsea Grin and Polaris. They also made a unique prime-time cross over appearance on Uk’s Channel 5.

The performance heavily featured tracks from their newly released album ‘A place for those who suffer, alone’.

They were well received by the COTW crowd, and looked like there were really enjoying playing and giving it their all on the stage, and they definitely made their mark, with the COTW Crowd, who gave them a huge roaring applause at the end of their set.

Recall The Remains on the Southall Lawless stage are a UK based melodic metalcore and Deathcore band. Formed in Telford and Derby in 2017. Known for their blend of heavy breakdowns, fast riffs and catchy choruses, they’ve built a strong underground following through heavy touring and festival appearances. The band members are – Jacob Collins – Vocals, Jordan Barnes – Bass/Clean Vocals, Rob Fulton – Hamilton – Guitars, Elliot Rowe – Guitars, and Anthony Morris on Drums. They released their debut album, Revenant which expanded on their earlier E.P.’s like 2021 Dead Dreams.

They are renowned for their energetic stage presence, they have played major UK metal festivals, including a notable last-minute slot at Bloodstock Open Air. Alongside countless headlining shows and regional shows.

Their energetic setlist included their anthem single “Cerberus” and “Fever Dreams” playing to a passionate dedicated crowd.

King Kraken burst onto the Kilmister Stage at 3pm, and were one of the standout heavy acts at the festival, with their immense live confidence, thumping rhythms, and the gritty soulful presence of Mark Donoghue and the band as a whole. Their set drew an enthusiastic large crowd that “stormed in force“ cementing their reputation as one of the hardest working exciting live bands in the UK heavy rock scene.

The bands performance coincided perfectly with the momentum of their explosive 2026 single “ Call To War”, which is inspired by H.G.Wells – The War Of The Worlds.

King Kraken is a heavy stoner – metal band from South Wales, known for their massive, groove laden riffs and powerhouse gravelly vocals. Their sound is heavily influenced from bands like Black Sabbath and Clutch.

They have built up a strong reputation across the UK live circuit, and went down explosively well with the Call of The Wild crowd.

The band consists of – Mark Donoghue – Vocals, Adam Healey – Lead Guitar, Pete Rose – Rhythm Guitar, Karl Meyer – Bass, and Richard Lee Mears on Drums.

Their dynamic stageshow also included fabulous roaring pyrotechnics, which set the scene for their impressive set.

PRYMA made their appearance on the Southall Lawless Stage, they are deemed as being a sonic wrecking ball of a band, unleashed form the South East of England.

This 4-piece band delivers a brutal fusion of experimental metal, crushing groove, known for their punishing riffs, and energy filled thrash, and electrifying live shows, and blend everything for hard punk to dark sludgy metal.

Their sound is heavy metal sharp, groove driven, thrash powered, and unapologetically dangerous. Pryma write music with zero fear and zero compromise, pushing boundaries while staying true to their die-hard fanbase.

And their growing music army fanbase ready to follow them into the fire. And Pryma said ‘come along with the chaos’.

Pryma is, Gabi George – Lead Vocal, Max Raven – Guitar, Dom Smith – Drums, Anthony Durrant – Bass.

They have made a significant impact on the UK underground metal scene.

Performing at the festivals Bloodstock Open Air, Download, Call of the Wild, of course.

And have toured with Blaze Bayley the former Iron Maiden vocalist.

PRYMA pride themselves on heavy D.I.Y, honest approach to their music and boast a dedicated, growing fanbase, they affectionately call’ the “Prymate army”.

And the crowd definitely got behind them too at the Call of the wild.

Star Circus came onto the Kilmister stage at 5pm. They are known for stadium ready infectious melodies, and grandiose harmonies. Their sound blends modern rock with influences from the 70s and 80s classic rock icons, like Queen, Thin Lizzy, Cheap Trick and Def Leppard. The bands touring members frequently revolve to capture the ultimate “circus” atmosphere, delivering high octane live performances. Released in June 2025, their sophomore album is noted for its heavier, darker and more aggressive lyrical and musical direction.

Star Circus has been a prominent staple at the Call Of The Wild Festival, having played previously on smaller stages. Their rise in popularity lead to a coveted main stage slot.

The band are Dave Winkler – Lead Vocals/Guitar (and founder primary songwriter and frontman), Sophie Aur’elia Young – Bass, Lead/backing vocals & Piano, Joel Chalk – Guitars, Reuben O’Donoghue – Drums.

Fans praised the set as tight, pure, authentic rock n’ roll in such a diverse festival line up.

Star Circus are currently on tour supporting Chez Kane.

MuddiBrooke burst onto the Southhall Lawless Stage with their raw emotion, bursting into heavy riffs, and an unapologetic message of self-acceptance.

The band fronted by Brooke on guitar and lead vocals, has become a prominent fixture in the UK underground rock and festival scene.

MuddiBrook originally formed in January 2020, out of a desire for a louder, more distorted sound. Frontwoman Brooke from solo acoustic gigging to forming this punk rock/Grunge band.

They have toured extensively across the UK, supporting notable acts such as Reef, Ugly Kid Joe, and Nick Oliveri (Queens of the Stone Age).

Their sound blends 90s alternative rock and grunge with modern pop and punk sensibilities, drawing frequent comparisons to bands like Wolf Alice, Skunk Anansie, and Pearl Jam.

Lyrically MuddiBrooke tackles challenging and highly personal subjects, including abusive relationships (Devil), anxiety, and living with ADHD (ADHD).

The band gained transaction with their debut EP, Lunacy (2001), earning worldwide radio play on stations like Kerrang!, Planet Rock, and BBC Radio.

They are known for explosive live sets at major UK rock events, having performed at Bloodstock Open Air, Call of the Wild, Maid of Stone, and Firevolt.

MuddiBrooke hail are based in Derby, Uk, and are, Brooke (Harriet McDonnell) Lead Vocals and Guitar, Anna Melidone on Bass and backing vocals, Dancia Smalley on Drums.

And the crowd enjoyed their set with a huge roar of applause.

The weather was still glorious at the Lincolnshire Showground for the COTW, so out attention once again was on the Kilmister Stage, for the band The Five Hundred.

The Five Hundred is a heavy metal and progressive metalcore band based in Nottingham Uk.

Formed in the early 2010s, they are known for blending crushing eight-string guitar riffs with soaring vocal melodies and djent influences.

They have released 3 metal albums, including their recent record Ghostwriter.

The genre of this band is Metalcore and Progressive metal.

The Five Hundred is John Eley on Vocals, Mark Byrne on Guitars, Paul Doughty on Guitars, Andy Crawford on Bass, and Kelsey James on Drums.

The band explores intense themes of urban dystopia, personal struggles, and environmental collapse.

They performed a highly acclaimed high energy set here at the COTH Festival.

Wolfsbane, who were next up on the Southall Lawless Stage, are an English Uk hard rock and heavy metal band formed in Tamworth in 1984.

They are best known for their frontman Blaze Bayley, who later replaced Bruce Dickinson in Iron Maiden,

They burst onto the Kilmister stage to a huge roaring happy rockin applause and cheers from the COTW audience crowd.

Wolfsbane made their appearance the COTW festival as apart of their extensive 40 years anniversary tour.

Their set list included the like’s of, “Manhunt”, “I like it hot”, and tracks from their recent re-recorded debut album, Live faster.

The band’s infectious, high-energy stage presence went down exceptionally well with the “Wolfpack”, their dedicated fanbase who turned out in full force to see them perform their fabulous set.

With Blaze Bayley “the charismatic and energetic frontman” on Lead Vocals, Jason ‘Jase’ Edwards on Guitars, Jeff Hateley on Bass, and Steve Danger on Drums.

It was so great to see them stop of here at The Call of the Wild Festival, and deliver their fabulous set, and the crowd soaked it all in.

They are now continuing on and off around the country with the rest of dates of their 40^th celebration tour.

And what another day of amazing fabulous rockin music, with fabulously warm summer weather here at the Call of the Wild Festival, which has seen another day of amazing wide ranging rock family coming together with a great community felt atmosphere here, and rockin frivolity fun feeling as well, for all ages, creed, and colour, what an amazing event festival it is here.

Then the evening purple and orange sunset sky lit up with light’s, smoke bursts and flame cannons, and it was time for the Headliner band to make it onto the Kilmister stage for their spectacular rocking performance. And Onslaught erupted onto the stage.

To impressive constant pyrotechnics, fire flame bursts at the front of the stage, smoke plumes, and dramatic gold, red, and white spotlight lighting, which lit up the night sky, to the happiness of the crowd who were loving every minute.

They burst into songs such as, Onslaught (Power from Hell) Thermonuclear Devastation, Death Metal, Angles of Death, Steel Meets Steel, Let There Be Death, Demoniac, Metal Forces, Fight with The Beast, Destroyer of Worlds, Burn, Killing Peace, The Sound of Violence, and Iron Fist.

Onslaught were formed in Bristol in 1982, by guitarist Nige Rockett, and drummer Steve Grice, and rising from the hardcore punk scene they evolved into one of the country’s most aggressive thrash acts.

Onslaught is a pioneering rock band and is one of the UKs most influential thrash metal bands.

The band is, Sy Keeler on Lead Vocals, Nige Rockett on rhythm guitars, Nik Sampson on lead guitar, Jeff Williams on bass and James Perry on Drums.

The band is still highly active, and recently celebrated the 40^th anniversary of their seminal debut, Power From Hell.

The crowd just fist thumped the air and roared at their finale song with the pyrotechnics going wild, lighting up the sky with a huge continuous burst of lights, as Onslaught played their way into their end of performance bows, and a heartfelt thank you was given to the huge crowd and Call of the Wild for having and supporting them there, the crowd just were buzzing and you could feel the utterly rocking atmosphere of another great day at the Call of the Wild festival.