Ruud Jolie (Within Temptation)

Bloodstock fans adore symphonic metal/rock, it's hard to deny that with the amount of fans sporting t-shirts of the genre throughout the weekend. To their delight the band WITHIN TEMPTATION are headlining the Ronnie James Dio stage tonight and fans are expecting a big stage show, especially with rave reviews of their shows from around the world promoting their latest album ''Hydra'' which is packed full of hard rock hits. Emily from Metal Temple talks to guitarist Ruud Jolie about the festival and touring.

Are you excited to be headlining Bloodstock tonight?

Yes of course! It's been 10 years since the last time we played here, it was an indoor festival when we played but it's great to be here with lovely weather and some great tasting beer!

What can fans be expecting from the setlist?

It's very varied, some fast and some slow. Who knows! People will love it though.

You've been on tour promoting the ''Hydra'' album for quite a while now, how has the journey been?

Well we're still alive and touring so it's been wonderful.

You got to play Wembley arena in London, how did that feel?

It was amazing to play there, certainly a high point of my career with the band.


  Do you prefer to play venues or festivals?

I do enjoy playing festivals but nothing compares to the intimacy and interaction of playing venues. We got to play Woodstock in Poland which was a great festival to play as it has it's barriers close to the stand so we got to interact with the crowd well.

Can we be expecting any new music from the band soon?

We'll be working on a new album after the festival run so around the beginning of 2017 hopefully.

Will it have as many collaborations on it as ''Hydra''?

No idea, we never write songs with a certain voice in mind. If we think we could make a great track with someone then we try and work something out.

What bands have inspired Within Temptation?

I guess bands like Paradise Lost, Iron Maiden, Marillion.