By Monk
It’s been a really strange year so far, one in which I sometimes feel like I’ve had my right arm cut off, as something extremely important and close to me has been missing for the past four months. Yes, it’s been the annual Metal 2 The Masses competition, in which I have been very proud to serve as a judge for its first eight years… but, in 2023’s ninth iteration of the Über Kingdom’s premier battle of the bands contest, I had to take the very difficult decision to step down from my equally difficult role. Having said that, there was absolutely no fucking way, unless the planet imploded upon itself, I was going miss the grand finale, the ultimate fight to the death for that extremely precious slot at this summer’s bolshier-than-ever Bloodstock festival \m/
One of the things that I love about M2TM is that it has introduced me to so much new blood (sic), young bands often taking their first steps into the spotlight. It has also enabled to watch bands grow and develop, and tonight’s bill is a prime exemplar, as it features three bands with whom I’m familiar (two of whom I’ve seen on multiple occasions), with the other half of the line-up featuring acts I’ve never seen or heard before, well outside of social media anyway.
As ever, the running order for this evening is picked by a pre-soundtrack draw, and so proceedings are kicked off by war jazz warriors Acid Age, who waste absolutely no time ratcheting things up to the max with their tight yet freeflowing variation on the thrash metal theme.. The trio are one of those acts I have seen evolve over the years, from one I once described as one of the worst on the island of Ireland to a tight, cohesive and highly effective unit, and tonight sees them showing why. It’s obvious from the start that this is a tough but appreciative audience, with everyone (not just Simon) wanting to be impressed by what they see on the stage, and Acid Age certainly fit the bill, setting the bar extremely high right from the first note to the last.
- Acid Age return to Voodoo, with Solitary and Nomadus, on Saturday 22 July.
Another of the beauties of M2TM is that it showcases bands of extremely different styles, and so there is the first of many mood changes this evening as “supergroup” Imperial Demonic bring their brand of primordial (sic) blackened death metal to the stage. Playing their highly impressive debut EP in track order, Andy is a commanding and dominating presence front and centre stage, looking more and more confident without a guitar strapped around his shoulders. With bassist Gaz notable by his absence (he’s on tour with his “other band”), the stripped-down quartet resist the temptation to sample his parts, but instead let their intricate twin guitar work do all the talking, delivering classic, winding BM riffs and melodies underpinned by pummelling yet precise rhythms and topped with acerbic but insightful vocals. Another tight and energetic set, which keeps that bar raised to its highest point. Even at this early stage, I do not envy Simon’s job!
- ‘Beneath The Crimson Eclipse‘ is out now.
Now I am wandering into uncharted territory, with the first of the triptych of acts unfamiliar, and each of them proves to be a truly rewarding discovery in their own rights.
First of these is Gravepath, who immediately set about levelling the venue with an absolutely HUGE hardcore-infused vibration that shakes the building down to its very sleech-encrusted foundations. Heavier that having 100 tonnes of concrete dumped on your head, they inspire the first crowd surfer and tentative pit of the evening, as their incise their way deep into your aural memory banks and taking up squatter rights. As their set neatly ebbs and flows like a spring tide, Aaron demonstrates his years of frontman experience, prowling the stage like a caged panther, cajoling and encouraging to give back as much as he and his bandmates are giving to them, while at the same time delivering his acidic vocals with clarity, passion and commitment. I think I have found one of my favourite new Belfast bands, and I am now eagerly awaiting hearing their forthcoming imminent debut recordings…
- Gravepath return to Voodoo to play the Crypt Of The Riff festival, with 7.5 Tonnes Of Beard, Nihilanth, Frayed Ends and Asphyxiation, on Friday 4 August.
It could be argued that Teras are on the back foot before they even begin, as frontwoman Hunt3r is battling a throat infection, but in true fighting spirit both she and they soldier on, with guitarist Harrison helping out in the lead vocal department. But, hot damn, if this is what she sounds like when she’s not feeling well, what the fuck can she do when she’s fully fit? Some of those screams are truly spinetingling! Musically, they have a heavy alt-rock vibe melded neatly with both folk metal and pop-punk sensibilities , in terms of aggression combined with catchy hooks and a great sense of melody.
The final of my “new blood” acts are the most appropriately named band on the bill – The Boat Sank. Well, it fucking did, didn’t it? And we’ve been “celebrating” the damn thing ever since. OK, there was nothing wrong with it when it left here, just some daft twat couldn’t tell his port from his starboard – but, unlike the Titanic’s captain, this trio have a very clear sense of direction, and that is straight into the heart of your blackened soul with their fuck-tonne heavy brand of doom/space/stoner-infused heft. Their heavier moments are like Motörhead jamming with Hawkwind, with the bass turned up to beyond max – and, believe me, it’s fucking LOUD in here tonight – with the guys from Electric Wizard and QOTSA sitting in on the session. Definitely no sinking feeling from these lads, but another proposition from which I look forward to hearing much, much more…
- The Boat Sank return to Voodoo to play the Crypt Of The Riff festival, with Ten Ton Slug, Elder Druid, ZhOrA and Slung From A Tree, on Saturday 5 August.
Thanks to the luck, or otherwise, of the draw, our last band tonight are the most experienced on the bill, Cursed Sun. Now, I’ll freely admit that I’m good mates with the bais, and secretly was willing them to reap the reward for this being their fourth appearance in the M2TM play-off. One thing that has never, ever been missing from a CS show is complete and total commitment to what they are doing, and the fact that they don’t take anything for granted. And it is this attitude which once again imbues and pervades their set, which is everything I have come to expect: taut, precise, filled to the rafters with heavy ass grooves and another charismatic performance from the ever hypnotic Jones, his staring eyes peering deep into the hearts of everyone present and the band’s performance proceeding to rip out same and feast on its entrails.
- Cursed Sun return to Voodoo on Sunday 27 August as part of Über Rock’s ‘Rockin 4 Ronnie’ charity show, full details of which will be announced later this month.
Tonight saw six bands lay everything they had on the line and leave it on the boards, pouring every ounce of their blood, sweat, tears and even semen into each and every second of their respective performances. But, at the end of the night, there can be only winner, one act being awarded that coveted slot on Bloodstock’s ‘New Blood’ stage and on this occasion it is a case of persistence paying off as, after five attempts to do so, it’s those cheeky war jazz monkeys Acid Age who are now Midlands bound in a few months’ time.
Well done guys. In fact, well done everyone, and especially to James Loveday and The Distortion Project for keeping the underground metal flag flying proudly above the back street parapets and championing rising new talent so loudly and proactively. I probably would get shot for saying this in Belfast, but long live King James \m/
- Bloodstock takes place at Catton Hall, Derbyshire, over the weekend of 10 – 13 August.
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