So with M2TM South Wales 2025 coming to a close I think it's time to reflect a little on the competition as whole and give you a it of run down on your semi finalists.
This year has seen the widest selection of bands ever enter M2TM, we've had black, death, speed, thrash metal all represented alongside metalcore, alt rock, horror punk, emo and even folk. It's been one hell of competition with every heat well supported by you the South Wales metal scene, getting down early, supporting every band and generally caring so much about keeping the scene healthy.
There's also be so much camaraderie between the bands, with many travelling between heats to support others in the initiative, making sure that connections are made and friendships are forged. It's been genuinely brilliant to see for someone like me who's been involved in M2TM in some way for about 15-16 years.
Alyn and Will have worked their asses off for over a year to make this the best example of the South Wales metal scene they can and with the pinnacle of Day Of Wreckoning just on the horizon it's time to round up the bands who will be looking to play The Patti Swansea on 21st June.
This year has seen the widest selection of bands ever enter M2TM, we've had black, death, speed, thrash metal all represented alongside metalcore, alt rock, horror punk, emo and even folk. It's been one hell of competition with every heat well supported by you the South Wales metal scene, getting down early, supporting every band and generally caring so much about keeping the scene healthy.
There's also be so much camaraderie between the bands, with many travelling between heats to support others in the initiative, making sure that connections are made and friendships are forged. It's been genuinely brilliant to see for someone like me who's been involved in M2TM in some way for about 15-16 years.
Alyn and Will have worked their asses off for over a year to make this the best example of the South Wales metal scene they can and with the pinnacle of Day Of Wreckoning just on the horizon it's time to round up the bands who will be looking to play The Patti Swansea on 21st June.
Cardiff
As is often the case it's a tale of two halves in Cardiff especially, two of the four bands have consistently picked up the fan vote while the others two were the judges choice each time.
On the fan side returning to M2TM this year has seen Karmen Field take the stage by storm every time, they amass a dedicated following of their quirky, heavy, alt influenced style of metallic rock, that often puts FU in funky and cranks out in Sticky Jam(s) for all to hear.
They will have to fights for the fan vote with modern metal crushers Akuma, who entered for the first time this year but have already come on leaps and bounds with every heat. I think no one is more surprised to have gotten this far than they have so expect them to bring it at Fuel.
Competiton will be stiff though as the classic thrash assault of Exaust has worked it's magic over the judges a few times now and their wild performances and retro musical style breaks age boundaries like their riffs break necks.
On the fan side returning to M2TM this year has seen Karmen Field take the stage by storm every time, they amass a dedicated following of their quirky, heavy, alt influenced style of metallic rock, that often puts FU in funky and cranks out in Sticky Jam(s) for all to hear.
They will have to fights for the fan vote with modern metal crushers Akuma, who entered for the first time this year but have already come on leaps and bounds with every heat. I think no one is more surprised to have gotten this far than they have so expect them to bring it at Fuel.
Competiton will be stiff though as the classic thrash assault of Exaust has worked it's magic over the judges a few times now and their wild performances and retro musical style breaks age boundaries like their riffs break necks.
Finally on the Cardiff side its the crazy, angry rage filled, riffage of Icantdie, a suprise to some perhaps but this trio have made M2TM their own this year, winning over fans with every performance of their angular heaviness.
Swansea
Over in Swansea there's a continuing theme of one familiar face and a load of newer bands taking the scene by storm.
Swansea veterans Kill By Mouth are ready to take DoW and Bloodstock on with their fearsome groove/thrash. They played the inaugural event last year as a competing band but will look to go one further in 2025 and get to BOA. On the back of their heat performances they'll be tough to beat.
Speaking of tough, Struggler have taken M2TM in their stride, smashing the stage at every point and getting fan and judges support with their pit starting modern metal beatdowns. Snarling and ready Struggler have made an impression so will look to book their place at DoW.
Swansea has seen the most diverse range of bands this year and none moreso than the pagan/folk/post metal of Adfeilion, where traditional instruments and metal fuse together for explorative instrumental rituals. The band always stand strong against the influx of heavy that surrounds them offering an alternative that's equally impressive.
Finally we have Words Of Affirmation, now Emo is not a genre that traditionally does brilliantly at a metal competition/festival however the atmospheric performances of duo Words Of Affirmation have led to them being the judges choice on more than one occasion. Their inflatable filled staging is at odds with their cathartic emotional music but there is something that the Swansea crowd has latched on to.
So there you have it, six of these bands will make it to Day Of Wreckoning and one of them will perform on The New Blood Stage at Bloodstock Festival, but all eight of them are immensely talented to get to the semi finals in what has often been the tightest year for voting.
If you can get down to both semis please do so as you'll be seeing the best of what South Wales has to offer!
Buy tickets in advance as we're expecting a sell out!
Tickets
Semi Final 1, Fuel Rock Club Cardiff, 16.05.25:
Swansea veterans Kill By Mouth are ready to take DoW and Bloodstock on with their fearsome groove/thrash. They played the inaugural event last year as a competing band but will look to go one further in 2025 and get to BOA. On the back of their heat performances they'll be tough to beat.
Speaking of tough, Struggler have taken M2TM in their stride, smashing the stage at every point and getting fan and judges support with their pit starting modern metal beatdowns. Snarling and ready Struggler have made an impression so will look to book their place at DoW.
Swansea has seen the most diverse range of bands this year and none moreso than the pagan/folk/post metal of Adfeilion, where traditional instruments and metal fuse together for explorative instrumental rituals. The band always stand strong against the influx of heavy that surrounds them offering an alternative that's equally impressive.
Finally we have Words Of Affirmation, now Emo is not a genre that traditionally does brilliantly at a metal competition/festival however the atmospheric performances of duo Words Of Affirmation have led to them being the judges choice on more than one occasion. Their inflatable filled staging is at odds with their cathartic emotional music but there is something that the Swansea crowd has latched on to.
So there you have it, six of these bands will make it to Day Of Wreckoning and one of them will perform on The New Blood Stage at Bloodstock Festival, but all eight of them are immensely talented to get to the semi finals in what has often been the tightest year for voting.
If you can get down to both semis please do so as you'll be seeing the best of what South Wales has to offer!
Buy tickets in advance as we're expecting a sell out!
Tickets
Semi Final 1, Fuel Rock Club Cardiff, 16.05.25:
https://tinyurl.com/Cardiff-Tickets
Semi Final 2, The Bunkhouse, Swansea, 17.05.25:
https://tinyurl.com/Swansea-Tickets
Day Of Wreckoning, The Patti Pavillion, Swansea, 21.06.25:
https://tinyurl.com/Day-Of-Wreckoning
Semi Final 2, The Bunkhouse, Swansea, 17.05.25:
https://tinyurl.com/Swansea-Tickets
Day Of Wreckoning, The Patti Pavillion, Swansea, 21.06.25:
https://tinyurl.com/Day-Of-Wreckoning
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