Always a momentous occasion for the South Wales metal scene, 2023 saw the Bloodstock Metal To The Masses initiative get bigger and better than ever. Having been run by Legion Promotions for the past few years and exclusively based at Fuel Rock Club in Cardiff, the travelling distance for those based in West Wales often left them at a disadvantage in the Heats where bringing a crowd is essential.
This year High Tide Promotions and The Bunkhouse Swansea were brought on to level the playing field, bands from the West of South Wales Region would perform in the Heats/Quarters/Semis there, bands from the East would do the same at Fuel and the final would be in the Capital.
After a long difficult process that showcased the diversity and talent on offer in the region the final six bands made their way to Fuel Rock Club on a balmy Saturday in July as the best South Wales can offer, but only one would get to play Bloodstock Festival in August.
Catching up with Alyn, Tim and William beforehand there was palpable sense of excitement as the independent judging panel would have real tough night ahead of them all six bands offering something different than the last, all worthy of being here.
Up first were Karmen Field, the alt/prog/grunge band have been here before, their flamboyant stage personas catching the eye of the sold out crowd immediately as they tore through their set of rambunctious, quirky metal. A melting pot of influences, Karmen Field were probably the ‘least’ heavy addition to the card but anyone who saw Malum Sky blow everyone away will know that’s not a negative.
With the sparkles and glitter covering the stage it was soon replaced by corpse paint and Nordic frosts as the black metal trio of Verletzen made their mark. Disgustingly youthful and on point, their raw black metal assault is honed like a band much more experienced. Passionate if a little quiet between songs, they cut through the room like a buzzsaw. This experienced hack amazed that they are only going to get better as they get older. Which is a thought as terrifying as their music.
No visual tricks or stimulate from Kill By Mouth, just groove/thrash riffs that make you want to drink. Heavy as bag of anvils, their LoG, Pantera-esque style of Getcha Pull, made its way from the Wild Wild West of Swansea in a swathe of camo shorts and beards. Simple but effective, Kill By Mouth bulldoze the crowd who’s beers were high in the air throughout. Cranking out the riffs, this was their moment to shine after a tumultuous competition last time and shine they did.
Continuing the heavy, riff, breakdown worthy music was Torchbearer, again finalist from last year, this slick four some charged out of the gate with visceral modern metalcore which is all screaming vocals, mosh ready breadkdowns and screaming lead guitars. Knowing how to keep a crowd moving and busy they showed their experience on the Fuel stage, with a determination to play BOA this year. They don’t break the genre mold, but they do position themselves near the top of their pack. The night was hotting up and we had two more to go.
Keeping the standard high and the aggression flowing was Helldown, a band that have had a metamorphosis with the addition of a new guitarist, they play out and out thrash, Metallica, Megadeth, Machine Head and more all in their influences. Having seen them in the Quarter Finals, here they stepped up again, intent on ripping off heads, the windmills started flying, the pit was lively and the thrashing was vicious. Helldown appear to be at or near the peak of their powers, huge things are coming!
Lastly but by no means least, we got a masterclass in both classic metal and how to be a front person from Rites To Ruin, clocking up a lot of M2TM and BOA experience, it was a anthemic way to close out the 6 finalists. Not as breakneck as the previous few bands, their style gets the fists in the air and the voices chanting along, the strongest vocal of the night met with a band who have all paid numerous dues on the UK scene.
The fact that all six bands had a raucous response from a packed out room, really made this black heart happy, the work done by all involved to get to here paying off in spades. A bit of everything in the final meant that the judging panel took every minute of special guest headliners Haxan’s set to make their decision. The appreciation for Haxan’s ability to play last minute was a sigh of relief from everyone in the building, their hard rocking set meant that we got a party atmosphere to keep the masses (of metal) entertained.
Then it was time, a load of waffle from Alyn, drumrolls from Tim, William smiling nervously, and the announcement came that Torchbearer would be representing South Wales at BOA. Massive kudos to them for just pipping a very strong field but I hope that all those that didn’t make Bloodstock this year will come back with a renewed passion next year along with an influx of fresh faces for 2024.
If you’re heading to Bloodstock this year make sure you check out as many bands as you can on the New Blood Stage, especially Torchbearer. These are the headliners of the future so give them all of your support. Lastly get ready for Metal To The Masses South Wales 2024 as it’s going to be insane!
With the sparkles and glitter covering the stage it was soon replaced by corpse paint and Nordic frosts as the black metal trio of Verletzen made their mark. Disgustingly youthful and on point, their raw black metal assault is honed like a band much more experienced. Passionate if a little quiet between songs, they cut through the room like a buzzsaw. This experienced hack amazed that they are only going to get better as they get older. Which is a thought as terrifying as their music.
No visual tricks or stimulate from Kill By Mouth, just groove/thrash riffs that make you want to drink. Heavy as bag of anvils, their LoG, Pantera-esque style of Getcha Pull, made its way from the Wild Wild West of Swansea in a swathe of camo shorts and beards. Simple but effective, Kill By Mouth bulldoze the crowd who’s beers were high in the air throughout. Cranking out the riffs, this was their moment to shine after a tumultuous competition last time and shine they did.
Continuing the heavy, riff, breakdown worthy music was Torchbearer, again finalist from last year, this slick four some charged out of the gate with visceral modern metalcore which is all screaming vocals, mosh ready breadkdowns and screaming lead guitars. Knowing how to keep a crowd moving and busy they showed their experience on the Fuel stage, with a determination to play BOA this year. They don’t break the genre mold, but they do position themselves near the top of their pack. The night was hotting up and we had two more to go.
Keeping the standard high and the aggression flowing was Helldown, a band that have had a metamorphosis with the addition of a new guitarist, they play out and out thrash, Metallica, Megadeth, Machine Head and more all in their influences. Having seen them in the Quarter Finals, here they stepped up again, intent on ripping off heads, the windmills started flying, the pit was lively and the thrashing was vicious. Helldown appear to be at or near the peak of their powers, huge things are coming!
Lastly but by no means least, we got a masterclass in both classic metal and how to be a front person from Rites To Ruin, clocking up a lot of M2TM and BOA experience, it was a anthemic way to close out the 6 finalists. Not as breakneck as the previous few bands, their style gets the fists in the air and the voices chanting along, the strongest vocal of the night met with a band who have all paid numerous dues on the UK scene.
The fact that all six bands had a raucous response from a packed out room, really made this black heart happy, the work done by all involved to get to here paying off in spades. A bit of everything in the final meant that the judging panel took every minute of special guest headliners Haxan’s set to make their decision. The appreciation for Haxan’s ability to play last minute was a sigh of relief from everyone in the building, their hard rocking set meant that we got a party atmosphere to keep the masses (of metal) entertained.
Then it was time, a load of waffle from Alyn, drumrolls from Tim, William smiling nervously, and the announcement came that Torchbearer would be representing South Wales at BOA. Massive kudos to them for just pipping a very strong field but I hope that all those that didn’t make Bloodstock this year will come back with a renewed passion next year along with an influx of fresh faces for 2024.
If you’re heading to Bloodstock this year make sure you check out as many bands as you can on the New Blood Stage, especially Torchbearer. These are the headliners of the future so give them all of your support. Lastly get ready for Metal To The Masses South Wales 2024 as it’s going to be insane!
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