There is no question that Metal 2 The Masses has become a imperative platform for emerging new alternative/heavy music in the Irish underground scene, offering a stage to showcase their music before large audiences, media and booking agents.
M2TM partners, Bloodstock Open Air have a huge part in assisting Metal 2 The Masses artists, providing them with a life-changing opportunity in tandem with Overdrive who will be assisting with press and media coverage along the way, as well as representing the chosen band to play at Bloodstock with PR services. Bloodstock is swarming with the top booking agents, press and media platforms from the UK and EU, so to say that it’s a fantastic chance to reach a much bigger audience, is an understatement.
Our sponsors for this year have also been a key component in making M2TM Ireland a formidable gateway for bands to avail of incredible services such as free studio time with Trackmix Recording Studio in Dublin, discount offers from Cosmopalace Visual Music Services, Down The Barrel Photography, print profile features in the UK’s most METAL print mag, Fistful of Metal and a full page band feature in The Goo, Dublin’s dedicated entertainment print magazine.
With additional sponsors, Spindizzy Records, Mainstage Design and more yet to be announced, Metal 2 The Masses Ireland continues to champion the wealth of talent that exists in Irish underground.
So, let’s meet Ireland’s Metal 2 The Masses class of 2024…
BLACK HOLE DIVERS
Describing their music as; “We swim between fast and melodic music, flirting with Thrash Metal and Hardcore Punk, bringing in strong “Crossover” vibes all the while focusing on aggressive rhythms, with social and political ways of thinking.”
The band features Lucas Frankel (vocals), Diegoat (Bass), Felipe Mora and Marco Tulio Chiesa on guitars, and Andre Luchinitz on the drums. For more information, please visit this link.
DORIS AND THE OATS
Doris and The Oats are a three piece high-energy alternative Rock band based out of Dublin, combining heavy riffs and catchy melodies with a slight ‘garage-style’ approach. They released their debut album earlier this year and have been gigging around Ireland the last few months promoting it.
FOLLOWING THE SIGNS
Hailing from Cork, Following the Signs dropped one of the most crushing albums, ‘Conflictions‘ in the Irish scene earlier this year. Combining elements of Slipknot, Deftones, In Flames, with elements of Groove/Post Metalcore, delivered in the bands own brand of aggression. This is a show that you’re not gonna want to miss. For more info, please visit this link.
KYRAL
KYRAL bring a contemporary approach to alternative Rock, with elements of Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes and Paramore, allbeit with a more alternative/progressive edge.
Describing themselves as “Progressive Pop-Punk” the Dublin four-piece, are determined to “inject the chaos back into Guitar music with a fast-paced, energetic sound that grabs your attention and gets the blood pumping.”
All 4 members (Alex – Vocals, Tara – Guitar, Jack – Drums, Tom – Bass) have extensive experience playing in bands within the Dublin scene. This is reflected in their music, which bounces frantically between styles, without dropping a base intensity.
Check out their killer new single below:
LIGHTNING WAR
Lightning War are a brand new Hard Rock project based in Maynooth, Co Kildare, drawing influence from such bands as Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Guns N’ Roses and Tool.
Currently writing their debut album, Lightning War, will be firing on all cylinders when they take to the stage for their Metal 2 The Masses showcase.
Members
Lee riordan -drums/vocals
Rob Reilly -bass
Peter o melia – guitar
Kurt Martin – guitar
LEGACY TRAITS
formed in 2005 by vocalist and guitarist Conor Lenehan and bassist Cian Lenehan Legacy Traits have played extensively in Dublin and across Ireland in various club gigs. After their debut album release, the band would ultimately end up in a hiatus period due to work and life commitments.
Earlier this year, Legacy Traits members Conor, Cian and Dwayne reformed with a view to returning to the Irish Metal scene. They have recently recruited drummer Liam Tracey who is sure to help the band reach the next level. Legacy Traits has been busy writing new material as well as re-imagining some of the older material.
For more information, please visit this link.
PAIN IN VAIN
PAIN IN VAIN is a Metal band founded by Mikey O’ Riordan and Jake Black during summer 2014. They have gigged throughout many locations in Ireland and have supported notable high-profile acts such as, I Set My Friends On Fire, Harbinger, Conjurer, and Follow My Lead.
Now powered by Mikey on vocals, Mark Dempsey on guitar, Dylan Monahan on bass, and Nikko Pagani on drums, the band has embarked on a new journey musically.
Based in Ireland’s capital, PAIN IN VAIN take influence from bands such as Bring Me The Horizon, Darkest Hour, Suicide Silence, The Black Dahlia Murder, The Amity Affliction, and Of Mice and Men. Check out their new single, ‘Paranoia’ below;
SIXTOOLATE
SIXTOOLATE return to Metal 2 The Masses 2024 after making a powerful and memorable performance at 2023’s showcases. Blending a captivating and bespoke sound that incorporates elements of Hard Rock and Alternative, the band are incredibly skilled at writing ferocious anthems with lashings of melody.
See for yourself with the title track taken from their recent EP.
VAHEDI
Emerging Thrashers, VAHEDI are most known for their hi-vis stage attire, but in recent years, the band have been slaughtering live audiences thanks to their old-school approach to fast and brutal live shows. Expect hi-tops, galloping speed and songs that were made for maximum pit action.
Check out their latest video for ‘Boneyard Bash‘ below.
WAR OF ATTRITION
Hailing from Limerick, War of Attrition are purveyors no-nonsense METAL!
Determined not to let the Pandemic prevent them, the band forged through that difficult period and emerged as a focused, crushing addition to the rich Irish scene. Combining elements of Classic/Modern/Thrash/Death and Groove metal, they pride ourselves on their heavy, yet melodic approach to song writing.
Check out their single, ‘I Am Your God‘ below. Click here for more information.
SHOWCASE 3 – SATURDAY, JANUARY 27th
HASHMAKER
Hashmaker are a band from Cork. Like many bands from Cork they play music, but unlike many bands from Cork they dress a man in a lobster and assault him on stage. Formed in 2019 as a Doom/Stoner metal project, these musical elements began to run parallel to influence from other genres such as Deathcore, Nu-Metal and Prog, ultimately culminating in a band that had no idea what to call themselves genre-wise.
It was around then that the term “shamcore” was coined, a suitable moniker that reflects both the incriminating nature of some of the lyrics and the bands general fondness for the “aul pint“.
Late 2023 saw a renaissance of sorts for the band with a desire to move away from their earlier doom roots to become something far more sinister entirely…
LUGOSI
Lugösi are a 4 piece alternative rock band from Dublin, Ireland.
Formed in 2016, and influenced by the unholy quadrilogy of beer, books, movies and music, they embarked on a mission to make heavy rock music informed by horror, and science fiction, infused with a singular humour and delivered with groove and style.
Described as a sonic Ed Wood movie transmitted through Rock and Roll, Lugösi have created a cartoon catalogue of monsters and myths, aliens, witches, vampires, secret societies and much much more.
Stylistically, the band have been influenced by Danzig, Misfits, Clutch and Black Sabbath, with a large helping of theatricality thrown in for good measure.
At present, Lugösi are in the lab working on material for their third release, working title “The Devil’s in the Details” and at the same time continue to bring their unique performances to audiences old and new.
OICHE FUAR
Melodic metal from Ireland. Oíche Fuar was formed when Peter (drums/vocals) and Max (guitar) started jamming together in mid-2021.
Darragh (guitar/vocals) and Jon (bass/vocals) joined in late 2021 and together foursome spent 2022 forging their unique sound from a blend of various flavours or Metal and Rock: Hard, Doom, Stoner, Death, Grunge, Blackgaze, Thrash, Post, Alternative.
The resulting alloy was hammered into shape throughout the first half of 2023, culminating in the release of their debut album, “The Winter Sessions“. Click here for more information.
SÍCA
Síca are a 5-piece coming together of minds, collaborators and former bands that have been co-conspiring to melt your face with tasty riffage since early 2023.
Check out ‘Late To the Party‘ from their recently released EP below. For more information on the band, visit this link.
STANTON’S GRAVE
Stanton’s Grave are loud, heavy and in your face.
Born out of a need to shout about the world. Originally formed in 2006, when Tony (Section Eight) returned to Cork from Amsterdam, as a 3-piece; Dave (Rulers of the Planet, Jonny Rep) was drafted in 2009 to add extra firepower to the unit.
After two more line-up changes – Conor/Bass (Section Eight, PCF) & Eoin/Drums (Slugbait, Demeter), Stanton’s Grave have evolved into a powerhouse of the punk rock scene in Cork.
Check out their latest EP, ‘A World in Ruin’ below.
CELL GAMES
One of 2023’s Metal 2 The Masses Ireland finalists, Cell Games blend Hard Rock, Alternative, Nu-Metal and Alternative genres together, resulting in an explosive live show that’s packed to the brim with charisma and swagger.
The band release a new single ‘Jailbrake‘ in early November (listen below)
Speaking of the new single, the band says; “Jailbreak started life as a hip hop track brought to the band by frontman, Maximillion Foy. The band wasted little time reworking the song a nu metal banger with big, bouncing riffs from guitarist Tristan Carroll, propelled by hard-hitting, syncopated rhythms from Tonči Vrdoljak and Deb Finn-O’Brien on drums and bass, all tied together expertly by producer Josh Robinson.”
RAININIG IN DECEMBER
Hailing from Dublin, Raining In December are a three-piece Rock band, with fast-paced riffs and emotional moments.
Their genre are post-hardcore with alt-prog and metal influences with fast tempo changes and emo screams. They site inspiration from the likes of Ling Tosite Sigure and Loathe for their unique sound.
SAINT SLAUGHTER
Saint Slaughter are a 4 piece thrash metal band hailing from Dublin.
Started originally in 2014 the band consists of Jeff Hernandez (Guitar), Eoin Clarke (Vocals), Tom Moylan (Drums) and most recently joined Spencer O’Brien (Bass Guitar).
For fans of Testament, Annihilator, Pantera, Megadeth, Exodus. The band have almost wrapped-up work on their first full length release which is expected early-to-mid 2024.
Check out ‘Resist The System‘ below and prepare to be pummelled in the pit!
SHAM
SHÄM are one of Cork’s latest up-and-coming Metal bands. Having formed during the Covid 19 lockdowns, the band state they have “brought some of the heaviest tracks and live shows of the post-covid metal scene.”
Featuring Jamie Hogan’s outrageous screams/growls, and Aaron Sloane’s Thrashy Sludgened riffs, they declare they “never fail to create intense and chaotic melodies which pair perfectly with Joe Murphy’s thundering bass lines and Dan Maume’s complex, but wonderfully-executed drumming, to create the blissful destruction that we call SHÄM.”
Click here for more information.
BLEAK TRUTH
Bleak truth are a brand new Hardcore band from Dublin Ireland, whose music is heavily influenced by bands like Merauder, Hatebreed, Malevolence, and Guilt Trip, as well as local Dublin hardcore bands such as Lost To Life, and Bitter Pill.
Currently in the process of writing their new album their inclusion in 2024’s Metal 2 The Masses Ireland is welcomed and will no doubt be an intense live experience. Do not miss them when they take to the stage in Fibber Magees on February 17th.
For more information, please use this link.
NEON EMPIRE
Ireland’s most notable Electronic/Post Metalcore crew, Neon Empire are back for another year, however this time, they have a new EP up their collective sleeves.
Combining high-energy live shows with bouncing, anthemic arrangements, the Dublin-based four-piece have their eyes firmly fixed on performing at Bloodstock and they are not gonna let anyone stand in their way. Click here for more information.
Check out ‘Death‘ track below…
SUPERSTATIC
In 2017 Rustam (Rakoth, Umbral Presence, Cruachan etc) starts new project, Superstatic, under the name of Alex. The project name was taken as a reference to Rakoth’s debut album from 1998, “Superstatic Equilibrium“.
In 2019 Rustam takes a break from superstatic and joins Irish Celtic Metal band Cruachan as a bassist. After a year of touring Rustam decided to focus on Superstatic and ever since, has been crushing live shows, thanks to their hybrid of Death/Doom anthems. For more information, please click here.
THIS PLACE IS DEATH
This Place Is Death is a 3 piece Alternative Rock/Grunge band, from Cork.
With a number of releases under their belts, 2021 saw them self-released a three-track EP ‘Falling Out of Fame‘ (listen below) and perform shows, the length and breath of Ireland.
For more information, please visit this link.
BLOOD SOAKED
Originally formed back in 1993, Kildare’s Blood Soaked re-grouped back in 2021 and went on to release the punishing single ‘Deliver The Blood‘, proving they have aged like a fine wine.
Having taken part in M2TM last year, Blood Soaked are an explosive live entity that are as intense as they are, captivating. Check out their latest single, ‘Deranged‘ below..
Find out more about the band here.
DESERTED
All the way from Co Cork, Deserted will be flexing their Death Metal muscles and are dead-set on pummelling their way to Bloodstock for a chance to perform on the New Blood Stage this coming August.
Keep an eye out for new music coming very soon and be pit read for their M2TM debut this coming February!
Find out more about Deserted here.
PIANO BLACK
Piano Black is a symphonic metal band behind mastermind and guitarist Mario Stojcic and the soprano Ana Marija Dundovic, joined by Felipe Brito on guitars and John Howell on drums.
Based in Dublin, they are the only Symphonic Metal band in the Republic of Ireland. So far they have released an EP “Of Bygone Days” in 2020, and are currently working on a full-length album in a collaboration with a well renowned metal music producer based in Germany. The album will be released in 2024.
Find out more about Piano Black here.
OUTSOUND
Having released their debut full-length LP earlier this year, Cork Alternative/Grunge four-piece, Outsound have been wowing audiences thanks to their natural ability to pen quality heavy alternative anthems, in tandem with strong live shows that would seamlessly slot into Bloodstock Open Air’s line up for 2024.
The new album ‘Megatherium‘ is testament to their confidence as a emerging band and should you get the chance to experience them live, you’ll agree that they are a force to be reckoned with.
For more info, please visit this link.
URAGH
Another 2023 M2TM alumni, Uragh are a metal band formed and based in Dublin in 2022, who incorporate elements of alternative, progressive and black metal in their songs. They made a huge impact earlier this year during the showcases and performed at the final showcase before Bloodstock booking agents, who were blow away by the bands intense energy.
The band’s main influences are Converge, Cynic, Lamb of God and Gojira, amongst others. Their first EP is expected to be recorded by early 2023, and will incorporate some songs from their demo and is due for release soon.
Check out their killer new single/video ‘Monarch‘ below…
ARES REDEMPTION
Ares Redemption are a Laois based rock 4 piece made up of Jack on Vocals/keys/guitar, Chloe on guitar/vocals, Pravin on bass and Alan Eakins on Drums. Formed in late 2020 Ares Redemption have been slowly gaining momentum since their formation and are ready to step up to the Bloodstock showcase this coming March.
Check out their latest single ‘Glue Sniffer’ below. For more information, please click here.
BRAND NEW DEAD THINGS
Brand New Dead Things are a Hard Rock trio based in Dublin. Originally formed by Maurice Lanigan (Guitar and Vocals) and Dec Clarke (Drums) and Aaron Grimes on bass in 2014.
With a penchant for melodic, groovy, modern rock, the band’s influences range from QOTSA, RATM, and Soundgarden, to Thin Lizzy and everything in between.
Check out what to expect below…
HOUR OF REPRISAL
After an impressive string of performances in 2023, described as “intense” and “punishing”, Hour of Reprisal spent the second half of 2023 focusing on recording their debut EP.
Having made a considerable impact earlier this year with their M2TM live shows, the band continue to push the boundaries of sub-genre, implementing a massive variety of sounds to their core, down-tuned sound. Expect plenty of pit action for these guys.
You have been warned…
OL’TIMES
Formed on the streets of Galway, Ol’Times are a powerhouse Hard Rock five-piece that pride themselves on high-energy live shows and skilled musicianship that tips the hat to the likes of Fastway, Black Crows and Led Zeppelin.
Having just recently wrapped up an extensive tour with Alabama 3 across the UK, the band are back in writing mode for what promises to be a busy 2024. Catch them on their debut M2TM performance this March.
Find out more here..
RITUAL EFFECT
Have made a huge impact earlier this year at the M2TM showcases, Alternative Grunge upstarts, Ritual Effect will be joining us once again for what will no doubt be organised chaos with a soundtrack that will cause your neck to swell!
By far, one of the most unpredictable live bands in the alt Irish scene, Ritual Effect truly enjoy getting into the thick of it during their performances. Expect new music and lots of crowd surfing.
Find out more here.
MOTION SICKNESS
Hailing from Laois, Motion Sickness are a hybrid Punk/Alt Rock band that have been rattling the Irish Music scene for the last few years. Featuring, the sensational vocals from Bonnie Lalor, you can expect fast, grungy, punk-style chunks of awesome as they lay waste to just about every stage they perform on.
Their latest single ‘Empty Pockets‘ is a perfect example of just why you’re not gonna want to miss their Metal 2 The Masses debut on March 9th.
Click here for more info.
Listen below…
SHRINK LIKE ALICE
Mixing elements of Rock, Punk and Grunge, Navan,Meath three-piece Shrink Like Alice state they have “developed a setlist of frantic and unrestricted original songs that will keep you on your toes from start to finish.”
On the 21st of October 2022, debut album ‘Apple in a Pear Tree’ was released. The concept album, derived from personal experience and stories collected in their youth, takes the listener on a path of self-destruction and rebirth while pulling apart social boundaries and highlighting the devastating impact of poor mental health.
The 13 track LP was produced, recorded and mixed by themselves in their home studio and then mastered by Fergal Davis. For more info, please visit this link.
Check out the track, ‘What I Found‘, taking from their album, below…
TOOFARFETCHED
Mullingar’s very own Toofarfetched will be making their Metal 2 The Masses Ireland debut on March 9th off the back of their latest single, ‘Artemis’ (listen below).
Combining alternative mix of Death-style vocals with down-tuned post-Meatlcore vibes and lashings of breakdowns and groove, you’ll be taken aback with the melody that these guys can muster up. We are really looking forward to checking out their live presence and will no doubt be a serious contender for Bloodstock Open Air’s New Blood Stage.
For more info, please click here.
TAK’UP
Irish/French force, Tak’up will be joining us for Showcase 8 and they promise to bring the big guns with their contemporary brand of Nu-Metal.
Check out their video for ‘Omen‘ below to familiarise yourself before they hit the stage in Fibber Magees. You can find out more about Tak’Up here.
PSYCHOTIC OUTSIDER
Galway’s Psychotic Outsider will make their long-awaited return to Metal 2 The Masses Ireland for a performance that, will no doubt, be as intense as their last with us many years ago. Having gone through some line-up changes over the years, the guys are in fighting form and have their eyes fixed firmly on a slot at Bloodstock’s New Blood Stage this coming August.
Check out ‘Till We Decay” to get familiar with their crushing sound. Find out more here.
BLOODSTOCK’s 2024 Ronnie James Dio main stage headliners are AMON AMARTH, OPETH, and ARCHITECTS. Across the weekend you can also expect to see CLUTCH, HATEBREED, ENSLAVED, MALEVOLENCE, ROTTING CHRIST, WHITECHAPEL, DEICIDE, GRAND MAGUS, DESERT STORM, THE VINTAGE CARAVAN, GREEN LUNG, EXIST IMMORTAL, ETERNAL CHAMPION, GROVE STREET, MIMI BARKS, CRYPTA, FORBIDDEN, NERVOSA, BEAST IN BLACK, KORPIKLAANI, UNLEASH THE ARCHERS, FLOGGING MOLLY, SEPTIC FLESH, IGORRR, NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA, HELLRIPPER, and INFECTED RAIN, with many more yet to be announced.
Get full festival information over at bloodstock.uk.com.
BLOODSTOCK will take place at Catton Park, Derbyshire on 8th-11th August 2024.
Oran O’Beirne
www.overdrive.ie 2023
