Casting my mind back to late 2021, the possibility of hosting this years Metal 2 The Masses Ireland looked slim to say the least.
Our casting call back in September 2021 for bands’, exceeded all expectations, with over a hundred and twenty applications submitted from bands all over the Republic, however, Covid-related Government restrictions loomed a dark shadow over the possibility of this years campaign taking place at all!
Thankfully, the end of January saw us finally pull the show together [at very short notice] and we were officially in motion. With just thirty-five slots available, the painstaking process of wading through the applications, resulted in a eclectic mix of underground heavy genres from across the country, all of whom were putting their best foot forward for that coveted place on the New Blood Stage at Bloodstock Open Air.
Skip forward four months, and eleven live showcase events and we have our six finalists, as chosen by the people and official BOA Ireland judges panel. Let us introduce you to the final six…
ABORTED EARTH
Hailing from Dublin city, Aborted Earth make a concrete-shattering noise that is fantastically brutal. Their presence is drenched with sincere focused aggression and politically charged lyrics, that steamroll through the ether with blind regard for anyone [or anything that stands in their way].
With a sound that is best described as hybrid Grindcore/Death meets Blackend Thrash, Aborted Earth are the real deal. Find out more via this link.
FORNOTH
A band that have been making a name for themselves, thanks to their crushingly heavy live shows and galloping riffs. This four-piece are truly gifted musicians who have crafted a sound that is best described as groove-based melodic Death Metal with a progressive edge.
Having recently opened for Baest last month, Fornoth are, in our opinion, one of the most exciting bands’ in the Irish Metal scene and have a very bright future in front of them.
JET FUEL CHEMISTRY
A genre-fluid band that effortlessly glide between post Metalcore, and balls-out melodic Hard Rock/Metal. With their self-released ‘Sign of the Times‘ EP in 2020, the band receive high praise form the likes of Metal Hammer and many more.
Catch them this Saturday night as they unleash their full potential to a packed audience. For more information, please click here.
TOOMS
Hailing from Limerick City, TOOMS bring a earth-rumbling low-end to this years M2TM Ireland final, with beastly riffs, lashings of groove, and hypnotic blackened sludge loaded with sinister Progressive edge.
When you have tracks such as ‘One Ton Soup‘ on the menu, you know you’re in for one hell of a good time! Don’t miss the lads tear the atmosphere a new one this Saturday night! For more info, please click here.
VENDETTA LOVE
One of the break out bands of 2022! Hard Grunge Rockers, Vendetta Love have been causing one hell of a noise in the UK with a slew of singles over the last few months.
Having just performed in Dublin’s Academy Theatre this week, as special guests to Finnish Rockers, Poets of the Fall, the four-piece will be hitting Fibbers with a loaded arsenal of belters and Arena-sized presence! Find out more here.
UNMAKER
A relatively new band that emerged from the haze of the pandemic. Dublin-based Thrashers, UNMAKER made one hell of an impression with their face-melting ferocious Thrash anthems back in January, and have since become a band on everyones lips.
They have been busy writing and recording their first EP which will be released later this year. In the meantime, you can catch up on all their news via this link.
This years Bloodstock Metal 2 The Masses Ireland Grand Final will be taking place in Fibber Magees [Upstairs] on Saturday, May 7th from 7pm. The event will be FREE ADMISSION. Please find the official event link here.
Punters will be in with a chance to win Bloodstock Open Air General Admission weekend camping tickets via raffle tickets which will be sold on the night. The raffle ticket prices are one for €5 or 5 for €20.
We are also happy to share the news that Five Lamps Brewing Company have come on board as official sponsors for the event and will be offering deals on draft pints throughout the night.
Bloodstock Festival will be taking place from August 11th – 14th in Catton Park, Derbshire UK. The festival boasts four stages and is topped with headliners, Behemoth, Mercyful Fate and Lamb of God.
Joining them will be Killing Joke, Sacred Reich, Exodus, Vio-lence, Dimmu Borgir, Sleep Token, Jinjer, Testament, GWAR, Doyle, Bury Tomorrow, Cage Fight, Dark Funeral, Cattle Decapitation and many more.
Oran O’Beirne
www.overdrive.ie 2022
