Rebellion is a staple of live music in the metal scene that really nurtures smaller bands and allows them a place to be uniquely them, so it was no surprise that Metal To The Masses had chosen this iconic venue to host the Manchester rounds of the competition. With the acts already down to the last sixteen, the pressure was mounting for a coveted spot in the grand final.
Being that it was the quarter finals, the quality of bands performing was already incredibly high. Drawing the short straw of being the first act of the night meant bringing the energy, and DWINGLE, a local band with a relatively small online presence, stormed the stage ready to provide just that. Strutting on stage as a four piece in matching uniforms of white shirts, black ties and even darker sunglasses, the crowd knew they meant business. As they launched into their first song, a few fans sporting DWINGLE merch nodded along, but when the song faded and the band properly introduced themselves, it became clear: this wasn’t just a band with a gimmick. DWINGLE absolutely had the talent to back up their schtick. Being the first act on the bill is always a terrifying notion to comprehend, so when DWINGLE rose to the challenge with all the energy they could muster, it blew the crowd's minds and got them into the spirit of the evening. Managing to get a crowd moshing at 6pm on a Sunday evening is no mean feat, but DWINGLE managed to get everyone in the audience on their side. Bringing non-stop energy and entertaining lyrics, DWINGLE have hit a niche that the independent metal scene seems to have been missing for a while, so it was no surprise that they were the first band of the evening to advance to the semi-finals through the crowd vote.
Second to hit the stage were Covert UK, winners of the judges vote and young up-and-comers. Performing with the skill and finesse of a band that’s been around for decades, Covert UK managed to stir the crowd to their side whilst being the youngest band on the lineup. Most of the band being under the age of eighteen meant they were already starting on a backfoot compared to the other talent that evening, but if the crowd noticed, it definitely didn’t show. Donning impressive blacked out stage makeup which could be seen from the back of the venue, Covert UK’s natural aptitude for heavy riffs and crowd work stood them in very good stead. Their set coexisted with visuals behind them on screen, including a Dr Who reference which brought the set full circle as their guitar work featured notes that sounded like they’d been lifted straight from the show. It came as no surprise that Covert UK were awarded the judges vote, winning them a spot in the next heat. Covert UK are a band with impeccable talent and a fully realised concept, coupled with a unique sound that felt like they’d been playing together a lot longer than their age would suggest.
Lantern, third to perform that evening, needed a special mention away from their performance. As well as delivering a killer set, which the crowd ate up, Lantern were there to assist All Out Of Bubblegum (who performed later that evening) when they experienced technical difficulties. Without a second of hesitation, they fostered that sense of community the Welsh take pride in, and jumped to aid Bubblegum by offering their amp to the band to ensure their set could continue. Away from this, their performance was absolute. Imagine a hard-core band with the potential to get the entire crowd going mental, fronted by Mr Poppy from Nativity, and you will have found Lantern. They brought the fun to the evening, treating each audience member as if they were the only person in the crowd. You could see how much effort this band put into entertaining and how much this competition meant to them. Sadly, this energy didn’t translate into a spot in the semi-finals, but we believe Lantern are truly a band to watch out for.
Rounding out the night, All Out Of Bubblegum graced the stage with Fa Caudwell, their vision in pink, leading them out. Marred by technical difficulties with their frontman's guitar, their set started on a rough note. That being said, once issues were said and done, the band bounced back with incredible strength and truly refused to let the evening falter. Their copious amounts of stage presence and crowd interaction meant they could pull it back and deliver a stellar set complete with a wall of death that the crowd delighted in, and gave a huge testament to their professionalism. Musically, their set was tight, punchy, and all the things you expect from a great live band. Their catchy choruses and chants were repeated back to them by both old fans and new, spreading like wildfire across the venue. By the time All Out Of Bubblegum left the stage, the room was buzzing with energy. The bands in this quarter final had truly proven that it was truly anyone's game.
One of the best things about Metal To The Masses is the love and sportsmanship each band shows for eachother, and both DWINGLE and Lantern deserve a special mention for that, with both bands successfully coming to the aid of All Out Of Bubblegum when they faced equipment failiure on stage. It's a rare thing to see bands lend out their equipment at a regular gig, so to see it happen between bands that were in direct competition with eachother in a high-pressure environment was truly heartwarming.
As the event drew to a close, it was clear to the audience just how much of a supportive affair these shows are. Bands congratulating one another, sharing drinks and stories, and standing in the crowd supporting other acts showed how much this meant to everyone involved. An incredible night with first-class bands is what Metal to The Masses promised, and that's exactly what they delivered.
Words: Emily Bancroft
Photos: Anna Goley
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