Live Review: Bloodstock’s Metal 2 The Masses – Semi-Final – The Dev, London

There’s nothing quite like festival season, and Bloodstock Open Air know how to get people excited for this time of year with their annual Metal 2 The Masses competitions, to give smaller up-and-coming acts a chance to play at the UK’s largest metal festival! It’s finally the semi-final time here in London and this year may be the hardest one to predict yet! Here’s what went down in The Dev!

As the clock struck 6 the pub was already packed as people awaited Row Of Ashes to take to the stage. As soon as the first note hit you could tell this was going to be a special night. Starting things off heavy, Row Of Ashes had the room ready to rock with an intense, full-throttle set that gripped the attention of everyone in the venue. From the stage to the door, The Dev was moving and not a single soul seemed disinterested in what the band were laying down.

Sacrificial Slabs

Despite having a few technical issues that pushed the start of their set back briefly, Face The Wolves would attract a huge crowd. The dynamic two-piece delivered an extremely memorable set with their blend of synth and heaviness. Headbanging was encouraged throughout this set as vocalist Sernena effortlessly switch between soothing cleans and demonic esc gutturals. The crowd seemed to love these two and a bunch of them could be heard singing along with the band.

Beers were flowing at an all-time high at this point and Sacrificial Slabs wasted no time bringing their high-octane sound to the people of Camden. This set was rapid and no-nonsense which pleased the vast majority of the crowd. The first pit of the night seemed to break out during this set which is a great sign that you’re doing something right at a metal show!

Bringing a more blackened feel to the event was Vulgaris. Their raw sound echoed off the walls of The Dev as they turned the Camden pub into their own sinister domain. Hellish vocals matched with riffs that enchanted the fans to let loose made for one of the more memorable sets of the evening.

Them Bloody Kids

If it was high energy you were after then Them Bloody Kids were the band for you. Giving the venue its second wind, this four-piece absolutely left it all on the pub’s stage and in return they had one of the most exciting crowds of the night. Moshing, singing and headbanging were all you would find during the band’s 25-minute set which didn’t offer a single bit of rest bite from start to finish!

The final band competing was Lethal Evil, who brought their unique blend of Thrash and Death Metal back to the heart of Camden Town. Their sound seemed to resonate well with the fans in attendance and their charisma on stage was an amazing way to close out the competition period of this event!

After such an exciting evening of some of London’s best up-and-coming metal acts, only three would progress to the final. After fans and jury had placed their votes it was announced that the bands to progress to the grand final at Boston Music Room were Face The Wolves, Vulgaris and Them Bloody Kids! Each and every band put on a stellar set that won’t soon be forgotten but unfortunately not everyone can make it through.

Vulgaris