So I say this every year …
The Spicey Zinger Burger with the hash brown is the mutt’s nuts!! Oh, and M2TM is back!
This is it, kids, 2026 has officially started! M2TM is back at its rightful home, Voodoo Belfast, and I am trying to think when I last stood in this venue; it may have been the final one back in May?
There have been so many gigs in 2025 that I can’t remember which way is up, but the start of M2TM marks a run of chaos unlike anything else on my calendar! Tonight, we have four bands all looking to make their mark on this year’s competition, with plenty of fresh faces, so that’ll liven things up.
Up first tonight, Airies Air, a prog rock band from Belfast, who just dropped new music today, and they toss that in their set as their second track of the night. A slow burner, it has a heavy feel, not only in its gnarly sound but also in the weight of the subject matter and how they carry the song. It’s great to see a band with real intent in their songwriting and the ability to translate that to the live stage as well. I appreciate the vocal delivery as it sounds honest and not like he’s trying to be something he’s not sonically, and how it creates a feel to the band against a hefty crushing backline, a quality start to the night and a band new to me who are worth catching live.
Up next Countervela, who are another band new to me, from up North of Norn Iron! These guys have a real ambient proggy quality. The first two songs are quite methodically, laboured-sounding, with a droning vibe, but the third track packs more of a punch and has me wondering which box I should put these guys in. When they go old school playing older tracks it’s a totally different sound again more grungy alt-rock and by the time the set wraps up I’m confused as fuck how to describe them …. But the crowd digs it, and they’re the ones with the votes, so let’s see how it all plays out.
Aphrill are up next, and these cats have a real alt-rock indie vibe about them, youthful and full of energy. Thus far, the most energetic band of the evening! The crowd is responding in kind, welcoming the change of pace and digging the passion being poured out from the stage into the room. The cobwebs have been well and truly blown off. The place has lost its kind, and Aprhill’s guitarist hits the floor to rock out to fuck mid set, taps aff, tats out, and shit gets real! They hit hard with a few heavier tracks in the vein of Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver (Slither) vibes!! Aphrill have stepped up a gear and are slaying it!
So last but not least, The Real High Ryder, who are a balls ot the wall rock ‘n’ roll band, no holds barred, no quarter given. They hit the stage and unleash a manic performance that screams rock ‘n’ roll is definitely not dead, which is great to see from such a youthful band. Usually, it’s old lads like me who want to keep this genre alive, so having young whipper snappers throwing down the gauntlet warms the cockles and muscles of my old heart.
An interesting start to the competition this year, with some new faces thrown in there for good measure. Plenty of new faces in the crowd, which is great to see. So James called it yesterday morning ..
Congratulations to Aphrill Official and Airies Air on going through to the semi’s from last night’s Metal 2 the Masses NI Heat ONE. Not a lot to choose between the 4 bands. Brilliant performances all round and a superb turnout too! Thanks to all who came. Heat 2 this Friday, 6th Feb.
Metal 2 the Masses NI continues this week with Heat TWO and it’s a massive line-up. Hard To Explain, Microtonal, Shortest Straw & Stitch Will battle it out on Friday 6th Feb in Voodoo Belfast for a place in the semi-finals. 2 bands will go through and doors are 8 pm. Tickets from the link below.
Ticket link: https://wegottickets.com/event/687708
I’ll see you kids all next week.
Pic’s by @flashartmark (Feel free to share)
