Metal 2 The Masses // Heat 5 // Northern Ireland

So, this one is definitely going to be interesting! Five bands on the bill, a few who have been through the wars in the competition before, so they bring an element of experience with them, and a few new faces to M2TM. But five bands all fighting over two places! Two bloody places …. Jesus wept!

The question, for sure, is how the performances will go. I already know from seeing a few of these bands that they can deliver, and they do so consistently. Still, the fanbase that has travelled with them, who have brought the support out with them tonight, could well steer the vote this evening.

Mr Loveday is, of course, absent, on duty with Northern Ireland’s own depressive black metal band, The Crawling, who are down south tonight. The room has a healthy crowd in, and it’s an earlier start with the extra band in tow. 8:15 sharp and the first band start sprinkling their own brand of magic across the Voodoo stage,

Gozer The Traveller are no strangers to M2TM stoner rock from Co. Armagh; these guys don’t hold back once they hit the stage, slamming their way through a gnarly set that has everyone glued to their performance. The riffs are thick, the vocals strong and purposeful, and the band resonates with the Voodoo audience. This is exactly what was needed to set the bar high and make sure every band that follows knows that tonight ain’t gonna be a walk in the park, those two slots will have to be earned this evening for the show!!!

Up next, A.N.J.A., now this young lady I have known about for a few years, but our paths have never crossed, till tonight. I know this lady by reputation, and I’ve heard great things about her, and I think many moons ago I was sent a song by her to review, and I thought highly of it, so it’ll

It would be interesting to see her translate it all.

To the live stage, where no doubt, she’s at her happiest! I’ll soon find out ….

So right from the off, A.N.J.A. take an impression: two ladies with attitude up there rocking out to fuck. The music is ballsy, dripping with angst, and the band know how to deliver. The lady herself is a real performer, magnetic to watch, and she looks very comfortable on stage; she harks back to the likes of Suzi Q, Pat Benatar, and right up to modern-day noise makers like Hole. A breath of fresh air in the competition for sure, with the audible support in the room, she could be throwing a spanner in the works in real time. Oh, and a first for M2TM, a selfie at the end! Could this be a trend starting?

Food for thought for sure for the Voodoo faithful …

So now, for Merys, a new band to M2TM and to all involved, fresh faces on the scene, these cats are strutting around this place like the mutt’s nuts, and everyone is wondering what we’re in for! As it is, an ambient doom vibe, proggy and rich in a cinematic quality. There’s almost a ritualistic feel to some of their music, as if it is cathartic to perform. For sure, the audience is transfixed, wondering where we are going next. The set is heavy with, as previously mentioned, a cinematic, dystopian vibe, like a soundtrack to Blade Runner or the like. A crazy band with a crazy vibe, and those who I spoke to in the room really dug it.

Up next, Triggertone, now these guys are pretty explosive live, and that’s just how their set goes this evening! It’s all at a blistering pace, relentless and unforgiving; they are a savage trio that knock out highly melodic rock numbers that embed themselves in your brain like earworms. They describe themselves as an alt-rock band influenced by grunge and stoner rock, but they’re much more than that! These dudes are talking the talk and walking the walk. They’re pretty polished in an unpolished way, rough around the edges, as alt-rock as they can be, but with a quality that resonates with everyone in the room. A band with real purpose and a sound that’s been honed over the years. It’s hard not to be impressed by their performance tonight. And a wee additional note, possibly the best vocal performance of the night, Bitchin ‘!

Last but certainly not least, Indominus, one of the most brutal bands on the local scene. These guys always bring it live, a little too much at times, it seems as bassist Mark takes down part of the drum kit on son two. But that doesn’t detract from the absolutely savage performance they put on as a close to tonight’s proceedings. Every band on the bill offered something different this evening, but none is quite like Indominus. You’d usually find them playing in the competition among the heavyweights of the local scene, where genres are usually similar enough that the crowd in the room will understand what they’re in for. I feel that tonight, anyone who’s still around for the 11 pm kickoff is either mad as fuck and knows what they’re in for, or they’re still hanging on and now having their faces melted before bedtime. A seriously savage performance from start to finish.

What a way to wrap up this evening’s festivities! This one, for various reasons, is so hard to call: five bands, a big crowd, lots of fresh faces in that crowd, so I honestly don’t know who they’re all out to support. Everyone brought their A-Game for sure. With such a mix of bands and genres, everyone gave it their all, and now it’ll be down to the voters to decide who progresses.

Mr Loveday made the announcement Saturday morning: Congratulations to Merys and TriggerTone on qualifying from last night’s Metal 2 the Masses NI Heat FIVE. Thanks so much to Alicja Cygan, Shane Hughes and Gareth Ruddock for running things so brilliantly in my absence! 6th and final heat ahead of the semis this Friday, 20th March!

**METAL 2 THE MASSES NI – HEAT SIX DETAILS **

Ticket link: https://wegottickets.com/event/689294

**VOTING INFO AND STAGE TIMES AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS!!**

The Distortion Project proudly presents Heat SIX of the 2026 Metal 2 the Masses competition Northern Ireland. Bands will be competing to secure a coveted slot on the New Blood Stage at Bloodstock 2026 this year alongside such heavyweights as Judas Priest, Lamb of God, Sepultura, Testament, Body Count, Cryptopsy, Castle Rat and more. In addition, the winning band will have their travel expenses covered up to the value of £400.

Competing in Heat Six we have.

EL TORO
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/el.toro.band
“Boring Son” video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfveFTc4UOU

Fulgurite
“Hypocrite” audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCKs2d3CcLk

MOSIAC
FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573591276458
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mosaic-n4p

MR PINK
FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087571779570
“Unknown” Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFgFbE46tsc

Friday 20th March 2026
Voodoo Belfast
Doors 8.00pm
Admission: £7.00 + bf (includes 1 voting slip – tickets and pay on the door – cash and card accepted)

Stage times will be:

Band 1: 8.45 – 9.15
Band 2: 9.30 – 10.00
Band 3: 10.15 – 10.45
Band 4: 11.00 – 11.30

Running order will be drawn at random on the day of the show.
Voting will close at 11.45 and the results will be announced between 12.15 and 12.30..

VOTING AND JUDGES

**THIS IS A POINTS BASED SYSTEM**
2 bands from each heat will qualify for the semi-finals, and the judging will be 50% audience vote and 50% judges vote. There will be a panel of between 3 and 5 judges comprised of local journalists/sound engineers/other promoters and/or other music industry folk in Northern Ireland. Punters will be given voting slips as they enter the venue and asked to score points to the bands in descending order, by writing in the boxes on the voting slip.

4 points for the band you want to finish in FIRST PLACE,
3 points for the band you want to finish in SECOND PLACE
2 points for the band you want to finish in THIRD PLACE
1 point for the band you want to finish in FOURTH PLACE

An x or tick beside the band you want to win to will NOT be accepted and these votes will NOT be counted!!

Good luck to all involved and let battle commence!!