Metal 2 The Masses Manchester Quarter Final 1, Manchester 16:03:2025

Review by Oli Gonzalez, Photos by Laura Thomason

The last few notes of the heats still ringing in our ears, the memories of which were still fresh in
our minds. Though there’s no time for sentiments as we pondered over what could have been in
the heats and which bands could have or should have progressed. No, it’s time for the stakes to
rise as we were now into the quarter finals. Speaking to the judges prior to the show revealed
how legitimately close the heats were scored with literally 1 point separating some. This
highlights the importance of getting down to support your favourite band as the margins for
progression can be ever so slender. With a more stripped down format of 4 competing bands,
only 2 would progress either as crowd or judges vote winners. We also had a treat in a guest
headline act. First up though, the first of the bands vying for a place at Bloodstock Open Air.

 

Leader
Having had the closing slot in their heat, the young Manchester thrash metallers would take the
opening slot to this, the very first quarter final. Given the carnage we saw for their heat, how
would the opening slot impact the crowd’s engagement this time round ? With the circle pits
opening a few songs into their set, it seemed like it doesn’t matter what slot they’re given, there’ll
always be chaos! It wasn’t long before we saw our first crowd surfers emerge…on a Sunday
night too!
“LEADER! LEADER! LEADER!”
The crowd roars were impossible to ignore and rang throughout Rebellion. It was pretty obvious
who those in attendance had come to see. Would this translate into either taking the crowd vote
or winning the judges nod?

 

Tokeo
Having missed the band’s heat, this would be my introduction to the band. A band with a clear
nu metal and grunge spine drawing heavily from the likes of Rage Against The Machine and
Limp Bizkit. Just without the same angst and attitude; at least for the first few songs. After
urging the crowd that they don’t bite and encouraging them to come forward, we saw the band’s
confidence rise. This in turn felt like a more believable performance with the net result being a
packed out room swinging and swaying along to those infectious grooves. As well as a few
singing along (presumably friends and/or family). The energy grew and grew as the set
progressed which was pleasing to see. Something for the judges to consider.

 

Silence Reigns
Their impressive blend of metalcore and thrash metal is largely the reason why they’ve
advanced this far. Despite a slower start to the set and the crowd needing time to wake up, the
sheer ferocity and intensity of their sound was the reason why we eventually saw the pits open
up again and why they’d surely be the reason for the judges to have a major decision to make.
Some of those furious breakdowns and sub bass drops rattled straight to the core of your being
whilst there was a further dimension with the subtle use of melodic backing tracks. A broad and
expansive sound that may well have seen them through to the semis.

 

Asleep At The Helm (AATH)
After drawing the short straw and being given the opening slot in their heat, time for AATH to
take the 4th and final slot of the night for competing bands with a now warmed up and hot
crowd. Although the attendance was a little sparse at first, this changed as more bodies began
to descend into the freshly opened pits. It was no wonder given the modern metalcore assault
on the senses that was as intense as it was devastating. This was only amplified by the
stunning light display that allowed you to feel this in its purest form.
“Do you know what a wall of death is?”
A question posed by the bands vocalist, with Rebellion responding with the only appropriate
way with more bodies charging into one another like testosterone fueled rams. The theme for
large portions of the set making you wonder how this would look at the New Blood Stage.

40,000 Leagues

“40K! 40K! 40K!”
Ever popular in these parts and mainstays in the underground scene, 40,000 Leagues were
chosen as headliners for the evening. Finalists in previous years, watching them play makes
you wonder how they haven’t yet graced the New Blood Stage. The progressive metal band had
and always will have a phenomenal frontman in Nathan Crossdale. How did he engage a
fatigued crowd? A blast of pop songs regenerated into metal covers, of course. The band’s
cover of ‘Ain’t Nobody’ shouldn’t work as a metal song and you supposedly shouldn’t see a
crowd at a metal gig dance and sing along to this. But this is an ode to 40,000 League’s creative
genius as this is exactly what we saw! A more than welcome injection of energy into the
evening. Another way to energize a tired crowd? Allow them to vote for your final song, in this
case a metal cover of ‘Livin’ La Vida Loca’! The band headline The Peerhat on May 9th; I’d
highly advise that you get your ticket for this! Tickets can be purchased >> here <<.

 

Verdict
Crowd: Leader
Judges: Silence Reigns
Little argument here and nothing really much to add. A fair reflection of their performances and well deserved places in the semi-finals.