PlanetMosh Keeping it Metal
PlanetMosh continues its support for the Northern Ireland leg of the annual Bloodstock Metal 2 The Masses competition – which gives the winners a slot on the New Blood stage at Bloodstock – by interviewing the participants in heat number four, which takes place at Belfast’s Limelight 2 on Saturday (April 4). Once again, in the interests of equity and fairness, the bands are interviewed in alphabetical order, with each one also being asked exactly the same set of questions…
Conjuring Fate (questions answered by lead guitarist Phil Horner)
Can you briefly tell us who you are, where you’re from and how long you’ve been going?
We are Conjuring Fate, and we hail from County Antrim. CF has been going in some shape or form since 2005 when I first wrote our oldest tune, ‘Mirror Mirror’. The other only member from that period is vocalist Tommy Daly. We did have other projects over this time – which I only see as a good thing: it helped us mature as musicians. If you can call it that. But it wasn’t until 2014 when we re-emerged with our new line up. Things just seemed to work better this time around.
How would you describe your style of metal?
We are straight up heavy metal. As we are influenced by horror, those themes shine through lyrically in a lot of our songs. This will be more apparent on our next release.
What are your collective musical influences?
Our influences are similar but also differ in certain areas… which is good, it seems to work for us. Maiden, Faith No More, Helloween, Sabbath, Ayreon, Death, Metallica, Freak Kitchen, Gamma Ray, Devin Townsend.
In no more than a dozen words, why should you win Metal 2 The Masses?
Anyone in the competition deserves it. But we work our asses off.
If you do not win your heat, which other band in the competition would you like to see win?
Donum Dei. They are a great young band and deserve the experience.
And, assuming you do win through, what band at this year’s Bloodstock are you most looking forward to seeing (providing they don’t clash with your set, of course)?
There are loads of bands that I’d like to see over that weekend. But I’d like to catch Wolf, Nuclear Assault, Armored Saint, BLS and Rob Zombie. Loads more but they would be dead certs.
Scimitar (questions answered by vocalist Jonny Gray)
Can you briefly tell us who you are, where you’re from and how long you’ve been going?
I am Jonny, Frontman of Scimitar. We are from Belfast, and same for the rest of the band; Ryan Atkin -drummer, John Thompson – guitarist, Chriz Baird – bassist. We formed back in 2011. We all had a passion for the metal scene and in particular thrash metal, over the last few years we have really come on loads with performance of gigs and with song writing.
How would you describe your style of metal?
Our style of metal is very much thrash metal, with a hint of black and death metal from time to time, we always like to have options we can go down, so that we can keep ourselves fresh and keep our fans guessing what is next.
What are your collective musical influences?
If I was to name bands like us it would be responses of the fans: Slayer, Destruction, Desaster, Sodom.
In no more than a dozen words, why should you win Metal 2 The Masses?
Because the Scimitar will rise. Haha, but honestly just to get our name about more and breaking into England.
If you do not win your heat, which other band in the competition would you like to see win?
If we don’t win I would like for Overoth to win, because they have a fantastic reputation.
And, assuming you do win through, what band at this year’s Bloodstock are you most looking forward to seeing (providing they don’t clash with your set, of course)?
And if we win, I’d love to be able to see Death again, and Nuclear Assault – and hopefully get high with Glenn Evans backstage! I know the rest of the guys wouldn’t say no to that!
Sinocence (questions answered by lead guitarist Anthony McCaughley)
Can you briefly tell us who you are, where you’re from and how long you’ve been going?
Sinocence are a metal act based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The band have been playing in a thriving Irish scene for over 14 years and are a firmly established staple here. We continue to focus our solid song writing skills and intense rhythm section. With the release of ‘No Gods, No Masters Vol 2’ we’ve stepped up to reinvigorate the dynamic and energetic sound the public have come to expect.
How would you describe your style of metal?
Dynamic.
What are your collective musical influences?
Slayer, Metallica, In Flames, Machine Head, Alice in Chains, Aerosmith, Corrosion Of Conformity, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Megadeth.
In no more than a dozen words, why should you win Metal 2 The Masses?
In 14 years this is the strongest, tightest and cohesive unit yet.
If you do not win your heat, which other band in the competition would you like to see win?
There is a lot of bands deserving of a spot there. For me the hard workers like Pete from Zombified should already be on these type of bills. Everyone works hard I’m sure, but it takes stamina to stay on point for so long.
And, assuming you do win through, what band at this year’s Bloodstock are you most looking forward to seeing (providing they don’t clash with your set, of course)?
Nuclear Assault. No question.
The fourth band taking part are By Conquest Or Consent. Unfortunately, they did not return their interview questions in time to meet PM’s deadline.
The fourth heat of Bloodstock Metal 2 The Masses Northern Ireland takes place at Limelight 2, Belfast on Saturday (April 4). Doors are 5pm, and admission costs £5 (at the door). Two bands will qualify for the semi-finals, and the judging will be 50 per cent audience vote and 50 per cent judges’ vote. Punters will be asked to award points to the bands in descending order: four points for their favourite performance, three points for their second favourite and so forth. And don’t forget you’ll be able to get the results, together with a full review and photographs, right here on PlanetMosh.
