PlanetMosh Keeping it Metal
PlanetMosh continues its support for the Northern Ireland leg of the annual Metal 2 The Masses competition – which gives the winners a slot on the New Blood stage at Bloodstock – by interviewing the participants in the second heat, which takes place at Belfast’s Limelight 2 on Saturday (March 7). 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…
Cavehill (questions answered by guitarist/vocalist Sinco Goudie)
Can you briefly tell us who you are, where you’re from and how long you’ve been going?
Cavehill are a Newtownabbey-based band whose current line up and format have been together for a year.
How would you describe your style of metal?
We call our style ‘Groove`tallica’ – it is rock/metal sound that revolves around a heavy groove rather than a military metal beat. It’s foot tappin’, ass shakin’, head bangin’ stuff!
What are your collective musical influences?
Our influences come from many sources, consider the heavy groove riffs of Jimmy Page with the full on rock n roll of AC/DC with a sprinkling of Sabbath to season and you’re on the wide road of our heavy groove laden tracks
In no more than a dozen words, why should you win Metal 2 The Masses?
Cavehill’s music has a different slant on it, and that’s musically healthy
If you do not win your heat, which other band in the competition would you like to see win?
We have many friends (and some family) in the competition and wish them all the best and hope merit itself is the winner.
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)?
This year’s Bloodstock has an impressive line-up, though Black Label Society would be the highlight with the great heavy grooving riffs and licks of the inimitable Zakk Wylde.
Donum Dei (questions answered by vocalist/guitarist Thomas Marshall)
Can you briefly tell us who you are, where you’re from and how long you’ve been going?
We are Donum Dei (pronounced Don-um Day). We are a Belfast based band with members from Newtownards, Holywood and Portadown. We formed in November 2011, so just over three years strong.
How would you describe your style of metal?
For me personally, a perfect description of us would be a cross with the classic thrash style that brings all the modern metal elements to the table.
What are your collective musical influences?
Metallica, Motorhead, Black Sabbath, As I Lay Dying, While She Sleeps, Machine Head, Trivium, Black Label Society.
In no more than a dozen words, why should you win Metal 2 The Masses?
Needing to feel what headbanging along with 1000+ people feels like
If you do not win your heat, which other band in the competition would you like to see win?
I would like to see either Sinocence or Conjuring Fate win because both bands have helped us so much trying to build up our profile by giving us some great gigs together.
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)?
This is a tricky question. There’s too many! Either Black Label Society or Trivium… but I’m going to say BLS!
Rule of Six (questions answered by lead vocalist / rhythm guitarist Dave Briggs)
Can you briefly tell us who you are, where you’re from and how long you’ve been going?
We are a six piece classic metal band with four guitarists from Lurgan and Lisburn. Featuring members from Waylander, Runecaster, Fatality and Downcoil. Song writing for Rule of Six began in 2008 and was originally intended as a studio only project because of the excessive amount of guitar tracks. When we decided to attempt to play the songs live we figured out we would need at least four guitarists and a line up was formed in early 2012.
How would you describe your style of metal?
Neo-classic Metal
What are your collective musical influences?
Iron Maiden, Bruce Dickinson The Clan Destined, Gamma Ray, Blind Guardian, Thin Lizzy.
In no more than a dozen words, why should you win Metal 2 The Masses?
How often do you get to see a band with four guitarists?
If you do not win your heat, which other band in the competition would you like to see win?
Sorrowfall
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)?
Sabaton
Zombified (questions answered by drummer Gary Beattie)
Can you briefly tell us who you are, where you’re from and how long you’ve been going?
We are Zombified and we are a death metal band from either side of Belfast in Carnmoney and Lisburn but we rehearse in Carnmoney. We started in 2009, Jamie had a couple of songs written and recorded as a side project for himself under the name Zombified and I had just parted ways with Overoth, so I phoned up Jamie and we decided to make Zombified a fully functional band and it all started from there.
How would you describe your style of metal?
From the very beginning we wanted to make a bare bones, no frills death metal band in the vein of Autopsy, Cannibal Corpse, Desecration (UK) and bands like that, and in the six years I think we have stood by that ideal.
What are your collective musical influences?
Slayer, Sepultura, Iron Maiden, Autopsy, Marduk, Pig Destroyer, Type O Negative, Judas Priest… the list is endless.
In no more than a dozen words, why should you win Metal 2 The Masses?
Because no other death metal band in Northern Ireland works any harder then we do, we have been constant with releases and we bring more brilliant underground death metal bands over from other than any other band in the country.
If you do not win your heat, which other band in the competition would you like to see win?
Probably Overoth.
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)?
That would have to be Cannibal Corpse.
The second heat of Bloodstock Metal 2 The Masses takes place at Limelight 2, Belfast on Saturday (March 7). Doors are 5pm, and admission costs £5. Two bands from each heat will qualify for the semi-finals, and the judging will be 50% audience vote and 50% 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. Full details can be found at https://www.facebook.com/events/1549433308661908.
