PlanetMosh Keeping it Metal
Control the Storm is set to crush the New Blood Stage on Friday 10th at this year’s Bloodstock.
We catch up with the band to find out more about them, the festival and what you lucky Bloodstock go-er’s will see!
Can you give the readers a quick introduction to the band?
Control the Storm is: Hayley Martin – Lead Vocals, Rich Shillitoe – Guitars & Backing Vocals, Callum Downing – Guitars, Becky Baldwin – Bass and Backing Vocals, Raedon Mac – Piano, Synth and Backing Vocals, Gareth Arlett – Drums.
Control the Storm was founded in 2010 with a shared view to write and record passionate and exciting metal with unfaltering conviction. Rich, Daryl Barrett-Cross (original Rhythm Guitarist), Gareth and Raedon decided to form the band as they had all worked well in a previous band and started working on the new bands concept and music with drive and fervour. The previous band had been a symphonic band akin to Nightwish and Epica, however, once the new line up had been finalised, a conscious decision was taken to not follow this route again. With collective influences ranging from Evergrey, Delain, Sabaton, After Forever and Ayreon the band wished to mix power, melody and catchy hooks all into one neat package.
Have you ever been to Bloodstock before? If so when and what did you enjoy most about it?
Several of the band have been to Bloodstock before as punters however, for all of us (except Rich who played with Mercury Rain a few years ago) this is the first time we would be playing the festival. With the demise of ‘Monsters of Rock’ at Donnington, BOA is the only UK festival that really caters for the ‘real’ metal community and that is shown in the whole atmosphere of the festival and that no matter what band you want to see, you will always have a blast. What other UK Metal festival would have a bill as diverse as Alice Cooper, Nile and Hatebreed?
Why did you want to become part of the New Blood Stage line up?
Initially our reason for throwing our hat in the ring was to increase our profile away from Bristol. We never thought we would end up winning and getting through to the ultimate prize! The idea of playing Bloodstock, although a massive draw, wasn’t really our major goal.
However, as the heats progressed and we moved on to the finals becoming part of the next wave of UK bands to have an impact at the festival became more achievable. Considering that many of the more well known UK metal bands of the last few years have gained greater reputation and coverage from their appearances it only enhances the prestige of taking part ourselves. As said before, Bloodstock is the only major UK fest that readily promotes UK talent and it is a great honour to take part.
What was your initial reaction when you found out you where playing on the New Blood Stage?
Our initial reaction was complete disbelief – especially as we won the Reading finals (due to Raedon and Hayley being from the Thames Valley). We had only entered the Reading heats in order to build our fan base in a ‘new’ area and to win there was a great surprise and a massive confidence boost. We had some stiff competition in both Bristol and Reading and it was initially a relief to get through to two finals! As we get closer and closer to the event the disbelief is turning into excitement mixed with a little trepidation.
What is your opinion of the Bloodstock lineup?
The lineup this year looks particularly good. There is a nice mix of bands covering most sub genres as well as having the legend that is Alice Cooper at the top of the bill. Couldn’t really ask for much better!
What are you looking forward to most at Bloodstock?
Obviously being on stage! However that will only be 30 minutes of the weekend! It will be awesome just to hangout with some current friends, make some new ones, drink plenty of beer and just have a blast listening to some great music!
What can the audience expect from you at the festival?
We always aim to put on a bit of a show so it will be nice to do it on a bigger setting. We will be playing with lots of energy and passion….pretty much as we always do.
Can you sum up Bloodstock in one sentence?
The ONLY true UK metal festival!
Any message you wish to pass on to the PM readers.
Hope to see you all at the front!!
Thank you for taking the time out to complete this interview, we are looking forward to seeing you at Bloodstock \m/
Links
www.facebook.com/controlthestorm
www.myspace.com/controlthestorm
Day of Days EP track
[youtube=http://youtu.be/FN67INCRuew]
[youtube=http://youtu.be/P-gpuUBsmA4]
Photos courtesy of Paul Howell
