Gig Review: Metal 2 The Masses Semi-Final 1 – Oxford (17th June 2023)

OK so now it is time to get really serious. Over the last few weeks, bands have been battling it out through five seat stages and four quarter finals to hopefully make it through to the grand final on the 8th of July. Despite the immense quality of the bands so far, that unfortunately have not made it through to this point, it certainly does not get any easier for those remaining. Out of these last eight bands, only one can triumph and make it all the way to the big stage of that hallowed ground known as Bloodstock. As this competition has gone on, I have found myself liking more different genres of metal and have really come to like certain bands. I am not going to mention which ones as I would prefer to remain impartial, but I can honestly say there has not been a band thus far I have not enjoyed the pleasure of watching.

That being said it is time to review tonight’s four hopeful bands, but looking back at the amount that I may have consumed it may have been prudent to have taken my notebook that I usually bring. Unfortunately, I cannot for the life of me remember the order in which the four bands took the stage due to poor, shocking memory. So, for this review I shall hopefully be getting the correct order but please bear with me. If my memory stands correctly first up on the stage was the almighty Indecorum, and the energy from the quarterfinal did not change at all. Paige was bouncing from the crowd to the stage throughout the complete set, getting the majority of the crowd to join in with monumental headbanging, along with myself included. Accompanying all their songs was inspirational announcements from the bands background and their fight in life. Yet again another flawless performance from a very competent band, and a serious contender if they go through to the final.

Next to take to the stage (hopefully) was none other than Stone Soup, bringing even more of a merch game tonight. T-shirts, albums and the occasional can of soup (what I can only assume is soup of any variety of flavours) With their patented band name stone soup printed along the front. But yet again they stepped it up a notch by bringing a stash can designed in the style of a soup label with what I can only describe as the most humorous can of soup I have read in my life. For any more information on this item all I can suggest is check out their merch page. But enough with the merch stand it is time for the music. There was something a little different with tonight’s performance, I am not entirely sure if it is due to following Indecorum, but their music definitely felt a little heavier than in earlier rounds. As usual the harmonica was out and played in force but fortunately was not accompanied by Chris on the recorder. Not sure if it is a Sore Teeth only kind of thing, but it certainly was appreciated that the recorder did not make an appearance tonight. The crowd loved this evening’s performance, including myself, and honestly it seemed like they did not put a foot wrong. Personally, I think the way this band has adapted throughout this competition, including their merch game, I would love to see them through to the final simply just to see what they will bring.

I cannot seem to go in evening without using the facilities and tonight is no exception, you must surely know this by now. But enough of that it’s time for the third band which if memory serves me correctly, which it seldom does, was that ever so awesome Severed Tongues, from quarterfinal three. Once again bringing them melodic metalcore music to The Jericho Tavern. The sound this evening was absolutely incredible and during one of my rest breaks I spoke to someone who was not attending the venue, but however, was downstairs in the bar with the rest of his party, and he asked me what band was playing and what the event was. After a quick discussion he explained to me that he was not from this area and was not aware that the competition was currently taking place, and that had he had known he would have bought himself ticket. Even from the restrooms and downstairs in the bar area/beer garden he was extremely impressed with Severed Tongues performance. Somehow Severed Tongue not only impressed the crowd and the judges this evening, but even people within the surrounding area there was not attending the event. This band certainly kicked it up a notch from the quarterfinal, they came out louder, harder, and faster than before, with what I can only describe as true dedication to progressing through to the grand final.

If I’m correct with the three bands that have played, by process of elimination the last band perform is the ever so impressive Bring the Onslaught. Bringing back to the stage their metalcore music, they managed to envelop the entire room with their heavy drum bass and loud growling vocals. It would appear that these guys certainly a fan favourite with the crowd, having extremely large mosh pits in front of them along with copious amounts of head banging. I cannot fault their performance whatsoever as the entirety of their set was flawless throughout. After doing a little digging on their socials, it would seem that these guys have not only been performing alongside each other for some time now, they have also performed alongside some fairly well-known bands including the likes one of my favourites – Psychostick. My only criticism on this evening ‘s performance, which is of no fault of the band, is simply that the stage was not big enough for the five-piece band that they are. Room on the stage at Jericho ‘s Tavern is small at best, suited realistically for a three-piece band or even a four piece at a push. If Bring the Onslaught where to ever play within Oxford again on a bigger stage outside of this competition, I would certainly love to come back and see them back in action and in full force on a stage suited to their size.

Because it is a semi-final, tonight we had the pleasure have a guest headlining band, none other than the hugely impressive Gutlocker. This band has been on the metal scene now for quite an enjoyable time now with not only being headline acts or supporting acts in different venues around the country but are also prestigious winners of Metal to the Masses back in 2016. They have previously played along Sore Teeth, Compounds and Stone Soup, just to name a couple from this very competition. If you have not heard of this band yet I would seriously recommend checking them out as their mix of metal is truly inspirational and it is clear to see how their exquisite talent took them all the way to the new blood stage. I believe at one point throughout their set they had a line of fans in front of them, arms linked together in a chain, head banging in unison. I cannot wait to see this band later on in the year at Rabidfest. Do not miss this opportunity to see Gutlocker perform once more at festival, as tickets are on sale for the 4th and 5th of November for Rabidfest’s 5th anniversary in Oxford.

At this stage in the competition, I would love for the bands to be able to make it to Bloodstock, but unfortunately only two of the bands tonight can progressed further. Yet again tonight I was asked if I could help judge this evenings bands and let me tell you this… it was by far the hardest judging decision that we have ever made. Normally would take between four to five minutes of discussion to pick not only a band unanimously that all the judges liked, but also a second band in case the judges original decision was also the crowd vote. However, it must have taken at least fifteen to twenty minutes this evening. All four bands impress the judges so much it was extremely difficult to choose between them. But unfortunately, within this competition a decision has to be made, and with that comes the results.

Taking the crowd vote by a very narrow margin of one single vote in it, was the ever so impressive Stone Soup. I cannot wait to see what their merch stand brings on the 8th of July. And after a very intense discussion with the judges, a decision was made, and the vote went to Indecorum. My sincerest commiserations to both Bring the Onslaught and Severed Tongues, it is unfortunate that we have to say goodbye two bands who in my opinion truly deserve to be in the final, but it really was just that close. And with that the first two bands progressing through to the grand final have been decided and it is already shaping up to be one hell of a night.

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