It is the culmination of months of hard work for the Metal 2 The Masses promoters of the South Wales event. Starting in the depths of winter, six bands have battled their way through to the coveted final with a spot at Bloodstock Open Air at stake. Those cold, wet evenings at The Green Rooms in Treforest and the Bunkhouse in Swansea probably seem light years away as the heatwave that is promised slowly inches its way across the East.
Day of Wreckoning – South Wales Metal 2 The Masses Final
Corn Exchange, Newport – 20 June 2026
Words And Photography: Paul Hutchings
Thankfully, although it is sticky, we do not have to worry about the weather in the way that those melting at Hellfest do.
On stage, the temperature is high from the start with the opening act, Excursia. Although the day is close to a sellout, it is the hardcore local fans who are in at doors. The bigger draw of headliners The Wildhearts sees the venue bursting at the other end of the day. But before Ginger makes his appearance, there is the little matter of that final.
Excursia
Excursia have been on the South Wales scene for several years, and despite several line-up changes, are showing no signs of slowing down. In fact, they make sure that those in early are impressed with their ferocious Deathcore.
It is a long way from those early Thrash roots that the band first produced when they were teenagers. With a more mature approach, they take the opening slot with relish and serve up a feisty start to the proceedings.
House Of Hosts
Second up is House Of Hosts, one of the three semi-finalists from the Swansea events. Playing a blend of Metalcore and more traditional Metal, it is a fiery follow on which gets the slowly filling venue nodding their heads in appreciation.
Powerful dual guitars and gruff vocals seem to gain appreciation, and the room is already moist. As things stand, we have two worthy finalists and evidence that the judges and the fans have picked wisely.
Risperidrone
Risperidrone change the vibe completely with a set of sludgy doom mixed with progressive elements. It is hard to work out if there is much enjoyment on stage as the band are fixed to their spots.
Perhaps in keeping with their ethics, this is not music for the jolly. But if we all liked the same thing, it would be dull, and the passages of calm that intermingle with crushing riffs make them an interesting watch.
Disrupt The Continuum
Disrupt The Continuum are fully engaged and bring a new level of energy to the venue. It is a shame that the audience is sparser than perhaps it could have been. They look the part, matching shirts giving a professional, we give a shit look.
They can play and have great vocals to boot. A powerful set suggests that these are ones to keep an eye out for in future times.
Grindhorse 83
As the afternoon considers moving into early evening, the sounds of surf rock combined with all kinds of styles emerge. Grindhorse 83 are phenomenal, mainly thanks to their energised and compelling lead singer, Maria, who appears to be possessed at times.
High energy has nothing compared to her cavorting and cajoling, and she leads the band through a challenging broken drum peddle moment with ease, leading the crowd through a Metal version of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.
There is plenty of audience participation and lots of fun to complement the refreshingly different style of music.
Inscape
It is then down to Inscape, the final band from the Swansea heats, to make their pitch. As things have slipped a bit on the timings, there is a slight downturn in numbers watching as the two other venues in this ambitious event brace for impact.
Those who remain get served a treat as the electro-alternative outfit put on an impressive show, with one of the best vocal performances of the day. Another variation on genres, Inscape round off the Metal 2 The Masses final in style.
Into The Metal 2 The Masses Evening
It is with impressive quality that the rest of the day continues with very few visible problems. It takes guts to bring this event to reality, and this year the three key people behind the event for the past few years, Ofnus main man Alyn Hunter, Bunkhouse promoter Will Sheldon and Musipedia Of Metal owner Matt Bladen, have taken a leap of faith which thankfully for them pays off handsomely.
At 5 pm, they switch attention to two smaller venues literally opposite the Corn Exchange, Le Pub and The Pit at McCanns. Eight bands split across the two stages, whilst on the main stage in the Corn Exchange, we have some Bloodstock alumni to pull in the big numbers.
At Le Pub, we not only get welcome air-conditioning but also big sets by Awake by Design, a stellar performance by last-minute call-ups Häxan who step in to replace Lifer (get well Scriv), the thundering Stoner Metal of Derbyshire’s Syncolima, who impress massively, and headliners and local heroes Black Lakes, who pack out the venue.
As I skip back and forth, there are smiles, a great atmosphere, and in Le Pub, four very exciting performances.
Downstairs in McCanns lurks a basement venue with a 60-capacity. Part of the network of venues across Newport, it is one for the grassroots and the underground to inhabit.
Tonight we have the more Extreme side of the day, with the 2018 South Wales winners, Democratus, making a return to their home city. They are joined by the darkness of Somerset Satanic doom duo Tumanduumband, Cardiff revitalised Black Metallers Agrona and the grinding Death Metal of Sodomised Cadaver.
It is heartening to see the room packed out for these bands, with Agrona proving to be a big draw.
With every band on the bill having played Bloodstock before, there is a definite hint of Catton Hall across the evening. And the main room slowly ramps up to a crescendo.
Swansea thrash veterans Helldown open the evening’s sets with a powerful, muscular set that proves why they remain one of the leading lights in the South Wales scene.
Tiberius
They are followed by my find of the weekend. The glorious progressively tinged Metal of Tiberius, who make the journey as part of a UK jaunt but still have technically travelled the furthest, from Edinburgh no less.
The Scots are a fine watch, with great melodies, soaring vocals and a cutting edge that leaves you in no doubt about their credentials.
Mother Vulture
Seven years ago, I stood next to Alyn Hunter and watched Mother Vulture play to about 15 people in Fuel Rock Club in Cardiff. Alyn promised that if they came back, they would fill the venue.
It has been a slow burn, but the Bristol-based quartet are now unmissable and provide 45 minutes of their usual high-octane music and chaos. With big shows for them coming up, including a huge 600-capacity headliner in Bristol later in the year, maybe Alyn does know a thing or two after all.
The Wildhearts
I have never fully fallen for The Wildhearts, but for those who love them, they truely love them, and the venue is at its busiest when Ginger and band arrive to close out the evening.
Regardless of my neutrality, I have huge admiration for the Geordie, whose health issues are well documented and whose stance I fully support.
It is a partisan crowd that ensures that what might be one of the final shows by the great man in South Wales goes down a storm.
South Wales Metal 2 The Masses Winners
After all that, it is congratulations to Inscape who win the vote and head to Bloodstock 2026. It has been a day of fantastic music, great organisation and proof that if you believe, then magic can happen.
Huge thanks to all involved, many of whom it was great to see for the first time in a while. With the event moving back West in 2027, it will be interesting to see if this tremendous day can be topped.
Bloodstock 2026 will be held over the long weekend of 6-9 August 2026. #boa26. For more information, visit bloodstock.uk.com. You can view a map of Bloodstock at bloodstock.uk.com/bloodstock_map.jpg
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