Cor, round 4 has thrown up some interesting ones.

Creature have helped shake the curse of the opening slot by being the second band to go through despite drawing the early lot. 90s grunge throw back, they like their Nirvana like – but there’s enough enjoyment about them that helps tip them through. Sweet. Just like Honey.

Potentially the band with the furthest to travel – Vigil – they are a powerhouse of modern melodic metal. I thought they were going to lose it when announcing “the next one is a Drowning Pool cover” – but opting for a triumphant ‘Sinner’ (that much forgotten second single!) stunning. The bar is raised and set. They’re like making love on the edge of a knife. Hope they’ve plenty of petrol money handy… they’re through read more

M2TM Heat 4- This Thursday

Half of the semi-finalists are now decided with The Unholy Concotation and Decrepit Monolith advancing to the semis last time out.

Round 4 is this Thursday at Trillians, with 4 competing bands and 1 guest band. Remember, entry to this and every heat is FREE entry. Kicking off from 7pm

Nice.
So, who have we got for you this time – in no particular order (as running order decided on the night) we will be welcoming…

Creature – Newcastle Alternative Rock

Odin’s Revenge – Local Hard Rock/Heavy Metal read more

M2TM Newcastle – Heat 3 write-up

On paper, Heat 3 is one of the more diverse line-ups.

This wasn’t deliberate at all – but – certainly, the type of thing I was hoping for when I started running this competition in Newcastle, so a chance to see bands you’d not normally get to see or get to see together.

In the 2016 competition, no band who took the opening slot progressed. It is a very difficult slot because among anything else you can’t see what you’ve got to “beat”.
But, The Unholy Concoction buck that trend and taken on a riff driven booze metal approach to take them to the semis.
It does take a little while for them to warm, but a lot of people have made the effort to check out the early bands and they leave impressed.
It’s actually the crowd response that tips them through. As every judge has a different second choice band tonight! read more

M2TM Newcastle – Heat 3 – Thursday 9th March

Round 2 saw I’ll Play the Villain and Trendkill progress, they join Kraken Waken and Blood Moon Bandits in the Semi Finals.

Round 3 is this Thursday at Trillians, with 5 competing bands. Remember, entry to this and every heat is FREE entry. Kicking off from 7pm

Nice.
So, who have we got for you this time – in no particular order (as running order decided on the night) we will be welcoming…

Saints of War – Teeside heavy rock

Sworn to Secrecy – Newcastle metalcore read more

M2TM Newcastle : Heat 2 Write Up

Although most of our heats are a Thursday, to avoid other clashes, Heat 2 was a nice midweek warmer.

Four competing bands again this week and interesting mix of bands and styles.

“We’re from the bad side of the Tyne,” announce Sunderland band Razorjack who play an enjoyable and competent slice of modern metal, influenced by the likes of Slipknot, they’ve a mild stage presence and some interesting songs. A cover of ‘Gay Bar’ is also quite amusing and they warm up nicely. read more

Metal 2 The Masses : Heat 2 – This Wednesday

After an exciting first round in which Kraken Waken and Blood Moon Bandits progressed, Heat 2 is this Wednesday, February 22nd, at Trillians.

A late decision was made on Thursday to make the launch night free entry and that offer will continue for the remainder of the heats, so, each night you’ll get to sample 4 or 5 local bands with no cover charge.

Nice.
So, who have we got for you this time – in no particular order (as running order decided on the night) we will be welcoming… read more

M2TM Newcastle : Heat 1 Write Up

After the excitement of the 2016 competition, I was very excitied to see what 2017 would bring.

Last year we had 5 heats and there was a mixture of applications and me nudging a few bands asking if they might like to apply.
This time round we’ve filled 6 heats without me having to nudge anyone, as we had more than enough applications.

Now, when I took on the 2016 competition – I hoped that most of the bands would get some form of benefit from it – the general feedback being many had, some seeing it as a good networking opportunity, playing with bands they wouldn’t normally play with, making new friends, showcasing themselves to the venues, other promoters, etc and while there can only be one prize winner, getting as many to benefit as possible is a plus. read more

M2TM Newcastle begins this Thursday!

And so… the road to Bloodstock for one North-East band starts here… it’s like the Rock/Metal version of the World Cup, except without Fifa corruption… ooh…

If you don’t know how it works it is quite simple – all the rounds are at Trillians this time – the very first heat being February 16th – that’s this Thursday. Each heat, 4 or 5 competing bands will, err, compete, with two going through to the semi finals in May.

It’s a mixture of fan votes (that’s cheers to you and I) and judge votes scores the band who progresses – and last time there were some swung by the fans, some swung by the judges and some unanimous. read more

Introducing : Lord of the Lost

A few days ago, when we announced the reschedulement of the KMFDM tour, we also announced that special guests would be Lord of the Lost.

It may well be that you already know the band – and if you like them you are probably quite excited about their appearance, it is their first time in the UK since three small dates in 2010.

They’ve had 4 more studio albums out since then… plus a live album, an acoustic album and an album with an Orchestra.

They’ve been busy.

Before we continue – the Newcastle show is September 5th at Think Tank read more

KMFDM – Date Moved to September

Regretably, the KMFDM show scheduled for May 22nd has been postponed… however… due to fast work with the band, agents and venues, the rescheduled date is already confirmed and announced as September 5th at Think Tank.

Tickets are on sale from www.seetickets.com (clicky)

All tickets are still valid, however if you cannot make the new date, refunds available from point of purchase – online customers should have already received info.

We can also at this time announce very special guests on all dates to be Lord of the Lost. read more

RFTK Promotions

M2TM Newcastle Heat 4 write up