We are somehow into May already and are journeying well along the road to Bloodstock as we hit the first of the quarter finals at tonight’s M2TM. The competition is getting tighter, the bands can see the finish line and all are putting their everything into these next round of shows. Everything is being taken up a notch as we move from 3 bands to 4 of an evening. Tonight’s face off sees Sabertooth, RE:O, Twin Skeletons and Declaration of Rebellion battle it out to advance to the next stage of the competition.
First up are Didcot based Sabertooth and they open spectacularly, putting on a thumping performance that sets the tone for the evening nicely and really gets the room moving. It is unusual but very encouraging to hear such a classic 80s sound coming from such a young band. The riffs have a beautiful classic sound and the songs a modern twist on a classic formula. Their performance felt bigger and more confident than their one in the heats; indicative of a band who know they have really earned their spot and who have both the enthusiasm and the ability to step it up again.
You can see that not only are they really enjoying themselves, but they are really going for it and leaning into crafting the whole performance. They have a very supportive fan base present, inclusive of the frontman’s mum, to whom he has to apologise after telling the crowd to “bang your fucking heads”. The drummer in particular gets faster and faster throughout the set and he looks exhausted by the end. Their set is very well thought out with a great variety to showcase their style and material and it also gives all the band members an opportunity to have their moment with the set including a bass solo and a drum solo. But they have more than done their job – people are asking for more!
Twin Skeletons are up next and you can tell we are advancing in the competition purely due to the size of the crowd. There is a loyal knot of people crammed into the front row before they even start and for the first time this year it’s actually a challenge for me to get a spot with my camera!
Unfortunately for Twin Skeletons they were blighted by technical issues beyond their control and as a result played a shorter set. That being said, they still managed to showcase themselves brilliantly during the time they had. They certainly packed a lot in and brought some explosive energy with their unique sound, heavy guitars and electrifying melodies. Those that knew them screamed along, those that didn’t came willingly along for the ride. Twin Skeletons absolutely made the most of their set, captivated the crowd and really ramped things up to the extent that a couple of energetic mosh pits spontaneously erupted during the course of the set.
RE:O are our third band of the evening and their stage presence is as ethereal as ever as they take to the stage clad in black, with Rio in her beautiful kimono style dress. Technical issues are unfortunately order of the evening as they also struggle with sound gremlins and end up starting late. Once they get started, however, nothing can detract from the passion and energy that they bring to their performance.
Another band with a very unique style, sound and presence; they put on a memorable and captivating set that gets the crowd involved. At various points they have everyone sitting down on the floor and then jumping back up as they pull people in closer to the stage. This is a dramatic and soulful performance that is full of emotion. Front woman Rio jumps, floats and kicks her way around the stage, constantly moving, constantly drawing the crowd in and bringing everyone into her world.
Declaration of Rebellion appear on stage as newcomers having been progressed through after Heat 7 got cancelled and my word do they cement in everyone’s minds that they deserve this spot nonetheless. They brought utter brutality to the evening with five people on stage screaming, growling, and riffs upon riffs upon riffs.
It feels like this is what the crowd has been waiting for all evening. Everyone in the room is head banging. This was an absolutely crushing performance with huge amounts of energy from the band and crowd alike, and DOR leave you in no doubt that they are built for a bigger stage. There are tempo changes, grooves, breakdowns, and occasional switches to clean vocals that just really really work. Every person in this band has a presence, as well as a huge grin on their face. You can see how much they are enjoying what they are doing and that is contagious. The set is everything Metal 2 The Masses is all about and a great time was had by all who were there to experience it.
A little break, a chance to reflect and its voting time. As Jay takes to the stage to declare the results, we are warned that it’s a close, close call, the winner taking it by only a few votes! Everyone is on tenterhooks as we are informed the crowd vote has gone to Sabertooth! The Judges vote is next and it was a unanimous decision in DOR’s favour. A sad farewell to Twin Skeletons and RE:O but a very well deserved victory to Sabertooth and DOR and on to next weekend’s Quarter Finals we go. Stay tuned!
Words & images: Kate Elfström
