LIVE FROM THE PIT: Metal To The Masses Birmingham Semi Final 2

There’s a special kind of energy that pulses through The Flapper during Metal to the Masses. Part gig, part battle, part gathering of Birmingham’s underground faithful, it’s a proving ground for new blood looking to storm the hallowed stage at Bloodstock. This round delivered a thrilling mix of chaos, craft, and charisma — a reminder of how diverse the local metal scene really is.

Dying Addiction opened the night with a no-nonsense slab of straight-up, classic-leaning death metal. Their set was tight, aggressive, and satisfyingly old-school, with the kind of chunky riffing and guttural vocals that never go out of style. There’s a sense of precision to what they do, even when things get filthy — a locked-in rhythm section drove the whole thing forward, and the band’s frontman commanded the stage like a seasoned pro. No gimmicks, just raw power.

Dying Addiction

Equinox brought a very different vibe: proggy, technical, and full of ambition. Their set leaned heavily into complex arrangements and odd time signatures, but never at the expense of intensity. The guitarist delivered a few genuinely jaw-dropping moments, effortlessly moving between melodic leads and punishing chugs, while the vocals walked a tightrope between ethereal and unhinged. Equinox are a band who challenge the audience and reward the focused listener. It wasn’t the most immediately accessible performance of the night, but it was one of the most rewarding.

Equinox

Things took a chaotic left turn with Mantis Defeats Jaguar, who injected the night with a welcome dose of mathcore-inflected carnage. Their stage presence was pure mayhem: angular riffs, blast beats, screamed vocals, and sudden tempo shifts that threw the crowd into whiplash. What could have felt disjointed was pulled together by their sheer commitment. This is a band that thrives on tension and unpredictability, and they delivered some of the most exciting moments of the evening. Their vocalist in particular deserves a shoutout — equal parts frontman and rabid prophet, he owned the chaos.

Mantis Defeats Jaguar

Then came BLDSUGR!, whose name suggests a sugar rush, but whose sound hits more like a steel-toed boot. Their brand of hardcore-punk-metal fusion was relentless, loud, and dripping in attitude. While the set occasionally flirted with collapse under its own fury, there was something captivating about the messiness — like a basement gig barely held together by duct tape and adrenaline. Their frontwoman spat lyrics with venom and charisma, rallying the crowd with zero fear. BLDSUGR! might not be the cleanest band of the night, but they were arguably the most fun.

BLDSGR!

Rounding out the competition was Ionosphere, a band whose atmospheric, post-metal leanings offered a welcome comedown — without sacrificing heaviness. Their soundscapes were immersive, balancing lush guitar textures with cavernous low-end and thunderous drums. While their stage presence was more restrained than some of the earlier acts, the emotional weight they brought made them stand out. There’s a sense of scope to Ionosphere, like they’re building toward something larger than the room they’re playing in. They’re definitely one to watch for fans of Cult of Luna or Russian Circles.

Ionosphere

With the audience buzzing and ballots being counted, guest headliners Eradikator took to the stage to remind everyone what seasoned, road-tested metal sounds like. Their thrash-laced set was delivered with absolute confidence, full of groove, aggression, and razor-sharp musicianship. The crowd — a mix of diehards and curious newcomers — responded immediately. There’s a polish to Eradikator that doesn’t come at the expense of grit. Their new material sounded tight and fiery, and their performance proved why they’re one of the Midlands’ most respected heavy acts.

Eradikator

By the end of the night, it was anyone’s guess who would walk away the winner. Each band brought something unique to the table — from the raw tradition of Dying Addiction to the art-damaged math of Mantis Defeats Jaguar. That’s the beauty of Metal to the Masses: it’s not about finding the “best” band in a technical sense, but discovering who connects, who pushes boundaries, and who has the fire to take it all the way to Bloodstock.

Words: Jason De Medonca

Photos: Conrad Newton