LIVE FROM THE PIT: Metal To The Masses - Semi Final 1

Every year, Metal to the Masses offers up one of the most exciting battlegrounds in the UK’s grassroots metal scene. With a slot on the mighty Bloodstock Festival lineup as the prize, bands go all-in, throwing riffs, sweat, stage props and sheer willpower into the ring to prove they deserve their moment on one of the country’s biggest metal stages.

This semi-final at Rebellion Bar, Manchester, was no exception, drawing a packed-out room and a surge of atmosphere from the opening moments. With over 100 people crammed in, the energy only got wilder as the night went on.

Leader opened the night with deathly screams and commanding stage presence, shaking the walls before the sun had even fully set. Crowd-surfing kicked off early as the thrash metal band delivered a fierce set that got bodies moving and set a high bar for the rest of the evening.

Next up, VMBRA brought an electrifying set led by their powerhouse female vocalist, blending prog and traditional metal in a way that grabbed attention right from the first song. The band’s onstage energy was undeniable, sending ripples through the crowd as their performance carved a space for them among the night’s fiercest contenders.

Images: Left Leader, Right - VMBRA

By the time DWINGLE hit the stage, the room was stacked and the atmosphere ramped up to full-blown pep rally chaos. Armed with flags and determined to make their set feel like a presidential campaign party, they stirred the crowd into a frenzy, demanding full audience engagement and landing every punch.

Then came Phallic Rage, and true to their name, subtlety was nowhere on the agenda. Inflatable cows bounced over the audience, plushie dicks were gleefully hurled into the crowd, and a guy dressed as Elvis burst out just in time for their namesake song. The band’s “Milk Me” t-shirts and balloon-strewn antics had the room howling with laughter, but they backed up the humour with tight, punchy playing that kept the pit alive and thrashing.

Images: Dwingle - Left, Phallic Rage - Right

Closing the night was guest headliner Dacara, delivering a sharp, polished set. Their presence was a reminder of what’s waiting for the winners just around the corner - a slot at Bloodstock, bigger stages, and a chance to carry this local fire onto the national metal scene.

In the end, it was DWINGLE and VMBRA who secured their place in the final. Both bands proved they could not only command a room but also leave a lasting impression, and now they’ll battle it out for that coveted Bloodstock slot.

Images: Dacara

This semi-final didn’t just showcase individual talent, it captured the beating heart of the UK’s underground metal scene. Expect the final to be even louder, weirder, and more unforgettable. We absolutely can’t wait.

Words and Photos: Katie Edwards