Metal 2 The Masses Somerset 2025- Grand Final
Bloodstock Metal 2 The Masses Somerset 2025 – Grand Final
Cobblestones, Bridgewater
7th June 2025
Review by Mare Grills
Photography By Doom Media
It’s been a while since I was last at Cobblestones, but I finally made a long overdue return for the final of M2TM Somerset 2025, following an email to Ever Metal. It’s a brilliant venue, which is friendly, inclusive and full of character. A pub until 2015, it then became a ‘go to’ venue in the South West with a host of well-known and not as famous bands gracing its stage. Within easy reach of the M5 with a really convenient public car park just over the road it’s a doddle to get to and well worth the trip.
The bar is always well stocked, the staff lovely, and the customers equally so. On this occasion, Heavy Metal had come to Bridgewater, the substantial outside terrace giving access to a smaller bar and the music venue (capacity around 150). I travelled down from Swindon with my co-pilot Wol, a relative newcomer to the Metal Scene.
Graham the Manager of the venue, resplendent in a Footprints in The Custard T-shirt, which made me feel right at home, was welcoming, professional and an all round good egg. As I am rubbish at taking pictures, they agreed to ask the Official photographer Sam (Doom Media) if I could share with you some of his shots, and thankfully he agreed (see later).
It was lovely to see a real cross-section of ages there too, either supporting the local live music scene, popping in for a game of chess and a beer, or just mingling with everyone else.
Special mention should also be for ‘The sound guy’, Nestor – he worked so hard to make sure all the bands sounded the best they possibly could on the night. Thank you,
Now to the competition:-
First up was Vermin King, clearly a local favourite judging by the number of t-shirts in the audience, including the young lady with a walking aid right down the front and ready to mosh. They delivered an energetic and enthusiastic performance with some nice little changes of pace, solid bass, and great crowd interaction. I found it hard to pick out the individual instruments, so in my opinion, musically, they were a little indistinct, but it was good and heavy, with great vocals, and if the start was a bit shaky, I blame nerves on opening such a great night. They gave us a good, solid set, which I, like everyone else, enjoyed. Scummy the Seagull, who is apparently a local legend, was on Merch. What’s not to love? Finishing with ‘One Step Forward’, it was a great beginning to what promises to be a cracking evening.
Eproctophilic Necrophile were up next and they gave us a wall of sound – hard, heavy, and unrelenting. This Goregrind three-piece were taking no prisoners and there was some serious headbanging going on. Although my first impression was that they weren’t really my cup of tea. I changed my mind – they introduced The Necrodile, an inflatable reptile who lives in the Bridgewater canal and the banter with the crowd was so much fun. Then a serious message was delivered in support of Pride and Men’s Mental Health month and they nailed it with a song called ‘Betty Swollocks’. They gave a confident performance with great humour and I would happily see these guys at Bloodstock.
Skulls Awake were on third. They’re a two-piece with bags of energy, and they grabbed the audience immediately. Creating a huge sound, they were a big hit with the crowd, some really tasty sludgy guitar and lovely changes of tempo in the songs with (I can’t believe I’m writing this) ‘Doomy Punk’ vibes throughout the set. Some of the songs are bangers, but with no introductions to them, it’s hard to work out what to listen for again. With only two of them, managing the guitar, bass, and drums like they did is witchcraft…. another really solid and enjoyable set.
Rizen where here to ROCK! This band owned the stage, and then they owned the audience. A five-piece band, the vocals were great, but it was the musicianship that got me – the lead and rhythm guitars interchanged so it was hard to know who was playing what, but it was awesome. Good solid Heavy Rock but with individual sounds that complemented each other. They used the whole stage. With excellent lead and rhythm guitar, a cracking bassist, and a great frontman, the band were clearly having a blast, and it really showed, making the whole set so much more enjoyable for the crowd.
They gave a really confident performance with huge crowd involvement, singing along – joining in, smiling, and bouncing. One of the guitarists said on stage that it felt ‘like Cliff Richard and the Shadows had turned up to a Motörhead gig’ and they really weren’t sure how it was going to go down – it was epic.
And then they opened up a Wall of Death …….. Just so much fun.
Songs included ‘Comatose’, ‘Shout’,‘Hollow’, and ‘Psycho’.
At this point, had I been judging, this band would have been my winner so far.
Nomad Lizard were up next. I really liked this band, but they had a huge job to do to follow Rizen. Happily, they did it really well. A four-piece with great growly vocals, they were my second favourite band of the night overall. Good drumming, nice guitar with some tasty riffs and a little bit funky – there could have been a little more definition between the instruments, but it was so groovy I didn’t care…
There was some lovely crowd interaction, which got more fun as the band settled – people in the audience wearing lizard masks and costumes and generally having a great time. Sadly, the lead vocalist was having an issue with his voice, although I wouldn’t have noticed, had he not said.
And there was a pit… yayyyy (although I was too far back to have made it in there).
I’ve never been to a regional final of M2TM before, so I hadn’t appreciated how nervously I would be waiting for the result. Bear (of Thuum), was the Bloodstock judge for tonight, and I really didn’t envy him the job. While we all await the decision, we are treated to a hugely entertaining set by Tim Whyte & The Deadbeats and a great set by Thuum …. But I want to know who he chooses before we make the journey home…
And the winner was….. Rizen! This made me very happy!
It was a great evening of really exciting Metal of many diverse genres, and I am delighted to have been able to be there.
A huge thanks to Sam (Doom Media) for allowing us to use the images from the night. Check out Doom Media on Facebook.
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Disclaimer: This review is solely the property of Mare Grills and Ever Metal. Photography courtesy of Doom Media. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.
