We aim to promote the underground scene and show what Scotland has to offer to the metal community!
9th March 2013
Mighty New Wave of British Heavy Metal titans HOLOCAUST are confirmed to headline the first North Of The Wall-Festival! The band who started off in the late seventies and pioneered Heavy Metal alongside names like Iron Maiden, Saxon, Tygers of Pan Tang or Angel Witch and who made a triumphant return to the stage after a considerable time of absence on their home turf in Edinburgh earlier this year, will provide a worthy finale for our festival, making it a showcase of the Scottish scene from its very beginnings up to young and coming bands.
Despite great songs, that every headbanger with taste should be able to sing in his sleep, like ‘Heavy Metal Mania’, ‘Only as Young as you Feel’ or ‘Death or Glory’ Holocaust were deprived of the big financial and international success that former companions like Iron Maiden enjoyed. Maybe because of the geographical distance to the heart of the, mainly London based, NWoBHM, maybe because they never made any compromises and played their Heavy Metal rough and dirty; whatever the reason they never made it big, they are still venerated by metalheads all around the world and we are proud to have them playing our festival.
Holocaust also headlined Bro-Fest in Newcastle earlier this month, sharing the stage with other NWoBHM veterans like Scarab, Tysondog or Spartan Warrior, which underlines their status as first among equals of this “second line” of NWoBHM bands, who never lacked musical talent or passion but unfortunately fell victim to the mechanisms of the industry or had to split up for various reasons. As I said before, Holocaust held up high the flag of Heavy Metal in Scotland, when the bands that enjoyed the most success came from London. Hence they fit the purpose of North Of The Wall perfectly, namely to present the Scottish Metal scene in all its facets, we’re glad to have you back guys!
After having seen several line-up changes over the 36 years of their career (metal-archives.com lists 14 past members!) Holocaust are currently playing as a three-piece with founding member John Mortimer (Guitar/Vocals) conducting the Heavy Metal Mania.
-Ansgar
"Holocaust is one of metal's most influential and pioneering bands.
Tributes have been paid by no less than Metallica ("The Small Hours"),
Six Feet Under ("Death or Glory"), and Gamma Ray ("Heavy Metal Mania"),
among others. These few examples illustrate - with the subtlety of a
brick to the head - how many different styles of metal Holocaust has
impacted. Founding member and principal songwriter
John Mortimer (guitar, vocals) has written some of the genre--s most
intelligent and unique works. For example, 1997's concept album Covenant
is based on The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever by Stephen
R. Donaldson. Mortimer's styles are diverse, and his presentation of
stellar musicianship and thoughtful lyrics combine to make music that
cannot simply be heard; it must be experienced. "
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPzjlraENYM
25th January 2013
Bringing their huge yet uncompromisingly aggressive sound to the stages since 2003, they have spent the years since showing anywhere that could withstand them within the UK and Europe the capabilities of the Scottish extreme metal scene, including festival appearances at Wacken, Metalcamp and Bloodstock, the Bloodstock live set having been subsequently released as a live DVD. With several releases through esteemed metal producers, the latest of which is their debut full-length "The Forgotten King", they are ready to bring the Fury of the Northmen to the QMU with catastrophic results in April.
Speaking of catastrophe, joining them, and opening the festival, we have three extremely promising bands formed of members from the MORGUL society themselves. Woad-painted northern folk-metal warriors Norderobring, bringers of intense yet intricate melodeath Common Gods, and groovy stoner-rockers (with beards pending) C.R.A.P.
See you at the Fundraiser on Sunday!
-Brenden.
Having shared stages with the likes of Morbid Angel, Destruction, Devildriver, Onslaught and Dismember to name but a few, Achren have augmented their growing reputation in the UK metal scene, and through positive reviews, national press coverage with the likes of Metal Hammer and Zero Tolerance, and some hard work managed their first tour in Scandinavia in 2007.
Their next move saw the production of the single ‘Blood Soaked Banner’ by esteemed metal producer Dave Chang, and accompanied by playlists on the likes of Totalrock, a Terrorizer magazine cover-mount CD appearance, a live BBC session, widely regarded as a first in their genre and the radio station, and a gruelling and relentless UK promotional schedule, they furthered their reputation as a leading dark in the underground UK metal scene.
Having spent 2009 working on their debut album, and managing to find the time to tour under the Northern Brutality tour moniker, the band consisting of Scott Anderson – Vocals, Guitar, Callum Kirk – Lead Guitar, Gordon Johnston – Drum and John Clark Paterson – Bass, as well as providing high profile supports to the likes of Vader, Sabbat, Chthonic and Hecate Enthroned, performed at the UK’s premier independent metal festival ‘Bloodstock-Open-Air 2010.’
A DVD of their full ‘Bloodstock Open Air 2010′ was released in March 2011.
After touring the UK in the early part of 2011 the band then undertook a Summer festival tour that saw performances at ‘Wacken-Open-Air’ (GER), ‘Metalcamp’ (SLO), and a triumphant return to open the UK’s Bloodstock-Open-Air to open the 2011 festival.
August 2011 also saw the UK launch of the band’s debut album ‘The Forgotten King’ recorded in Scotland, mixed by Mathias Helle at Drop Hammer Studios, Finland and mastered by Jens Bogren (Amon Amarth, Devin Townsend, Bloodbath) at Fascination Street Studios, Sweden.
Achren look forward to the prospect of spreading their aural brutality to countless thousands and terrorizing the rest into faithful submission."
22nd January 2013
We're pleased to announce (finally!) that you can now order your tickets for North of the Wall 2013. Tickets are £15 and for over ten bands playing, that's a bargain!
Just visit this link: http://morgul.bigcartel.com/ and pick yours up now!
You can also purchase them directly from the QMU itself or Tickets Scotland.*
Alternatively, if you know one of the organisers you can buy them in person and avoid any booking/postage fees. Just get in contact.
Tickets may well be higher on the door, so make sure to get yours in advance!
- Amber
*http://www.tickets-scotland.com/events.html?event_method=viewevent&event_id=2c014c62-649f-11e2-99e8-12313d04bc40
20th January 2013
The next band to be announced for North of the Wall 2013 is the mighty Farseer from right here in Glasgow. They'll be sure to knock your socks off!
Check out their website: http://farseer.bandcamp.com/
Give their Facebook page a like: http://www.facebook.com/Farseermetal
And give their EP, "Chthonic Visions" a listen too.
-Ross
"Scottish melodic metal act 'Farseer' are a 5 piece unit on a mission to
bring you a 7 string metal guitar assault featuring furious beats whilst
retaining the catchy vocal melodies commonplace to the European melodic
metal scene.
The origins of Farseer date back to early 2008
under the union of Dave Bisset, David Connolly & Jon Stewart. After
several lineup configurations the band settled with Bisset
taking on lead vocal duties, David and Jon on Guitars and employing Joe
MacGregor & Alan Robinson respectively on bass and drums to form a 5
piece.
Despite only being around for a short time, Farseer
have turned heads at numerous shows including support slots for Sabaton
(Swe), Grailknights (Ger), Beholder (UK), Freedom Call (Ger), Triaxas
(UK), Power Quest (UK), Firewind (Gr), Regardless Of Me (It) amongst
others.
The band have recently finished their 2012 EP Chthonic Visions which is now available to buy on iTunes."
7th January 2013
Cheers very much guys, next announcement should be coming soon enough!
-Alasdair
Ascension
Ascension are a 5 piece Guitar driven power metal band from the UK.
Infusing classic power metal motifs with a contemporary melodic edge.
Ascension are creating waves with their unique brand of modern power
metal.
In the last few years Ascension have seen great success across the
whole of the UK with appearances such as the first (and last) Metalfest
UK at JB’s Dudley alongside acts such as Blaze Bayley, Vision Divine,
Dragonland and Primal Fear.
In 2009, Ascension embarked on their first full UK tour.
Fully financed, promoted and organised by the band and Italian power
metal band Broken Melody. The band saw their fanbase greatly increase
as a result.
In August 2010, Ascension travelled to Sweden to record their
debut album - 'Far Beyond the Stars’ at Sonic Train Studios with Andy
Larocque. Mixing and mastering of the album was completed at the start
of 2011.
In September 2011, Ascension embarked on a UK tour supporting Swedish power metal band Axenstar. "
1st January 2013
In addition, we have just created an event page for the festival; go over there and say you're attending, 'cause it's going to be fantastic. Share this poster about too!
Cheers everyone, have an awesome 2013.
-Alasdair
"Scordatura are a 5 piece Death Metal band from Glasgow, Scotland.
Coming into the music scene in late 2008, Scordatura have driven deep
into the UK death metal scene. We have had the great pleasure of sharing
the stage with bands such as Aborted, Misery Index, Malevolant
Creation, Beneath The Massacre & Cryptopsy.
With a line-up change in early 2011 of new member Mark Scobie joining on bass, Scordatura
have since released a 2 track teaser CD for thier upcoming, much
anticipated debut album which will be released on 1st February 2013!
Scordatura have more recently performed at shows alongside Fleshgod
Apocalypse, Severe Torture, Putrid Pile, Condemned & Wormrot. We
have also had the pleasure of taking to the road with fellow Scottish
metal heads Cerebral Bore (Earache Records) for a UK tour."
26th December 2012
www.facebook.com/AtragonDoom
-Alasdair
P.S. Big new coming on New Years day - keep a weather eye on the horizon!
We've shared the stage with Cauldron, Korpse, Serpent Venom, Black Magician, Zillah, Bisongrass, Buried Sleeper, Sufferinfuck, Evil Blood, Nerrus Kor, Black Talon, Toledo Steel, Roll On Three, Maelstrom & many more great bands. Plans for 2013 include a short UK tour, the North of the Wall festival in Glasgow & some very exciting gigs around Scotland."
21st December 2012
You guys should clear the 27th of January. Why?
This is a day of celebration. Let's get the blood flowing. Let's all spread the word and celebrate Scotland's very own brand of Metal. We've got a North of the Wall warmup gig at the 13th Note on the 27th of January. And what a gig it will be.
To start with, I cannot sing enough praise for these guys, the curious Splintered Halo, followed by Glaswegian, against-the-grain metallers: Beckon. To ensure that everyone leaves the night shellshocked, we got Diementia spearheading and closing the event with a goddamn bang!
Oh, did I mention that we have one more band TBC? I won't tell you who yet.
If the world does not end tonight, it will end on the 27th of January.
Sunday at 19:00
The 13th Note in Glasgow, United Kingdom, G1 5QT Glasgow, United Kingdom
18th November 2012
We said not long ago that we would b e announcing another band soon, and here it is; Scotland's best-dressed Progressive Black Metallers, the Mighty Maelstrom!
These guys are fantastic live, and hav e been stalwarts of the Scottish scene for a good few years now. Go and check them out, buy their album, see them live. You will not be disappointed.
- Alasdair
"Maelstrom is a Glasgow based Black/Doom metal outfit who have spent the
last year gigging in various parts of the UK, including support slots
with the likes of Tyr, Wodensthrone, Winterfylleth, Alestorm, A Forest
of Stars and more, with additional appearances at the Jorvik Viking
Festival, York and third Hordes of Belial Festival in Dundee.
In 2013 Maelstrom will be playing the prestigious King Tut's
New Year Revolution as well as the inaugural North of The Wall Festival
in Glasgow and second Warhorns Festival in York. They are also
currently finalising their second album "Sunlight".
Maelstrom
is not your usual "black t-shirts and jeans" metal band, instead taking
to the stage in a uniform of white shirts, black ties and an unrivaled
crushing fury."
5th November 2012
FIRST FESTIVAL ANNOUNCEMENT!
We're happy to confirm Glasgow melodeath/thrash metallers Diementia will be playing North of the Wall in April. Go and check them out!
"Formed in 2008. Soon after the debut album "Tears Of Blood" was
unleashed. Quickly gained recognition in the metal community and
Facebook, it spurred demand for Diementia to be a live band.
A
few years later, and through varying lineups, the band finally came
together in 2011 with the subsequent release of the 4 track EP
"Forgotten Dead" following in early 2012
Diementia have now
started their onslaught on the UK with their own brand of melodic,
death, thrash metal. Having played numerous venues as well as a
blistering set at the very first Beermageddon."
ACHREN - Glaswegian "Blood" Metal
SCORDATURA – Glaswegian Death Metal
ASCENSION - Aberdonian Power Metal
MAELSTROM – Glaswegian Symphonic Black/Doom Metal
DIEMENTIA – Glaswegian Melodeath/Thrash Metal
HEADLESS KROSS- Glaswegian Doom Metal
ATRAGON – Edinburgh Doom Metal
FARSEER - Glasgow Power Metal
NORDEROBRING - Glaswegian Folk Metal
COMMON GODS - Glaswegian Melodic Death Metal
C.R.A.P - Glaswegian Stoner Rock
Tickets: http://morgul.bigcartel.com/
Glasgow QMU - 22 University Gardens, G12 8QN Glasgow, United Kingdom
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/thenorthofthewall
Tickets also available from Tickets Scotland and the QMU box office.