[LIVE REVIEW] MANCHESTER M2TM - HEAT 1. REBELLION, MANCHESTER 18/01/2026.

Before we go on... let's just explain what is the "New Blood Stage" and why is everyone so excited to shoot their shot to play. The New Blood Stage at Bloodstock Open Air is the festival’s dedicated platform for rising talent — a place where unsigned and underground bands get the chance to play alongside some of metal’s biggest names. It’s the end goal of the entire M2TM journey, offering winners a professionally run festival slot, huge crowds, and exposure that can genuinely shift a band’s trajectory. For many acts, it’s their first taste of a major festival environment, complete with full production, industry eyes watching, and an audience hungry to discover something new. It’s not just a stage — it’s a launchpad for the next wave of heavy music. What an opportunity? Right? 

Every heat is judged on performance, crowd reaction, musicianship, and overall impact, with one band chosen by the judges to move forward and another pushed through by audience vote. It keeps things fair, keeps things exciting, and gives both newcomers and seasoned locals a real shot. As the rounds progress, the competition tightens, the stakes rise, and the strongest acts earn their place in the semis, the final, and ultimately a chance to step onto Bloodstock’s New Blood Stage. With so many new faces stepping into the competition this year, I’m eager to see how everything plays out.

Vices are up first tonight, taking the stage to get things started and the first band to kick off the 2026 competition. Opening Heat 1 with a fierce mix of Melodic Hardcore, Metalcore, and Post‑Hardcore — what a way to start. It’s worth noting that, as with many gigs, the first band often faces that daunting question of whether anyone will actually show up. But in this case, the venue filled out nicely, and within minutes of their set the crowd was already warming up.

Next up after Vices, it’s Technologist. Although Technologist aren’t new to the competition, a few lineup changes have them feeling like a completely revitalized band on stage. Their energy is soaring, and the crowd is feeding it right back with an infectious buzz. Hair was flying everywhere — onstage and off — and the crowd were clearly loving every moment. Bringing a progressive metal blend packed with blast beats and soul‑shaking double bass, they absolutely delivered. I know I’m not supposed to be biased in my review, but I genuinely loved their set.

The crowd were clearly on their side, but was it enough to get them through, or would they be relying on the judges — or missing out altogether.  We were only two bands in — anything was still possible.

Stepping into the spotlight next in Heat 1 are Aphotic Sky. Making their Manchester M2TM debut, Aphotic Sky were a familiar sight to me after catching their set at Burnley M2TM last year — a genuinely heartwarming performance. Their songs tackle mental health and everyday struggles with such honesty that you can’t help but stop, listen, and connect with the themes they’re laying bare.

With an explosive set both musically and performance‑wise, the question lingered — would it be enough to win over the crowd or catch the judges’ eye.

[UNFORTUNATELY DUE TO SOME TECHNICAL ISSUES APHOTIC SKY IMAGERY IS UNAVAILABLE FOR THIS TIME - IF IT IS POSSIBLE TO RECOUP SOME OF THE IMAGES POST-SHOOT THESE WILL BE UPDATED TO THIS ARTICLE AS AND WHEN POSSIBLE]

Wrapping up tonight’s heat, it’s Bring Guns. Bringing a more alt‑rock vibe to the stage, it was great to see them add some real diversity to the sound on display in this heat.

This year, no one can vote until the last band has played, and honestly, it’s a smart move. In the past, people would drop in, vote, and leave, which didn’t exactly scream fairness.

As the night draws to a close, the votes are in — and only two bands can advance to the next round. The question that everyone wants answers too - who grabbed the crowd’s heart, and who impressed the judges enough to move on?

And the verdict is…

Crowd Vote: Technologist
Judges Vote: Aphotic Sky

Although Bring Guns and Vices bow out of the competition for now, both bands delivered something fresh, exciting, and genuinely memorable on that stage. But all hope isn’t lost — once the heats wrap up, the judges have the option to bring back standout acts as wild cards. So while their journey pauses here, it might not be the end of the road just yet.

Photography by Laura Jane Photography on behalf of Get Heavy UK. Images are not to be redistributed, reproduced, or used elsewhere without prior permission.