21/06/2026
🔥 M2TM KENT 2026 IS A WRAP! 🔥
🔥 VAMPYRA TO PLAY BLOODSTOCK! 🔥
Another unbelievably toasty hot, sweltering M2TM Kent Grand Final and six competing bands gave it everything - as they had throughout the 2026 initiative.
Our judging panel had a tough choice, and that shows by the varied scorecards, so varied that each judge put a different band in first place! Fortunately we ask for more than just a first choice for this exact reason!
Ultimately, it was horror punk outfit Vampyra that got the nod and will represent M2TM Kent on the Stowford Press New Blood Stage at Bloodstock this year!
It's commiserations and more love than they can probably imagine for our fabulous five; Ahreman, Karnivrousband, Nightwave Nexus, Prymå and Tides of Ire.
Rest assured you are ALL on Bloodstock's radar and some of our semi-finallists too!
All the bands in this year's M2TM run have been brilliant to work with and something that will always stand out in our scene is the camaraderie between and the support that all the bands give each other. We have a fantastic metal community in Kent and we know that this will elevate many of them to new heights.
Now let's have a special mention for our guest acts.
Opening the show, our M2TM Kent 2025 winners Unnatural Order, reminded us why they won with a glorious set.
Whilst we prepared inside for our special guest headliners, we encouraged the masses to wander over to the stunning amphitheatre (how many venues can say they've got one of those?) and witnessed Noisepicker deliver a set that we here at M2TM Kent HQ imagine very few were expecting. Harry and Kieran are a tour de force and we absolutely love them! Look out for them on the Sophie stage at this year's Bloodstock!
To see so many people captivated by this amazingly talented duo was a joy to behold and really warmed the already toasty heart.
And then we headed back inside for the phenomenal Red Method. The guys in the band and their crew - such wonderful humans, so easy to work with, and wow - what a set that was. They played the main stage at Bloodstock in 2022 and we genuinely believe it won't be long until that happens again!
No M2TM Kent Final happens without a brilliant crew and we at M2TM Kent HQ cannot speak highly enough of the effort put in by our stage hand and amphitheatre sound engineer, Gummby, and our own sound engineer extraordinaire, Emperor Vic! Thank you.
And let's continue the thanks:
To Tom Wylde from Bloodstock TV (albeit a brief visit - always an absolute delight).
Our judges (RiffMonkey, Alan, Lloyd).
Our M2TM Crew (Brother Phil, Andi, Peach, Kris, Maxine, Alex, Tom, Connor, Ryan and Sammy).
Head of security, Fred.
The absolute darlings that are the Leo's bar staff.
The The Hungry Lion ladies - we continue to hear great reviews!
To Natalie - for all the catering during the heats and semis.
To Aaron - for whatever he does, we're STILL not sure, but he STILL insists on being thanked at every show.
And two more very important thank yous (as they all are):
To the owner of the legendary Leo's Red lion Gravesend, Sir Terry Lee (we've unofficially knighted him, but it should happen for real). So accommodating and an absolute pleasure to work with. We are truly spoilt with his support, brainstorming prowess and generosity.
And to the M2TM Kent masses - THANK YOU!
To everyone that came to one, two, and in some cases all of the shows this year (Patrick). And to everyone that photographed, videoed, blogged and shared the events on the socials - THANK YOU! Your support for the bands and each other is admirable and long may that continue!
And wait, just before you nod off, one last thank you.
To Simon Hall - BLOODSTOCK METAL 2 THE MASSES (OFFICIAL) for continuing to put his trust in us and allowing us to bring M2TM to you. Simon's passion for the underground scene is second to none and M2TM is the heartbeat of Bloodstock. We, at M2TM Kent HQ, are honoured to work with him for the last 6 years, but even more so to be able to call him a friend since 2016.
Right, think that's it. We humbly apologise if we've forgotten anyone.
The next show under our Beastfest UK banner is Beastfest 4 on Saturday 29th August - with two big milestone birthdays being celebrated. Head on over to the Beastfest UK Event page for details. It's a ridiculously strong line up with a line up tweak and more bands to announce coming soon.
Hopefully we will see you then!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! M2TM KENT 2026 IS A WRAP.
P.S. I don't want to be human!
