After missing Heat 2 of Oxford’s Metal to the Masses and having Mikki go as a member of chaos, the anticipation had been building and I was so excited to get back into it. Mikki graciously sent me some videos but it’s not the same as being down the front having your ear drums blown out by guitars or having your heart forced into a new rhythm by drums.
I was later than what I would have liked due to trains (fuck trains) and by the time I had arrived everyone had already drawn their names. Kalm pulled Kalm, Twin Skeletons pulled Twin Skeletons and Mortifi’d pulled, well, mortifi’d. Line up secure. The anticipation was already fizzing through the room, and while the bands were gearing up to unleash chaos, I was happily doing what every self‑respecting gig gremlin does: prowling the merch tables at the back. No better way of helping out local bands than buying merch!
By the time I finally pushed through the doors, most of the sound check had already thundered past, leaving me stepping into the unknown with absolutely zero idea of what was to come. It felt like being dropped into the calm right before a storm. No clues, no previews. But as soon as 8pm rolled around Jay was on that stage and announcing our openers:
KALM:
Kalm’s set unfolded like a crash course in youthful ambition, raw talent, and the kind of chaotic charm only a band still discovering its own power can deliver. With a sharp kickoff, they launched straight into their repertoire of covers including muse, rage against the machine and a few more high energy bangers. Most of the setlist leaned heavily on covers, especially Muse, which makes sense given their age, and you won’t see me complaining, I was at the front singing along with them. The standout moment came during their Rage Against the Machine cover, when the drummer let out a scream so unexpectedly feral it jolted the room. It was the kind of moment that tells you exactly who the hype engine of the band is. That drummer has a spark: stage presence, confidence, and a sense of fun that hints at a genuinely promising future. There was a point where the drums started pushing the tempo a little faster than intended, which forced the guitars to keep up, and suddenly the whole band was hurtling forward like they’d been shot out of a cannon. The result? They shaved a full five minutes off their set time without dropping the energy. What made their set genuinely delightful was watching the transformation happen onstage. They started off visibly nervous, shoulders tight, eyes flicking between each other for reassurance. But with every cheer after every song, you could see them loosen up. By the final track, they weren’t just playing, they were performing. That shift is magic to witness, and it’s something you only get with young bands on the rise. They did slip in one original song, and I’ll admit I had to ask afterwards because I didn’t recognise it. But that’s not a criticism – it’s a sign they’re beginning to carve out their own sound. And the fact that the production never dipped, even during their original material, speaks volumes about their potential.
Taken by: Doll
Twin Skeletons:
The lead singer began the set with a guitar slung over her shoulder, but it didn’t take long before she abandoned it in favour of roaming the stage. It was the right call. The moment her hands were free, her energy shifted and she owned the space! Pulling the crowd in with every movement. When she finally picked the guitar back up for the last song, it felt like a deliberate punctuation mark rather than a necessity. Twin Skeletons’ guitarist added some vocal support here and there, but the real weight of his contribution came from the guitar itself. He tore through riffs with a kind of reckless determination, playing as if every note might be the one that pushed them closer to a Bloodstock slot. They teased a new single dropping in four weeks, and while the details were kept light, the confidence with which they announced it suggested they know they’ve got something strong on the way. The crowd reaction didn’t hurt either. I do believe it was called “Useless” but I could be wrong. Twin Skeletons played like a band who understands their strengths: a magnetic frontwoman, tight musicianship, and a growing sense of identity. Their set felt polished without losing its edge, and the crowd fed off their energy from start to finish. A special shout-out has to go to their merch table, which looked noticeably lighter by the end of the night. Shifting that much merch at a local show is no small feat – it’s a sign of a band connecting with their audience beyond the stage, and of fans who want to take a piece of the night home with them.
Taken by: Doll
Mortifi’d:
Mortifi’d hit the stage like a burst of neon chaos, a trio whose personality was as loud as their sound. Before they even played a note, the details pulled you in: UV‑reactive shoelaces glowing under the lights, props scattered across the stage, and most importantly, their ever‑present squirrel mascot perched proudly like a guardian of mischief. It set the tone perfectly for a band that doesn’t take itself too seriously while still delivering a tight, old‑school punch. That, and Doll really liked the shoelaces! Everyone in the room knows the running joke: despite Doll’s full death‑metal makeup, they’re a pop‑punk lover at heart. Mortifi’d leaned into that contrast beautifully. Their sound carried that classic old‑school edge. Mortifi’d made a point of telling the crowd that every song in their set was original, and the themes were delightfully relatable. Doll managed to pick out a few lyrical gems – something about having too many spoons and never finding the right Tupperware lids, and another track dedicated to an obnoxious person on a bus. All very relatable gripes with the world! There were plenty of standout moments on stage, especially when the guitarist/vocalist tore into a riff right beside the bassist, the two of them locked into a shared groove that radiated pure joy. Between the glowing laces, the squirrel mascot, the sunglasses, the quirky lyrics, and the tight musicianship, Mortifi’d delivered a set that felt unmistakably them. They’re a band with personality, humour, and a clear sense of identity, and that made their performance one of the most memorable of the night. They closed Heat 3 with pizzazz.
Taken by: Doll
Outcome:
Jay’s leap onto the stage brought the night to its final buzz. With the crowd still riding the high of three wildly different performances, he announced the audience vote first – Twin Skeletons, taking the win with the kind of roar that only comes from a room full of people who genuinely felt their set. Then came the judges’ decision, and I felt like they had a challenge on their hands. In the end, they handed the victory to Mortifi’d, a testament to the trio’s originality, personality, and the sheer amount of heart they poured into every second onstage.
As the cheers settled and the lights shifted, there was one more moment that deserved its own spotlight: a heartfelt farewell to Kalm. Stepping in on the day of the show is no small ask, and they handled it with grace, guts, and a whole lot of enthusiasm. Watching them grow in confidence throughout their set was a privilege. Whatever comes next for them, they’ve left a mark, and they’ve earned every bit of support that follows!!
Some shows are live, some pre-recorded. All times are GMT
