The Bands of Rapture I: Shades of Avalon

Welcome to the first of many features that will cover the veritable smorgasbord of bands that will be playing The Day of Rapture on March 9th. I plan on using this little feature to enlighten 
possible attendees, get them a bit familiar with the bands they're spending their hard-earned
money on to see.

So without further ado: Shades of Avalon!

Expect to see this, but with less clothes.

So what can be said about these guys that hasn't been said already? They're like a good old-fashioned Jonestown party? Seeing them is like watching Maori tribeswomen shoot ping-pong balls out of their rectums and catching them in each others mouths?

Accurate as these appraisals may or may not be, it's probably best to make this judgement for yourself. You can do so quite easily by clicking here.

Or perhaps you'd like to see them in action? Their video for Maldon's Legacy!

What you will discover are Metallic meanderings purpose-built to take with you into any old archaic battle re-enactment. The soundtrack to getting chain-mail nipple-chafe as a result of swinging about weaponry too heavy for your noodly appendages and solving the problem by simply doing away with your nipples.

I could wax lyrical about these guys all day, but who better to ask than the band themselves? I sent a few questions their way and here's what they had to say:


How the fuck are you?

"Fucking good & excited for the 'Day of Rapture'."

For the uninitiated out there, how would you describe your music?

"Viking Death Metal -
Like Immortal having a scrap with Amon Amarth with Glenn Benton on commentary...but with more balls!"

Do you bang Hardcore Radikult?

"No. Just...No."

What is in store for Shades of Avalon in 2013?

"'The Northern Barbarians' album release, sexy new shirts & as many gigs as we can book. We've already written a load of new tracks as well so maybe album number 2 before Christmas?!"

If the band was to suffer an unexpected bereavement and you could replace the former member with anyone you like, who would you choose?

"Fuck talent - Scarlett Johansson, Katy Perry or Mila Kunis...& rehearse in a sauna."

Have you played Leeds before? If you have, how was it?

"We were booked to play The Well last summer but a certain headlining band got scared by our shirtless masculinity and cancelled the gig. We can't wait to play though, Leeds has a well respected metal scene."

Tell us a joke.

"What's the difference between rape and murder?
My mood."

And finally... In the form of a haiku, tell the readers of this why they should come and see you.

"Rage, Melody, Noise.
Northern Barbarians bleed
British heritage."


So there you have it, a band not just musically adept, but with personality and visible man-sweat.

If you like what you see/hear, get your ticket booked!

Keep an eye out for features on the rest of the bands. And we hope to see you all there!