For the Magic of Metal

I never had “Backing Dancer for Arthur Brown” on my 2025 Bingo card…

Metal Magic has always been one of my favourite festivals, having only missed out on a single accessible year since 2014. I’ve always found the chilled out ‘Garden Party’ atmosphere to be appealing, a reflection on the friendliness I’ve experienced in all my visits to Denmark. Many friends and more have been made on these grounds, each sharing sincere love for the music and the collective camaraderie of the moment.

Given I would be over here for most of July with my fellow students from the Academy of Live Technology, it only took a polite request to reschedule my flight to an earlier day so I could get to Fredericia first. And then from there volunteering to crew Metal Magic for more experience, with the expectation that I’ll just be a stage hand or similar.

I did not expect an invite to manage main stage backline for the final night.

Although intimidated at the start, not least by the stage size increase this year to over 150 square metres, (needed for plenty of pyros), I managed my festival time cautiously. Reserving Thursday for a no-holds-barred “Party” day, reconnecting with dear, missed friends over many beers while indulging an incendiary set by Venom. Friday would be for “Paying Attention”, sneaking backstage to shadow the crew and see how things are done even if it meant missing a couple of bands – but not German titans Destruction reprising their ‘Infernal Overkill’ opus.

Then, from 10am sharp on Saturday, I was locked on the clock to do it myself.

With the industry-level training already given in my first year at the Academy, I soon got to work at keeping things organised. With the right amp heads finding their way to the right musicians; stage schedules kept on time and ticked off on the clipboard; and of course, a hearty bellow of “Truss Moving” whenever raising or lowering the backdrop. No longer overwhelmed by the unknown, everything was possible in an equally calm cadence. Even if the weather occasionally took a nasty turn, requiring timely safety measures to keep the straps tight and stage dry.

The first band, Sweden’s Dun Rignill, offered many kind acts of support as I got up to speed. Their folk-fuelled Doom Metal an ideal thematic start to my tenure. With subsequent sets by Switzerland’s Amethyst and Sweden’s Portrait, everything moved to a swift pace – even if the latter’s additional stage props proved an entertaining packdown challenge.

And then the highlight of my day, and a dream come true, the opportunity to work with living legend Arthur Brown. With his shows moreso a Live Multimedia Experience than just another gig, there were extra complications required of my role. Not least the creation of an impromptu backstage dressing area to allow Arthur to change his outfit between songs. With a video wall integrated into the staging, some cunning curtain swaps were required, as well as an entertaining debate with their visuals tech on the relative benefits of SDI and HDMI.

Arthur’s set was a joy from start to finish, and looking out into the sea of happy faces was a thoroughly heartwarming experience. Much love and smiles were shared in the wings, culminating in the Creative Director dragging the crew out onto the stage proper to dance along with ‘Time Captives’.

Alas, I missed out on closing veterans Pentagram due to a necessary backstage audit to account for every errant drum and amplifier. Barely having enough time to pilfer a celebratory sneak photo with the stars before getting back on with it.

Finally finishing fourteen hours later, any fatigue was soon swept away in gratitude for the entire experience. With thanks to Martin and Clark for their trust in me to keep things moving behind the curtain; and to Rowan and Rasmus for their able expertise and assistance. Thanks also to Jacob at Grøn for agreeing to fly me out early, and to all at the Academy for the training and support required to take such opportunities in my stride.

Rumours claim this will be the last year that Metal Magic will be run at the current site, but there are plenty of other locations to be had. I am proud to have done my part in service to everyone in attendance.

Now onwards to Grøn Koncert…

https://heathenstorm.com/2025/07/14/for-the-magic-of-metal/

#academyoflivetechnology #amethyst #arthurbrown #backline #crew #destruction #dunringill #heathenstormproductions #livemusic #management #metal #metalmagic #multimedia #music #pentagram #portrait #venom

Although I knew there were challenges ahead as the world ticked into 2024, I had no expectation of the struggles that would manifest from week one. Launching straight into the Mentors tour as festive fireworks still echoed was hardly the wisest timing; but through grit, good humour, and the able help of the Witchfinder, we made it a success.

With barely time to confirm venues and announce the Diocletian tour, a prolonged and vicious assault against my work began. Open threats made due to my association with Solstice soon impacted business outside the band. AI-generated screeds of anonymous accusation and outright fabrication risked cancellation of the entire tour. I thank the venues and promoters who saw these empty words for what they were – rewarded by sell-out shows across the country – and regret that others were so easily swayed despite our well-reasoned and oft-repeated rebuke.

Courage tested, and hesitant at the hand dealt my way in spite, I had no choice but to step up and stand against such petty subterfuge. Backing down is never an option, however tempting an easy life, and through stubborn resilience I found a notable shift in my friendships.

Those previously silent spoke in confidence, offering much needed words of support and deeds of decency – agreeing in areas of contention and respecting the right to disagree when not. Even as other promoters, in self-righteous convenience, colluded to run me out of their tiny fiefdoms.

Chatlogs from not-so-private ‘activist’ groups made for grim reading. My name, and those of my friends, fervently smeared by strangers. Contriving enemies across irrelevant and incorrect political divides for the sake of age-old grudges.

My bandmates rallied around me and I for them, inspirational in consistent strength of character. Facing cowardly condemnation from all quarters, we chose to focus on band business. Re-emerging around the Summer Sunstead to announce the Deströyer 666 tour and our signing to Prophecy Productions.

That tour was predictably targeted also, with disapprovers aflame in their apoplexy. The Glasgow show stalked with the social panache of a Peeping Tom. Full respect to those in London who shone a light on the more vocal detractors by naming and shaming at the venue.

Despite the efforts of those who seek silence, the bands played on. Each tour thrived in its own way, followed by smaller shows with Abysmal Grief and Deitus. I reflect positively on the outcome, even if future events are on hold as I focus elsewhere.

For such distractions take their toll. Energies devoted towards doing the right thing in the immediate gnawed away at the progress of long-term projects. Creativity stalled. Accountability waned. Health suffered. Balance restores.

It took a long time to return to the Orphan shoot, and I am deeply grateful we finally have a working cast and crew eager to bring it together – once schedules synchronise again.

Solstice grows from strength to strength. The current line-up is the tightest I have experienced in my six years on bass, united by an outlaw attitude and will to make music beyond the tropes of trite expectation. Prophecy Fest was a stand-out show, winning over the German crowd and justifying our place on such a prestigious label. Followed swiftly by a packed-out rampage across Finland, the support we’ve seen on all sides of the stage has been phenomenal.

I find myself walking different social circles now, having deftly circumnavigated the backbiting barriers evoked by gossip and hearsay. Feeble accusations dissipated by positive action, I cultivate kindness.

Renowned artists and musicians across the globe have reached out in respect of my stance. Deeper, more sincere friendships emerge, and bonds of blood and belonging are forged.

Yet the greatest triumph of this year is one which must be held tightest to my chest. All the effort and care invested into staying the course these past twelve months has been tremendously rewarded, as I do what I’ve always dreamed of at a scale unimagined. With wonderful opportunities already embraced on mutually beneficial terms and prosperity assured through hard work ahead.

It is the way of the weak to undermine all endeavours, and I am disappointed I cannot be more open about this achievement – mindful as I am of further feckless sabotage. A scar in the battle of hearts and minds. A blemish on the face of candour. But despite the schemes of lesser men, I have never been more certain of myself.

Success against organised adversity is the most radical response of all…

… and said I wouldn’t surrender!

https://heathenstorm.com/2024/12/31/the-year-that-radicalised-me/

#2024 #abysmalgrief #deitus #destroyer666 #diocletian #heathenstormproductions #mentors #music #newmoonincapricorn #newyear #orphan #prophecyfest #prophecyproductions #roundup #solstice #tour

Despite lurking for years within the dark recesses of the internet, the HeathenStorm website has never been formally “announced” until now. Originally hacked together on a default WordPress install for tour promotion, it has been painstakingly recreated from scratch as a self-contained theme. Ensuring site upgrades and maintenance won’t cause as many headaches in the future, and looking reasonably responsive wherever it’s viewed.

There’ll still be a few glitches here and there, as I tweak and tamper with the templates and fix wordings along the way, but for now it’s where I need it to be. With more robust portal pages for HeathenStorm Productions, Trismegistus Hex, my bass duties in Solstice, and updates from the Orphan film shoot.

The intent is not just to promote what I do, but also to show who I am. Through an independent online presence away from the vagaries of the big sites…

… and to do that I need to get writing again!

https://heathenstorm.com/2024/12/23/new-site-same-as-the-old-site/

#heathenstormproductions #indieweb #orphan #redesign #solstice #trismegistushex #update #website #wordpress

Fully reflecting the contemplative spirit of 2023’s waning hours, I look back upon a successful twelve months with HeathenStorm Productions and the bands I’ve had privilege to work alongside.

Doing my part for old friends and UK scene stalwarts has always been one aspect of why I do what I do. But beyond that, it’s been utterly delightful to bring across some cracking international acts. July’s Chthonic Odio Tour was a challenging step-up, and one mostly kept under control – even if my exuberance did soil the Derby stage on the last night.

Yes, there have been mistakes and missteps along the way. Lessons learned with time, and wisdom gleaned from experience. For that, I am deeply grateful for the patience of promoters, venues and bands who’ve chosen to work with me; passing on their knowledge as I pick up the nuances of tour management and video production alike.

Gratitude is also given to local media campus Production Park for the opportunity to learn Event Management on a more professional level. Finding like-minded, enthusiastic folk within the faculty, I was introduced to many career-boosting opportunities in the industry. Through the Academy of Live Technology, I found many parallels to my prior corporate life, with SWOT analysis and Gantt charts just as important to running a major show as plugging in and turning up loud.

Seldom completely comfortable in any single aspect of life, my strength comes from the unique journey that’s brought me here. When I was corporate, it was the attitude of the music that boosted my career. Now, I bring accountability and structure to the raw passion that compels the chaos.

2024 starts with a bang over the next week as the Mentors tour takes precedence. But after that there’s more international tours to announce, as well as finishing off a few video projects I’ve been working on. And of course, bringing the new Solstice material to completion.

It never ends, and I never want it to. Despite many roadblocks and pitfalls along the way, I couldn’t imagine myself on any other path.

A common signoff, but I’ll repeat it again for reasons which will manifest in the months to come:

Never Surrender!

https://heathenstorm.com/2023/12/31/the-year-that-was/

#2023 #acadamyoflivetechnologies #crank #cthonicodiotour #darkher #eventmanagement #heathenstormproductions #kingheavy #newyear #productionpark #reignoferebus #roundup #videoproduction