Bloodstock 2019 – Band Feature/Interview: AeSect
Bloodstock Open Air 2019 is nearly upon us and to say we’re excited is an understatement. We adore the festival and this year’s line-up is simply phenomenal. From the Ronnie James Dio Main Stage to the Sophie Lancaster Stage to the New Blood and Jägermeister Stages, there is something for everyone! Not got your tickets yet!? What are you waiting for!? Head over to the Bloodstock Festival website here and join thousands of like-minded head-bangers for a weekend of quality rock and metal.
AeSect is a modern metal band based in Dublin, Ireland. Formed in the Summer of 2011, it has been the band’s aim to make an impression right from the beginning. After regular gigging, the band garnered a name for itself amongst the live metal scene in Dublin, and began gigging regularly outside of their hometown. In 2013, the band released its first EP, titled ‘Buried In The Undergrowth’. This 5 track EP was made available for free download as soon as it came out. It was well received, and features staple tracks in AeSect’s live set lists.
After some line up changes the band has returned to form in 2015, releasing their latest studio effort. This 6 track EP, entitled ‘Devour The Earth’ is the efforts of a band hungry to thrive and grow. It is a statement of intent for a band continuing to gain momentum.
“It has been a dream of ours to play Bloodstock Open Air festival for a number of years now, We have seen first-hand the great opportunities it gives to launch up and coming bands and we are delighted to be a part of it and with the release of our new single “Blind Faith” and our upcoming new material the timing couldn’t be better. We are going to bring one of the heaviest sets the New Blood stage has ever seen”!
AeSect are David Kennedy and Aidan O’ Halloran on guitars with Tony Carberry on vocals. Luke Peters is on the drums and Aidan Williams is on the bass.
They took part in the Dublin, Ireland leg of the Bloodstock Metal 2 The Masses events seeing off fierce competition to emerge as winners and earn their place at Bloodstock 2019.
AeSect will be playing the New Blood Stage on Sunday the 11th August 2019.
Interview
1. Congratulations on winning the Ireland leg of the M2TM and earning your slot on the Bloodstock New Blood Stage. What made you decide to take part?
Thanks Brendan. We decided to enter the competition this year for a couple of reasons. It is a great platform for local bands to get international exposure and also it just a really solid run of shows. Oran at Overdrive puts together a great run of gigs that showcases the talent that Ireland has to offer. We’ve done this competition a few times in the past and it’s always been such a fun few weeks. The bands that take part are all top class.
2. What were some of the highlights of your competition run?
The semi-final and the final are always the best part of the competition. Putting aside the nerves on whether you get through or win, you get to play to a huge crowd and get to spend time with friends from across the country.
3. Describe the feeling, if you can, upon hearing your name read out as the winners?
It was kind of surreal. You go in with confidence that you’re going to win but there’s always those niggling thoughts when Simon is giving his speech before the announcement. What if i played this section a little better and so on, but when Simon read our name as winners we were all overjoyed. There was a lot of hard work that went into our shows and our songs and to know that it payed off was amazing.
4. How big of an opportunity is playing the New Blood Stage for AeSect? We’ve seen some bands really grow from it over the years!
It’s huge! Friends of ours in Ten Ton Slug and zHora have gone on to play other festivals in Europe and do tours in the UK and beyond and it just shows that if done right you can use the New Blood Stage as a stepping stone to more and more exposure. We can’t wait to see whats coming up.
5. What can Bloodstockers expect from you come festival time? Why should they come see you?
We pride ourselves on our live show. We bring energy and passion that shows when we play live. We’ve been described as a mix between Lamb of God, Gojira and Mastodon so that will hopefully give you an indication of what our sound is like. Our set list will be the heaviest the New Blood Stage has ever seen!
6. Are you regular attendees to the festival or will this be your first time?
Our guitar players Dave and Aido have gone to the festival a few times now but for the rest of us it will be the first time. The reputation the festival has though is second to none. The line up never disappoints and the people who go to it are super friendly.
7. Are you hanging about all weekend? If so who are you most looking forward to seeing?
Yes we’re getting to the festival on the Thursday and staying all weekend.
Highlights this year are Ten Ton Slug, Thy Art Is Murder, Soilwork, Cancer Bats, Aborted, Anthrax and Karybdis. We played a mini run of shows around Ireland with Karybdis and Dead Label a few years ago so it will be great to meet the lads again and catch up.
8. What does the rest of 2019 look like for AeSect? Shows? Releases?
We’re busy planning gigs around Ireland currently and seeing whats available in the UK and Europe. We’re currently recording our debut album and it’s coming together quite nicely. We are releasing a track in the near future so keep your eyes peeled for that! 2019 and 2020 are looking like busy years for us and we can’t wait!
Links
AeSect Facebook – AeSect Twitter – AeSect YouTube – AeSect Merch – AeSect Bandcamp – Bloodstock Open Air
