Phil Pountney, Author at Backseat Mafia

News: Fortress Festival announces it’s first batch of 2027 bands to sit alongside previously announced headliners ‘Emperor’

The first wave of bands for Fortress 2027 who join Grand Hall headliners, ‘Emperor’ for their fifth anniversary event in North Yorkshire. Fortress Festival have commented that ‘It’s a struggle…

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Album Reviews

Album Review: ‘Works Live’ – Emerson, Lake & Palmer

For decades, ‘Works Live’ has occupied one of the most misunderstood positions in Emerson, Lake & Palmer’s extensive catalogue. Overshadowed by the commercial success of ‘Welcome Back My Friends to…

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Live Review: Metallica, Gojira & Knocked Loose. Principality Stadium, Cardiff 28/06/2026

There are few bands capable of turning a stadium into something that feels both colossal and intimate quite like Metallica. Playing Cardiff’s Principality Stadium as part of the seemingly unstoppable…

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News: Bloodstock Open Air Festival Preview, Ten Titans Not To Be Missed. The New Blood Stage Edition.

The New Blood Stage has become one of many true success stories of Bloodstock Open Air. While the Ronnie James Dio Stage welcomes established names and international heavyweights, the New…

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News: Bloodstock 2026 announce their first ‘Metal To The Masses’ winners along with a line up change.

The first group of ‘Metal To The Masses’ winners landing slots on the Stowford Press New Blood Stage can now be revealed. Friday Saturday Sunday Lots more bands to be…

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Live Review

Live Review: Fortress Festival, Scarborough Spa, Day Two. 31/05/2026

The second and final day of Fortress Festival arrived carrying a noticeably different atmosphere from Saturday. While anticipation had fuelled much of the opening day, Sunday felt like the culmination…

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News: Black Metal Royalty Emperor To Headline Fortress Festival 2027

Norwegian black metal pioneers Emperor have been confirmed as the first headlining act for the fifth anniversary of Fortress Festival set to take place on 29-30 May 2027 at the…

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Live Review

Live Review: Fortress Festival, Scarborough Spa, Day One. 30/05/2026

There are few sights quite as incongruous, and ultimately as heartwarming, as a British seaside town embracing a Black Metal invasion. From early morning, Scarborough welcomed Fortress Festival once again.…

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News: Bloodstock Open Air Festival Preview, Ten Titans Not To Be Missed. The Core Edition.

With just over nine weeks until Bloodstock Open Air it was time to throw the spotlight on some of the ‘Core’ bands which will be pounding us over the weekend.…

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