Band battle given taste of Acidmorph

Eris, Ryza, Beast, Frosty, and Lazarus are ready for an epic battle.

And to an epic battle the members of South Waikato metal band Acidmorph are going after making the cut for the Waikato final of the 2017 Battle of the Bands National Championship.

The competition, which is open to all genres of music, has seen bands battle it out over three heats and two semi finals ahead of the regional final at Hamilton’s Biddy Mulligan’s on Saturday, October 28 from 8pm.

Acidmorph base guitarist Ryan Hughes, also known as ‘Ryza’, said since officially becoming a band almost four years ago it’s gone from strength to strength and he’s sure drummer Michelle Spencer [’Eris’], lead guitarist Adrian Edwards [’Beast’], rhythm guitarist Josh Higgins [’Frosty’] and singer Billy Downs [’Lazarus’] would agree.

‘‘Originally it was formed with me and two mates. We met 20 plus years ago and flatted together and there was always music set up in one room where we would jam,’’ he said.

‘‘Almost four years ago now we got together again in a garage and thought we should make some songs and get a singer so that’s pretty much how it happened.’’

‘‘It’s just something we have always done, it’s something we do to relax, and it’s really good when you are up on stage and you look out and the whole crowd is just head banging away,’’ he laughed.

Although feedback has been positive he said the band needs all the support it can muster to make it through to the competition’s national final on December 16-17 at the Kings Arms in Auckland.

‘‘Unfortunately we are in a genre of music that is not as popular as others in New Zealand which makes it hard when 50 per cent of the decision of who makes it through to the national final comes from the judges and 50 per cent from the crowd vote so we need as many people as possible to come along and vote for us,’’ he said.

He said the grand prize for the winning band was a 10 date tour of Europe where metal has a greater following.

‘‘Obviously to win first prize would be choice as you get a tour of Europe but even the sub prizes such as radio play and recording time would be good,’’ he said.

Tickets for the regional final are $15 from eventfinda.co.nz/ 2017/battle-of-the-bands2017-national-championshipwaikato-final/hamilton.