Under the needle

Storming out of Sheffield to take on the flamboyant fantasy-verse of operatic metal, newly formed band Aonia hit like a thousand-watt surge of pure energy. A seven-piece powerhouse that take their influence from an eclectic mix of theatrically-minded bands from Nightwish to Within Temptation, Cradle of Filth to Amon Amarth, Aonia boast a wealth of established musical talent in their mix, including a classically trained soprano. After winning the Bloodstock Metal to the Masses

After many long months spent tirelessly slaving away creating some of the finest cocktails known to humanity, our resident mixologist and roving reporter Malayka Al-abdullah takes a well-earned break from her bar-side duties to soak up the electrifying riffs, booze and top-notch banter of the UK’s premier heavy metal weekend. But from bucket-based, wasp-infested cocktails to lukewarm lager and eye-watering volumes of gut-rot vodka, it fast becomes apparent that her work is an