Continuing our run of letting you know a little more about as many of the bands on at Bloodstock 2025 as we possibly can before you get a chance to see them, we have Preyrs. This bunch play on the new Blood Stage on the Sunday.
Simple things first – where are you guys from?
We’re all from around Belfast.
How long have you been playing together as a band?
Three of us have been together for about 4 or 5 years now and the bassist is new this year.
Where does the name of the band come from?
Preyrs is a name with dual meaning. Coming from a need to express something sacred and fiercely raw at the same time. Playing on both ‘prayers’ and ‘prey’ reflects the tension between vulnerability and power. Preyrs is where healing and rage collide in perfect harmony!
Describe your music. What makes you unique?
It could be described as heavy, healing alternative rock. For me (Amy), this music is a form of shadow work in itself. It’s a process of facing what’s hidden, unhealed or unresolved. I have to step into a kind of ritualistic space when writing to let the pain rise to write from it – and then see how that pain shows up collectively and vice versa. This music is a tool for transforming wounds into something I can hold, shape and release or accept. All of our music is self-produced by co-songwriter, drummer and producer Michael Mormecha so it is very close to our hearts in many ways.
What’s your live show like? Why are people going to watch you instead of another band?
Performance is where I feel safest to express myself fully. Letting the music move me, shake me and throw me around for exactly the same reason as songwriting, but live is where the release from movement and connection comes. Perhaps people will want to come see us at Bloodstock this year as we are a bit of a black sheep on the bill, not fitting into the ‘metal’ box as traditionally as a lot of the other bands. I hope the audience will enjoy our groove, grit, emotive vocals, conscious lyrics and authentic energy radiating from the stage and leave feeling inspired.
Have you been to Bloodstock before? What did you think?
We’ve never been before! We’re very excited for our first one this year!
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Which M2tM region did you win, or did you come through other channels?
We were blown away to be invited to Bloodstock. Whilst Preyrs is technically a new project, it is the continuation and evolution of Amy Montgomery, Michael Mormecha and their band. Stepping into this new alias with not one song released yet meant that we had to get creative with how to land slots like this one before starting to drop the music. We shot a few live sessions in a majestic 1865 Ironmongery in Belfast to capture the live, raw energy of Preyrs. The Bloodstock team seemed to resonate with these videos and the forthcoming album and the offer came through. We’re super excited to start releasing the music from 10 July and honoured to be part of Bloodstock!
Can you put into 10 words or fewer how it felt when you realised you were heading to Bloodstock?
Honoured, seen, grateful, humbled, empowered and ready!
What sort of setlist can we expect?
All songs from our forthcoming album, of which only one song is released!
Stage times haven’t been announced yet, so which other band do you most hope you’re not clashing with so you can see them play?
We hate to just rhyme off a headliner but we are just so excited to catch Gojira’s set! We hope we can make it! We’re also excited to see the other New Blood acts!
What are you working on at the moment?
2025 is an exciting year for us! We’ve just announced our signing with Pelagic Records. This is massive and we’re so grateful! It feels good to be on an independent label who really cares about the music and the artists.
So of course this means a bunch of new music is ready to release. Our debut album will be released this November, just in time for heading out on an EU tour supporting New Model Army. This will be our second tour with them and will be some of our biggest shows to date including Palladium in Cologne at 4000 capacity! Excited doesn’t really cut it!
The sky’s the limit for Preyrs and we’re excited for the future.
What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen or done at a live show?
Probably the dude in the front row smoking DMT!
What drink do you throw back to get yourself fired up before going on stage?
For me, only lukewarm water, ginger and honey! The guys have a beer before playing!
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Header image by David Cleland
Preyrs: official | facebook | instagram | youtube
