As the countdown to Catton Park continues, we are keeping our eyes firmly on the exceptional talent rising up through the underground. Today, we catch up with Kent Metal 2 The Masses winners Vampyra to talk horror punk, converted torture dungeons, and their upcoming appearance on the Stowford Press New Blood Stage. They’ll be tearing into your carotids on the Saturday!
Simple things first – where are you guys from?
Originally from the 10th circle of Hell before we were banished to Medway, Kent.
How long have you been playing together as a band?
In relation to this dimension, we have been together for five years, but we rehearse in a converted torture dungeon where time is non-existent, meaning from our perspective we have been together for eternity. We have had many members, most of which have met a grisly end trying to feed the band’s chimera mascot. Ingrid Orlok the drummer is the only original member to have cheated death this whole time, with guitarist Count Venom joining in 2025. Vocalist Madame Hex and bassist Boingo the Clown made their grand debut in February 2026. Fortunately for them, we now have servants feeding the chimera instead of band members. Saves us a lot of hassle.
Where does the name of the band come from?
There was another band called Vampyra but they were weaklings. We didn’t want to go through the rigmarole of booking our own shows, so we would just show up to venues they were supposed to play and say we were them. Don’t ask what happened to that band since.
Describe your music. What makes you unique?
Unfortunately, the sonic frequencies of this dimension do not permit one to experience the full soundscape of our music. We have a song we are physically unable to perform at all in the realm of the living, but back home it is a crowd favourite which causes the listener’s head to inflate and pop like a balloon. With those limitations in place, what we are left with is something that mostly resembles punk with a metal sheen.
What’s your live show like? Why are people going to watch you instead of another band?
Much to our dismay, our audience actually seems to enjoy our attempts to torment them. We have been described as fun. The audacity! Our stage performances are considered theatrical and chaotic with energetic and catchy songs which fully embrace the campiness of the horror genre.
Have you been to Bloodstock before? What did you think?
None of our numbers have succeeded in infiltrating the holy ground. Until now.
It’s Bloodstock’s 25th anniversary. If you’re old enough, what were you listening to 25 years ago?
Mostly the tortured screams of the damned.
Which M2tM region did you win, or did you come through other channels?
M2TM Kent.
Can you put into 10 words or fewer how it felt when you realised you were heading to Bloodstock?
“Huh?”
What sort of setlist can we expect?
A Halloween party in August.
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 will not be clashing with any of our favourite bands. They will only perform once we untie them.
What are you working on at the moment?
Booby traps for the festival.
What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen or done at a live show?
Wild? We are well behaved and so is our audience.
What drink do you throw back to get yourself fired up before going on stage?
Gasoline.
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The band were recently added to the lineup alongside a massive wave of grassroots talent when twelve more bands were added to Bloodstock 2026.
Vampyra: facebook | instagram | spotify | tiktok | youtube
