New wave of heavy metal bands take to the stage in Black Sabbath's hometown
Defects, Cherrydead, Gans and Meatdripper headline a special one-off event celebrating Birmingham’s legacy as the birthplace of metal.
Hosted by Darren Harriott and backed by BBC Radio WM, the show brings the next generation of heavy music to the iconic Town Hall.
Birmingham didn’t just invent heavy metal - it built a global movement. But the city’s role in shaping loud, defiant music isn’t ancient history. It’s happening now.
At Town Hall, four new bands — Defects, Cherrydead, Gans, and Meatdripper — took the stage for a one-off BBC Radio WM event honouring Black Sabbath’s legacy. But this wasn’t a tribute night. It was a statement.
For organiser Lyle Bignon and others behind the scenes, the goal was clear: remind the city — and the scene — that Birmingham’s heavy music story isn’t over. It’s evolving.
Watch the video: Richard Gullick reports from the Town Hall
Town Hall has hosted its fair share of loud nights, but this one hit differently. The bands all sound distinct — sludge, punk, nu-metal, doom — but their roots trace back to the same place: Sabbath’s groundbreaking riffs and Birmingham’s no-nonsense spirit.
For the musicians, playing this venue is more than a gig. It’s a rite of passage. For the crowd? It’s proof that the city’s heavy legacy still means something — and still shakes the walls.
Outside, as amps quieted and ears rang, the buzz lingered. Some left with ringing ears and wide eyes from their first proper heavy gig. Others left with another reminder of why Brum’s metal scene has always mattered.
Beyond the music, the night mixed DJs, film, and conversations about keeping the scene alive. It’s not just about looking back — it’s about building what's next. Because Birmingham isn’t stuck in its past — it’s still a proving ground.
And as long as nights like this keep happening, metal’s birthplace isn’t going quiet anytime soon.