Event information

Mangata Music presents

The Five Hundred

The Five Hundred, a formidable force in the British heavy metal scene, hail from the industrial heartland of Nottingham. Emerging in the early 2010s, the band quickly established themselves with a sound that blends the brutal intensity of metalcore with the intricate ferocity of djent and progressive metal. Their name, a symbol of unity and collective strength, mirrors their tightly knit and powerful musical synergy.

The band's lineup—John Woods -Eley on vocals, Mark Byrne and Paul Doughty on guitars, Andy Crawford on bass, and Kelsey James on drums—unleashes a maelstrom of sound characterized by crushing riffs, haunting melodies, and lyrics that cut deep into the soul. Their debut album, Bleed Red (2018), was a harrowing exploration of personal demons and addiction, laying bare the raw, unflinching struggles of the human condition. This release marked the beginning of their dark descent into the hearts of metal enthusiasts worldwide.

Building on their initial success, The Five Hundred released their second album, A World On Fire (2021), a prophetic narrative set against the backdrop of a climate apocalypse. The album’s relentless energy and poignant themes resonated profoundly, cementing their reputation as visionaries of modern metal. Now, in 2025, The Five Hundred returns with their most ambitious and chilling work yet: Ghost Writer. This third album plunges listeners into a post-apocalyptic urban dystopia, where the remnants of humanity grapple with despair and desolation. The soundscape is both brutal and beautiful, weaving tales of survival and the ghosts of a once-thriving civilization. Each track on Ghost Writer is a chapter in a grim saga, underscored by the band's signature ferocity and technical prowess.

The Five Hundred's relentless pursuit of thematic and musical excellence has made them a standout act, pushing the boundaries of heavy metal. With Ghost Writer, they invite their audience to journey into the darkest corners of a shattered world, proving once again their mastery in crafting epic, evocative soundscapes that linger long after the final note has faded.