{"id":13697,"date":"2022-05-25T12:19:00","date_gmt":"2022-05-25T11:19:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/steelhousefestivalforums.co.uk\/blog\/?p=13697"},"modified":"2025-05-31T17:27:00","modified_gmt":"2025-05-31T16:27:00","slug":"%f0%9f%8e%a4-welcome-to-the-mountain-steelhouse-2022","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/steelhousefestivalforums.co.uk\/blog\/25\/05\/2022%f0%9f%8e%a4-welcome-to-the-mountain-steelhouse-2022\/","title":{"rendered":"\ud83c\udfa4 Welcome to the Mountain \u2013 Steelhouse 2022!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Perched atop the scenic heights of Ebbw Vale, Steelhouse 2022<\/strong> erupted like a Marshall stack wired straight into a dragon\u2019s heart. A tidal wave of riffs, rain, and raw emotion, this was more than a festival \u2013 it was a pilgrimage. Whether you were knee-deep in mud or neck-deep in denim patches, the mountain became holy ground for the loud, the proud, and the downright daft. \ud83d\udca5<\/p>\n

Ready to relive every glorious power chord and crowd chant? Let\u2019s break it down \u2013 band by thunderous band<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\n

\ud83c\udfb8 FRIDAY \u2013 Riffs in the Mist<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Florence Black<\/strong> \ud83d\udd25 (From the Valleys with Venom)<\/h3>\n

Back on home turf and armed to the teeth with groove-soaked bangers, Florence Black absolutely owned the opening night. From the moment they struck the first note of Zulu<\/em>, it was like watching a dragon wake up. The band\u2019s chemistry was electric \u2014 a power trio with the punch of a five-piece, tight as barbed wire and twice as fierce.<\/p>\n

Tristan\u2019s vocals tore through the mountain mist with raw emotion, especially during Sun & Moon<\/em>, while Jordan\u2019s riffs had punters air-guitaring into the mud. There\u2019s something special about a local band making good \u2013 and Florence Black didn\u2019t just make good, they made the mountain theirs. Yma o hyd?<\/em> You bet they are.<\/p>\n

\n

The Dust Coda<\/strong> \ud83d\udca8 (Smooth Operator Meets Thunder Road)<\/h3>\n

Bringing a sleazy London swagger to the valleys, The Dust Coda delivered a masterclass in modern blues-infused hard rock. Their tight musicianship, clean vocals and irresistible groove set them apart \u2013 think Clutch meets Rival Sons with a hint of Skynyrd soul.<\/p>\n

Tracks like Breakdown<\/em> and Jimmy 2 Times<\/em> had the crowd swaying one moment and fist-pumping the next. It was a set with finesse \u2013 less about raw aggression, more about simmering tension and explosive release. These lads know how to tease a crowd before dropping the hammer.<\/p>\n

\n

\ud83e\udd18 SATURDAY \u2013 Storm the Stage, Whatever the Weather<\/strong><\/h2>\n

H.E.A.T<\/strong> \u26a1 (Swedish Thunder, Arena Dreams)<\/h3>\n

If you looked up \u201cSteelhouse Band\u201d in the rock \u2018n\u2019 roll dictionary, you\u2019d find H.E.A.T smiling back at you, wind machines blowing their glorious manes. With Kenny Leckremo back on vocals, their set oozed energy, precision and charisma. These lads don\u2019t just perform \u2013 they ignite<\/em>.<\/p>\n

From opener One By One<\/em> to set-closer A Shot At Redemption<\/em>, every track felt like a headline anthem. The hooks were massive, the solos dazzling, and Kenny worked the crowd like a glam rock preacher. If Steelhouse had a house band made entirely of lightning bolts and hairspray, this would be it.<\/p>\n

\n

Black Spiders<\/strong> \ud83d\udd77\ufe0f (Venomous, Vicious, and Very Funny)<\/h3>\n

Batten down the hatches and brace your necks \u2013 Black Spiders came in hot. Equal parts Motorhead chaos and AC\/DC boogie, their set was a glorious mess of beer-fuelled rock \u2018n\u2019 roll mayhem. Stay Down<\/em>, Teenage Knife Gang<\/em>, and KISS Tried to Kill Me<\/em> hit like a steel toe-cap to the teeth.<\/p>\n

But it wasn\u2019t just about noise \u2013 frontman Pete Spiby kept the banter flowing like the pints in the beer tent. This was primal rock with punk spirit, and the crowd loved<\/em> it. No frills, no fluff \u2013 just filthy riffs and devilish grins. Ych-a-fi?<\/em> More like Ych-a-fiiiiire!<\/em> \ud83d\udd25<\/p>\n

\n

Michael Monroe<\/strong> \ud83e\udde8 (Glam Punk Chaos Incarnate)<\/h3>\n

Imagine a punk rocker possessed by the ghost of Iggy Pop while twirling a saxophone like a battle axe \u2013 that\u2019s Michael Monroe. At 60+ years young, he moved like a man half his age and rocked like one twice as hungry. From the first leap to the last scream, Monroe never stood still \u2013 and neither did the crowd.<\/p>\n

Songs like Dead, Jail or Rock \u2018n\u2019 Roll<\/em> brought glorious chaos, while sax-blasting interludes and mic-stand acrobatics gave us glam with grit. His set was a joyful riot \u2013 messy, sweaty, unfiltered rock at its most theatrical. He didn\u2019t just play Steelhouse \u2013 he ransacked<\/em> it.<\/p>\n

\n

Inglorious<\/strong> \ud83c\udfa4 (Heavy Drama, Heavenly Pipes)<\/h3>\n

With a voice that could shatter glass and stir hearts, Nathan James led Inglorious through a powerhouse set full of emotional depth and showstopping moments. Think Whitesnake with modern muscle. They opened with She Won\u2019t Let You Go<\/em> and never looked back.<\/p>\n

Each song built like a rock opera \u2013 dramatic, intense, and perfectly executed. The band blended 70s flair with modern fire, and Nathan\u2019s command of the stage was magnetic. A different flavour to the day\u2019s chaos \u2013 more theatrical, but no less powerful.<\/p>\n

\n

Airbourne (Headliner)<\/strong> \ud83c\udf7b\u26a1 (Aussie Anarchy Unleashed)<\/h3>\n

What do you get when you mix lightning, lager, and a Marshall stack? You get Airbourne<\/em>, headlining Saturday with a set that could\u2019ve powered the National Grid.<\/p>\n

Joel O\u2019Keeffe is a man possessed \u2013 sprinting across the stage, downing beers, and literally climbing the scaffolding<\/em> while shredding solos. Absolute scenes. Every track from Runnin\u2019 Wild<\/em> to Live It Up<\/em> hit like a freight train. The rain didn’t matter. The mud didn\u2019t matter. This was a rock \u2018n\u2019 roll war cry, and we were all enlisted. Tidy? It was bloody biblical.<\/p>\n

\n

\ud83c\udfb6 SUNDAY \u2013 The Final Onslaught<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Those Damn Crows<\/strong> \ud83e\udeb6 (Hometown Heroes Rising)<\/h3>\n

If Florence Black are the fire, Those Damn Crows<\/em> are the storm. They\u2019ve become the<\/em> band of the Welsh scene \u2013 and their Sunday set was more like a coronation. Shane Greenhall had the crowd in the palm of his hand from the get-go, leading chants like a rock \u2018n\u2019 roll bard.<\/p>\n

Anthems like Who Did It<\/em> and Blink of an Eye<\/em> weren\u2019t just sung \u2013 they were felt<\/em>. You could hear the pride in every voice yelling \u201cC\u2019mon Wales!\u201d These lads are destined for arenas, but they\u2019ll always belong to this mountain.<\/p>\n

\n

Green Lung<\/strong> \ud83c\udf32\ud83d\udd6f\ufe0f (Witchy Riffs and Doom-Laced Magic)<\/h3>\n

A masterstroke of booking \u2013 Green Lung brought their woodland sorcery to the stage with a set that blended Sabbath sludge, occult vibes, and tongue-in-cheek charm. It was like wandering into a 70s horror film with a guitar solo soundtrack.<\/p>\n

The crowd might\u2019ve come for the headliners, but they left talking about Let the Devil In<\/em> and Leaders of the Blind<\/em>. Doom never sounded so fun \u2013 or so riff-heavy. They cast a spell, and we all fell under it.<\/p>\n

\n

Orange Goblin<\/strong> \ud83c\udf4a\ud83d\udc79 (Stoner Rock Royalty)<\/h3>\n

A tsunami of groove, volume and bad attitude \u2013 Orange Goblin reminded everyone why they\u2019re underground legends. With tracks like The Filthy & the Few<\/em> and Scorpionica<\/em>, they brought a dirty, down-tuned energy that stuck to your boots.<\/p>\n

Ben Ward was a towering presence \u2013 growling through the set with charm and venom. Goblin don\u2019t play shows. They brawl<\/em>. The pit got rowdy, the riffs got gnarly, and it was glorious.<\/p>\n

\n

Massive Wagons<\/strong> \ud83c\udfa9 (Lunatic Energy, Pure Joy)<\/h3>\n

Nobody works a Steelhouse crowd like Baz Mills. With his bowler hat and mile-wide grin, he bounded across the stage like a cartoon Tasmanian devil, whipping the audience into a frenzy. This set was a love letter to fans \u2013 loud, passionate, and completely unhinged.<\/p>\n

From China Plates<\/em> to Bangin in Your Stereo<\/em>, the Wagons brought joy in its purest form. Crowd participation was next-level, and their bond with Steelhouse is stronger than ever. This wasn\u2019t just a gig \u2013 it was a reunion of misfits and melody-makers.<\/p>\n

\n

Uriah Heep (Headliner)<\/strong> \ud83c\udff0 (Legends Leave Their Mark)<\/h3>\n

Few bands have the history of Uriah Heep \u2013 and fewer still have the power to command a stage like this. With over 50 years of music behind them, they headlined Sunday like true royalty. Every note of Gypsy<\/em>, Lady in Black<\/em>, and Easy Livin\u2019<\/em> carried weight and meaning.<\/p>\n

This wasn\u2019t about flashy lights or stunts \u2013 it was about legacy. Bernie Shaw\u2019s vocals were immaculate, Mick Box\u2019s guitar work still sublime. It was moving, magical, and the perfect end to the weekend. A standing ovation in the mud. Rock royalty crowned on the mountain.<\/p>\n

\n

\ud83c\udfc1 FINAL VERDICT \u2013 A Riff-Soaked Triumph<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Steelhouse 2022 was a love letter to everything we adore about rock: passion, chaos, community, and volume. Whether you were skanking in the pit, crying during a ballad, or sinking beers with strangers, one thing was clear\u2026<\/p>\n

The mountain remembers. And it rocks.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\ud83c\udf27\ufe0f Rain-soaked? Yes.
\ud83c\udfb6 Soul-filled? Absolutely.
\ud83d\udc09 Steelhouse? Unforgettable.<\/p>\n

Cymru am byth, and long live Steelhouse!<\/strong> See you next year, legends! \ud83e\udd18<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Perched atop the scenic heights of Ebbw Vale, Steelhouse 2022 erupted like a Marshall stack wired straight into a dragon\u2019s heart. A tidal wave of riffs, rain, and raw emotion, this was more than a festival \u2013 it was a pilgrimage. Whether you were knee-deep in mud or neck-deep in denim patches, the mountain became…<\/p>\n

Continue reading<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":13724,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[71],"tags":[172,184,227,206,226,229,225,228,176,174],"class_list":["post-13697","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category--steelhouse-festival-reviews","tag-bendigedigbeats","tag-cmonwales","tag-cymrugoesloud","tag-moshpitonthemountain","tag-mountainofrock","tag-rocknrollheaven","tag-steelhousefestival2022","tag-tidytunes2022","tag-valleysandvolume","tag-welcometothemountain","entry","clearfix","entry-grid","entry-columns-default","entry-post-module-layout-sidebar-right","thumbnail-color-tone-dark","entry-post","entry-post-grid"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t