Photo by Jai Dee
PYROCLAST is a Glasgow-based metal band that blends the fire and fury of old-school heavy metal with the precision of power metal and the intensity of modern thrash. Soaring vocal melodies collide with harmonised twin-guitar leads, driving rhythms, and anthemic choruses, forging a sound that is both relentless and cinematic.
Over the past few years, TANTRUM evolved from a local underground act into one of the UK’s fiercest independent metal bands, delivering powerhouse performances, high-octane riffs, and deeply resonant lyrical themes. Their third album, No Place for the Damned, marked a seismic shift—heavier, more intricate, and critically acclaimed, earning 10/10 reviews and heavy airplay for singles The Darkest of Times and W.A.I.L.. But as the band evolved, it became clear that their name no longer reflected the sleeping giant they had become.
Enter PYROCLAST.
A new name. A new era. The same unrelenting force.
PYROCLAST isn’t just a band—it’s a declaration of intent. Fusing the precision of progressive metal, the raw aggression of thrash, and the emotional depth of classic heavy metal, the band has honed a sound that is both intricate and powerful.
Fronted by Mark Reid (Markuz, to avoid ambiguity), whose vocals draw comparisons to Michael Kiske, Roy Khan, and Dio, the lineup is a mix of technical skill and unbridled energy. Guitarist Baz Fitzsimmons brings his love for the harmonised leads of Iron Maiden and the thunderous riffs of Metallica. Chris Horne, a student of Ritchie Blackmore and classic metal songwriting, adds intricate layers of melody and aggression. On bass, Liam Barrie channels the roaring gallop of Steve Harris and the precision of Billy Sheehan. And behind the kit, Mark Riches drives the band forward with a commanding mix of Nicko McBrain’s groove and Mike Portnoy’s complexity.
Why the change? As Markuz explains, “We’d actually discussed changing the name when Stoo, the last of the ‘original’ members, left in 2023, and again before releasing No Place for the Damned in 2024. Looking back, that would’ve been the best time—right before an album that was a huge leap from everything before it. But now, with a lineup this strong and a sound that’s more intense than ever, the music we’re delivering deserves its own identity.”
Liam adds, “The band needed a name that truly captured the energy and intensity of our music. PYROCLAST embodies the raw power and force behind our sound.”
And Baz sums it up perfectly: “A pyroclast is an unstoppable force, creating something new from something old. That’s exactly what we are. We love classic, melodic heavy metal, but want to blend that with the darker heaviness of thrash that sweeps all before it.”
The band’s first release under the new name, Prisoner Game, is already in the works—setting the stage for PYROCLAST to establish itself as one of the most formidable names in modern metal.
The name has changed. The vision is sharper. The journey is only just beginning.
PYROCLAST:
Mark Reid – Vocals
Baz Fitzsimmons – Guitars
Chris Horne – Guitars
Liam Barrie – Bass
Mark Riches – Drums
Photo by Jai Dee
PYROCLAST is a Glasgow-based metal band that blends the fire and fury of old-school heavy metal with the precision of power metal and the intensity of modern thrash. Soaring vocal melodies collide with harmonised twin-guitar leads, driving rhythms, and anthemic choruses, forging a sound that is both relentless and cinematic.
Over the past few years, TANTRUM evolved from a local underground act into one of the UK’s fiercest independent metal bands, delivering powerhouse performances, high-octane riffs, and deeply resonant lyrical themes. Their third album, No Place for the Damned, marked a seismic shift—heavier, more intricate, and critically acclaimed, earning 10/10 reviews and heavy airplay for singles The Darkest of Times and W.A.I.L.. But as the band evolved, it became clear that their name no longer reflected the sleeping giant they had become.
Enter PYROCLAST.
A new name. A new era. The same unrelenting force.
PYROCLAST isn’t just a band—it’s a declaration of intent. Fusing the precision of progressive metal, the raw aggression of thrash, and the emotional depth of classic heavy metal, the band has honed a sound that is both intricate and powerful.
Fronted by Mark Reid (Markuz, to avoid ambiguity), whose vocals draw comparisons to Michael Kiske, Roy Khan, and Dio, the lineup is a mix of technical skill and unbridled energy. Guitarist Baz Fitzsimmons brings his love for the harmonised leads of Iron Maiden and the thunderous riffs of Metallica. Chris Horne, a student of Ritchie Blackmore and classic metal songwriting, adds intricate layers of melody and aggression. On bass, Liam Barrie channels the roaring gallop of Steve Harris and the precision of Billy Sheehan. And behind the kit, Mark Riches drives the band forward with a commanding mix of Nicko McBrain’s groove and Mike Portnoy’s complexity.
Why the change? As Markuz explains, “We’d actually discussed changing the name when Stoo, the last of the ‘original’ members, left in 2023, and again before releasing No Place for the Damned in 2024. Looking back, that would’ve been the best time—right before an album that was a huge leap from everything before it. But now, with a lineup this strong and a sound that’s more intense than ever, the music we’re delivering deserves its own identity.”
Liam adds, “The band needed a name that truly captured the energy and intensity of our music. PYROCLAST embodies the raw power and force behind our sound.”
And Baz sums it up perfectly: “A pyroclast is an unstoppable force, creating something new from something old. That’s exactly what we are. We love classic, melodic heavy metal, but want to blend that with the darker heaviness of thrash that sweeps all before it.”
The band’s first release under the new name, Prisoner Game, is already in the works—setting the stage for PYROCLAST to establish itself as one of the most formidable names in modern metal.
The name has changed. The vision is sharper. The journey is only just beginning.
PYROCLAST:
Mark Reid – Vocals
Baz Fitzsimmons – Guitars
Chris Horne – Guitars
Liam Barrie – Bass
Mark Riches – Drums