Pyroclast

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, under their former name TANTRUM, the band evolved from a local underground act into one of the UK’s fiercest independent metal bands. 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.” In 2025, the album was re-released as No Place for the Damned Redux MMXXV under the PYROCLAST name, with redesigned artwork and remastered audio, cementing the new era.

Fusing the precision of progressive metal, the raw aggression of thrash, and the emotional depth of classic heavy metal, PYROCLAST have refined a sound that is both intricate and powerful.

Their debut single, “Pyroclast,” was released in June 2025—an anthemic, crowd-driven track that introduced the band’s new chapter with explosive energy. On September 26th, they followed it with “Brought by a Flame,” a cinematic and mythic piece that not only showcases their scope for storytelling but also concludes the open-ended Trinity trilogy from No Place for the Damned.

Fronted by Mark Reid (Markuz, to distinguish from drummer Mark Riches), 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: “With this lineup and the sound we’re delivering, the music deserved its own identity. PYROCLAST is heavier, sharper, and more ambitious than anything we’ve done before.”

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 name has changed. The vision is sharper. The journey is only just beginning.