TO-MERA Confirmed As Second-Stage Headliners At U.K.'s BLOODSTOCK FESTIVAL

March 28, 2006

TO-MERA, the new U.K.-based dark progressive metal band formed by former WITHOUT FACE vocalist Julie Kiss (photo) and bassist Lee Barrett (ex-EXTREME NOISE TERROR, DISGUST, MUSSOLINI HEADKICK),have been confirmed as the headliners of the second stage at this year's Bloodstock Festival on Friday, September 29 at the Darwin Room in Derby, U.K.

"For a young band like us to have this honour at such a prestigious event is truly amazing," the band write on their MySpace.com page. Other bands scheduled to perform at the festival include MY DYING BRIDE, PRIMAL FEAR, AXEL RUDI PELL and BRAINSTOR.

TO-MERA recently signed a three-album deal with Candlelight Records. The group's as-yet-untitled debut album will be recorded at locations in both Hungary and the U.K. and will be released later in 2006.

TO-MERA was formed by Kiss and Barrett following Julie's acrimonious departure from the Hungarian progressive metal band WITHOUT FACE. Kiss reportedly felt that she still had a lot more to offer musically and set about finding like-minded musicians in order to persue that goal. Fellow Hungarian Akos Pirisi, a huge fan of MESHUGGAH and a master of polyrhythmics, was brought in on drums. Later Tom MacLean was found after he — a big WITHOUT FACE fan — recognized Julie and introduced himself at a THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN concert. Tom graduated from the Trinity College of Music in London, where he studied jazz guitar. Although a huge metalhead, his broad musical tastes are evident in his playing, and he constantly pushes himself to attain new levels of skill.

When all was finally in place, the band recorded their debut demo in July 2005 at The Peel rehearsal rooms (Kingston-Upon-Thames) on a laptop, and it was mixed in France by up-and-coming producer Brett Caldas-Lima (KALISIA, MALMONDE, FAIRLIGHT).

After the demo was recorded, the band finally found a full-time keyboard player in the shape of Hugo Sheppard. Hugo is also a graduate of the Trinity College of Music where he studied classical piano. He has already contributed to the band's newer material, and his avant-garde, free-flowing style has added yet another dimension to TO-MERA's sound.

TO-MERA's demo is still available for download at www.myspace.com/tomeraband.

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