Azriel

Azriel emerged from Glasgow in 2004, quickly becoming a cornerstone of the UK metalcore scene centered around Thirty Days of Night Records. Their sound is a quintessential example of the 'melodic metalcore' wave, blending the melodic sensibilities of At the Gates with the rhythmic aggression of American hardcore.

Throughout the mid-2000s, they were instrumental in defining the UK's contribution to the genre, touring alongside heavyweights like Bring Me The Horizon and Architects. Their career is marked by a steady evolution from the raw, demo-quality intensity of 'Man's Heated Battle' to the sophisticated, high-production values of their full-length debut 'A Will of Fire'. Critically, they were praised for avoiding the 'scene' clichés of the era, opting for a more sincere and musically technical approach. Their influence persists among collectors of UK hardcore and metalcore, representing a specific moment when the underground scene in Britain achieved a world-class level of production and songwriting maturity.