HEAVY rockers Blast Tyrant will probably feel right at home in Warrington Music Festival’s new big top stage.

For bassist Al Blackmore works in the circus.

When he is not making music, you will probably find the former Penketh High School student juggling and angle grinding with urban circus act, Mad City.

Has the 31-year-old ever considered combining the two?

“I’ve thought about it a few times,” said Al.

“I want to attach fire wands to the end of my guitar to blow fireballs but it’s always a health and safety nightmare.”

But even without the circus theatrics, Blast Tyrant are known to be quite a spectacle.

Since releasing their EP Revolution Is Imminent and recently playing the Asylum rock night at The Venue in Barbauld Street, the quintet have created quite a stir.

And now they are headlining Warrington Music Festival’s first dedicated hard rock and metal stage at Bank Park’s big top on Friday, July 18.

“It’s quite exciting,” added lead guitarist Kev Tingle.

“When we’ve played at the music festival over the last few years it has been in the middle of the day.

“So to go from that to headlining a stage full of metal bands will be amazing.

“In the past there’s not been so much of a metal scene in Warrington.

“But over the last couple of years it’s really been building up.

“On the Friday you’ve got the likes of Electric Mafia, God Complex and Imperium.

“It’s good to play your hometown. We’re getting a name for ourselves around here now and there’s a good scene on the go. It’s buzzing at the moment.”

Blast Tyrant’s mission is to show there is more to Warrington music than indie.

“It’s a bit like Metallica at Glastonbury,” said former Padgate High School pupil Kev.

“It’s known as more of an indie, hippy sort of festival but they went down a storm.

“They went up there and rocked it. It’s a nice, varied scene in town now.”

The band have also risen from the ashes after a number of line-up changes since forming in 2009. They have six former members including three singers.

Orford’s Louis Capstick has recently joined as frontman and has brought the band in a different direction.

The former Cardinal Newman High School student passed the audition after belting out Mountain’s Mississippi Queen.

While Blast Tyrant was inspired by the likes of Kvelertak and Orange Goblin, Louis’s vocal influences include Metallica, Black Stone Cherry and Five Finger Death Punch.

“I’ve been told I’ve got a bit of a country rock style,” said the 20-year-old Thai boxer.

“The biggest buzz for me is when you see the audience are actually enjoying themselves, enjoying the music and getting into it.

“Mosh pits, head banging and all that and then the applause at the end.”

Kev, whose brothers Phil and Mike are in the band, added: “I find it very cathartic when you’ve been working a rubbish job.”

Blast Tyrant’s main ambition is to be able to make music for a living.

Kev, who grew up in Cinnamon Brow, said: “We’re never going to be millionaires making underground music but it is the dream job.”

- Blast Tyrant headline the big top stage in Bank Park at 10pm on Friday, July 18