A photo of the heavy symphonic metal band Plague of Angels stood outside York Minster at dusk.

A double page photo of Plague of Angels with Pipe organist David Pipe on stage at York Minster, accompanied by the text ‘Songs of Praise’.

An image of the cover of Metal Hammer issue 401 featuring BABYMETAL.

Absolutely stunned-We were expecting a 2-page spread in this month’s Metal Hammer—which already felt unreal. But we opened it to find a 7-PAGE FEATURE on the Plague of Angels at York Minster gig. Beyond honoured. Blown away. Huge thanks to the Metal Hammer team! 🔥
Here's a preview. Go grab a copy! 🤘

🕯This redefines walking down the aisle 👊💥
🕯Historic venue, heavy sound —live at York Minster .
🤟“Tag the metalhead you’d marry in a cathedral 👇”

🕯This redefines walking down the aisle 👊💥
🕯Historic venue, heavy sound —live at York Minster .
🤟“Tag the metalhead you’d marry in a cathedral 👇”

York Minster congregation outraged over ‘deeply inappropriate’ concert Gig at cathedral by metal band Plague of Angels would be ‘outright insult’ to their faith, say parishioners

Love this story from colleagues @joshhalliday.bsky.social and @robynvinter.bsky.social:

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

York Minster’s heavy metal gig sells out – as Dean berates the ‘cowardice’ of critics

All 880 seats in the nave for this have sold but there are still tickets for standing in the aisles. So good bit of publicity! Not many papers went with the controversy angle except the Telegraph. The BBC ran a positive headline too

yorkmix.com/york-minster...

The Prayer Book of Bonne of Luxembourg, c.1331-49, New York City, Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Cloisters Collection, 69.86. Large miniature of instruments of the Passion with the wound of Christ above text of a prayer in French. Also Bonne's arms (Luxembourg impaled with Valois) supported by a woman and man in cloaks "riding" animals of some sort. f.331r. Text is "nous monstre, tres dous diex, votre tres giant largesce ~ Quant vousistes pour nous * souffrir tant de destresce ~" "Show us, very sweet Lord, your giant abundant generosity ~ As you for us * Suffer so much distress ~" why am i spending my Friday night reading old French in Gothic script? anyway the point is it looks like a vagina.

also seems a bit much blacklisting them for members playing with Cradle of Filth (Rich Shaw played with them for 4 albums 2014-22 and vocalist Anabelle Iratni was on their 2021 album Existence Is Futile)

Also that infamous tshirt has some theological relevance, even though Mr Filth didn't intend it

Plague of Angels 'Beyond Salvation' official music video YouTube video by plague_of_angels

Video of their second single here shot in Huddersfield Town Hall concert hall, opened by Charles Hallé in 1881.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSkC...

BBC One Show - Plague of Angels - 31/5/24 YouTube video by plague_of_angels

Band is led by Dr Mark Mynett, senior lecturer in Music Technology and Production at University of Huddersfield

In this vid you see him with organist David Pipe(! great name), at former church of St Paul's Huddersfield and Leeds Cathedral.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWtW...

this seems very canny press by Plague of Angels really. A few people are upset by a certain genre utilising a great instrument in a church building: national newspaper story telling you it's happening and it's only £6-20

yorkminster.org/whats-on/eve...

York Minster hosts controversial metal concert as threatened protests fail to materialise Cheering crowd at 800-year-old cathedral enjoy Plague of Angels gig, which had been branded an ‘outright insult’

Metal band plays at York Minster. No one protests. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

The @plagueofangels.bsky.social gig at York minster was incredible. It was an experience of the cathedral as a meeting place of communities - so much better than merely history.
Plus the band were just killer. If you haven't played guitar standing on an organ under a huge cross are you even metal?

Thank you Will!

York Minster hosts controversial metal concert as threatened protests fail to materialise Cheering crowd at 800-year-old cathedral enjoy Plague of Angels gig, which had been branded an ‘outright insult’

I'm so pleased that this gig went ahead & wasn't cancelled. It's a wonderful coming together of culture & really exploring the architecture for the art & creativity that it was made for.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

A photo of York Minster after soundcheck, before the Plague of Angels gig

A photo of York Minster after soundcheck, before the Plague of Angels gig

A photo of York Minster during the Plague of Angels gig

An image of Plague of Angels on stage at York Minster 25th April 2025

Friday 25th April was an experience the members of Plague of Angels will never forget. Performing at the magnificent #YorkMinster alongside the incredible David Pipe on the pipe organ was truly an honour for all of us.

Pre-production is complete and we are on the way to York Minster! Looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow!

NEW SINGLE ALERT. Plague of Angels are thrilled to announce today’s release of our highly anticipated single, "Lazarene"! It’s depth of power and emotion will captivate you! Streaming now on all major platforms. We are playing Huddersfield Town Hall on Saturday 25th April…tickets are selling fast!

The 3rd Plague of Angels single ‘Lazarene’ is being released on 13th March, and we cannot wait for you to hear it! #plagueofangels #symphonicmetal #heavymetal #epicmetal #newmusic #metalcommunity #metalheads #metalfamily #femalefrontedmetal #nowplaying #musicdiscovery