The Association of Independent Music (AIM) has annouced a AIM Hardrock & Metal Coalition showcase on the 15 May at Volks Bar & Club, the first of its kind at Brighton's The Great Escape festival.

Part of the ‘Alternative Escape’ programme, the AIM Hardrock & Metal Coalition event will showcase the strength and diversity of the UK’s up and coming heavy music talent and their respective labels, as part of AIM’s commitment to supporting the best of UK rock and metal.

The bands on the 2015 AIM Hardrock & Metal Coalition showcase are:

Savage Messiah (Earache)
UK metallers Savage Messiah have had two critically acclaimed worldwide album releases and an EP, worked with Grammy nominated producer Chris Tsangarides (Judas Priest, Bruce Dickinson) and more recently Scott Atkins (Cradle of Filth, Behemoth, Amon Amarth). They’ve toured far and wide with the likes of Overkill, Evile and Queensryche, and performed at many festivals, amassing a strong loyal underground following along the way.

ACODA (Best Before Records)
Having just released their second full-length ‘Truth Seeker’ (Kerrang KKKK), ACODA are one of the most exciting melodic metal bands in the UK right now. They recently completed a support tour with emo legends Hawthorne Heights followed by a successful UK headliner, and have performances at Download Festival, Sonisphere, T In The Park and Hevy Fest under their belts, so are primed to take on the world on this new album cycle.

Press to Meco (Incredible)
Alt-rockers Press to MECO boast huge riffs and gargantuan three-part harmonies. Their
self-released 2013 debut single 'Affinity' continues to enjoy on-going radio support from Kerrang! Radio, Team Rock Radio, BBC R1 and XFM, and the 3-piece have since played a live 'Xposure' session for XFM, Download Festival twice and were tipped by XFM as a band to watch in 2014. They recently completed the recording of their debut album which is set for release this year.

The Color Line (Basick)
Rising technical hardcore mob The Colour Line will have you picking your jaw up off the floor with their dangerous live performance and their frenetic nature. The coming months will see the band perform at the UK Tech-Fest all dayer in Glasgow and Hevy Fest in Kent, as well as release their eagerly anticipated debut album; the first taste of the record, ‘The Streisand Effect’.

Elegies (Hassle)
Formed in late 2013, Elegies write heavy, melodic hardcore and hit the ground running with their debut self-titled EP and many UK shows including Hit The Deck Festival, alongside bands like Brand New, Pulled Apart By Horses, The Xcerts and more. 2015 will see a new EP released entitled Daylight Disease and preparation for a debut full-length this summer.

Anthony Shaw

of AIM Hardrock & Metal Coalition and Best Before Records commented: "The UK Hardrock/Metal scene has never been stronger or as diverse as it is right now. Industry support has been lacking in this genre, we AIM to change that through a number of upcoming initiatives! The 'Hardrock & Metal Coalition' showcase at TGE '15 is the 1st of many actions to come…"

Stage times:

21:40 - Savage Messiah (Earache)
21:00 - ACODA (Best Before Records)
20:15 - Press to Meco (Incredible)
19:40 - The Color Line (Basick)

19:00 - Elegies (Hassle)