British progressive metal musician Grace Hayhurst is gearing up for a milestone moment this spring, announcing her first-ever headline show at London’s iconic Black Heart on March 26th. It’s a well-earned step forward for an artist who has spent the past few years quietly, and fiercely, carving out her own corner of the UK prog scene.
The night has been curated with intention, pairing Hayhurst with two rising forces in European progressive and symphonic metal: Dea Velata (Spain) and Tales of Perdition (UK). It’s a bill that feels less like a standard gig and more like a statement, a showcase of the next wave of ambitious, genre-bending metal artists refusing to play small.
Hayhurst’s latest record, The World Is Dying, landed last summer and immediately caught the attention of the prog community. Dense with narrative, rich in instrumentation, and unafraid to confront uncomfortable truths, the album marked a significant evolution from her debut EP Existence Is Temporary.
Composed and largely performed by Hayhurst herself, the record also features the unmistakable drumming of Robin Johnson (Kyros), with production support from Shelby Logan Warne at London’s Sensible Music Studios — a space that has welcomed everyone from The Plot in You to Tim Bowness and Fontaines D.C.
The album’s title track — a sprawling, cinematic piece that blends sci‑fi dread with real‑world frustration — set the tone for Hayhurst’s current creative era. As she puts it, the record is “science fiction turned horrid reality,” a reflection on economic disparity, environmental collapse, and the absurdity of watching billionaires chase Mars while the rest of us deal with the fallout here on Earth.
Speaking about her upcoming headline debut, Hayhurst is candid about the leap of faith involved:
“I'm very excited to showcase the songs from my debut record The World is Dying. After playing gigs in the past with artists such as Kyros, Ihlo, and Fraktions, this is going to be my first ever headline show which is always a bit of a risk for a new and niche artist. But if you don't try, then you'll never know…”
It’s a sentiment that feels emblematic of her entire approach — ambitious, self‑driven, and rooted in a belief that prog metal still has new places to go.
She continues:
“We've got two other fantastic bands on the lineup — Dea Velata and Tales of Perdition — as the whole evening has been specially curated to be one of ear perkers. It'll certainly be an evening to remember, and I hope to see as many people there supporting the next wave of prog metal music artists as possible!”
If Hayhurst’s recorded work is anything to go by, her first headline show promises a blend of technical precision, emotional weight, and narrative ambition. Pair that with the atmospheric intensity of Dea Velata and the sweeping symphonic drama of Tales of Perdition, and you’ve got a night built for listeners who crave metal with depth, imagination, and something to say.
For fans of progressive music — and for anyone curious about where the genre is heading next — March 26th at the Black Heart is shaping up to be a date worth circling.
Grace Hayhurst Links:
Instagram | Spotify | Facebook | YouTube
Dea Velata was formed by guitarist Gabby Abularach (Cro-Mags, Voodoocult, and Carlos Santana) after a chance meeting with Italian poet and visual artist Stefano Losi in 2017. Abularach then brought in British soprano Angela Hicks, who made her operatic debut at Milan’s Teatro alla Scala and has performed at renowned venues such as the Palace of Versailles. Her talents have also reached the silver screen, where she appeared alongside Academy Award-winner Olivia Colman in the 2018 film The Favourite. The band were later joined by Ray Hearne, drummer for prog titans Haken. A luminary in his field, Hearne performed session duties for the London Symphony Orchestra at Abbey Road, appeared on Oscar-winning soundtracks and even featured as a soloist alongside guitar hero John Petrucci. Dea Velata have since released their debut self-titled album 2024.
The video for Dea Velata’s ‘Obitvs’ can be found here.
Dea Velata Links:
LinkTree | Instagram | Bandcamp | Facebook
Tales of Perdition are a Symphonic Metal band from London and a proactive member of The London Metal Coalition. Formed in 2017, they have been keeping the flame lit for the genre and building a reputation for their highly energetic live performances at landmark venues across the UK. Drawing inspiration from bands such as Nightwish, Iron Maiden and Trivium. Tales of Perdition combine dual guitar harmonies and thrash metal riffs alongside operatic vocal melodies and orchestration.
The video for Tales Of Perdition’s track ‘Hold Down The Hunter’ can be found here.
Tales Of Perdition Links:
LinkTree | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | YouTube
Links to tickets for the show can be found here, and the Facebook event for the show can be found here.
