No More Restraint: An Interview With Northern Ireland’s Final Thirteen
By Staff | February 5, 2026
Photo credit: Jakub Pers
Final Thirteen are an alt-rock/punk band from Northern Ireland, forging a sound that blends sharp hooks, bruising guitars and raw, emotionally driven intensity. Since emerging in 2024 with debut single “Why You Sacrifice Me Now,” the band have built strong momentum through releases including “Say Please Stay” and “Go,” earning international radio play and support from Kerrang! Radio, RGM and Right Chord Magazine. Renowned for high-energy live performances, Final Thirteen have toured extensively across Ireland and the UK, playing packed venues in Belfast, Dublin, London, Glasgow and Edinburgh. Now entering a bold new chapter with a revitalised lineup — AX (vocals), JD Burns (guitar), Matty G (bass) and Brendy Healy (drums) — the band are currently working on a series of exciting new releases that push their sound into heavier, sharper territory.
You’ve mentioned that your new material is heading into heavier, sharper territory. Was this a conscious decision to evolve, or did the new lineup naturally pull the music in a more aggressive direction?
The former and the latter. Don't get me wrong, we didn't sit down and say "let's be heavier". The aggression was already there. Then when the right people walked into the room, there was no more restraint.
Northern Ireland has an incredible musical legacy. How much does your environment and the local scene influence the grit in your music?
A lot. Growing up & living in Northern Ireland indelibly teaches you how to carry weight, build strength, and perseverance. We also have an honesty here that's somewhat brutal. It's actually kind of funny and you learn it's a great master. You don’t get away with pretending here — the music has to mean something, or it gets found out fast. That grit isn’t an aesthetic, it’s just the accent.
You’re known for blending sharp hooks with bruising guitars. How do you maintain that balance so the melody doesn't get lost when the intensity ramps up?
Melody is the knife, and distortion is the force behind it. If the hook can’t survive excessive force, then it doesn’t belong in the song. We don’t soften the guitars to save the melody; we make the melody strong enough to fight back.
Photo credit: Jakub Pers
With these upcoming releases, are you experimenting with any new recording techniques or gear to capture that raw, emotionally driven energy you’re famous for in a studio setting?
Without giving away too much, yes we definitely are. Like with any profession, we're constantly upping our equipment, knowledge, & skillset to be the best artists that we can be. The production however will always be raw with emotional intensity no matter what. In studio we’re constantly chasing the truth over "classical perfection". The best rock songs are "perfect" because you can hear the fret board, the breaths, they're not mistakes, it's the beauty of what it is to be human. And on that note, f#ck AI "music".
With AX, JD Burns, Matty G, and Healy now at the helm, how has the collaborative process changed? Does the songwriting feel different with this specific group of personalities in the room?
Well there’s always been zero hierarchy, and that hasn't changed. But that's about the only thing. As artists you have to be able to adapt, and creativity is best when it's a fully collaborative process. Everyone pushes, everyone challenges, and we all welcome that. It's never personal, it's always about what's best for the song, and we definitely have a shared mindset on that. We now have a greater scope of possibilities than we ever had, and so we can now be more adventurous than ever before.
Photo credit: DJS Photography
Was there a specific event or moment where the four of you realized this specific lineup was the bold new chapter the band needed?
Literally, the first rehearsal. You can understand with four people in the room who had never previously worked together, there would have naturally been trepidation. However, instantly the songs came back with more energy & packing more of a punch than we ever intended. It elevated everyone's individual performances from the get go. That was the moment. We looked at each other like, “Yeah… this is a game changer.”
You’ve played everywhere from Belfast to London and Edinburgh. Which city or venue has given you the most chaotic or memorable energy so far?
Belfast crowds hit different — we love the crowds at Voodoo there’s pride, defiance, and zero patience for bullshit; then no matter where you play in London, shows feel like controlled explosions; and Edinburgh has this magic edge, where we love to play Bannerman's, both beautiful & gothic like the city & where the venue is just as welcoming as the amazing crowds.
You’ve earned a reputation for high-energy sets. What is the one thing that must happen during a Final Thirteen show for you to walk off stage feeling like it was a success?
It needs to feel like an exchange, being on stage is a conversation with your audience. And just like any individual, each crowd and every show is unique. We may play the exact same set, but the energy will always be it's own. We are constantly thrilled by the energy of our audiences, and we cherish each show they give to us.
Songs like “Why You Sacrifice Me Now” are deeply raw. Is it difficult to tap into those intense emotions night after night on the road, or is the stage a form of catharsis for you?
Catharsis, definitely. I'm trained in performance, so it's not difficult for me to put myself in those intense places repeatedly. However, life being what it is, sometimes you may be carrying them a little heavier than other nights, or your understanding of yourself changes, grows deeper than ever before. For me that's when the best performances happen, and then leads to better songwriting. As the great Slipknot once said, "Bleed It Out".
Photo credit: Jakub Pers
Having support from heavy hitters like Kerrang! Radio and RGM so early on is massive. How has that international validation impacted your confidence as an independent band?
We've always believed in ourselves, Final Thirteen kind of snowballed from the onset. So we always had a personal confidence in that way. However, we are very careful not to pat ourselves on the back nor let ego get in the way. We need to continue the work, the drive, keep both hands on the wheel and maintain our focus. And we must also not forget who we are as individuals, so that as artists we can best reflect our experiences of life in the music. That being said, we are truly grateful for the continued support that we have received from the industry.
If you could soundtrack one specific moment or feeling for your fans with this new series of releases, what would it be?
That suspended breath before the break — the quiet, electric second where the world holds still. It’s the moment you stop folding yourself smaller, stop offering apologies like peace offerings to a fire that was never going to warm you. The silence hums, heavy and alive, and you realise you don’t have to disappear to survive. You can take up space. You can be sharp, blazing, unmistakable. Survival doesn’t whisper anymore — it roars.
Photo credit: Jakub Pers
Anyone you'd like to thank?
For sure. We'd like send out huge thanks to: our fans; our families; the venues who have housed us; our producer; and all the industry professionals who have aided us and helped us along the way thus far. We are grateful for their love, friendship, & continued support. 🙏
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