GIRLS Aloud may not be regulars at a Black Country rock venue but its latest international festival promises girls being loud.

The Robin 2 in Bilston is set to host the fifth Dames of Darkness event which will bring the best of the UK and Europe’s female-fronted rock bands to the region.

The two-day event, on Saturday May 9 and Sunday May 10, will be the first time the Dames of Darkness festival is staged at the Mount Pleasant venue.

To headline the festival are two of Norway’s most popular Symphonic Metal bands, Sirenia (Saturday) and Leaves’ Eyes (Sunday). The bands are some of the genre’s most popular figureheads, and promise to bring a sound far bigger than the walls of this humble venue.

Sirenia were formed in 2001 by guitarist and vocalist Morten Veland and have toured their way to securing veteran status whilst releasing six studio albums. Their seventh, perhaps aptly titled ‘The Seventh Life Path’, is conveniently due for release on 8th May, just in time for their Robin 2 appearance.

Cannock based Gothic Metal band Apparition will act as hosts for the festival, with Fiona Creaby returning to the band on vocal duties after a five year break from the band. The six-piece will take to the stage on the Saturday.

Leaves’ Eyes, have shared a label through Napalm Records with metal giants DevilDriver and Skindred, and will arrive at the festival having recently announced their sixth studio album, due for release in the summer. Its recent announcement hints that they may have new songs to play for the Dames of Darkness audience.

With Symphonic Metal featuring heavily at the festival, it comes as no surprise to fans of the genre that Winter In Eden are to make an appearance on the Sunday following the release of 2014’s ‘Court of Conscience’.

Spanish rockers Rainover will play on Saturday, with vocalist Andrea Casanova returning to the festival she attended as a fan last year.

Angelic voices paired with heavy guitars is a popular theme of the weekend, typified by the Finnish band Enklination, who are fronted by classically trained opera singer Elina Siirala, and will play on the Sunday.

Many other bands are to feature across the weekend, with Saturday being completed by France’s Whyzdom, Malta’s Weeping Silence, Bad Pollyanna, Aonia and Scottish two-piece The Fall of Eve.

Sunday’s line-up is finished by Greece’s Enemy of Reality, Skarlett Riot (fresh from earning a four ‘K’ live review from Kerrang), Incassum, Insuna and Edenfall.

Tickets for the event are on sale now, with day tickets available for £25 advance (£30 on the door) or a weekend ticket available for £45. Doors open at 2pm and hot food will be available.