Dare you enter Ward XVI?
**Disclaimer-the contents/ images and story lines depicted within our music is 100% fictional and are not based or inspired by any person or characters living or deceased**
Bio
Ward XVI is a unique and innovative theatrical ensemble known for its immersive performances that blend dark storytelling with captivating visuals.
Originating from Preston in the North West of England, the group explores the sordid past of a female serial killer through a distinctive mix of drama, music, and puppetry.
Their notable productions often invite audiences to engage directly with the narrative, creating a haunting yet thought-provoking experience. With a commitment to pushing creative boundaries, Ward XVI has garnered critical acclaim and a dedicated following, establishing itself as a standout in the rock and metal scene.
In 2017 the first chapter of a planned trilogy of concept albums, ‘The Art of Manipulation’, introduced you to the sordid story of Psychoberrie- the UK’s most notorious serial killer now incarcerated among the warped inhabitants of Ward XVI.
The album was greeted with critical acclaim with catchy female vocals, hard-hitting metal riffs, off-beat ska rhythms, melancholic piano, jaunty accordions, and a hint of electro. Each member drew from their own eclectic influences that included Alice Cooper, Iron Maiden, Rob Zombie, Diablo Swing Orchestra, Alter Bridge and Avatar.
2017-19 saw Ward XVI go from strength to strength, gripping UK audiences with their headline ‘Scare in the Community’ tour, a 14-date tour of the UK with Doyle (of the Misfits) and a 10-date UK tour with Red Rum, while also wowing the crowds at Bloodstock, Hammerfest, HRH Metal Meltdown, Amplified, Breaking Bands, SOS and Ragnarok Festivals.
2020, The second chapter of Psychoberrie’s confessional ‘Metamorphosis’, was unleashed.
The album received critical acclaim from fans and media alike and claimed a spot in many top 10 album polls of 2020. This was followed up In December 2020 with the EP ‘Unplugged and Sedated’, as Ward XVI confronted the effects of a Covid-19 ravaged year and responded to the overwhelming demand of their inmates following live acoustic versions of Metamorphosis songs posted online.
2021, The inmates escaped the confines of Whittingham to take Bloodstock Open Air by storm with a show packed full of explosives, monsters and theatrics that received rave reviews from all that witnessed it from within a packed Sophie Lancaster tent, this was followed by an appearance at the legendary London Roundhouse supporting Cradle of Filth which was met with an incredible response.
In December the Inmates finally played their rescheduled Metamorphosis album launch show to a full to the brim Manchester Academy 3.
2022 saw the intensity turned up with a UK wise tour and main stage appearances at HRH XIV, Hammerfest, NWOCR at KK’s Steel mill, Winter Rocks and main support for Lawnmower Deth in London, each time subverting expectations and gaining notoriety as one of the most inventive live bands on the UK underground scene.
2023 saw the inmates focus on the final chapter of the Psychoberrie Trilogy of albums but before entering the studio in late 2023, their macabre circus was presented to Love Rocks Music Festival, the main stage of Hard Rock Hell XVI, Headline shows at SOS fest, the world famous Whitby Goth weekend and notable support shows with Lawnmower Deth and their heroes Diablo Swing Orchestra.
2024 Amidst studio sessions in Voltalab studios- a place famous for birthing Joy Division, OMD and as a location in the film 24- hour party people, the inmates still found time to embark on a 14 consecutive date tour of the UK with the equally insane Tragedy which took them up the length and breadth of the UK.
An ancillary -stage headline show at Maid of Stone festival followed.. a festival that featured legends such as Living Colour, Mr Big, and Blaze Bayley saw the inmates thrill a new crowd before the piece de resistance in October when WARD XVI supported SKINDRED at the Liverpool Olympia.
During this time, A very successful Crowdfunder campaign supported by over 250 Certified Inmates has resulted in us being able to push £16,000 into the production and promotion of the album resulting in an album that we’re all proud to call our best to date.
2025 and beyond WARD XVI are back with an explosive new album, Id3ntity, which is out on Friday 11th July, via Earache.

Following on the success of their previous album, Metamorphosis,  Ward XVI are now ready to release their eagerly awaited new album, Id3ntity, which is the final part of a trilogy of releases: “ID3NTITY”.

ID3NTITY is the stunning conclusion of Psychoberrie’s story based on a sordid tale that’s ten blood-soaked years in the telling.

New single, Blood Is The New Black, has just been premiered by Kerrang! Radio, and it received a raucous response.

Now with a summer filled with their biggest headline show to date at the Manchester Academy 2 on the 25th July, festivals, and a tour in late 2025 WARD XVI are ready to share their next gripping instalment……

Career Highlights (so far)
  • Support for Skindred at Liverpool Olympia 2024.
  • Main Support for Cradle of Filth at The Roundhouse on Halloween night 2021.
  • Bloodstock Festival Sophie Lancaster Stage in 2021 and New Blood Stage in 2017.
  • Headline Festival slot on the Firestarter stage at Maid of Stone 2024.
  • Main support for Diablo Swing Orchestra 2023
  • Main Support for Lawnmower Deth in 2022 and 2023
  • Our Certified inmates Crowdfunder being recognised in the top 100 of Crowdfunding campaigns of 2023 after raising ÂŁ16,000 towards the release of our upcoming album. Fans paid to become certified inmates with their own unique Inmate number
  • Main Stage appearances at HRH, Hammerfest, Winter Rocks, NWOCR & Love Rocks
  • Headline festival slots at Maid of Stone festival, SOS Festival, Pentre Fest, Sav Fest & Whitby Goth Weekend
  • Headline 15 date UK tour in 2022
  • Tour Support for Tragedy in 2024
  • Tour support for Doyle (Misfits) in 2018
  • Tour support for Red Rum in 2018
  • “Frightened kids” and angered parents at Festival on the Hills 2024
Live Reviews
“The Devil’s Arse has been the abode of prehistoric cave-dwelling troglodytes. It’s been visited by Queen Victoria, written about by Daniel Defoe and graffitied by Lord Byron, but it’s never witnessed anything quite like Ward XVI.
There are Babadooks and dancing dolls, blood, gore and disembowelments as vocalist Psychoberrie and deranged cheerleader Rico Rameres – sort of a cleaver-wielding metal version of the Happy Mondays’ Bez – lead the visual assault. The music packs both muscle and melody. It’s more involved, progressive and eclectic than you might expect from the stage show, but it’s still the Alice Cooper-meets-Grand Guignol theatre that stands out.” ~ Metal Hammer
“Bloodstock also prides itself on providing a springboard for new and lesser-known bands though and, as ever, there was plenty to discover. Ward XVI electrified the early crowd on the Wednesday with an ambitiously theatrical set”. ~ Kerrang!!
“Ward XVI were up next and there is only one word for their entire performance: exquisite. The choreography and production was to be admired, every single step was full of horrifying and chilling details right down to the ghoulish costumes, their preparations did not go unnoticed. The atmosphere was haunting and the music was belting.
The flames took their position for ‘Burn The Witch’ and at that moment I realised they had nailed the theatre act, definitely the best I’ve seen. Psychoberrie is a hero, her vocals were effortless and powerful, there were zero breaks when she hit the clear notes resulting in a silky smooth running. This crazy lady gave birth only a couple of weeks ago and there is no denying that all the hours of dedication to perfect the performance definitely paid off. The tent was bursting and their overall sound was huge, certainly well balanced between the electronics and guitars too, a fantastic job”.  ~ Metal Planet Music
“In-house favourites Ward XVI followed with their ambitious Metamorphosis set. I’m very much aware of the time and effort that went into this production and I was absolutely buzzing with the crowd’s reception. They absolutely nailed it including some impressive flames during “Burn the Witch”, and a wealth of costumed characters. Ward XVI proved that they’re ready for the bigtime with a huge crowd following and an actual show, not just some songs with bells on”. ~ Moshville Times
“Whilst metal is strewn with wildly theatrical acts, there is still something deliciously unique about Ward XVI. They universe build at such a quantum level that it is frankly breath-taking. Every angle has been considered and there is so much detail to feast on that you’re not quite sure where to put your eyes. The other thoroughly unique component is the music. It would be so easy to wed their highly impressive amateur dramatics to a meat and potato classic rock soundtrack. But that would be too easy and pedestrian for a band with such highly convoluted ideas. Instead, they have created a musical maelstrom that borrows from a billion different places. Yes, there is a bedrock of rock here, but they reach out far beyond the confines of our world dragging jazz, polka, and a thousand other influences into the gravitational pull. Everything has been exquisitely over-thought and that is utter beauty of Ward XVI. They are operating at an intellectual and opulent level that few other fledgling acts can muster. Their short but effective stay culminates with the now customary circus pit, the bastard child of a Jewish wedding and the front row of a hardcore gig. It is that submersion and maintaining of character that means that even the non-initiated are by the end swept away by the spectacle they witnessed. And for those still worshipping at the altars of stripped-back troubadours, God you are missing out”. ~ Rock flesh
Ward XVI are;
Psychoberrie-Vocals
Doktor Von Stottenstein-Guitars/ Vocals
Wolfy Huntsman-Bass/ Vocals
Bam Bam Bedlam-Drums
Rico Rameres-Actor
Nurse Betty