HEAVY Music Interviews

CKY are the flag bearers for big, raw, authentic, earth-shaking rock liberated from useless pretence. They burned it all down, with a raucous, anarchic rock sound soaked in the skate-punk culture that birthed them; and a hard-partying lifestyle onstage and off that left decimated relationships and reputations in its wake.
Boasting a collection of killer rock anthems like 99 Quite Bitter Beings, Flesh Into Gear, Escape From Hellview and Familiar Realm, CKY's music is a huge part of the infamous Jackass TV series as well as just about every skate and surf compilation of the era and covered by the...

In a relatively short amount of time as far as the music industry goes, Swedish rock outfit Smash Into Pieces have quickly risen to become one of the leading exponents of rock on the planet. After twice reaching the Swedish Eurovision final and delivering a string of consistently quality albums, the band found themselves on the international stage and touring with bands of the calibre of Evanescence and Within Temptation.
But if you think getting somewhere near the top is hard, it's even harder staying there. All of a sudden, the weight of expectation falls heavier on your shoulders...

Celebrating twenty years in the music industry is a great achievement in itself, but celebrating 20 years of sustained success is even better. 
Bursting out of the blocks with their 2007 debut album The Way Of The Fist, Five Finger Death Punch were on a collision course with the rest of the world, laying the foundations for a turbulent yet continual upwards trajectory.
By the time War Is The Answer followed two years later, the band were notorious for their rebellious spirit and ruthless approach to music, but love them or hate them, there was no denying Five Finger Death P...

Interview by Kyra-Jade Coombs
Only recently I celebrated my five-year anniversary with HEAVY Mag and over the years I’ve had the privilege of meeting and interviewing some of the world’s biggest music stars, living out my wildest music nerd dreams. Nerves come and go depending on who it is that I’m interviewing, and ‘normally’ I hold my shit together. Today? Oh boy… Don’t get me wrong, I jumped at the opportunity to have a chat with Wolfgang Van Halen, although it wasn’t until I somehow blasted through THREE, yes three, whole pages of questions I wanted to ask...

Sean Martin from The Quarantined took some time out recently to catch up with HEAVY Mag's Ali Williams to chat about their new release Nemesis (Friend of Mine), overcoming toxic relationships and algorithms and what the next chapter for the band entails. 
Discussing the creative process of songwriting and their musical influences and intentions, Sean explains the origin of their song Nemesis (Friend of Mine), which started as a poem inspired by a sudden burst of creativity. The transformation from poem to song presented challenges, especially in conveying the depth of the lyrics in a musical format. 
He go...

Few bands in history have left such a lasting impression in music as Santa Barbara funk metal outfit Snot.
Forming in 1995, Snot released just one album before having their career cut short by the tragic death of frontman Lynn Strait. Despite their short time as a band, such was the impression left by Lynn and Snot that after his death, a tribute album called Strait Up was recorded in his honour, featuring everyone from Slipknot to System Of A Down to Sevendust paying tribute to the man and his music.
Snot's fusion of genres - before it was...

Interview by Ali K
Brisbane’s Community radio station 4ZZZ is celebrating 50 years of being on the airwaves. Known for being the springboard for most of Brisbane’s best-known musicians and bands, the station has been an integral part of their journeys. The day will be market day style, reminiscent of the original market days 4ZZZ held at Roma Street Parklands. 
Regurgitator have well and truly formed their position as one of Brisbane’s most well-known artists who, like many before and after, had their music on radio hosts' playlists at Zed Headquarters. Joining The Gurg on the line-up...

In the more than two decades since the band's launch, Sabaton has headlined major festivals, sold-out arena concerts worldwide, and gained a legion of loyal fans by carving out a reputation as one of the hardest-working bands in the business. Since their 2005 debut album, they’ve earned Gold, Platinum, and multi-Platinum certifications in territories around the world with their 10 studio albums. Eight of their albums scored Top 10 international chart status, and six claimed the Top 5. SABATON has earned eight Metal Hammer/Golden Gods Awards nominations, taking home the award for Breakthrough Artist in 2011 and Best Live Band in three different ye...

Interview by Kyra-Jade Coombs
October with all its spooky Halloween charm is the perfect setting to catch up with Wednesday 13. Our very own Kim Dracula has summoned Wednesday 13 to join him in his Australian tour starting in Sydney on the 21st of November. These shows are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth for all things macabre with each band having their unique style and stage presence that will have you hooked.
Throughout his career Wednesday 13 has had such an interesting journey and we couldn’t wait to hear his story. Maintaining success in this industry doesn’t come easy...

The Delta Riggs will be hitting home soil again this weekend, ready to headline the main day celebrations for Mo's Desert Clubhouse’s 6th birthday celebrations on the Gold Coast. In the lead up to the show, founding member and bass player Michael ‘Monte’ Tremonte took some time out to chat with HEAVY. Arguably Australia’s most underrated band, The Delta Riggs, have been together since 2010, and are about to release a new track before the end of the year, with the hope it will set the pace for what’s to come their way in 2026. 
The Riggs frontman Elliot Hamm...

It's nothing new to see a fighter make the transition from the ring to the cinema, with people as far back as Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and Chuck Norris pioneering the way before a procession of fighters followed. From Van Damme to Ronda Rousey to Michael Jai White to Gina Carano, the list goes on, but while some of the attempts at acting have not been quite as impressive as the actual fighting career itself, there is always one thing in common. The fight scenes in their movies are always much more realistic and believable.
Naturally, someone who has...

They say music runs in the blood, and if ever there was a family to prove this theory, it's the Trujillo's. Dad, Rob, plays in Metallica, Mum, Chloe, is in BLVD Of Eyes, daughter Lullah is an accomplished drummer, while son Tye plays in Suicidal Tendencies and also OTTTO. Not a bad lot to hear jamming in the garage!
While most people know, or at least have heard of, the above bands, there's one there that may not be as familiar. The band OTTTO, who have been Tye's band project since 2017. With a sound blending punk, alternative rock and...

Coming together via other notable bands such as Fire At Will, Swerve City, Coridian, and the Sun Gods, New Zealand's freshest face on the hard rock scene is Cry Wolf.
Fresh from the success of their debut single Rainfall, Cry Wolf return with the follow-up Burn, upping the intensity and sonic outburst to showcase another side of their musical psyche. Essentially a track about embracing the unknown, Burn also acts as a sonic accompaniment to the trajectory thus far from Cry Wolf, a trajectory that the band hopes will continue to rise with each release.
HEAVY caught up...

After initially starting life as a one-man vehicle for Howard Von Noise (Howsie) in 2012, Coffin Carousel slowly morphed into something much more sinister. Taking band formation in 2015, Coffin Carousel are your haunted chainsaw ride formed within the roots of horror punk and sludge metal, bastardised by DNA strands from throughout the metal gene pool to create a sound that continues to defy convention.
While the band's earlier material was more rooted in the horror/punk style of metal, Coffin Carousel have honed their craft and allowed their metaphorical wings to spread over four full-length albums, maintaining the lifeblood that...

Words and interview by Ali Williams
Sydney-based metalcore band Bloom have just finished up the first headliner tour here at home and are about to set off to Europe for their next leg of their tour. Frontman Jono Hawley and drummer Jack Van Vilet caught up with HEAVY recently for a chat about new releases, tours, and future plans for the band.
The band’s journey so far has seen these young lads hit the ground running with almost instant success. Bloom formed in 2017 and has grown from playing small venues to international tours. They started with young dr...

Heathenspawn return with their latest slab of blackened melodic death metal, The Ravenous Earth, a crushing track that dives into dark themes and envisions a world where humanity has brought about its own extinction. Obsessed with conflict and distracted by trivialities, mankind clings to the illusion of permanence. But when the end comes, it will come for us all, and the Earth will bury our legacy beneath roots, soil, and stone, as it has done with every empire before us.
To capture this vision, Heathenspawn teamed up once again with long-time producer Matt Clarke (To The Grave), with mastering...

It's not often you get a second chance in life, especially in the music industry, where success - sustained or fleeting - is anything but a given. But that is precisely what has happened for US rock outfit Yellowcard, who return on October 10 with their new album Better Days.
After forming in Jacksonville, Florida in 1997, Yellowcard became one of the most influential bands in the 2000’s alternative rock scene. Known for blending high-energy pop punk with a signature violin twist, their 2003 breakthrough Ocean Avenue is certified Platinum, with the title track now certified two times Platinum.
Despite this ea...

There have been select few bands that have truly shaped the course of history. For heavy metal, it would have to be bands like Black Sabbath and Judas Priest, but when it comes to rock and roll, only Elvis Presley springs directly to mind. But there was another band of the same era that many believe were a more accurate representation of the term - or what would become the term - rock music. A band who combined elements of blues, R&B, and rock into a sound that has inspired generations. A band who are mostly still very much...

Switzerland isn't known for its nu metal/metalcore bands, with thrash bands such as Coroner or extreme acts Celtic Frost more prominent. But all that changed in 2018 when Chaoseum, a newcomer to the scene, announced their arrival with their debut album First Step To Hell. The album took the musical landscape by surprise, in the process helping Chaoseum secure a US tour supporting Soulfly, and things just snowballed from there.
Following a steady, yet upward trajectory, Chaoseum refined their sound on albums such as Second Life (2020) - which also welcomed new vocalist CK Smile - and The Third Eye (2022...

Maryborough rock outfit Ruination warmed music lovers up in 2022, offering a tasty appetiser with the EP Whispers. More of a demo release to showcase their potential, Whispers served up an eclectic take on the standard fare of alternative metal, entwining soft soundscapes with a melodic, yet hard-edged exterior that showcases the best of the early days of the alt-rock genre with enough modern sensibilities to appeal across the board.
Despite their relative distance from a capital music hub, Ruination have continually accepted and performed gigs wherever the wind has swept them, refining their sound on the live circuit, just...

There aren't many true old school Aussie rockers left these days, but the ones who are remember the 1980s with fond memories. For all of the household names to come out of that time, such as AC/DC, INXS, Cold Chisel, there were just as many, if not more, that were at least equally as talented. Bands like Buster Brown spring immediately to mind, but there's also another who may have faded from the minds of even those fortunate to have lived those times. Not because of their relevance to Australian music, but just because of Father Time and their...

Canadian musician Cory Marks has succeeded where many others have failed - or weren't even game enough to try - by managing to bring elements of rock and metal into his country-oriented music and, more importantly, make it accessible to all sides of the musical fence. It is a musical amalgamation that by every letter of the law should not work, but somehow Marks not only makes it work. He makes it breathe.
Whether by design or by plain old-fashioned luck, Marks has made the transition even easier over the course of his career by enlisting the talents of...

Music is always a transitional thing. Be it mind, body, or sonically, there is always room for growth and expansion.
Gold Coast-based rock artist Ollie Twohill is discovering that now, almost two decades into his professional music journey. For the majority of his time performing, Twohill has been a solo artist, enjoying the freedom of creativity and the pressures of handling everything yourself. His most recent single, Crisis, accentuated that belief, with Twohill writing, composing and playing all instruments as well as singing. The song itself is a fine effort - made all the more special by the fact...

This November, two U.S. heavyweights in BLVD Of Eyes and The Midnight Devils combine to bring their music to Australia for a run up the East Coast that promises to be a blast. Bands from opposing ends of the rock spectrum - with BLVD Of Eyes being on the lighter side of rock and The Midnight Devils leaning more to the extroverted side of glam rock - both have international touring experience, but never on the same line-up.
While BLVD Of Eyes are just getting into the daily grind of a successful music career, The Midnight Devils celebrate 10...

It is refreshing to hear old school metal bands still pushing their limits and exploring fresh sonic realms, even with a sound that is known and loved and has been for more than 40 years. It is understandable when some bands mutter the words 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it', but that still shouldn't stop the creative juices from flowing, if only to challenge yourself.
Which is exactly what happened with thrash metal legends Testament and their upcoming album, Para Bellum. While not detouring too far from the music for which they are universally loved and respected, Testament have...

In the modern age of seriousness, it is refreshing to see a band doing the rounds that still values fun and a good time over politics and bickering. A band who performs with a smile on their face without deferring to any one side of whatever fence is currently being built or in the process of being torn down. And, of course, said band is British, the place where the love of a laugh and the desire to get on with it are part of the staple diet.
Indie rock outfit The Lathums have been doing that now for...

British metal outfit Conjurer have continued to defy expectations since the release of their debut album, Mire, in 2018. Essentially an experimental metal band, Conjurer has drawn on elements of sludge, death, doom and post metal, never once allowing themselves to be defined by any one sound or genre.
While award nominations and accolades accumulated with each piece of new music, Conjurer retained their one simple mission: to make heavy music and have fun while doing so. Preferring to use their spotlight to showcase technicality and musicality rather than concentrating on politics or opinions, Conjurer have always lived in the...

When Australian extreme metal outfit Werewolves proclaimed to the world that they intended to release 10 albums in 10 years, the collective sighs of here we go again hung loudly in the air. Bands have promised such things or similar immeasurable times in the past, with few managing to reach the lofty heights for which they had set themselves. Not to mention the discontent from fans who then started to doubt the honesty or integrity of anything that came out of their mouths from that moment forth.
But with a pedigree of members from well-respected Australian bands such as Psycroptic, The...

Melbourne old school death metal machine Monoliyth have been steadily going about their craft for just over 25 years, grinding away on the circuit with a mission to do no more than offer a sonic distraction to the world around them.
It is an often thankless task - faced by all bands - but Monoliyth have found their niche, originally starting life as more of a thrash metal band before finding their home in the nastier side of metal.
Their recent release, He Who Kills, is a typical blast of aggression for Monoliyth, but this time there is a...

Since their formation in 2019, Melbourne rock/punk outfit Anabella And The Heist have steadily gone about building their profile, mostly via word of mouth on the back of their entertaining live shows that are said to often "teeter on the edge of madness".
As the band ramps things up for a brighter future, they have delivered two previous singles - both launched to sold-out venues - in Electric and 1769, songs that have showcased differing sides to Anabella And The Heist's musical psyche.
On September 12 the band released a third single, Maraschino, via sonic release only, hoping to initially...

Canada's greatest export ever, Danko Jones, have been flying the flag for rock and roll music ever since they combined to wreak havoc on the world in 1996. The band have almost single-handedly revived rock and roll from the untimely death many have predicted or wished upon the genre, churning out hit after hit with consummate ease. Armed with a swag of rock gospel albums, including We Sweat Blood [2003], Sleep Is The Enemy [2006], A Rock Supreme [2019], Power Trio [2021] and Electric Sounds [2023] and a relentless touring schedule, Danko Jones not only live and breathes rock and roll. They OWN it.
A...

The turn of the century was an interesting time to be alive. You had the doomsdayers who were convinced some bug called Y2K was going to wipe out the planet via technological genocide, and others who were convinced the world was going to come to a screeching halt at the stroke of midnight. For every theory was a counter theory, to the point where people were being driven to drink just to maintain some semblance of sanity.
Into the world was born an anthemic tune that was just good enough to divert people's attention away from all of...

I Prevail swept into town like a rampaging force of nature with their debut album Lifelines in 2016. It was an album that screamed defiance from every note, emphatically heralding the arrival of I Prevail onto a musical landscape that was destined to be changed forever.
While bands had previously flirted with fusions of post hardcore, metalcore, pop punk, hard rock, nu metal, electronics and hip hop, none had managed to find a completely happy medium, choosing more fleeting moments of amalgamation rather than combining all of the genres under one banner. But here was a band who seemingly found...

Suicidal Tendencies have a love affair with Australia, touring regularly and bringing their infectious brand of skate punk metal to our tender ears with the same intensity and conviction time and time again.
It has been two years now since their last visit, but this time they come bearing gifts. Musical gifts, that is, in the form of Metallica and Evanescence as part of Metallica's massive global M72 Tour. But this will be Suicidal Tendencies' first tour with drummer Jay Weinberg on deck, rounding the band out now to include Mike Muir alongside guitarists Ben Weinman (The Dillinger Escape...

When The Living End burst onto the Australian musical landscape with their self-titled debut album in 1994, the blurred lines between rock, punk and metal were suddenly more accessible, introducing a wide network of music lovers to genres they might otherwise have avoided.
Their rebellious spirit, emphasised through songs like Prisoner Of Society and Second Solution, suddenly made punk cool, with adolescents everywhere jumping on board The Living End freight train. It was the turning point for Australian music, seamlessly blending rockabilly and punk with metal stylings to create a musical force rarely seen on these shores.
Fast-forward 25 years...

Starting life in 2005 more influenced by deathcore sensibilities than their current, more accessible mixture of styles, Glasgow metal outfit Bleed From Within have gradually morphed into a style of their own over seven studio albums, the most recent of which being last month's irresistible offering, Zenith.
Representing the past, present and future of Bleed From Within, Zenith captured the band at the peak of their prowess to date, solidifying their reputation for thinking outside of the metaphorical box and confirming their place amongst metal's elite. From incorporating bagpipes into their beautiful brutality through to commanding stages alongside Slipknot, Bullet...

Australia’s own BE’LAKOR finally return for a powerhouse run of home shows this October, bringing their signature blend of melodic death metal and progressive depth to stages across the East Coast to celebrate 20 YEARS OF LIVE BE’LAKOR. Renowned for their immersive soundscapes and acclaimed releases such as their most recent and much lauded effort, Coherence, the Melbourne five-piece continues to push themselves and captivate audiences worldwide.
Joining them on this monumental run are progressive metal masters PERSEFONE, for their very first time on Australian soil. Hailing from the picturesque lands of Andorra, they have been a formid...

If you look at their musical journey, it might appear that SoCal pop/punk/rapcore outfit Zebrahead have led somewhat of a charmed life. From their very inception through meeting at a practice room to playing to a handful of people, where 12 of them were scouting from record labels, a sceptical person could claim things have fallen into place for the band. But if you know the band and know their music, you would know that while luck - in any incarnation - is always welcome, there is one core ingredient of Zebrahead's collective musical psyche that has had more...

The story of Spiderbait is an unlikely but heart-warming one – three friends from a small Australian country town taking on the music scene, and emerging triumphantly thirty years later, friendship intact, and now one of the biggest and best rock bands on the national landscape.
The trio’s popularity spans three decades and shows no signs of abating. They’ve released seven acclaimed albums, all of which have racked up Gold, Platinum or Double Platinum status, and have combined Australian sales of over a million units. Spiderbait have also chalked up almost every Australian accolade possible, taking home multiple ARIA A...

Interview by Ali Williams
Teenage Joans members Tahlia Borg and Cahli Blakers took time out to chat with HEAVY about their new track, My Hearts Dead, and their current tour with Slowly Slowly.
Hailing from Radelaide, Teenage Joans were winners of JJJs Unearthed High back in 2020, and since then they have flooded the air waves with a string of melanchol,y pretty punk rock hits. In their short time on stages, they have racked up some impressive achievements from playing the same stage with Foo Fighters to rocking it on the festival runs at Laneway, Good Things, Groovin...

Interview by Kris Peters
Since the Australian Women in Music Awards (AWMA) inception in 2018 almost 2000 individuals have been recognised with a nomination, with 1946 nominations from 2018 to 2024. Designed to provide an outlet to celebrate and reward women in the Australian music industry, AWMA has become a vital platform for recognising the vast contributions of First Nations and culturally diverse artists, musicians, technicians, photographers, journalists, leaders, artists with a disability and music practitioners from every corner of the sector.
To be held on October 9 at Fortitude Music Hall in Brisbane, this year's ceremony features a spectacular line-up, including KATIE MILLER...

As with every other year, anticipation surrounding the first line-up announcement for Good Things 2025 was almost at a fever pitch. Social media experts and promoter wannabe’s all shared their projected line-ups, but most were well off the mark.
Good Things is possibly one of the hardest festival line ups armchair critics get to sink their teeth into, with the diversity and seemingly flippant mashing of genres meaning pretty much any band from any genre could make the final cut. And this year was no exception.
When TOOL were announced as headliners, a large number of punters were al...

Punk rock has seen many bands proudly fly the flag for its roots, ideologies and defiant attitude, but few would argue that one of the best and most influential punk bands ever is the Dead Kennedys.
Since 1978, the band have flown in the face of almost anything with even a slight breeze, along the way releasing a multitude of songs that have shaped a generation, including Holiday in Cambodia, California Über Alles, and Kill the Poor. Their flippant attitude, coupled with brutally honest content, has seen the Dead Kennedys not only reach the summit of all that is music b...

When Melbourne noise machine and champion for the underdog Blood Duster called time in early December 2017, the Australian music scene lost one of the greats. Not just in terms of music, but, more importantly, in terms of old school ethos. The punk mentality of fuck you and whatever you rode in on that had by then thankfully settled into the heavier side of music.
The band were an enigma. They cursed, they bled, they had an opinion, and they had an agenda. Which was purely based on fun and enjoyment of their music. The fact that every year since...

Rock stars at the age of 16, Finnish warriors The Rasmus have weathered the inevitable trappings of early success to morph into one of the world's leading rock outfits.
Known for their musically dark atmospheres, The Rasmus have also managed to connect on a deeper level with a plethora of music lovers who can relate to the band's genuine feelings of despair. Once labelled as outcasts, or 'weirdos' if you will, The Rasmus have always embraced their perceived differences and championed the cause of the underdog; the downtrodden. The 'weirdos'.
Which is why the title of The Rasmus' new...

By Angela Croudace
German melodic death-doom outfit Nailed to Obscurity have just released their highly anticipated new album, Generation of the Void. For frontman Raimund Ennenga, the record represents the band’s boldest and most diverse work yet.
Following the critical success of Black Frost, the group set out to explore wider sonic territory. “We wanted the next one to be more diverse, more dynamic,” Ennenga explained. “On one side, you have the extremity of Glass Bleeding with blast beats, and on the other, songs like Allure, which is a full ballad. We even pushed into more accessible territor...

Two decades into their career, Ohio metalcore outfit The Devil Wears Prada are still intent on exploring their sonic boundaries. Despite - as most bands do - having a core, recognisable brand of music, The Devil Wears Prada remain unrestrained by the confines of expectation, preferring to allow their creativity to dictate the direction of their music rather than expectation.
This has never been as evident as with The Devil Wears Prada's upcoming ninth album, Flowers. The new album marks the start of an incredibly epic cycle and phase for the band, representing perhaps their most significant creative leap...

Soulfly have long been a force unto themselves, spearheading the movement of groove metal over twelve previous albums, integrating tribal elements into metal with a passion and genuineness that is as undeniable as it is brutal.
Proudly wearing his Brazilian heritage as a badge of honour, frontman Max Cavalera has overseen Soulfly since its inception, consistently raising the sonic bar with every new body of work. This trend looks set to continue with the impending release of Chama on October 24.
The album is already being touted by those who have heard it as a return to the roots...

Melbourne-based crust-death outfit KÜNTSQUÄD (pronounced Kountskard) announced themselves with their self-titled 2022 debut album, selling out multiple pressings and ushering in a new era of extreme style Australian music. It was an album laced with brutality and unflinching honesty that was as much a declaration of war as it was a statement of intent.
Fast-forward three years and KÜNTSQUÄD return with a new, heavier mission, delivered in the form of their follow-up album Satan's Cock. Satan's Cock is an album that pulls no punches, offering up an intense sonic battering that fuses crust punk’s raw chaos...

It's hard to believe that a band who have dominated the global metal landscape for more than 35 years would be about to embark on their first ever Australian tour. Hard to believe, but also true in the case of England’s most disconsolate export, pioneers and kings of doom metal, MY DYING BRIDE.
Well known for haunting atmospheres and sorrowful tones whilst balancing uniquely heavy, desolate riffs with melancholic melodies, MY DYING BRIDE redefined musical misery with their earlier albums Turn Loose the Swans (1993), The Angel and the Dark River (1995) and Like Gods of the Sun (1996). A consistent flow of...

Formed from the ashes that has become COVID, Melbourne hard rock outfit XCALIBRE had the benefit of time on their side from the outset. Time to hone their craft. Time to practice. Time to plan.
All of which proved fruitful when XCALIBRE hit the ground running, earning themselves slots alongside acts such as Van Halen, Aerosmith, Drowning Pool, Karnivool, and The Amity Affliction, among others. Their upward trajectory attracted the attention of rising Australian label XMusic, who snapped up the band and set about planning their next step, which begins this Friday, September 5, with the release of their single...

No matter what genre of music you listen to, if you had an ear to the radio in 1995, then you would have heard a track by Skunkhour called Up To Our Necks In It. A raw, jazzy and ultimately uplifting tune, Up To Our Necks In It opens with melancholic instrumentation before swelling into a swooning and soulful affair, embracing rapped spoken-word vocal verses balanced alongside soaring melodies and rousing arrangements.
While such genre mashes might be considered the norm in the modern age of music, back then, it was a concept still very much in the experimental stage...

Interview by Angela Croudace
Australian heavy outfit Arkangel are charging into a bold new chapter with their latest single, Haunting My Dreams, set for release on September 5. The track marks a defining moment for the band, not only in sound but in ambition, and features a powerful collaboration with electro-driven artist Misstiq.
For vocalist Jake Harrop, the collaboration was a dream realised. “I’d always wanted to work with Misstiq—her synth work is incredible, and she brought a whole new energy to the track,” he explains. “We already loved the song before she jumped on it, but when she a...

As with every other year, anticipation surrounding the first line-up announcement for Good Things 2025 was almost at a fever pitch. Social media experts and promoter wannabe’s all shared their projected line-ups, but most were well off the mark.
Good Things is possibly one of the hardest festival line-ups armchair critics get to sink their teeth into, with the diversity and seemingly flippant mashing of genres meaning pretty much any band from any genre could make the final cut. And this year was no exception.
When TOOL were announced as headliners, a large number of punters were already sc...

Interview by Angela Croudace
One of the most in-demand rising rock bands on the planet, Canadian post-rock act, Cleopatrick, will tour Australia for the first time ever this September, playing three shows only in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. The tour follows the release of their bold and introspective second record FAKE MOON, a sonic journey blending lo-fi grit with expansive production and raw existentialism.
Sonically, Cleopatrick are what can only be described as the audio equivalent to Playstation 1 graphics, serving up gritty 8-bit guitars, minimalist synth lines, glitchy vocals and shoegaze-like refrains to create a sound that is...

Interview by Angela Croudace
Finnish powerhouse Battle Beast is set to unleash their seventh studio album, Steelbound, on October 17, and frontwoman Noora Louhimo says the record is their most empowering yet.
Known for fusing classic heavy metal with symphonic flourishes, 80s-inspired rock, and soaring synths, the band continues to evolve while staying true to their mission of uplifting fans through music.
“This album deals with serious issues—life, death, and human rights,” Louhimo explains. “But at its core, Steelbound is about empowerment. We want to encourage people to fight through challenges, whether big or small, and to feel str...

It's been 8 long years, but ILL NIÑO, the trailblazing Latin-influenced metal band that redefined heavy music, is set to return for a blistering run of shows across Australia.
Known primarily for their explosive live shows and genre-defining fusion of Latin-infused metal, Ill Nino have been in the headlines more recently following the departure of vocalist Marcos Leal and who would replace him. While fans around the world demanded a quick resolution, founding member and drummer Dave Chavarri held firm, refusing to throw just anyone into the cauldron.
Instead, he waited patiently, shutting out the external noise, finally s...

For the past four years, Adelaide blackened death groove outfit Sons Of Erebus have noisily gone about their business, smoothing off the edges of a rough exterior to uncover the gemstone beneath.
Despite the inevitable teething problems faced by most bands, Sons Of Erebus have racked up the miles, playing a string of festivals across Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales while fine-tuning their material and road testing it on the people who matter most.
The fans.
Now, with a settled line up comprising guitarist Ethan (Asmodeus/ex-Thorngate) bassist Bedlam, eccentric frontman Paulie (PAUL13/A Murder of...

Being a band from Newcastle has meant massive expectations ever since the Screaming Jets exploded onto the scene in 1989. What was already an uphill battle establishing yourselves from outside the capital cities overnight became even more daunting with little brother always fighting to escape the shadow of one of Australia's finest ever musical exports.
While admittedly difficult, it is not impossible. A fact proven by the emergence of progressive rock outfit KODEM.
After two years spent honing their craft on the touring circuit, KODEM have unleashed their debut single Tattooed Sin, celebrating their signing to rising Australian music...

It is more than a myth that forging a career from the Western side of Australia poses many more challenges than other music hubs around Australia. The isolation, costs of travel, reduced market, and subsequent lessening of opportunities faced are definitely quite difficult to overcome. Difficult? Yes. Impossible? No. 
Perth alt-rockers Late 90s are living proof.
Drawing influence from the likes of alt-metal icons Deftones, alt-pop and rock legends Paramore, and emo kings Basement, LATE 90s have shaped their own sound into something reminiscent of past greats, all the while tying together elements of something so fresh and d...

Melbourne-based musician Envy Marshall is an artist who doesn't care for trends or fashions or being the 'next big thing'. Her musical journey is more selfish, in a way, in that she creates music that means something to her first and foremost. But when that music is rooted in life experiences and self-worth, it suddenly becomes accessible to the masses. Or at least those who believe that you are the master of your own destiny and, as such, deserve to be happy. Deserve to be free. Deserve to be confident in yourself.
After announcing her intentions earlier this year...

After building momentum and a solid, loyal fan base following the release of two EPs - The Wound, The Blade (2022) and Shadow Dancer (2023) - Melbourne metal outfit ATLVS went strangely quiet, going over two years with an eerie radio silence. While such a period of inactivity, especially in the modern age of music, would be an almost certain death knell for emerging bands, the absence seemed to do little to quell the thirst of their loyal army.
Their return in June of this year with the instantly irresistible single Soulsucker saw ATLVS pick up almost precisely where they left...

With the world becoming increasingly sanitised and regulated, it is refreshing to see and hear a band that still adheres to the old school ethos where fun was the order of the day and everything said and played is meant to be taken with a grain of salt. Which is exactly what you get from Melbourne hard rock outfit Ablaze, who wear their hearts proudly on their sleeves and their sleeves proudly on their hearts.
Known for their love of a good time, but even more so for their particular brand of hard rock - especially live - Ablaze...

The term supergroup is bandied around too often these days when a group of talented musicians from established bands try something together. It creates almost unrealistic expectations among fans of the respective members' bands, who are more often than not left disappointed due to the logical fact that this 'supergroup' is only one quarter or less of the band they are widely known for.
Which is why HEAVY won't be labelling Bleak Squad a supergroup - although many will.
Featuring the unlikely quartet of Mick Turner (Dirty Three, Mess Esque), Mick Harvey (Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, PJ...

When it comes to cursed vocalists, US rock outfit Adema must have stood at the head of the queue.
Since their inception in 2000, the band have seen four vocalists come and go - most at times where the band was starting to gain traction, which upset flow and momentum and ultimately held the band back from the musical heights they should have reached. After yet another forced vocalist change when Ryan Shuck departed in February last year, the band members decided to stay in-house with their next singer, promoting guitarist and regular back-up vocalist Tim Fluckey to the head...

Interview by Angela Croudace
With more than two decades of epic storytelling through metal, Sabaton are preparing to unleash their 11th studio album, Legends. Frontman Joakim Brodén spoke with us about the excitement of recording, the historical depths behind the songs, and what fans in Australia and New Zealand can expect when the band finally headlines shows there.
Despite years in the studio, Brodén insists the process never loses its spark. “There’s always something exciting – the drummer trying something new, a solo that takes shape in the moment. Even after writing, hearing it all come together...

Swedish metal outfit Ambush realized the secret to success early in their career and have been deferring to that template on a daily basis ever since. Not that you could call the love of a laugh and a good time an actual secret, but it is surprising how often bands forget that on their pathway through the music industry.
Founded in 2013, AMBUSH continue to showcase their unyielding energy and intricate musicianship, establishing themselves as a force to be reckoned with within the underground heavy metal scene. The fact that they have gone relatively unnoticed in Australia is largely due...

As with every other year, anticipation surrounding the first lineup announcement for Good Things 2025 was almost at a fever pitch. Social media experts and promoter wannabe’s all shared their projected line-ups – but most were well off the mark.
Good Things is possibly one of the hardest festival line-ups armchair critics get to sink their teeth into, with the diversity and seemingly flippant mashing of genres meaning pretty much any band from any genre could make the final cut. And this year was no exception.
When TOOL were announced as headliners, a large number of punters were already scra...

In just under three years, Melbourne hard rock outfit ANA have laid themselves a strong platform from which to launch their music. Having already toured through Europe and Japan, ANA are now setting their sights on their home country, starting with a headlining slot at Rockdale Metal Festival in September.
Merging the intensity of metal with sweeping orchestral arrangements, ANA have quickly found their niche, exploring the outlying areas of symphonic/power metal and integrating it with a harder edge that gives their music an edge all of its own.
HEAVY sat down with the band earlier this...

Interview by Kris Peters
Sydney-based post hardcore four-piece Closure continue their impressive momentum in 2025 after the release of their long-anticipated debut EP, The Sweet Suffering, which is out now on all major streaming platforms. The record includes the previously released singles Hindsight, Glare, and A Cold Space Between, each showcasing the band’s evolution into a darker, heavier sonic identity. A deeply personal and hard-hitting project, The Sweet Suffering chronicles emotional resilience, anxiety, the art of letting go, and love. For Closure, this release is more than just a debut — it’s a defining moment and the beginning of a powe...

The music industry is a fickle one.
Try as an artist may to strike that elusive winning formula, more often than not, it is timing, or luck, or a combination of both which will ultimately decide the course your musical journey takes. Bands can try unsuccessfully for years to crack the market, churning out quality material time and time again with little or no return.
But then that one moment of magic can change it all. That chance encounter. The right planets aligning at exactly the right time. Which is precisely what happened for Melbourne-based punk/pop band...

Interview by Angela Croudace
*CONTENT WARNING - Swearing and Mention of Suicide/Self Harm*
Australian heavy metal veterans Temtris return with their powerful eighth album, Queen of Crows, a record built around the theme of good and bad consequences. Vocalist Genevieve Rodda and guitarist Foxy explained that the concept was inspired by personal experiences and reflections on how life’s choices affect us and those around us.
While their previous release, Chaos Divine, delved into a sci-fi dystopian world, Queen of Crows stays rooted in raw human struggles. Rodda described the writing process as emotionally charged, pointing to...

Fresh off a wildly successful European tour, guitar virtuoso Bernth and bass wizard Charles Berthoud, undisputed masters of their instruments, have joined forces to bring their technical mastery, dynamic performances and jaw-dropping musicianship to Australia for 3 very special events.
With over 4 million followers across their platforms, this will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for fans to witness the guitar and bass heroes emerge from the screen onto the stage to perform together live. This tour is an unmissable event for fans of virtuoso musicianship and those eager to experience the real-life chemistry between these YouTube giants. Whether you’re a fo...

Interview by Kris Peters
German guitarist Uli Jon Roth is renowned for his work with the Scorpions during their early, more experimental phase and for pioneering the neoclassical metal genre. He is also known for his innovative Sky Guitar design and his solo career exploring a unique blend of rock, classical, and philosophical themes.
Roth joined the Scorpions during their formative years, contributing to albums like Fly to the Rainbow, In Trance, Virgin Killer, and Taken by Force, as well as the iconic live album Tokyo Tapes. These albums are all heralded in the history of Rock and...

Interview by Kris Peters
The Home Team are travelling to Australia for the second time - this time with Mayday Parade -  for the Three Cheers For 20 Years tour, after crossing the ocean last May with Caskets (UK).
The quartet have introduced stylings of R&B, pop and funk into their music in an effort to be true to their tastes while crafting their unique sound and return to play new songs for the first time off their latest album, The Crucible Of Life, and struck a chord on their debut visit, winning fans over more at each s...

It's scary to think that British metalcore outfit Architects are just hitting their stride eleven albums in.
Having completed two Summer runs with Metallica in the lead up to their latest masterpiece The Sky, The Earth & All Between, Architects took stock of their career to date and set out to make the definitive Architects release.
“It wasn’t about just putting out another Architects record. It had to be the record—the one people talk about when they talk about our band,” frontman Sam Carter said at the time. Bandmate Dan Searle echoed this sentiment: “What we’re trying to sa...

Interview by Kris Peters
Arriving just after the turn of the century, Australian metal legends DAYSEND were born into a healthy national metal scene that included bands like Blood Duster, Abramelin, Frankenbok and Dreamkillers, some of which are still going strong today. It was a golden era for Australian metal, made that much better by DAYSEND, who built a formidable reputation in the global metal scene, touring extensively across Australia and internationally and sharing the stage with some of the biggest names in metal, including Slipknot, Trivium, Arch Enemy, In Flames, and Machine Head.
Their 2003 debut album, Severance...

Interview by Angela Croudace
After more than 15 years, grindcore titans Pig Destroyer will finally return to Australia, and frontman J.R. Hayes couldn’t be more thrilled. “We’re just really, really excited,” he said. “It’s hard to get all the stars to align, but we’re finally doing it.”
Their long-awaited comeback is bolstered by the inclusion of Singaporean grind heavyweights Wormrot as tour support. “They’ve been one of the top grindcore bands for the last 10 years,” J.R. said. “You just have to make sure they don’t blow you off the stage.”
Known for their blistering s...

Interview by Kris Peters
As with every other year, anticipation surrounding the first line up announcement for Good Things 2025 was almost at a fever pitch. Social media experts and promoter wannabe's all shared their projected line-ups - but most were well off the mark.
Good Things is possibly one of the hardest festival line ups armchair critics get to sink their teeth into, with the diversity and seemingly flippant mashing of genres meaning pretty much any band from any genre could make the final cut. And this year was no exception.
When TOOL were announced as headliners...

BIGSOUND can be anything you want it to be. You can choose to revel in the activities and workshops, or check out the band showcase gigs or watch/see/listen to any number of things, but the one thing that catches HEAVY every year is the range of live bands out there plying their trade.
This year's BIGSOUND, to be held in the usual areas of Brisbane's Fortitude Valley over September 2 to 5, features more than 120 bands playing across 18 stages so it looks like we are going to have our work cut out for us.
But getting to know...

Interview by Angela Croudace
Three decades into their career, Paradise Lost remain masters of gothic metal’s melancholic grandeur. With their new album Ascension, guitarist Gregor Mackintosh took on the dual role of musician and producer—a responsibility he says wasn’t a giant leap, given his growing involvement in shaping the band’s sound over recent albums.
“In the past, producers used to be heavily involved in songwriting and structure,” Gregor explained. “Now it’s more about getting the sound in your head onto the record.” While self-producing offered him complete creative control, it also brought the risk of over-polis...

Interview by Kris Peters
After championing the cause for Australian music for almost a decade via their weekly radio show, Rock Hard With Phil & Tish, the two co-hosts have decided to take the next step in their evolution, putting on the first-ever Rock Hard Festival in Adelaide.
For two nights over October 10 and 11, Woodshed at Royal Park will host Aussie rock legends The Poor, headlining both nights with a selection of some of this country's hottest emerging bands such as Audio Reign, Karly Jewell, The Dreadful Tides, Ablaze, Avalanche and more.
Not content to help grow and...

Interview by Angela Croudace
Post-rock outfit In Transmission are back with their new EP, Betterment, a record that blends atmospheric beauty with an urgent social conscience. Frontman Martin says the inspiration behind lead single Catching Up (and the EP as a whole) comes from observing a world plagued by environmental and civil issues, often met with apathy.
“When it’s out of sight and out of mind, it’s easy not to care,” Martin explains. “But if we ignore these things and just focus on our own individual lives, it’s going to catch up to us.” That message of per...

Interview by Angela Croudace
When Cursed hit number seven on the Spotify global charts, Paleface Swiss didn't just make a statement — they detonated it into the metal world. For guitarist Yannick Lehmann, the milestone still feels surreal. "It's unbelievable. We're completely DIY, no label, nothing — so to see that kind of success is mind-blowing," he says.
Formed in 2018 as a local Swiss act, Paleface Swiss quickly built momentum in the hardcore beatdown scene before COVID shut the world down. Instead of stalling, the band doubled down, writing two albums and teasing songs online. Their audience was ready and hung...

Interview by Angela Croudace
With their upcoming album, Where Did All the Butterflies Go? dropping on September 5, LA-based rock outfit Beauty School Dropout are stepping into their boldest sonic chapter yet. The band (Colie, Bardo, Beepus, and Colton) describe the record as "the best music we've ever made," a profoundly personal and genre-blurring journey through love, loss, and self-discovery.
The album's title stems from emotional reckoning, as Colie reflected on a relationship that dulled his spirit: "I just didn't feel anything anymore… I was like, where did all the butterflies go?" That question became the emotional nucleus of th...

Sydney rock outfit Stormflower are effectively about to take their first steps into the world, placing themselves at the mercy of the public in pursuit of musical fulfilment.
They say in music, as in life, it is the little things that ease the pain. Things like planning, preparation, practice... anything that can be considered a building block or a platform to sustain you along the arduous journey that confronts each and every musician at some stage of their career. But no matter the amount of time and thought you put into even the minutest of details, the music machine...

Interview by Kris Peters
Polaris have been conquering the world one country at a time since the release of their third album, Fatalist, in 2023. 
Having already firmly established their place as a fixture in the Australian heavy landscape via their first two albums - 2020’s ARIA Award-nominated The Death Of Me and 2017’s The Mortal Coil, which debuted in the Australian Top 10 - Polaris have earnt themselves a laundry list of accolades along with sold-out headline tours of Australia and previous tours across the globe, including most recently performing at Good Things Festival in 2022 alongside headliners Bring Me The H...

Interview by Kris Peters
For 20 years, Jerome Reuter a.k.a. ROME has been a force to reckon with in the musical underground. Through relentless touring and a steady stream of high-quality concept albums, ROME has built a remarkably loyal following from Berlin to LA, from Sydney to Saigon, from Lisbon to Kyiv.
The Luxembourg-born singer-songwriter has created an authoritative body of work, encompassing more than 20 full-length albums and numerous other official releases. ROME's compelling brand of Dark Folk merges various musical influences, from Post-Punk to Chanson. Lyrically inspired by world literature from Burroughs to Brecht, Celine to...

Interview by Kris Peters
English alternative rock band Bush initially gained popularity in the mid-1990s, particularly in the United States, with their debut album Sixteen Stone. While initially labelled as grunge or post-grunge, Bush carved out their own space with a blend of heavy riffs, catchy melodies, and frontman Gavin Rossdale's distinctive vocals. After a hiatus, the band reunited in 2010 and continues to release music and tour successfully, with a loyal fan base that feels connected with the band due to their honest and decisive lyrics.
Bush's sound has been described as a mix of grunge, post-grunge...

Music up until the 1970s had been a predominantly male-dominated industry, especially the rock scene, which was considered to be full of exactly the type of people your mother warned you about.
Sure, there were some brilliant artists, including Janis Joplin, Marianne Faithfull and Suzi Quatro, but it was in the mid 70s when three young, brash and rebellious aspiring musicians called Joan Jett, Sandy West and Micki Steele were assembled by record producer Kim Fowley that the musical landscape changed forever. After the loss of Steele early in the piece, the new all-girl group called The Runaways welcomed...

Interview by Kris Peters
Norwegian-American aggrotech/industrial metal band Combichrist are known for their intense, aggressive sound and energetic live performances.
Led by frontman Andy LaPlegua, the band blends heavy electronic beats with industrial metal guitars, often incorporating elements of punk and even some orchestral arrangements. Their lyrics frequently explore controversial themes with a mix of dark humour and provocative social commentary, but it is in the live arena where Combichrist shine. Their shows are the stuff of whispers the world over for their brutally intense precision, an experience Aussie fans have not been subject to for a...

Interview by Kris Peters
Swiss extreme metal duo BØLZER formed in Zürich in 2008 by Okoi Jones (vocals/guitar) and Fabian Wyrsch (drums). Known for their unique blend of black and death metal, the band creates a raw, atmospheric sound characterized by complex riffs, atonal elements, and mythological themes influenced by Nietzsche, paganism, and ancient cultures.
Their music is described as an "intuitive art project born from raw passion," delivering a chaotic, spiritual live experience they liken to an "atavistic vortex." BØLZER gained significant acclaim with their 2013 EP Aura, praised by NPR and Stereogum as one of...

Interview by Kris Peters
Necrosonic Festival 2025 can rightfully lay claim to being Brisbane's premiere heavy metal music festival. Following a successful debut in 2024, the 2025 edition is again curated by Kent Bartley, one of the masterminds behind legendary Australian festivals like Overcranked, Inferno, and Dead of Winter. The lineup includes both international acts and resurrected Australian legends, with some bands reuniting for rare or one-off performances.
Described as a "ritual" rather than just a festival, Necrosonic 2025 promises an intense, 12-hour-plus experience featuring 30 of the heaviest bands from the underground metal scene, performing across three stages at the Mansfield Tavern...

Interview by Kris Peters 
For almost four decades, rock outfit The Poor have flown the flag for good old-fashioned, no bullshit Aussie rock. Alongside their brothers in Rose Tattoo and The Screaming Jets, to name just a few, The Poor have remained loyal to their roots regardless of the changing tides of world music, delivering time and again with a carefree attitude coupled with classy as fuck rock numbers that almost dare you to not listen.
Theirs is a music and style that has stood the tests of time and the swirling winds of change, and it is t...

Interview by Kris Peters
Aussie punk legends Frenzal Rhomb are the gift that keeps on giving. Just like the Energiser Bunny, the guys seem to just keep on trucking where others half their age would have put up the white flag.
Following the near-completed 25 (ish) Anniversary Tour for A Man's Not A Camel, Frenzal have also been invited to fly the flag for the naughty kids left in our generation to play at two of this country's biggest and best music festivals. First, they head to the Northern Territory in September to take their place at Blacken 2025 before...

Interview by Kris Peters
Mumbai-based extreme metal band Gutslit are renowned as India’s leading force in brutal death metal and grindcore. Formed in 2007, the quartet—comprising Gurdip Singh Narang (bass), Aaron Pinto (drums), Kaushal LS (vocals), and Prateek Rajagopal (guitar)—is celebrated for their relentless intensity, precise musicianship, and savage songwriting. 
Their music blends grinding riffs, pummelling blast beats, vicious bass grooves, and chilling guttural vocals, establishing them as a critically acclaimed act in the global extreme metal scene. With a career spanning 18 years, Gutslit has toured extensively, performing in 25 countries, a record for Indian metal bands, includi...

Interview by Kris Peters
American progressive metalcore band Born of Osiris are well known for their technical precision. While essentially complex music, Born Of Osiris blend a plethora of styles and influences to devastating effect.
Their sound has evolved from post-hardcore/metalcore roots to a signature blend of technical deathcore and progressive elements marked by intricate guitar work, heavy synths, and a mix of guttural and clean vocals. The band has released seven studio albums, with notable works including A Higher Place (2009), The Discovery (2011), and Angel or Alien (2021).
Earlier this month, the band released Through Shadows, their...

Interview by Kris Peters
Singapore grindcore band Wormrot, known for their intense, fast-paced, and boundary-pushing music, are headed our way for a ferocious double touring bill which also includes Pig Destroyer. 
Formed in 2007 after the members completed their mandatory national service, Wormrot have released four studio albums and several EPs, touring extensively through Europe and the United States, in the process becoming the first Singaporean act to play at the Glastonbury Festival.
Following the recent reuniting of the original line-up, the band have spent the first part of 2025 touring the UK and Europe and after a couple o...

Interview by Kris Peters
Transvision Vamp were the buzz band of the late 1980s and early 1990s. 
Fronted by the raunchy, attitude laden Wendy James and backed by a catchy assembly of songs, Transvision Vamp cornered every section of the market. Their pop/punk rebelliousness outlined through songs such as Baby I Don't Care, I Want Your Love and The Only One resonated through disenfranchised youth everywhere, while their music videos dominated RAGE and other music programs thanks to their colourful and suggestive content.
Put simply, they were a breath of fresh air on an otherwise stagnating m...

Interview by Kris Peters Alice Cooper was set loose on the world in the mid to late 1960s, and it is fair to say the music world has never been the same since.
Blending rock music with ghoulish tales of the macabre backed up by a live show that pushed every conceivable boundary of the time, Alice Cooper soon became the man (band) people hated to love. His elaborate set pieces, including the infamous guillotine beheading cornerstone of his live show, gave birth to legend, and it is a testament to the enduring legacy of the great man that...