HEAVY Music Interviews

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...