HEAVY Music Interviews

Interview by Kris Peters Melbourne instrumental outfit The Omnific are a band who have managed to traverse the boundaries normally separating instrumental music from that with vocals, blending a variety of techniques and impossible-to-resist musical precision that appeals to all lovers of music. Following the release of three groundbreaking EPs - Sonorous (2016), Kismet (2017), and The Minds Eye (2019) - The Omnific found themselves and their music reaching all corners of the globe, even attracting the attention of Clay Gober from Polyphia who featured on the single Antecedent from the band's debut 2021 album Escapades. In 2023, the group went from strength to strength; supporting Polyphia in Australia, and Ne Obliviscaris in Europe and North America, capping it off with a landmark 46-date world tour in support of single Phat Mackerel, including festivals Euroblast (DE), Reeperbahn (DE) and Bigsound (AU) before starting off 2024 supporting The Hu on home soil. A major feature of their success has been an amalgamation of styles and genres which dives through prog, metal, djent, funk, synth-driven soundscapes, and more. With their sophomore album The Law Of Augmenting Returns being unleashed yesterday, HEAVY caught up with one of two bass players, Matt Fack, to find out more. We start by asking about the album title, The Law Of Augmenting Returns. "A lot of thought went into that," Fack nodded, "because the whole concept was like, well, the law of diminishing returns seems to be a pretty common concept, mainly, I guess, in the commerce world. But in life, when you think about it, I guess, the more you do something, the less return you get from that. So I was trying to think, what could we sort of, I guess, due to like, be like, what's the opposite? Like the more you do something, the more reward you get out of it. And augmenting also relates to music, like diminished to augmented. So that fits to music as well. I guess you can say it's got some cool meaning to it." We ask if there was any more pressure going into this album following the universal success of Escapades. "I guess you can think about it like your own personal pressure," he measured. "Like, I want to outdo myself from the prior record. I guess when it comes to just being creative… I wouldn't say it's like pressuring myself to do something, because it all kind of flows naturally when you're feeling like in the moment. I'm just thrilled it sort of just came about as it did without putting pressure on ourselves." In the full interview, we discussed The Omnific's new album, The Law of Augmenting Returns, in greater detail. We talked about the concept behind the album title and the pressure associated with releasing a sophomore album. Matt also delved into the creative journey behind the album, discussing the process of incorporating live musicians and selecting singles, as well as the significance of their production team and the impact of guest spots on the album. He also provided insights into their upcoming European tour and plans for future performances, offering a comprehensive overview of their musical endeavours and creative aspirations. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

Interview by Kris Peters New Zealand indie rock outfit Park Rd have released their debut album, The Novel, which came out last Friday, May 24. The Novel stands as a testament to PARK RD's evolution as musicians and individuals and offers listeners an intimate glimpse into their heads and hearts. Having already announced themselves on the scene with two previous EPs and a host of singles, Park Rd have had a stellar last 12 months, performing at festivals such as SXSW Sydney, Rhythm & Vines, Soundsplash and Le Currents, as well as supporting The Band CAMINO, Milky Chance, Spacey Jane, and Summer Thieves. HEAVY sat down with members Carlos Martin (bass) and Tom Chamberlain (vocals) to find out more. We discussed their debut album, The Novel, and their excitement and anxiety surrounding its release. They shared insights into their songwriting process, emphasizing the organic and fluid nature of their creative approach, and revealed that the album features a mix of rock, pop, and more intimate, stripped-back compositions. The band also discussed their recent tour of Australia and their plans for upcoming shows, expressing their eagerness to connect with Aussie crowds and their hopes for a successful tour. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

Interview by Kris Peters Preparing for a debut album - for any band - is an arduous task. Once you make that firm decision and commit to laying down your tracks for others to digest, it seems like, in many respects, everything is violently taken from your control and placed at the mercy of others. As such, it would be easy - and almost forgivable - to take the easier path, whatever that may be. Safe songs, safe structure, proven methods and carefully mapped out schedules, but at what cost? You only get one chance to release a debut album, and in many ways that one album can define the rest of your musical career. Which is why a large number of bands take the safe passage. Or at least their version of it, which invariably leads to a more polished and socially acceptable offering of music from the lyrics all the way down to presentation. But every once in a while you come across a band who throw caution to the wind and leave themselves and their music exposed as they let their fledgling work of art loose on the world. A band who are unashamed to leave large chunks of their own DNA splattered throughout the release, thus laying bare their innermost emotions and thoughts. It is a brave and increasingly fading approach, but has also become so much more noticeable in what is fast becoming a saturated market where different often equates to good. So it is with Melbourne-based post-punk, Midwest emo outfit Gypsy Road who have laid their souls on open display with their debut album Letters To A Friend, From Interstate which is released on May 24. An exhaustive and confronting collection of eight songs highlighting the emotional struggles confronted by the band throughout the entire process, Letters To A Friend, From Interstate captures a band unafraid to admit not having the answers and honest enough to concede defeat. It is an eclectic and refreshing journey through a myriad of genres that are woven together in a sonic tapestry that drips with vulnerability yet exudes an air of confidence that suggests a strong future. HEAVY caught up with frontman Alex Centofanti to find out more, asking if he is nervous, excited, anxious or all three together as Friday's release date approaches. "All of the above," he laughed. "For so many multiple reasons. The last three singles we have released - which actually have been our first ever singles because before that we released three EP's - has been a new experience for me and pretty nerve-wracking. Those songs have actually done the best for any releases we have done. That's why it's also anxious, nervous and excited. I'm hoping that it translates to the album. It's one of those things where you get worried that when you release a couple of songs people aren't going to listen to the full album, so I'm hoping they make it through the whole thing because I think it's pretty good (laughs)." We press Alex on the musical side of the album and what Gypsy Road were going for sonically. "I was going for quite a few things," he measured. "I was going for a heavier sound than I've ever done before. I was going for a lot more… I wouldn't say a darker sound, but I was definitely going for that melancholy vibe. I was really just trying to make it sound how I felt at the time." In the full interview, Alex talks more about the musicality on Letters To A Friend, From Interstate, what sorts of things they did as a band in preparation for their debut offering, how they will gauge the success of the album, the emotional side of the music and committing that to paper, some of the themes and lyrical content covered, future planning in terms of musical growth, upcoming gigs and more. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

Interview by Kris Peters If work ethic and dedication to your craft were the only parameters of success in the music industry, then Brisbane hard rock outfit Krave would already be nestled comfortably somewhere towards the upper regions of the proverbial tree. The trio have spent most of their short existence playing anywhere and everywhere they could, offsetting that essential drive with a steady succession of powerful and catchy singles that have provided a strong platform from which to launch their assault. After spending the past 18 months focussing more on the live aspect of their tenure - which included support slots for Suicidal Tendencies and Avatar - Krave have now turned their sonic gaze back to writing and recording, with a stronger sense of self-belief and trust in their ability that only time on the road can bring. Today, May 23, sees Krave release their first new music since December 2022 in the form of the single Charade, a song that highlights the band's growth and belief and reflects a harder edge that has laid simmering gently beneath the surface in previous years. HEAVY caught up with vocalist/bassist Siana Davis to find out more. "It is such an epic one," she explained of Charade. "It's a new kind of sound for Krave and explores lots of deep topics within the music itself, and we are amazed with the production of the song. We've hit a whole new level as a band." After a prolonged absence from releasing music, we ask Siana if she feels any extra pressure stepping back into the limelight again. "It's quite nervous getting back out there," she laughed. "We've been playing so many shows last year and we have been so busy. We've been saying we have to release new music soon and everyone has been 'when's it coming?' (laughs)." In the full interview, Siana tells us more about Charade from a musical point of view, the deep lyrics and Krave's consistency when it comes to writing engaging and substantial music, how their sound has changed to reflect the band's recent growth, if Charade is a stand-alone track or part of a bigger picture, what direction new music will take, reaping the benefits of sustained touring, upcoming shows and more. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

Interview by Kris Peters After an absence of five years, Canadian hardcore punk outfit Cancer Bats are finally returning to our shores next month for an eight-date run of shows in a belated celebration of the band's most recent 2022 album Psychic Jailbreak. That album marked a changing of the guard for Cancer Bats, with founding guitarist Scott Middleton leaving before the album was recorded, forcing the remaining three members into an uncomfortable writing and recording process that ultimately brought out the best in each of them. The album was a resounding success but is yet to be performed live in this country, a blight that shall be rectified in just over three weeks, with frontman Liam Cormier making no effort to hide his enthusiasm when he spoke with HEAVY only hours ago. "I'm still on this tour," he replied when asked if he was packed and ready for Australia yet, "so I have a bag of dirty laundry (laughs). I'm ready to go. I'll just put this in the wash, then repack my bags. I feel like this last bunch of touring we've been really busy, so it's almost like having a bag packed and ready to rip. That's how I've been living (laughs)." We ask Liam what has changed with Cancer Bats since their last visit down under. "Last time we played, we had Wade MacNeil from Alexisonfire playing guitar with us," he offered. "Since then, we've had a couple of other folks on guitar duties, but now our homie Jackson (Landry) is gonna be shredding for both the Cancer Bats and Bat Sabbath shows. Australia will get to meet our new favourite… he calls us his Uncles because he's younger. He's like a 27-year-old little ripper." In the full interview, Liam talks more about Jackson and how he has slotted into the band, the response to Psychic Jailbreak from fans, the internal pressures the band put on themselves to improve on each album, keeping things fresh after seven albums and counting, taking Fangz as national support and the part Cancer Bats played in getting the band together, having local bands open in each city, the two Bat Sabbath shows and what to expect, what craziness Cancer Bats plan to bring and more. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

Interview by Kris Peters Quinceañera - the celebration of a girl's 15th birthday, marking her passage from girlhood to womanhood; the term is also used for the celebrant herself. Sounds like cause to celebrate and an even greater cause to party, which is exactly what Me First And The Gimme Gimmes did when they ‘crashed’ the coming-of-age ceremony of a young lady by the name of Madison. Not that anyone should be surprised seeing twenty years earlier the band had done the same thing at Johnny’s Bar Mitzvah but as they say, why let somebody else's inhibition spoil what could be a great party for yourself? Not only did the band perform to an unwelcoming audience at said ceremony, they also recorded the set and invite one and all to share the special occasion when they release BLOW IT…AT MADISON’S QUINCEAÑERA! on June 14. HEAVY sat down earlier today with frontman Spike Slawson to find out more details in all of their punk drenched glory. We start by asking if he still gets nervous about impending album releases. "Absolutely," he nodded. "It was our first Quinceañera party, and it's intended to be awkward and comic and tragic all at once, and so if it is a success it's likely going to be excruciating and in the moment, if that makes sense. It's very nerve-wracking. We vetted the contestants that won the dubious prize of having us play their Quinceañera party, and we wanted to make sure there were no natural allies in attendance. Nobody that knew who we were or was going to be inclined to liking us or our performance. That was very important to us, and it was the right decision. But when I was about to go out and actually face the crowd, it was… difficult. It was a challenge. But, we had a good time. The crowd eventually turned around. I think we finally played a song from this Millennium and that made a big difference I think." In the full interview, Spike explains what a Quinceañera actually is, opening with Black Sabbath and if, in hindsight, he would have chosen a different song, the in between song banter and keeping the recording authentic, how Madison liked the show, using a horn section for the first time, how he would describe Me First & The Gimme Gimmes to someone who had never heard them before and more. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

Interview by Kris Peters Newcastle progressive rock outfit Age Of Emergence are currently about halfway through a run of shows around Australia in support of their new EP The All Seeing Eye Part 1. In a world where the core genres are starting to become more popular by the week, it is refreshing to see a band staying true to their core, unafraid of defying conventions by peddling their brand of rock. Age Of Emergence have been plying their trade since forming in Newcastle back in 2013, releasing their first EP Plea For A Dying World four years later before following that up with The War Within Ourselves in 2020. Then, as happened the world over, the pandemic struck and halted the momentum AGE had been steadily building, but rather than succumb to the general bleakness engulfing the world, the band decided to turn their feelings into music with the result being The All Seeing Eye. The EP also sees AGE welcome in new drummer Adam Clayton, with Adam joining vocals/bass Dean Holmes and guitarist Matt Neilson for a chat with HEAVY earlier today, starting with the early response to the new EP. "No one has said anything so far," Holmes laughed. "So, so far it's been pretty positive. I guess most people seem to think it's better or just as good as the stuff we've done previously." "People like the video clip we've done as well," Clayton added. "It's good to know that the effort is being appreciated." "The sound is an improvement from what we were chasing," Neilson chimed in. "We used more of the current modern recording methods with this," Holmes continued. "All the plug-ins and things like that and I can see why bands are using it now. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

Interview by Kris Peters First impressions always count massively, especially in the world of entertainment, where we are currently so spoilt for options that it is almost too easy to pick and choose. Debut singles, EP's and albums place more emphasis on getting it right in the knowledge that your band's future career possibilities could be curtailed with one ill-thought-out release in the early stages of existence. Which is why fresh Brisbane metal outfit Aeon Nexus have hit the ground running on the back of their debut single Twin Hurricanes which came out last Friday. It doesn't hurt that well-known local vocalist Sam Wolstenholme is fronting Aeon Nexus, but that alone does not guarantee instant success. Twin Hurricanes is an absolute banger, highlighting the band's unique blending of djent, raw, aggressive metal, symphonics and pop sensibilities to create a sonic whirlwind of emotion and intent that is as infectious as it is brutal. Sam sat down with HEAVY earlier this week to introduce her new band and single. "This is my new project that I formed last year," Wolstenholme smiled. "Now we've hit the ground running this year with some shows and our debut single release that will be leading up to an EP in a few months. We're progressive metalcore, so inspired by bands like Spiritbox, TesseracT, Architects, Northlane, that sort of thing. It's been a real pasion project for me. For quite a while I've wanted to front a heavier band and so learned to scream and found some amazing musicians to work with and here we are!" Wolstenholme started Aeon Nexus off the back of her previous symphonic metal band Seraphic, who were well known and loved and one of the better bands doing the Brisbane circuit, but after a tumultuous period during COVID things changed on her personal musical landscape, thus leading to the formation of this new project that sees Wolstenholme step out from behind the keys and assume the role of front person. "About five years ago now, there was a lot going on in my life," she recounted. "There was a lot going on with my personal life, and basically everything changed. I went through a real transformation, and I was a bit lost. I was in Seraphic, and I've been doing symphonic metal for a number of years, but then suddenly my life imploded. I listened to the album Alien by Northlane, and it really resonated with me and completely changed my life if I am being honest. It was something that really stuck with me, and I began this love affair that I now have with metalcore. I had a vague idea in my mind of wanting to do something like that - something heavier - but I thought that could never really be a possibility for me because I'm a classically trained vocalist, even though I've been doing metal for a number of years. Before I did metal, I was actually training and studying to be an opera singer, so I thought those two worlds could never collide (laughs). I could never do harsh vocals, that's not a thing. It was always a dream in the back of my head, but I thought it wasn't possible. Some time went by and Seraphic decided to go on hiatus. The pandemic really killed us all, to be honest. It was a real challenge for a lot of bands, and we were no different, so musically, things were at a bit of a standstill for me and I thought why not revisit this dream and give it a go?" In the full interview, Sam discussed Aeon Nexus' plans for their debut single and upcoming shows. She shared her personal journey and the band's decision to release a series of singles before the EP, with Twin Hurricanes being the debut single. We also discussed the band's musical direction, songwriting process, and upcoming EP, which will offer a diverse experience. The details of the upcoming single launch show at the Brightside on May 19 were also discussed, including the line-up and benefits to the local metal scene. The show is the first in a series aimed at showcasing local core bands, with a focus on hardcore, metalcore, and...

Interview by Kris Peters Sydney's merchants of sludge Black Rheno have hit the road again, this time on an East Coast tour of Australia to celebrate… well, to celebrate that they are a touring band and that's what touring bands do! Since announcing themselves with the heavy as fuck and funnier than childbirth single No Time For Numb Nuts back in 2016 Black Rheno have epitomised the very spirit of Australian music, often driving ten hours to play a show while allowing themselves nothing more than cheese and crackers for dinner so they didn't run out of petrol between gigs. You may smirk, but I have seen it first-hand. With a dedication to touring and music almost as complete as their ability to entertain, Black Rheno are one of those bands that manage to make an impression everywhere they go, even sometimes being invited to come back. That tenacious will to do what they love paid handsome dividends earlier this year when Black Rheno joined good mates and equally hard-working Aussie metal larrikins King Parrot for a show with Pantera in Adelaide. Not only was it reward for effort, but it also got the trio so wrapped up in their own achievements they decided then and there to hit the road once more with one thought, and one objective only. To tell the world exactly who they are and why they are here with one simple question that has become the catch cry for the whole tour. Who The Fuck Are Black Rheno? Of course, HEAVY has our own ideas of how that question should be answered, but we felt obliged to speak with frontman Ryan Miller first before announcing it publicly to see if he could sway our opinion one way or another. With the first three shows completed last weekend, we start by asking how their quest for recognition has gone thus far. "Good," he enthused. "It was our first time out at Penrith. There's a new venue out there called Elton Chongs and I want to give them a massive plug because they are fucken awesome." Not being able to avoid the elephant lurking in the corner of the room any longer, we broach the name of the tour and suggest that there surely couldn't be many people left who don't know who the fuck Black Rheno are. "I'm sure there are plenty," he brushed off dismissively, "but it's more like do we know who Black Rheno is? Do we really know just who we really are? We need to go out and discover who we really are. We have to get to the core of who Black Rheno really is." In the full interview, Ryan discussed the challenges and aspirations related to touring, highlighting the demanding nature of touring in Australia and the intricate process of organizing tours. He expressed his deep appreciation for the touring experience and the thrill of living for the music. The conversation also included details about Black Rheno's recent tour shows in New South Wales, upcoming tour dates in Victoria and Queensland, and the addition of a special show with Wretch in Canberra. He delved into the essence of the band, contemplating their identity and the challenge of encapsulating their music in just a few words. The discussion also touched on their natural, unpretentious stage presence and the significance of touring with local support bands. He also discussed the show with Pantera and how special it was personally and musically, and finished with a plug for the new Black Label beer that is on sale at all but two of the shows. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

Interview by Kris Peters Johnny Casino has travelled a long way since the 1990s, when he was part of beloved Sydney rockers Asteroid B-612. Known then as guitarist John Spittles, the man's myth and legend has grown exponentially over the years, with people in the modern age referring to him as Johnny Casino, guitar slinger and tattoo artist. After relocating to Spain earlier this century, Casino dove further into his solo career, plying his talents with a multitude of different artists and honing his skill set to reflect his musical growth. That journey continued on May 3 when Casino unleashed his latest album High Stone, a rock album highlighted by meaty guitar chops and jazz-style harmonics. HEAVY tracked Casino down late last week to find out more. "I make a lot of records," he began, "and I just… once I'm happy with them then I put them out into the world and there's really not too much I can do with them. People like them, some people tell me that they don't like them as much as the last one or more than the last one. My hands are clean. Once I'm happy with it, and I've given it to someone to do their job by manufacturing it, then my job's done. I don't give them out until I know that I've done something that I'm happy with or proud of, or at least something that's interesting to me." In the full interview, Johnny discusses High Stone in greater detail, including its early reception and Johnny's approach to creating music. He emphasized his continuous drive to create new records and his preference for working with people he enjoys spending time with. They also talked about the musical journey of the album, the use of keyboards, and the influence of the backing band, St James and the Apostles, on the album's sound. Johnny also explored the impact of his personality on his music, highlighting the importance of authenticity and honesty in his creative expression. He shared insights into his decision to relocate to Spain, describing it as a lifestyle change and an opportunity to reach new audiences beyond Australia. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

Interview by Kris Peters Reliqa are one of the current emerging crop of must-see bands on the Australian music scene. Since lighting up the scene with the delightful 2022 EP I Don't Know What I Am, Reliqa have poured blood, sweat and tears into cementing their status and earning their stripes. They have toured relentlessly and kept up a high level of engagement and generally gone noisily (but quietly in their own sense) about their business - which is delivering kick-ass, confronting music backed up with a breathtaking live performance that delivers the complete package. Following the earlier release of new singles Terminal and Killstar (The Cold War), Reliqa last week dropped another pearler with Dying Light, all three of which feature on the band's debut album Secrets Of The Future which is due out on May 31. HEAVY sat down with vocalist Monique Pym to find out more, starting with how she is feeling the closer the official release date of May 31 gets. "I'm terrified," she laughed. "This is the longest record that we've ever released because given the landscape a lot of people listen to shorter form material these days. We've tried to honour that through our singles, but it will be interesting to see who latches on to this full 52-minute experience - and experience is one of the words for it because it is quite a diverse album. I'm so excited. I think that this album… it feels like we're sitting on a precipice right now, and once we release this album I think it's gonna open up a whole lot of doors, so let's just see what happens. We're taking it one day at a time." We ask Pym to go into more detail about what to expect from Secrets Of The Future. "It's something that honours how diverse and open-minded we are as people," she measured. "The four of us have such different life experiences and different influences and musical tastes, and that's something that we've always tried to hammer on through our music. Try to keep making records that we want to hear and ones that we want to listen to. Things that feel representative of us as people, not just as artists, but people as well. That's something that we've really remained true to on this album. I'm only speaking for myself here, but I think we have captured the right formula for it now. On our I Don't Know What I Am EP we sort of threw everything at the wall, and we went pretty crazy with it, but this album exorcizes a lot of restraint and I think that that's really cool because it shows that we've matured as people and as artists. It's also shown that we know how to write now in a way that services the song and services the wider product, rather than zooming in on parts and making each part perfect. Ultimately, I think the one word that captures this album is diversity or open-mindedness. There are so many different sounds on there. We call it progressive metalcore, but that progressive is the kicker. The progressive means that we've taken metalcore, and we've drawn in a whole lot of different influences, sounds and styles from other places. Hopefully there should be something for everyone on there. Something for the pop fan, something for the rap/hip hop fan, and then also staying true to our progressive metalcore roots. Hopefully people still love us for that (laughs)." In the full interview, Monique talks more about Secrets Of the Future, how you gauge success in the modern age of music, the three singles released and how they represent the album as a whole, advancing their sound, maturing with their music and more. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

Interview by Kris Peters Adelaide rock outfit Audio Reign have, by virtue of geographical location, possibly had to work that bit harder than most to have their music heard and accepted on the national music scene. Without the opportunities and weight of numbers afforded bands in the larger cities and areas of Australia, Audio Reign learnt early on in the piece that the best way to compensate for the lack of opportunities was to produce continually high-quality music that would hopefully resonate through the divide and into the hearts and ears of a national, then international audience. Their debut self-titled album offered strong indications of the talent within the band, particularly frontman Jake Fleming, who has been blessed with the stereotypical rock chops that demand an audience. And while more often than not Audio Reign have had to fight tooth and nail to draw that audience in their hometown of Adelaide, opportunities have gradually presented themselves with the band's recent support slot to touring US outfit Skillet overdue reward for effort. Today Audio Reign fire their strongest shot yet in their quest for rock immortality, with the release of their sophomore album The Perfect Sea, an album that has healthy doses of rock through to hard rock and metal tinges but also splatterings of emotion and sonic diversity that only a growing confidence and self-belief can muster. HEAVY has keenly observed Audio Reign since first coming across them a number of years ago, and it gave us great pleasure to be able to sit down with Fleming for a deeper insight into the musical mechanisms of the new album. "It's been a labour of love," he sighed when asked how it felt to finally have the new album in the public domain. "We're stoked to get it out. It's been a long time coming, and the fans have been waiting, so we're on cloud nine." Bands throughout history have always been plagued by the second album syndrome, an affliction generally thought of as more of a cop-out to those outside of the industry, so we press Fleming to see if the band had any unexpected difficulties with the follow-up effort. "It's always that way where they say your first album took you twenty years to write, but the next album is expected every couple of years," he measured. "It can be. This album was written during COVID times too, so there was a lot of emotion going through there and just life in general as well. That helped out, I suppose. I'm not the sort of person who just sits there and bangs out a song. I have to wait until it comes to me. But it came through pretty good. The next one… you will have to ask me then (laughs). But this one's been okay." We ask Fleming to describe The Perfect Sea from a musical point of view. "A lot of people have albums that have themes," he replied, "but this one doesn't really have one. There's definitely some songs on there that are part of the same thing, but the whole album itself, because it took so long through the pandemic and the fans have been waiting, I wanted to do something for them. The album itself, and the song The Perfect Sea, is basically dedicated to our fans for sticking around and waiting for us and for backing us." In the full interview, Jake talks more about the diversity of music on The Perfect Sea, the steady procession of singles and how they reflect the album as a whole, which two singles best represent the direction of the album, his vocal range and how far he pushed himself this time, how this release differs from Audio Reign's self-titled debut, the musical growth within the band, singing with XMusic and what that means for the band, touring plans and more. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

Interview by Kris Peters Sydney metalcore outfit Harroway might only be just starting out on their path in the wide world of music, but already they have figured out that pleasing themselves is the first and foremost goal in this industry that can break down even the strongest willed with ease. Following their well-received debut EP earlier last year, I Don't Want To Be Here Anymore, a collection of five songs running the gauntlet from the harsher spectrum of metalcore to the more inviting, Harroway could easily have played it safe and delivered up more of the same with future releases. That EP solidified the band's growing reputation and led to a sold-out run of EP launch shows, but instead of resting on their early laurels, Harroway have elected to come out all guns blazing with the first single release since that cycle, a demonically ferocious number called Heresy. The track is a spitting, snarling descent into chaos, seemingly leaving behind the more universal appeal of their previous songs with a step to the dark side that could potentially open Harroway up to … well, just about anything. HEAVY sat down with vocalist Matt Banks to find out more, starting with how fans have reacted to the new single. "It's been great," he smiled. "Weirdly now that it's a month or so out we are really starting to see the traction from Spotify numbers. Our monthlies are back up to like over 20,000 monthly listeners now. We're about to crack like, I think somewhere around, it'll be at like over 40 thousand plays on Spotify alone. I think it's like the total of all platforms, which is sick because it started a bit slow. I was a little nervous and thought maybe people didn't like it. There's a couple of viral videos that are floating around, which always helps out. But yeah, and even at the shows, it's been really good, especially obviously that last breakdown. You know, we've been getting a lot of crowds sing along, you know, basically every show, which is fucking awesome because we've never really We've never really had that before." In the full interview, Matt spoke more about Heresy, highlighting its heavy sound and positive reception. He also discussed the musical inspiration behind the single and the decision to release it as a standalone. Matt shared insights into his performance mindset and the band's plans for a new EP, emphasizing changes in their musical style and production process. He also talked about the band's evolution and the challenges of being in the music industry. The conversation also touched on Harroway's almost finished tour with Sienna Skies and No Home, the success of the sold-out shows and future plans. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

Interview by Kris Peters Following a triumphant rebirthlast year with their comeback single of sorts The PMA Effect, Gold Coast noise machine The Final Fall quickly busied themselves on the live circuit, pumping out a second single Live Everyday earler this year. Their eclectc and confronting mashing of genres has ensured The Final Fall have made an impact anywhere and everywhere they play, with a menacing and strangely cohesive blending of genres from punk to metal to rock to hardcore creating a sonic maelstorm of venemous intent that is difficult to put into words. So the band have decided to let their music do the talking, with the premiere at 4pm on May 10 of their latest single Sold - Selling Out Part 2 exclusively via HEAVY mag. Another slab of musical mayhem, Sold is the successor to The Final Fall's original song Selling Out which was released back in 2011. It may seem like a long journey between drinks, but The Final Fall is determined to make up for lost time, with guitarist Benny Whiskey sitting down with HEAVY to tell us more. "It's a bit of a journey," he laughed. "Our music has a lot of punk and metal and hardcore in there, and with this one we just wanted to push the boundaries. It's actually the sequel of one of our songs we wrote about a decade ago called Selling Out and is the same as that one, just pushing the boundaries musically. Lyrically, it's almost off the name - Selling Out, Sold - we just wanted to keep the same sequel going. In a short note don't sell out on your friends or family because that's what gets you through life." In the full interview, Benny covered various aspects of The Final Fall's music such as timing, promotional strategies, and the musical and lyrical content of the song. They also talked about the band's history, including a previous release and their return to the music scene after a hiatus. Additionally, they explored the challenges of re-entering the music world after a long absence, their recent experiences with live shows, and the band's exploration of different musical genres. Benny provided a comprehensive overview of the band's upcoming events in the punk and hardcore scene, discussing support for renowned bands like Belvedre and The Decline, an upcoming tattoo convention show, the charitable nature of the Rock Beats Depression event and more. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

Interview by Kris Peters Pensylvanian melodic hardcore upstarts One Step Closer have certainly embraced the disposable culture of modern society, with a musical output bordering on an album or EP roughly every 12 months. While such a prolific extension of a band's creativity could often lend itself to varying degrees of quality, One Step Closer have consistently put out quality releases ever since their debut demo offering in 2016, all the way up to,and including, last years Songs For The Willow. Touted as the band's most anthemic and passionate work to date, new album All You Embrace - out May 17 - sees the metal outfit exploring outside of their comfort zone even more, embracing elements of hardcore, emo, '90s alternative and more into a sonic tapestry already rich with diversity. HEAVY caught up with vocalist Ryan Savitski to find out more. "I'm honestly nervous and super excited as well," he enthused about the impending release of All You Embrace, "just because, you know, this is a big deal record for us. I feel like the second LP is always a little scary and I feel like we have been trying to do our best just to keep our nerves and keep everything pushing. We're super excited to finally put it out." We ask Ryan to tell us more about All You Embrace musically. "Pretty much we were just trying to expand our sound from what it already has been," he shrugged. "We were trying to be a little bit more melodic and kind of push at least the stinging aspects of the band even more. I feel like we've always been more of a melodic band and more like… we're a melodic hardcore band so it's always been sick to push that more on every release that we've done, and on this one I think we were really just trying to be limitless and not hold ourselves back." In the full interview, Ryan talks more about the sonic direction of All You Embrace, the singles released and how they represent the whole album, , how the album shows One Step Closer's musical evolution from Songs For The Willow, being real to yourself and your music, the contrasting musical styles that go into their music and how it comes together, the early focus on EP's over albums, touring plans and more. Pre-orders: https://cvaushop.com.au/products/one-step-closer-all-you-embrace-pre-order Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

Interview by Kris Peters Fresh from a run of Australian shows with Ne Obliviscaris and Rivers Of Nihil last September, German based post metal outfit The Ocean are set to return this June for their first headlining dates in this country in almost a decade. The band left an indellible impression on concert-goers when they were here late last year and have promised to up the ante even more for this tour which starts in Brisbane on June 5. Bringing their biggest production yet, as well as legendary US hardcore pioneers Cave In for their first Aussie shows EVER and insanely heavy Danish label mates LLNN, The Ocean will be showcasing last years ninth album Holocene, said to be the bands most exploratory and varied release yet. Guitarist Robin Staps sat down with HEAVY to reveal more. "We're looking forward to being back," he began. "We were only over there last September but we're stoked to come back with a full headline set this time and to present you guys our new record Holecene, which we haven't been touring with so far. We just played one track on the last tour so there's goign to be a lot of songs we haven't really played live on your precious continent before and we're stoked to do that." "I'm in the middle of tour preparations right now," he continued. "Inevitably you start dealing with a tour more than a couple of weeks in advance. There's a lot of logistics involved. We're also doing South East Asian dates before we get to Australia and just the whole luggage and merch shipping and transport situation is extremely complicated. So unfortunately right now it's quite mundane logistics stuff, but i'm very much looking forward to finally being over there and touring and playing shows. We love Australia, ity's always been great. This time I have a feeling we're actually going to be able to enjoy it (laughs). The last couple of times it was always super early morning flights so we just didn't sleep. I was like a zombie." In the full interview, Robin talks more about what to expect from The Ocean on the tour, how the shows will be different as headlining events, the extra production and what that means for the performance, what has changed with The Ocean siunce their last headline Aussie tour almost a decade ago, bringing Cave In over for the first time and how that band helped shaped The Ocean's sound, how Holocene was received by fans, the slightly different sound of that album and why they went in that direction, fitting songs with different structures into a set list and more. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

Interview by Kris Peters Sebastian Bach has been a busy man since releasing his last solo album Give 'Em Hell back in 2014. He launched popular tours such as 18 And LIVE as well as celebratory 30th-anniversary jaunts in honour of Skid Row's self-titled album and Slave To The Grind, performing each classic in its entirety. Not to mention, he unveiled his acclaimed autobiography 18 And Life On SKID ROW. The man is revered the world over as the original vocalist of Skid Row, unleashing a number of long-standing hit singles such as 18 And Life, I Remember You, Youth Gone Wild, Slave To The Grind, Wasted Time and Monkey Business, in the process taking heavy metal into countless more homes and ears than ever before and leaving an indelible mark that could possibly never be surpassed. Now, 10 years since Give 'Em Hell, Bach returns with Child Within The Man, promising nothing but everything fans could expect and more. It is an epic album and a triumphant continuation of an important and influential career from a man with an astonishing vocal range and larger than life persona. A celebration of past glories and a hint at more to come. Put simply, it is Sebastian Bach at his irrepressible best, with enough swagger to plough through an iceberg and more than enough attitude to spark a global sonic riot. HEAVY had the pleasure of chatting with Sebastian recently about his welcome return. We start by quoting the press release that states Child Within The Man is Bach's most unapologetic and undeniable album yet, and ask if he agrees. "Well, I think this album is different because it's the first solo record I have where I've got a full team of people helping me," he measured. "So they're keeping me really busy doing interviews, and yesterday I spent all day autographing album flats that you're going to be able to get in record stores - hopefully in Australia, I don't know. But I have like a whole international team of people that are helping me, so I think that makes it undeniable. The fact that they got me back on the radio here in America is insane to me because I didn't think… I didn't know that that was still possible. I always hoped it was, but you always get labelled an 80s or hair band, and you think that a programmer won't play somebody with that label, but I am happy to say that that does not apply to me, thank you very much (laughs). It just feels incredible to have a song playing on the radio in 2024. It feels astonishing." In the full interview, Sebastian discusses his new album Child Within The Man, sharing insights into the production process, the positive reception of the singles, and the involvement of a full team in its release. He also talked about the emotional inspiration behind his song Everybody Bleeds, delving into his experiences as a father and his profound concerns for the future of the planet for his children. Additionally, Bach passionately recounted the journey of discovering his late father's painting, which became the album cover, and reflected on his history of intense touring. The conversation also touched on the potential for a new video featuring Orianthi, the collaboration with guest musicians like John 5, Steve Stevens, and Orianthi, and the absence of a song titled Child Within The Man. Sebastian also expressed his deep connection with Australia and his desire to tour extensively, aiming to perform in smaller towns and cities across the country. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

Interview by Jimmy Glinster Very rarely does HEAVY venture outside of our comfort zone and leave the music realm to speak to artists from other fields, such as comedy. The few times we have invariably resulted in many laughs and a fresh take on festivities, and this was most certainly the case recently when Jimmy Glinster took on his first serious (pardon the pun) interview when he sat down for a chat with the hilarious, and often in more trouble than the HEAVY staff, Australian comedian Isaac Butterfield. Known for pushing boundaries and challenging pretty much everything and anything he takes an interest in, Butterfield has a dark sense of comedy, honed through his YouTube channel but now extending to stand-up shows, podcasts and online content. Loved because of his unflinching and unapologetic approach to controversial topics and observations on everyday life, Butterfield gives no quarter - nor expects any - unleashing his razor-sharp wit and confronting humour from May 10 in Port Macquarie as he embarks on his Isaac Butterfield Regional Live Tour that takes him through 15 different cities before finishing on the Sunshine Coast on June 23. Jimmy didn't hold back with his questions - as expected - starting with asking Butterfield how he would like to be called. "You can call me whatever you want, brother," he smiled. "It's all good. I know a lot of people have a lot of different pronouns and stuff… honestly, as long as it's she/her or he/him… the other ones, that's where you get me. I'll be polite… but calm the farm. When you live in a society where everything's pretty easy… that's when you start making up pronouns." Jimmy questions if the younger generation is taking advantage to an extent in the modern age of political correctness. "I hate the younger generation," Butterfield shot back. "I'm a Millennial, so I understand that we were the downfall - or at least the start of it. But Gen Z is Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. That's Ground Zero. But, the Gen Alpha… they reckon it'll rebound, and it often does. It rebounds in our generations after, so hopefully that does happen, but I dunno man. It's a rough time. I've had a couple of employees over the years who have been Gen Z, and they are the worst people that have ever lived on this planet. They are worse than Hitler Youth." Listen to the full interview to dive deeper into the world of Isaac Butterfield, including what he classes himself as in respect to being an entertainer, accusations of him backtracking on certain subjects, the correlation between heavy metal and comedy, objectifying art forms such as music and comedy to fit agendas, his ghost hunting video, his new book and much more. Isaac Butterfield kicks off his 2024 World Tour in Australia! A lethal combination of razor-sharp wit and unapologetic humour, Isaac fearlessly delves into the realities of modern life. From hilarious observations on everyday absurdities to fearless takes on controversial topics, join Isaac for a night of forbidden comedy where no topic is off-limits and laughter is guaranteed. MEET AND GREET is Exclusive to VIP HOWLER HEAD Ticket Holders ONLY. This VIP package includes premium seating, a meet and greet with Isaac after the show and a photo opportunity. Special thanks to our sponsor, Howler Head, and Dana White. To ensure an immersive experience for all attendees, we request that NO FILMING or photography takes place during the show. Our team may capture moments from the performance for promotional purposes. By entering the venue, you agree to be filmed, and any resulting content may be distributed accordingly. This show is recommended for ages 15 and above. Unless house rules state otherwise, refunds will not be provided if entry is denied. This COMEDY show is not for the faint-hearted. If you're prone to complaining, this may not be the event for you. No refunds will be issued. Tickets from https://www.rabbitgroup.com/ Become a supporter of this podcast:...

Interview by Kris Peters Kaosphere burst onto the Gold Coast metal scene in 2015, bringing with them a wave of brutality seldom heard on the Glitter Strip. After slugging it out at local venues despite not playing a brand of music acceptable to the general population, Kaosphere steadily began building a fiercely loyal and ever-growing fan base that consumed the band's first musical offering in the form of Forsaking Shadows in 2017. As the Brisbane/Gold Coast heavy metal scene and community grew, so did Kaosphere, relishing the opportunities to spread their sonic tirade further at every opportunity. They quickly became the unofficial metal representatives of South East Queensland, and capitalised on that momentum with increasingly hostile live performances that represented their particular brand of heavy music. Last year saw Kaosphere break into more of a mainstream market with a support slot to touring LA glam metal band The Midnight Devils as well as a featured slot at Wallapalooza 2023 which also presented COG, Butterfingers and 28 Days. But it is here and now where Kaosphere are preparing to make their ultimate stand with the release on May 3 of their debut album In Scars We Trust. With three crushing singles already unleashed on the public, In Scars We Trust is shaping to be a pivotal release in the career of Kaosphere, with the whole band joining HEAVY on the eve of its release to run through it more, starting with how it feels to have the album finally coming out. "Relieved," vocalist Ricci Dyer began. "Looking forward to it. It's been a lot of hard work gone into it, and now it's time to chill back and get to see the fruits of our labour." "It's been over two years in the making," added drummer Sam Phillips. "A lot of build-up and a lot of work." So far Kaosphere has released the singles Chainbreaker, May I and War Cry, so are those three tracks a good sonic representation of what to expect? "Sort of," Dyer measured. "These's still a lot of groovy tracks on the album, and they all have their differences. Obviously, our flavour is still there engrained in it, but there is a lot of difference in some of those songs." "I think that's mainly because we actually wrote the whole album itself as a whole pile of singles," bass player Leon Friis chimed in. "So we basically went into the studio and would write and record one song over one month or two months and then finish that and go to a new one, and we just worked our way through it like that. We occasionally went back and rerecorded a couple of the songs and spruced them up a bit more." In the full interview, the band members further discussed the album release and plans for showcasing gigs in Brisbane and Gold Coast. The team discussed the musical evolution showcased in their new album, In Scars We Trust, highlighting the diverse influences and dynamic nature of the songs. They also discussed the introduction of clean vocals and the positive reception of the new material during live performances. They also spoke around the release of the new single Bring Out The Dead and its music video, with the boys providing insights into the song's inspiration and the creative process behind the video. The team discussed their plans to release more singles as visualizers and create additional music videos for certain tracks from the album. The band delved into the symbolism behind the album cover art, which represents resilience and strength, and mentioned the special pressings with artwork for merchandise. The conversation revolved around Kaosphere's upcoming shows, with a focus on the diverse range of performances lined up, including a free entry show at Tribe Clubhouse, two shows with Melbourne death metal outfit Miruthan, a memorial show, and a festival at the Brightside. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

Interview by Kris Peters Eskimo Joe are in the rare and elite class of Australian bands who could probably never make another album again, but still draw people to their shows based solely on the quality of material they have released thus far. Two songs in particular - Love Is A Drug and Black Fingernails, Red Wine - have etched Eskimo Joe into Australian music folklore, but their 27-year journey has seen many more highlights and relatable songs. The band built their reputation playing festivals such as Big Day Out and Splendour In The Grass, but of late have been playing nostalgia-type festivals featuring classic bands from the past few decades that are still going strong. The most recent of which was Lookout Festival which featured Incubus, Live, Eskimo Joe, The Superjesus and Birds Of Tokyo. It was a series of concerts that drew consistently high numbers and reaffirmed Eskimo Joe's standing amongst the country's elite live bands, despite having not released a full album since Wastelands in 2013. With the release of their first single since 99 Ways in 2021 - a nostalgic number called The First Time - Eskimo Joe are embarking on a new chapter of their careers and learning to embrace the very fabric of music that excited them nearly three decades ago. HEAVY caught up with bass guitar/keyboards/vocals Kav Temperley to find out more. "This is certainly the first song we've put out post-COVID where we've actually played some shows in front of people and then recorded a song, which is a very different feeling," he said. "I think we've hit a real purple patch. Since we saw you at Sandstone Point, all of the shows that we have been playing have been these big, almost nostalgia fests. We've noticed that the gigs are filled with people who are in their early 20s to their 60s and 70s. They are people who would have been 5 or 6 when Black Fingernails, Red Wine first came out, and people who would have discovered us when we first put out Sweater. We've kind of hit this really interesting place where we're not cool or uncool anymore, we just occupy this Eskimo Joe shaped hole in the music industry, which is great. Putting out a new song has been wicked. Definitely the best pickup we've had at radio since 2010 I guess, but everyone is receiving it really well." In the full interview, Kav talks more about The First Time and its sonic direction, the film clip that traces the history of the band over the last 20-odd years, if it is a stand-alone track or part of something bigger, the shows with Live and Incubus, some things they have learnt about themselves and their bandmates over 20 plus years of touring, the just started National Acoustic Theatre Tour and what to expect, playing the more intimate shows and the higher level of fan interaction, future plans and more. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.