Postcards And Holidays With EMMY MACK From REDHOOK

Interview by Kris PetersChasing Ghosts have traversed a multitude of styles and genres over the course of their career, ranging from solo material to punk fuelled anthems to their current blending of indie rock and punk, but the one thing that has remained consistent with all of their work is the bands unflinching search for understanding and resolution, particularly in matters pertaining to Indigenous people and their culture.Frontman Jimmy Kyle - a Thungutti man who has emerged as one of Australia’s most important voices in recent years - openly wears his heart through his lyrics, verbalizing topics and situations that are generally shied away from or pushed aside by most bands and musicians. Since the release of Chasing Ghosts' debut album Confessions From A Phone Booth in 2011, Kyle has successfully and poignantly married introspection with boldness as his stories confront, deconstruct and illuminate the challenging realities of being an Indigenous Australian; while also championing human persistence, the ability to overcome, and the recognition of beauty in even the most flawed.The bands new album, Therapy, which is released on May 16, further highlights the thoughts and feelings of Chasing Ghosts, tackling issues from domestic abuse to the mental health crisis in a confronting yet sensible way which only accentuates the strength of character and conviction that has strengthened the band and their music over the years.HEAVY sat down with Kyle to discuss Therapy in greater detail."I think it's definitely a lot more upbeat," he replied when asked to describe Therapy musically. "As you know, the Chasing Ghosts story is, I guess, acoustic punk troubadour leaves hardcore music and goes solo (laughs). It has come full circle where this is a heavier record. It's sonically a lot more polished than and bigger than anything we've done before. And the songs felt like the next progression coming out of Homeland; the next progression was kind of like, where can this go?""We had done a real lo-fi, very Melbourne sounding mix for Homelands, and then Therapy is a very produced - very shiny is the word that I tend to use - kind of polished record. And it was a real pleasure to do something different because I'd always had a history in recording the earlier records in the analogue way. So now have we not only moved into the digital realm, finally, but we've moved into it sort of with no rules, just leaning right into a modern process, and so we could give some contrast and personality difference between the other releases."In the full interview, Jimmy provided an overview of Therapy, describing it as a significant evolution in their sound. He discussed the themes of the album, which stem from his personal journey through therapy, addressing issues such as insomnia and domestic violence, and aimed at fostering understanding among listeners. The conversation also included details about the Therapy Australia tour, scheduled from June 6 to June 14, featuring a mix of classic songs and new tracks.We also discussed the meanings behind some of the songs and their significance to modern society, whether he feels people are starting to accept his messages, how Therapy represents the next chapter for Chasing Ghosts and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

8 Touko 25min

For too long now, parents have had trouble convincing their children that rock and metal are the way to go, not pop and the likes. It is a never ending battle of guidance, but one that is generally destined to failure from the outset. Parents the world over have agonised on how to introduce decent music to their children's lives, and now, thanks to a new band emerging from the US, their prayers may have been answered.By converting Disney classic tunes to the dark side, Metal Mouse are using already known and loved songs for children to their advantage by adding a touch of metal madness to songs from family films such as The Little Mermaid, Frozen and The Lion King. It is an ingenious idea that is sure to at least appeal to the next generation of music lovers.Fronted by American Idol alum James Durbin, Metal Mouse taps into Disney nostalgia with the flair and theatrics of glam rock. What began as a “what-if” idea has struck a chord, especially with millennial women who grew up on Disney - and men who never gave up on hair metal.Durbin and band creator/manager Alex Pels sat down with HEAVY to discuss this exciting new creation and how Metal Mouse plans to convert as many youngsters as possible to real music."We're trying to make the connection between heavy and Disney," Pels explained. "James and I both love metal. We're both involved with tons of other metal kinds of music, but we realised that the Disney songs - in addition to being excellently written by great songwriters - the themes and the chord progressions and everything else lend themselves to a heavy architecture."It's such a simple idea, but one which has never been tried on this scale before."I've been doing a lot of heavy metal in the last five or six… even longer than that, eight years," Durbin relayed. "I was with Quiet Riot for a couple of years and have put out a couple of heavy metal albums over the last few years with different projects. So, metal has been seeping through my system. It's difficult, because sometimes there can be such a thing as too much metal - a metal overload - and metal isn't widely accepted by everybody, but here's a perfect way to make it accessible to people. With songs that are already known mixed with the classic 80s music and hair of the day, mixed with this beautifully arranged music… it's a blessing."In the full interview we discuss the genesis of Metal Mouse, how easy Disney songs convert to metal, the selection process for songs, the live show and what it looks and sounds like, future plans for Metal Mouse and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

8 Touko 23min

Interview by Jack HarlenMelbourne Metal Mates, an online community for metalheads to go to shows together as gig buddies, comes together for its one-year anniversary as they host a (free) gig on May 4 at The Bendigo Hotel. The line up includes Melbourne metal staples, including performances from Hybrid Nightmares, Vault Hill, The Incantus and All Monsters Are Human. HEAVY spoke with creator and founder Kat Wartooth about the creation and rapid ascension of the Melbourne Metal Community and what this unexpected success means for both herself, the fans and the bands of Melbourne's heavy music scene. In the interview we explore how the gig came to be and the connection to each band as well as the possibility of creating a tradition well after their first anniversary celebration. Kat also touches on the hardships and initial anxieties of starting a gig group before experiencing the influx of like-minded, heavy music enjoyers who latched on to the group's values and sense of community and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

3 Touko 15min

Interview by Kris PetersBrisbane groove metal outfit Awaken The Hate are a band in transition. Transition within themselves, their membership, their direction and their sound.But one thing they are not, at least internally, is a band in conflict. Far from it.As a band, their vision for the future is clearer than ever, their goals resolute. For Awaken The Hate, the future is now, and is coming off the back of a trilogy of singles dubbed Death. War. Fire that was recently completed with the release of the third and final single, Planet Death.Each of the three songs, started by Reign Of Fire before Contradiction Of War seconded the trilogy and Planet Death rounded things out, portrays a subtle changing of musical landscape for Awaken The Hate and casts an ominous eye into what the future holds for those who dare to follow.Concluding this ambitious new movement for the band, Awaken The Hate next week take the new tracks on the road for their first full national tour, starting in Perth on May 8 before hitting Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney over consecutive days. Welcome to Awaken The Hate, and board the train if you have the mettle.HEAVY was joined earlier today by frontman Benno and drummer Ryan to dive deeper into the Death. War. Fire trilogy and what it means for Awaken The Hate moving forward."Steve, who started Awaken The Hate, made the decision at the end of last year to step away," Benno began. "That was all for his personal reasons. These were the last of the three songs that he wrote with the band, and we thought this would be a fitting way to say goodbye. He actually came back to record them with us. He's still a very good friend of the band, and the door's always open if he ever wants to come back.""Planet Death is environmental, Contradiction of War is very political, and then Reign of Fire is a bit more spiritual about the whole thing," he continued, focusing on the three songs. "So that's what the concept about it was, and then releasing them as a trilogy was to say thanks to Steve and also finally get a bit more than two tracks out there for people (laughs)."In the full interview, we focused more on their recent single releases, particularly Planet Death, which received positive feedback from band members. We discussed the trilogy of singles honouring former member Steve, with each song addressing different themes. Reign of Fire was highlighted for its unique inspiration and straightforward approach, while Contradiction of War, released on Anzac Day, aimed to honour veterans and provoke thought about military service. We talked about recording thir latest tracks live, enhancing the emotional resonance, and are eager to test new material during their upcoming national tour. We also chat about balancing their music careers with personal responsibilities while engaging audiences and supporting local acts, plus more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

3 Touko 19min

Interview by Kris PetersThe Murdering roared back to life in June last year, releasing the track Finality and breaking an eight-year drought that saw the band release nothing since their 2016 EP From Hell. While many bands had come and gone over that period, if you were a fan of the heavier side of metal, then you still remembered The Murdering.After establishing a loyal, rabid fan base due largely to From Hell and the ferocity of their live shows, The Murdering fell off the proverbial radar for the best part of ten years. Not broken up. Not disbanded. Just simply not playing or actively recording.While to many of us they are all the same thing, not so for the members of The Murdering knew their day in the flames would come once more, if not when exactly, but the seeds of melancholy had been planted far too deep for there not to be a continuation of some sort.Finality reignited the hunger and set The Murdering on a collision path with a collection of songs based around the crimes and passion of a serial killer under the guise of Death Process, a five-part tale of death and decay to be released sometime this year.Having already released the devastatingly brutal Daemon Eater, The Murdering have decided to brush off the remaining cobwebs and set this year's Necrosonic Festival on August 23 at Brisbane's Mansfield Tavern as the day the music world once more bows down to the masters of death.HEAVY sat down with vocalist Joel for a chat about the re-emergence of The Murdering and their first live show in nine years at Necrosonic Festival."It's a killer lineup so far," he smiled. "Obviously, there's a second wave to come out for it as well, and I think people are going to be pretty psyched when they see who's on that second announcement."With a handful of bands playing at Necrosonic - including Beanflipper, DaysEnd and Brace - being metaphorically brought back from the dead, we ask Joel if The Murdering fall into the category of one of the undead after so long away from the scene."I wouldn't say we're back from the dead," he laughed. "It was more just a very long continuation of what we were doing before we stopped doing it, I guess. I haven't even really thought of it that way, to be honest with you (laughs). We're just happy to be on the bill. Like I say, we haven't played a live show in a very long time, and we've got some really good material coming out at the moment. We've not got any expectations on anything. It's just going to be a day to have a good time and just knock the dust off."In the full interview, Joel emphasized the importance of music loving promoters like Kent Bartley (organizer of Necrosonic) in fostering connections within the music community, highlighting the flow on benefits for heavy metal bands and music in this country. He expressed enthusiasm for the festival and shared insights about their upcoming EP, Death Process, which features a narrative centred on a fictional serial killer and aims to create a cohesive audio-visual experience.We spoke about The Murdering's recent collaboration with The Amenta, what fans can expect from their live show, future plans for the band and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

29 Huhti 13min

Interview by Angela CroudaceShane Told, the unmistakable voice behind Canadian post-hardcore giants Silverstein, is still riding high as the band marks a staggering 25 years together. In a recent chat with HEAVY, Told opened up about the surreal nature of hitting that milestone—and the unexpected road that brought them there.“It’s pretty surreal,” he said. “We’ve never taken a break—no hiatus, no time off. We’ve either been writing, recording, or touring the entire time. It’s my entire adult life.”Despite the passage of time, Told says he feels better than ever—both mentally and physically. “With age comes confidence. I think I’ve hit my 10,000 hours of emo,” he joked, referencing the theory that mastery comes with time and repetition. “Every show feels better, my voice feels stronger—it’s wild.”Silverstein’s resilience and chemistry as a band has a lot to do with their approach to relationships. “We’re not best friends who hang out every second, but we’re close and we respect each other. We give each other space when we need it,” Told explained. Weekly Zoom calls keep the band in sync, personally and professionally.When asked about a defining moment in Silverstein’s journey, Told’s answer was rooted in an unforgettable first trip to Australia in 2005. “We thought nobody would know who we were. Then we played two sold-out shows in Brisbane. That was the moment I put the schoolbooks away for good.”That trip also cemented Told’s deep affection for Australia. From feeding kangaroos to being hosted by Parkway Drive’s Winston McCall’s parents—complete with his first-ever avocado toast—Told recalls each visit fondly. “Australia has always shown us so much love. It’s my favourite place to tour.”Looking ahead, Silverstein’s dual-album release—Antibloom and Pink Mist—is already making waves. Told revealed that the decision to split the music into two records came from a desire to give each song the attention it deserved. “We’re perfectionists. Every detail matters to us, and I think fans can hear that.”As Silverstein enters their next chapter, the band’s drive remains relentless. “We’re still here, and we still give a shit,” Told said. “And we’re just getting started.”Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

28 Huhti 29min

Interview by Kris PetersForty years is a long time, no matter what it refers to, but when it relates to a band that is still going strong after four decades in the music industry, it takes on even greater significance.Known for their lunatic personas and stage antics backed by solid musical skills and songwriting chops, D-A-D made their international breakthrough in 1989 with the album No Fuel Left For The Pilgrims which spawned the hits Girl Nation, Jihad, Point Of View and the MTV favourite and global smash single Sleeping My Day Away.Songs such as Laugh ‘n’ a 1/2, Bad Craziness, Grow and Pay, Everything Glows and many more are a part of some people's lives just as important as their own children, and Australian fans get the chance to allow their children to hear them live when D.A.D return to Australia in May.Get ready for an unapologetic, hard-hitting rock ‘n’ roll show from Denmark when D-A-D return for their Greatest Hits Tour, treating fans, old and new, to a sonic journey through the band’s illustrious career. Every time the band steps on stage, another party starts, with vocalist Jacob Binzer joining HEAVY to warn us what we might expect."I'm packed and ready to go," he laughed. "I wish I could spend more time down there, but it's the start of the festival season in Europe, so unfortunately, we have to head back straight after. I think I can spend a couple of days in Melbourne after the last show, which I will enjoy, but then we are back to Europe. But Australia, you know what? The first time back in the early nineties, when we went to promote and play for the album back then I went up North to Cairns and I went on a motorcycle safari with a local guide, and I want to do that again. So please join in if anyone down there can help. A motorcycle safari in Cairns. How about that?"In the full interview, Jacob provided insights into the band's upcoming Australian tour, set to begin on May 20 in Perth, with additional performances in Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne. He discussed the challenges of curating a greatest hits set list from their extensive catalogue, emphasizing the importance of selecting songs that resonate with Australian audiences, such as God Praise to Man, 1900, and Sleeping My Day Away. He explains how different songs seem to go better in different parts of the world and why.The conversation also touched on the band's loyal fan base and the vibrant atmosphere of their live shows, particularly in Australia, where they aim to create an energetic experience. Jacob reflected on the success of their breakthrough album, No Fuel Left For The Pilgrims, and the significance of celebrating 40 years as a band, their achievements and musical legacy after 40 years and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

27 Huhti 15min

Interview by Kris PetersThe incomparable CHELSEA WOLFE has announced her return to Australia and New Zealand in May 2025. Three years after her sold-out tour of Oceania, the Queen of Darkness will bring her visceral, vivid live performance back to Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland and Wellington. She will tour with her four-piece band, as well as bringing along experimental Australian producer APHIR, performing as support for all shows.Wolfe will perform a career-spanning set on this tour, including songs from her new album She Reaches Out To She Reaches Out To She, which was released in February. Her latest album is a rebirth in process. It is a powerfully cathartic statement about cutting ties, as well as an important reminder that healing is cyclical and circular, and not a simple linear process. Featuring elements of electronica, trip hop, industrial music and goth rock, the album has been hailed as one of her finest works. The record has been followed by two EPs containing reimaginings of the songs. Wolfe last performed in Australia in 2022 for Tasmania’s Dark Mofo, along with a full national tour, her first in a decade.Her return in 2025 will mark 15 years since her debut The Grime and The Glow was released, sparking a career that has influenced and inspired a dedicated cult following worldwide to appreciate life in both its darkness and light.HEAVY spent some time with Chelsea ahead of the tour. We start by asking what has changed in her world since she was last out here in 2022."I feel like I've grown and changed as a person," she offered. "I've toured so much with these songs, I've learned so much from them. I learned so much from writing them, and I'm learning so much from playing them. They're very personal and also very universal. So it's like each night I notice a different lyric or something and kind of, you know, get present with that for a moment."In the full interview, Chelsea expressed excitement for her upcoming tour in Australia and New Zealand, where she will perform a mix of new songs and older favourites, while also discussing her growth as an artist and the connection she feels with her fan base. She reflected on her previous solo tour experience, the evolution of her music style from overproduced to lo-fi, and the integration of atmospheric elements in her live performances.Chelsea also highlighted her latest album, and the two remix EPs with acoustic versions, showcasing her artistic journey and the creative thought behind her stage setup and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

27 Huhti 12min