Ramming The Point Home With JOHNI HOLIDAY From RUFF MAJIK

Interview by Kris PetersFrom the fractured depths of Australia’s extreme metal underground emerges Hebephrenique, a sonic entity conjured to annihilate the boundaries between chaos and control. Rooted in a volatile blend of death metal and blackened dissonance, Hebephrenique deliver auditory psychosis with surgical precision and unrelenting ferocity.Formed to embody the fractured psyche of the modern world, Hebephrenique channels themes of mental decay, institutional horror, and existential collapse through relentless blastbeats, jagged riffs, and unhinged vocal torment. Unapologetically raw yet technically calculated, Hebephrenique are not here to entertain—they're here to rupture minds. In 2023, they inflicted their debut EP Non Compos Mentis upon the masses, and with a debut album due in 2025, prepare for the sonic depravity.With Hebephrenique one of 30 bands at Necrosonic Festival 2025 playing over three stages at the Mansfield Tavern on August 23 - joining Portal, Bolzer, Abramelin, Beanflepper, Frankenbok, Alarum, Massic, DaysEnd and more - HEAVY caught up with frontman Chris to find out more."We're really, really excited," he beamed when we asked how the band are feeling about Necrosonic 2025. "We actually got asked to play last year, and unfortunately, just with scheduling, we couldn't make it happen, and luckily we got to do it this year. We're actually bringing in our debut album this time around with us, so we get to play some live songs that have never been played before, which is really exciting."In the full interview, Chris expressed excitement about the festival's strong line up and reflected on the previous year's success while emphasizing the importance of showcasing Australian talent. He acknowledged the efforts of Kent, the festival organizer, in coordinating the event with 30 bands. He also discussed Hebephrenique's musical style, which combines early Black Death Metal with themes of mental health, and highlighted the differences between their new album, set for release on August 23, and their 2023 EP Non Compos Mentis.We spoke about the band's brutal live shows and what to expect and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

13 Kesä 7min

Interview by Kris PetersTweed Heads rock outfit The Whiskeys are a time bomb waiting to go off.After a number of years honing their skills, mainly by playing a bunch of live shows, the double-edged sword of Benny Whiskey (guitar, vocals)and Josh Larkin (drums) are now in the final stages of getting ready to unleash their debut EP Old Soul Young Blood on the world.The EP cycle began in February 2024 when The Whiskeys premiered their very first single, Hoedown, through HEAVY, and after a highly promising start, it seemed as though the Metal Gods had claimed yet another victim when more than 12 months passed without a follow-up single.But there was much more happening behind the scenes than the band's lack of releasing more music implied.Instead of rushing things out and hoping for interest, The Whiskeys elected to play the long game, plugging away on the live circuit and fine-tuning their songs so that when they finally come out on June 20, they are given the best possible chance of invading the earholes of as many people as possible.After being privy to an advance listen, HEAVY can assure you the wait has been more than worth it, with Lankin joining us earlier this week for a chat about the past, present and future of The Whiskeys."We recorded this close to two years ago," he admitted, "and we've been sitting on it. We released one track already - Hoedown - which we're really happy with. We've got good feedback from that, and we're just ready to do the EP now. As life gets in the way and things happen and time just goes pretty fast, so we were like, we better drop this thing (laughs). We just made a decision, and the time is now, next Friday."We asked Larkin to dive into the musical nature of the EP."We wanted to pay homage to some old school vibe," he smiled. "Like a bit of old soul, young blood, which is the name of the EP. We wanted to hark back to the 70s and the 60s, Hendrix, Bob Dylan, and just all the vibe that just gives modern rock its soul. We just tried to dig deep into that and bring all our influences, which comes from the modern punk rock and hardcore era. Then we just threw it in a pot and served it up (laughs)."In the full interview, Josh shared insights into the creative process of The Whiskeys music, noting the blend of musical influences and the challenges of balancing genres while maintaining their unique sound.We reviewed the EP's tracks one at a time, highlighting the energetic Hoedown, the blues-influenced Places, and the catchy Break Away, with Josh affirming their goal of creating an engaging atmosphere. We discussed the intro and outro pieces and their intended effect, as well as upcoming shows and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

13 Kesä 15min

Interview by Kris PetersThe Funeral Portrait have always been true champions for the underdog; the outcasts of society who are struggling to find their identity or be accepted in a world that is often harsh and judgmental.Their musical world is one of acceptance and unequivocal belonging, with a flair for the theatrical and a need for unity.In little over a decade, The Funeral Portrait have steadily ploughed through the ranks, loudly going about their business with an air of defiant arrogance that only comes from a band who know they have something special.Since joining forces with Better Noise Music for last year's smash hit album Greetings From Suffocate City, The Funeral Portrait have become one of the most in-demand bands on the planet, touring with Ice Nine Kills, Five Finger Death Punch, Marilyn Manson and more to solidify their obvious potential. The campaign cycle for that album began long before its release, with attention to even the smallest details providing a solid platform from which the band launched their global assault.Greetings From Suffocate City expanded the group’s mythology to new heights and dimensions with invigorating, authentic, and passionate anthems. Songs like Alien, Voodoo Doll, You’re So Ugly When You Cry (featuring The Used’s Bert McCracken), and the title track (featuring Spencer Charnas of Ice Nine Kills) have forced the world to stand up and notice, culminating in the release on June 13 of GREETINGS FROM SUFFOCATE CITY - FROM BEYOND THE ABYSS: DELUXE EDITION. The updated release contains 24 songs, including tracks from the CASSANOVA EP and the FROM BEYOND THE ABYSS EP, as well as the recently released versions of Holy Water feat. Ivan Moody of Five Finger Death Punch, Hearse for Two feat. Lilith Czar and three brand new songs: Skinny Lies, Evergreen, and Lost Boy.The album that was originally released September 13, 2024 via Better Noise Music, consisted of 14 tracks of theatrical, dramatic, unapologetic, full-throated flair with guest appearances from Bert McCracken of The Used, Spencer Charnas of Ice Nine Kills, Danny Worsnop of Asking Alexandria and Amanda Lyberg of Eva Under Fire. It was - and is - a remarkable album from a band only now starting to find their musical identity, and looks set to reach a new generation of ears with the deluxe edition on offer this week.HEAVY caught up with frontman Lee Jennings on one of his rare down days to force him to talk shop. We ask him about the response to Greetings From Suffocate City and if it was what they were hoping for."Completely, yes," he nodded. "I think at first we had been building fans along the way. So it was definitely a cool stretch at the beginning. But I think the better part is what we're building now. We're still supporting some huge tours, and it's growing every single day. Every day, we're selling copies at the merch table or online. You can go to your local record store a lot of the time and get it. And for us, it's about that growth. It's not about that direct, right when it's out, everybody's freaking out about it. To me, it's about the build. And I feel like what we're building towards is this next record that I hope that will be more that moment of like, oh, the new Funeral Portrait record is coming out. I'm very excited for that instead of right now. We're in discovery mode still now, I think, is the easiest way to say."In the full interview, Lee discussed the upcoming release of the deluxe edition of Greetings From Suffocate City - scheduled for June 13 - reflecting on the five-year journey of creating the original album, which was impacted by the pandemic and other factors. Lee expressed enthusiasm for the new songs on the deluxe edition, particularly Skinny Lies and Evergreen, which tackle personal themes and mental health, and explained the inclusion of both original and guest versions of certain tracks to showcase the band's creative evolution. We also explored the role of guest features in modern rock music, with Lee open to collaborations across genres, emphasizing a process that allows guest artists to contribute while maintaining the song's essence.We spoke about The Funeral Portrait's touring schedule, how they integrate the new songs into live performances, and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

12 Kesä 19min

Interview by Kris PetersHeavy Metal and J-Pop are two genres which, for all intents and purposes, should not be joined in sonic matrimony, but try telling that to Australian-born Japanese sensation Ladybeard and the two girls who make up Babybeard.Since 2020, the powerful trio has existed in some form or another, spearheaded throughout by wrestler turned DJ turned vocalist Ladybeard, who brings not only a sense of danger to the group, but also an abundance of energy and fun that has seen their music transcend barriers the world over. Children who have never liked metal before suddenly think it's cool because Babybeard do it, and on the other side of the fence, metalheads who would have previously been embarrassed for anyone to witness them listening to J-Pop now have a legitimate reason due to the two worlds colliding.It is a brand of music that unites genres and defies expectations, all wrapped in a pretty pink bow and pigtails. Sound strange? Well, take a listen and tell me I'm wrong…After decimating Australian audiences in 2024 with their Adorable Assault On Australia tour, Babybeard return to reclaim their throne with a special one-off performance at SMASH Convention 2025 in Sydney over July 12 and 13. Spread over the weekend, Babybeard will be doing a showcase performance as well as a meet and greet question time, along the way ushering in brand new trainee member Mizuki, who is not only performing with Babybeard for the first time in Australia, will also be making her international performing debut of any kind.As long-time friends of HEAVY, when we found out Babybeard were coming Down Under once more, we harassed Ladybeard until he agreed to an interview, with the effervescent frontman once again providing a plethora of delights."There's something for everybody," Ladybeard promised. "There's drama, there's tragedy, there's comedy, there's no romance. But, you know, apart from that, there's something for absolutely everyone."When talk turns to last year's tour, Ladybeard reveals something totally unexpected."Last year in Sydney - for the first time ever - we had a wall of death at one of our shows," he laughed. "It was awesome. It was our first show in Sydney, again, it was a weeknight, so it was not the biggest show that we had. But we're there, we're leading into the last song, and there had just been a shoey, so the stage is wet and everyone was feeling frivolous, and as I was just introducing the last song, someone in the audience yells out, 'wall of death!' So we're like, okay, if you guys want to. The girls have never seen a wall of death before because in Japan, we do shows for idol fans, right? So that was their first ever wall of death. It was interesting because there was a bunch of loose chairs on the floor, so it was a pretty dangerous wall of death, but they got through it."In the full interview, Ladybeard reflected on their previous tour in Australia, sharing memorable experiences and expressing excitement about returning to connect with fans. The conversation highlighted the unique blend of Japanese pop and heavy metal in their music, emphasizing the importance of creating a community atmosphere during performances that encourages audience participation.We spoke about the live show and what to expect, the drafting of Mizuki into the band, their expectations of Australian crowds, how blending heavy metal and Japanese pop is accepted in Japan, milking Kangaroos and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

10 Kesä 16min

Interview by Kris PetersForged from the survivors of Long Beach bands Damned Age, Black Velvet Brigade and Red River Massacre in 2018, Carsex pull no punches when they come to their sound, name or influences.After crossing paths many a time on the local circuit in Orange County, the five music veterans gradually built a sonic relationship that has become a live force, with Carsex releasing their self-titled effort in 2019 and the EP 2020 the following year.It has been a long five-year wait for fans of the band to hear a new body of work, which has now been rectified with the release of the seven-track EP Human Interest last week.HEAVY caught up with frontman Nigel Burk to talk more."This one is our third EP," he offered, "and is definitely our strongest effort I feel, just out of the development of the band over the years and everything. I feel like we're as much a part of each other as we can be.""So I feel like this one is probably the first one that is 100 per cent genuine, just straight from all of us as a unit. And yeah, we're super stoked on it. The basic idea… a lot of our material goes through a pretty wide variety of subjects - and lightly touches on politics to a certain degree - but I wouldn't say that much. Just really like the human condition as a broad explanation. Sometimes it's a little difficult for me to explain exactly what certain songs or the idea of the band is about, because I like for the audience to experience it for themselves. I feel like our presentation is more up for perception or subjective to the listener, because it is for us as well. It means something different to all of the band members individually as well."In the full interview, Nigel highlighted several tracks, including Sitting Ducks, addressing societal issues, and Fuck This, which explores personal struggles. He shared the inspiration behind Landmine, stemming from a personal tragedy, and discussed DKC, which reflects on school shootings.He also mentioned Stella, a hopeful song that encapsulates a journey of acceptance. The band’s live performance style has developed over their years together, and they are preparing for their EP launch at The Vine in Long Beach, while also planning a small tour later in the year after a brief hiatus for their drummer's surgery. We ran through the seven EP tracks individually and found out their intended meaning and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

9 Kesä 23min

Interview by Kris PetersFusing modern rock with classic undertones, American rock outfit Limberlost bring together the best of two worlds to create a powerful and infectious sonic palette that transcends the underlying barriers that separate the old from the new.Known for their anthemic sound, raw energy, and emotionally charged storytelling, the band create music that resonates with fans of classic rock legends and contemporary rock revivalists alike. Their songs capture themes of strength, resilience, and empowerment, making them a force in the rock scene.Featuring two captivating, classically trained and accomplished opera singers in Brittany Lauren and Sammie Gorham, Limberlost have also just added guitarist Devon Unger on lead guitar and bass player Steve Unger (Metal Church), further expanding their musical influences while simultaneously strengthening their engine room.The band are poised to release their dynamic new album Beautiful Scars on June 13, with the whole band - including drummer Mike Burt and keyboardist Anthony Ciarochi, but excluding Gorham - joining HEAVY for an entertaining chat from their home base."It's been like getting ready to give birth," laughed Burt. "I mean, we've been cultivating this thing since last November, getting ready to be exactly where we are."We ask the band to tell us more about the musical nature of Beautiful Scars."Beautiful Scars was so much fun," Lauren enthused, "because it's a concept album. It takes on the Japanese art form of Kintsugi, which is an art form of repair, where, when a piece of pottery is shattered, they will repair it using gold. And so it becomes more beautiful because it was broken. So we took this and used it as an analogy to a person and how a person goes through their life, and they get all these scars, or they get these certain things. People make a lot of memes about it, but what if we made it mean that it made you more beautiful, and what if this is like coming to terms with who you are? So the whole concept of the album is that, and then what's cool is that Limberlost ended up kind of living that. We broke up, and then we got pieced together with some gold here, and we're making it work. It starts with Alien, and you'll hear lyrics that give you a sense of dysphoria about not feeling safe or feeling alien, and then it moves into just recognition of who you are."In the full interview, we dove deeper into the conceptual nature of Beautiful Scars, what they were going for musically and how it differs from Limberlost's previous work.The band acknowledged the challenge of balancing their diverse influences while evolving their sound to appeal to a broader audience and delved into the dynamics of having two female lead vocalists, reflecting on their classical training and how it has shaped their musical journey. The integration of new members Steve and Devon was discussed, with both expressing excitement about the album and upcoming live performances. The chat concluded with information on how fans can access Limberlost's music and exclusive content, as well as their plans for future performances, including aspirations to perform in Australia and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

9 Kesä 26min

Interview by Angela CroudaceAfter 33 relentless days tearing through Europe and the UK with metal titans Pantera and Power Trip, most bands would hit pause. But not King Parrot. For frontman Matt 'Youngy' Young, the chaos of tour life was just the spark needed to kick the band’s creative machine into overdrive.“By the end of it, we were knackered,” Young admits with a laugh. “The jet lag, the exhaustion—it was intense. But it was also one of those pinch-yourself moments. Just being there, on those stages, it was unreal.”Now, the Aussie thrash-grind juggernaut is channelling that whirlwind experience into their latest album. On June 6, 2025, King Parrot will release A Young Person’s Guide to King Parrot—a ferocious, career-spanning collection that marks both a celebration and a reintroduction.“It’s kind of a nod to the journey we’ve been on, but it’s also for anyone new jumping into our world,” Young explains. “We wanted to package something that really captures the essence of what King Parrot is about.”While this upcoming release serves as a brutal sampler of their sonic legacy, the band isn't resting on their back catalogue. They're already deep into writing brand new material for a future album.“We’ve had a month or so off after that tour, and now we’re back in the groove,” says Young. “There’s definitely another record on the horizon. We’re writing, experimenting, seeing where this next chapter takes us.”That work ethic and raw honesty have long been King Parrot’s signature—onstage and off. Known for blistering live sets, DIY approach, and a no-bullshit attitude, the band has earned a cult following far beyond their Melbourne roots.“You do it because you love it,” Young smiles. “But it takes a toll. Still, when you're on stage, and you feel that energy coming back at you, it’s magic. That’s why we keep pushing.”With A Young Person’s Guide to King Parrot set to drop and fresh tracks in the works, the band shows no signs of slowing. If anything, they're more fired up than ever. “The tour lit a fire under us,” says Young. “We’re more focused, more driven. And the new stuff? It’s gonna hit hard.”For King Parrot, the grind never stops—and that’s exactly how they like it.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

6 Kesä 35min

Interview by Kris PetersWhat started out as a bit of fun on a Monday night at Sydney's Frankie's Pizza back in 2012 has quickly developed into a global sensation.Initially formed to beat Monday night boredom at the home of live music in Sydney, Frankie's World Famous House Band has grown from such humble beginnings to being a mainstay on the Australian music scene for both punters and international touring musicians.For ten years until its sad closing in 2022, the band rocked the stage at Frankie's Pizza, along the way collecting a healthy dose of international scalps under their belt who frequented the venue just to catch a glimpse of the house band. Members of bands such as Megadeth, Steel Panther, White Snake, White Zombie and Cheap Trick have all at one time shared the stage with the house band, while they are now also an in demand gun for hire as touring bands for stars such as Tim 'Ripper' Owens who enlists their help each time he comes over.They are a band made up of accomplished musicians, but, more importantly, people who love music, and that infectious energy night after night is one of the major reasons they survived when Frankie's fell.This weekend sees Frankie's World Famous House Band venture outside of their home base of Sydney for a rare visit North, where they will be playing at Lefty's in Brisbane on Saturday, June 7, and Mo's Desert Clubhouse in Burleigh Heads the following night. HEAVY jumped at the chance to chat with drummer and the legend behind Frankie's Pizza, Jordan McDonald to find out more."Yeah, we never do this," he replied when we mentioned the fact that the band doesn't play outside of Sydney often. "We get out of town if we're the house band for a touring artist, that happens every now and then. That's kind of, I guess, the niche of the Frankie's World Famous House Band. If there's an act of cult appeal who's coming to Australia but leaving the band behind, we'll fill in and play, so we'll take that around the country. But just as us doing it our way, it's kind of a matter of policy that we never leave Sydney, so this is something different."We question what policy could ever confine any band to one city before Jordan smiles."It was bred in Sydney, and it's kind of where it makes sense," he laughed. "It's part of the fabric of the zone, so we try and kind of keep it that way. But if an opportunity like this comes up - and it doesn't happen all that often - we say yes to most things. So here we are!"In the full interview, Jordan focused on the upcoming performances of Frankie's World Famous House Band in Queensland, scheduled for June 7 and 8. He provided background on the band, emphasizing their unique position as a house band that typically does not tour outside Sydney. He highlighted their speciality in high-energy covers of classic rock songs and their collaborations with well-known artists, which have bolstered their reputation.Jordan introduced us to the rest of the band, saying that they don't have a permanent set vocalist in preference of using a range of singers to complement each performance. He ran us through the birth of the band and how he came to be involved, the band name, some of the people they have shared a stage with, his other music and business ventures and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

5 Kesä 22min