Back To Rock With BEN MARWE & ALEX CAMERON From BAD DREEMS

Interview by Kris PetersExtreme are truly a band who need no introduction. Since their debut self titled album in 1989 Extreme have been on a rock and roll path to success which has continued unabated over the years, culminating in their new album Six which will be released today (June 9). Most people hear the name Extreme and immediately think of the song More Than Words, which, despite being a cracker of a tune, showcases only one side of Extreme's musical personality. Their DNA lie more in the rock side of things, with Six aiming to set the record straight on just how much of the bands blood is coated in rock. Guitarist Nuno Bettencourt joined HEAVY on the eve of the albums release to talk more, starting with how he is feeling with the album less than 24 hours away from being unleashed. "Terrible," he smiled. "I'm completely embarrassed by it (laughs). Look, if there's an album coming out or music coming out, then it's for a reason and it's usually a good reason for me. It actually means that we wrote something that I think is worth something to share." With Extreme being around since the late 1980s we ask if the anticipation for new music releases is still as exciting as ever. "Yeah," he nodded. "As I said, I don't think... there's a reason why we don't put out a lot of albums. It's because the excitement has to be there, you know? I told Gary (Cherone, vocals) at a very young age that I never want to put any music out for the sake of putting music out. It's probably not the smartest thing financially for a band to do that (laughs), because every time you put an album out you make money, you get advances and you tour the world but it has to be something that you're really proud of. What I mean by that is it has to be successful before it even comes out. Meaning that you're super proud of it, you're excited and you put your head on the pillow regardless of if everybody hates it or loves it. It doesn't mean anything to you. It's always a bonus that they love it, but at the end of the day there's nothing worse than people loving what you do if you didn't like what you did in the first place." In the full interview, Nuno talks more about the musical side of Six, what they were going for with the album, making music for yourself first and foremost, their use of electronics on two of the songs, producing the album himself and how difficult it is to separate yourself from the music, their upcoming tour with Living Colour and what to expect, why those two bands make good touring partners and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

8 Kesä 202316min

Interview by Kris PetersNine years is a long time in music, especially in the modern age where people's attention spans are diminishing almost by the hour.But that is precisely how long it has been between albums for Swedish metal pioneers Scar Symmetry, who return on June 9 with their stunning new album The Singularity Phase II Xenotaph.The album has been described as seeing Scar Symmetry "back with a massive new sound that will blow listeners away" and as "the most brutal record Scar Symmetry have ever made".It is the follow up to 2014s The Singularity Phase 1 Neohumanity and further explores the themes and ideologies expressed on that album.Make no mistake, this is a heavy album both conceptually and musically, and one which founding member and guitarist Per Nilsson is extremely proud of, as evident in the time he spent recently with HEAVY."It's feeling quite unreal," he spoke of the imminent release of the album. "The first single was released March 31st, so new music has been out now for two months but the feeling of putting that very first single out - which was on the day of the first show we did with Meshuggah on their arena tour here in Sweden - so we got to play a big show and premiere the song in front of a few thousand people. Even though the song dropped that day, there were people singing along to the chorus in the audience which was an amazing, sweet moment."We press Nilsson on the musical nature of the album. "This is part two of a trilogy that we're working on, and before we even wrote a single note of music we came up with a synopsis of what we wanted to do. It's about the technological singularity; the rise of artificial intelligence and what happens with that. Each phase deals with its own part of the storyline. Phase one deals with the rise of artificial intelligence, neo humans that are people who have augmented themselves with technology and what happens when the A.I turns malevolent. So, phase one has some upbeat moments musically when you can feel the promise of the new technology but then it turns really dark at A.I and the neo humans as they wage war upon the unmodified mankind - which is the majority of people. So the album starts in war and disaster. Phase two picks up where phase one left off with the technocalyptic cybergeddon. The very first song - which is the second single we released - starts in a similar fashion as Technocalyptic with some really intense blast beats and the song is very intense. In the mid section there is a melody in the riff that was occurring in Technocalyptic that is presented now in a different fashion. It kind of ties the two albums together, but then it goes off into this story of in this crazy, brutal war suddenly aliens show up..."To find out the rest of the storyline listen to the full interview, where Per also talks more about the musical side of the album, writing to a concept, what the band has been up to in the last nine years, the continuing concept, how difficult it is writing music to a themed storyline, if the band will continue to do that in the future, touring plans and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

8 Kesä 202315min

Interview by Kris PetersThere is no substitute for youthful exuberance and commitment, especially in the music industry.While some people tackle the perils of the music world from a young age with an air of arrogance and indifference at what the future may hold, it is the ones who approach music with an open mind and respectful heart that tend to be in it for the long haul.Take Melbourne metalcore act Nth Rd for example. These guys started out playing music as schoolmates in their garage, belting out Metallica covers to get their musical fix.From there the boys honed their craft and harnessed their skills so that by the time they were ready to unleash their debut EP Panic on the world they had already built a steady fan base and laid a solid platform from which to launch the future.Panic dealt with the different stages of a panic attack, and they continue that theme of self growth and understanding on new single River.River sets off on a journey to uncover where trauma stems from and how it can shape a person, dealing with topics considered taboo or too personal by many. But not so Nth Rd who not only write these songs to help with their own problems, but also commit them to verse in an attempt to guide and help others.Jordan Kellaway (vocals), Lucas Banim (bass) and John Mihaloudakis (drums) sat down with HEAVY recently to talk through the song."It's been really, really good," Kellaway enthused of the early reception afforded River. "think it's the best received song we've ever had in terms of how our audience is engaging with it. People are telling us their own takes on what the meaning of the song is and people really seem to resonate with it. That emotional resonance as a songwriter is something you really strive for so it's really good to see that reception."We ask the boys to dive into the musical nature of River."The interesting thing about the song is we probably started writing it well over a year and a half ago," Banim explained. "So it's gone through a lot of iterations, but I think coming out of the last EP... the first EP we did was Panic and then the single we released at the end of last year, Watch You Fade Away, we kind of just wanted to hone in on what our strengths were and just go 100% with it. So I think with this one we were trying to look at what worked in the past and how we can fine tune that to hone in on the best parts of our sound and push that as much as we could."In the full interview the boys talk more about the meaning behind River, their decision to focus on real human problems and emotions, how writing songs of this nature has helped them deal with adversity, new music and what it will sound like, their early days jamming in the garage, how they are finding the music industry and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

7 Kesä 202320min

Interview by Kris PetersThere are supergroups in this world, and then there are groups of musicians that have such a good pedigree even the term (which I incidentally hate) Supergroup is not enough.One such band is undoubtedly Elegant Weapons - comprised of guitarist Richie Faulkner (Judas Priest), vocalist Ronnie Romero (Rainbow), drummer Christopher Williams (Accept) and bass player Dave Rimmer (Uriah Heap) - who recently released their debut album Horns For A Halo.The album understandably combines the plethora of experience and influences inherent in all of these musicians, creating a homage to 1970s and 80s metal that can only come from the creative talents of those who lived through the era.When you throw in that Rex Brown (bass, Pantera) and Scott Travis (drums, Judas Priest) played their parts on the recording before giving way to Williams and Rimmer in the live arena, and it becomes clearly evident just how good Elegant Weapon are.Just by assembling a group of talented musicians a band isn't necessarily guaranteed success. It is the smaller things and nuances that bring a band together and create that magic, with Faulkner sitting down with HEAVY to discuss just that and the album in greater detail."It's melodic and heavy but somewhere between heavy metal and hard rock," he explained of the album. The album has enjoyed great early success - both critically and commercially - with Faulkner admitting that even with his sustained personal success in the industry it is always a little daunting putting out new material."You never know," he answered. "All you can do is do your best and give it 1000%, and then you release it onto the world. It's like your kids. You do your best and then let it do its thing. It could be well received, it might not be, but you've just got to put it out there. The best thing really you can ask for is that people listen to it, they give it their opinion - and there's so many things you can listen to these days. I feel honoured really that people give us the time of day. With the internet these days you can give your opinion - good or bad - and I think that's a beautiful thing and I'm honoured to be in that position."In the full interview, Richie talks more about the sound of Horns For A Halo, assembling the right members for the band, why he went with Brown and Travis on the album and Rimmer and Williams live, recreating a sound from the past with a modern flavour, why he chose to cover UFO's track Light's Out on the album, getting chemistry within the band and how long that took, his recent brush with death, future plans and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

7 Kesä 202312min

Interview by Kris PetersJapanese metal outfit Violent Magic Orchestra (VMO) are certainly a unique experience. Harmoniously integrating the genre of black metal music with techno, industrial, and noise in the form of an art-project, VMO can be best summed up as sounding like Black metal meets Kraftwerk.Violent Magic Orchestra combine numerous genres and sub-genres of music united together in a form of live-performances with the contribution from Kezzardrix - a maestro of live-visuals with strobe lights and smoke machines accompanying band’s performance. They are a stunning visual band and a captivating live band and will make their way to Tasmania later this month to play at Dark Mofo.HEAVY caught up with one of the members Kei to find out more."Our music is very dark and a little bit happy," he explained. "VMO has many strange members, like Master Of Strange Dance. We have a lot of noise people who make noise and more beat and experimental space. We have a lot of hidden members. I think we are a strange collective who work a lot of other things. After releasing Death Rave I want to show who joined VMO." VMO will be releasing their new album Death Rave later this year, and we ask Kei if it will be what fans expect."We hope Death Rave... In our opinion Death Rave is huger music. Our concept is 2099, the end of the world. Now we live in 2023 and our music is a little bit experimental, but in 2099 our music is like pop music," he offered. "We connect future pop music and nowadays experimental music. We want to make the road to the future now using dance and mosh pit sounds."In the full interview Kei talks about playing at Dark Mofo, what to expect from a VMO show, their recent single Venom, new single Supergaze, a brief history of the band, the blending of sounds and where it comes from, more on Death Rave and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

1 Kesä 20239min

Interview by Kris PetersThe Hard-Ons are the ultimate Aussie punk rock larrikins and purveyors of great music.Over thirteen previous albums the quality of the Hard-Ons music has only been superseded by their attitude and humour inherent both in their songs, their general demeanor, and their now legendary live performances.At the turn of this decade the band welcomed in new singer Tim Rogers (You Am I), with the future uncertain in the fact that Rogers - while a great vocalist and frontman in his own right - was not the first choice for some of the band's long term fans.But, as is usual with the hard-Ons, they cared little for public sentiment and opinion and pressed forward into the unknown, confident that this would provide a new, successful chapter in the bands illustrious career.The ensuing album I'm Sorry Sir, That Riffs Been Taken was a breath of fresh air on the music scene, combining the punk ethos of the Hard-Ons with Rogers own unique characteristics to become one of the smash records of 2021.The tour that followed only solidified the strength of the Hard-Ons, with Rogers quickly dispelling any doubts over his ability to take the band forward.With the Hard-Ons to release the follow up album, Ripper '23, today, June 2 - the first album started and completed together by the new line-up - HEAVY caught up with guitarist Peter 'Blackie' Black to find out more."Every record is a step up (from the last one)," he explained. "If your records aren't a step up from your last one then you should give up. Wherever we are or whatever we do, whatever we do next is gonna be better than the one before. I feel really strongly about this one. It's a huge step up from the last one."HEAVY reviewed the album recently and described it as a catchy release with a bit of something there for everyone, a point Blackie agrees with."I think that also shows our age, because albums really excite us," he measured. "Just those old albums in our collection, and for us an album is a journey from beginning to end. So that's what we try to do as well. It's not a conscious effort of putting in a little bit of everything, but just having this smooth, flowing pieces of work."In the full interview, Blackie talks more about the album musically, if the Hard-Ons have their own sound by now, how Tim has settled into the band on his second album, if the process was different this time around, their upcoming Ripper '23 tour and what to expect, touring Europe for the 20th time and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

1 Kesä 202315min

Interview by Kris PetersMoondoll 2023 hits the Mansfield Tavern in Brisbane this Saturday, and, as usual, has a bumper line-up including PistonFist, Avalanche, Bluntfield, The Silencio, Jollee, Chavez Cartel, East Coast Alien, Mecha Mecha, Dirty Liars, Viper Syndicate, Clam Sandwhich, Engraved and more.To be held over two stages with lots of entertainment variety to keep you interested throughout, Moondoll is fast growing to becoming one of South East Queenslands premiere annual events.HEAVY caught up with Avalanche during the week to find out what joy they will be bringing to Moondoll."We're really keen to be playing Moondoll on June 3rd," vocalist Steven Campbell enthused. "We're keen to get back into Queensland. We haven't been there since late last year so we are super keen to get back and give the fans what they want."This isn't Avalanche's first time playing Moondoll either, with the band having fond memories of previous visits."We've been lucky enough to play a few times up in Brisbane," Steven smiled. "Last year was the biggest for us coming up to Queensland, I think we did two or three different shows. They have always been the wildest shows. Everybody there is just crazy.""We've met some of our best, dedicated fans up there in Queensland," added lead guitarist Veronica Campbell. It's the first show we have ever played where people were lining up outside the door waiting for us.""We even had a couple of fans who travelled 3 or 4 hours to come and see us," Steven finished.In the full interview, Steven and Veronica talk about the importance of all Australian shows like Moondoll that focus on the emerging bands more so than the already established, what we can expect from Avalanche, supporting The Poor, their most recent track Sweet Baby Brown Eyes and how it was received, the possibility of doing more songs from that album which Steven's Father played on, new music, when it will be out and what it will sound like, future touring plans and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

1 Kesä 202310min

Interview by Erin EddyThere aren’t too many bands that are as Australian as Frenzal Rhomb. The tongue-in-cheek humour, the larrikin antics, the accented vocals, and the disorderly, rowdy energy are all traits synonymous with the punk rockers, who have been spreading their infectious high jinks and raucous music for 31 years now.Here at HEAVY, we took advantage of a moment with guitarist Lindsay McDougall while he was on the job at ABC Radio, Illawarra.“I’m speaking to you on the ABC’s dime; That’s right, this is taxpayer funded right now!” Lindsay cheekily told us.The purpose of our chat was to speak about the upcoming Spring Loaded Festival, which Frenzal Rhomb is featured on, as well as Lindsay himself being the MC for the event. But it’s hard to speak with someone like Lindsay, from a band with as much history as Frenzal, and not slide a little off track and reflect on days past, especially if you’re a long-time fan.In the following interview you’ll hear discussion on the 2001 Big Day Out, stealing Killing Heidi’s vodka, their VHS The Travelling Flea Circus and anecdotes about past experiences touring overseas.When we did speak of Spring Loaded, Lindsay expressed that the familiarity of sharing the line up with old friends is a definite joy.“It’s nice playing with a bunch of old pricks that have the same level of cynicism as us,” he jokes, “I do wonder where the high jinks on this tour will come from and from which bands will the nonsense originate from.”“I’m excited to see who in the Shihad camp gets unnecessarily drunk by the end of it!”Given that this festival is stacked with a line up to make any 90’s kid froth, we asked Lindsay whether Frenzal Rhomb’s set was likely to be more geared toward a nostalgic vibe.“Nah, fuck that!” He laughs, “We do a lot of new stuff. We love not relying on nostalgia. We use nostalgia, we’ll pull it out, but we’ve just put a new album out and we’ve loved playing songs from the new album at the last couple of shows that we’ve done. So if you’ve come to see us play just songs from Not So Tough Now, bad luck!”The new album Lindsay speaks of is titled The Cup Of Pestilence. It was released only last month, and Lindsay says the songs are more involved and complex than ever.“We wrote really hard songs to play and to sing. They seem to be only getting more difficult, too. Because we’ve all been playing instruments for long enough, Jason knows he can get away with writing these really hard songs for us to play.”If you’re in the area, make sure you head to Sandstone Point for the Spring Loaded Festival atSandstone Point Hotel this Saturday June 3. Tickets are still on sale and can be purchased via Ticketmaster or Oztix.And if you can’t make it to Spring Loaded, Frenzal Rhomb will be on the road across the country as they continue to tour their latest record The Cup Of Pestilence, so keep an eye out for dates near you.Have a listen to our full interview with Lindsay to get the complete scoop on all of this and more!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

30 Touko 202330min