SLEEP THEORY: Rising Rock Powerhouse Redefines Modern Sound

Canadian musician Cory Marks has succeeded where many others have failed - or weren't even game enough to try - by managing to bring elements of rock and metal into his country-oriented music and, more importantly, make it accessible to all sides of the musical fence. It is a musical amalgamation that by every letter of the law should not work, but somehow Marks not only makes it work. He makes it breathe.Whether by design or by plain old-fashioned luck, Marks has made the transition even easier over the course of his career by enlisting the talents of some of hard rock and metal's biggest names with Sully Erna (Godsmack), Mick Mars (Motley Crue) and DL (Bad Wolves) providing notable guest appearances across Marks' three existing albums. By having these names attached to his music, Marks has managed to form a gateway between genres that has flowed through into his whole catalogue of music, to the point that on his latest album, Sorry For Nothing Volume 2, Marks dispenses with guest musicians and delivers 11 original songs of his own volition.And it still works.HEAVY caught up with Marks on the eve of the October 3 release of Sorry For Nothing Volume 2."It's crazy to think that this is my second album in less than a year," he smiled. "Volume 1 came out in December 2024, and this is all music that I love, and I'm very proud of and excited to finally have out into the world. I'm excited, and I think it's a perfect blend of country rock and hard rock."We ask if Volume 2 is a continuation of Volume 1 or if it is more of the same."I would say it's a continuation," he said after a moment's thought. "I think there's some really great country stuff on there. Again, it might be a biased opinion, of course, but there's some heavier stuff like what you've heard so far already, with songs like Hangman and Are You With Me?. And there's some different stuff on there, too, with a song like Someone I Hate, which you even hear some metal screams in there. I'm maybe channelling my Phil Anselmo or my Chester a little bit (laughs), which is different for me on the record and even that style of song."In the full interview, Cory talks more about the songs on Sorry For Nothing Volume 2, the singles released and how they represent the album as a whole, plus the reasons why he chose to put all of the songs with guest artists on Volume 1.He spoke about the blending of genres and how he makes them fit together on an album, as well as the moment when he first had the thought of blending country, metal and rock. Cory told a great story of how that idea became reality and set him off on the path he is on today. We spoke about his upcoming tour with Sevendust as well as the possibility of an Australian tour and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

2 Loka 30min

Music is always a transitional thing. Be it mind, body, or sonically, there is always room for growth and expansion.Gold Coast-based rock artist Ollie Twohill is discovering that now, almost two decades into his professional music journey. For the majority of his time performing, Twohill has been a solo artist, enjoying the freedom of creativity and the pressures of handling everything yourself. His most recent single, Crisis, accentuated that belief, with Twohill writing, composing and playing all instruments as well as singing. The song itself is a fine effort - made all the more special by the fact he was responsible for all facets - but after a recent flirtation with playing with a full band on stage, Twohill feels now is the right time to expand on his sound and music by assembling a band from which to launch his music.HEAVY sat down for a chat recently with Twohill to discuss the new single and life moving forward. We start by asking how people are responding to Crisis."So far, reception has been insane," he smiled. "People are really getting behind the track, which is awesome to see, especially since the context of the song is quite an angry song. I feel like there's a lot of turmoil in the world, and I feel like a lot of people can get behind it. So yeah, it's great so far."We ask him about playing and writing everything himself on Crisis."It has been a passion project of mine," he measured, "it's been a bit of a dream to have a song where I played every instrument, and it just felt like the most natural fit to step into that realm."In the full interview, Ollie talked more about his latest single Crisis, which aims to inspire unity during global challenges. Ollie detailed his songwriting process, starting with guitar progressions, and described the difficulties he faced in composing and performing all instruments for the track, which he views as a passion project. He shared his journey as a solo artist before forming a band after relocating to the Gold Coast, discussing the balance between solo and band performances, noting the creative freedom of solo work and the challenges of being overshadowed by full bands. He also introduced his upcoming EP, Calamity, with Crisis as a pivotal piece that reflects a new alt-rock direction for him and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

1 Loka 10min

This November, two U.S. heavyweights in BLVD Of Eyes and The Midnight Devils combine to bring their music to Australia for a run up the East Coast that promises to be a blast. Bands from opposing ends of the rock spectrum - with BLVD Of Eyes being on the lighter side of rock and The Midnight Devils leaning more to the extroverted side of glam rock - both have international touring experience, but never on the same line-up.While BLVD Of Eyes are just getting into the daily grind of a successful music career, The Midnight Devils celebrate 10 years of good times and partying in 2026. BLVD have just released the single Razor Eyes, which is taken from their upcoming EP We Are Humans. Fronted by Chloe Trujillo, BLVD Of Eyes also features Aussie bass player Mark Dalbeth (Bellusera), guitarist Kevin Hicklin and Chloe’s daughter, Lullah Trujillo on drums. With a long list of live shows under their belt since forming, Blvd Of Eyes have proven their ability to captivate audiences with their raw energy and are steadily building momentum.The Midnight Devils are no strangers to these shores, having completed two successful tours previously, the most recent of which was a national run with Bon But Not Forgotten last year. The boys - featuring Sam Spade (bass, vocals), Sniper (guitar) and Jimmy Mess (drums) released their third album So Hard It Hurts late in 2025 and are well known and loved everywhere they have ever taken to the stage.Together with Brisbane groove metal outfit Awaken The Hate, both bands hit the road in November, with The Midnight Devils starting at Melbourne's Cherry Bar on November 20 and BLVD Of Eyes kicking off at the same venue the following night. Once they hit Sydney, the two shows combine for what can only be described as a travelling rock and roll party.HEAVY sat down with Chloe and Sam for a chat ahead of the tour, introducing the two singers for the very first time."We're super excited to be supporting BLVD of Eyes with our brothers Awaken the Hate in Australia," Sam beamed. "It's our third tour of Australia in three years, and we can't wait! This is gonna be the party of all parties. Ten days of fun in the sun, and we're all signed up for it!"Seeing The Midnight Devils have been here twice before, and this will be the first for BLVD Of Eyes, we ask Sam if he has any tips or advice for Chloe."The best advice I can give you is the Australian people are maybe the craziest!" he laughed. "They're like a certain level of crazy. It's not American by any means; it's another level altogether. I tell myself every morning, make sure you eat your Wheaties because we're hanging out with crazy Australians and partying every night. Like, it's all day, all night, every single day. 24-7."In the full interview Chloe and Sam introduce us further to their respective bands, run us through what to expect from them live, which three songs to listen to in order to get a feel for what to expect, their upcoming releases and what direction they will take and, best of all, we find out their first impressions of each other and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

1 Loka 16min

It is refreshing to hear old school metal bands still pushing their limits and exploring fresh sonic realms, even with a sound that is known and loved and has been for more than 40 years. It is understandable when some bands mutter the words 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it', but that still shouldn't stop the creative juices from flowing, if only to challenge yourself.Which is exactly what happened with thrash metal legends Testament and their upcoming album, Para Bellum. While not detouring too far from the music for which they are universally loved and respected, Testament have found ways to reinvigorate their tried and true sound without risking the alienation of staunch, loyal fans.On this album, Testament have leaned more into the black metal side of their musical psyche, a side embraced by guitarist Eric Peterson, who tapped into the more modern aspects of metal with drummer Chris Dovas, who was working on his first album with the band. Noticeably younger than his bandmates, Dovas brought the taste of the present into Testament's creativity, with the results only solidifying the band's sound.Such is the all-encompassing sound Testament were going for with Para Bellum, the opening notes feature an old bridge thought lost from The Legacy era of the band, coming full circle in a way while still embracing change. Para Bellum is triumphant on so many levels, maybe none more so than the addition of the song Meant To Be, which is Testament's first album ballad for many years. It is exciting times for a band just about to release their 14th studio album, with frontman Chuck Billy joining HEAVY to bring us up to speed.We ask about the album title, Para Bellum - which is Latin for If You Want Peace, Prepare For War, and how it fits in with the content."First of all, it fit in with the artwork," Billy explained. "Originally we were gonna call it Infanticide AI, but that didn't really match the direction. We thought, AI, let's not go there, because maybe fans might start thinking, 'is that album cover AI? Did they use AI to write lyrics in all this?'So we said, you know what? Let's not open that door. And once me and Alex wrote Parra Bellum, and I told him what it meant, it made more sense with what he was working on with the artwork, because we knew we wanted a mushroom cloud there in the background. And I didn't know about the angel and the missile wings, but once they came up with it, it just made sense. It's subliminally war-driven a little bit, talking about silent weapons and things that are going on in our world."In the full interview, Chuck spoke more about the musical nature of Para Bellum and what they were going for this time around, the elements of black metal through most of the music and how it enhances the band's sound, the contributions of new drummer Chris Dovas in the writing and recording process and what ideas he brought to the table.We spoke about bringing a slightly modern edge to their existing sound of the importance of always trying to come up with fresh ideas, the album ballad and why now is the right time to write another one after so many years, the use of cello for that sound and how difficult it was to integrate it into their music, the meaning behind the album artwork and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

30 Syys 15min

In the modern age of seriousness, it is refreshing to see a band doing the rounds that still values fun and a good time over politics and bickering. A band who performs with a smile on their face without deferring to any one side of whatever fence is currently being built or in the process of being torn down. And, of course, said band is British, the place where the love of a laugh and the desire to get on with it are part of the staple diet.Indie rock outfit The Lathums have been doing that now for the better part of seven years, plying their trade the world over and being invited to enjoy the facilities at festivals such as SXSW, Glastonbury, Leeds/Reading, Neighbourhood Weekender and plenty more.But if there's one thing you can strike a negative for with The Lathums, it's the fact they have not once brought their infectious band of music to Australian shores, a blight which is soon to be remedied with the four-piece touch down for a run of four shows starting in Fremantle on October 8. Having never heard of The Lathums before, HEAVY had to do a bit more research than usual before sitting down for a chat with frontman Alex Moore, and what we discovered looked like so much fun that we had already made up our mind to go to one of the shows before even speaking with him.After asking Moore how and why The Lathums have neglected Australia until now, we ask him what he is expecting from our audiences, pointing out that we have been known to get rowdy on occasions."Yeah, I was expecting that," he smiled. "I feel like we'd get a good crack out of a crowd in Australia (laughs). Sometimes the crowd feels like they shouldn't say or do anything and just let the band do whatever. But I feel like in Australia it'll be a bit more like engaging, so we'll see."We follow up by asking what we can expect from The Lathums live."We engage with the crowd, we make sure everybody's had a good time and a safe time as well," he promised. "But the makeup around it and the thrill is always different because you never really know what's gonna happen. I'm a bit mad and I can switch quite quickly, so you never know what to expect (laughs)."In the full interview, Alex highlighted the unique energy of The Lathums' live shows, recommending three songs for newcomers to prepare for the tour. He reflected on the musical climate in Wigan at the band's formation in 2018, noting a lack of local activity and their role in revitalising the area's music culture.He shared the band's journey, mentioning the success of their first two albums and emphasising that true success is measured by fan loyalty rather than chart positions. He also expressed eagerness to connect with Australian fans, what they are expecting and more.Tickets and tour info via: frontiertouring.com/thelathumsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

30 Syys 13min

British metal outfit Conjurer have continued to defy expectations since the release of their debut album, Mire, in 2018. Essentially an experimental metal band, Conjurer has drawn on elements of sludge, death, doom and post metal, never once allowing themselves to be defined by any one sound or genre.While award nominations and accolades accumulated with each piece of new music, Conjurer retained their one simple mission: to make heavy music and have fun while doing so. Preferring to use their spotlight to showcase technicality and musicality rather than concentrating on politics or opinions, Conjurer have always lived in the moment and embraced everything that came their way.Their upcoming third album Unself (October 24, Nuclear Blast Records) sees Conjurer once more expanding their sonic palate, but this time the whole album is grounded by a common theme or thread that sees the band producing their most personal album to date. Unself is a more intense, more personal voyage of discovery unfurling for vocalist/guitarist Dani Nightingale, who was diagnosed with autism at age 31. With that prognosis, Conjurer's long-held view of self and perception of their place in the world began to unravel. Unself documents much of the piecing back together around the diagnosis, alongside the realisation that they were non-binary.With the release date looming large, HEAVY took the time to chat with guitarist/vocalist Brady Deeprose to dive deeper. We start by asking if the band are feeling confident about the reaction for the new album."I think it's funny because with all of our previous releases, we've not really cared about the reception," he smiled. "It has been a very specific point that we make this music for the four of us. We put it out there, and if people like it, that is wonderful. And if they don't, then that's also fine. We can't control that. However, on this album, I feel like we've put so much more of ourselves into it than ever before. It feels so much more personal and so much more emotionally vulnerable, that while, yes, if people don't like it, that's not something I can control, but I do really hope that people connect with it in the way that I have. I love this album, it really means a lot to me, and I hope that it kind of scratches that itch for at least some of the people that listen to it."In the full interview, Brady talks more about Unself, highlighting its departure from previous works and a focus on emotional vulnerability and personal investment. He described the recording process as collaborative and low-pressure, contrasting it with the challenges faced during their last album, Pathos. Brady explained how the band aims for a more organic sound on Unself, with tracks that defy traditional genre boundaries, reflecting their artistic evolution.We spoke about the opening tune, Unself, and why it was chosen as first cab off the rank, as well as the closing track, The World Is Not My Home, which is an adaptation of a century-old gospel song, and the thought process behind both. Last year's Australian tour was brought up, along with whispers about a return visit next year and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

29 Syys 26min

When Australian extreme metal outfit Werewolves proclaimed to the world that they intended to release 10 albums in 10 years, the collective sighs of here we go again hung loudly in the air. Bands have promised such things or similar immeasurable times in the past, with few managing to reach the lofty heights for which they had set themselves. Not to mention the discontent from fans who then started to doubt the honesty or integrity of anything that came out of their mouths from that moment forth.But with a pedigree of members from well-respected Australian bands such as Psycroptic, The Berzerker, and The Antichrist Imperium, more than a few people backed Werewolves in.That promise was made six years ago now, and lo and behold Werewolves have just released album number six, The Ugliest Of All. Described as a "devastating album with little let up or mercy", The Ugliest Of All is pure, face-melting extreme metal of the highest calibre, proving that even just over halfway through their quest, Werewolves are yet to start scraping the bottom of the creativity well.With the recent listen to the album still infecting our ears, HEAVY sat down to chat with guitarist Matt Wilcock to find out more. We start by asking how the early reception for the album has been."It's been good," he enthused. "It's album six. We've been around for six years or seven years, and we're up to album six. And to be honest, it's funny because for us, it's just another album, but we're happy with it and people seem to dig it. We're always excited to release another ridiculously brutal and stupid album."With such a regular release cycle, we wonder aloud if Matt even gives thought to what people think of their albums and if negative feedback could ever derail the process."Oh, there'll be another one," he grinned defiantly. "I mean, it's a bit of both. We do it because we love it, and it's kind of cool to see what people think. But if no one likes this one, then fuck them. We're going to do another one next year. And it's going to be even worse (laughs)."In the full interview, Matt provided an overview of The Ugliest Of All, highlighting its relentless intensity and the absence of slow songs, with the first half featuring catchier tracks and the second half increasing in aggression. He noted the band's growth in songwriting and the fact that their music is made for themselves first and foremost.We discussed the now compulsory dis song on each album, along with the cover art by Mitchell Nolte, which reflects the album's themes. We spoke about the back and forth when creating artwork for each album cover and how they develop from a simple sketch to a graphic piece. The 10 albums in 10 years promise came up, with HEAVY asking if it was becoming difficult to come up with quality material given the short amount of time between albums, as did their run of shows early next year with Abbath Doom Occulta and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

26 Syys 18min

Melbourne old school death metal machine Monoliyth have been steadily going about their craft for just over 25 years, grinding away on the circuit with a mission to do no more than offer a sonic distraction to the world around them.It is an often thankless task - faced by all bands - but Monoliyth have found their niche, originally starting life as more of a thrash metal band before finding their home in the nastier side of metal.Their recent release, He Who Kills, is a typical blast of aggression for Monoliyth, but this time there is a storyline to go with the carnage. A storyline that could very well be the visual accompaniment to Monoliyth's musical psyche. Each song on the album tells a tale of death and destruction through the eyes of a serial killer, with each tune showcasing a different protagonist and the evil that lurks within. It is a different, engaging, and highly confronting deviation from the norm, and one HEAVY wants to explore further when we speak to guitarist and founding member Mick Barr."Well, it wasn't anything serious," Barr replied when we asked where the idea came from. "Everything on YouTube or the old horror movies and stuff is always based on serial killers. And we thought maybe we can do something, looking through the eyes of the actual serial killers themselves and how they might perceive their surroundings or their ideology on why they do what they do. It's to do with the whole concept of how they might operate collectively. Am I a fan of serial killers? Absolutely not. I've seen plenty of docos on these people, and you can't make it up. You can't believe half the stuff they talk about."In the full interview, Mick discussed the album's musical direction, blending old school death metal with modern techniques, and highlighted the singles The Killing Floor, He Who Kills, and Excised Unborn as representations of their diverse sound. The album's concept, influenced by horror movies and online content, explores the perspective of a serial killer with a tongue-in-cheek tone, although Mick emphasised that the graphic material is not meant to be taken seriously.He reflected on the challenges of standing out in the competitive Australian music scene, while expressing satisfaction with the band's international reception, particularly in Europe. Upcoming performances include an album launch and participation in Brute Fest, with the album available for streaming and on vinyl, alongside plans for new material and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

26 Syys 15min