Beyond The Abyss With LEE JENNINGS From THE FUNERAL PORTRAIT

The turn of the century was a significant period for the nu metal scene, with the genre building off the back of a string of breakout bands from the mid to late 90s onwards that saw the rap/metal hybrid style of music surge in popularity. Bands such as Korn, Limp Bizkit, System Of A Down and Linkin Park dominated headlines, but there was also an ever-growing list that included Sevendust, P.O.D, Drowning Pool and more that played just as big a role in the development of the genre.Two of those bands were hed (pe) and Nonpoint, both of whom released memorable albums in the height of nu metal's expansion. For hed (pe) it was their second album, Broke, and for Nonpoint it was their debut, Statement. Both albums elevated the respective bands' career trajectories, and that success led to numerous tours involving hed (pe) and Nonpoint that forged an unbreakable bond between the two bands that continues to this day.Both of those albums turned 25 this year, with both remaining as poignant and relevant today as they did upon release. So much so that both bands are uniting once more for a road trip from Hell, with Australia firmly in their sights early next year. Known for their legendary live performances and explosive tracks such as Bullet with a Name, What a Day, Ruthless, and more, Nonpoint has consistently captivated audiences with infectious riffs, compelling lyrics, and an uncompromising raw energy. Their discography and stagecraft have made them staples at rock radio and fixtures on festival line ups, earning them a dedicated international following.And now they have one more reason to celebrate, one more reason to tear up the stage, and one more reason to deliver Australian audiences a full-blown sonic assault rarely seen or heard on these shores.With anticipation for the February tour intensifying by the day, HEAVY accepted the offer to spend some time with Nonpoint frontman Elias Soriano to delve into the history of Nonpoint and what we can expect from their impending visit. One of the topics of discussion was the pairing of hed (pe) and Nonpoint on the same line-up and the sense of impending doom that has developed because of it."Yeah, those guys put on a great show," he smiled. "We're glad to team up with them again. The last run was really, really fun, so we're definitely going to be enjoying some good times on this one."The two bands have been touring and playing together since the turn of the century, and we asked Elias what his memories were of those early days and if the mentality of the earlier nu metal bands was more of an us-against-them feeling."At that time, everything was really moving in a big way," he recalled. "There were a lot of bands touring at that time. The big festivals and the touring festivals were really popular, especially with OzFest and Warped Tour and festivals like that. So being a part of that and being a part of the meld of hip-hop and rock that was happening at our time, that was an interesting culture that a different type of fan gravitated towards. So it's good to tour with bands like that, that share those types of fans and share that type of show."In the full interview, Elias talks more about the upcoming tour and what to expect, Nonpoint's first visit to Australia as part of Soundwave in 2010, the early days of nu metal and what it was like playing what was essentially a new cross-pollination of music to a non-existent fan base.He recalled his first reactions to hed (pe)'s album Broke and outlined similarities between that record and Nonpoint's release in the same year, Statement. Talk diverted to the early days of Nonpoint and the musical climate that gave birth to the band, the birth and sustainability of nu metal, new music and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

17 Joulu 11min

For 35 years, Poland's unholy giants Behemoth have flown the flag for blackened death metal not only in their home country, but in all corners of the world. Along with Vader and Hate, Behemoth have played an important role in establishing the Polish extreme metal underground with an uncompromisingly brutal attitude that burns brighter with each passing year.Fresh from releasing their most recent album – The Shit Ov God - in May this year on Nuclear Blast, Behemoth have set their sights on Australia in February 2026 to perform tracks from their storied discography alongside new material. Straddling the line between the sacred and profane, Behemoth has risen to become extreme metal’s most revered and provocative band, steeped in anti-authoritarian fire. Renowned for their elaborate live performances, the band continues to push boundaries with their fearless artistry and vision, and have vowed to bring their menacing glory to Australian fans on the upcoming tour.To celebrate the momentous occasion, HEAVY recently sat down with guitarist/vocalist Nergal to journey through the sordid world of Behemoth. We ask if his excitement levels remain as high despite touring most countries multiple times."Yes," he smiled warmly. "I don't want to sound arrogant here, because the fact is that from the first tour that we did in Australia to the next one, it just grew by a few per cent. But every time it was bigger and bigger crowds. We even did some like big festival appearances, so we played in front of really big crowds there as well. Mostly, it's club tours, but still, I don't want to be like, oh, Behemoth is coming back, everyone is just fucking bowing. No, no, you always have to earn that. You have to work hard. We have a new record called The Shit Ov God, and I don't know how it's going over there in Australia. So it's always a test.It's always a question of how many people would like to go and check it out again if they've seen us before? And I hope they will. And how many of the newcomers are going to show up? So it's always a question mark, you know. I don't want to sound too full of myself, like it's a royal return of Behemoth. No, no. We do work hard; we do care about it, and we would love to have the biggest run yet in Australia."In the full interview, Nergal discussed Behemoth's upcoming tour in Australia in greater detail, highlighting the band's strong connections and positive experiences in the country. Nergal expressed enthusiasm for returning to Australia, noting the growth of their audience and the importance of continually earning their place in the music scene. He shared personal reflections on his career, emphasizing the gradual success of Behemoth over 34 years and the evolution of their live performances into elaborate spectacles.He also mentioned the financial challenges of live show production, drawing inspiration from other bands like Rammstein while remaining committed to enhancing their stage presence. The conversation further explored Nergal's creative process, which he described as organic and akin to piecing together a puzzle. He emphasized the need to capture fleeting ideas through notes to avoid losing creative opportunities and the challenges that come with longevity in the music scene. Nergal also discussed Behemoth's latest album, The Shit Ov God, acknowledging its potential for mixed reactions while highlighting its philosophical significance. He talked about the themes of the album and the title, expressing his thoughts going into an album cycle and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

16 Joulu 29min

Interview by Angela CroudaceAfter more than two decades of pushing boundaries, Bob Rifo or Sir Bob Cornelius Rifo from The Bloody Beetroots, remains committed to honesty, discipline and human connection. Speaking about his recently dropped EP Forever Part One, Bob explains that the project is a direct reflection of his life, shaped by a long creative journey that began after COVID and led to splitting the release into two parts.Looking back on 20-plus years in the industry, Bob says the time has flown, but credits discipline as the key to longevity, both creatively and personally. He reflects on early burnout, learning the hard way that sustainability requires balance and self-awareness.Bob also discusses his iconic mask, which allows him to protect his privacy while keeping the focus on the music.As he enters what he calls the most 'open era' of The Bloody Beetroots, Bob is finally able to articulate the ideas and emotions behind his work, rejecting conformity and embracing authenticity.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

16 Joulu 21min

HEAVY was lucky to again be invited backstage at Good Things 2025 to chat with the bands about their shows and other fun stuff. Today, Geoffro and Angela get up close and personal with Bad Nerves.Big thanks to Destroy All Lines and the team at Dallas Does PR for allowing us to share the day with them.Big thanks also to the team - Kyra, Geoffro and Angela as well as our new video team, Grey & Brook.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

16 Joulu 13min

HEAVY was lucky to again be invited backstage at Good Things 2025 to chat with the bands about their shows and other fun stuff. Today, Angela catches up with Palaye Royale.Big thanks to Destroy All Lines and the team at Dallas Does PR for allowing us to share the day with them. Big thanks also to the team - Kyra, Geoffro and Angela as well as our new video team, Grey & Brook. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

14 Joulu 14min

HEAVY was lucky to again be invited backstage at Good Things 2025 to chat with the bands about their shows and other fun stuff. Today, Angela tackles Scene Queen to get the low down.Big thanks to Destroy All Lines and the team at Dallas Does PR for allowing us to share the day with them. Big thanks also to the team - Kyra, Geoffro and Angela as well as our new video team, Grey & Brook.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

14 Joulu 6min

Big thanks to Destroy All Lines and the team at Dallas Does PR for allowing us to share the day with them. Big thanks also to the team - Kyra, Geoffro and Angela as well as our new video team, Grey & Brook.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

14 Joulu 13min

Interview by Ali WilliamsIf you thought progressive metal was all serious faces and minor chords, think again. Mitch from Dyssidia joined HEAVY’s own Ali Williams for a wild, winding, and refreshingly unfiltered chat—spanning everything from vinyl snobbery to deadly Frisbees and Adelaide’s criminally underrated music scene.Dyssidia just dropped their sophomore album Deeper Wells of Meaning—only five years after their debut, because, you know, global pandemics and musicians’ creative “pauses.” Mitch spills on the pain of planning an album launch, only to have COVID crash the party two weeks later. The silver lining? More time to marinate, mature, and, presumably, stare at the ceiling thinking about vinyl colour options. Forget digital downloads; Mitch’s passion for vinyl is a religion. The band doesn’t just release albums—they curate tactile experiences. The latest artwork, painted by Adam Burke (with an actual brush—no AI here, people), is so gorgeous that Mitch reckons at least 20% of positive feedback is just fans drooling over the cover. Want a double LP with wild colours? Dyssidia’s got you. Want a band-branded stubby cooler? Even better—just watch out for Mitch’s plans to weaponize plastic frisbees at shows. Rock and roll, but with dental insurance. The band’s gearing up for their album launch in Adelaide, with Adriatic, Wings of Thanatos, and Kuiper joining the chaos. Touring across Australia is like prepping for the Olympics—distances are brutal, costs are bonkers, and sometimes even the koalas get confused by daylight savings. Perth fans: you’re loved, you’re loyal, but unless someone donates a private jet, don’t hold your breath for monthly Dyssidia visits.Dyssidia have re-joined forces with Wild Thing Records—mainly because the contracts are so chill they’re basically handshakes, and the friendships are the real glue. According to Mitch, it’s not about the business as much as it is about the hang. “Most of the time, you’re just trying to survive and connect with other bands, so your mini-tour isn’t just you in a van talking to yourself.”There’s no road map for being a modern prog-metal band. Dyssidia is all about that flexible, DIY, make-it-work spirit—embracing the weirdness of the times, working from home, and enjoying the freedom to create on your own terms. New music is brewing (eventually), Adelaide is still underrated, and at least Ali and Mitch are now Facebook friends. In the words of the great philosopher: Thanks babe.”Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

12 Joulu 18min