Challenging The Gods With RYAN KIRBY From FIT FOR A KING

Interview by Kris PetersAcclaimed musical innovator and six-time Grammy nominee, Steven Wilson, will bring his highly anticipated The Overview Tour to Australia this November. His arrival will follow a massive run of UK, European and American dates and celebrates the release of his eighth solo album, The Overview, out now via Fiction Records.Australian fans can expect a captivating live experience from one of contemporary music’s most boundary-pushing, genre bending artists. Accompanied by accomplished and seasoned veterans including Nick Beggs on bass (Mute Gods, Steve Hackett), legendary jazz keyboardist, Adam Holzman (Miles Davis, Ray Manzarek), Craig Blundell on drums (Steve Hackett, Frost) and Randy McStine on guitars (Marco Minnemann, The Fringe) this world-class line up will bring the expansive, progressive soundscapes to life in a way that can only be experienced in a live setting.The Overview is a 42-minute conceptual journey inspired by the “overview effect” of astronauts viewing Earth from space, and marks a return to the long-form progressive style Steven Wilson redefined with the iconic Porcupine Tree and his earlier solo work. Featuring two ambitious tracks and immersive spatial audio production, The Overview blends progressive sprawl with cinematic electronics and lush, immersive vibes all wrapped in spatial audio wizardry.It’s a bold addition to his repertoire which also includes six Grammy nominations, three consecutive UK Top 5 albums and a string of iconic remixes for artists including, Pink Floyd, The Who, King Crimson and Tears For Fears. The Australian tour promises to be a thrilling and dynamic experience. Expect a set packed with The Overview’s mind-bending sprawl, alongside cuts from his acclaimed and peerless career.HEAVY had the pleasure of chatting with Wilson, in an enlightening chat that proves why the man is so highly regarded in the music industry. One of the questions we asked focused on the length of his songs and whether the global shortening of attention spans comes into his thinking when writing."The simple answer is I try not to think about the listener when I mark art," he answered honestly. "That sounds very selfish and self-indulgent, and it is, but I've always believed that artists - if I can pretentiously call myself that - should never be thinking about their audience when they create the art, I think by definition it is a selfish act, and you just hope that people want to go with you on that journey. You hope that people will give you the benefit of the doubt. I have a fairly loyal fan base that listen to everything I do. Even if they moan about it, and they complain it's not what they want they still go with me on that journey (smiles), which I think is something that I've built up over the years, that kind of loyalty. Also, I think there's a sense of providing the alternative. There's always been this notion in pop and rock of alternative music. Providing the alternative to whatever is the mainstream at the moment. The mainstream at the moment, as you suggested, is very immediate, short, synthesized pop music. Usually sung by female solo artists. That seems to be very much the prevalent, mainstream, pop formula. So here I am kind of providing the alternative to that. There are people that want that. There are people who want to engage on a deeper level and are prepared to sit and listen to a longer piece of music. So in that sense I see myself as the alternative to the mainstream, and there's always an audience for that."In the full interview, Steve runs us through his busy schedule, tells us what has changed since his last visit, his backing band and what they bring to the live show, The Overview and how fans responded, the conceptual story it is based on and how it transpired to verse, the balance of writing long compositions in the face of people's shortening attention spans, the musical atmosphere generated in his music and the process of bringing it to life, constructing set lists when so many of his songs are lengthy and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

15 Huhti 14min

Interview by Kris PetersIt's been almost ten years since Finnish melodic death masters Insomnium last graced Australian shores, but that means nothing now with the band is set to bring their signature blend of haunting melodies and crushing riffs to fans Down Under this May.Founded in 1997 in the Karelian city of Joensuu, Insomnium first gained recognition in 2002 with their wintry debut In the Halls of Awakening. Quickly building on this with fierce death/doom juggernaut Above the Weeping World (2006) or melancholic masterpiece One for Sorrow (2012), the band surprised everyone with their sublimely beautiful, achingly forlorn Argent Moon EP in 2021, only to shed their skin once more with Anno 296 in 2023, proving emphatically that Father time has no grip on pure metal.HEAVY recently spent some time with bass player/unclean vocalist Niilo Sevanen to get the rundown on what we can expect. We start by asking what has changed with Insomnium in the eight years since we last saw them."Well, our guitarists keep changing," he laughed. "Jani Liimatainen left the band last year, or the previous year actually, and now we have a touring member guitarist, Tomy Laisto, touring with us, and he's an excellent friend of ours. Excellent player, very good singer, super nice guy. And he's kind of a permanent live member at the moment. Let's see what happens with our guitarist situation in the future. But at least at the moment, we're touring with Tommy and Australian's are going to get to witness his vocals and his playing. I can promise he's an excellent guy."For the benefit of those who may not have witnessed Insomnium live before, we ask Sevanen to run us through a typical performance."On the albums we are very serious and sad and melancholic and dramatic," he began, "but I think the live show is more about having fun. So we are having a good time there. We hope people are enjoying too. It's a lot of headbanging and good times, and we try to deliver a very energetic show every time, no matter how jet-lagged or tired we would happen to be. But once you go on stage, you forget everything, and you get your energy up and for that hour or hour and a half, you'll be on and after that, it's time to rest again. But for the shows, we give everything we've got."In the full interview, Niilo provided more details about their current tour, expressing confidence in the live performance of the new material, noting positive crowd reactions and describing the shows as energetic and fun. Additionally, he mentioned their collaboration with fellow Finnish band Omnium Gatherum, enhancing the concert experience for fans.Reflecting on the band's origins, Niilo recounted how he and Markus started Insomnium in 1997 in Joensuu, Finland, inspired by melodic death metal bands. He highlighted the vibrant 90s music scene in Joensuu, and the challenges faced by aspiring musicians today. Niilo explained the band's evolution from imitating their influences to developing a unique sound that blends progressive metal, black metal, folk metal, and doom metal.He emphasized the organic nature of their creative process, where all members contribute to songwriting and arrangements, ensuring the music aligns with their identity, and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

12 Huhti 12min

Interview by Kris PetersDepressive black metal outfit GHOST BATH have emerged from beyond the veil with their new album, Rose Thorn Necklace, set to be released on May 9 via Nuclear Blast Records. The band, in their 12th year of existence, are not in the business of softening the edges. Rather, the frontman (Nameless aka Dennis Mikula) is leaning more toward his antisocial traits, serrated like a rusty knife yet beautifully honed over years of toil.HEAVY caught up with Nameless this week to get the rundown on what to expect, and start by asking how he is feeling with the release date approaching."You know, I don't really like releasing just singles," he measured. "I just want the whole album out for people to check out. But it's coming up, so I am excited to get it out there and start touring on it."He raises a good point with the release of singles, because although snippets of an album work for the most part, for band's like Ghost Bath who create a more immersive musical experience, the effects can be just the opposite."I mean, I get why it's done," he answered, "it builds hype and people will hear the single then say oh, I want to hear the whole album now, so it makes sense, but personally, I don't like to listen to just one song by a band."We ask Nameless what he was going for musically with Rose Thorn Necklace, to which he replied."Musically, I was going for my own take on depressive black metal, but more in a vein where it's like… I don't know… a little bit dancy in parts but still dark. I always try to do a contrast between beauty but with the heaviness, and that usually comes from the more melodic, pretty guitar parts contrasted with the vocals either being high-pitched shrieks or low growls. I like to play with contrast a lot, and that's kind of what I was going for."In the full interview, Nameless further discussed Rose Thorn Necklace, emphasizing its representation of his personal interpretation of depressive black metal through a blend of melodic and heavy elements. He expressed a preference for listeners to engage with the entire album rather than individual singles, as each track plays a vital role in the overall emotional experience. Nameless also shared insights into his evolving songwriting process, noting a transition from collaborative efforts with the band to independent creation for this album and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

12 Huhti 13min

Interview by Kris PetersHe may have been taken from us far too soon, but the legacy and memory of guitar great Randy Rhoads will live forever. Rhoads' name is revered in the music world, where, for a period from the late 1970s through to the early 1980s, his playing and presence left a shadow of brilliance that is as strong today as it was back then.The virtuoso guitarist, who co-founded Quiet Riot and propelled Ozzy Osbourne’s solo career with Blizzard of Ozz (1980) and Diary of a Madman (1981), remains one of heavy metal’s most important figures. Before his untimely death in 1982 at just 25, Rhoads redefined guitar-driven rock, blending classical influences with blistering metal to pioneer the neoclassical metal subgenre. His iconic riffs, featured in timeless songs such as Crazy Train and Mr. Crowley, and innovative techniques, including two-handed tapping, vibrato bar dive bombs, and intricate scales, set a new standard for the 80s metal scene and inspired countless guitarists.Recognised with a 2021 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, Rhoads’ legacy endures as a cornerstone of heavy metal evolution, with his signature Jackson Rhoads guitar symbolizing his revolutionary impact. To most of this current generation and beyond, the life and music of Randy Rhoads will always be that of past reflection, unable to bear witness to the great man on stage with precious little preserved on camera or film.But this December, thanks to XMusic, fans can get as close to the glory days of guitar as possible when A TRIBUTE TO RANDY RHOADS - The Stories and Music Behind the Legend - hits this country for a performance that includes live renditions of Rhoads' finest moments as well as an in-depth Q&A session. This is more than just a tribute performance, with Rhoads' long-time friend, confidant and co-founder of Quiet Riot, Kelly Garni, heading the evening alongside Rhoads' first-ever guitar teacher, Scott Shelley.It promises to be an unforgettable celebration of Randy Rhoads - a true guitar legend - whose influence still resonates in every power chord and soaring solo played today. HEAVY had the pleasure of speaking with Kelly Garni ahead of the tour, and among the topics of conversation was the sheer magnitude of putting together and the need for a performance of this scale."I don't pursue these things," he stressed. "People come to me, and they ask me to do them. There's a very, very large fan base for Randy Rhoads, and pretty much I'm the last man standing (laughs). Of course, I don't have Kevin (Dubrow, vocalist), who I sure do miss. Although if you read my book, you wouldn't believe that in a million years, but boy do I miss him. He was a great, great guide for me, and I learned a real lot from Kevin. But anyway, I've been approached several times, and I've been all around the country over the last few years here in America, and now Japan twice. People want anything left of Randy, and I guess I'm what you get. It's an honour to represent my best friend. Of course, anybody would do that for their best friend, if they're any kind of a friend. And so, since people are so excited to hear that music again, I happily oblige and go and do these shows."Garni had many tales to tell, among them how Alice Cooper shaped much of what was to eventually become the sound of Quiet Riot, albeit without having ever met the two impressionable youths."When we saw Cooper, we said we're gonna be rock stars, whether anybody likes it or not," he smiled. "And you know, in my mind, Randy did, but I never really did. And I never really wanted to. And that's okay because things had changed over the years to where I didn't want to be in the music business any more, but because of my association with Randy, I find myself very heavily involved (laughs). And I gotta say, to see and meet all the fans who come to these shows is really, really something that makes you feel good in your heart and your soul."In the full interview, Kelly addressed the excitement among fans and the importance of celebrating Rhoads' legacy, highlighting the involvement of key figures from Randy's early career to enhance the authenticity of the tribute. He spoke about the rest of the band, including musicians from Snake Bite Whiskey and the Van Halen tribute band Van Hager, along with a Q&A session featuring Scott Shelley, Randy's first guitar teacher. We spoke about the Q&A session and the personal nature of the questions and how emotional it could get.Reflecting on his and Randy's musical journeys, Kelly shared insights into their early influences and the challenges they faced, including Randy's struggles with confidence and vocal abilities. He recounted the band's evolution, including a misguided image overhaul that led them to adopt a look that felt disconnected from their original sound. We also spoke about important moments of Randy's life and the impression he left on others, including Kelly, the ever-lasting legacy left behind by his untimely death and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

12 Huhti 26min

Interview by Kris PetersIn just ten short years Melbourne musical powerhouse Valhalore have entrenched themselves as a vital cog in the growing Australian music industry, their unique blending of melodic death metal with power and symphonic elements - infused with folk influences - has resonated with audiences both domestically and abroad.Over the years they have toured with the likes of Alestorm, Arch Enemy, Blind Guardian and HammerFall, winning over legions of fans along the way with their attitude and work ethic. With the release of their sophomore album Beyond The Stars on April 11, Valhalore look set to expand their presence even more with a sound capable of transcending genres and sweeping all in its path.HEAVY spoke with frontman Lachlan Neate and guitarist Anthony Willis to get more details. We start by asking how they are feeling about the album release."Absolutely thrilled," Neate beamed. "After waiting four years to release this music, it's pretty surreal that we're finally near the finish line."We ask the guys to dive deeper into Beyond The Stars musically."In terms of the themes of the album, it describes a person's journey from the beginning of their life to the end," Willis explained. "Each song deals with the different highs and lows, ups and downs, different emotions that one would experience throughout their life. And each song represents those different moments. Then at the end of the album, the final song really deals with what happens to you after we die, and can we become something greater than ourselves?So in that regard, the album is a bit of a concept album, and it's cyclic. Each of the songs that we have written pertains to this journey of someone's life experiences."In the full interview, Lachlan and Anthony further explained that Beyond The Stars is a concept piece that reflects the emotional journey of a person's life, shaped significantly by the band's experiences during the pandemic. Anthony emphasized the importance of the album's track listing for creating a cohesive listening experience, while Lachlan noted that the writing process involved contributions from all six band members and the producer, marking a shift from their previous solo work. This collaborative effort has allowed the band to develop a unique sound that integrates diverse influences, enhancing their musical identity.Valhalore plan to promote the album with a series of four theatrical shows in May, starting in Sydney and Melbourne, where they will perform most of the new material alongside older songs. Lachlan expressed excitement about the production-heavy nature of the performances, aiming to provide an engaging experience for fans and more.Get Beyond The Stars here: https://valhalore.rpm.link/beyondprBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

11 Huhti 19min

Interview by Kris PetersA band relentlessly poised on the cutting edge of heavy music, THE PLOT IN YOU have cultivated ongoing critical acclaim and fan adoration since first forming 15 years ago. Hailing from Ohio, the group announced themselves to the scene via their 2011 debut album, First Born, paving the way for their soon-to-be-signature balanced and innovative take on metalcore tropes. Whether weaving elements of alternative, electronica, pop, R&B and beyond into their raw yet thunderous sound, one thing is always certain when it comes to THE PLOT IN YOU: expect the unexpected and hang on for an exhilarating ride.No strangers to Australian audiences, THE PLOT IN YOU previously ticked off an entirely sold-out headline run down under in 2023, before once again wowing Aussie crowds at Good Things Festival in 2023 off the back of their crushing single Forgotten. And as anyone who has previously experienced THE PLOT IN YOU in a live setting will attest, this is an act not to be slept on.In 2026, prepare for the return of THE PLOT IN YOU to Australian shores, with the band announcing a national headline run next January, joined by special guests FIT FOR A KING (USA), BOUNDARIES (USA) and BANKS ARCADE. Kicking off on Wednesday 21 January in Fremantle, THE PLOT IN YOU will visit Adelaide, Chelsea Heights, Melbourne and Sydney, before closing out this mammoth visit on Friday 30 January in Brisbane.HEAVY caught up with vocalist Landon Tewers not long after the tour announcement. Last time they were out here The Plot In You had to put up full house signs everywhere they played, and we remind Landon of this and point out that the band must be dearly loved on this side of the world."Honestly, I think it's collectively all our favourite market to play," he replied. "Even from back when we were way, way smaller coming over, it was always an amazing experience. People seem to really appreciate heavy music in a different way over there. It's always a privilege and an absolute blast coming over there."We ask what has changed with the band since their last visit."Oh man, so much," he returned. "The EPs that we put out seemed to really transcend and connect with a lot of people, which is cool. It will be fun to come over there and play a lot more new stuff. In that time I feel like we have toured so much, and we've gone to so many new places too. We did Japan for the first time. We did South America for the first time. It's cool seeing how things are translating all over the world. It's a pretty unique and bizarre thing to experience, and we're really grateful."In the full interview, Landon spoke more about The Plot In You's live show and why it is warmly regarded as one of the best going around, tailoring set lists depending on what country they are playing in, where Aussie crowds sit on a global scale of rowdiness, bringing Fit For A King and Boundaries along for the tour and why. Banks Arcade who are representing Australia on the run of shows, the three all-ages shows and the joys of influencing the ears of the next generation of music lovers, finding the balance of sounds and genres in a live setting and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

9 Huhti 12min

Interview by Kris PetersIt's that time of the year again where Australia's finest musical talents assemble to reward their achievements over the last 12 months and beyond.The APRA Music Awards celebrate excellence in contemporary music, honouring songwriters and publishers who have achieved artistic excellence and outstanding success in their fields. To be held in Melbourne on April 30 this year, the APRA Music Awards have, for the second year in a row, acknowledged the growing presence of harder edged and heavy music by presenting the Most Performed Hard Rock/Heavy Metal category - won in its inaugural year by Parkway Drive.More than just a token nod in the direction of change, APRA has fully embraced music of these genres, recognizing and paying due respect to a style of music that has grown to such levels it is now impossible to ignore.The nominees for Most Performed Hard Rock/Heavy Metal in 2025 are Make Them Suffer, Polaris, Windwaker, Speed and Northlane, with HEAVY jumping at the chance to speak with Northlane frontman Marcus Bridge to find out how confident the band is going into the awards."It's exciting stuff, and it's with a bunch of other great bands," he smiled. "It's cool to be with so many bands that we've all grown up with and built our careers with at the same time and see the new generation taking that spot."We ask Marcus how important recognition such as this is for the future of Australian hard rock/heavy music."I think it just shows over the last five to ten years how heavy music has grown worldwide," he mused, "and especially the Australian bands. Whenever we're touring overseas, I feel like Australian heavy bands are the talk of the town, especially in the US and Europe. Just because there are so many awesome bands working so hard to get over there. And I think in the end, it's kind of putting Australian music on the map in a different way around the world. So it's really, really cool to see that it's being recognized in that way. I'm just hoping that it keeps on growing and keeps on getting bigger."In the full interview, Marcus discussed Northlane's nomination for the 2025 APRA Awards, expressing excitement about the recognition alongside other Australian bands and the support from APRA. Marcus reflected on the growing international attention for Australian heavy music and the importance of regional tours, emphasizing the unique energy of smaller venue audiences compared to city crowds. He also addressed the band's musical evolution, with Marcus outlining their approach for the next album, which will build on the last EP's while allowing for experimentation with various styles.We took a look at the lighter side of the APRA Awards, including the potentially crippling effect Frenzal Rhomb had on such bands being invited to perform live and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

9 Huhti 17min

Interview by Kris PetersAt the turn of the last century - around the same time the world was supposed to succumb to the flash in the pan that was the Y2K bug - a group of four Sydney punk reprobates called Frenzal Rhomb were plotting their own assault on the world.But instead of technology, this was a stealth attack by music.After previously making their name as carefree, wreckless, uncompromising punk rockers through albums Coughing Up A Storm, Not So Tough Now and Meet The Family, Frenzal Rhomb elected to go a little more mainstream on their fourth album, A Man's Not A Camel. So much so that the album contained a bona fide ballad - I Miss My Lung, and another on the cusp of being a ballad with You Are Not My Friend.Granted, A Man's Not A Camel provided some staple Frenzal moments with songs like It's Up To You, Do You Wanna Fight Me and the irresistible I Know Why Dinosaurs Became Extinct, and it also contained more than enough lashings of Frenzal humour, but it was also far enough on the right side of the musical ledger to have the song Never Had So Much Fun nominated for an ARIA Award in the Best Pop Release category.I shit you not. Thankfully a singing budgie by the name of Kylie Minogue pipped them at the post, otherwise who knows how far down the rabbit hole Frenzal Rhomb would have gone?And now, 26 years after it first came out, Frenzal Rhomb are celebrating the 25th (ish) Birthday of A Man's Not A Camel with an extensive Australian tour that will see the band travelling to places some of you might not even know exist.HEAVY tracked down Frenzal frontman Jason Whalley to take a trip down memory lane."That record seemed to resonate with people," Whalley nodded, stroking his chin. "It had all those songs on it like Never Had So Much Fun and You Are Not My Friend and I Miss My Lung and all that jazz. There's a lot of songs on there that, let's be honest, weren't very good. But it had a few songs on there that seemed to resonate with people. We are doing this tour where we're celebrating this record, but to be honest, we play all the good songs off that record every time we play anyway. We are pulling out some deep cuts too. I've had to relearn a lot of lyrics. I actually looked up the lyrics on the internet to try and figure out what they were, to try and relearn them."We ask if that means the whole of A Man's Not A Camel album will be played in full on tour."100% not," he countered. "We wouldn't do that to our audience. There's a few songs on there that just have not stood the test of time. I mean, even a week after it was released, we weren't playing them. When you see bands doing their whole album, I'm always like, come on, mate, they weren't all bangers."In the full interview, Jay discussed Frenzal Rhomb's upcoming shows in more detail, revealing the tour will include 25 shows in various locations that were missed during their last tour, allowing the band to reconnect with fans. He expressed enthusiasm for the tour and reflected on the band's evolution in songwriting on A Man's Not A Camel, noting a shift towards a more pop-oriented sound while emphasizing the importance of song quality over tempo.The conversation also covered Frenzal's experiences with the album's reception and their nomination at the ARIA's, where he recalled a memorable performance in hospital attire due to his broken arm. We discussed the album's release in the US under Fat Mike's Fat Wreck Chords, highlighting changes made to the tracklist and the unnecessary suggestion of a name change for the American market, plus more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

7 Huhti 17min