Reigniting The Flame: Severance Is Due With AARON BILBIJA From DAYSEND

Interview by Kris PetersNew Zealand indie rock outfit Park Rd have released their debut album, The Novel, which came out last Friday, May 24. The Novel stands as a testament to PARK RD's evolution as musicians and individuals and offers listeners an intimate glimpse into their heads and hearts.Having already announced themselves on the scene with two previous EPs and a host of singles, Park Rd have had a stellar last 12 months, performing at festivals such as SXSW Sydney, Rhythm & Vines, Soundsplash and Le Currents, as well as supporting The Band CAMINO, Milky Chance, Spacey Jane, and Summer Thieves.HEAVY sat down with members Carlos Martin (bass) and Tom Chamberlain (vocals) to find out more. We discussed their debut album, The Novel, and their excitement and anxiety surrounding its release. They shared insights into their songwriting process, emphasizing the organic and fluid nature of their creative approach, and revealed that the album features a mix of rock, pop, and more intimate, stripped-back compositions. The band also discussed their recent tour of Australia and their plans for upcoming shows, expressing their eagerness to connect with Aussie crowds and their hopes for a successful tour.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

25 Touko 202413min

Interview by Kris PetersPreparing for a debut album - for any band - is an arduous task. Once you make that firm decision and commit to laying down your tracks for others to digest, it seems like, in many respects, everything is violently taken from your control and placed at the mercy of others.As such, it would be easy - and almost forgivable - to take the easier path, whatever that may be. Safe songs, safe structure, proven methods and carefully mapped out schedules, but at what cost?You only get one chance to release a debut album, and in many ways that one album can define the rest of your musical career.Which is why a large number of bands take the safe passage. Or at least their version of it, which invariably leads to a more polished and socially acceptable offering of music from the lyrics all the way down to presentation.But every once in a while you come across a band who throw caution to the wind and leave themselves and their music exposed as they let their fledgling work of art loose on the world. A band who are unashamed to leave large chunks of their own DNA splattered throughout the release, thus laying bare their innermost emotions and thoughts.It is a brave and increasingly fading approach, but has also become so much more noticeable in what is fast becoming a saturated market where different often equates to good.So it is with Melbourne-based post-punk, Midwest emo outfit Gypsy Road who have laid their souls on open display with their debut album Letters To A Friend, From Interstate which is released on May 24. An exhaustive and confronting collection of eight songs highlighting the emotional struggles confronted by the band throughout the entire process, Letters To A Friend, From Interstate captures a band unafraid to admit not having the answers and honest enough to concede defeat.It is an eclectic and refreshing journey through a myriad of genres that are woven together in a sonic tapestry that drips with vulnerability yet exudes an air of confidence that suggests a strong future.HEAVY caught up with frontman Alex Centofanti to find out more, asking if he is nervous, excited, anxious or all three together as Friday's release date approaches."All of the above," he laughed. "For so many multiple reasons. The last three singles we have released - which actually have been our first ever singles because before that we released three EP's - has been a new experience for me and pretty nerve-wracking. Those songs have actually done the best for any releases we have done. That's why it's also anxious, nervous and excited. I'm hoping that it translates to the album. It's one of those things where you get worried that when you release a couple of songs people aren't going to listen to the full album, so I'm hoping they make it through the whole thing because I think it's pretty good (laughs)."We press Alex on the musical side of the album and what Gypsy Road were going for sonically."I was going for quite a few things," he measured. "I was going for a heavier sound than I've ever done before. I was going for a lot more… I wouldn't say a darker sound, but I was definitely going for that melancholy vibe. I was really just trying to make it sound how I felt at the time."In the full interview, Alex talks more about the musicality on Letters To A Friend, From Interstate, what sorts of things they did as a band in preparation for their debut offering, how they will gauge the success of the album, the emotional side of the music and committing that to paper, some of the themes and lyrical content covered, future planning in terms of musical growth, upcoming gigs and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

22 Touko 202413min

Interview by Kris PetersIf work ethic and dedication to your craft were the only parameters of success in the music industry, then Brisbane hard rock outfit Krave would already be nestled comfortably somewhere towards the upper regions of the proverbial tree. The trio have spent most of their short existence playing anywhere and everywhere they could, offsetting that essential drive with a steady succession of powerful and catchy singles that have provided a strong platform from which to launch their assault.After spending the past 18 months focussing more on the live aspect of their tenure - which included support slots for Suicidal Tendencies and Avatar - Krave have now turned their sonic gaze back to writing and recording, with a stronger sense of self-belief and trust in their ability that only time on the road can bring.Today, May 23, sees Krave release their first new music since December 2022 in the form of the single Charade, a song that highlights the band's growth and belief and reflects a harder edge that has laid simmering gently beneath the surface in previous years.HEAVY caught up with vocalist/bassist Siana Davis to find out more."It is such an epic one," she explained of Charade. "It's a new kind of sound for Krave and explores lots of deep topics within the music itself, and we are amazed with the production of the song. We've hit a whole new level as a band."After a prolonged absence from releasing music, we ask Siana if she feels any extra pressure stepping back into the limelight again."It's quite nervous getting back out there," she laughed. "We've been playing so many shows last year and we have been so busy. We've been saying we have to release new music soon and everyone has been 'when's it coming?' (laughs)."In the full interview, Siana tells us more about Charade from a musical point of view, the deep lyrics and Krave's consistency when it comes to writing engaging and substantial music, how their sound has changed to reflect the band's recent growth, if Charade is a stand-alone track or part of a bigger picture, what direction new music will take, reaping the benefits of sustained touring, upcoming shows and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

22 Touko 202414min

Interview by Kris PetersAfter an absence of five years, Canadian hardcore punk outfit Cancer Bats are finally returning to our shores next month for an eight-date run of shows in a belated celebration of the band's most recent 2022 album Psychic Jailbreak.That album marked a changing of the guard for Cancer Bats, with founding guitarist Scott Middleton leaving before the album was recorded, forcing the remaining three members into an uncomfortable writing and recording process that ultimately brought out the best in each of them.The album was a resounding success but is yet to be performed live in this country, a blight that shall be rectified in just over three weeks, with frontman Liam Cormier making no effort to hide his enthusiasm when he spoke with HEAVY only hours ago."I'm still on this tour," he replied when asked if he was packed and ready for Australia yet, "so I have a bag of dirty laundry (laughs). I'm ready to go. I'll just put this in the wash, then repack my bags. I feel like this last bunch of touring we've been really busy, so it's almost like having a bag packed and ready to rip. That's how I've been living (laughs)."We ask Liam what has changed with Cancer Bats since their last visit down under."Last time we played, we had Wade MacNeil from Alexisonfire playing guitar with us," he offered. "Since then, we've had a couple of other folks on guitar duties, but now our homie Jackson (Landry) is gonna be shredding for both the Cancer Bats and Bat Sabbath shows. Australia will get to meet our new favourite… he calls us his Uncles because he's younger. He's like a 27-year-old little ripper."In the full interview, Liam talks more about Jackson and how he has slotted into the band, the response to Psychic Jailbreak from fans, the internal pressures the band put on themselves to improve on each album, keeping things fresh after seven albums and counting, taking Fangz as national support and the part Cancer Bats played in getting the band together, having local bands open in each city, the two Bat Sabbath shows and what to expect, what craziness Cancer Bats plan to bring and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

22 Touko 202411min

Interview by Kris PetersQuinceañera - the celebration of a girl's 15th birthday, marking her passage from girlhood to womanhood; the term is also used for the celebrant herself.Sounds like cause to celebrate and an even greater cause to party, which is exactly what Me First And The Gimme Gimmes did when they ‘crashed’ the coming-of-age ceremony of a young lady by the name of Madison.Not that anyone should be surprised seeing twenty years earlier the band had done the same thing at Johnny’s Bar Mitzvah but as they say, why let somebody else's inhibition spoil what could be a great party for yourself?Not only did the band perform to an unwelcoming audience at said ceremony, they also recorded the set and invite one and all to share the special occasion when they release BLOW IT…AT MADISON’S QUINCEAÑERA! on June 14.HEAVY sat down earlier today with frontman Spike Slawson to find out more details in all of their punk drenched glory. We start by asking if he still gets nervous about impending album releases."Absolutely," he nodded. "It was our first Quinceañera party, and it's intended to be awkward and comic and tragic all at once, and so if it is a success it's likely going to be excruciating and in the moment, if that makes sense. It's very nerve-wracking. We vetted the contestants that won the dubious prize of having us play their Quinceañera party, and we wanted to make sure there were no natural allies in attendance. Nobody that knew who we were or was going to be inclined to liking us or our performance. That was very important to us, and it was the right decision. But when I was about to go out and actually face the crowd, it was… difficult. It was a challenge. But, we had a good time. The crowd eventually turned around. I think we finally played a song from this Millennium and that made a big difference I think."In the full interview, Spike explains what a Quinceañera actually is, opening with Black Sabbath and if, in hindsight, he would have chosen a different song, the in between song banter and keeping the recording authentic, how Madison liked the show, using a horn section for the first time, how he would describe Me First & The Gimme Gimmes to someone who had never heard them before and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

22 Touko 202418min

Interview by Kris PetersNewcastle progressive rock outfit Age Of Emergence are currently about halfway through a run of shows around Australia in support of their new EP The All Seeing Eye Part 1.In a world where the core genres are starting to become more popular by the week, it is refreshing to see a band staying true to their core, unafraid of defying conventions by peddling their brand of rock.Age Of Emergence have been plying their trade since forming in Newcastle back in 2013, releasing their first EP Plea For A Dying World four years later before following that up with The War Within Ourselves in 2020. Then, as happened the world over, the pandemic struck and halted the momentum AGE had been steadily building, but rather than succumb to the general bleakness engulfing the world, the band decided to turn their feelings into music with the result being The All Seeing Eye.The EP also sees AGE welcome in new drummer Adam Clayton, with Adam joining vocals/bass Dean Holmes and guitarist Matt Neilson for a chat with HEAVY earlier today, starting with the early response to the new EP."No one has said anything so far," Holmes laughed. "So, so far it's been pretty positive. I guess most people seem to think it's better or just as good as the stuff we've done previously.""People like the video clip we've done as well," Clayton added. "It's good to know that the effort is being appreciated.""The sound is an improvement from what we were chasing," Neilson chimed in."We used more of the current modern recording methods with this," Holmes continued. "All the plug-ins and things like that and I can see why bands are using it now.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

18 Touko 202427min

Interview by Kris PetersFirst impressions always count massively, especially in the world of entertainment, where we are currently so spoilt for options that it is almost too easy to pick and choose. Debut singles, EP's and albums place more emphasis on getting it right in the knowledge that your band's future career possibilities could be curtailed with one ill-thought-out release in the early stages of existence.Which is why fresh Brisbane metal outfit Aeon Nexus have hit the ground running on the back of their debut single Twin Hurricanes which came out last Friday. It doesn't hurt that well-known local vocalist Sam Wolstenholme is fronting Aeon Nexus, but that alone does not guarantee instant success.Twin Hurricanes is an absolute banger, highlighting the band's unique blending of djent, raw, aggressive metal, symphonics and pop sensibilities to create a sonic whirlwind of emotion and intent that is as infectious as it is brutal.Sam sat down with HEAVY earlier this week to introduce her new band and single."This is my new project that I formed last year," Wolstenholme smiled. "Now we've hit the ground running this year with some shows and our debut single release that will be leading up to an EP in a few months. We're progressive metalcore, so inspired by bands like Spiritbox, TesseracT, Architects, Northlane, that sort of thing. It's been a real pasion project for me. For quite a while I've wanted to front a heavier band and so learned to scream and found some amazing musicians to work with and here we are!"Wolstenholme started Aeon Nexus off the back of her previous symphonic metal band Seraphic, who were well known and loved and one of the better bands doing the Brisbane circuit, but after a tumultuous period during COVID things changed on her personal musical landscape, thus leading to the formation of this new project that sees Wolstenholme step out from behind the keys and assume the role of front person."About five years ago now, there was a lot going on in my life," she recounted. "There was a lot going on with my personal life, and basically everything changed. I went through a real transformation, and I was a bit lost. I was in Seraphic, and I've been doing symphonic metal for a number of years, but then suddenly my life imploded. I listened to the album Alien by Northlane, and it really resonated with me and completely changed my life if I am being honest. It was something that really stuck with me, and I began this love affair that I now have with metalcore. I had a vague idea in my mind of wanting to do something like that - something heavier - but I thought that could never really be a possibility for me because I'm a classically trained vocalist, even though I've been doing metal for a number of years. Before I did metal, I was actually training and studying to be an opera singer, so I thought those two worlds could never collide (laughs). I could never do harsh vocals, that's not a thing. It was always a dream in the back of my head, but I thought it wasn't possible. Some time went by and Seraphic decided to go on hiatus. The pandemic really killed us all, to be honest. It was a real challenge for a lot of bands, and we were no different, so musically, things were at a bit of a standstill for me and I thought why not revisit this dream and give it a go?"In the full interview, Sam discussed Aeon Nexus' plans for their debut single and upcoming shows. She shared her personal journey and the band's decision to release a series of singles before the EP, with Twin Hurricanes being the debut single. We also discussed the band's musical direction, songwriting process, and upcoming EP, which will offer a diverse experience.The details of the upcoming single launch show at the Brightside on May 19 were also discussed, including the line-up and benefits to the local metal scene. The show is the first in a series aimed at showcasing local core bands, with a focus on hardcore, metalcore, and deathcore acts.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

17 Touko 202424min

Interview by Kris PetersSydney's merchants of sludge Black Rheno have hit the road again, this time on an East Coast tour of Australia to celebrate… well, to celebrate that they are a touring band and that's what touring bands do!Since announcing themselves with the heavy as fuck and funnier than childbirth single No Time For Numb Nuts back in 2016 Black Rheno have epitomised the very spirit of Australian music, often driving ten hours to play a show while allowing themselves nothing more than cheese and crackers for dinner so they didn't run out of petrol between gigs.You may smirk, but I have seen it first-hand.With a dedication to touring and music almost as complete as their ability to entertain, Black Rheno are one of those bands that manage to make an impression everywhere they go, even sometimes being invited to come back.That tenacious will to do what they love paid handsome dividends earlier this year when Black Rheno joined good mates and equally hard-working Aussie metal larrikins King Parrot for a show with Pantera in Adelaide. Not only was it reward for effort, but it also got the trio so wrapped up in their own achievements they decided then and there to hit the road once more with one thought, and one objective only. To tell the world exactly who they are and why they are here with one simple question that has become the catch cry for the whole tour.Who The Fuck Are Black Rheno?Of course, HEAVY has our own ideas of how that question should be answered, but we felt obliged to speak with frontman Ryan Miller first before announcing it publicly to see if he could sway our opinion one way or another. With the first three shows completed last weekend, we start by asking how their quest for recognition has gone thus far."Good," he enthused. "It was our first time out at Penrith. There's a new venue out there called Elton Chongs and I want to give them a massive plug because they are fucken awesome."Not being able to avoid the elephant lurking in the corner of the room any longer, we broach the name of the tour and suggest that there surely couldn't be many people left who don't know who the fuck Black Rheno are."I'm sure there are plenty," he brushed off dismissively, "but it's more like do we know who Black Rheno is? Do we really know just who we really are? We need to go out and discover who we really are. We have to get to the core of who Black Rheno really is."In the full interview, Ryan discussed the challenges and aspirations related to touring, highlighting the demanding nature of touring in Australia and the intricate process of organizing tours. He expressed his deep appreciation for the touring experience and the thrill of living for the music. The conversation also included details about Black Rheno's recent tour shows in New South Wales, upcoming tour dates in Victoria and Queensland, and the addition of a special show with Wretch in Canberra.He delved into the essence of the band, contemplating their identity and the challenge of encapsulating their music in just a few words. The discussion also touched on their natural, unpretentious stage presence and the significance of touring with local support bands. He also discussed the show with Pantera and how special it was personally and musically, and finished with a plug for the new Black Label beer that is on sale at all but two of the shows.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

14 Touko 202419min