APATE Set To Explode At GOOD THINGS FESTIVAL This Weekend

As with every other year, anticipation surrounding the first line-up announcement for Good Things 2025 was almost at a fever pitch. Social media experts and promoter wannabe’s all shared their projected line-ups, but most were well off the mark.Good Things is possibly one of the hardest festival line ups armchair critics get to sink their teeth into, with the diversity and seemingly flippant mashing of genres meaning pretty much any band from any genre could make the final cut. And this year was no exception.When TOOL were announced as headliners, a large number of punters were already scrambling for tickets, but a quick scan through the rest of the line up proves the eclectic tastes of organisers and the variety of live music on show for fans of most persuasions.Rock? Tick. Weezer, Garbage.Pop Punk? Tick. All Time Low, New Found Glory.Punk? Tick. Refused.Metal? Big tick. Machine Head. Knocked Loose, Lorna Shore.But one of the best things about festivals like Good Things is the chance to come across bands you might never have otherwise heard of, and for many people, one of those bands this year will be American rock outfit Dead Poet Society, who are well known in most other parts of the world. HEAVY caught up with Jack and Dylan from the band to talk about their debut visit to Australia.The name Dead Poet Society may not mean all that much to Australian audiences just yet, but you can bet by the time Good Things 2025 has swept through the country, that equation will have changed drastically.Since forming after meeting while attending Berklee School of Music in Boston, Massachusetts in 2013, Dead Poet Society have elected to drive their journey on the hard road, starting off as an indie group before steadily making their way through the musical maze. Their hard work and dedication proved fruitful when, in 2018, Spotify editorial staff added the single American Blood to their playlists, after the band had built a strong organic following on social media and the streaming platforms. Josh Katz of the band Badflower, was one of their early fans, notably of their song CoDA, which he championed to his label Big Machine and others, resulting in interest from several labels, including Spinefarm, where they later signed and released their debut album -!- in 2021.Fast-forward four years and Dead Poet Society are currently touring North America alongside Chevelle and Asking Alexandria, with their flights already booked for Australia this December.HEAVY sat down with Jack and Dylan from the band to find out more about the band and their debut trip Down Under. As such, we ask what they are expecting from Australian crowds, warning them that we can get pretty rowdy."That's what I'm hoping for," Jack smiled. "I've heard you guys are wild, and we love a wild audience."On the flipside of that, we don't know what to expect from a Dead Poet Society live show, so we ask what a typical show from the band looks like."It's pretty high energy," Jack promised, "and sweaty. We try to redline ourself the entire set."In the full interview, Jack and Dylan talk more about Good Things Festival and who they are most looking forward to playing with, their first trip to this country and how they are approaching it, their thoughts on the diversity of this year's line-up and what it means to them to be a part of it.We talk about their formation at school and how it came about, planning their future and then working towards it, new music and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

15 Sep 12min

Punk rock has seen many bands proudly fly the flag for its roots, ideologies and defiant attitude, but few would argue that one of the best and most influential punk bands ever is the Dead Kennedys.Since 1978, the band have flown in the face of almost anything with even a slight breeze, along the way releasing a multitude of songs that have shaped a generation, including Holiday in Cambodia, California Über Alles, and Kill the Poor. Their flippant attitude, coupled with brutally honest content, has seen the Dead Kennedys not only reach the summit of all that is music but remain there, virtually unchallenged for the better part of five decades.After a seven-year absence, the punk rock upstarts are finally returning to Australia and New Zealand to regal fans with a dose of unbridled anarchy when they start their Give Me Dystopia Or Give Me Death tour in Auckland on September 16 and wind things up in Sydney on September 27. With three shows already sold out and the rest close enough to, HEAVY sat down for a chat with guitarist East Bay Ray to shoot the breeze. One of the things we ask is what fans can expect from the Dead Kennedys live."Well, the fact that we're still alive and moving is a good thing," he laughed. "Back in the day, there was a lot of political bands and stuff - and we're still political - but the reason we're still around is the music. And if I do say so myself, this is something I shouldn't be saying it, but we really rock out. We're a good rock and roll band, and we have a very unique sound."In the full interview, East Bay Ray further noted that the Dead Kennedys music remains true to their identity, with the tour titled Give Me Dystopia or Give Me Death reflecting both their past and the current political climate in the U.S. The discussion also covered the band's origins in San Francisco's punk scene, their musical influences, and their commitment to blending political commentary with humour.He recounted a notable incident in 1982 when they were arrested in Brisbane, illustrating the repressive political environment of the time. When asked about new music, Ray confirmed they have written new material over the years, though audience reactions have been mixed, as fans prefer classic songs. He remarked on the current vitality of the hardcore punk scene and humorously addressed the topic of the band's eventual retirement and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

14 Sep 15min

When Melbourne noise machine and champion for the underdog Blood Duster called time in early December 2017, the Australian music scene lost one of the greats. Not just in terms of music, but, more importantly, in terms of old school ethos. The punk mentality of fuck you and whatever you rode in on that had by then thankfully settled into the heavier side of music.The band were an enigma. They cursed, they bled, they had an opinion, and they had an agenda. Which was purely based on fun and enjoyment of their music. The fact that every year since has seen some form of (false) whisper about an unlikely reunion has only helped strengthen the myth surrounding the music. Hell, HEAVY would not have even heard of the band were it not for their infamous CUNT shirts, which is another thing about the band that has remained intriguing.But this year was different. 2025 became the year when Blood Duster said yes to returning to Australian stages and said fuck it to any previous trepidation. And the lucky festival to secure that much sought-after signature?Blacken Open Air.As bass player Jason Fuller tells us during our chat, Blacken have come knocking every year since 2017, urging - sometimes pleading - with the band to make a resurgence at the hallowed grounds of the outback metal festival, but each request fell on deaf ears. Until now.Blood Duster will play their first gig on Australian soil in almost a decade as one of the headliners of Blacken Open Air 2025 (September 19 - 22), and HEAVY jumped at the chance to speak with the man behind the myth and behind the legend, Jason Fuller. We start by asking why now is the right time for a return outing."When we finished the band, we really kind of…" Fuller measured… "We felt like once you're releasing records; once you're destroying records before they can even be released, you've kind of reached peak annoyability for everyone (laughs). We did everything we had to do, and we were starting to do shows just for money, and it felt totally dishonest considering what Blood Duster is. It's supposed to be a party. We were at this point where we reached the peak of what we were gonna do and were getting annoyed with having to do it. So we just killed it. It's been eight years or whatever, and we just want to hang out with each other and have a party. All the heavy lifting is done. We don't have to fucking write anything. We don't have to go into a fucking release cycle. We don't have to worry about any of those things. We can just turn up, play some songs and have a ball. So that's where our heads at with all that."In the full interview, Jason talked more about why Blood Duster chose Blacken as their first gig back on home soil, the temptations and offers over the years, what to expect from Blood Duster live, what other bands he is looking forward to catching up with and the value of friendship within the metal community.We spoke about the diversity in Blacken's roster, the early days of Blood Duster and the musical climate that created them, their blending of genres before it was cool to do so and the future of the band after this show. And, of course, we talked about THAT shirt, with Jason recalling some funny moments because of that piece of merchandise and the album it spawned from.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

12 Sep 20min

Rock stars at the age of 16, Finnish warriors The Rasmus have weathered the inevitable trappings of early success to morph into one of the world's leading rock outfits.Known for their musically dark atmospheres, The Rasmus have also managed to connect on a deeper level with a plethora of music lovers who can relate to the band's genuine feelings of despair. Once labelled as outcasts, or 'weirdos' if you will, The Rasmus have always embraced their perceived differences and championed the cause of the underdog; the downtrodden. The 'weirdos'.Which is why the title of The Rasmus' new album - out on September 12 - is both confronting and comforting. Weirdo, the 11th album from The Rasmus, deals with feelings of inadequacy and discontent, reinforcing the fact that it is okay to be different. Okay to walk your own path. And okay to be on the outside.Weirdo comes after an extensive promotional lead-in, which started with the album's lead single Rest In Pieces, which debuted last October. More singles followed with Creatures Of Chaos, Break These Chains, and Love Is A Bitch, each track further exploring what is no longer a sensitive subject for vocalist Lauri Ylönen. With the album out tomorrow, HEAVY caught up with Ylönen to dive deeper into Weirdo."I'm feeling excited," he smiled. "A little bit nervous, still, after all these years. We've been putting a lot of emotion and a lot of time into this album for the last two or three years, and it's finally going to be released. It's a bit nerve-racking to let it go. But so far it's been a really good response, and the fans have been liking the new, little heavier sound. It's a strong album."We read back an earlier quote from Ylönen, which said, "I find it comforting that our 11th album is pretty much the same message as our first album released in 1996" and ask him to elaborate."It is maybe the main message of the band," he measured. "Just be yourself, no matter what. I think that's always been a struggle for me, but as I've grown up, I've been able to find my soulmates; people like me have come to me because it was almost like an invitation. To dress up like that, to put makeup on like that, do my hair like that, especially back in the days when there was no social media and that kind of easy access to people. You had to send messages out there, like, please find me."In the full interview, Lauri shared insights into the personal nature of the lyrics on Weirdo, including a ballad dedicated to his son, and discussed the album's overarching message of authenticity. Lauri also reflected on the band's musical evolution, comparing their discography to a diary of life experiences, and highlighted a collaboration with Lee Jennings on the title track of the new album.We spoke more about the importance placed on fitting in with society, finding your own path and surrounding yourself with positivity. Talk also turned to next year's debut tour of Australia and what to expect, and more.Order your copy of Weirdo here: https://therasmus.lnk.to/weirdoalbumBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

11 Sep 16min

By Angela CroudaceGerman melodic death-doom outfit Nailed to Obscurity have just released their highly anticipated new album, Generation of the Void. For frontman Raimund Ennenga, the record represents the band’s boldest and most diverse work yet.Following the critical success of Black Frost, the group set out to explore wider sonic territory. “We wanted the next one to be more diverse, more dynamic,” Ennenga explained. “On one side, you have the extremity of Glass Bleeding with blast beats, and on the other, songs like Allure, which is a full ballad. We even pushed into more accessible territory with tracks like Spirit Corrosion, which I would call catchy in a way.”This push into new territory demanded that Ennenga redefine his own vocal role. Known primarily for his harsh delivery, he embraced clean vocals more extensively than ever before. “I had to find the sweet spot for my voice,” he said. “It feels like more mature singing now, and we really wanted to make sure it worked both on the record and in a live setting.”Recorded across Woodshed Studio in Germany and Jacob Hansen’s studio in Denmark, the album benefits from a balance of fresh experimentation and polished production. Hansen’s calm yet meticulous approach provided the final layer of refinement. “It’s still unbelievable that this is our album,” Ennenga admitted. “Jacob was on our wish list for years, and he lifted the songs to a new level.”Lyrically, Generation of the Void reflects a more cinematic scope while also resonating with the turbulence of recent years. Themes of isolation, social unrest, and emotional weight run throughout, offering listeners both intensity and catharsis.Though no Australian tour is currently locked in, Ennenga expressed the band’s enthusiasm: “We would love to come down under one day—it would be really special.”Generation of the Void is out now.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

9 Sep 31min

Two decades into their career, Ohio metalcore outfit The Devil Wears Prada are still intent on exploring their sonic boundaries. Despite - as most bands do - having a core, recognisable brand of music, The Devil Wears Prada remain unrestrained by the confines of expectation, preferring to allow their creativity to dictate the direction of their music rather than expectation.This has never been as evident as with The Devil Wears Prada's upcoming ninth album, Flowers. The new album marks the start of an incredibly epic cycle and phase for the band, representing perhaps their most significant creative leap forward yet.HEAVY sat down with vocalist Mike Hranica for some clarity."This one has been years and years in the works," he began, "even since the record was finished being mixed feels like years ago, but that's an exaggeration (laughs). We're excited for folks to hear it."We ask Mike to tell us more about the epic new cycle of the band alluded to in the press release."In terms of looking at the cycle, what we just did with Color Decay coming out of the pandemic was certainly unprecedented compared to the seven other full-lengths we released every year or so," he measured. "We really looked forward to this cycle. We feel like we're in stride in terms of the band and marking 20 years in and full steam ahead."Talk turns to the musicality present on Flowers."There's a lot of pop sensibilities," he offered. "When you look at the genre and the label of metalcore, you think of the heavy with the singing. When I think about what this record is, I think it leans a little bit rocky - at least from the exterior - but there are certainly songs that by all means fit the metalcore description. I think it's very chorus-oriented and working with the pop sensibilities to the choruses and the theatrics having more of a place than ever."In the full interview, Mike dives deeper into the musical side of Flowers, details how it marks the start of an epic new cycle for the band, runs us through the dual single release and accompanying short film and how they lay the sonic platform for what is to come.He discusses the opening track That Same Place and the thought process behind it, the meaning behind the title, whether Flowers is an overall representation of hope or despair, their continued musical evolution and how it stands The Devil Wears Prada amongst their peers, their upcoming tour of Australia with Bullet For My Valentine and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

9 Sep 11min

Soulfly have long been a force unto themselves, spearheading the movement of groove metal over twelve previous albums, integrating tribal elements into metal with a passion and genuineness that is as undeniable as it is brutal.Proudly wearing his Brazilian heritage as a badge of honour, frontman Max Cavalera has overseen Soulfly since its inception, consistently raising the sonic bar with every new body of work. This trend looks set to continue with the impending release of Chama on October 24.The album is already being touted by those who have heard it as a return to the roots of Soulfly; a return to the gritty rawness that accentuated their early albums such as 1998's self-titled effort as well as Primitive, 3 and Prophecy. Capturing the essence of tribal lore in every breath of music, Soulfly are at their best when singing about their core ideologies, with Cavalera leading the charge with honest, meaningful appraisals of lost lives, land, and heritage.Max himself has already said, "I'm excited to present it to long-time Soulfly fans, it's a revival of our original sound", a statement which may seem casual enough but is also one which has sent scores of fans around the world in musical raptures of anticipation.HEAVY recently caught up with Max to go into greater detail. We start by asking if, after 13 albums with Soulfly and countless more with other projects, he still gets the same feeling of anticipation that accompanies an album release."Oh yeah," he replied instantly. "No matter how many albums you make, it's always the same; there's nervousness and anxiety. I probably have a bunch of ulcers from making records, but it's a cool excitement. It's fun. You're proud of the thing, you want to hear what people think of it because that's what fuels it. Everything that we do is for the fans to enjoy what we do, you know. But I think right now, Soulfly is being more inspired than ever before. I think this is a really good moment in Soulfly; a really inspirational moment to make a record like Chama. And the record is full of very strong songs and full of tribal grooves, kind of back to the tribal beginnings of Soulfly with a lot of real cool noise stuff in it, which makes it more modern. I've been joking that this album feels like tribal technology. You have the tribal beats, but with technology on top of it. If you love Soulfly, this album is definitely for you. This is an album made for Soulfly fans. If you don't like Soulfly, don't even waste your time."In the full interview, Max further shared his excitement and anxiety about Chama, emphasizing its strong songs and a return to tribal influences, blending traditional beats with modern technology. He noted that the album is tailored for dedicated fans, with themes reflecting Brazilian culture, including songs in Portuguese and narratives inspired by personal and historical experiences. Notable tracks like Always Was Always Will Be and Indigenous Inquisition were highlighted for their experimental sounds and thought-provoking content, addressing issues such as the genocide of indigenous tribes.Max also discussed the collaborative nature of the album's creation, involving his son Zyon as a producer, which brought a fresh perspective to the music. He expressed pride in the familial contributions to the project and the emotional challenges of writing authentically. The conversation included details about the upcoming Australian tour featuring Soulfly, NailBomb, and Snot, with Max expressing enthusiasm for the setlist and the opportunity to connect with fans. Overall, the album represents a significant moment for Max and Soulfly, capturing the essence of their musical journey while looking forward to future endeavours.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

9 Sep 20min

Melbourne-based crust-death outfit KÜNTSQUÄD (pronounced Kountskard) announced themselves with their self-titled 2022 debut album, selling out multiple pressings and ushering in a new era of extreme style Australian music. It was an album laced with brutality and unflinching honesty that was as much a declaration of war as it was a statement of intent.Fast-forward three years and KÜNTSQUÄD return with a new, heavier mission, delivered in the form of their follow-up album Satan's Cock. Satan's Cock is an album that pulls no punches, offering up an intense sonic battering that fuses crust punk’s raw chaos with death metal’s guttural power, laced with blackened grime and a signature streak of unbridled discontent. With their sharpened edge and unholy vision, KÜNTSQUÄD prove once again that there are no genre walls—only a relentless descent into weaponized sonic depravity.HEAVY sat down with vocalist Paula VC Damnzal and guitarist Nikronomicon Satanik to journey deeper down the rabbit hole."I think it was a concerted effort," Paula replied when we asked her to dive deeper into the new album. "We took a lot more time this time to actually finish it. When we started the recording - which is probably more than two years now - the intention was to do four songs. We put four songs down, and it sounded like crap, and we thought, no, we've got to start again. And then we had some dramas, and our engineer also had some issues, so long story short, basically, we started again. We wrote some more songs, down-tuned again just to get it right, because the last release was a bit… We weren't expecting a record to be honest, so it was done in a very rushed way. So this time round, we took a lot more time and did a bit of a critical review, where we were kind of going with it, and solidified what we'd already been doing. But it just needed to be more direct, because not everyone got it. But this time it was a lot more measured in how we did it."In the full interview, Paula and Nick further highlighted the band's commitment to a more refined production process, resulting in a heavier and more cohesive sound that reflects their goal of musical progression with each release. Nick noted that the album maintains a consistent style, addressing past challenges in genre categorization.They elaborated on the complexities of merging various metal genres while striving for originality, emphasizing the collaborative effort of each band member in shaping the album's sound. The conversation also covered their upcoming tour, starting in Perth and extending to Melbourne and other locations, with fans encouraged to follow their social media for updates on tour dates and information.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

5 Sep 18min