Destroying Everything With SKINNY From DEATHSTARS

Melbourne metal outfit Void Of Vision have flown the flag for Australian music for over a decade; the quintessential underdog that remains humble and unassuming despite having more than enough heart to claim whatever patch of turf they, in the minds of most observers, deserved.Rather than restricting themselves and overstaying the musical welcome they built from their debut EP, 2014's Broken//Bones through to 2016's Children of Chrome, 2017's Disturbia, 2019's Hyperdaze and the amalgamated CHRONICLES series in 2023, Void Of Vision approached each new sonic cycle with the mindset of bettering themselves and their sound in the best and easiest way possible.By letting it come naturally.Each release saw the band morph into varying degrees of their growing musical psyche, refusing to allow their insatiable search for self-respect and musical growth to be harnessed in any way, shape or form.Respected by their peers and adored by an ever expanding legion of fans, Void Of Vision became an entity unto themselves with an air of invincibility around them that was inspiring and infectious. Until they almost lost vocalist Jack Bergin in early 2022 to what was later diagnosed as a "glitch" in his head.The normally outgoing and accessible frontman was forced into becoming an involuntary recluse after returning to hospital in April 2023 suffering intense headaches before being rushed into surgery for a life-saving procedure that forced him into confronting his own mortality and coming to terms with the now very real fact that tomorrow may not be as assured as he once took it for granted to be.As he has done his entire life, Bergin again turned to music, but this time it was with a different outlook on life that manifested itself through songwriting for a body of work that eventually became the genesis for Void Of Vision's new album What I'll Leave Behind that is due for release on September 20.A swirling maelstrom of massive riffs, abrasive edges and sonic bursts of intensity, What I'll Leave Behind is the product of a multitude of fear, sorrow and regret coupled with a renewed appreciation for life that could only come from the perspective of someone who has looked death in the eye but refused to accept it.HEAVY recently sat down with Bergin to discuss a tumultuous past few years and the music that recounts it."I had my first nocturnal seizure," he explained when we ask him about the initial circumstances that saw him wake up in the back of an ambulance, terrified and unsure of how he had got there. "It's basically an unavoidable moment where you are asleep in the dead of the night and your brain will just - basically due to my AVM which is constricting my blood flow - and leads to a… I can't remember the actual name of the type of seizure, but it led to me waking up in the back of an ambulance. I was very lucky to have my partner at the time there, and she was calling the ambulance before we knew it. But it was very weird because for the first time in my life that was a moment that I have zero recollection of. You can have your moments when you are on a night out, and you get drunk, but this was just completely different. It's complete blackout, with no clue of what happened or how it happened. I just went to sleep and woke up in an ambulance, and that was a really wild experience. It's the first instance of what happened. I went to the doctors, and they started beginning the plan to get rid of this AVM in the back of my brain and begin the process for radiotherapy."In the full interview, Jack opens up about the rest of the journey that nearly claimed his life, confronting the illness, how he harnessed those fears into the process of turning it into music for the new album, removing himself from the public eye in order to recover and hating every minute of it, creating an anterior persona dubbed the Angel Of Darkness to mentally adjust to the changes, how the ongoing support from his bandmates and fans in general helped him regain focus, the continued musical growth of Void Of Vision, their upcoming run of shows with Parkway Drive and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

12 Sep 202420min

So much is made of the sophomore album syndrome with bands, especially the belief that a second album can often be the making or breaking of a band in terms of longevity and success. Although personally I have never favoured that belief - good music is good music whether it's your first, second, third or fourth album - there are many bands who have dished up below-par second albums and never recovered.The answer to that is pretty simple.Attack each and every album with a wholehearted belief and trust in what has got you there in the first place. Or you could go one better and try to better yourself musically, which is exactly what emo rock outfit The Funeral Portrait have done with their second album Greetings From Suffocate City, which will be laid bare this Friday, September 13.With the full backing of their label Better Noise Music, The Funeral Portrait have poured their entire beings into their follow up to 2016's A Moment Of Silence, creating a sonic tapestry of songs that showcases the band in a powerful new light bristling with confidence and expansion.Plus, toss in the fact they have landed guest artists such as Bert McCracken of The Used, Spencer Charnas of Ice Nine Kills, Danny Worsnop of Asking Alexandria and Eva Under Fire and you suddenly have a melting pot of bristling, emotive rock music that looks set to propel The Funeral Portrait into the next wave of rock royalty that they have tirelessly been working towards.HEAVY caught up with vocalist Lee Jennings to find out more."It was a lot to do with…," he surmised. "Growing up, I was always the weird kid. I was always the loner or that kind of guy who was made fun of for being too tall or too weird or being into… I was always into anime, or musical theatre, just different from everyone else. Everyone else, especially around me, was into sports. I wanted to write a record that was kind of a love letter to the younger me, so every song has to do with some sort of experience that happened in prior years."In the full interview, Lee talks more about Greetings From Suffocation City and what to expect, his inspirations behind the music, motivating yourself to put out the best album you can, the story arc across the 14 tracks, how this album differs musically to A Moment Of Silence, what he learnt about himself and his music between albums, the guest artists and how they came to be on the record, making a statement with music, the band's blending of genres and how they come together, the theatrics within their music, touring plans and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

12 Sep 202414min

Out of all the music genres, sub-genres and classifications that, for some reason, people feel compelled to label bands with in the modern age, there is one - and one alone - that commands instant respect. One which sums up everything you want or need to know about a band in just two simple words.Old school.If a band is referred to as old school metal then you pretty much know what you are in for almost without hearing a note played in anger, and the even bigger beauty of it is that the term hasn't - yet - become trendy or fashionable. It is still used as a badge of honour and respect, away from the fresh breed of music lovers who feel compelled to follow whatever trend or fashion is popular at the time.Which is why the moment the press release for Perth death metal outfit Crypt Crawler landed on my desk with the words old school catching my wandering eye, I knew I had to take a listen.Said to "conjure an old school sound with a modern approach" Crypt Crawler didn't let me - or the person who wrote the presser - down.It turns out the boys are on the promo trail for their blistering new album The Immortal Realm, which, not surprisingly in the slightest, drops this Friday, September 13. HEAVY sat down with vocalist Marco Leritano to talk more about the release."We've tried to take a step up from the previous album," he began. "It's what you expect from Crypt Crawler, except all the songs are punchier. There's eight songs, no filler on the album and I think the album as a whole is a bit groovier with a bit more melody and a straight-up punch to the face with all eight tracks."In the full interview, Marco shares more details about The Immortal Realm, highlighting its punchier and groovier sound aimed at capturing listener attention in today's fast-paced environment. He emphasized the band's independence in decision making and strategic planning regarding song selection and target demographics, reflecting on lessons learned from previous projects. Marco also discussed the challenges of managing the band alongside full-time work, the unexpected collaboration with James Murphy (Death, Obituary), and the blend of old school metal with modern influences. He expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming Australian tour, particularly the chance to perform with Nile, underscoring the band's commitment to providing an exceptional experience for their fans.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

12 Sep 202416min

Rising Australian talent The Beautiful Monument have somehow managed to tap into that elusive reservoir of musical expression that is tantalisingly close for every band and artist, but also ever elusive to most.By blending shades of light with lashings of heaviness and combining them with enough attitude and rebelliousness to be just shy of dangerous, The Beautiful Monument have become adept at producing music that not only transcends genres, but also unites the soul.With raw, honest and confronting subject matter, the quartet manage to strike the balance between humanising emotions through music, allowing fans and followers a glimpse into the band at their most vulnerable and challenging but still striving by the moment to better themselves and their craft.Late last month, the band introduced us to new music in the form of the enchanting single Duerma - which means sleep in Spanish - laying bare vocalist Lizi McIntosh's self-doubts and inner demons that confront her as part of her chosen daily vocation. It is a powerful and confronting slab of music that encompasses a plethora of fear, emotion, hope and understanding, bound up beautifully in a maelstrom of sonic activity that reflects its subject matter.This weekend sees The Beautiful Monument wind up a national run with RedHook, with McIntosh joining HEAVY earlier today to tell us about the new track, the tour, and plans moving forward. We start by asking about Duerma and how it has been received."Really good," she enthused, "which has been nice. I didn't really know how it would go having bits of Spanish in a song, but it's been received really well. Less anxiety-inducing now that it's out in the wild (smiles) and I don't have to sit there and overthink it."We press her about the musical side of Duerma and what they were going for with it."I think we wanted to do kind of a throwback to the 2007 kind of feel," she measured. "It was inspired a little bit by Pierce The Veil and cool shit that we were into when we were younger. But the song itself, meaning wise is about my struggles being a musician, and the self-doubt and people that you think are on your team but end up letting you down. Or responding in a way you weren't expecting someone that is meant to be on your side to respond. The whole recording process or writing music is a super daunting thing for me, and it has been for years. I've been doing this for 12 years now - this band in particular - but, yeah. I guess I wasn't used to constructive criticism until I came into this band, and I understand that constructive criticism is super important now. But, at the time, I wasn't used to it because I was very used to people saying 'everything you write is amazing'. So when I was told something I wrote fucken sucked, it was definitely a punch to the ego, and it hurt. I think that whole experience traumatised me in a way because every time I have to record or write anything I am so anxious about it. Even last year, I was, like, do I even bother? Do I keep going with music? Am I even good enough to do this?"In the full interview, Lizi further discussed the recent release of single Duerme and situations throughout her life that had a lasting negative effect on her. She reflected on her struggles with self-doubt and criticism in her musical journey, revealing how these challenges have influenced her songwriting process. Lizi also shared insights into the band's recent tour experiences, the camaraderie among Australian bands, and their plans for future music releases, including an all-ages show in Melbourne.She also spoke about the changing sonic landscape of The Beautiful Monument and the importance of experimentalismation, opening up about sharing her personal thoughts and feelings through verse and how it helps her deal with these emotions.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

11 Sep 202422min

Quiet and unassuming, Grand Rapids, Michigan post-hardcore outfit LA Dispute are a volcanic force of musical nature, shunning expectations in favour of experimentation and personal growth.Over four full length albums, the band have pushed themselves in whatever direction their music has led them, incorporating new soundscapes, tones and structures into a genre of music that is supposed to be more regimented. The fact LA Dispute have an ever-growing fan base that has supported their every musical whim speaks volumes for individuality and expression, in a time where it is often easier and less confronting to toe the company line in terms of musical output.This year, the band celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the groundbreaking album Rooms Of The House in the best way they know how - by taking it to the masses. Well, masses in terms of geographical spread, but more articulated when it comes to actual location.Rather than embark on another exhausting full run of shows, LA Dispute have elected to play just five shows in various countries around the world that represent and having meaning for the band. Dubbed the 2024 Five Nights Only Tour, it has already passed through London, Amsterdam and Berlin, with only Grand Rapids (September 28) and Australia (November 22) to conquer.HEAVY caught up with vocalist Jordan Dreyer to talk more.We engaged in a lively discussion about the band's recent performances in London, Amsterdam, and Berlin, as well as their upcoming show in Australia. Jordan shared his enthusiasm for connecting with audiences and reflected on the therapeutic nature of performing songs from the Rooms of the House album, which have evolved in meaning through personal experiences. He also highlighted the intentional flow of their records, making it easier to perform the entire album live. The conversation shifted to their decision to record their next album in Sydney, influenced by their bandmate's connections and a desire for experimentation in a new environment.Jordan spoke about the band's intention to remain in Sydney to work on their next album and noted it may adopt a darker tone, reflecting global tensions, while incorporating elements from previous works.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

11 Sep 202416min

Lovingly referred to as one of the leading noise bands of all time, US rock outfit The Jesus Lizard are putting their long-suffering fans out of their misery this Friday, September 13, when they drop their first album in 26 years, Rack.Known for their energetic and off-the-cuff live performances as much as their music, The Jesus Lizard managed to release six albums between 1987 and 1996, gaining a huge underground following that had as much to do with the band members honest, egoless attitude towards life, music and the world in general.After disbanding in 1999 with a strong likelihood the decision would be permanent, The Jesus Lizard faded back into the musical void from which they had risen, but the fire and passion within, while possibly waning, still held enough heat to bring the members back together sporadically over the course of the next decade and a bit. They played a select number of "re-enactment" shows, which in turn led to an increased musical libido, which in turn led to The Jesus Lizard resuming their love/hate affair with the music industry and writing a new album. Vocalist David Yow joined HEAVY to discuss the new music and getting the gang back together."Pretty good," he replied when asked how it felt to be on the cusp of a new album after so long. "It's a little strange to be doing a record… we broke up in 1999 so now it's kind of an odd thing to have gotten back together and written enough songs to make an album and made that album. But I'm happy. It turned out much better than I would have guessed."In the full interview, David talks more about the musical nature of Rack, how they approached the album in terms of demographic, retaining their old sound and image, the early days of the band and where they fit in, the break-up of The Jesus Lizard and how they came back together, at what point he knew the band would start writing together again and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

11 Sep 202415min

Dynamic rock outfit HER have been steadily building a name for themselves on the Australian music scene, with their infectious blending of rock and blues-infused grunge goodness finally getting the band national recognition following the release of their latest EP, Toe Rag.With members having played with and shared stages with the likes of The Screaming Jets, Keith Richards, Divinyls and Billy Thorpe, HER most certainly have the pedigree for a career in rock, they just need the exposure.Which comes next weekend in the form of the Mitchell Creek Blues and Rock Festival, where HER have been given the honour of closing out the three day festival on September 15. Undoubtedly the heaviest act of the 120 artists asked to perform, HER are flying the flag for harder-edged music, and do so with pride and enthusiasm.HEAVY caught up with vocalist Mish Davie and bass player Jerome Smith to find out more."It just came out of the blue," Davie enthused about the opportunity to close Mitchell Creek. "I was contemplating where are we going? What are we doing with this band? It's such hard work, and I was really having a downer to the point of thinking I don't even know if it's worth keeping this band going. And then the phone rang, and it was Jimmy, and he said 'hey Mish how would you like to come and play at a festival I organise?' So it was totally out of the blue but he said he had been listening to us for a while, and he was really drawn to the single The Truth, and that's basically how it happened."Part of HER's appeal comes in the fact that they are continually pushing their musical boundaries in an attempt to break free from the mould of being another in a long line of run-of-the-mill rock bands that are a dime a dozen in music."It's such a process," Davie explains of HER's overall sound. "For me personally, I collaborate still with my old guitarist. We've got so much stuff on the shelf we have yet to release, so that has been interesting bringing that in. When I first started this band six years ago, that was all the songs I had with my back catalogue. That first album was quite eclectic. Including Jerome, there's four drummers on the first album, so it was all hired guns. Now it's been 18 months to two years with this line-up, and Mark McLeod (drums) is now on board, and he has a really distinct style, so that's been interesting melding that into what we do with the kind of stoner rock and slower, bluesy rock stuff. It's really amped up the style and pushed it - because Mark is quite a metal player - and he has pushed what we do heavier. But what has happened with Nelson (guitar), Jerome and Christian (guitar) as well is all of us write. It's just so good to get together with a creative and talented group of people who, in their own right, all write music and have their own style."In the full interview Mish and Jerome talk more about the sound of HER and how it came about, their upcoming show at Mitchell Creek Blues And Rock Fest and what it means to them and their music, what to expect live from HER, the EP Toe Tag and how it was received, pushing their limits musically, finding the balance of genres in the writing and recording stage and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

7 Sep 202426min

Interview by Kris Peters,After managing to steer clear of this side of the world since 2016, North Carolina stoner/sludge/doom outfit Weedeater have declared 2024 the year of the Weed as they prepare to traverse Australia with their good mates King Parrot for the When The Weed Meets The Speed Australian Tour kicking off on November 6.No strangers to touring overseas together - as recent as last US Summer and as far back as 2015 - this will be the two band's first tour of this country together in what promises to be an entertaining, energy charged and musically brutal run of shows. While polar opposites of the musical spectrum, Weedeater and King Parrot connect where it matters. Live, loud, and in front of an audience.Just to make sure the needle of chaos pushes into the red, Astrodeath and Choof will join the party as the bands play 11 shows in 12 days from one side of the country to the other.HEAVY spent some time with Weedeater for a chat ahead of the tour, starting with why the boys have neglected Australian fans for the last eight years."We're not attempting to neglect you," they assured. "I'm not sure if you're aware, but it's kind of far away from where we live (laughs). We love Australia. We've always had a good time there, but it's not easy to get there, and it costs a lot of money to do so. It's a big pain in the ass, but when we get there, we have a damn good time. I would love to ask you a question. Why have you not come to North Carolina and visited me?"One point Weedeater. Zero points HEAVY.In the full interview we discuss what to expect from Weedeater's shows, their friendship with King Parrot, some tales from the road, their brand of hot sauce and if any will be making its way Down Under, the term 'sludge-toned tar-heels’ and what it means, new music, three songs to listen to in order to know the band better, future plans and more.KING PARROT + WEEDEATER + ASTRODEATH + CHOOF“WHEN THE WEED MEETS THE SPEED” AUSTRALIAN TOUR, NOVEMBER 2024Wednesday, November 6th - Mo’s Desert Clubhouse, Gold Coast QLDThursday, November 7th - The Triffid, Brisbane QLDFriday, November 8th - King Street Warehouse, Newcastle, NSWSaturday, November 9th - Manning Bar, Sydney, NSWSunday, November 10th - The Basement, Canberra ACTTuesday, November 12th - Volta, Ballarat VICWednesday, November 13th – Barwon Club, Geelong VICThursday, November 14th – Singing Bird, Frankston VIC (All Ages)Friday, November 15th – Max Watts, Melbourne VICSaturday, November 16th – Lion Arts Factory, Adelaide, SASunday, November 17th – Magnet House, Perth, WATickets on sale now: www.kingparrot.oztix.com.auBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

5 Sep 20248min