Dare To Excel With SEAN NEVIN From HEISTS

The world of death metal is relentless and unforgiving, with hardcore fans renowned for their refusal to have pity nor understanding for anything that isn't pure of metal. As such, new bands to the fold face a literal baptism of fire with no quarter given, and certainly none taken. Put simply, you either impress from the very get-go or you get gone. Simple as that.Which is what has made 200 Stab Wounds' rapid ascension up the metaphorical metal ladder all the more impressive. In just six years, the band have solidified a global base of loyal supporters, with some in the know proclaiming them as death metal legends in the making. But legend status is not something handed out freely. It has to be earned, then earned again, and Australian audiences will have the opportunity to judge for themselves when 200 Stab Wounds hit this country for the first time this November, teaming up with fellow purveyors of brutality, Dying Fetus. It is a match made in the bowels of Hell and one which is certain to shake Australia to the core, but first HEAVY elected to sit down with 200 Stab Wounds' guitarist Ray Macdonald to see how the band is approaching their first trip Down Under. One of the questions we ask is if 200 Stab Wounds have toured with Dying Fetus previously. "Yes, we've played with them before," Ray affirmed. "We did a tour with them in the US, and it was a great time. They are great dudes, their team are great dudes. We all got along really well."We mention the fact that having two brutal bands on tour together would keep each other on their toes, keeping the bar at a consistently high level so as not to disappoint."I mean, Dying Fetus are legends," he replied. "They are arguably one of the heaviest bands - if not the heaviest band ever - so watching them and knowing that we have to set the stage for them every night makes us definitely want to push our game up for sure."In the full interview, Ray talks more about the band's debut Australian tour, including why it has taken them so long to get out here. We talk about touring a country for the first time and how Ray approaches the experience, what they are expecting from Australian crowds and what we can expect from 200 Stab Wounds and how crazy shit gets in the mosh pit.We spoke about how quickly 200 Stab Wounds have established themselves in the death metal scene and what he thinks it is that makes them stand out. The topic of musical experimentation comes up as Ray tells us how the band have changed and grown musically over their two albums, how much experimenting they have in them moving forward and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

3 Nov 9min

New Zealand sludge/psych metal outfit Beastwars have been dominating the metal landscape ever since unleashing their self-titled debut album in 2011. Defying trends and convention, each subsequent album was just as good as, if not better than, the last, ensuring Beastwars maintained that elusive edge in a genre becoming more cluttered with each passing day.Along the way, they have experimented with progressive rock elements, but for their upcoming sixth studio album, The Ship/The Sea, Beastwars have taken their sound back to its roots to deliver a punchy amalgamation of everything that got them to this point, with a stronger emphasis on metal. The result has seen The Ship/The Sea described as one of the band's most intense and cathartic albums by the few who have laid ears on the album, but regardless of the backstory, there is no denying that Beastwars have come up with another winner, as we all shall hear when the album is released on November 7. With a run of shows in Australia to follow soon after the album drops, HEAVY sat down with drummer Nato to get the inside information, at one point asking him to describe the album musically."We've done six records and I think with most bands, their first album is probably going to be their best record," he measured. "And their second album is hopefully better, and then if they make a better second album, it means their career goes pretty well. I think that we did that on our level. I'm not saying that we changed the world or anything, but our second album was pretty good, and the people who are into this sort of music really liked it. And then the albums that came after that, we went down a little bit of a different path, getting a bit more proggy and maybe going away from the sounds that we first created, which was much more direct. A lot of the recent songs had a much more linear song structure. I'd start somewhere, and I'd end up somewhere completely different, which I really love. But this record has really gone back to what the first two albums were like, just a lot more direct, heavy, riff-based, but still being a more standard sort of song structure."In the full interview, Nato described the album as a return to a heavier sound, contrasting it with their previous experimental work, and emphasised the thematic significance of water, representing purification and chaos. He recounted their recording experience in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand, where the beachfront setting allowed for focused creativity, and explained the artistic choices behind the album's opening track and cover art by Nick Keller. The conversation also covered the band's tour schedule starting November 12, marking their first visit to Australia since 2020, and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

3 Nov 15min

For almost a decade, Melbourne alternative rockers Bad Juju have walked the tightrope between various genres, unafraid to experiment within or outside of their comfort zone.With a unique blending of 90’s grunge, 00’s nu metal and modern hardcore, the band have opened up differing sides to their musical psyche with every release, and have done so again on their most recent EP, Simulacra. The release draws inspiration from the concept of simulacra and simulation, and explores the distortion of reality in the digital age. Each track unpacks themes of identity, perception, and the struggle to find authenticity in a world of artificial narratives.With the album being out for one week, HEAVY caught up with drummer Drue Herring to discuss the new music and more."The reception's been great so far," Herring smiled. "With this new EP, we went back to our heavier roots. Seeing as we all come from heavier bands, it was nice to blend a little bit of the younger musicians' taste that we've been playing in previous bands before into this new body of work. Linkin Park, Limp Bizkit, Korn, all that type of stuff is music that all of us guys grew up on. We just wanted to influence a little bit of that type of sound towards what we were previously doing. And also just on the back of that, just for the live shows, we always feel like those heavier types of songs that are a bit more energetic and a bit faster, just have an overall better type of vibe."In the full interview, Drue highlights the positive early reception for Simulacra and describes the EP as their most ambitious work, drawing inspiration from influential bands like Linkin Park and Limp Bizkit to create a more energetic sound. He explains the collaborative songwriting process, where guitarists develop initial ideas before the group finalizes the tracks and how the songs came together.The discussion also includes the revival of vinyl records, with a limited edition of the EP being pressed, how much further Bad Juju will go with their sound, how this is the band's most ambitious release, finding the balance between genres in the creative process and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

2 Nov 9min

Interview by Ali WilliamsHZED band’s leading lady Tenaye swung to chat with HEAVY’s Ali Williams amidst their hectic rehearsal schedule for their new single release Save Yourself. Released on October 17, Save Yourself is the latest single from Melbourne’s HZED. The band has had some recent line-up changes, and with that comes fresh, new vibrant energy.The female lead group have been on the circuit for a number of years delivering riff-driven old school rock with raw, new energy. Having recently had their heads down and in the studio writing new material, HZED is about to bring their new tracks to the stage with a couple of performances over the coming weeks for their home crowd in Melbourne.Temaye speaks of the commitment the bands had to staying consistent and working hard to get the results they want, and it shows; their new track slaps hard. Coming together every week to rehearse plays a big role in being able to go out there and perform live. With hopes to add some more shows to their roster for next year, they are also focusing on eventually releasing another album sometime in the near future.Proudly doing it for the girls, Tenaye’s vibrant energy and passion for heavy metal is infectious as she hopes to inspire more girls to get out there and shred it. She’s definitely an asset to the band and an inspiration for females in the rock industry.Save Yourself is out now and available on all platforms, and information about their shows and tickets can be found on the band's Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/HZEDBANDBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

2 Nov 13min

The 1990s were a turbulent time for music. The advent of gentrification began in earnest as strains and side strains of sidestrains of different sounds came together to supposedly enhance our listening pleasure. Newer styles- or genres if you will - of music materialised almost before our ears, and all of a sudden phrases like grunge and alternative rock/metal were being bandied about as though the very passing of those words through your lips gave you a greater natural aura than all else around you.But it was also a time where work for musicians was plentiful, be it trying your hand at creating what was to become the next musical revolution or branching out into other fields within the music industry. It was a time where it was okay to mess up, because in those early years of a new era of music, mistakes were welcomed. Encouraged in some instances.It was also a time when an aspiring musician was making a name for himself as a producer, latching on to the fascination with all things grunge and throwing his DNA behind the musical revolution from inside the studio. The place where the magic happens. His name? Butch Vig. Back then Vig was relatively unknown, but before long would become known as one of the pioneers of this sonic movement, producing bands such as Nirvana, the Smashing Pumpkins, L7, and Sonic Youth. Butch could have set himself up as a producer for as long as he liked, but the discontent grew inside him, leaving him bored and disillusioned despite his obvious talents.Rather than allow the lingering darkness to fully take over, Butch instead turned his attentions to creating and playing the music, in the process uniting with three other like-minded musicians and forming a rock outfit called Garbage, who still have the same original four members some thirty years later. Butch realised that in life, you must forge your own path. Pain is fleeting, the darkness penetrable. The easiest way for it to consume you is to sit by while it slowly takes control. Or you can go out and get that thing you want. Make it happen. Just like Butch Vig did some thirty years ago.With Garbage set to touch down in a matter of weeks for the first time in a decade as part of Good Things 2025, HEAVY jumped at the chance to get a little nostalgic when we sat down for a chat with drummer Butch Vig."We are so psyched to be coming there," he said warmly. "We have a huge fan base there. I'm going down there to play some shows, but also I'm going early, and I'm gonna stay late in Australia, so I actually can be a tourist for a few days. I'm bringing my wife along, who has never been there before. So I'm really psyched to come back."We point out that it has been a while between drinks."Like I say, I am coming down early," Butch laughed, almost apologising. "We're going down to New Zealand early, then we're gonna stay extra time in Australia because I haven't been there in a while. Garbage hasn't been there for a while, and I wanna be able to take in the country and spend some time there. In the US run, we play a show, and then we get on the bus and we drive overnight and play a show again, then get on the bus and drive overnight. We have tonight off in Salt Lake City, but rarely do we have days off, so I really wanna get down there and be a proper tourist for a few days.In the full interview, Butch tells us what has changed with Garbage since their last tour a decade ago. He introduces us to their new bass player and highlights some different elements she has brought to the band's music. We talk more about the tour and what to expect, reflecting on the eclectic mixture of bands at Good Things, and run over the pros and cons of genre-specific festivals opposed to ones with a wide range of different music.We spoke about the vibe backstage at music festivals and if the musicians mix with bands outside of their genre, plus Butch suggested three songs for Good Things attendees to listen to from Garbage if they are not familiar with the band's music. Butch took us through the early days of the band, including his disillusionment with music at the time, and how forming Garbage helped reignite his musical spark. We asked him about the success of Garbage's self-titled debut album and if the band had any inkling they were onto something special after finishing it, the importance of continuity within the band and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

31 Okt 16min

After establishing themselves as serious contenders in the ever-growing Australian music landscape with their 2024 EP Requiem, Melbourne hard rock outfit The Last Martyr seemingly went into their shells, still playing the odd show but failing to release more new music to deliver the knockout blow.It was ultimately a combination of many different factors of life and music that stood as a buffer between maintaining momentum and walking the tightrope of everyday life, but if the absolute carnage that is their upcoming single Brain Rot is anything to go by, The Last Martyr have decided it's time to reacquaint themselves with their fans. And not by easing back into things, either.Harking back to their nu metal roots, The Last Martyr have proved that while they might not have been as prolific in the public forum, that doesn't mean they have remained idle in the creative realm. Brain Rot is a seething, attitude-laced descent into a world diminished by the rapid emergence of the digital age and the many fears, problems, and disconnections that come with it.Throw in the fact that vocalist Monica Strut was recently crowned as a deserved winner of the Women In Heavy Music Award at this year's Australian Women's Music Awards, and you have a potent mix of tempered aggression and personal embodiment that is just waiting to be unleashed. HEAVY spent time earlier this week with Monica to talk about the new single and her recent recognition by her peers."I think it's just one of those milestones that is so rare, especially in the music industry," she relayed when asked if winning the award has sunk in yet, "and as a woman, and in Australia. There's obviously the ARIA's, but you really have to be so on top of your game to win an ARIA. We don't have many awards like this in Australia, and there's something really special about even just being invited to the ceremony."We question Monica on the gap between releases and ask if she thinks The Last Martyr may have lost momentum in that time."We thought we weren't going to do it justice if we rushed it," she said of Brain Rot. "We had the song ready, but in terms of being a musician, it's not just about writing music. You've got to prepare all the contents, and you've got to have the marketing for it and create the single artwork. So I think we've delayed it a little bit, mainly due to logistical reasons."We bring up the return to a more nu metalcore sound and ask if that is going to remain the way forward for The Last Martyr."We're always going to experiment," Monica shrugged. "We're never going to be a band that sticks with a certain sound and then just copy/ paste. We have too many ideas, and we always want to be pushing ourselves as artists. But what I will say is I feel like this song and the next batch of songs, they're the best songwriting that we've ever done in terms of arrangements and everything like that."In the full interview, we explored the shift back to The Last Martyr's roots in more detail, discussing the reasons behind the return and how Monica thinks fans will react. We talked more about her recent Award and what it means to her as a person and an artist, also mentioning the previous two winners and how tight-knit the Australian metal circle is.We spoke more about not rushing into releasing anything straight after Requiem, whether Brain Rot is a standalone single or part of a bigger album picture, upcoming shows and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

30 Okt 19min

Electro metal group Solence frontman Markus Videsäter caught up with HEAVY's Ali Williams to chat about their upcoming release, Angels Calling, and the inevitable album tour. Originally from LA, these guys are now settled in Sweden in the hope of optimising their expansion. Solence formed back in 2012 and had initially released tracks in increments in a build-up to their first album, Brothers, back in 2019.The success they saw from this catapulted them into the algorithm, which meant Spotify was kind to them, and we all know what happens when you scratch Spotify in the right place.Making a significant amount of their music during the COVID epidemic had unprecedented results, none of which could be predicted. As Markus stated, Solence could see the numbers they had, but that didn’t transpire into the realisation that those numbers were real people actually digesting their music. So when they were invited to perform alongside Five Finger Death Punch, the band individually and collectively had their minds blown at the surreal nature of their growth.Fast-forward to 2025, and Solence are locked in and serious about gaining more traction. Their latest release, Angels Calling, comes out on October 31 and will be available on all platforms. That date corresponds with the band's upcoming European tour that kicks off on November 7 and finishes up on December 6.Markus informs us that after their tour, Solence have some exciting new plans for 2026, and although he stopped short of revealing what those plans were, he has strongly recommended fans stay tuned and keep a close eye on things.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

30 Okt 24min

Certain things in this world should always be spoken in the same breath. Be it respect, acceptance or merely just because that's the way it has always been, some things you just don't mess with. Like a pie and tomato sauce, a Tim Tam straw, bacon and eggs, and The Meanies and Australian music.It seems The Meanies can't ever put a foot wrong, even when it comes to apathetically releasing a song recorded 25 years ago that just happens to have worked its way to the surface, although, admittedly they did hedge their bets somewhat by inviting another classic Aussie band from that era in Frenzal Rhomb to provide a cover of Play This Song Every Night on the B Side.From the late 1980s and into this century, Melbourne pop punk-meets-hardcore-meets-punk-meets-attitude outfit The Meanies have crawled and fought their way into the halls of Australian music royalty, generally not caring either way about the trappings of success and the money and problems that invariably come with it. Put simply, The Meanies are the band that keeps on giving, and if you have no idea about why or how these guys have etched themselves into the realm of champions, then I suggest you repeat Grade 5. Or maybe listen to this chat HEAVY recently had with frontman Link Meanie. We ask him how a song could just be found after 25 years in captivity, to which he had a strangely semi-serious answer."We initially released an EP and a couple of more EPs from that recording session," he explained. "The more traditional Meanies-type songs. But I was just a bit confused at the time and recorded a whole bunch of ridiculous shit. There was a disco song, there's a fucking country song. I don't know what the fuck I was thinking, but yeah. So we did release those, and we had a whole bunch of other stuff that we've gradually done a bunch of singles with. So we'll have one of those tracks on the A side and a couple of Aussie bands covering our songs on the other side. So we've been lucky enough to have some really good bands do that."In the full interview, Link told us the story behind the suddenly found music and why it has been drip-fed over the years. We discussed the song itself, Shutdown, and the funkier direction it takes, asking if that was a direction The Meanies had contemplated taking 25 years ago. He told us of the fun he had writing and recording that sexier number, and the potential for The Meanies to rebrand themselves as sex symbols.We chatted about having Frenzal Rhomb and Leeches! feature on the B Side, each band covering a different song by The Meanies. We also spoke about the friendship and connection between them and Frenzal, and some fun times they have had together over the years. The topic of grunge music and its global invasion was raised, and how The Meanies started up around the same time, but never conformed to what was a rapidly expanding genre. He told us about the band's single launch tour starting on October 31 and what fans can expect, and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

29 Okt 17min