The Eternal Battle Of Man Verses Camel With JASON WHALLEY From FRENZAL RHOMB

Combining rock and metal with country music is a brave move. Fans of each genre individually are parochial in their love of music and unlikely to take to any bastardisation with any other form of sonic entertainment. It takes a person with confidence and conviction to even attempt such a marriage, but when done right even the staunchest of purists can do nothing except sit back, listen, and enjoy. Such is the case with Cory Marks and his body of work. By integrating elements of each of the above genres with blatant disregard for convention or history, Marks has found his niche in a blurry world of music with a striking and engaging mixing of styles that reflects his own upbringing and eclectic tastes. His recent - and appropriately titled - album Sorry For Nothing accentuates his individuality, bringing together country, rock and metal in such a way that makes it impossible to resist. Collaborations with artists such as Sully Erna (Godsmack), Travis Tritt, Mick Mars and DL of Bad Wolves have helped bridge the divide between genres, but it is Marks' inate ability to transcend musical barriers that makes him stand out in a musical climate that is becoming increasingly predictable. HEAVY spent some time with Marks to find out his thoughts on music. "It's been a project I've been waiting to release and working on for the last four years," he smiled, "so to finally have it out… it's nice. Now it's up to the world to see how they acknowledge it, and hopefully they love it." We ask him to dive deeper into Sorry For Nothing musically. "I've always stayed true to who I am and what I believe in or what I enjoy doing," he said. "As you know I'm country, I'm rock, and I'm a little bit of metal and in this record you have songs that I've written about a year ago all the way to songs written seven or eight years ago. It's thirteen songs that I think represent me the best right now. What I've been through, where I've been and how far I've come and where I plan on to continue to go. Hence the album title, Sorry For Nothing." In the full interview, Cory discusses the blending of genres and how he makes them work, the potential risks of combining genres, the guest artists on the album and why they were chosen, finding the balance in music, the pressures of following his hugely successful single Outlaws & Outsiders, how his sound has changed over his career, what he has learnt about himself and his music on this journey and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

13 Des 202419min

Interview by Angela CroudaceAfter 15 years in the game, Polar's frontman Adam "Woody" Woodford could have easily walked away when the band hit a rough patch. But instead of throwing in the towel, he rebuilt the band with a fresh line-up and a renewed sense of purpose. The result? Five Arrows is their boldest and most experimental album to date.Polar's journey has been anything but easy. After members left and relationships were tested, Woody was at a crossroads. But rather than giving up, he saw an opportunity for a fresh start. "When you lose everything, you gain everything," Woody explains, paraphrasing Fight Club. This approach laid the groundwork for the band's artistic rejuvenation. As a result, the new album exemplifies that philosophy: challenging, sincere, and unfiltered.Five Arrows represents a new era for the band, as they threw out the rulebook and embraced an experimental approach to their sound. "There was nothing left to lose," Woody reflects. The result is an album that pushes boundaries, blending aggression and melody in a way they hadn't explored before. "We threw the rulebook out," he adds, highlighting how the band has moved away from its established blueprint to create something more dynamic and challenging.The songwriting process for Five Arrows was a true collaboration. Guitarist Simon Richardson wrote a series of riffs that became the album's foundation, and the band worked together, refining and expanding on the ideas. But it wasn't just about the band, but also the outside influences that shaped the sound. Producer Jack Murphy played a crucial role, pushing the band out of their comfort zones and challenging them to explore new directions.For Woody, the album's emotional core is just as important as the sound. Five Arrows tackles the destructive power of change and the resilience needed to overcome it. Woody reflects on how embracing change has brought the band to a place of growth and renewal, no matter how difficult. "It's all about resilience," he says. "There's no dead end unless you make it one."Polar's future looks bright as the band prepares to tour and share Five Arrows with the world. What started as a passion project has become a symbol of strength, unity, and perseverance. For Woody and the band, Five Arrows is more than just an album - it's a physical incarnation of their ability to rise from the ashes and embrace whatever comes next.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

13 Des 202415min

Interview by Angela CroudaceNiclas Engelin, guitarist of Swedish melodic death metal band The Halo Effect, spoke to HEAVY about the band's journey and their new album March of the Unheard. Engelin shared insights into the album-making process, the band's evolution, and the importance of positive energy in their music.Regarding the new album, Engelin revealed that March of the Unheard consists entirely of fresh material. Niclas reflected on how the band initially overproduced some songs, but eventually honed the track list by focusing on the album's overall vision. "You need to stay focused and hold a torch," he explained, noting how the band ensured every song fit within the album's structure.The first single, Detonate, was chosen as the lead track because of its fast pace, intricate guitar work, and catchy melodies. "It represents the album quite a bit," said Engelin. "It's a little bit more of everything this time."The album's more confident and cohesive sound reflects the band's growth, partly thanks to the extensive live touring they did for their debut. Engelin believes their live experience allowed them to develop a stronger sense of identity as a band. "We sound more confident… doing 96 shows for the first album, that's a lot," he said.As for the band's creative process, Engelin highlighted the importance of collaboration and fun. The songwriting is formulated on positive energy and mutual respect. "We do a lot of hanging out, talking about old albums, enjoying each other's company," he explained. While Engelin may bring a "skeleton" of a song to the table, the process is always collaborative, with every band member contributing their unique ideas to shape the final product. It's all about creating music in an environment of joy, as he emphasised: "If it's not fun, we just drop it."When discussing the band's dynamics, Engelin revealed that despite their busy schedules, they maintain a close relationship. They keep in touch regularly through texts, emails, or phone calls. Though family, other projects, and tight touring schedules keep them occupied, a strong sense of camaraderie fuels their music.Looking ahead, The Halo Effect is eager to return to Australia on their next tour. Fans can expect a mix of new tracks and fan favourites from their previous albums. "Some songs need to grow on you," Engelin noted, reflecting on the band's evolving live experience.In closing, Engelin explained that the band's name, The Halo Effect, represents positivity and good4 energy. "It stands for something positive," he said, a sentiment heard in every note they play.March of the Unheard is set for release on January 10 through Nuclear Blast Records.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

9 Des 202420min

Interview by Angela CroudaceFor over a decade Carbon Black have been steadily making their mark in the Australian groove metal scene. With a reputation for hard-hitting, groove-laden riffs and an undeniable stage presence, the Wollongong-based band has persevered through line-up changes, tough times, and the ever-evolving music industry.Lead vocalist Jon Hurley reflects on the band's journey, their upcoming re-release of the EP Principium 2.0, and recent collaborations with some of metal's heavyweights, including Tim 'Ripper' Owens of Judas Priest."We've been going for a little over 10 years now," Hurley says, a mix of disbelief and pride in his voice. "It's funny to look back and think about how we started, and everything we've done to get to this point."The band's latest release, Principium 2.0, is a refreshed and revitalised version of their original EP. Hurley and the band saw it as the perfect opportunity to revisit the early material that helped put them on the map. "When we first started, we didn't have many songs, and we definitely didn't have a stable line-up," he explains. "We rushed things out—wrote 40 minutes of material in a matter of weeks. And while we were proud of what we did, we knew that there was more we could bring to the table."The stable line-up that has been integral to the band's recent successes consists of Hurley (vocals), Rob Giles (bass), Damon Bishop (guitar), and Steve Giles (drums), who joined six years ago. This line-up shift, notably the addition of Steve, was a game-changer for the band. "It took us a while to find a stable drummer," Hurley admits. "But now, with Steve, we've been able to really inject some personality into our old tracks and make them something special."The refreshed Principium marks a musical evolution for Carbon Black and celebrates their perseverance as a band. "It's a celebration of 10 years of hard work," Hurley says. "We've been through a lot, and we're still standing strong. This is just the beginning for us."Alongside the re-release of Principium, Carbon Black has also gained recognition for its collaboration with Tim "Ripper" Owens. The band teamed up with the former Judas Priest and Iced Earth vocalist for a guest feature on one of their tracks, Under Order, during the pandemic. "It was a stroke of luck," Hurley explains. "We were trying to figure out how to make a splash with our new album, and Rob came across the opportunity to work with Ripper. It felt like the perfect fit."Owens' contribution to the track added a new dynamic to the band's sound, blending their groove metal roots with his renowned vocal power. "He was incredibly professional," Hurley recalls. "He sent us three different takes, and we ended up picking the one that felt the most natural. It worked out perfectly."Looking back on the band's rise, Hurley notes that their growth has come with challenges. "In the Australian music scene, especially in heavy metal, there are thousands of bands fighting for attention," he says. "But we've managed to stay relevant because of our hard work, stage presence, and the connections we've made along the way. We're lucky, but we're also really driven."As the band prepares to hit the road once again, Hurley is excited to bring the new material to fans. "We're definitely planning to perform Principium in full on tour, along with some older tracks," he shares. "It's going to be a celebration of everything we've done, and we can't wait to see our fans again."For fans looking to get their hands on the physical release of Principium 2.0, Hurley recommends checking out their Bandcamp page. "We always have limited edition merch and hard copies available at shows," he says. "We've got everything from T-shirts to coasters, and even undies. It's all about giving our fans something special."Reflecting on Carbon Black's journey, Hurley sums it up with a mixture of gratitude and determination. "What does Carbon Black mean to me? It's everything. It's a way of life. It's a family, and it's the best thing I've ever been a part of. We've worked hard, and we're not stopping anytime soon."Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

9 Des 202419min

If the rebellious youth of society had a queen back in the mid to late 80's you can bet your life that queen would have been a seemingly shy young lady from Violet Town called Ella Hooper. Coupling her struggles of being brought up in a small country town with the almost overwhelming burdens that life as a teenager can throw at you, Hooper and brother Jesse formed a band called Killing Heidi and instantly struck a chord with a new generation of fans for which music was their only salvation.Killing Heidi are still mesmerising audiences decades after sharing their life and struggles via music. Their enduring popularity and renewed zest saw the band rewarded with a slot at GOOD THINGS 2024.HEAVY caught up with guitarist Jesse Hooper to find out more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

7 Des 202412min

American rock outfit L7 are just as relevant today as they were when they formed back in 1985. Never ones to shy away from confrontation or back down from their beliefs, L7 have survived hiatuses, member changes and the changing tide of opinion to emerge even stronger than before. Despite the constant state of turmoil that has managed to afflict daily life, L7 have endured, harnessing that anger and resentment into an undeniable force of music that presently sees the band back in Australia once more.HEAVY caught up with frontwoman Donita Sparks ahead of L7's first show of GOOD THINGS 2024 to find out more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

7 Des 202414min

US rock outfit Sleeping With Sirens have made their career on a combination of honesty, music and humour.The band rose to fame early on with their song If I'm James Dean, You're Audrey Hepburn, the lead single from their debut album With Ears to See and Eyes to Hear, which was released in 2010. Their second album, Let's Cheers to This, was released in 2011 and became a breakout for the band, thanks to the popular single If You Can't Hang, which was quickly certified Gold.But as consistently good as their music has been, Sleeping With Sirens have never been ones to take themselves too seriously. In an age where many are afraid to sneeze for fear of offending someone, Sleeping With Sirens have stayed true to their convictions and whimsical nature, delivering a succession of well received albums that have played a part in the position we currently find the band.Back in Australia for their second Good Things appearance at a festival that is only three years old. HEAVY first met the rockers at Good Things 2022, facing the daunting proposition of a virtual baptism of fire when we drew them first cab off the rank for what was our first ever backstage festival round of interviews.As it was again last Friday when the Metal Gods dished up Sleeping With Sirens for us to open the day with once more. But this time we were ready...Good Things 2024 tickets and more details: https://goodthingsfestival.com.au/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

7 Des 202410min

While safety first is becoming an increasingly mundane and almost conformist part of the global music scene, there are bands out there who refuse to yield, preferring to allow their natural creativity dictate the terms of music rather than cater to the whims of the masses.Sydney music machine Reliqa are one of the bands.Despite their relative youth in the cogs of the unforgiving music scene, Reliqa continue to push the boundaries of the acceptable parameters of modern music. Their May debut album Secrets Of The Future was a breath of fresh air - delivered with the subtlety of a sledgehammer - laying the platform for a sustained assault on the music world based on self belief and conviction rather than expectation.The band are content to ride a steady wave to success, paying their dues through headlining tours of their own, as well as a multitude of high profile international support to help build a solid fan base. That eye on the future continues this weekend as Reliqa rub shoulders with bands such as Korn, Mastodon, Kerry King and Billy Corgan as part of Good Things 2024.HEAVY caught up with vocalist Monique Pym ahead of Reliqa's first show.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

6 Des 202413min