Challenging The Gods With RYAN KIRBY From FIT FOR A KING

Interview by Angela CroudaceSwedish rock juggernauts The Hives are currently storming stages across Australia, kicking off a tour that feels like both a celebration of their legacy and a fiery new beginning. Speaking from his hotel in Perth with a view of “rivers and mountains,” guitarist Niklas Arson exuded gratitude and excitement about being back down under.“This tour kind of feels like we’re both starting the new record and finishing the last one,” Arson explained. The band’s latest release, The Hives Forever Forever The Hives, is packed with high-energy tracks—most brand new, with just a few songs like Paint a Picture having existed in live form before. “We don’t just throw songs together—we make albums,” he said, revealing their meticulous approach to sequencing and flow."Despite over 30 years as a band, The Hives show no signs of slowing down. “It feels more like a beginning,” Arson insisted. “We like doing The Hives more than not doing The Hives.” That passion remains their driving force—and it shows. Each show is performed with full-throttle intensity, something Arson says is crucial: “Touring at 70% capacity would suck. You have to pour everything into it.”Australia holds a special place in the band’s heart, from mangoes and surfboards to the rock-loving fans (after some confusion on whether Sweden had mangoes, Nik kindly let me know they do in fact have mangoes there, but not the trees!). “It's a country where there’s rockers,” Arson said with a grin. The band’s first Aussie visit in 2001 left such a mark that they continue returning with enthusiasm.Collaborations on the new record include industry heavyweights like Mike D (Beastie Boys) and Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age), both of whom brought unique energy to the studio. Yet, Arson emphasises that the sound remains purely The Hives—tight, explosive, and always crowd-focused.As they gear up to support My Chemical Romance in South America next year, The Hives are proving they’re not just survivors of the rock ‘n’ roll era—they’re lifers. And right now, Australia is getting the full force of their never-ending sonic assault.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

22 Jul 18min

Interview by Kris PetersGerman dark rock outfit Lord Of The Lost struck gold with their 2022 album Blood & Glitter carrying the band into the 2023 ESC finals and into the hearts and ears of a more mainstream market. It was a fitting reward for the band who had toiled hard without overwhelming success over six previous albums, emphatically announcing Lord Of The Lost to a wider market that grew to connect with the band on a deeper level.Rather than rehash what was obviously a winning formula, Lord Of The Lost have returned to their darker, atmospheric roots for their upcoming album OPVS NOIR Vol. 1, which is out on August 8. They have also played it far from safe by declaring it the first of a trilogy concept series of albums that promise to explore opposing sides of their musical psyche over the journey.HEAVY sat down with vocalist Chris Harms to find out more, at one point asking Harms if it was tempting to stick to what had already worked for the band."Yeah, of course," he answered honestly. "All the experts in the industry said this was the most successful album and was the number one record, and it broke all our records, so just keep going that way. Just stay in the lane. Some even saidthat  after so many years of searching for something new, and always trying something new, finally, it was the most successful in the mainstream. And we were like, okay, do you think that we always changed because we were searching for the one recipe? And now we found it, and we stay like that? They were like, yeah, of course, otherwise, why would you change all the time? And we said because that's what artists do. Some people really think that we always tried something new because we were looking for some kind of recipe. Look at David Bowie. Do you think he did all genres that exist in the world because he was looking for success? Or do you think he did that because he just wanted to explore the space? He followed his heart, and this is what we do."In the full interview, Chris provided an overview of Lord of the Lost's upcoming album, Opus Noir, Vol. 1, set for release on August 8. He described the album as an emotional journey that explores themes of darkness and beauty, incorporating orchestral elements and film score influences to create a rich sound. The singles My Sanctuary and I Will Die In It were highlighted as representative of the album's diverse emotional landscape, with My Sanctuary serving as an entry point and I Will Die In It embodying the core emotional essence. Chris also discussed the song Ghosts, featuring cellist Tina Guo, emphasizing her contribution to the emotional depth of the music and its alignment with the overall essence of OPVS Noir.The discussion further delved into the trilogy concept behind the album, with Chris explaining that the band wrote 34 songs during the creative process, ultimately deciding to release them as three interconnected albums. He noted that all albums were recorded simultaneously to capture a specific moment in their lives. We also spoke about their upcoming tour of Australia and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

22 Jul 18min

Interview by Angela CroudaceThe metal landscape changed forever in 2005 when a hard rock/metal outfit called Five Finger Death Punch took their first tentative steps in music from Las Vegas. A town normally more known for its casinos and nightlife, Las Vegas was soon forced to share its traditional draw cards with an unrelenting and destructive sonic force that refused to watch the world pass them by, instead deciding to make their presence felt by any means necessary.Led by the only two surviving original members - vocalist Ivan Moody and rhythm guitarist Zoltan Bathory - Five Finger Death Punch quickly rose to prominence, with their 2007 debut album The Way Of The Fist selling over 500,00 copies before the 2009 follow-up War Is the Answer further increased their popularity, selling over 1,000,000 copies and being certified Platinum by the RIAA. The bands next five albums - American Capitalist, The Wrong Side of Heaven and the Righteous Side of Hell, Volume 1 (2013), The Wrong Side of Heaven and the Righteous Side of Hell, Volume 2 (2013), Got Your Six (2015), plus And Justice for None (2018) have all been certified Platinum or Gold, elevating Five Finger Death Punch into the upper echelon of hard rock/metal bands.To celebrate their plethora of achievements over the last two decades, which include victories in esteemed awards such as Revolver Golden Gods and Metal Hammer Golden Gods, Five Finger Death Punch are releasing Best Of – Volume 1, a collection of re-recorded versions of their most iconic chart-topping songs. The idea of a remix or remaster wasn't enough, so the band created a completely re-recorded 2025 edition to honour the songs and the fans who have made them matter by being with Five Finger Death Punch every step of the way.HEAVY had the pleasure of spending time with Zoltan Bathory to get a glimpse inside the world of Five Finger Death Punch and 20 years at the top of their game. We ask him to look back at the early days and the point where he felt Five Finger Death Punch were destined for success."When you say it's going to last… we didn't know," he laughed. "We did have a moment, however, where we kind of knew that we had something. It was in the very beginning when we went to the studio to record our first vocal takes. The first record was done in my living room, the whole thing (laughs), so young bands out there, you can do it! We did it in my house, then went to the studio and recorded the first couple of songs, then we went back to my house, and we had a Beavis & Butthead moment. Me and Ivan were jamming and thrashing around in my living room, kicking over couches, screaming 'this is it, it's gonna happen'. So we had that early on. As for how long it's gonna last… I mean, even now I look back and go 'oh my God, 20 years'. It's crazy (laughs)."In the full interview, Zoltan talks more about the history of Five Finger Death Punch, their success, the new best of album and re-recording old material, their loyal fan base, plus plenty more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

18 Jul 32min

Interview by Kris PetersAfter making their name on the back of high-energy, hard-hitting music, Long Beach, California rockers Of Limbo are pulling the reins somewhat on their upcoming release, Unplugged, which you can check out here: https://linktr.ee/OflimboRather than continue their relentless barrage of sonic intensity, Of Limbo have decided to strip things back to their bare minimum, assembling a collection of original tracks and select covers that showcase the lighter sides to their musical psyche and offer fans a more vulnerable and softer underbelly.It is an uncommon move from a band not known for their acoustic playing, but one which proves how confident Of Limbo are, not just in themselves, but also in their music.With the album almost upon us - released July 18 - HEAVY caught up with vocalist/rhythm guitarist Jake Davies to dive deeper."We grew up just absolutely adoring the MTV Unplugged era, especially the Alice in Chains stuff," he replied when we asked what was behind the decision to make an acoustic album. "I must have listened to that live album thousands of times in my life, so we've always really liked it. And there was a stint in time when the electric version of our band wasn't able to perform. Our drummer was away, stuff like that. So we just started jamming with our friend Jason (Klein, bass) who used to be famous for being in the Butcher Babies years ago. I started jamming with Jason, just doing sort of acoustic stuff, and we really got a taste for it because as much fun as the live electric rock and roll party stuff is that we do, there's a real romance to playing the acoustic stuff."In the full interview, Jake focused on the upcoming release of Of Limbo's Unplugged album, scheduled for July 18, outlining their strategy of prioritising physical sales over streaming to foster a deeper connection with their audience. The album will feature six original songs and three covers, with the decision to adopt an acoustic style inspired by the MTV Unplugged era.We spoke further about doing an acoustic album and the potential risks involved, as well as running through each of the three cover songs and why they were chosen. Jake talked about his time in Australia and desire to return with the band, as well as some upcoming Of Limbo shows in America and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

17 Jul 21min

Interview by Angela CroudaceSimple Plan have always worn their hearts on their sleeves - but with their new documentary The Kids in the Crowd, drummer Chuck Comeau says the band has truly peeled back the curtain. The film, marking their 25-year legacy, is an emotional deep-dive into the highs, lows, and brotherhood that’s defined the Canadian pop-punk juggernaut.Chuck described the process as “a joy” but also “really difficult,” recounting the overwhelming task of sorting through decades of footage—some of which dated back to him and frontman Pierre Bouvier’s first ever band when they were just teenagers. “It’s hard to condense 25 years into an hour and a half,” he said. “It’s literally your entire life.”One particularly moving discovery came late in the process - hidden in a box in Chuck’s parents’ basement. “It was our first show ever… in our friend’s basement, playing Basket Case by Green Day,” Chuck recalled. “It was so innocent, and yet so similar to what we do now.”The documentary doesn’t shy away from the band’s internal struggles, either, including the at times rocky dynamics between Chuck and Pierre. “We had a massive fight. I got kicked out of the band,” Chuck admitted. “But going through that taught us how to keep this thing alive.”Just as crucial to the film are Simple Plan’s fans. For Chuck, the bond with their audience, many of whom have leaned on the band’s music during life’s darkest moments, is sacred. “They’ve told us we saved their lives,” he shared. “That comes with responsibility. You don’t take that lightly.”Their new single, Nothing Changes, featured on the film’s soundtrack, was written as a reflection on their past - and a reminder that Simple Plan isn’t stuck there. “It was important to not just become a fossil,” Chuck said. “This film celebrates where we’ve been, but it also kicks off what comes next.”After 25 years, Simple Plan is still that band for the outsiders, the dreamers - and the kids in the crowd.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

16 Jul 29min

Interview by Kris PetersFor a quarter of a century, American rock outfit The Used have dominated the global rock landscape, delivering countless albums that not only helped shape the course of musical history but also helped shape the lives of a good deal of music fans the world over.Bursting onto the scene with their self-titled debut album in 2002, The Used transcended normal music prejudices to become favourites of both consumers of music and critics, finding that elusive formula early on in their career while most bands finish their tenure still oblivious to how to find it.From The Used, the band went on to release In Love And Death in 2004, somehow topping the heights achieved on their first album, before solidifying their stature amongst the rock elite with 2007's Lies For The Liars. Now, in celebration of 25 years atop their field, The Used bring the party to Australia in a unique run of shows that sees them perform each of those three albums in their entirety in each capital city.Such is the demand for these special shows that several more have had to be added, more than half of which have already sold out. HEAVY recently sat down with bass player Jepha to dive deeper into the idea and the celebrations that look set to continue for some time yet."I'm excited, I'm ready to go," he enthused when we began. "We just ended a full US version, and we went to Europe for a few dates, then we took this month off, and now I'm already itching to go back out and move to Australia for a bit (laughs)."We mention the fact that more than half of the 21 shows are already sold out and ask how good it feels to know that people on the other side of the world are so hungry for their arrival."It's really exciting," Jepha smiled. "The best part is for our singer - because he lives in Sydney and has been out there about ten years now - he always has to come to us to rehearse and practice and everything, so he's always jet-lagged. Now the joke's on us that we are all flying over and will be jet-lagged and fucked the whole time, and he is going to be spot on (laughs)."Having had to add so many extra shows, The Used will now be in Australia for almost one month, so we ask Jepha if the band had already planned or budgeted in that extra time away from home."We didn't expect this much," he laughed. "We didn't expect it to go this long and to have multiple dates added and a lot of places selling out. That's all… not a shock… it's all better than we imagined."In the full interview, Jepha talks more about the tour and what fans can expect, learning the first three albums in full and any difficulties faced plus how the band will approach each night and bring their best to each performance.We dive deeper into each of the three albums and what they mean to The Used, his memories of recording each, the musical shift between each and how that reflected the growth of The Used musically, new music and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

16 Jul 11min

Interview by Angela CroudaceDark fantasy rockers Blackbriar are known for weaving rich, cinematic soundscapes and fairytale-inspired tales into their music, and their new album A Thousand Little Deaths is no exception. Vocalist Zora Cock and guitarist René Boxem sat down to reflect on the band’s creative process, the emotional depth behind the music, and hopes to finally reach fans Down Under.Zora, who pens all the lyrics before music is composed, shared that inspiration often comes from folklore, history, and personal metaphor. “I usually see visuals in my head very quickly after writing the lyrics,” she said, highlighting the band’s filmic aesthetic. Their music video for Harpy, hand-drawn frame by frame by their own creative team, reflects this commitment to authenticity, just pure, painstaking artistry.The band remains deeply grounded despite their viral success with Until Eternity. “It took months before anything happened,” René recalled, “then suddenly it skyrocketed. It changed everything.”Their bond with fans is a cornerstone of their identity, from Discord chats to cherished fan gifts like a sword engraved with song lyrics and even a rare turtle coin (literally a medallion emblazoned with a turtle that I definitely want to do more research on). “We keep everything,” Zora laughed. “It really means a lot.”Australia is very much on their radar. A planned tour fell through due to the pressure of filling venues, but the dream is alive. “We’d love to come—maybe as a support act or for a festival first,” said René.As for A Thousand Little Deaths, Zora hopes listeners feel the same shivers she did on first listen. “Some songs brought me to tears. It’s deeply personal. I just hope it makes people feel something.”And for Australian fans? Keep your ears open and your turtle coins ready…Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

16 Jul 18min