Fulfilling The Prophecy With CHRIS ADAMS From SMASH INTO PIECES

Interview by Kris PetersUS thrash, crossover metal outfit Municipal Waste have been entertaining audiences since the turn of the century, combining everything you love about metal with a flippant and humorous disposition that permeates through their music.Since their 2003 debut album Waste 'Em All first introduced the world to Municipal Waste, the band have released a further six studio albums and four EPs the most recent of which was the awesome Electrified Brain in 2022.Starved of seeing Municipal Waste live since 2013, Australian audiences are preparing for the inevitable onslaught when the band starts their Wasted Australia Tour in Melbourne on July 5, with frontman Tony Foresta joining HEAVY to fill us in on all the glorious details."It's kind of hard sometimes to get tours booked there," he smiled when asked why he has neglected Australian fans for more than ten years. "And apparently y'all are getting a ton of tours now, more than you used to. So maybe people just overlooked us or whatever. But we always want to come back. I mean, I say this in every interview, but Australia is our favourite place to tour. So just ask us to come every year and we will. You've just got to invite us (laughs)."We ask what has changed with Municipal Waste since their last visit."I don't even know if Nick (Poulos, lead guitar) was in the band the last time we toured Australia," he measured. "I don't think so. Man, y'all are in for some shit, dude. We've gotten so much better. I mean, we got an extra guitar player. We sound better. We fucking… we've got our chops up, and we've got a whole lot of new songs that rule to play, too. So it's going to be a lot different than the last time we were there. But hopefully as violent, because that shit was fun."In the full interview, Tony further discussed the upcoming Municipal Waste tour of Australia, sharing details about the tour dates and the band's excitement to return after a long absence. He explained the band's decision to tour without a new album release and expressed their enthusiasm for playing in Australia, highlighting the band's improved sound and new songs. Tony also talked about what fans can expect from a Municipal Waste live show, emphasizing the chaotic and rowdy nature of the experience.Tony finished by providing insights into the formation of Municipal Waste in the early 2000s, driven by a desire to bring thrash metal back into popularity, and discussed the band's commitment to their musical style and their refusal to conform to industry trends for commercial gain.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

30 Mai 202412min

Interview by Kris PetersBrisbane/Meanjin metalcore outfit Wildheart have let their music do the talking from the outset, unafraid to tackle sensitive issues and even less distracted by the myriad of smokescreens that are rapidly punctuating the music scene as a whole.Their debut album Global Crisis – a body of work that drew attention and respect to a number of issues affecting Indigenous Australians – was named Gold Coast Music Awards Release Of The Year, also earning them a number of other awards and accolades.Not content to rest on their laurels, Wildheart followed that up last year with the brilliant single Sacred Ground before launching into 2024 with a new track Death Is All That’s Left.HEAVY sat down recently with Andrew (drums) and Adam (guitar) to talk more about the exciting future for Wildheart. Death Is All That's Left was premiered via HEAVY last month, so we start by asking how the early reception has been."The reception has been awesome," Andrew smiled. "We've gotten a lot of positive reviews and comments and a lot of traction online and sharing across all the platforms. We started up a TikTok and that's been going well, so we're really happy with the response and feedback we've got. I feel like with every release we work on we're stepping it up a notch, and it felt good that it was recognised."We ask the boys to dive deeper into the track musically."We really just wanted to hone in on some more of my metalcore influence," Adam offered. "So channelling a lot of Lost Together, Lost Forever era Architects, older Parkway Drive… there's a bit of Bury Your Dead and stuff like that mixed in there too, but we wanted to write something fast and heavy."In the full interview the boys discuss the lyrical content of Death Is All That's Left and the message they are trying to get across, if they think the message is getting through with music, having a song featured on Friday Night AFL Footy, previous single Sacred Ground, if the two songs are stand-alone singles or part of something bigger, possible future musical directions, upcoming shows and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

29 Mai 202416min

Interview by Rashid AlkamraihkiMelbourne based music machine Banks Arcade are in the prime of their musical career.Having recently completed the Death 2 A Muse Tour, Banks Arcade now set their sights on the release of new album A Muse, which will be unleashed on June 28.Formed over a shared love of music with a razor-sharp avant-garde aesthetic, Banks Arcade have always teetered on modernity; a fact displayed firmly on their 2018 debut EP Endnote, its 2020 follow-up Fever Dreams, and the group's head-turning singles Roses and Drown, both of which have gone on to amass well over 2 million individual streams.Releasing their full-length Future Lovers in 2022, Banks Arcade cemented their future-facing trademark style while also turning heads courtesy of their emphatic soundscapes, searing metal and hip-hop additions.Evolving from the darker sides explored on their recent DEATH 2 EP, released in February, A Muse finds the New Zealand-hailing, Melbourne-based quartet shedding the expected and instead flourishing between moments of searing rock, towering hooks, dance beats and fresh explorations into heavy surrounds.HEAVY interrogator Rashid caught up with the band the afternoon of their final Brisbane show to talk more about the album, the tour, the different stylistic choices between both EPs (Death 2 and A Muse) and releasing them as two separate works rather than an album, hotel stabbings and the price of cheese in New Zealand plus more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

28 Mai 202419min

Interview by Kris Peters*interview contains some language that may be offensive to some readers/listeners*Since bursting onto the scene in 2015, Melbourne noise machine Dregg have been a musical force unto themselves, throwing an eclectic mix of genres against the wall and making cherry pie with the resulting residue.Their music has always been ferocious, confronting, and, most importantly, different, with a fearless blend of elements of metal, hardcore, rap, and electronic music, crafting a sound that embodies their bold, no-rules attitude.But just when you thought it was safe to go back into the moshpit, Dregg return with a new lineup, increased energy and more metal in the form of new single Dog Cunts. It is a vicious, snarling slab of music that hints at the slightly newer direction Dregg will be taking with more upcoming music.New guitarist Zak Thom sat down with HEAVY to talk more, starting with the early response to the track that came out on May 17."(It's been) Great, actually," he enthused. "I honestly had no idea how it was going to go, because it's my first time being in a band that's had this much reach. So I'm fully just gauging off everything Chris (Mackertich, vocalist) says (laughs)."We ask if he attributes much of that positive response to the use of the suddenly popular C word in the title."Yeah, definitely," he laughed. "If you look at the comments that have been popping up, people are saying 'Dog Cunts, are these guys Aussie?' I feel like it's such a draw. Even when we sent it to our managers over in America, they loved it immediately. Just the fact it says Dog Cunts which is such an Aussie term."In the full interview, Zak talked more about the release of their new single Dog Cunts and the positive response it has received. He also talked about their upcoming album, which will feature heavier and more experimental elements, and their intention to explore diverse musical genres. He discussed the visual concept and storyline of the music video for Dog Cunts and the potential release date and the working title of the next album.Additionally, Zak introduced himself as one of the new band members and discussed Dregg's unique mix of music genres and their process of pushing boundaries in their music. He also talked about the band's upcoming show and how the addition of new members and a slightly more aggressive sound will alter the live performances.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

28 Mai 202416min

Interview by Kris PetersSwedish progressive power metal outfit Evergrey have had a long and distinguished career, chalking up 13 albums in their three-decade existence, in the process redefining the acceptable parameters for Swedish metal.Led since 1993 by guitarist/vocalist Tom S Englund, Evergrey have maintained their dark approach to a generally bright form of metal, spreading their musical wings further with each new release.Evergrey will release their 14th studio album Theories Of Emptiness on June 7, with keyboard player Rikard Zander spending time with HEAVY to discuss the new material. We start by asking if, after 13 previous album releases, the impending release of another is still a nerve-wracking process."Yeah, I've been there, done that," he shrugged, "but we still put so much effort into every album we do. We always try to do our best, and we always try to top the previous albums. So, of course, we are very anxious to see how it's going to be received. We're always a little bit nervous of course, because we've been in the process for such a long time so we really don't know… we don't have an objective side of it yet, so it feels good when you start to get some good reviews and hear people liking it (laughs).""We always try to find new angles for every release. I mean, we're not going to change completely. We still have a way, and we're going to put out great music, but we try to find a new way of writing, maybe just to try to keep it fresh. And I think the new angle on this album is mostly that Johan, our bass player, has written a lot of music, and he hasn't done that before."In the full interview, Rikard discussed Evergrey's new album Theories of Emptiness, highlighting the band's approach to creating fresh music and the influence of different band members on the album's sound. He also expressed surprise at early reviews calling it their best album ever, emphasizing the band's ongoing efforts to deliver high-quality music despite releasing numerous albums. He engaged in a detailed discussion about the album, covering various aspects such as the song titles, guest vocals, and the introduction of new elements, particularly the contribution of bass player Johan in songwriting. Rikard also provided insights into the band's upcoming world tour plans, including gigs in South America, European festivals, a Scandinavian tour, and a European tour in the fall.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

28 Mai 202418min

Interview by Kris PetersMelbourne instrumental outfit The Omnific are a band who have managed to traverse the boundaries normally separating instrumental music from that with vocals, blending a variety of techniques and impossible-to-resist musical precision that appeals to all lovers of music.Following the release of three groundbreaking EPs - Sonorous (2016), Kismet (2017), and The Minds Eye (2019) - The Omnific found themselves and their music reaching all corners of the globe, even attracting the attention of Clay Gober from Polyphia who featured on the single Antecedent from the band's debut 2021 album Escapades.In 2023, the group went from strength to strength; supporting Polyphia in Australia, and Ne Obliviscaris in Europe and North America, capping it off with a landmark 46-date world tour in support of single Phat Mackerel, including festivals Euroblast (DE), Reeperbahn (DE) and Bigsound (AU) before starting off 2024 supporting The Hu on home soil.A major feature of their success has been an amalgamation of styles and genres which dives through prog, metal, djent, funk, synth-driven soundscapes, and more.With their sophomore album The Law Of Augmenting Returns being unleashed yesterday, HEAVY caught up with one of two bass players, Matt Fack, to find out more. We start by asking about the album title, The Law Of Augmenting Returns."A lot of thought went into that," Fack nodded, "because the whole concept was like, well, the law of diminishing returns seems to be a pretty common concept, mainly, I guess, in the commerce world. But in life, when you think about it, I guess, the more you do something, the less return you get from that. So I was trying to think, what could we sort of, I guess, due to like, be like, what's the opposite? Like the more you do something, the more reward you get out of it.And augmenting also relates to music, like diminished to augmented. So that fits to music as well. I guess you can say it's got some cool meaning to it."We ask if there was any more pressure going into this album following the universal success of Escapades."I guess you can think about it like your own personal pressure," he measured. "Like, I want to outdo myself from the prior record. I guess when it comes to just being creative… I wouldn't say it's like pressuring myself to do something, because it all kind of flows naturally when you're feeling like in the moment. I'm just thrilled it sort of just came about as it did without putting pressure on ourselves."In the full interview, we discussed The Omnific's new album, The Law of Augmenting Returns, in greater detail. We talked about the concept behind the album title and the pressure associated with releasing a sophomore album. Matt also delved into the creative journey behind the album, discussing the process of incorporating live musicians and selecting singles, as well as the significance of their production team and the impact of guest spots on the album. He also provided insights into their upcoming European tour and plans for future performances, offering a comprehensive overview of their musical endeavours and creative aspirations.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

25 Mai 202422min

Interview by Kris PetersNew Zealand indie rock outfit Park Rd have released their debut album, The Novel, which came out last Friday, May 24. The Novel stands as a testament to PARK RD's evolution as musicians and individuals and offers listeners an intimate glimpse into their heads and hearts.Having already announced themselves on the scene with two previous EPs and a host of singles, Park Rd have had a stellar last 12 months, performing at festivals such as SXSW Sydney, Rhythm & Vines, Soundsplash and Le Currents, as well as supporting The Band CAMINO, Milky Chance, Spacey Jane, and Summer Thieves.HEAVY sat down with members Carlos Martin (bass) and Tom Chamberlain (vocals) to find out more. We discussed their debut album, The Novel, and their excitement and anxiety surrounding its release. They shared insights into their songwriting process, emphasizing the organic and fluid nature of their creative approach, and revealed that the album features a mix of rock, pop, and more intimate, stripped-back compositions. The band also discussed their recent tour of Australia and their plans for upcoming shows, expressing their eagerness to connect with Aussie crowds and their hopes for a successful tour.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

25 Mai 202413min

Interview by Kris PetersPreparing for a debut album - for any band - is an arduous task. Once you make that firm decision and commit to laying down your tracks for others to digest, it seems like, in many respects, everything is violently taken from your control and placed at the mercy of others.As such, it would be easy - and almost forgivable - to take the easier path, whatever that may be. Safe songs, safe structure, proven methods and carefully mapped out schedules, but at what cost?You only get one chance to release a debut album, and in many ways that one album can define the rest of your musical career.Which is why a large number of bands take the safe passage. Or at least their version of it, which invariably leads to a more polished and socially acceptable offering of music from the lyrics all the way down to presentation.But every once in a while you come across a band who throw caution to the wind and leave themselves and their music exposed as they let their fledgling work of art loose on the world. A band who are unashamed to leave large chunks of their own DNA splattered throughout the release, thus laying bare their innermost emotions and thoughts.It is a brave and increasingly fading approach, but has also become so much more noticeable in what is fast becoming a saturated market where different often equates to good.So it is with Melbourne-based post-punk, Midwest emo outfit Gypsy Road who have laid their souls on open display with their debut album Letters To A Friend, From Interstate which is released on May 24. An exhaustive and confronting collection of eight songs highlighting the emotional struggles confronted by the band throughout the entire process, Letters To A Friend, From Interstate captures a band unafraid to admit not having the answers and honest enough to concede defeat.It is an eclectic and refreshing journey through a myriad of genres that are woven together in a sonic tapestry that drips with vulnerability yet exudes an air of confidence that suggests a strong future.HEAVY caught up with frontman Alex Centofanti to find out more, asking if he is nervous, excited, anxious or all three together as Friday's release date approaches."All of the above," he laughed. "For so many multiple reasons. The last three singles we have released - which actually have been our first ever singles because before that we released three EP's - has been a new experience for me and pretty nerve-wracking. Those songs have actually done the best for any releases we have done. That's why it's also anxious, nervous and excited. I'm hoping that it translates to the album. It's one of those things where you get worried that when you release a couple of songs people aren't going to listen to the full album, so I'm hoping they make it through the whole thing because I think it's pretty good (laughs)."We press Alex on the musical side of the album and what Gypsy Road were going for sonically."I was going for quite a few things," he measured. "I was going for a heavier sound than I've ever done before. I was going for a lot more… I wouldn't say a darker sound, but I was definitely going for that melancholy vibe. I was really just trying to make it sound how I felt at the time."In the full interview, Alex talks more about the musicality on Letters To A Friend, From Interstate, what sorts of things they did as a band in preparation for their debut offering, how they will gauge the success of the album, the emotional side of the music and committing that to paper, some of the themes and lyrical content covered, future planning in terms of musical growth, upcoming gigs and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

22 Mai 202413min