Raw, Real & Gritty With LUKE GRUNTS From CLEOPATRICK

Summoning the most brutal elements of Floridian death metal and combining it with the coldest permafrost of Scandinavian black metal, emerging Canadian deathcore outfit Angelmaker are making huge waves on the international metal scene.By confronting listeners with furious, focused, and violent extremity, Angelmaker create deathcore of the highest order - injected with blackened thrash, a smattering of power violence, and the urgent ferocity of underground hardcore. They are a band who let their music do all the talking, raw, confronting and in your face.With new vocalist Ian Bearer strengthening the band, Angelmaker are poised for the debut Australian tour earlier next year, supporting Sylosis for a run of shows in February. To find out what all the fuss is about, HEAVY sat down with Bearer and Angelmaker's other vocalist Casey Tyson-Pearce to find out more.We start by asking why the band have neglected us here in Australia for so long."We've been trying," Casey laughed. "(but) Nothing has really aligned for us. We just did our first European tour a year and a half ago, so we've been working our way into more international markets. For us, we're Canadian so it makes a lot more sense for us to just tour in North America, but now we've got a good foothold to actually make our way over there. We got this opportunity, and it was like, there's no way we're saying no. We need to see koalas. We need to see kangaroos."In the full interview, Angelmaker discussed their upcoming tour in Australia, starting in Perth on February 11 and ending in Brisbane on February 16. They expressed excitement about the tour and their anticipation of experiencing Australian culture. The band also mentioned their new song, Relinquish, and their plans to play a mix of old and new songs during the tour.We discussed the band's unique sound and their approach to songwriting, explaining that the band members write their own parts, which are then integrated together to create a cohesive sound. They also discussed the addition of a new vocalist, Ian, who has brought a powerful presence to the band and the dynamics at play with dual vocalists and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

23 Nov 202417min

At the end of the day, music and the creative arts is all about expression and having fun. In the modern age of entertainment that sense of enjoyment has slowly eroded due to the complexities of the current global climate and the incessant wish to not offend anybody which has resulted in a terser, more rigid sprinkling of bands and musicians that seem void of life because of their over-complicated approach.And what better way to enjoy your craft and have fun than play around with someone else's music? Which is exactly what …And We All Die did with their recent four-track release Static Age.Essentially just two Misfits songs reimagined - Static Age and TV Casualty - the EP sees both songs performed in vastly different fashions, with neither bearing much more in common with the original than by virtue of the song title.Not that the two classic songs have been bastardised beyond recognition - some bands you just don't mess with - but both versions have been afforded the respect they deserve while maintaining just enough of …And We All Die's musical DNA to make the songs their own while still paying homage to the original recordings.The release is a heavy blend of hardcore, post-punk, noise-rock and industrial influences, centred around covers of the two Misfits’ tracks alongside two industrial-infused reworkings of the songs featuring Metal Blade synthwave artist Gost.HEAVY recently caught up with the man behind the music, Raymond Estes, to find out more, starting with how the EP has been received."It's been great," he enthused. "So far it's been the best reception we've had for any release. It's hard to say why that is, maybe Spotify is actually working for us this time (laughs), but we can't really complain. Really, the project is me, but it's everybody who contributes and the drummer Walter and guitarist Guillermo are excited about the volume of people that are checking out the tracks and the amount of streams we've been getting. Who knew?"We press Estes on the choice of songs to cover, specifically why choose the Misfits as a band to start with, and also why those particular two songs."I love the Misfits," he shrugged, "and have for a long time. I like horror punk and all that Danzig has done, but for …And We All Die we don't really do horror songs. We do more conceptual songs or songs about the human condition and as a hardcore guy I thought what would be more interesting to do than take songs that are dark and have these more science fiction themes based on the perils of technology and make those fresh. That is more exciting to me than singing about ghouls or zombies."In the full interview, Estes explained the thought process behind covering the same song twice, with the second version being more industrial and featuring contributions from Ghost and William Faith. He mentioned that the band was conscious of not going too far with their covers, as they were aware of the special meaning these songs hold for many people. The early reception of the EP has been positive, with the industrial versions receiving the better response.We talked about deconstructing the songs and then recreating them in their image and any difficulties they faced. The conversation turned to future new music, with a rock album, collection of covers from The Cure, other projects and more. Estes discussed why …And We All Die is currently a studio project only and how he plans to potentially expand that into a touring outfit down the track plus a host of other things.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

23 Nov 202415min

Sydney rock outfit RedHook have been making a nuisance of themselves all over the world in recent years, playing with The Smashing Pumpkins and Janes Addiction as part of The World Is A Vampire Tour and at Good Things Festival alongside Bring Me The Horizon, Gojira, Soulfly, Jinjer and more in their home country, as well as international festivals Rock AM Ring, Download and others.Their relentless touring schedule and work ethic is showing dividends, with debut album Postcards From A Living Hell (2023) asserting the band's authority after a six-year wait, setting RedHook up for the next phase of their career which gained traction last Friday with the release of their sophomore album Mutation."Mutation is an audacious, genre-bending second album that is unblinking in its lyrical honesty, ambitious sonic production, and infectiously memorable songwriting, read the press release. "Incorporating influences ranging from alt-pop, future bass and hip-hop to metal, punk and post-hardcore, RedHook are wholly unafraid to be uniquely themselves, combining layers of intricate synths, brass, heavy guitars, samples and dynamic drum work to create an intoxicating 11-track cocktail that hits like a Molotov.'Put simply, it is a step-up in everything RedHook is known and loved for, and then some.To celebrate the album's release, HEAVY recently conducted a video review/interview with vocalist Emmy Mack where we read the interview out to her track by track and ask if we are on the right path and find out more about each song. It offers a unique glimpse into the music from the perspective of the people who wrote it.Check out what Emmy had to say about the track Breaking Up With."I love that, nailed it!" she smiled at HEAVY's assessment of the song. "I suppose that song is very mischievous (laughs). Breaking Up With to me… I always see it as kind of either a sequel, or I guess it's the antithesis to Bad Decisions, which is our biggest song. I was in a very different headspace when I wrote that song, and Bad Decisions is revelling in feeling like a complete and utter piece of shit. Breaking Up with is more about being like, you know what, I'm not going to do that any more. I'm gonna be nicer to myself, so breaking that cycle of self-loathing and self-destructive behaviour and be less of a shit cu%t (laughs)."Watch/listen to the full interview to go into Mutation deeper than ever before.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

23 Nov 202418min

While Crossbone Skully may be a new band to some, they are definitely not a fresh band when it comes to pedigree. Frontman Tommy Henriksen is an integral part of both Alice Cooper's band and the Hollywood Vampires, earning his stripes multiple times over through countless tours and live performances.But with Crossbone Skully the landscape has shifted considerably. This is Henriksen's own band. His creation. His baby.And today the world gets to share in his vision when Crossbone Skully unleash their debut album Evil World Machine on the world.A vicious, snarling slab of rock music brilliance, Evil World Machine is an emphatic statement of intent, executive produced by the legendary Mutt Lange with just enough finesse to draw comparisons with some of the bigger artists in his resume.HEAVY had the pleasure of catching up with Tommy and guitarist Anna Cara to talk more about the album and the rise and rise of Crossbone Skully."It's been a long time coming," Tommy smiled when asked about the album. "It's been quite a while since it's been finished, and to me, it feels like a bunch of excitement and relief. Finally, people can hear this."In the full interview, Tommy and Anna expressed excitement and relief at finally releasing their album, which they had been working on for a long time. They acknowledged the frustration of waiting for the right moment to release it, but believed it was the universe's timing. The group discussed the diverse musical influences in their album, including AC/DC, the Sex Pistols, and The Who. They also mentioned the various singles released from the album, and hinted at some powerful tracks that hadn't been released as singles yet.Both discussed their desire to create music that transcends genres, rather than being pigeonholed into a specific sound. They mentioned their inspiration from various artists such as The Who, Queen, David Bowie, and Motley Crue and also talked about their approach to featuring guest artists on their songs, with Nikki Sixx from Motley Crue and Phil Collen from Def Leppard being mentioned as examples.Tommy spoke about the thought process behind the album's opening track, which was inspired by David Bowie and Motley Crue plus the involvement of legendary producer Mutt Lange, who was executive producer on the album. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work with Alice Cooper's band and emphasized the importance of conveying a message of survival and doing the right thing in their music. The band also discussed their upcoming live shows, with a tour kicking off in Hollywood, and expressed interest in touring in Australia plus more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

22 Nov 202421min

Wardruna is a Norwegian music constellation dedicated to weaving together the ancient sounds and traditions of the North into a modern soundscape using a broad selection of both traditional and historical Nordic instruments. The band utilises non-traditional instruments and other sources of sound such as trees, stones, bones, water and fire to enhance the nature of the theme being ‘portrayed’ in each case.Over five previous albums, Wardruna have captivated audiences on a global scale with the sheer majesty of their music, breathing life into tradition by way of sonic inspiration like never before. For album number six, Birna, Wardruna - particularly main composer Einar Selvik - chose to focus on the bear, an animal which has great power and respect amongst many societies, including Norwegian.HEAVY spent some time with Selvik to speak about Birna, which will be released on January 24, 2025, and Wardruna's debut Australian visit that same month."It's a musical project dedicated to creating music using a wide selection of the oldest instruments we have from predominantly the Nordic region," he explained of the band. "It's not recreating music from any specific time period, it's more about taking something old and creating something new with it. We just finished up in studio hibernation, finishing our sixth studio album entitled Birna - Birna meaning she bear. It is set for release in January next year, so basically when we are Down Under!"In the full interview, we discussed Birna in greater detail, including the cultural and historical significance of the bear in various societies. Selvik explained that bears often play a significant role in myths and traditions, being seen as teachers, wardens, or shepherds of the woodlands. Einar also mentioned that bears are associated with celestial beings, such as the Greek star sign named after the bear.We spoke about the different instruments used and their impact on the music, blending ancient ideologies and instruments with modern soundscapes, the live DVD/Blu-Ray release from the world heritage site Odeon of Herodes Atticus, Acropolis, Athens, touring Australia for the first time, what we can expect and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

22 Nov 202422min

Guitarist Ronnie Simmons has spread his talents far and wide over the span of his playing career, travelling as far away as LA to play with Faster Pussycat and Richie Ramone before settling on a permanent gig with Australian rock royalty Angry Anderson and Rose Tattoo.While travelling the world doing the thing you love may seem like the pinnacle of musical achievement, Simmons had one more peak to conquer.Fronting his own band.And what better way to launch into that next phase of your career than to record a collection of tunes, utilising the help of former bandmates and good friends to herald your arrival?Rather than jumping the gun with a product that has obvious potential but nothing by which to test that mettle, Simmons decided to commit a bunch of tracks to disk for future release before making his Australian assault, recording what would become his debut EP Bite! Part 1 at One More Time Recording in Los Angeles with the backing of Richie Ramone (The Ramones) and the late Chris Moye on drums, Johnny Martin (LA Guns) on bass, backing vocals by Danny Nordahl (Faster Pussycat) and Scott Churilla (Reverend Horton Heat).With this assortment of punk-fuelled rock numbers safely recorded, Simmons returned to Australia to start gigging with his new band Ronnie Simmons & The Redback Spiders, confident in the knowledge he had a viable product to sell.With the EP set for release on November 22, HEAVY sat down with Simmons for a chat about the new band plus anything else that seemed relevant."I'm excited," he enthused when we asked how the nerves were. "I was listening over the masters this morning and I'm really psyched to release this into the world."We point out that Ronnie is used to releasing music with other bands, but with this being his first out the front of a project, the pressure is on possibly more than usual."Yeah, this is the first time in a long, long time I'm out the front doing my own thing," he affirmed. "It's a very new experience for me, putting myself out there like that. A lot of these songs are straight from the heart, so it's very different to slotting into an already existing band. I'm enjoying it. It's a lot to think about, and it's a new experience, but I think I've got enough gigs and experience under my belt to give it a solid crack (laughs)."In the full interview, we discussed Bite! Part 1, with Ronnie explaining the sound is a mix of his various musical influences, including punk, ska, and rock. We spoke about the two singles released so far and how they represent the EP, as well as the decision to record in LA. He ran through his musical journey from LA back to Australia and the advantage of playing in bands of differing styles and genres.Talk turned to the band's upcoming run of shows, with Ronnie telling us what to expect from the band live and who is in the outfit full time plus more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

13 Nov 202413min

Interview by Angela CroudaceAs the iconic Dropkick Murphys gear up for their long-awaited tour in Australia, HEAVY had the pleasure of sitting down with Tim Brennan, the band's talented multi-instrumentalist. We discussed the upcoming shows, the band's musical journey, and the unique influences that shaped their sound.We kicked off the conversation about Dropkick Murphy's long-awaited return to Australia. When asked if Tim was excited about the long journey, he responded, "Yes, super excited about the long flight," he joked, despite the reality of being six and a half feet tall in cramped airplane seats. "It's going to be top-notch, but I'll tell you, all joking aside, the flight is the worst." However, the anticipation of touching down in Australia quickly outweighed any discomfort. "At least once we get off that plane, we're in such an amazing place."This time round, the tour features Alkaline Trio as the support act, a decision that Tim enthusiastically explained. "The last time we did anything with Alkaline Trio was in Australia… getting to see them and hang with those guys was a pleasure," signalling the eagerness of both bands to reignite on stage.As we dove into Tim's musical background, he shared his early experiences with traditional Irish music. Although his parents weren't particularly musical, his mother's love for the genre and his grandparents' influence laid the foundation. "Traditional Irish music was on a lot. For whatever reason, I took to it; I always liked it as a kid." This early exposure blossomed into a passion, especially after an inspiring encounter with his English teacher, who introduced him to The Pogues. "It sounds like hyperbole, but it totally changed my life."Tim's journey into the Dropkick Murphys began when he connected with Mark O'Rell during their teenage years. After a few years apart, Mark invited him to join the band on the Warped Tour in 2003. "I was 20 years old… I had a great time. That led me to joining the band full-time."As the conversation turned to their Australian tour set list, Tim was excited to reveal what fans can expect. "We've put out three records since the last time we were in Australia… we've got stuff from the very first things we ever did up until our latest album." The blend of new and classic songs promises an unforgettable experience for fans.Tim started his musical journey as a drummer, playing in various bands and selling merch for Warped Tour before having the opportunity to play with Dropkick Murphys, which saw him expand his instrumental repertoire, learning the tin pipe and banjo, amongst other instruments.Lately, Tim's been listening to The Pogues, especially as the season evokes nostalgic memories, "Always in November, December, I'm always heavily listening to The Pogues." He also shared his appreciation for the new Nick Cave record, which has led to him revisiting Nick Cave's entire discography, an excellent choice if I do say so myself.Tim had a heartfelt message for their Australian fans as we wrapped up the interview: "We're so looking forward to coming down and seeing everybody. Come out to the shows, and we're going to have a great time."With an unforgettable journey ahead, the Dropkick Murphys are set to deliver a show that celebrates their anthemic tunes while reconnecting with their loyal Australian audience.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

13 Nov 202412min

British hard-rocking outfit Idles are the real deal.Not only do they staunchly oppose those who fall into their crosshairs, but they are also vocal and proud about such beliefs and stances, with scant regard given for how they are perceived by others. Using their music as a weapon, Idles are brutally honest about their stance on social issues such as racism, bigotry, and most importantly, toxic masculinity as well as Governments who abuse their power.The band released their fifth album, TANGK earlier this year, a body of music that was proclaimed as their most ambitious and striking work yet. Where IDLES were once set on taking the world’s piss, squaring off with strong jaws against the perennially entitled, and exercising personal trauma in real-time, they have arrived in this new act to offer the fruits of such perseverance: love, joy, and indeed gratitude for the mere opportunity of existence.After a hugely successful Australian tour in November 2022, Idles return for more sonic action next January for a run of four shows. If you have seen this band before you likely already have tickets, but if not prepare yourself for a frenetic, pulsating journey where music is the only winner.HEAVY sat down with vocalist Joe Talbot to find out more."It's about being present," he mused when asked about expectations. "You've gotta reserve your energy for the stage, and that means making sure you're ready for it. I think getting excited about shows is a weird concept, just because we treat them all the same. Every show's the same. To us, we give everything, I give 100% every day to every show."In the full interview, Joe expressed his feelings of connection and his purpose behind starting a band. He shared his personal struggles with loneliness, fear, addiction, grief, and serious trauma during a time of political disillusionment in his country, emphasizing the importance of empathy and love in forming a community and overcoming these challenges.Joe also discussed Idles' upcoming tour of Australia with US based band, Nation of Language, expressing his admiration for their music and as potential touring partners. We spoke about their live shows and commanding - and giving - respect. We discussed their latest album TANGK and its reception, plus more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

12 Nov 202414min