HEAVY Music Interviews

By Erin Eddy,The World Is A Vampire Festival is an amalgamation of music and wrestling, headlined by thelegendary Smashing Pumpkins.HEAVY had the privilege of speaking to the Pumpkins’ main man Billy Corgan in the lead up to this exciting event that will be happening across the country, commencing in Brisbane on April 15.The festival’s line up also includes veterans of alternative rock, Jane’s Addiction, as well as Aussie bands Amyl &The Sniffers, Redhook and Battlesnake, plus local acts opening each show.“For years we’ve talked about the idea of having our own kind of travelling festival and we finally made it happen,” Billy told HEAVY, “Everybody loves to headline and be the star of the show, but the best thing is when you can put together a line-up that everybody wants to see and there’s something for everybody.”“I feel really good about it on every level,” he continues, “and of course adding wrestling makes it that little bit sweeter.”Billy’s wrestling organisation, National Wrestling Alliance (or NWA) will be bringing wrestlers over to take on some of Australia’s pro’s of the Wrestling Alliance of Australia (WAOA).“We like our wrestling like the Aussie’s like their rock, we like our wrestling straight forward,” Billy explains, “so if you’re not a fan and you give us 10, 15 minutes and watch the show a little bit, hopefully you’ll be intrigued and interested by the way we present it and that’s the whole point of it, it’s supposed to be something for everybody.”Listen to the full interview to hear Billy speak more about the upcoming shows, The Smashing Pumpkins epic new 33 song project Atum: A Rock Opera In Three Acts, playing the hits versus playing new material and a proposal to add some jousting in the mix when they play Kryal Castle in Ballarat!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

31 Mar 202338min

By Erin EddyAd Infinitum are a Swiss/German symphonic metal outfit that, in 2018, was born from the vision of vocalist Melissa Bonny and took root as her solo project. It very quickly manifested into a full band though, when the combination of Niklas Müller, Adrian Theẞenvitz and Korbinian Benedict proved to be a formula that really worked.Three, soon to be four, albums later and the band is powering forward, captivating fans the world over with their intense energy and emotive songs.Their impending release is Chapter III: Downfall, and the central theme to this record is Cleopatra and ancient Egyptian mythology.HEAVY got the chance to speak with drummer, Niklas, to delve into the world of Ad Infinitum and learn about what to expect from this new record.“It might get a little bit darker,” Nik explains, with comparison to previous releases. “It’s verydiverse, more diverse than Chapter II.”Nik says that while the album has a specific theme, it’s not a concept record, and more a collection of stories.“It’s like a theme we follow, most importantly regarding the lyrics, but lyrics is Melissa’s department so I’m not the expert here!” he laughs.Chapter III: Downfall is available as of March 31. The most recent single From The Ashes is out now and has a music video well worth checking out!You can hear Nik speaking about the making of that music video, the album and more by checking out our interview below.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

31 Mar 202325min

Interview by Kris PetersAustralian alternative rock outfit The Angel Affair recently released the first chapter in an epic Renaissance EP series.Titled Def-Eye: The Renaissance Part 1, this is the first of four bodies of music telling the musical tale of a dysfunctioning dystopian society.HEAVY sat down with mastermind Luke Melton to find out more."I'm from a heavy background," he explained. "I started off in a heavy band playing drums and developed my skillset from there. I really wanted to develop this story line I thought of about a dystopian future where people had had augmented implants in their brains which made a cybernetic race. Outside the walls of the city there are the people who developed psychically. Instead of using technology to develop their minds they used the psychic and spiritual essence. It's about a clash between these two races."In the full interview, Luke talks more about the concept and how it arcs over four EP's, the musical composition of the release, creating a visual landscape with music, each track and its part in the story, performing all musical parts himself, separating himself from the music to be objective in his roles of mixing and mastering, the release schedule for the remaining three EP's and more.Check out HEAVY's review of Def-Eye: The Renaissance Part 1 here: https://heavymag.com.au/the-angel-affair-def-eye-the-renaissance-part-1/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

24 Mar 202313min

Interview by Kris PetersIconic Brisbane venue The Paddington Tavern - or The Paddo - is opening its prestigious doors to live music of a heavier nature for Infectious Rogues' album launch on April 23.The event will be staged in the unique confines of the downstairs area, with a massive metal dungeon that has to be seen to be appreciated declared the stomping grounds for an afternoon of music that also features Dreamkillers, PistonFist, Palladone and Roach Toasters.HEAVY caught up with Mick from Palladone earlier this week to find out more."We've been looking forward to it," he enthused. "We're all mates in my band and have been mates with a couple of guys from Infectious Rogues for over 20 years, so we've known each other a long time (laughs). A couple of members from both bands have played together in other bands over the last 20 years as well."The Paddo is best known for their State Of Origin post parties, but comes alive on April 23 in an area normally occupied by the comedy club."The venue is great," Mick agreed. "I'm not sure how many bands have been in that venue, but I went in there originally when the idea came about for this gig and there's just a really cool vibe in the room. I think on a Sunday avo it suits the vibe of the place too. It should just be a good time for everyone."In the full interview, Mick introduces us to Palladone and their music, gives a brief history on the band, talks about the benefits of a Sunday afternoon show, their next gig at a tattoo shop, plans for a digital release later this year and more.Infectious Rogues album launch with special guests Dreamkillers, PistonFist, Palladone and Roach Toaster will be held on April 23 at The Paddo. Doors open at 2pm with the first band at 3.00pm.Tickets available from www.thepaddo.com.au/whatsonBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

24 Mar 20239min

Interview by Kris PetersAustralian extreme progressive outfit Ne Obliviscaris have endured a nightmare run of misfortunes in the lead up to their new opus Exul, which is out now.Drum tracking for the album was laid down in March 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee, but, unlike many who made it home before the world shut down, Ne Obliviscaris' guitarist Benjamin Baret and bass player Martino Garattoni weren't so lucky.Originally due to fly home straight after tracking, the pair were instead forced to remain in America indefinitely until things cleared enough for their safe passage home.What should have been a swift follow up to the critically acclaimed 2017 album Urn instead dragged on for more than two more years and saw members of the band all deal with personal loss, relationship problems and other life events that, when coupled with the frustrations of constant delays with the album, almost cast an untenable wedge within the band that threatened to possibly force a premature end to proceedings.Thankfully, as they say, time heals all wounds and with Exul finally ready for mass consumption vocalist XEN sat down for a chat with HEAVY to go through a tumultuous last couple of years."It will be a great relief (when the album comes out)," he sighed. "The last few years have been quite difficult - as everyone else has been through. There was a couple of times throughout the last few years where we didn't know whether or not the album would make it. There was a lot of pauses, a lot of frustrations and I think it's been a great relief to see the light at the end of the tunnel. It's been a long time coming and I think people will be able to tell the amount of effort and patience and frustrations that were channelled into this album and hopefully people will be able to appreciate it. It will be a cathartic moment for everyone to be able to listen to this for us."In the full interview, XEN talks about Exul musically, the contrasting emotions throughout and how the band measured the scale of that, the darker core to Exul and where it comes from, writing the opposing vocal lines between himself and Tim Charles, how close the band came to breaking up, the almost theatrical nature to the music and how difficult that is to create, how this album differs to Urn, the band's 20 year anniversary and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

24 Mar 202323min

Interview by Kris PetersOne of the most powerful and humbling things about being a part of the global metal family is the bonds that are forged through music.Not only the out and out friendships and life changing moments, but also the subtle nuances that often go unnoticed by all except the parties directly involved.It can be a smile, a glance, a guttural scream to the face, even a wayward elbow in the mosh pit but no matter the genesis of the act the outcome is always the same.We are one, we are many, and we are united in music as in life.While every band starts out this way to an extent the trivialities and triumphs of everyday life can often skew these ideals but while physical connections may fade no one can ever take the one thing away that matters to the core.The music.Which is why many people are often left shattered and disillusioned when their favourite bands retires or makes it to the inevitable next level that elevates them beyond the reach of early fans. Music is life and life is music.Not just for metalheads, but for every person who has been touched in some way by any form of music.That may explain moments of mass hysteria when one of The Beatles appeared at a window, or when Ozzy Osbourne peered over the top of his microphone and lovingly told everyone within earshot to fuck off.Perhaps one of the more magjical components of music is its universal acceptance and maniacal obsession.Many will still remember where they were when Lemmy died or the day Cliff Williams left this realm while others around him suffered barely a scratch. It's like you have lost one of your own and unfortunately that feeling never gets easier to bear.On a less global - but still highly relevant - scale, the Brisbane, Queensland and Australian music community will mourn as one when Brisbane masters of groove and metal Massic play their last show together at The Zoo in Brisbane on Friday, March 24. The fact the band are still active to plan their exit is testament to the courage and strength of vocalist Simon Russell-White whose well publicised heart failure a mere 18 months ago almost brought a premature ending to everything. The fact he got to reunite with his Massic brothers on stage and continue to play and record is a blessing from the Metal Gods themselves and now Massic get the chance to go out on their terms.At their choosing.At their own triumphant farewell.People unfamiliar with the band might be wondering what I am waffling on about, but if you have ever heard, seen, or been welcomed into the all encompassing arms which all five band members extend willingly then you know the score.HEAVY had the honour of sitting down with Simon and bass player Rashid for what could well be Massic's final interview and despite the sense of sorrow hanging in the air we still managed to throw together a decent yarn befitting of the indelible mark the Brisbane outfit has made on the music scene.Massic has also hand picked a stellar supporting cast for their farewell, with Flaming Wreckage, The Black Swamp and From Crisis To Collapse granted the priviilege of sharing the stage with them for the final time, with Simon admitting the process of asking which band to play on the night was difficult to say the least."We were really lucky in the fact that when we got together and decided we were going to do this, which bands did we want to play with us," Simon measured. "There was a fairly decent list in our heads at least, and, like I have said previously, there was no real order. We just had three bands that we wanted to ask first and they all said yes (laughs)."As long as the list of bands was in their heads, the actual number who would have gladly offered their services to play the show was probably double."There was a weighing up there of bands we had played with recently," Rashid offered. "We kind of wanted to reach back over the entire career of Massic and bands that we have played really memorable shows with and maybe haven't had a chance to play with over the last few months to a year.""The Black Swamp we actually did our first album launch with," Simon continued, "so they were a special mention. Flaming Wreckage we met in Sydney for our first - and ultimately only - East Coast tour. We played a couple of shows with them and those boys in general are incredible. From Crisis To Collapse, they're our guys. We played 36 Crazyfists with them and a lockdown show and formed bonds with too. There's other bands that I made a point of not mentioning because they know who they are, but were obvious choices but half of those guys are coming to the show anyway. We were lucky. The first three we wanted to ask, in no particular order, said yes otherwise it was going to be a case of let's go down the line. As Rashid said, some bands that we played recently with a lot we decided let's just catalogue out.""Like Si says, they will probably be in the crowd anyway,"Rashid took over, "which also means they will probably be on stage with us as well anyway (laughs)."In the full interview, Simon and Rashid run us through the plans for Friday's show, hint at some special surprises, talk about the bond they share with their fans and the power of music, recall some of their memorable moments with the band, discuss both albums Redshift and Cognisant and which they feel is better, the main reasons behind the decision to call it a day, regrets, joys, guest performers on the night, the emotions involved and how they plan to deal with them, unfinished business and more.On behalf of everyone who loves metal boys, thanks for enriching our lives musically and personally.It's been an honour, and a pleasure.There are surprisingly still a few tickets left for Friday nights show so if you haven't booked yourself in yet, grab your tickets now from www.oztix.com.auBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

21 Mar 202339min

Interview by Kris PetersTasmanian self proclaimed thrash royalty Coward Punch are certainly a force unto themselves.Cloaked in only the most expensive bank robber style ski masks with accents that sound like a cross between deep Southern drawl and the seedier side of The Bronx, Coward Punch are what can only be described as a musical enigma, and, if you believe the hype from the band themselves, these guys are either the most awesome thing to happen to metal and music in general or the most dangerous.You decide.One thing that can't be denied is their infectious approach to their craft coupled with an aloof and often crass sense of humour that revolves around the finer things in life like beer.And more beer.Not that you would expect anything less from a band that named their first EP Greatest Hits without even a hint of irony and subsequently followed that up with Coward Punch The World.It only seems fitting then that the thrash machine approached HEAVY to release their latest track - a quirky acoustic love ballad by the name of The Bottle Never Dies.HEAVY sat down for a riotous chat with three of the four band members - guitar/vocals Senator Terry, guitarist Uncle Marty and drummer Mr Torpedo with bass player Redskin off saving the world one schooner at a time.We soon threw the script out the window and allowed ourselves to get swept up into the magical world of Coward Punch and their uniquely flippant view of the world through grog coloured glasses."For this one... we're known across the globe for our thrash metal," Senator Terry explained. "We play fast and we kick ass and we thought, you know what? We can tango with the rest of them so we are gonna release a new single called The Bottle Never Dies and enter that pop realm, you know. Make that mega bucks like Metallica did with their Black album. This song's got it all, man. It's got beautiful guitars, acoustic guitars mixed in. It's got beautiful solos from Uncle Marty. It's just beautiful. I've already got reviews from Billboard and Grammy nominations and everything, man. We can't wait to put it out there and let the masses experience Coward Punch."In the full interview, Coward Punch reveal why a thrash band is releasing a love song, the strangely comforting film clip, hiring a homeless person to play the lead role, their comical approach and how it permeates through their music, hiding behind a beanie and what arm of the law they are running from, being the greatest thrash band in the world and how they cope with the burden, touring Australia and plans to come back, their musical journey so far and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

21 Mar 202313min

Interview by Kris PetersThe demise of festivals such as Soundwave not only robbed music lovers of opportunities to witness large scale international festivals, but it also created a reduced capacity for touring this side of the world for many bands who based Australian tours around such events.One of those bands that suffered through lack of opportunity is American rock outfit He Is Legend who have not managed to make it back to our shores since their appearance at Soundwave 2015.Recognising this prolonged absence, He Is Legend have finally made good on their promise to return and will travel to the land Down Under this May for a run of shows with Gold Coast noise masters Hammers.Lead vocalist Schuylar Croom and drummer Jesse Shelley sat down for a chat with HEAVY to outline their plans."We're coming and playing songs off the last twenty years," Shelley began. "We're trying to cover our whole discography and give everybody a show they'll be really stoked to see. We don't get down there often, and obviously we're promoting a new record and we're excited about that and we're gonna be delivering that, but we're just coming down to try and give any He Is Legend fan that has been waiting for us to get there the show they want."Eight years is a long time in music so we question the boys as to what has changed with the band since their last visit."We've put out three albums or more," Croom smiled. "Lots has changed. The world ended, then it came back and we put out an album and now we're able to leave our houses again so we're gonna come to Australia!"In the full interview, the boys talk more about their live show and what to expect, having Hammers as support and why they were chosen, the disparity in the band's sound and where it comes from, the early days of He Is Legend, finding success and touring at a young age, how their sound has changed over the years and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

21 Mar 202312min