HEAVY Music Interviews

Interview by Kris PetersThe Funeral Portrait have always been true champions for the underdog; the outcasts of society who are struggling to find their identity or be accepted in a world that is often harsh and judgmental.Their musical world is one of acceptance and unequivocal belonging, with a flair for the theatrical and a need for unity.In little over a decade, The Funeral Portrait have steadily ploughed through the ranks, loudly going about their business with an air of defiant arrogance that only comes from a band who know they have something special.Since joining forces with Better Noise Music for last year's smash hit album Greetings From Suffocate City, The Funeral Portrait have become one of the most in-demand bands on the planet, touring with Ice Nine Kills, Five Finger Death Punch, Marilyn Manson and more to solidify their obvious potential. The campaign cycle for that album began long before its release, with attention to even the smallest details providing a solid platform from which the band launched their global assault.Greetings From Suffocate City expanded the group’s mythology to new heights and dimensions with invigorating, authentic, and passionate anthems. Songs like Alien, Voodoo Doll, You’re So Ugly When You Cry (featuring The Used’s Bert McCracken), and the title track (featuring Spencer Charnas of Ice Nine Kills) have forced the world to stand up and notice, culminating in the release on June 13 of GREETINGS FROM SUFFOCATE CITY - FROM BEYOND THE ABYSS: DELUXE EDITION. The updated release contains 24 songs, including tracks from the CASSANOVA EP and the FROM BEYOND THE ABYSS EP, as well as the recently released versions of Holy Water feat. Ivan Moody of Five Finger Death Punch, Hearse for Two feat. Lilith Czar and three brand new songs: Skinny Lies, Evergreen, and Lost Boy.The album that was originally released September 13, 2024 via Better Noise Music, consisted of 14 tracks of theatrical, dramatic, unapologetic, full-throated flair with guest appearances from Bert McCracken of The Used, Spencer Charnas of Ice Nine Kills, Danny Worsnop of Asking Alexandria and Amanda Lyberg of Eva Under Fire. It was - and is - a remarkable album from a band only now starting to find their musical identity, and looks set to reach a new generation of ears with the deluxe edition on offer this week.HEAVY caught up with frontman Lee Jennings on one of his rare down days to force him to talk shop. We ask him about the response to Greetings From Suffocate City and if it was what they were hoping for."Completely, yes," he nodded. "I think at first we had been building fans along the way. So it was definitely a cool stretch at the beginning. But I think the better part is what we're building now. We're still supporting some huge tours, and it's growing every single day. Every day, we're selling copies at the merch table or online. You can go to your local record store a lot of the time and get it. And for us, it's about that growth. It's not about that direct, right when it's out, everybody's freaking out about it. To me, it's about the build. And I feel like what we're building towards is this next record that I hope that will be more that moment of like, oh, the new Funeral Portrait record is coming out. I'm very excited for that instead of right now. We're in discovery mode still now, I think, is the easiest way to say."In the full interview, Lee discussed the upcoming release of the deluxe edition of Greetings From Suffocate City - scheduled for June 13 - reflecting on the five-year journey of creating the original album, which was impacted by the pandemic and other factors. Lee expressed enthusiasm for the new songs on the deluxe edition, particularly Skinny Lies and Evergreen, which tackle personal themes and mental health, and explained the inclusion of both original and guest versions of certain tracks to showcase the band's creative evolution. We also explored the role of guest features in modern rock music, with Lee open to collaborations across genres, emphasizing a process that allows guest artists to contribute while maintaining the song's essence.We spoke about The Funeral Portrait's touring schedule, how they integrate the new songs into live performances, and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

12 Jun 19min

Interview by Kris PetersHeavy Metal and J-Pop are two genres which, for all intents and purposes, should not be joined in sonic matrimony, but try telling that to Australian-born Japanese sensation Ladybeard and the two girls who make up Babybeard.Since 2020, the powerful trio has existed in some form or another, spearheaded throughout by wrestler turned DJ turned vocalist Ladybeard, who brings not only a sense of danger to the group, but also an abundance of energy and fun that has seen their music transcend barriers the world over. Children who have never liked metal before suddenly think it's cool because Babybeard do it, and on the other side of the fence, metalheads who would have previously been embarrassed for anyone to witness them listening to J-Pop now have a legitimate reason due to the two worlds colliding.It is a brand of music that unites genres and defies expectations, all wrapped in a pretty pink bow and pigtails. Sound strange? Well, take a listen and tell me I'm wrong…After decimating Australian audiences in 2024 with their Adorable Assault On Australia tour, Babybeard return to reclaim their throne with a special one-off performance at SMASH Convention 2025 in Sydney over July 12 and 13. Spread over the weekend, Babybeard will be doing a showcase performance as well as a meet and greet question time, along the way ushering in brand new trainee member Mizuki, who is not only performing with Babybeard for the first time in Australia, will also be making her international performing debut of any kind.As long-time friends of HEAVY, when we found out Babybeard were coming Down Under once more, we harassed Ladybeard until he agreed to an interview, with the effervescent frontman once again providing a plethora of delights."There's something for everybody," Ladybeard promised. "There's drama, there's tragedy, there's comedy, there's no romance. But, you know, apart from that, there's something for absolutely everyone."When talk turns to last year's tour, Ladybeard reveals something totally unexpected."Last year in Sydney - for the first time ever - we had a wall of death at one of our shows," he laughed. "It was awesome. It was our first show in Sydney, again, it was a weeknight, so it was not the biggest show that we had. But we're there, we're leading into the last song, and there had just been a shoey, so the stage is wet and everyone was feeling frivolous, and as I was just introducing the last song, someone in the audience yells out, 'wall of death!' So we're like, okay, if you guys want to. The girls have never seen a wall of death before because in Japan, we do shows for idol fans, right? So that was their first ever wall of death. It was interesting because there was a bunch of loose chairs on the floor, so it was a pretty dangerous wall of death, but they got through it."In the full interview, Ladybeard reflected on their previous tour in Australia, sharing memorable experiences and expressing excitement about returning to connect with fans. The conversation highlighted the unique blend of Japanese pop and heavy metal in their music, emphasizing the importance of creating a community atmosphere during performances that encourages audience participation.We spoke about the live show and what to expect, the drafting of Mizuki into the band, their expectations of Australian crowds, how blending heavy metal and Japanese pop is accepted in Japan, milking Kangaroos and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

10 Jun 16min

Interview by Kris PetersForged from the survivors of Long Beach bands Damned Age, Black Velvet Brigade and Red River Massacre in 2018, Carsex pull no punches when they come to their sound, name or influences.After crossing paths many a time on the local circuit in Orange County, the five music veterans gradually built a sonic relationship that has become a live force, with Carsex releasing their self-titled effort in 2019 and the EP 2020 the following year.It has been a long five-year wait for fans of the band to hear a new body of work, which has now been rectified with the release of the seven-track EP Human Interest last week.HEAVY caught up with frontman Nigel Burk to talk more."This one is our third EP," he offered, "and is definitely our strongest effort I feel, just out of the development of the band over the years and everything. I feel like we're as much a part of each other as we can be.""So I feel like this one is probably the first one that is 100 per cent genuine, just straight from all of us as a unit. And yeah, we're super stoked on it. The basic idea… a lot of our material goes through a pretty wide variety of subjects - and lightly touches on politics to a certain degree - but I wouldn't say that much. Just really like the human condition as a broad explanation. Sometimes it's a little difficult for me to explain exactly what certain songs or the idea of the band is about, because I like for the audience to experience it for themselves. I feel like our presentation is more up for perception or subjective to the listener, because it is for us as well. It means something different to all of the band members individually as well."In the full interview, Nigel highlighted several tracks, including Sitting Ducks, addressing societal issues, and Fuck This, which explores personal struggles. He shared the inspiration behind Landmine, stemming from a personal tragedy, and discussed DKC, which reflects on school shootings.He also mentioned Stella, a hopeful song that encapsulates a journey of acceptance. The band’s live performance style has developed over their years together, and they are preparing for their EP launch at The Vine in Long Beach, while also planning a small tour later in the year after a brief hiatus for their drummer's surgery. We ran through the seven EP tracks individually and found out their intended meaning and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

9 Jun 23min

Interview by Kris PetersFusing modern rock with classic undertones, American rock outfit Limberlost bring together the best of two worlds to create a powerful and infectious sonic palette that transcends the underlying barriers that separate the old from the new.Known for their anthemic sound, raw energy, and emotionally charged storytelling, the band create music that resonates with fans of classic rock legends and contemporary rock revivalists alike. Their songs capture themes of strength, resilience, and empowerment, making them a force in the rock scene.Featuring two captivating, classically trained and accomplished opera singers in Brittany Lauren and Sammie Gorham, Limberlost have also just added guitarist Devon Unger on lead guitar and bass player Steve Unger (Metal Church), further expanding their musical influences while simultaneously strengthening their engine room.The band are poised to release their dynamic new album Beautiful Scars on June 13, with the whole band - including drummer Mike Burt and keyboardist Anthony Ciarochi, but excluding Gorham - joining HEAVY for an entertaining chat from their home base."It's been like getting ready to give birth," laughed Burt. "I mean, we've been cultivating this thing since last November, getting ready to be exactly where we are."We ask the band to tell us more about the musical nature of Beautiful Scars."Beautiful Scars was so much fun," Lauren enthused, "because it's a concept album. It takes on the Japanese art form of Kintsugi, which is an art form of repair, where, when a piece of pottery is shattered, they will repair it using gold. And so it becomes more beautiful because it was broken. So we took this and used it as an analogy to a person and how a person goes through their life, and they get all these scars, or they get these certain things. People make a lot of memes about it, but what if we made it mean that it made you more beautiful, and what if this is like coming to terms with who you are? So the whole concept of the album is that, and then what's cool is that Limberlost ended up kind of living that. We broke up, and then we got pieced together with some gold here, and we're making it work. It starts with Alien, and you'll hear lyrics that give you a sense of dysphoria about not feeling safe or feeling alien, and then it moves into just recognition of who you are."In the full interview, we dove deeper into the conceptual nature of Beautiful Scars, what they were going for musically and how it differs from Limberlost's previous work.The band acknowledged the challenge of balancing their diverse influences while evolving their sound to appeal to a broader audience and delved into the dynamics of having two female lead vocalists, reflecting on their classical training and how it has shaped their musical journey. The integration of new members Steve and Devon was discussed, with both expressing excitement about the album and upcoming live performances. The chat concluded with information on how fans can access Limberlost's music and exclusive content, as well as their plans for future performances, including aspirations to perform in Australia and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

9 Jun 26min

Interview by Angela CroudaceAfter 33 relentless days tearing through Europe and the UK with metal titans Pantera and Power Trip, most bands would hit pause. But not King Parrot. For frontman Matt 'Youngy' Young, the chaos of tour life was just the spark needed to kick the band’s creative machine into overdrive.“By the end of it, we were knackered,” Young admits with a laugh. “The jet lag, the exhaustion—it was intense. But it was also one of those pinch-yourself moments. Just being there, on those stages, it was unreal.”Now, the Aussie thrash-grind juggernaut is channelling that whirlwind experience into their latest album. On June 6, 2025, King Parrot will release A Young Person’s Guide to King Parrot—a ferocious, career-spanning collection that marks both a celebration and a reintroduction.“It’s kind of a nod to the journey we’ve been on, but it’s also for anyone new jumping into our world,” Young explains. “We wanted to package something that really captures the essence of what King Parrot is about.”While this upcoming release serves as a brutal sampler of their sonic legacy, the band isn't resting on their back catalogue. They're already deep into writing brand new material for a future album.“We’ve had a month or so off after that tour, and now we’re back in the groove,” says Young. “There’s definitely another record on the horizon. We’re writing, experimenting, seeing where this next chapter takes us.”That work ethic and raw honesty have long been King Parrot’s signature—onstage and off. Known for blistering live sets, DIY approach, and a no-bullshit attitude, the band has earned a cult following far beyond their Melbourne roots.“You do it because you love it,” Young smiles. “But it takes a toll. Still, when you're on stage, and you feel that energy coming back at you, it’s magic. That’s why we keep pushing.”With A Young Person’s Guide to King Parrot set to drop and fresh tracks in the works, the band shows no signs of slowing. If anything, they're more fired up than ever. “The tour lit a fire under us,” says Young. “We’re more focused, more driven. And the new stuff? It’s gonna hit hard.”For King Parrot, the grind never stops—and that’s exactly how they like it.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

6 Jun 35min

Interview by Kris PetersWhat started out as a bit of fun on a Monday night at Sydney's Frankie's Pizza back in 2012 has quickly developed into a global sensation.Initially formed to beat Monday night boredom at the home of live music in Sydney, Frankie's World Famous House Band has grown from such humble beginnings to being a mainstay on the Australian music scene for both punters and international touring musicians.For ten years until its sad closing in 2022, the band rocked the stage at Frankie's Pizza, along the way collecting a healthy dose of international scalps under their belt who frequented the venue just to catch a glimpse of the house band. Members of bands such as Megadeth, Steel Panther, White Snake, White Zombie and Cheap Trick have all at one time shared the stage with the house band, while they are now also an in demand gun for hire as touring bands for stars such as Tim 'Ripper' Owens who enlists their help each time he comes over.They are a band made up of accomplished musicians, but, more importantly, people who love music, and that infectious energy night after night is one of the major reasons they survived when Frankie's fell.This weekend sees Frankie's World Famous House Band venture outside of their home base of Sydney for a rare visit North, where they will be playing at Lefty's in Brisbane on Saturday, June 7, and Mo's Desert Clubhouse in Burleigh Heads the following night. HEAVY jumped at the chance to chat with drummer and the legend behind Frankie's Pizza, Jordan McDonald to find out more."Yeah, we never do this," he replied when we mentioned the fact that the band doesn't play outside of Sydney often. "We get out of town if we're the house band for a touring artist, that happens every now and then. That's kind of, I guess, the niche of the Frankie's World Famous House Band. If there's an act of cult appeal who's coming to Australia but leaving the band behind, we'll fill in and play, so we'll take that around the country. But just as us doing it our way, it's kind of a matter of policy that we never leave Sydney, so this is something different."We question what policy could ever confine any band to one city before Jordan smiles."It was bred in Sydney, and it's kind of where it makes sense," he laughed. "It's part of the fabric of the zone, so we try and kind of keep it that way. But if an opportunity like this comes up - and it doesn't happen all that often - we say yes to most things. So here we are!"In the full interview, Jordan focused on the upcoming performances of Frankie's World Famous House Band in Queensland, scheduled for June 7 and 8. He provided background on the band, emphasizing their unique position as a house band that typically does not tour outside Sydney. He highlighted their speciality in high-energy covers of classic rock songs and their collaborations with well-known artists, which have bolstered their reputation.Jordan introduced us to the rest of the band, saying that they don't have a permanent set vocalist in preference of using a range of singers to complement each performance. He ran us through the birth of the band and how he came to be involved, the band name, some of the people they have shared a stage with, his other music and business ventures and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

5 Jun 22min

Interview by Kris PetersIt's been 15 years since Bay Area thrash legends Testament last did a headline tour of this country. Fifteen long years for fans of the band, of which there are many.Since emerging from the San Francisco Bay Area in the early 1980s TESTAMENT have delivered some of the greatest metal anthems of all time. Over The Wall, Practice What You Preach, Rise Up, Into The Pit, Brotherhood Of The Snake, Low, The New Order, First Strike Is Deadly… the list of absolute classics seems endless as they unleashed one crushing album after another.With no shortage of critical acclaim, Testament remain one of the select few bands with two albums, (both The Legacy and The New Order) inducted into Decibel Magazine’s prestigious Hall Of Fame, alongside Metallica, Black Sabbath, and Motörhead. TESTAMENT have remained steadfast over the course of literal decades; always managing to present the genuine aspects of thrash metal that defines their existence while spreading into unique horizons through new crisp and fascinating sounds.The worldwide Testament legions only continue to grow with renewed fervour and intensity as one of the most influential acts in heavy metal marches forward, never wavering and always crushing.With the tour less than two weeks away, HEAVY spent some time with founding member and guitarist Eric Peterson to find out what we can expect."It's been 12 plus years since we've been there," he enthused. "Some of the shows have sold out, and it looks like the whole thing might just be sold out, so we're excited."We ask Peterson what delights Testament have in store for us to make up for lost time."We're playing a lot of stuff that we haven't played in a long time," he offered. "We're revisiting a lot of stuff that we kind of just didn't do, but now we're doing it. And it was stuff that people wanted us to do, like more of the deep cuts and some of the slower stuff that we've got."In the full interview, Eric highlighted the addition of new drummer Chris Dovas and the release of three new records since their last tour, while also addressing the challenges of scheduling due to the pandemic.He shared insights into their recent performances, focusing on deep cuts and slower songs that resonate emotionally with fans, and discussed the complexities of creating set lists from their extensive discography. Additionally, he offered a preview of their upcoming album, which aims to blend various musical elements and reflect the band's evolution while retaining their signature sound and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

4 Jun 12min

Interview by Angela CroudaceAmerican heavyweights Baroness are headed to Tasmania this month for the famously atmospheric and provocative Dark Mofo festival — and for the band, it was precisely that mystique that made them say yes."It was a pretty interesting offer to fly 20 to 30 hours around the globe to play one show," they laughed. "But the vibe of the festival fits us."It won't be their first time in Australia, but it will mark their long-awaited return to the island state. Reflecting on a previous visit to Tasmania in 2012, vocalist John Dyer Baizley recalled a surreal show where the audience had reportedly been dosed with LSD — "It was weird. But fun."Their set promises to be just as memorable this time around, featuring new material and even some deep cuts that haven't been played in over a decade. "We're excited. It's very likely we'll play some songs we've never played in Tasmania — or anywhere in a long time."Known for their evolving sound and richly illustrated album art, Baroness have always pushed sonic and visual boundaries. "We've given ourselves not just the right, but the obligation to push forward," they explained. "We build on what we've done, but we don't stand still."The band's iconic colour-themed albums were a deliberate early concept, though they've since moved on from it. As for the relationship between their music and artwork? "Typically, the artwork is a reflection of the music — and sometimes the lyrics. Though for newer albums like Stone, the music came first."Baroness are also mindful of the personal cost and discipline it takes to endure as musicians. Staying grounded and creatively fuelled comes down to "frustration" — and exercise. "To perform the way we want to, we have to align mind, body and spirit," they said. "We work out a lot more than people think. "On stage, they thrive on energy exchange. "We're not just playing songs — we're playing the audience. The show depends on them."Despite their openness, the band values maintaining some mystery. "In the era of oversharing, we think it's important for artists to preserve something for the listener to discover on their own." Don't expect them to give too much away in the way of behind-the-scenes tour vlogs, as seems to be the trend with artists these days; the band believes in leaving a little mystery to their fans.Be sure to catch Baroness as they bring their signature intensity and introspective edge to Dark Mofo this June — a performance perfectly at home in the festival's dark and immersive atmosphere.For more information on Dark Mofo follow this link: https://darkmofo.net.au/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

4 Jun 16min