HEAVY Music Interviews

Interview by Kris PetersGuitarist/songwriter/vocalist Samantha Fish is rightfully recognized as one of the premiere guitarists of her generation. With a blending of emotion, finesse, and raw aggression, Fish encapsulates the essence of musicianship while also allowing herself creative room from which to grow and flourish.Her sonic output features, and draws from, multiple genres including rock, country, funk and bluegrass, but it is her ability to integrate genres and manipulate musical styles that has seen her forge a successful career which includes a Grammy nomination for Death Wish Blues (her 2023 collaboration with rocker Jesse Dayton) and opening for The Rolling Stones on their final 2024 U.S. tour date.Fish's upcoming album Paper Doll is the culmination of years of commitment to the music scene, delivering nine tracks with enough scope and musical disparity to appeal to lovers of many forms of music. But it's not the amount of strings to Fish's metaphorical bow. It is the way she unites each delicate moment, drifting between lashings of hard rock staunchness to softer, more intimate confines with a Delta Blues spine.It is a coming together of genres that in many hands would sound forced, or contrived, but Fish manages to find not only the balance at the core of her music but also pushes the parameters of experimentalisation over convention. Put simply, Paper Doll is Samantha Fish's most accomplished body of work to date, and something that brought her music to the attention of HEAVY on the other side of the world.We sat down with Fish recently to go over the album, starting by asking if the pressures of an album release cycle are something that affects her as the release date approaches."There's this weird feeling when you finish a record, at least for me," she smiled. "I know every artist feels this way. You walk out of the studio and this giant weight has been lifted off your shoulders. It's almost euphoric when you're done with the record and thank God, because it's always fun. But for me, it's always like this mountain that I have to climb to get through it. It feels great. But then It feels like you have this secret that you have to keep for 6-9 months to a year that you can't share with anybody. So I finally feel like I'm able to let people in on the little secret."We asked what her focus was on going into the musical side of Paper Doll."With this record, I wanted to lean into my strengths," she replied. "What are my superpowers? What makes me different? What makes me unique, leaning into my voice, my guitar, my songwriting? I wanted to make something that felt urgent, felt like rock and roll, but was still rooted in the music that I love and inspires me, which is blues music. North Hill Country blues specifically. It's a deep well of inspiration for me. I just wanted to write great songs and write and record with an urgency that people would hear and want to listen to again and again and again. Timeless records, that's my goal."In the full interview, Samantha described the completion of the album as a euphoric experience, emphasizing her aim to create timeless music that highlights her vocal and guitar skills while incorporating a hard-edged rock and roll style. She noted that this album is more aggressive than her previous works, with the opening track, I'm Done Runnin', serving as a strong introduction. Samantha also highlighted the importance of track sequencing in engaging listeners, aiming to encourage them to experience the album as a cohesive journey rather than just individual songs.She shared insights into her writing process, revealing that much of the album was created while on tour, where she draws inspiration from her experiences. This album is particularly significant as it is the first she recorded with her touring band, capturing the energy and chemistry developed on the road. The conversation also touched on her rumoured plans to visit Australia in 2026 and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

22 Apr 19min

Interview by Angela CroudaceAustralian metalcore powerhouse Make Them Suffer are riding high in 2025 with a prestigious APRA Music Award nomination—an accolade that has vocalist and keyboardist Alex Reade feeling a well-earned sense of pride.“When we found out about the nomination, we weren’t sure what it meant at first,” Reade admits. “But once we did our research, we realized—this is something we’ve worked so hard for. After everything we’ve put into the last three years, the grind of touring, this kind of recognition really matters.”The category for Most Performed Heard Rock/Heavy Metal Work was taken out in 2024's inaugural year by Parkway Drive and is something that Reade sees as a major step forward for the genre and its diverse artists. “It’s so good to see not only heavy music being acknowledged, but also the visibility of women within it,” she says. “We’re reaching a point where it’s just normal. It’s respected.”Reade joined Make Them Suffer ahead of their 2023 self-titled album, which she calls a “dipping of toes” into the band’s true potential. “This album showed what the band is capable of, but I don’t think people have seen anything yet,” she says. “The next chapter is going to be something really special.”The band’s evolution—from COVID-era uncertainty to global tours and packed venues—has forged a new, galvanized identity. “There was a time when no one knew if we’d keep going,” Reade reflects. “But the response to Doomswitch and this new chapter has been massive. We’re solid now. We’re a team.”With an 18-date regional Australian tour lined up, including stops in less-frequented towns like Narre Warren and Forster, the band is embracing their roots. “This tour feels like a celebration of Australia,” Reade says. “We're bringing the full heavy energy but in a way that's more intimate, more connected.”With Justice for the Damned and The Gloom in the Corner joining the run, Reade promises one thing: “It’s gonna be heavy. And it’s gonna be fun.”Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

22 Apr 25min

Interview by Kris PetersBrazilian thrash metal outfit Nervosa have been trailblazers for heavy metal for 15 years, playing at most of the major festivals and countries on the global touring circuit except one.Australia.But that blight has been rectified, with Nervosa currently in the country and playing the first of three shows in Sydney as we speak.Setting the world ablaze with their latest blistering full-length Jailbreak, Nervosa embark on a new chapter in the band’s history as it’s their first record featuring founding member Prika Amaral as permanent vocalist. Plus, the band enacted more exciting changes on the album, with the addition of the immensely talented and well experienced Helena Kotina as second guitarist, Hel Pyre on bass and Michaela Naydenova on drums.Kotina was nice enough to take time out to talk with HEAVY about an hour out from the first show."I really don't know why it took so long for Nervosa to come here," she almost apologised, "but it's really a huge pleasure. We have three shows, and also we celebrate the 15 years of Nervosa. So it's the first time in Australia, and it's a special time also to be in Australia with this anniversary tour. So it might have taken a bit long, but it's a really special occasion for us."In the full interview, Helena told us how long they have been here preparing, ran through what we can expect, what they are expecting from us, three songs to listen in order to know the band better, her joining the band and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

18 Apr 3min

Interview by Kris PetersSydney based death metal outfit Anoxia are one of the rare breed of bands who are prepared to live and die by the sword they carry.By bringing a new sound to a bygone era of heavy metal, Anoxia embraces the legacy of death metal bands that have come before them such as Morbid Angel, Suffocation and Death, but sprinkle enough of their own - more modernized - DNA through the menu to make a fresh and tasty new main course where brutality is the King.After announcing their arrival with their 2020 Demo Torturous Degradation, Anoxia hit the stage sprinting, dropping their debut EP Languish In Suffering in 2023 which has seen the band amongst the first port of call for international touring acts such as Skeletal Remains and homegrown machines Psycroptic and King Parrot.But it is with the impending arrival of their debut full-length Revel In Sin on April 17 that Anoxia looks set to launch a global assault on the metal scene. Building on the crushing devastation promised with Languish In Suffering, Revel In Sin ramps up the intent, delivering more hooks, more pace, and more intensity.HEAVY caught up with guitarist Elias and bass player James to dig deeper."We released our EP in February 2023," Elias began. "So, it's been a little while now. We've just been touring a lot, playing a lot of shows, then took some time off to write and came up with Revel in Sin, so we're very excited. We feel like it's the next level in our progression as a band and as musicians, writing and just growing by fusing our old-school death metal style with some thrash metal elements as well. James came on board last August just to in the finalization of the writing stage as well, so he'll be on deck for the album launch as well."We press them both about the musical direction on Revel In Sin."We are all about the old school, early 90s US death metal," Elias affirmed. "So we're just building on that. The EP was four songs which we're proud of, but the album is just us levelling it up a bit in terms of speed, diversity and dynamics. It's very much in the vein of the EP, but just a few notches up from where we left off. There's different dynamics - fast in some places then slow - so we're just changing it up, but focussing on those hooks and keeping it intense."In the full interview, Elias and James talk more about Revel in Sin, highlighting the band's evolution in musical complexity by merging old-school death metal with thrash elements. Elias emphasized the single Rule by Cold Steel as a key representation of their sound, while James noted the album's progression from their previous EP, incorporating classic death metal elements with new dynamics. The band is promoting the album through a series of shows in Melbourne, Canberra, and Sydney, as well as a nationwide tour with Atheist, aiming to broaden their audience. We also discussed the advantages of being managed by Your Mate Bookings for securing larger tours and enhancing the band's professional image, alongside insights into their live performances and fan interactions.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

17 Apr 14min

Interview by Kris PetersRising Australian rock outfit Vermantics are a band with a purpose.But although they might still be finding out the intricate details of just what that is as they make their way through the trappings of the music industry, one thing they are already sure of, even in their formative year,s is the need for independence. The need to forge, then follow your own path.Vermantics are at that tender stage of any band's career where they are currently hot property, and as such, people from all walks of life and expertise have an opinion on their lives, their sound, and their musical output.But they are also confident enough in their own ability and vision that, while taking any and all advice on board, stick to their own musical needs, throwing caution to the wind but doing so on their terms.This is clearly evident on the band's latest single Come Alive - with the music video premiering today, April 17 via HEAVY - a song that retains the raw elements from its birth and is delivered from the heart, complete with imperfections. It is raw, live-sounding, and infinitely better for the touches added - or left out more accurately - in the studio.HEAVY sat down with vocalist Stefan Fedele to find out more."The previous stuff we put out was a lot more produced and had a lot more effects," he affirmed. "It was just a bigger production, whereas this one is definitely more on the raw avenue, and things are played in real time. The vocals haven't been tuned anymore and the drums are played with no cutting. So yeah, all those things make a big difference, and it's heading in the way that we want it to. This is where we're at right now."In the full interview, Stefan spoke about the accompanying music video for Come Alive, which is designed to reflect the energy of the band's live performances. He explained the strategy of releasing the audio of the single ahead of the video to build anticipation and allow listeners to engage with the music directly. He also mentioned that Come Alive is the first track from their upcoming EP, The Pictures You Paint, which aims to showcase the band's artistic vision.We spoke about Vermantics' upcoming Melbourne show as well as their first international tour in May, discussing how to approach your first tour of another country and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

17 Apr 8min

Interview by Kris PetersThe 2025 APRA MUSIC AWARDS are almost upon us, and after the overwhelming success of last year's debut category Most Performed Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Work, anticipation is once again high amongst Australia's fastest-growing music genre as five more Aussie acts are in the running to be recognized globally for their achievements.Not that winning awards are the be-all, end-all for band's, but a bit of reward for effort is never a bad thing!This year sees Make Them Suffer, Northlane, Polaris, Windwaker and Speed nominated for the gong, with Windwaker's frontman Liam Guinane joining HEAVY earlier today to talk all things APRA and beyond."Honestly, it was quite unexpected given the calibre of bands that we're up against," Guinane said of Windwaker's nomination. "So I'm quite honoured to be considered next to some of these pillars of heavy music currently in Australia. It feels terrific to be put amongst those names and to be a part of it. I'm really looking forward to the night. It seems like it's going to be a fantastic evening and, yeah, very much uncharted territory for us being recognised like this (laughs)."In the full interview, Liam discussed the band's recent nomination for the APRA Music Awards, expressing both surprise and honour at being recognized alongside established Australian bands. The conversation included thoughts on the competitive landscape among Australian bands, with Liam emphasizing Windwaker's distinct sound and broader appeal. He also considered whether to prepare a speech, leaning towards improvisation but recognizing the need for some preparation.We spoke about some of the lighter sides of the awards, including the chance of a heavier band performing on the night, last year's winners Parkway Drive and getting fashion tips from Winston McCall, Windwaker's latest tour and how the new songs were received live and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

16 Apr 18min

Interview by Kris Peters For more than three decades, the name Chocolate Starfish has been synonymous with Australian rock music, with singer Adam Thompson one of the most engaging and enigmatic frontmen to ever grace the stage in this country. Despite the success of Chocolate Starfish and the constant touring that comes with it, Thompson has also found time to branch into other areas of the artistic world, most notably the Chocolate Starfish Bat Out Of Hell Show, where, obviously, the band performs the classic Meatloaf hits from that album and beyond. While not exactly a new project for Thompson, it is one that is close to his heart, and he has embraced the role as if it were his own - and God help anyone who tries to say it's not… This year Bat Out Of Hell - Return will see Chocolate Starfish traversing the country once more, but this time there's going to be strings attached. Literally. The electrifying show that continues to thrill audiences everywhere will be augmented by the stirring swells of a six-piece string section, escalating the rich production to mesmerizing heights. Featuring the classic album in its entirety, Bat Out of Hell - The Return promises everything audiences have come to know and love about a Starfish show – it’s an entertainment experience not to be missed. As a prelude to the main event, the band will be supported by a specially curated trio performing Chocolate Starfish favourites, starring Kate Daley and her dazzling vocals, Peter Mitchell on saxophone and Les Gyori on violin. The star of the show, Adam Thompson, sat down with HEAVY to talk about Bat Out of Hell - The Return and more. "We had a lot of success a couple of years ago with the Bat Out Of Hell show, and we just thought, look, if we're going to do it again, let's take it to another level," he began. "About a year and a half ago I did a George Michael show at the Myer Music Bowl with David Campbell and a few others, and it was with an orchestra and I just loved it. I said to the boys, why don't we up the ante and see if we can use a string section because it's so made for those sorts of shows. I know Meatloaf back in the day did several of them, and that album is just made for strings. "It's an eight-piece string section," he continued, "and the dynamics of the performance will change because previously we only had synth for something like For Crying Out Loud or Heaven Can Wait. For some of those slower songs you'll have that lush tone that the string section brings. So just to feel that groan of the cello on (sings) 'now the chilly Californian wind, is blowing down our bodies again…' oh man, it's just going to be goosebumps, right?" In the full interview, Adam spoke more about the Bat Out of Hell show along with works by Jim Steinman, enhanced by the inclusion of a string section. Adam shared his excitement about the tour, reflecting on the success of previous orchestral performances and the necessary mental and physical preparation for the run of shows, which will travel from Melbourne to Perth. He emphasized the importance of pacing and structure in performances, particularly with the addition of string players, while maintaining his unique style. The conversation also highlighted the growing audience for Chocolate Starfish, especially among families, and the positive ticket sales, with some shows nearly sold out. We discussed fans reactions to Adam's personality shining through during his Meatloaf performance, the importance of sprinkling his own DNA through the show, and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

15 Apr 16min

Interview by Jack HarlenSydney rock outfit Brooklyn Comic have built a steady name for themselves based on honest songwriting and powerful live performances.The band’s music blends emo, hardcore, indie and alternative rock, tackling themes such as loss, self-doubt, heartache and personal growth. As proud allies of the LGBTQIA+ community, Brooklyn Comic is also committed to fostering inclusivity and acceptance, both in the music industry and in the wider world.After giving fans a taste of what they have to offer through previous singles, Brooklyn Comic are now preparing to launch their debut full-length album Define Happiness, which is set for a slow waterfall release in 2025. But first the band are planning to drip feed content, with the recently released single Plot Heavy a tasty morsel of what is to come.HEAVY's newest member, intern Jack Harlen, spent some time with vocalist Jayme Weston and guitarist Declan Rivers from Brooklyn Comic to get the rundown.We start by asking about the early reception for the single."Pretty amazing," Jayme beamed. "I think it's done better than anything else we've released thus far. We put a lot of work and a lot of effort into these songs that are coming out this year, so it's good to see that reception come back."In the full interview, the boys spoke about the story behind Plot Heavy, the music video and what it is about, where the song sits in the overall scheme of the album, what themes run through Define Happiness, upcoming shows and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

15 Apr 22min