HEAVY Music Interviews

Interview by Kris PetersPolaris have been conquering the world one country at a time since the release of their third album, Fatalist, in 2023. Having already firmly established their place as a fixture in the Australian heavy landscape via their first two albums - 2020’s ARIA Award-nominated The Death Of Me and 2017’s The Mortal Coil, which debuted in the Australian Top 10 - Polaris have earnt themselves a laundry list of accolades along with sold-out headline tours of Australia and previous tours across the globe, including most recently performing at Good Things Festival in 2022 alongside headliners Bring Me The Horizon. 2023 saw POLARIS head overseas for multiple European summer festival appearances, and the band's global love affair has been on an upward trajectory ever since.Last month, Polaris were finally given their deserved level of respect in their home country when they were named to headline Froth & Fury 2026, a rapidly growing Australian festival that this year has expanded to feature Perth for the first time as well as its adopted home in Adelaide. Polaris' name sits proudly on the event poster atop some legends of the music world, with Soulfly, Nailbomb, Comeback Kid and Lagwagon leading the international charge, and Frenzal Rhomb, Ocean Sleeper, Private Function, Terminal Sleep and Zuko joining Polaris for home country honours. HEAVY recently caught up with bassist/vocalist Jake Steinhauser to firstly congratulate the band on their headlining status."Thank you so much," he replied sincerely. "We're absolutely stoked to be headlining the fest. Just to be at the stage to be doing anything like that at this point is really awesome for us. So, yeah, very, excited."We mention the high number of Australian bands on the bill and ask Jake how important festivals that reward homegrown talent are for the Australian music industry and what emerging bands can take out of the experience."I guess being here in Australia, we're so separated from the world and there's kind of almost like this illustriousness to some of the bands that do come over here and play shows," he measured. "Getting to see some of our bands rub shoulders with them, regardless of what level they are themselves, helps to put the image of that band in a similar place in your mind, especially as a young audience goer. I remember when we were young, the pinnacle of what we could - just to go back to Soundwave again - was always… we just wanted to desperately play that festival. And, sadly, it's not with us anymore. But every time we get to do something here at home, I am always reminding myself of what it looked like to see those local bands, to see the homegrown heroes and stuff like that."In the full interview, Jake expressed gratitude for the opportunity and highlighted Froth & Fury's diverse lineup, which is beneficial for emerging artists. He detailed the extensive planning and rehearsal involved in their live performances, the positive reception of their latest album, and shared experiences from recent tours. He also provided an update on Polaris' new album, indicating progress in the writing process and plans for a focused retreat in New South Wales, while expressing excitement about the new material and upcoming shows in Japan and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

8 Aug 17min

Interview by Kris PetersFor 20 years, Jerome Reuter a.k.a. ROME has been a force to reckon with in the musical underground. Through relentless touring and a steady stream of high-quality concept albums, ROME has built a remarkably loyal following from Berlin to LA, from Sydney to Saigon, from Lisbon to Kyiv.The Luxembourg-born singer-songwriter has created an authoritative body of work, encompassing more than 20 full-length albums and numerous other official releases. ROME's compelling brand of Dark Folk merges various musical influences, from Post-Punk to Chanson. Lyrically inspired by world literature from Burroughs to Brecht, Celine to Cioran, from Hesse to Jünger; ROME’s detailed, well-researched, yet particularly accessible concept albums combine his interest in history, philosophy and the arts in a most compelling way. Through his unique vision, he has managed to establish his very own musical niche informed by various European folk and Chanson traditions coupled with post punk and industrial influences.Now, for the very first time, Reuter is heading to Australia for a select run of shows starting from August 22, and to celebrate the occasion, HEAVY was fortunate enough to score some time to discuss his plans. We start by asking Reuter why he has neglected us for the last two decades (with a smile, of course)."Good question," he laughed. "There were a few attempts before, but there was COVID and this and that, but finally we got this back on track for this year and also because it's our 20th anniversar,y we are doing a big tour, so I guess we waited a little bit to make it happen this year."Being his first time out here, Australian fans have little idea of what to actually expect when Reuter takes the stage, so we try to fill in the blanks."This Australian tour is going to be a stripped-back, solo show," he began. "So it's just going to be me on guitar. It's not the whole band, it's not the big kaboom of thundering drums that I am known for. It's more of an honest, direct, intimate approach with me just on guitar, revisiting some of the material I have written in the last several years and taking it back to the roots."In the full interview, Jerome talks more about the tour and what to expect, the challenges of visiting a country for the first time, constructing set lists, how he develops his conceptual ideas and how much research goes into them, the plethora of goodness being released to celebrate Rome's 20th anniversary and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

7 Aug 14min

Interview by Kris PetersEnglish alternative rock band Bush initially gained popularity in the mid-1990s, particularly in the United States, with their debut album Sixteen Stone. While initially labelled as grunge or post-grunge, Bush carved out their own space with a blend of heavy riffs, catchy melodies, and frontman Gavin Rossdale's distinctive vocals. After a hiatus, the band reunited in 2010 and continues to release music and tour successfully, with a loyal fan base that feels connected with the band due to their honest and decisive lyrics.Bush's sound has been described as a mix of grunge, post-grunge, alternative rock, and hard rock, and while some critics initially dismissed them as grunge imitators, particularly of Nirvana, Bush developed their own unique style, characterized by powerful guitar riffs, memorable hooks, and Rossdale's vocals, which ranged from aggressive to melodic.This is perhaps never more evident than on Bush's latest album, I Beat Loneliness, a deeply personal release highlighting a sense of vulnerability coupled with other serious issues such as men's mental health and dealing with associated problems.With I Beat Loneliness having been out for almost one month now, HEAVY took the time to speak with Rossdale to dive even deeper, starting by asking how the early reception has been for the new album."It's been fantastic, really amazing across the board," he smiled. "It's a great reception to a record that is finding its way connecting with people, and this has been a really fun time. It feels like a body of work, as opposed to like cracking on one song for like six months, you know?"We ask Rossdale to go into greater detail about I Beat Loneliness musically and what he was going for with it."For me, music is still an experiment," he began, "and I'm still 25% I don't understand about it, or probably even more. And so every song I write is a form of experimentation for me, and just diving into these different worlds. I'm finding a lot in the detuned world, and then a lot in the soft sense you can have. I can create these worlds to write in, because I have a weird, weird skill set. I go into banks of sound, and I can do it really fast. I've done it for years where I had to listen to other people going through them slowly, but now I've got my own studio, I can go through things really quick. You find these great moments that create these atmospheres with keyboards, and so I just write in those worlds."In the full interview, Gavin described his creative process as an experimental journey through various sonic landscapes, using sound banks to create unique atmospheres. He emphasized the album's themes of hope and authenticity, aiming to resonate with listeners' vulnerabilities and address mental health issues, sharing a poignant experience where a fan credited his music with saving their life, prompting him to reflect on his own past and the importance of kindness in the world.We spoke about his approach to music and finding the best in himself, not just as a songwriter, but as a person. Gavin explained the reasons for starting the album with the song Scars and how it introduces the listener to the heavy content to come. We spoke about the importance of music in moments of stress and the healing qualities it can provide, possible Australian tour plans and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

7 Aug 22min

Music up until the 1970s had been a predominantly male-dominated industry, especially the rock scene, which was considered to be full of exactly the type of people your mother warned you about.Sure, there were some brilliant artists, including Janis Joplin, Marianne Faithfull and Suzi Quatro, but it was in the mid 70s when three young, brash and rebellious aspiring musicians called Joan Jett, Sandy West and Micki Steele were assembled by record producer Kim Fowley that the musical landscape changed forever. After the loss of Steele early in the piece, the new all-girl group called The Runaways welcomed Peggy Foster on bass and guitarist Lita Ford, before discovering a 15-year-old Cherie Currie who completed the final piece of the puzzle as vocalist.The rest, as they say, is history, and if by chance you are drawing a blank from the name The Runaways, then think about a song called Cherry Bomb, and things will become clearer.The release of their debut self-titled album in 1976 saw The Runaways support the likes of Cheap Trick, Van Halen, Talking Heads, and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, in the process giving voice and purpose, and more importantly, musical respect, to aspiring female musicians around the world. But it was teenage frontwoman Cherie Currie and her youthful defiance that captured the hearts as well as the ears of a growing global rebellion. She became the face of rock and the inspiration for hope and change. In short, she became a legend; a national treasure and someone who young girls wanted to grow up to be.After disbanding two years later, each member of The Runaways went on to greater success but did so without ever touring Australia. Currie rectified that blight with her debut tour in 2016, but she returns in September this year as part of her worldwide farewell tour, determined to leave one final musical impression on this side of the world.Cherie Currie’s Final Australian Tour is the ultimate celebration of a rock legend who defined an era and inspired countless fans and would-be musicians around the globe. Whilst The Runaways never made it to Australia, we have been lucky enough to witness their iconic vocalist not only once, but now twice, with a chance to say goodbye.Currie joined HEAVY earlier this week to talk about the tour and the enduring legacy that is The Runaways."I've been looking forward to this for months now," she enthused. "When I was in Australia in 2016, it was a completely different band, and the reason I'm so excited about this one is my son's band is going to be backing me. His band is called Maudlin Strangers, but Jake is taking the drums this time. He's a front guy and an amazing singer and guitar player. But Sandy West, god rest her soul, gave him some lessons when he was just a kid, and he is paying such homage to Sandy West. He plays it just like her, and when I turn around, and I get to work with my son on stage, it just feels like I've got Sandy with me. It's just fantastic, and this band is off the charts."Currie is partway through the farewell tour, aiming to say goodbye to as many fans as she can. While it is undeniably an emotional time for the fans, having to say goodbye, Currie has to go through it every time she goes on stage. So far she has completed last tours through Europe and the UK, and we point out must be a difficult thing for her to do night after night."It is," she sighed genuinely. "It does hurt. It is painful because I still see people that I've seen at other shows and other tours I've done in the UK and Europe. I them and I see their faces. I recognize them, and it is a little tearful. It really is, because I thank them so much for all this support."In the full interview, Cherie spoke about the setlist, which will feature a mix of The Runaways hits, solo favourites, and new songs from her latest album, Boulevards of Splendor. She reflected on her nearly 50-year career, the emotional challenge of saying goodbye to fans, and the significance of connecting with her audience.Cherie recounted her early days with The Runaways, the pressures of the music industry, and the influence of Suzi Quatro. We talked about performing songs that were written at a different time of her life and how she maintains a connection with them, the national support act Hot Machine, the musical climate that gave birth to The Runaways and if they realized how much influence they would have on the music scene.Cherie went deeper into the early days of The Runaways and how various people tried to change or mould the band, the reasons they stuck to their guns, walking into the offices of EMI Records and demanding to be seen, how being in The Runaways impacted her life and career, plus more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

6 Aug 15min

Interview by Kris PetersNorwegian-American aggrotech/industrial metal band Combichrist are known for their intense, aggressive sound and energetic live performances.Led by frontman Andy LaPlegua, the band blends heavy electronic beats with industrial metal guitars, often incorporating elements of punk and even some orchestral arrangements. Their lyrics frequently explore controversial themes with a mix of dark humour and provocative social commentary, but it is in the live arena where Combichrist shine. Their shows are the stuff of whispers the world over for their brutally intense precision, an experience Aussie fans have not been subject to for a couple of years now.But that is about to change in not too many sleeps when Combichrist bring their Down and Under Again Tour to Australia's capital cities over three consecutive days from September 18. HEAVY recently sat down with LaPlegua to go into more details."It's just been too long, man," he began, almost apologising for the time between visits, "and I'm really looking forward to it."We ask him what has changed with the band since that last tour."A lot," he smiled. "I mean, it's a lot and nothing. There is my concept and my idea of why and how and everything. I create, you know, it's like this is my canvas. I paint, and I do my thing, and I don't really care what's cool or not. I'm just going to do my thing regardless. So that hasn't changed. My mindset is the same. I still just kind of do. I hate to repeat myself is most of the thing. So with that said, it should be something new all the time. So maybe being something new all the time is maybe what's the same?"In the full interview, Andy shared more insights into the changes within Combichrist in that period, including the addition of new band members Todd Hansen (drummer for Australian tour) and Jamie, as well as Elliot's transition from crew to a full-time band member. He emphasized the importance of live performances as a shared experience between the band and the audience, highlighting the challenges of performing in unfamiliar venues and the need for connection to avoid feelings of isolation on stage. Andy also mentioned the band's plan to perform a mix of old and new material, with a new release expected at the end of August.Andy provided an update on Combichrist's new album, Desolation, and discussed his creative process, which involves drawing inspiration from a variety of genres while avoiding the temptation to replicate past sounds and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

6 Aug 21min

Interview by Kris PetersSwiss extreme metal duo BØLZER formed in Zürich in 2008 by Okoi Jones (vocals/guitar) and Fabian Wyrsch (drums). Known for their unique blend of black and death metal, the band creates a raw, atmospheric sound characterized by complex riffs, atonal elements, and mythological themes influenced by Nietzsche, paganism, and ancient cultures.Their music is described as an "intuitive art project born from raw passion," delivering a chaotic, spiritual live experience they liken to an "atavistic vortex." BØLZER gained significant acclaim with their 2013 EP Aura, praised by NPR and Stereogum as one of the year's best metal releases, followed by Soma (2014) and their debut album Hero (2016). Their unconventional approach, blending brutal intensity with psychedelic and doom elements, has earned them a cult following in the extreme metal scene.BØLZER is touring Australia in August 2025 as special guests of PORTAL, an Australian extreme metal band known for their dissonant, horror-infused fusion of death and black metal for what promises to be the most brutal tour to grace these shores this year.Heavy sat down with Jones and Wyrsch to get the lowdown on what to expect. It has been a while between drinks for Australian fans, so we ask the boys what has changed with the band since they last visited."We just finished a studio session for a new album," Wyrsch replied. "But that one is due for next year. So for now, we're just preparing everything and also starting to play a few new songs live. So definitely some of them will appear on this Australian tour as well. Very much looking forward to playing some fresh material."We ask what fans can expect."I think we're immersive in the sense that the music's very powerful in an organic sense," Jones measured. "There's a lot of not just aggressive energy, but powerful, human, honest energy around, and people seem to connect with that when we play live. We put a lot of our passion into it.""In a personal way," Wyrsch added. "We're not putting up theatrics. It's more like really…""There are no masks, no makeup," Jones finished. "It's very down to earth, but in your face."In the full interview, Okoi and Fabian expressed excitement about returning to Australia after several years and highlighted their recent studio session for a new album, set for release in 2026. They plan to incorporate new songs into their live performances during the tour and reflected on their past collaborations with Portal.They described their live shows as immersive experiences filled with powerful energy and recommended their EP Aura and the Hero LP for new listeners. They discussed their artistic evolution and the challenge of maintaining originality while expressing confidence in their new material, which they believe will resonate with both current and new fans. We spoke about how BOLZER approach music festivals and if they take time to listen to the local bands, the growth in their music and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

1 Aug 10min

Interview by Kris PetersNecrosonic Festival 2025 can rightfully lay claim to being Brisbane's premiere heavy metal music festival. Following a successful debut in 2024, the 2025 edition is again curated by Kent Bartley, one of the masterminds behind legendary Australian festivals like Overcranked, Inferno, and Dead of Winter. The lineup includes both international acts and resurrected Australian legends, with some bands reuniting for rare or one-off performances.Described as a "ritual" rather than just a festival, Necrosonic 2025 promises an intense, 12-hour-plus experience featuring 30 of the heaviest bands from the underground metal scene, performing across three stages at the Mansfield Tavern on August 23. One of the most popular grouping of bands in last year's debut offering was Resurrected: Back From The Dead and this year's collection of older bands reunited promises to be no exception with Massic, Idle Ruin, Daysend, Beanflipper and Brace dusting off the cobwebs and keen to re-enter the fray alongside Portal, Bolzer, Abramelin, Frankenbok and more.Sydney heavy outfit Brace are one of the Resurrected, reforming after 20 years to answer the metal call to arms, with bass player Rod Yates more than happy to shoot the breeze with HEAVY about Round Two for the band."It's been a long time," he affirmed. "It's been about 20 years since the last show, but you know what? It's sounding pretty good. We've picked up where we left off, which is good."We mention the other four bands in the Resurrected category and point out that Brace will be amongst illustrious company in returning to the stage."I can't believe that we get to share a stage with those bands for one," he enthused. "Daysend we used to play with quite a bit back in the day, we're good friends with those guys. We haven't seen them for a long time, so that's going to be great, but Beanflipper are one of the bands that you grew up listening to and used to read about in Hot Metal, so to see them back playing and to play on the same stage as them... It's going to be massive with the other bands as well. You've got 30 bands playing across three stages in 12 hours!"In the full interview, Rod discusses getting the band back together and how easily they have slipped back into gear. He tells us what we can expect from Brace live, including three songs to listen to in order to get to know the band if you are unfamiliar with their music.We talk about the value of festivals such as Necrosonic to the Australian heavy metal scene, the history of Brace, why they broke up and what's changed to make them try again, new music and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

1 Aug 13min

Interview by Kris Peters For almost four decades, rock outfit The Poor have flown the flag for good old-fashioned, no bullshit Aussie rock. Alongside their brothers in Rose Tattoo and The Screaming Jets, to name just a few, The Poor have remained loyal to their roots regardless of the changing tides of world music, delivering time and again with a carefree attitude coupled with classy as fuck rock numbers that almost dare you to not listen.Theirs is a music and style that has stood the tests of time and the swirling winds of change, and it is testament to their durability and longevity that last year's album High Price Deed is regarded in some circles as being equal to, if not superior to, The Poor's groundbreaking debut classic Who Cares.With a touring schedule reminiscent of the glory days of Australian rock and gigs booked already until at least the end of next year, it's fair to say that The Poor are running head first into the naughty forties and, even better still, show no signs of slowing down. Despite having their original bass player, Matt Whitby, step away from the band earlier this year for personal reasons, The Poor remain firmly on track, focused and ready to continue their domination of the Australian and global music scene.HEAVY sat down with drummer Gavin Hansen to find out just how much The Poor have on their plate. One of the questions we ask relates to the sustainability of bands such as The Poor and Rose Tattoo, and we question if their old-school attitude to life and music has played a part in their sustained output and success."I think so," he measured. "That's definitely a part of it, I guess. The way that you've grown up and the way that you've cut your teeth and the way you've maintained that. The industry has changed so much in a lot of ways, in a lot of different areas over that time, back and forth. Let's face it, in the 90s there were no festivals as such, really. Festivals made a massive change in the club touring circuit for a long time, especially in Australia. As you know, the good old Big Day Out, SoundWaves and Livid's got to a point where everyone would hold off until they got on one of those bills, and then they would create a tour around it. And then I think that's what hurt the scene of rock bands coming through. They weren't out there slogging it out in the circuit or the pubs every weekend, you know. They were waiting, or there was just a massive change of festivals. And then now… I don't know. I'm not going to say there's nothing to replace it in the sense of that calibre of acts. I just think that era has a different edge and hardness and toughness about it, where, you know, maybe the stuff in the last 10 years hasn't."Talk turns to Rock The Boat 2026, where The Poor sail the high seas with The Angels, Baby Animals, Rose Tattoo, Killing Heidi, The Superjesus and Radiators, just to name a few."I've always been hesitant about boat cruises," Hansen smiled. "What if you got on a boat cruise with a bunch of dickheads, how do you get away from them (laughs)? But no, look, these boats are big enough. It's not just a little tinny going around the harbour. We're really looking forward to it."In the full interview, Gavin talks more about The Poor's next two hometown shows at Mo's Desert Clubhouse (August 7) and the Koala Tavern (August 9) and how they will likely be the last chance this year the people of Brisbane and the Gold Coast get the chance to catch The Poor in their element. We discussed Matt leaving in greater detail and meet his replacement, while also looking into the fallbacks of changing band members that most of the public don't see.We talked about their upcoming shows with Rose Tattoo, Adelaide's Rock Hard Festival, supporting up-and-coming Australian bands, the increasing lack of respect in the music industry and possible causes of it, new music and future tours, plus more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

30 Jul 21min