In Pursuit Of Musical Fulfilment With HENRIK STEENHOLDT From EMPYRE

When Before The Dawn went on hiatus a little over a decade ago the chances of the band ever reuniting was slim to say the least.Plagued by line-up changes and label problems, the band were imploding at a rapid rate, losing the most important thing of all.Hope.Now, fast forward a decade, and Before The Dawn return triumphant with a new vocalist and revamped line-up as well as a blistering new album Stormbringers, which was released on June 30.Described as seeing Before The Dawn "back stronger than ever", Stormbringers is more than just another comeback album.It is sonic proof that music will always be the victor no matter how insurmountable the odds.Band founder Tuomas Saukkonen - in his first ever Australian interview - joined HEAVY to tell us more."It's been really good," he enthused of the early reception to the bands comeback album. "We were resting a little bit because... we did a few changes to the line-up. We changed the vocalist, who replaced actually two vocalists in the band - I used to be the frontman doing the growling vocals, but I started playing drums only. So there's big changes visually and also in the audio but it's been amazing so far."We press Tuomas on the musical components of Stormbringers."Well, if somebody is not familiar of our previous albums, I think the Finnish melancholy plays a huge part," he replied. "We are very sad people up here in the North (laughs). If you look at Finnish bands in general the melodies they make are quite gloomy, and Before The Dawn is no exception to that. But I think we are on the most positive side of Finnish metal. Our melodic death metal is quite stage friendly and more like rock and roll oriented, if that is allowed to be said about metal in general."In the full interview, Tuomas talks more about the album musically, their new vocalist and the unusual circumstances around which he came to be in the band, how the band has come back stronger, fears people may have forgotten about Before The Dawn during their hiatus, their upcoming tour with Wolfheart and Hinayana, Australian tour plans and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

11 Juli 202319min

Interview by Kris PetersKing Parrot have always epitomised the working class of Australian metal.Brash, confident, unflinching and honest to the core, the boys have never wavered from their passion, bringing to the surface a newfound generation of Australian music that has its roots deeply entrenched in laconic Aussie humour laced with massive doses of pent up attitude and aggression.That labour of love has seen King Parrot tick off many milestones over their musical career, with the recent announcement of a handful of US dates with none other than Pantera perhaps the bands crowning achievement to date.But first the boys have a few celebration shows in their home country with vocalist Matt Young more than happy to chat with HEAVY and reveal all of the bands upcoming plans.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

7 Juli 202322min

Interview by Kyra-Jade CoombsYOU ME AT SIX – Josh FranceschiYou Me at Six are due to start their Australian tour for the first time in 5 years this July in Perth on the 9th and finishing up in Melbourne on the 16th. It’s been a long-awaited return for the band and fans alike. Heavy took the chance to catch up with Josh Franceschi to chat about the upcoming tour and some insight on their newest album, Truth Decay.Australia has been a home away from home for the boys. Our knack for being welcoming and laid back has always been something Josh looks forward to and this time around they get to enjoy our ‘colder’ weather instead of coming in the guts of our Aussie summers! There’s always been a connection between You Me at Six and our Australian bands. Whether it be on our home shores or abroad they’ve always clicked and ‘banded’ with our musos. We touched on playing shows or festivals with Parkway Drive, Yours Truly, Tonight Alive, Northlane and Tame Impala, for balance of course. One thing that stood out for me was Josh mentioning our (bands) have this self-sufficient ‘fuck this, we just got to do it ourselves’ attitude that isn’t waiting for anyone to sign them… actually getting out there making their dreams come true by themselves. This made me feel a huge sense of pride about our musicians. He isn’t wrong, we have so many amazing bands that spend day in and out grinding to make it in this industry.Truth Decay has amassed millions of streams on platforms, and I wondered how this resonated with You Me at Six. Josh made a really good point in stating that this really didn’t mean ‘fuck all’. A song can stream well and in a live environment can fall dead. He would rather gauge a songs success in how it is received playing a show, when they feel most connected to their fans. Seeing fans singing along to an album with all their heart when it’s only just been released means so much more then any stream would. You Me and Six are just shy of being together for 20 years and I wondered how they nurtured their professional and personal relationship together to which Josh replied, “Our collective goal is to take care of one another verses anything else”. Keeping everything equal and fare, talking through decisions and never disrespecting one another for something that might feel ‘good’ at the time. They’ve known each other since they were kids and treat each other as if there are truly family. “I could pick up the phone at anytime to their parents and know full well I’m doing right by their sons”. Being kind and respectful comes first and the music goes with this. I feel a lot of bands could learn from this way of thinking.There’s plenty more covered in the full interview, have a listen and enjoy. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

7 Juli 202316min

Interview by Kris PetersMixing catchy and accessible rock undertones with metal as fuck hardcore, Militarie Gun are a band making waves.They have recently released their debut album Life Under The Gun, an honest appraisal of a band on the rise and one which refuses to hide behind their relative infancy.HEAVY caught up with vocalist Ian Shelton just before the album dropped last week."We set out to make a very classic rock inspired record that was meant to still feel modern," he explained. "We recorded it at Dave Grohl's studio and we're going for massive drum sounds and something that feels timeless and classic at the same time, not old. We have our roots in hardcore and punk music and wanted to make a record that takes all of the aggression from the hardcore that we love and then the melody of all the classic rock that we love."In the full interview Ian talks more about the musical side of the album, what inspired it, what past lessons the band learnt that they carried through to their debut full length, blending pop, rock and metal and finding the sonic balance in music, a brief history of the band, his progression from sole band member to a full outfit, sharing creative control and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

30 Juni 20237min

Interview by Kyra-Jade CoombsIt’s not every day you get the chance to talk with the King’s of Mongolian throat metal, The Hu.Backup vocalist/tovshuur player Temuulen "Temka" Naranbaata patiently took the time to have a chat to HEAVY with the help of his wonderful translator Solongo, and it was a really cool and insightful conversation I won’t forget anytime soon. Due to be released on June 30 is the deluxe edition of Rumble of Thunder filled with plenty of new surprises: this album has something to please everyone.During the interview we covered plenty of interesting questions about coming from Mongolia and having amazing success on the world stage, being welcomed by their industry peers with open arms, an inside scoop to the deluxe edition of Rumble of Thunder, background on the band itself and some insightful and meaningful chats in between.There’s even a little story in there about being on tour with Megadeth and Five Finger Death Punch where Dave Mustaine tried his hand at their traditional instrument called the Horse Fiddle. Fascinated with how they can create such a big sound with only two strings, he attempted to play the instrument. ‘Attempt’ was the word used by Temka, I can assume it didn’t go in Dave’s favour, at least he gave it a go!In 2020, The Hu were awarded the Order of Chinggis Khaan which is the highest honour in Mongolia, recognising all their hard work and efforts. They continue to make their homeland incredibly proud and selflessly share their culture allowing people from all around the world to connect with them. When I asked why they think The Hu are so well received by many generations and all different walks of life Temka simply stated “As an artist and performer, we believe that all people are equal, and perform our music thinking this way. I like to think that’s why it has that effect; we like to empower people through our music. Awaken the fierce spirit within them. That is why we feel it can be listened to by anyone who wants that inspiration in life.”Finishing off the interview Temka did a shoutout for their Aussie fans, “Australian fans – thank you so much. You are crazy loyal fans, and we love you dearly.” Here’s to hoping they return here for a tour sooner than later!If you haven’t come across The Hu I urge you to look into them. There’s a reason why they are sitting at a cool 250+ million views on YouTube, play the biggest metal/ rock festivals in the world and have collaborated with some major heavy hitters in the scene. You will not be disappointed; they truly are an amazing band.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

27 Juni 202321min

Interview by Kris PetersThrice are a band who have always pushed the envelope when it comes to metal.Once described as "the Radiohead of post hardcore", the band has been unafraid - and ultimately rewarded because of - to amalgamate genres and blatantly throw the handbook out of the window when it comes to heavy music.For their third album The Artist In The Ambulance in 2003, Thrice achieved the at that time rare feat of having their album funded by a major label. The record was a departure again from their previous sound, introducing orchestral and electronic elements that would go on to be further explored with the follow up album Vheissu.Spawning hits like All That's Left and Stare At The Sun, The Artist In The Ambulance proved to be the defining album of Thrice's career, and now, 20 years on, the band are making their way to Australia for an anniversary tour to celebrate the milestone.Drummer Riley Breckenridge sat down with HEAVY to tell us more."Australia is a unique one," he measured when asked how the band mentally prepares for a tour like this. "Just because of the time difference and the amount of air travel you've gotta do. It can be really taxing but I think the more we've gone over there, the better we have gotten at adjusting. It definitely requires a lot of coffee (laughs) to keep you on point. It's exhausting but ever since we came down there the first time in 2004 it's been incredible. The support has been totally overwhelming from the get go, so we're really looking forward to this."It has been two decades since The Artist In The Ambulance first hit our speakers, and we question Riley as to what has changed with Thrice in that period."A lot," he laughed. "We've gotten older. A lot has changed sonically. We've explored some new areas of music. We don't necessarily shred and play metal inspired stuff as much as we used to back then, but we re-recorded and revisited the record and put that out in February of this year so being able to revisit these songs and being able to do this US tour that we just finished up... it's kind of like riding a bike. Yes, we're older, but we've kind of breathed new life into these songs and I think it came across really well."In the full interview, Riley talks more about the changes with Thrice over the twenty years, the new version of that album and how it differs from the original, expanding their musicality over each album, playing the whole album front to back, what we can expect from the shows, his favourite memories of making The Artist In The Ambulance, the further experimentation on the next album and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

27 Juni 202312min

Interview by Kris PetersGold Coast drummer CJ Nash is a man of many talents.Drumming, of course, heads the list, but Nash also runs his own businesses Nash Management and BigNote Productions, plus moonlights as a band manager, promotor and muse.The man is an enigma, a true gentleman of the scene and now he has decided to give back to a lifestyle and industry that has been the backbone of his existence.On July 1, Nash will host a workshop entitled The Foundations Of Rock Drumming from which he will not only impart his wisdom and guidance upon others, but also share in tales of life on the road and as an integral part of the Australian music industry.The first in what is envisaged to be an ongoing series of workshops, The Foundations Of Rock Drumming is an exciting opportunity to see the music world and its myriad of experiences through the eyes, talent and knowledge of just one small cog in the endless churning machine.It is an opportunity to learn, grow, communicate and discuss the many wonders of music and couldn't be in the hands or minds of many better people in this country.Big call, I know, but check out the interview with CJ himself to gain just a small glimpse into the excitement and tenacity that forms part of his DNA."For me to do this... I've had a career now for over 20 years. I was playing my first shows when I was about 13 years old," he measured. "When I say show, I mean cover band shows. Being in a pub rock band playing Elvis and Beatles tunes on a Friday night. Not being 18 they would put me downstairs in between breaks because I was under age and couldn't be up there, so I would sit downstairs for 15 minutes and do my homework (laughs) and then go back up. I've come a long way. I've achieved a lot in the industry, without trying to push myself up on a pedestal by any means, but I was a classical percussionist in a brass band. I've toured with a lot of really great acts over the years and been in a weird, eclectic group of bands and musicians and artists that I have played with over the past 20 years from being in marching bands playing the Shanghai Tourism Festival to playing Party Brass Bands in Switzerland to playing in masked metal bands across Australia to even being part of the 1000 Gongs Festival at the Australian percussion gathering and getting to play something ridiculous like a 72 inch gong. I've had a career with all of this, and I'm one of those people that does like to give back and share my knowledge. I don't really gatekeep any experience or knowledge I have had from anyone for that matter. I know that there are a few things that I can accredit to my success over the years, and probably the biggest one is having these foundations that have allowed me to adapt to essentially any situation musically that has been put in front of me. It's helped me to adapt and swim and not sink. Again, being the kind of person that wants to give back and help and give as much knowledge as possible, I feel the world of workshops is the best place to do it. I've had quite a big career and I feel like I'm at the point where I want to start being able to give back and really help that next generation of musicians and drummers that are coming into this strange post-covid world."In the full interview CJ discusses the nickname The Pineapple Drummer, gives more of an insight into his history and what makes him tick, why now is the right time for him to host workshops, what he hopes people will get out of it, who he thinks it will help, what makes this one special, one of his stories of life on the road, the upcoming NuMetal Mayhem Tour he is a part of and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

22 Juni 202325min

Interview by Kris PetersMusical growth is a term often bandied about, but more often than not without substance.Growth must come from within and when that inspiration becomes a spark it usually transforms into a blazing inferno. And THAT is when musical growth is truly achieved.Sydney metalcore outfit Heists have that spark; that desire; and that growth to fully represent their impressive sound.Starting out in 2017 before releasing the EP Disquiet the following year which was followed by their debut album Troubled Souls in 2022, Heists have looked to better themselves with each release, honing their craft and building a solid name for themselves in the process.They have always maintained a strong DIY ethic, preferring to be more hands on with their future than leave it in the minds and abilities of others, with the culmination to date of their endeavors manifesting itself in the recent release of their latest single Left To Loathe.A powerful and intense track, Left To Loathe is, in the bands own words, their most daring project to date, being released alongside a horror themed music video done exclusively by members of the band.Bass player Sean Nevin sat down with HEAVY to tell us more."We used to put ourselves in a little box," Nevin explained openly. "And that box was we don't really do low screams or we don't wanna have too much synthy sort of stuff but with this one we just pulled all the stops. I really like making weird electronic music so we implemented some of those aspects. We listened to a lot of metalcore tracks and I think we were trapped in this post hardcore box that we made for ourselves, so this time it was more let's do whatever the hell we wanna do and just make a cool song. I think that's the direction we're taking with all the newer stuff we're doing as well".In the full interview, Sean talks about Left To Loathe in greater detail, including the musical experimentation on it, how it is their most daring project, the video that comes with it and what it's about, being DIY and how easy that is in the modern age, the evolution in vocal performance and production on this track, upcoming music, live shows and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

15 Juni 202313min