Courting Trouble With CYNTHIA From DESPISE YOU

Interview by Angela CroudaceIn a recent chat with Nils Molin from the Swedish metal band Dynazty, we delved into the creative process behind their latest album, Game of Faces, exploring the album’s thematic depth, the challenges of creating music during post-pandemic times, and the band’s future plans.The album title reflects the duality Nils felt when writing the title track. He explained that the contrast between dark and happy sounds within the song led him to envision theatrical masks—symbolising the complex and often deceptive nature of human expression. "People are deceptive by nature," Nils noted, acknowledging the masks we wear in different situations.The album's creation wasn’t without its hurdles. Writing during a time of constant touring, the band faced the challenge of maintaining creative momentum while juggling their busy schedules. Despite this, Nils emphasized that their approach to songwriting remained consistent, prioritizing authenticity and creative freedom over any external expectations. “You just write with the same enthusiasm and inspiration you always have,” he said.When discussing the impact of their previous album’s success, particularly Heartless Madness achieving Platinum status, Nils was quick to point out that it didn’t directly alter their approach to songwriting. However, the success provided a sense of momentum and belief, fuelling their continued creativity.Looking ahead, Nils expressed excitement about performing new tracks like Fire to Fight, which he believes will resonate strongly with fans due to its energetic and live-oriented nature. Beyond the music, Nils shared his personal interests, from his love of European football to the importance of reinvention. He believes in the value of personal and creative evolution, a theme he explores in his songwriting.As for Australian fans, Nils teased the possibility of a future tour, promising that Dynazty would be looking into it soon. The band’s commitment to staying true to their roots while exploring new musical territories promises even more exciting things to come.For Nils, Dynazty represents more than just a band; it’s about five musicians sharing their love for music, creating something genuine, and enjoying every moment on stage. "We just try to play something that we like, and hopefully, others will like it too," he said.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

8 Mars 17min

Interview by Kris PetersOften life imitates art, but seldom in the way it has with melodic death metal band Dethklok who were literally given life via an animated television series when their popularity transcended the medium for which it was created, resulting in the forming of an actual band of the same name to continue the legacy that was growing rapidly before them.Basically, Dethklok is a fictional melodic death metal band featured in the Adult Swim animated television series Metalocalypse, known for its satirical or parodic lyrical themes. Having transformed from a screen sensation into a real-life dynamic force, these mind-blowing shows will display the unique blend of savage instrumentation and comedic genius that has captivated audiences across the globe.Live, DETHKLOK is a multi-media powerhouse that showcases animation, comedy and brutality, excellently recreating the popular albums and animated visuals in a live atmosphere, with Australian fans of the band and/or show getting the chance to witness the band in a live setting for the first time when Dethklok descend upon this country for the Awaken Australia Tour this April.HEAVY had the pleasure of catching up with musician and show co-creator Brendon Small ahead of the shows to delve deeper into the life, birth and sustainability of Dethklok."Our show is a really exciting show," he enthused. "It's not like any other heavy metal show. We play to picture, meaning we bring in a giant movie theatre screen into the venue and every down beat coincides with a cut because we're honouring the ouvre of the entire piece of Metalocalypse. I've got Gene Hoglan on drums - a legendary metal drummer - who is the perfect guy for this gig because he is driving the entire piece. It's a complicated show for us to do as musicians. We don't look anything like the animated band (smiles) and we're not meant to. But as it turns out we sound exactly like them. So what you'll see on stage is a bunch of shadows but you're going to be attracted to the big star of the show, which is the animated piece that we show you."In the full interview, Brendon takes us behind the scenes of the performance in greater detail, explains the moving parts that come together to make it work, gives us a history on the band and animated series and how they fit together, talks about some of the guest stars they have had on the show, reveals his early vision behind the project and how it changed over the years, the dynamics between portraying a character and actually performing, future plans and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

8 Mars 21min

Interview by Angela CroudaceIt's not every day you get to chat with a band while they're deep in the chaos of tour preparations, but that's exactly what happened during my interview with ERRA's JT and Jesse Cash. The scene? Jesse roaming the aisles of a Walmart sorting out some last-minute tour merch. As Jesse explained, “Our merch guy is burning the midnight oil, and I had to run and get some things before it was too late.” Nothing says rock star quite like managing tour logistics while dodging shopping carts.Despite the unconventional setting, the conversation quickly shifted to their latest album, CURE. ERRA’s sixth studio album marks a significant creative evolution, and both JT and Jesse discussed how the band's approach has changed over time. While their past albums often focused on technical precision and complex structures, CURE introduced a more groove-based, accessible sound. JT shared, “Every time we sat down to write, we just kept getting these groovier ideas, and we just kind of stuck with it.” It wasn't a deliberate shift, but rather a reflection of where the band’s creativity took them during the writing process.Jesse, who had been diving into a mix of nihilistic media at the time, was inspired by the 1997 film Cure by Kyoshi Kurosawa. The bleakness of the film mirrored the darker, introspective themes in the album’s lyrics, like “Crawl Backwards Out of Heaven.” However, Jesse admitted that his bandmate Joseph was less than enthused by the deep, art-house inspiration. “Joseph doesn’t always have time for my 'art house bullshit,'" he laughed, citing his bandmate’s love for Fast & Furious as a source of inspiration for more straightforward ideas.Despite the shifts in their sound, the band stays true to its roots of pushing creative boundaries. When asked how they avoid formulaic songwriting, Jesse humorously responded, “I just tell JT we can't write a song that sounds like Veil of Maya,” acknowledging how self-awareness helps them remain true to their evolving style.ERRA's tour is also a family affair, with Silent Planet and Resolve joining them on the road. Jesse eagerly anticipated the tour antics, particularly the "fortress of piss bottles" famously built by Silent Planet’s Garrett Russell. While the rest of us might cringe at the thought, for ERRA, it’s just another weird tour memory to laugh about (Yeah Jesse, we hope Garrett never watches this interview either!).In the end, whether it’s touring with friends or evolving creatively, ERRA continues to prove that they’re not afraid to push the limits of metal music. As they wrap up their interview, Jesse’s final words offer a fitting end: “We go way back with them,” speaking not just of Silent Planet, but of the enduring relationships and creative passion that continue to drive ERRA forward.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

8 Mars 15min

Interview by Kris PetersAustralian music icon Diesel kick-started his Bootleg Melancholy Album Tour in December with explosive shows in Avoca Beach and Kiama, where fans got to experience the special musical language he has developed with his band of stalwarts, Richie Vez on bass and Lee Moloney on drums. Presented by New World Artists, Diesel, alongside Vez and Moloney, will resume the Bootleg Melancholy Album Tour this March in Warragul, followed by Melbourne, Launceston, Hobart, Perth, Batemans Bay, Newcastle, Sydney, Wyong, Adelaide with proceedings drawing to a close on Saturday, May 3 in Elizabeth.The two set performance showcases Diesel’s impressive career spanning over three decades, with boundless energy and vitality infused into every song, old and new, the audience will be treated to an unforgettable experience shared with music lovers nationwide. “With so much material to draw from, I’m excited to blend new songs with classics,” Diesel shares. “We make quite a bit of sound for a three-piece, and each show will reflect that energy!” Fans can expect a dynamic set list featuring perennial favourites like Tip Of My Tongue, Soul Revival, All Come Together, Man Alive, Never Miss Your Water and Cry In Shame, alongside “new family member” tracks from Bootleg Melancholy.Diesel is also excited to announce an exclusive guitar giveaway with long-standing partner, Fender. Every ticket purchased for the 2025 Bootleg Melancholy Album Tour —including those who have already purchased tickets—will automatically go into the draw to WIN a signed Squire Sonic Stratocaster Electric Guitar, there’s one guitar to be won at every show. At the conclusion of the tour, Diesel will personally draw a major prize winner, who will receive a one-on-one Zoom guitar lesson with the Australian legend—a truly unique and exciting opportunity for fans and aspiring musicians alike.One of Australia’s greatest success stories, Diesel, has spent three decades weaving his one-of-a-kind musical magic into his rock and blues-fuelled sounds, both as part of the band Johnny Diesel & The Injectors and, more recently, as a solo artist. With multiple #1 ARIA charting albums under his belt, six ARIA award wins and millions of streams alongside a legion of fans, Diesel’s creative skillset also expands beyond his own projects, with the talented artist also renowned for his work as a producer and multi-instrumentalist.HEAVY caught up with Diesel on the eve of the first show to find out more. Given the amount of touring Diesel has done throughout his career, we ask if he still gets the same enjoyment out of life on the road."There are some things that I've become more aware of that I don't like," he measured "The good thing about that is you become more aware. You can let it bother you or become more aware of it and… accept, maybe, or take steps to try and avoid. That's the good thing about experience, I suppose. When you first start you just go 'why does that happen?' or 'what do you mean?' Now, I wouldn't say that there's very few variables or surprising things. I think the most challenging thing (laughs)… let's get down to the basics. Watching the carousel go around and your gear doesn't come out. That's always a good start to the day (laughs). Which has happened. Then you think, okay, call this person. Call that person. Call music stores. You start begging and borrowing and then you have to calculate it's gonna come on that flight, but will it make it to the gig in time for the crew? This is all things that have happened, and the crowd, they're not to know. it's not their problem. That's always the biggest challenges. You always allow enough time, of course, but then it becomes like a sliding scale. How much time can you allow because you've got commitments before that and it's also the massive expense of going the day before and things like that. So you've got everyone on hold and you have accommodation and cars for an extra day. These are all big factors for a touring party."In the full interview, Diesel discusses the Bootleg Melancholy Album Tour in more detail, what to expect, the performance time over two sets, balancing each setlist, the other members of his touring band, how to win a signed Squire Sonic Stratocaster Electric Guitar at each show, future music and more including a few music and life lessons learnt along the way.Tickets and more information www.diesel.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

7 Mars 24min

Interview by Kris PetersSunshine Coast’s own punk rock force, Citizen Rat, has kicked off 2025 with their explosive new single, Shut My Mouth.After a over a year of refining their sound, they’re back — bright, bold, and louder than ever. With blistering riffs, raw emotion, and electrifying energy, Shut My Mouth is a fierce statement from a band carving out their own lane in the punk rock scene.At its core the song is a battle cry for anyone who’s ever felt silenced or misunderstood. It explores the struggles of navigating life as a neurodivergent, high-energy individual, grappling with abusive self-doubt and the constant impact of others' perceptions. The track delves into the frustration of losing yourself in trying to please everyone and the self-loathing that follows when you inevitably fail. If Fugazi and The Bronx had a love child raised on of self-doubt, resilience, and introspection, it would sound like this.Having shared the stage with the likes of Civic, Total Pace, Isua and Pandemic as well as headlining festivals such as Rotten Fest and taken to the road on their own headline run early in 2024, Citizen Rat is quickly becoming one of the most exciting acts coming from the Sunshine Coast, QLD. Known for their unique vocal style, curated sound, and electrifying live shows, they’ve carved out a distinct place in Australian punk.Recorded at Airlock Studios with producer Jordan Bain and mastered by Willy Bowden, Shut My Mouth marks a new chapter for Citizen Rat. The single is out now, with the boys hitting the road this March to celebrate.HEAVY caught up with frontman Dartanyon Hutchison and guitarist Brendan Statham to find out more. One of the things we bring up is the song title Shut My Mouth. Generally song titles are directed elsewhere, as in Shut YOUR Mouth, but the way this one is written makes it a bit more personal in its direction."It's definitely intentional," Hutchison laughed. "It's… a lot of the song is rooted in self doubt and trying to navigate the world and feeling like every corner I take is the wrong decision. I know that in my heart I'm doing the right thing, but then I've got this self-doubt thing and that's the basis of the song. Just overthinking, the strss of 'why am I anxious right now?' 'What have I done wrong?' I think back on the day and I know I've done nothing wrong but my brain is telling me otherwise. I dunno… It's kind of hard to even explain."In the full interview, the boys talk more about Shut My Mouth, the song musically and how it represents Citizen Rat moving forward, how they went about restructuring their sound, upcoming singles, a future album, their musical style and where it comes from, upcoming live shows and more.March 15 - Solbar - Sunshine CoastMarch 22 - Bone Idol - ToowoombaMarch 29 - Old Bundy Tav - BundabergApril 12 - TBC - LismoreApril 18 - Greaser - BrisbaneMay 2 - Double Barrel - Sunshine CoastMay 3 - Banshee Bar - IpswichBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

7 Mars 19min

Interview by Kris PetersKnoxville deathcore outfit Whitechapel have spent too long locked down allowing the creative juices to flow and are set to explode with the release of their ninth studio album Hymns In Dissonance via Metal Blade on March 7.While Hymns In Dissonance follows 2021’s Kin chronologically, the new album is somewhat of a sequel to This Is Exile thematically, the three-word title Hymns In Dissonance representing that correlation. The band started composing the new album at guitarist Zach Householder’s studio in June of 2023, following their headlining tour for The Valley. The collective stuck to a strict weekday schedule, the structure allowing for maximum creativity and minimum burnout. Householder also produced Hymns In Dissonance, which allowed the musicians to seamlessly switch gears from preproduction to recording the full album without skipping a beat.While it seems like a long wait for fans of the band, Hymns Of Dissonance is an ode to the past while taking strides into the future, promising to more than satisfy the musical hunger of long-term fans without alienating those picked up along the way.Vocalist Phil Bozeman joined HEAVY to fill us in."For fans that discovered us within the past couple of years, it will probably be a bit of a newer sound for them," he measured when asked about the sonic intensity of Hymns In Dissonance. "But for people who have followed us for longer than that - from the early days - it's gonna be… it's gonna be familiar territory for sure."We press Bozeman on that notion and ask if the album's musical direction is something the band sits and discusses in the creative process."Being in a band it's very…" he paused, searching for the right way to express himself. "Things come in waves. We're very inspired by a lot of different types of music, a lot of it being hard, death metal and stuff like that, but I think that we were all just having that itch to write something really heavy and extreme again. This is the 40-year-old version of us coming up with that instead of the young kid version, the 21-year-old version of it."In the full interview Phil further discusses the musical nature of Hymns In Dissonance, the writing process which involved working to a schedule, how he personally defines heaviness in music in the modern age, the decreasing universal focus on having to get a flow to your albums due to streaming and the current trend of singles over albums, the lyrical thread of the album and the central characters, road testing the music live and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

7 Mars 16min

Interview by Kyra-Jade Coombs and Angela CroudaceKnotfest Australia 2025 swept through Brisbane and Melbourne last weekend, and has just one show remaining in Sydney before returning home for another 12 months.As expected, it was a bumper day filled with too many highlights to mention right now, but rest assured HEAVY made sure you get the story of the experience from the mouths of this behind the scenes making it all come true for fans around the country.The bands.Today we catch up with MISS MAY I.Tickets https://www.destroyalllines.com/tours/knotfestBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

7 Mars 12min

Interview by Kyra-Jade Coombs and Kris PetersKnotfest Australia 2025 swept through Brisbane and Melbourne last weekend, and has just one show remaining in Sydney before returning home for another 12 months.As expected, it was a bumper day filled with too many highlights to mention right now, but rest assured HEAVY made sure you get the story of the experience from the mouths of this behind the scenes making it all come true for fans around the country.The bands.Today we catch up with VENDED not long after their Brisbane set…Tickets https://www.destroyalllines.com/tours/knotfestBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

7 Mars 10min