Darkness From Light With INEFFIGY

For most bands, album number two is make-or-break time. The general consensus is that a band's debut album is their easiest, taking into account things like no pressure as an unknown band and having a larger amount of time to come up with material and draw from their well of music.But the dreaded sophomore album - especially if the debut is a raging success - is usually the one by which a band is judged. And more than you think fail. There's a multitude of reasons and excuses for this, but we are here to dwell on the positives, not the negatives.Yorkshire melodic metal outfit Caskets fall firmly into this category. Following the breakthrough global success of their first album Lost Souls, Caskets went more introspective for the follow-up, Reflections, and although it, too, was well received, the band themselves still felt they could do better. And so it is that the band approached album number three, the hurdle of the dreaded second album behind them.It was another fresh approach from Caskets, with frontman Matt Flood opening up and delving into deeply personal troubles like never before on The Only Heaven You’ll Know, which is out now. It was a risk, in a sense, inviting fans to take such a journey with a band on only their third album, but one which looks set to pay dividends, with Flood joining HEAVY to dive deeper. One of the topics of discussion was a quote from Flood that said, "this record is the sound of me falling apart in real time", which we ask him to elaborate on."I write, or I sing, or I've written lyrics where a lot of the meanings of these songs are written about parts of me, or aspects of my life that I've - in all honesty - been too scared or anxious to talk about before," he explained. "Ever. To anyone. I feel like it's time for me now to get these… not only thoughts out of my head for my own sake, but I know that this type of stuff that I've gone through in the past and what I've sung about in these new songs, I know they will potentially help other people listening. They will relate to it, and I hope it helps them find some closure or helps them feel heard and feel seen. A lot of the songs are about my dealings with my belief in Faith and my past with addictions and parts of my upbringing, and my own self-criticisms as well. It's about time I took a little bit of responsibility for some of the bad I've done in my life that I have kept inside and pent up. I let that out not just for me, but so other people can hear that it's fine to acknowledge that sometimes you can be the bad person in a situation, but also know that we all have bad in us, and we all do bad things, but it's also fine to forgive yourself and try and find forgiveness."In the full interview, Matt talks more about the personal nature of The Only Heaven You’ll Know, what they were going for musically, how the album is the best representation yet of Caskets as a band and how such personal lyrics help in his own healing process.He talks about the early days of Caskets and the band's early vision, how it has changed since, and their future goals as a band. Matt also talks about how each album has to stand on its own merits rather than repeat the winning formula of what came before, their Australian tour next year and what to expect, plus more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

7 Nov 26min

It's a great sign in the modern music scene in Australia that there are still festivals in this country that feature exclusively homegrown bands. It is a testament to the quality of music at our disposal, and also just reward for Australian bands who are able to be showcased in their own right.One such festival is Metal In The Mountains, which is set to go down in Beechworth Historic Precinct on November 29. Featuring Frankenbok, In Malices Wake, Goat Sharman, Whisperhead, Saralisse, ESP Mayhem, Oblivion and Sufferance, Metal In The Mountains is an annual regional event held in picturesque Beechworth under the open sky and gets bigger, better and louder each year. Throw in the fact that you can take the kids along for an education in metal, and you can't go wrong!With the festival just weeks away, HEAVY caught up with guitarist/vocalist Shaun Farrugia from In Malice's Wake to talk shop."We started, I'd say, as a bit more of an old school thrash band, but over the course of recording the last five albums we've definitely gone to a much heavier death-infused band," he began, introducing In Malice's Wake for those unfamiliar with the band. "We've been kicking it for about 20 years now, and we're stoked for Metal In The Mountains. It's our last gig for the year, and everything I've heard seems to indicate that it's super well attended. It's a bit of a hub for all the regional towns, and it's supposed to absolutely go off. I had a few friends who played it last year who said it's the regional one to go to."We mention the cross-section of metal styles on display over the eight bands and praise the modern trend of diversification in line-ups as opposed to the older style of keeping it more like-for-like."Yeah, that's right," he said, nodding in approval. "And it just keeps the day a bit fresh. I really miss Metal For The Brain back in the early 2000s, because you'd go to a show like that and there would be just so many different bands. You'd see, I don't know, Lorde playing next to Hobb's Angel of Death, for example. It was just a full day where you'd see all these world-class bands, but the vibe and the range of things to see, there'd always be something interesting happening."In the full interview, Shaun talks more about Metal In The Mountains, doing research on the other bands playing, what we can expect from In Malice's Wake, three songs to listen to if you aren't familiar with the band, Metal In The Mountains being all ages and the plusses in doing such a thing, the importance of Australian only festivals in the growth of Australian metal, In Malice's Wake changing sound over the years, next year's new album The Profound Darkness and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

7 Nov 13min

Ten years is a long time in music, especially when you take into account the changes in the music industry, which magnify with each passing year. When a band decides to have a break from making music for that amount of time, the temptation to try and amalgamate the changes over that period into their music would be huge, even if that band has an established, existing fan base of international acclaim.But when Toronto-based rock outfit Finger Eleven sat down to write and record their new album Last Night On Earth - their first in a decade - the decision was made to stick with their existing structure and bring the sounds that had made them a household name back to life by their own volition, in their own way and image.The result is a highly entertaining slab of music which harks back to Finger Eleven's musical roots while still retaining their relevance in the modern age of music. HEAVY took the chance to catch up with frontman Scott Anderson to break things down, starting with how he is feeling about the album release."I'm feeling good," he beamed. "I have felt everything there is to feel about this album. It's been a long journey, and I'm so happy that it's finally coming to an end and it's going to materialise in an actual record. I'm thrilled."We ask if he feels there is extra pressure on the album, given the lengthy amount of time between releases."I think there's a lot of pressure because of the time," he nodded, "you can't just put out anything. There's been so much time that's gone by, and so I think that hung over our heads a little bit. But it doesn't change the day-to-day writing where it's like, okay, we're still going to try to do the best we can. That's what Finger Eleven does. We're going to get in a room and try to make whatever idea we're working on the very best it can be."In the full interview Scott dives deeper into the musicality of Last Night On Earth, if the personal growth of each band member shows in the finished product, the singles released and how they represent the album as a whole, keeping their earlier sound while using modern technology, the start of the album and the small nuances that prepare you for this particular journey, having Richard Patrick guest on one song, having an acoustic number as the title track and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

6 Nov 19min

The world of death metal is relentless and unforgiving, with hardcore fans renowned for their refusal to have pity nor understanding for anything that isn't pure of metal. As such, new bands to the fold face a literal baptism of fire with no quarter given, and certainly none taken. Put simply, you either impress from the very get-go or you get gone. Simple as that.Which is what has made 200 Stab Wounds' rapid ascension up the metaphorical metal ladder all the more impressive. In just six years, the band have solidified a global base of loyal supporters, with some in the know proclaiming them as death metal legends in the making. But legend status is not something handed out freely. It has to be earned, then earned again, and Australian audiences will have the opportunity to judge for themselves when 200 Stab Wounds hit this country for the first time this November, teaming up with fellow purveyors of brutality, Dying Fetus. It is a match made in the bowels of Hell and one which is certain to shake Australia to the core, but first HEAVY elected to sit down with 200 Stab Wounds' guitarist Ray Macdonald to see how the band is approaching their first trip Down Under. One of the questions we ask is if 200 Stab Wounds have toured with Dying Fetus previously. "Yes, we've played with them before," Ray affirmed. "We did a tour with them in the US, and it was a great time. They are great dudes, their team are great dudes. We all got along really well."We mention the fact that having two brutal bands on tour together would keep each other on their toes, keeping the bar at a consistently high level so as not to disappoint."I mean, Dying Fetus are legends," he replied. "They are arguably one of the heaviest bands - if not the heaviest band ever - so watching them and knowing that we have to set the stage for them every night makes us definitely want to push our game up for sure."In the full interview, Ray talks more about the band's debut Australian tour, including why it has taken them so long to get out here. We talk about touring a country for the first time and how Ray approaches the experience, what they are expecting from Australian crowds and what we can expect from 200 Stab Wounds and how crazy shit gets in the mosh pit.We spoke about how quickly 200 Stab Wounds have established themselves in the death metal scene and what he thinks it is that makes them stand out. The topic of musical experimentation comes up as Ray tells us how the band have changed and grown musically over their two albums, how much experimenting they have in them moving forward and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

3 Nov 9min

New Zealand sludge/psych metal outfit Beastwars have been dominating the metal landscape ever since unleashing their self-titled debut album in 2011. Defying trends and convention, each subsequent album was just as good as, if not better than, the last, ensuring Beastwars maintained that elusive edge in a genre becoming more cluttered with each passing day.Along the way, they have experimented with progressive rock elements, but for their upcoming sixth studio album, The Ship/The Sea, Beastwars have taken their sound back to its roots to deliver a punchy amalgamation of everything that got them to this point, with a stronger emphasis on metal. The result has seen The Ship/The Sea described as one of the band's most intense and cathartic albums by the few who have laid ears on the album, but regardless of the backstory, there is no denying that Beastwars have come up with another winner, as we all shall hear when the album is released on November 7. With a run of shows in Australia to follow soon after the album drops, HEAVY sat down with drummer Nato to get the inside information, at one point asking him to describe the album musically."We've done six records and I think with most bands, their first album is probably going to be their best record," he measured. "And their second album is hopefully better, and then if they make a better second album, it means their career goes pretty well. I think that we did that on our level. I'm not saying that we changed the world or anything, but our second album was pretty good, and the people who are into this sort of music really liked it. And then the albums that came after that, we went down a little bit of a different path, getting a bit more proggy and maybe going away from the sounds that we first created, which was much more direct. A lot of the recent songs had a much more linear song structure. I'd start somewhere, and I'd end up somewhere completely different, which I really love. But this record has really gone back to what the first two albums were like, just a lot more direct, heavy, riff-based, but still being a more standard sort of song structure."In the full interview, Nato described the album as a return to a heavier sound, contrasting it with their previous experimental work, and emphasised the thematic significance of water, representing purification and chaos. He recounted their recording experience in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand, where the beachfront setting allowed for focused creativity, and explained the artistic choices behind the album's opening track and cover art by Nick Keller. The conversation also covered the band's tour schedule starting November 12, marking their first visit to Australia since 2020, and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

3 Nov 15min

For almost a decade, Melbourne alternative rockers Bad Juju have walked the tightrope between various genres, unafraid to experiment within or outside of their comfort zone.With a unique blending of 90’s grunge, 00’s nu metal and modern hardcore, the band have opened up differing sides to their musical psyche with every release, and have done so again on their most recent EP, Simulacra. The release draws inspiration from the concept of simulacra and simulation, and explores the distortion of reality in the digital age. Each track unpacks themes of identity, perception, and the struggle to find authenticity in a world of artificial narratives.With the album being out for one week, HEAVY caught up with drummer Drue Herring to discuss the new music and more."The reception's been great so far," Herring smiled. "With this new EP, we went back to our heavier roots. Seeing as we all come from heavier bands, it was nice to blend a little bit of the younger musicians' taste that we've been playing in previous bands before into this new body of work. Linkin Park, Limp Bizkit, Korn, all that type of stuff is music that all of us guys grew up on. We just wanted to influence a little bit of that type of sound towards what we were previously doing. And also just on the back of that, just for the live shows, we always feel like those heavier types of songs that are a bit more energetic and a bit faster, just have an overall better type of vibe."In the full interview, Drue highlights the positive early reception for Simulacra and describes the EP as their most ambitious work, drawing inspiration from influential bands like Linkin Park and Limp Bizkit to create a more energetic sound. He explains the collaborative songwriting process, where guitarists develop initial ideas before the group finalizes the tracks and how the songs came together.The discussion also includes the revival of vinyl records, with a limited edition of the EP being pressed, how much further Bad Juju will go with their sound, how this is the band's most ambitious release, finding the balance between genres in the creative process and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

2 Nov 9min

Interview by Ali WilliamsHZED band’s leading lady Tenaye swung to chat with HEAVY’s Ali Williams amidst their hectic rehearsal schedule for their new single release Save Yourself. Released on October 17, Save Yourself is the latest single from Melbourne’s HZED. The band has had some recent line-up changes, and with that comes fresh, new vibrant energy.The female lead group have been on the circuit for a number of years delivering riff-driven old school rock with raw, new energy. Having recently had their heads down and in the studio writing new material, HZED is about to bring their new tracks to the stage with a couple of performances over the coming weeks for their home crowd in Melbourne.Temaye speaks of the commitment the bands had to staying consistent and working hard to get the results they want, and it shows; their new track slaps hard. Coming together every week to rehearse plays a big role in being able to go out there and perform live. With hopes to add some more shows to their roster for next year, they are also focusing on eventually releasing another album sometime in the near future.Proudly doing it for the girls, Tenaye’s vibrant energy and passion for heavy metal is infectious as she hopes to inspire more girls to get out there and shred it. She’s definitely an asset to the band and an inspiration for females in the rock industry.Save Yourself is out now and available on all platforms, and information about their shows and tickets can be found on the band's Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/HZEDBANDBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

2 Nov 13min

The 1990s were a turbulent time for music. The advent of gentrification began in earnest as strains and side strains of sidestrains of different sounds came together to supposedly enhance our listening pleasure. Newer styles- or genres if you will - of music materialised almost before our ears, and all of a sudden phrases like grunge and alternative rock/metal were being bandied about as though the very passing of those words through your lips gave you a greater natural aura than all else around you.But it was also a time where work for musicians was plentiful, be it trying your hand at creating what was to become the next musical revolution or branching out into other fields within the music industry. It was a time where it was okay to mess up, because in those early years of a new era of music, mistakes were welcomed. Encouraged in some instances.It was also a time when an aspiring musician was making a name for himself as a producer, latching on to the fascination with all things grunge and throwing his DNA behind the musical revolution from inside the studio. The place where the magic happens. His name? Butch Vig. Back then Vig was relatively unknown, but before long would become known as one of the pioneers of this sonic movement, producing bands such as Nirvana, the Smashing Pumpkins, L7, and Sonic Youth. Butch could have set himself up as a producer for as long as he liked, but the discontent grew inside him, leaving him bored and disillusioned despite his obvious talents.Rather than allow the lingering darkness to fully take over, Butch instead turned his attentions to creating and playing the music, in the process uniting with three other like-minded musicians and forming a rock outfit called Garbage, who still have the same original four members some thirty years later. Butch realised that in life, you must forge your own path. Pain is fleeting, the darkness penetrable. The easiest way for it to consume you is to sit by while it slowly takes control. Or you can go out and get that thing you want. Make it happen. Just like Butch Vig did some thirty years ago.With Garbage set to touch down in a matter of weeks for the first time in a decade as part of Good Things 2025, HEAVY jumped at the chance to get a little nostalgic when we sat down for a chat with drummer Butch Vig."We are so psyched to be coming there," he said warmly. "We have a huge fan base there. I'm going down there to play some shows, but also I'm going early, and I'm gonna stay late in Australia, so I actually can be a tourist for a few days. I'm bringing my wife along, who has never been there before. So I'm really psyched to come back."We point out that it has been a while between drinks."Like I say, I am coming down early," Butch laughed, almost apologising. "We're going down to New Zealand early, then we're gonna stay extra time in Australia because I haven't been there in a while. Garbage hasn't been there for a while, and I wanna be able to take in the country and spend some time there. In the US run, we play a show, and then we get on the bus and we drive overnight and play a show again, then get on the bus and drive overnight. We have tonight off in Salt Lake City, but rarely do we have days off, so I really wanna get down there and be a proper tourist for a few days.In the full interview, Butch tells us what has changed with Garbage since their last tour a decade ago. He introduces us to their new bass player and highlights some different elements she has brought to the band's music. We talk more about the tour and what to expect, reflecting on the eclectic mixture of bands at Good Things, and run over the pros and cons of genre-specific festivals opposed to ones with a wide range of different music.We spoke about the vibe backstage at music festivals and if the musicians mix with bands outside of their genre, plus Butch suggested three songs for Good Things attendees to listen to from Garbage if they are not familiar with the band's music. Butch took us through the early days of the band, including his disillusionment with music at the time, and how forming Garbage helped reignite his musical spark. We asked him about the success of Garbage's self-titled debut album and if the band had any inkling they were onto something special after finishing it, the importance of continuity within the band and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

31 Okt 16min