Australia Bound? BENJAMIN BERDOUS From SLOMOSA Addresses The Question And More
Hailing from the city of Bergen, Norway, Slomosa channel the sprawl of their surroundings through a sweeping signature hybrid of revved-up stoner rock riffage, grungy hooks, and a concentrated punk wallop. As if holding up a sonic mirror image to the landscape, an avalanche of distortion tumbles into valleys of massive melody, teeming with tectonic force. Dubbed Tundra Rock, Slomosa love the term so much they named their most recent album after the title.“‘Tundra Rock’ is ‘Desert Rock’ in our terms,” frontman Benjamin Berdous observes. “A desert doesn’t have to be warm. If you think about it, the biggest desert in the world is Antarctica. In this respect, the tundra is our desert. We thought it would be cool to coin a genre, and it’s stuck to us. You could certainly say the grandiosity of nature is evident in the songs.”Nearly ten years ago, Ben planted the seeds for Slomosa as a “casual excuse to drink beer, smoke, and play rock music with friends.” Without pressure or expectations, songs naturally took shape under the influence of everyone from Kyuss, Queens of the Stone Age, and Sleep to Nirvana, Alice In Chains, and Soundgarden. The band’s 2020 eponymous debut, SLOMOSA, has piled up over 10 million streams fueled by Kevin, In My Mind’s Desert, There Is Nothing New Under The Sun, and Horses. With Tundra Rock further cementing Slomosa amongst rocks elite, HEAVY felt it was time to have a chat with these legends in the makings ourselves. We start by asking if Tundra Rocks was received as well as the band had hoped."Yeah, and even more," Benjamin smiled. "It's the hard second album, the difficult second album. So I mean, it was excitement around it. And you never know. You never know what the reception will be like, And we released it on some new labels as well. So, yeah, it was all not nerve wracking, but of course, excited. But after a day or two, it became pretty clear that the reception was good. And yeah, I'm very pleased with how it went."Whispers have been circulating of late about Slomosa finally making their way to Australia, so, attempting to put rumours to rest, we ask Benjamin straight out if they are true."It might be…" he grinned. "We definitely want to come to Australia and New Zealand. We get a lot of messages from people down there. So that's definitely something that we have to do. And yeah, it does look like there might be some news on the horizon, but I can't say much more than that."In the full interview, Benjamin reflected more on the success of Slomosa's second album, Tundra Rock, released in September 2024, noting the challenges of following up a successful debut and the evolution of the band's sound over the years. He introduced the term "Tundra Rock" to describe their unique musical style, influenced by desert rock bands, and discussed the balance between touring and songwriting.He highlighted how the band aims to innovate while maintaining their identity, with plans for future projects, including a sludge album. We discussed the blending of genres in Slomosa's music and how they get the balance right in the creative process, the early days of the band, touring Australia and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.
23 Jan 21min
Steady As She Goes With LUCAS STONE And RUCKUS From HAMMERS
Gold Coast hard rock outfit Hammers have always been a band who put themselves and their music first, even to the point of possible self harm. They have steadfastly refused to follow convention or fall into the mass-produced assembly line of artists currently making up the fringes of major record labels, instead lurking further back in the shadows and biding their time.The release of their debut EP Homeblokes in 2018, and a sophomore 2020 EP Kicking Goals, saw Hammers entrench themselves in the ears and minds of a faithful following, but despite a chorus of concerns about capitalizing on their growing momentum Hammers continued to let their back catalogue of music and their volatile live performances steer their path. In a world where content was rapidly becoming King, Hammers again resisted the temptation to rush out a new release, toiling away in the background and nurturing the seeds that were to become their first full collection of songs to catapult Hammers into the next phase of their career.Not that rising through the proverbial ranks was, is, or ever will be top of Hammers agenda. It was more about taking the time to get things right for themselves. Give them something to set loose of the world free of burdens and expectations, or simply put, something that was good enough for them. And if its good enough for them then…HEAVY spent some time with Lucas Stone (vocals + guitar) and Ryan 'Ruckus' Lucas (drums) to dive deeper into the creation of their album Death Wobbles, which will be out on January 23. We start by asking if they still felt nervous going into the release of their debut full-length Death Wobbles, despite the fact Hammers have already built themselves a solid name and fanbase."I think I'm always, no matter what I do, an equal parts nervous and don't give a fuck what people think kind of person," Stone laughed. "As a writer I've been doing this a long time and Hammers haven't released a full-length album yet, but we did that strategically so we could grow as a band and become what we are. I think I'm excitingly nervous, bro. Essentially, as a band, the way it should be is you do it for yourselves. As much as you pass it on to the fans and whoever comes into your camp, over time you are essentially doing a selfish thing. So we're excited about what we've done, and we can't wait to get it out, but it's like just handing your kids over to a babysitter you don't know (laughs)."In the full interview, Stone and Ruckus highlighted Death Wobbles as a reflection of Hammers growth from their touring experiences and previous EPs. The discussion emphasized their commitment to authenticity and a desire to create unique music that challenges listeners. We spoke about not playing by the rules and the risks of alienation, as well as the burdens of expectation and commitment.The boys talked about their sound and finding the sonic balance to it, the opening track Apeshit and how it represents the full album, upcoming tours and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.
20 Jan 28min
Finally Heading To Australia With LAURI YLONEN From THE RASMUS
Rock stars in their homeland of Finland since their first album, Peep, went Gold when they were just 16 years old, The Rasmus have built a legacy that stretches across 11 albums. Their music and engaging approach to life have won them legions of fans the world over, but it was with last years chart topping release, Weirdo, that things came full circle for the band.Weirdo was a blast back to the roots of The Rasmus, tapping into the psyche of the underdog which has been the band's hallmark throughout. Underdogs, outcasts, and perceived weirdo's themselves, The Rasmus have stood up for the underdogs their whole career, even when the band became far from that themselves.The fact their have never set foot in Australia has not been lost on them or their fans. It is something that will be remedied later this month, as The Rasmus touch down in this country for three select shows. Frontman Lauri Ylönen joined HEAVY to talk more. We start by asking if he is packed and ready to go."No," he laughed. "I always pack like one hour before I leave, so I'm pretty used to doing that. But yeah, it's exciting. You know, the first time can always happen once. And now, after a couple of decades, we are coming over to play there, which is kind of sad that it didn't happen before. But, you know, it's happening now, and we're happy. We're going to play quite intimate shows in these rather small clubs, so I'm expecting that to be really good. We've been playing this tour with this album for three months now, and the band is in really good shap,e and we're having an incredible feeling within the band, and now hitting smaller clubs… it's gonna be really intense. And it's going to be really interesting to finally meet these fans that have been writing and contacting us on social media for years and years. It's going to be so emotional."In the full interview, Lauri spoke more about the tour and what to expect. Reflecting on the band's three-decade journey, he noted that themes of individuality and feeling like a "weirdo" remain central to their music. Lauri also mentioned the positive reception of their latest album, "Weirdo," and confirmed plans to enter the studio for new music after the tour, aiming to evolve while remaining true to their roots and more.Fri, Jan 30: The Triffid, BrisbaneSat, Jan 31: Manning Bar, SydneySun, Feb 1: Max Watts, MelbourneTix: https://thephoenix.au/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.
16 Jan 17min
Bringing The Music To Life With LEE JENNINGS From THE FUNERAL PORTRAIT
THE FUNERAL PORTRAIT has jumped headlong into 2026 with the January 16 release of their first-ever live album, LIVE FROM SUFFOCATE CITY via Better Noise Music. To coincide with the album, the band is bringing the track Stay Weird to cinematic life as well.“‘Stay Weird’ has always been our love letter to the beautifully strange souls who’ve supported this band from day one,” declares frontman Lee Jennings. “Hearing The Coffin Crew scream it back at us in Atlanta during our Suffocate City Town Hall Meeting was unreal. That night captured everything we stand for—individuality, belonging, and the freedom to be exactly who you are. I’m beyond excited that this live album lets the world feel that energy.”On LIVE FROM SUFFOCATE CITY, fans are invited to step inside the chaos and catharsis of THE FUNERAL PORTRAIT’s first-ever Suffocate City Town Hall Meeting, captured live from their sold-out hometown show at The Masquerade in Atlanta, GA in 2025. The exclusive Blu-ray documents the band’s legendary performance in front of a packed house of diehard fans. It’s a thrilling night of raw emotion, high-energy theatrics, and fan-favourite anthems.Frontman Jennings joined HEAVY to tell us more. We start by asking why now is the right time to release a live album."I don't know…," he measured. "I think I just wanted something… I wanted something when we were ready, right? Because a lot of bands don't even do live records any more, and for me, growing up, that was such a big thing. I wanted that. I wanted to see a band live. And especially our band, we're very, very theatrical and over the top. So I wanted to bring that on stage and show it to everyone."In the full interview, Lee discussed the upcoming release of Live from Suffocate City in greater detail, highlighting the challenges of producing a live record that authentically captures the atmosphere of their performances, including audience interactions and background sounds. He expressed a desire to evolve the set list by focusing on songs that resonate with his current emotions, despite potential backlash from fans regarding the removal of older tracks.The conversation also covered plans for an upcoming concert where they will perform the album in its entirety, accompanied by a Blu-ray release featuring dynamic footage filmed with 12 cameras. Lee shared insights on the band's success following the release of Greetings from Suffocate City in September 2024, mentioning plans for a potential tour in Australia and the challenges of touring while emphasizing their commitment to engaging with fans and expanding their international presence and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.
15 Jan 12min
The Sands Of Time With KYLE BRANDT And JEFF IRVINE From A LIGHT WITHIN
Kansas City atmospheric prog-rock band A Light Within returned late last year with their haunting new single Dying Clock, marking their first new single since 2024’s Identity and the next step in their slow-burning creative evolution. Known for their dark, atmospheric soundscapes and cinematic songwriting, the band remains a must-listen for fans of Porcupine Tree, Failure, Katatonia, Tool, and Pink Floyd.Dying Clock arrived as the band continues rebuilding after a turbulent few years. A Light Within carefully crafted the track throughout 2025 and enlisted Failure drummer Kelli Scott to add his signature sound during the session. The song, clocking in at just over nine minutes, wastes no time and takes the listener on an auditory journey with an ending that even the most discerning post-rock and metal fans will appreciate. Bass on the track comes courtesy of Madelyn Robertson. Their last full release, Epilogue in 2018, concluded a conceptual trilogy built from transcribed diary entries and was recorded by respected engineer Paul Malinowski (Season to Risk, Shiner, The Life and Times) and mastered by Acle Kahney of TesseracT.Kyle Brandt (vocals, keys, production) and Jeff Irvine (guitar) joined HEAVY to bring us up to speed."It's been well received so far, and I'm glad to hear that," Kyle smiled when we asked how the new single was received. "That keeps the motivation strong and healthy. Even though mainly we make music for ourselves, when anybody else enjoys it, it's like icing on the cake, so to speak."We ask the boys to take us deeper into the musical side of Dying Clock."It kind of started as a jam in the room, and then it got to not very far," Jeff laughed. "And Kyle took that room recording and made a really killer demo out of it, like fully structured it out. We had an idea of wanting it to be two songs in one song type thing, a song with two parts, if you will. And he did that, and it was really cool. I came over and did some demo guitar recordings on it, fully digital, which I had never done. He had me kicking and screaming to pull me into that direction. But I did it. And some of those guitar tracks are still on the demo or on the song now."In the full interview, Jeff and Kyle shared insights into the creative process behind their songs, highlighting the contributions of drummer Kelli Scott (Failure), whose unique style transformed their sound. They emphasized a shift towards a more independent writing approach, with a focus on emotional expression rather than technicality, resulting in a blend of post-rock and melodic prog rock influences. The conversation also touched on the challenges of adapting to remote recording during the COVID-19pandemic, as well as the transition from analogue to digital production methods. Kyle discussed his previous work, a conceptual trilogy inspired by the album Posthumous Silence, and shared personal anecdotes related to his songwriting and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.
15 Jan 19min
A Good Day To Be Alive With BRENNAN MILETO From SISTERS DOLL
Melbourne-based rockers Sisters Doll have always been a band who value their support base. From driving 30 hours to play a handful of shows in Far North Queensland to playing on the open waters of America as part of the Monsters Of Rock Cruise, Sisters Doll have never lost sight of who they are and where they come from.Which is why it came as a bit of a surprise to hear the band have not toured here in their own backyard on a larger scale for a couple of years, but that is about to be rectified when Sisters Doll hit the road for the Good Day To Be Alive 2026 Tour, starting in Melbourne on January 31. It is being touted as their biggest Australian headline tour to date, and promises to reinvigorate the Doll Army, who have been waiting patiently for a fresh dose of one of the finest rock acts currently touring this country.With the tour only a matter of weeks away, HEAVY spoke with frontman Brennan Mileto to find out more."We haven't done an Australian tour for so long," he almost apologised. "We've been overseas a lot of times. We've been to America. We had our first UK tour last year. Obviously, we've gone up to Sydney occasionally and done the odd Sydney show, but we haven't actually gone to all of the other states since 2023. So we kind of thought it's time, you know, we probably should have done it last year when the album dropped, but obviously logistically it just didn't happen."In the full interview, we discussed the upcoming Australian tour, which begins in Melbourne on January 31, emphasising the band's excitement to reconnect with fans after an unusually long hiatus. Brennan highlighted the positive reception of their re-released song Good Day To Be Alive and the success of their last album, Scars, while hinting at a heavier sound for their next project.The conversation also touched on fan dedication, with Brennan sharing stories about fans getting tattoos of their favourite artists and his own memorable experience performing with his idol, Ace Frehley. We talked about Sisters Doll's live show and what to expect, how it has changed over the years, the 16th anniversary of the band and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.
8 Jan 18min
Fast Riffs And Flying Shoes: ARCHSPIRE Gear Up For Aussie Tour
Archspire vocalist Oliver “Oli” Alleron is clearly excited about returning to Australia, with the band set to tour in January. From his love of Australian crowds to his unexpected obsession with The Block, Oliver speaks warmly about the country, its food, and its famously outgoing fans. He recalls being blown away by the sheer number of shoeys happening on stage during their last visit, and hints they may make a return. With a new drummer joining the line-up and a freshly self-produced album funded largely by fans, Archspire are entering an exciting new chapter. Oliver admits perfection isn’t the goal live; having fun, staying relaxed, and connecting with the crowd matters most. Check out everything he had to say in the full interview.Archspire - Return To Prison Island Australian Tour with Aborted and OrganectomyJan 24 - Froth & Fury PerthJan 27 - The Croxton, MelbourneJan 28 - The Triffid, BrisbaneJan 29 at The Baso, CanberraJan 30 - Liberty Hall, SydneyJan 31 - Froth & Fury Adelaidehttps://swdpresents.com/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.
8 Jan 19min
40 Years Young With JORDAN RUDESS From DREAM THEATER
With the worldwide excitement around the recently completed European tour, GRAMMY®-winning, progressive music titans Dream Theater have announced their 40th Anniversary Tour 2026 leg for Australia. The tour will be An Evening With Dream Theater and will be the first tour of Australia since drummer Mike Portnoy’s return to the lineup, joining vocalist James LaBrie, bassist John Myung, guitarist John Petrucci, and keyboardist Jordan Rudess.Simultaneously, these five old friends enter a bold new era fuelled by some of the most focused, formidable, and fiery music of their career. They’re harnessing the memories of the past and the promise of the future in order to make the most of the present. Ultimately, the group’s sixteenth full-length album, Parasomnia [Inside Out Music/Sony Music], represents both where they came from and where they’re going as not only bandmates, but as brothers. HEAVY spent some time with Rudess to find out more.In the interview, we spoke about the band's upcoming Australian tour in February 2026, marking their first tour with Mike Portnoy on drums in 15 years. Jordan highlighted Portnoy's significant contributions to the band's sound and described how his return has enhanced their live performances with his unique skills as a drummer and creative director. The tour will kick off in Adelaide on February 10 and conclude in Brisbane on February 15th, following a year-long world tour.Jordan discussed joining Dream Theater after playing with John and Mike in Liquid Tension Experiment, initially declining the offer before later accepting it. He described the transition as a significant life change, noting the differences between Liquid Tension's open creative style and Dream Theater's structured approach, as well as the band's international fan base and media presence. He discussed the challenges of joining Dream Theater, a band known for its distinct sound and brand identity. He acknowledged that while the band is not strictly limited to three-chord rock, there is an expectation to remain true to the established style that fans appreciate. Jordan noted that while the band has evolved over time, there is a balance between innovation and respecting the band's heritage.Jordan explained that Dream Theater's appeal lies in their ability to combine technical virtuosity with emotional depth, creating music that appeals both to serious musicians and general audiences. He noted that the band's shows often feature accessible melodies that engage fans, as demonstrated by their experiences performing in Italy where audiences sing along and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.
1 Jan 14min
