More Rock Waiter Please With GAVIN HANSEN From THE POOR

If there were ever two words (well, three technically) that should not go together, they would be Buddhism and death metal. In fact, the words almost naturally repel from each other just saying them out loud. But if there's one thing the cheesy wave of Jean-Claude Van Damme movies taught us is to never say never, so when your path next crosses - or could even potentially cross - that of Buddhist death metal outfit Dharma cast aside everything you thought you knew of right and wrong and instead prepare for what has been widely dubbed as a "fascinating and brutal" experience.And before you ask, Dharma aren't one of those bands who saw something they thought would make a good gimmic and ran with it, they are actually from Taiwan and are practising Buddhists. Which means what you get is an impassioned and fully immersive experience of something you will likely never see again in your lifetime.Unless Dharma tour again.The band are making their way to Australia for the first time in November, dipping their toes in to gauge the response with just two select shows. But aren't they both crackers!Dharma make their debut Australian performance as part of Froth & Fury Festival in Adelaide on November 9 before heading to Melbourne the following day to play with Pestilence then heading home. Not a bad one, two for your first visit.HEAVY took the opportunity to chat with vocalist Joe Henley earlier today to peel back the curtain of a band who embrace every passion in life and have blended them together to create something crushing and unique.In the full interview, Joe expressed excitement about Dharma's first visit to Australia and their anticipation for the passionate fans and lively atmosphere. He also mentioned that they have high expectations for the tour and are looking forward to exceeding them. We discussed their excitement for Froth & Fury Festival and the bands they were looking forward to seeing. Joe emphasized the importance of building relationships with fans and the potential for long-lasting friendships.He shared the history of the band, explaining Dharma was formed a few years ago by Jack, the band's drummer, who has been a devout Buddhist since birth. He wanted to merge Buddhism with extreme metal, but faced challenges in finding like-minded individuals. Eventually, he managed to bring together members from various bands, including Andy from Demise, a death metal band, and Joe from Revilement and Stench of Lust. They created demos and presented them to Buddhist communities, who gave their blessing for the band to proceed. Dharma has since played shows in Taiwan, India, Hong Kong, Japan, and Australia, with their live shows described as fascinating and brutal. The band's performances include a Buddhist nun, Master Cheng Yen, who begins the show with a blessing and sings in between songs. Joe emphasized that their goal is not to convert people, but to provide a unique experience that exposes attendees to something different.Joe discussed the challenges of balancing tradition and innovation in their music, which combines metal and Buddhist elements. He mentioned that while it was initially daunting, they have found a more natural approach as they refine their sound. Joe also addressed concerns about potential backlash from traditionalists, stating that they have been generally welcoming and open-minded. He attributed this to the Buddhist tradition's emphasis on intention and purity of motivation, which he believes comes through in their music and conduct.Joe shared stories about Dharma's shows, including a memorable one where a fan crowd-surfed in the lotus position, which became a recurring theme at their performances. HEAVY then asked Joe about some photos from their social media, which led to discussions about a show at a temple in the mountains, a traffic jam on New Year's Eve, and their drummer's massive drum set, plus more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

15 Okt 202424min

Interview by Angela CroudaceTim Kasher, the visionary frontman of Omaha-based band Cursive, delved into the creative journey behind their tenth album, Devourer. "We're pretty stoked on it," Kasher remarked, reflecting on the extensive work that went into this release following a four-year hiatus since their last album in 2019.Kasher described the album as a significant departure from the band's previous two releases, Vitriola and Get Fixed, which he labelled as "more angsty" and "less melodic." He elaborated, "We took a moment during the pandemic to reassess our catalogue. I wanted Devourer to be a more eclectic record." This desire for variety is evident in the album, which captures the essence of Cursive's roots while pushing new boundaries.One of the standout tracks from the album, Bloodbath, has been brought to life through a unique music video featuring Shannon Purser from Stranger Things and Aurora Perrineau from Westworld. Kasher explained the collaborative nature of the project: "We didn't give the directors any parameters. We said, 'This is the budget, and we want to see your vision.'" This approach resulted in an imaginative interpretation that blends elements of a "female fight club" with the emotional depth typical of Cursive's work.Drawing on his influences, Kasher cited authors like Cormac McCarthy and Stephen King, whose dark themes resonate with the band's music. "Cormac McCarthy has this extremely realistic take on humanity," he shared. "I think Stephen King is influential for everyone in some way. He's like the Edgar Allan Poe of our generation."As the band gears up for their upcoming tour, Kasher expressed enthusiasm for performing live, especially with the added challenge of recreating complex arrangements from the album. "We have two drummers on Devourer, and we're attempting to bring that energy to the stage," he noted.Kasher's passion for music and connection with fans was palpable as he reflected on the live experience. "It's important to remember that for the audience, this may be the first time they're hearing these songs. We owe it to them to give our all," he emphasized. This dedication has earned Cursive a reputation for electrifying performances, with fans often remarking that each show feels unique.Finally, he touched on the legacy of the 2003 album, The Ugly Organ, acknowledging its profound impact on listeners. "We didn't expect anything from that record," he said, "The further out on a limb we went, the more people connected with it. It's a lesson in authenticity that I hope resonates with other artists."As Cursive embarks on this new chapter with Devourer, Kasher's reflections on the past and present underscore the band's commitment to exploring new musical landscapes while remaining true to their roots.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

15 Okt 202419min

Where you come from often has a profound impact on where you eventually go in life. While some people choose to focus on the negatives of any given situation, there are others who find beauty and inspiration in even the most unlikely places.These people are generally the ones who achieve their goals.Hailing from the tiny village of Syðrugøta on the Faroe Islands, vocalist Eivør grew up surrounded by the harsh, windswept landscape of the North Atlantic, and it informs her music perfectly. With ten studio albums to her name, as well as numerous collaborations with artists including Àsgeir, John Grant, Einar Selvik (Wardruna) and Dan Heath (Lana Del Ray) Eivør can be considered to be one of the most eclectic artists of the Nordics and one of the most mesmerising live vocalists of her generation.Eivor is making her way to Australia next month, performing three intimate and spellbinding headline shows with her full band, plus also supporting Heilung on their national tour.With a new album, Enn, to showcase and a new fan base to conquer, Eivor joined HEAVY recently to discuss the tour and the wonders of music."Oh my goodness, I'm so excited to come to Australia," she beamed. "I've never been there before, and it's always been on my bucket list. Finally, I get to come."We ask what she is expecting from Australian crowds."I don't know really what to expect," she laughed. "Aren't they more rowdy? I can imagine they are, I don't know why (laughs)."In the full interview, Eivor shared her preference for taking things as they come when touring a country for the first time, but mentioned that she has heard great things about Australia from friends. She shared that she would be playing a mix of new and older tracks from her 10th studio album during her shows.Eivør discussed her musical influences and roots, revealing that her music is deeply influenced by her upbringing in the Faroe Islands. She explained that her music is a mix of various elements, but remains rooted in her Faroese roots. Eivør also mentioned that she often sings in her native language, which contributes to the unique sound of her music. She further noted that the music culture of the Faroe Islands, which is primarily acapella based, has a significant impact on her creations. HEAVY asked about the use of traditional instruments in her music, to which Eivør responded that while there are no traditional instruments in Faroese music, she incorporates a variety of instruments in her compositions.She discussed performing with her band, including playing electric guitar and a shaman drum. She also mentioned her involvement in the Netflix series, The Last Kingdom, where she contributed to the soundtrack. Eivør revealed plans for three intimate headline shows in Melbourne, Brisbane, and Auckland. She also talked about her latest album, which has been well-received, and how excited she is to tour with the material plus more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

15 Okt 202415min

Interview by Angela CroudaceRyan Goldemann, lead singer and guitarist of Mother Mother, discussed the band’s latest album with HEAVY, Grief Chapter, which dives deep into themes of death and existentialism while simultaneously celebrating the beauty of life.“Grief Chapter is kind of like a concept album around death and grief and mourning,” Goldemann explains. “But it’s not as sad as it sounds. It’s more about using those things as a way to inspire and appreciate the gift of existence.” He notes that the album exudes a newfound confidence, with sonics described as “really tough and almost muscular.” The band spent nearly 100 days recording at Bryan Adams’ studio in Vancouver, which Goldemann fondly describes as a “luxurious” experience.Reflecting on the band’s recent tour in Australia, he shares, “It was amazing. It was more than you could ever ask for an entrance into a new market… There were a couple thousand kids in Sydney!” The overwhelming support has made a significant impact as the band expands their reach.Social media has also played a crucial role in their growth, particularly on platforms like TikTok. “It’s wonderful. Yeah, life changing,” Goldemann says of their songs gaining traction online. “We’re just thrilled that we’ve been able to connect with all these new people through TikTok.” The band has embraced this new medium, even participating in duets and responding to fans directly.Mother Mother has also developed a strong following within the LGBTQIA community. “We weren’t writing specifically for that community; we just wrote about the human condition in a broad way,” Goldemann explains. He appreciates the organic nature of this connection, recognising that it arose without any contrived intent.When discussing the themes present in the new album, he emphasizes the exploration of existentialism and spirituality, stating, “We just wanted to capture the band as successfully as possible.” He acknowledges their evolution over the years, attributing their growth to the resources they’ve gained as a full band. “With the resources came more experimentation,” he explains. “Now, with Grief Chapter, it’s a bit of a mix of everything.”Goldemann shares a few personal favourites from their catalogue, highlighting Hayloft 2 as a crowd favourite for its energy and ease of performance. In contrast, he cherishes playing Grief Chapter for its emotional depth, which fosters a profound connection with the audience.The band’s visual aesthetics are equally captivating. Goldemann discusses their collaboration with filmmaker Colin Minihan for the music video of Explode. “We just wanted it to be kind of psychedelic and a good portrayal of the band performing,” he says, emphasising a desire for authenticity over a complex narrative.As for current musical inspirations, Goldemann cites Adrian Linker from Big Thief as an interesting talent he's been enjoying lately. “She is quite a profound talent,” he states.Mother Mother continue to pBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

14 Okt 202414min

Following the release of their debut album More Subtle Than Death last year, rising Norwegian metalcore outfit Fixation had two options. Revel in the adulation being heaped in their direction for a stunning slab of metal, or capitalise on the growing momentum and get back in the studio.So back in the studio they went.But instead of rehashing what was obviously a winning formula, Fixation elected to push themselves further, introducing moments of intense screaming from vocalist Jonas Hansen that were nowhere to be heard on that debut album or the band's first EP Global Suicide.It was a brave, yet confident move from Fixation, with the decision seeming to pay instant dividends judging from the reaction already to the band's mini album Speak In Tongues which was released last Friday.HEAVY caught up with Hansen to delve deeper into the world of Fixation."I'm real excited for people to hear it," he enthused. "As any band says, it's our best work yet. But truly, it's been the most fun writing and recording process we've had so far and feels like a step in the right direction for us."We ask him to explain the musical side of the album in greater detail."This record we wanted to go in a more heavy direction," he offered. "We tried out a bit of stuff that we hadn't done before. Last year we were a bunch of tourists and played all over Europe, and we saw so many great heavy bands live and the energy that they produced live and the energy that the audience gives back. It really inspired the sonic part of this record. We wanted to make something that really hits you in the face live, and that's what we did. Throughout the process of this record we were certain that we wanted to have more screaming than we've done before, and I didn't really know how to do it properly."In the full interview, Jonas talked more about the screaming vocals and training his voice differently. He revealed why now is the right time to introduce those elements and the concept behind Speak In Tongues, which revolves around the theme of cults. Jonas expressed his fascination with cults and their psychological aspects, particularly how one person can blindly follow a false prophet for personal gain. He also drew connections between cults and other aspects of society.Jonas explained the lessons learned from their debut album that carried over to this release and the cohesive, movie-like storyline. We discussed the band's early vision, with Jonas sharing that Fixation started as a high school cover band but reinvented themselves in 2020. Jonas noted their sound has matured over time. They discussed their music project Fixation, with Jonas expressing satisfaction with its direction. He mentioned they were writing new music and planned to be in the studio throughout the year and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

13 Okt 202417min

Interview by Angela CroudaceHEAVY sat down with PK, the passionate frontman of Japanese heavy metal band Prompts. His journey from Korea to Japan, fueled by a love for metal, has become an inspiring tale of perseverance and friendship.PK shared his experiences growing up in Korea, where the overwhelming popularity of K-Pop shaped the music landscape. “Most kids were into K-Pop, but my small group of friends were metalheads. We would gather and play Metallica’s Master of Puppets over and over,” he recalled with a smile. This early passion for heavy metal, however, came with its challenges. “There’s very little money and promotion for artists in Korea outside of the pop genre,” he lamented. Many high school bands followed the K-Pop trend, but PK and his friends remained committed to their metal roots.Determined to break into the metal scene, PK made the pivotal decision to move to Japan. He spoke about the stark contrast between the Korean live music scene and Japan’s vibrant touring and promotional ecosystem. “In Korea, it’s tough to get noticed unless you’re in the pop realm. In Japan, the opportunities are endless,” he explained. His aspirations extended beyond Japan; he even considered moving to Australia to kickstart his career, admiring the local metal scene and citing bands like Parkway Drive, Make Them Suffer, and Void of Vision as major influences.PK’s journey took a significant turn when he connected with Kaito Nagai of Paledusk, who noticed his vocal cover of their song on X (formerly Twitter). “Kaito always inspired me and really helped me on my journey,” PK said. “He showed me how to navigate the Japanese metal scene and invited me to tour with them and Cold Rain. Thanks to my friends, everything with Grayscale Records went so smoothly.” Joining Grayscale Records marked a major milestone for Prompts, solidifying their place in the industry.Despite his metal roots, PK confessed to a surprising guilty pleasure: K-Pop. “I hated it when K-Pop took over the Korean music scene, but after listening to BTS and Blackpink, I realized maybe I was wrong. How can we not respect them? They do so much training before they even debut; it’s the same passion for music,” he admitted, reflecting on the dedication shared across genres.With half of Prompts being Korean and currently living in Japan, PK expressed a strong desire to make an impact back home. “I’m proud I’m Korean because there are not many Koreans in the metal scene. There’s no hardcore heroes right now, so maybe I can’t be the first one, but I want to bring Prompts to Korea one day and do something for the Korean metal scene.”As we wrapped up the interview and talk turned to Prompt's current Australian tour with Diamond Construct, PK’s excitement was palpable. “We’re really happy to join another Australian tour after our fantastic trip in January. I can feel your guys’ energy. I dreamed about that type of energy for years,” he said.With Prompts, he’s not just chasing dreams; he’s forging a path for others in the metal scene, creating a bridge between cultures and inspiring the next generation of musicians.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

13 Okt 202433min

The name John 5 is akin to God in the world of guitars.Over his career, John has played not only as part of bands, but also as a guest musician and gun for hire, to the extent that it would probably be easier to list the musicians he HASN'T played with before rather than the ones he has. But try this on for size. Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson, Rob Halford, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, David Lee Roth, Alice Cooper and Jim Root…Need I go on?But it is John 5's most recent role as guitarist for Motley Crue that saw him in Australia only a short time ago, but from next week Aussie fans get a chance to see John 5 in a different light altogether. Playing with and for his own band, John 5 And The Creatures.John will be special guest for Steel Panther on their upcoming On The Prowl Australian Tour, performing a set of instrumental tunes from The Creatures, as well as a Motley Crue medley and more.It will be a chance to see one of the world's leading guitarists perform in a project of his own creation, rather than playing someone else's music. Understandably, John is a difficult man to track down, but HEAVY lucked out earlier in the week and managed to get 15 minutes with the legendary axeman to chat about the upcoming tour.With the tour less than two weeks from kicking off, we ask John if he is packed and ready to go yet?"I'm not packed, but I am ready to go," he smiled. "I love Australia so much. I was just there with the guys and I got this wonderful opportunity to come over with Steel Panther, and I'm super psyched about it."We double check that he will be playing as John 5 And The Creatures."Yes," he confirmed, "and we're gonna be doing a lot of crazy music, so it's gonna be something else. I've never been there solo with the instrumental. I know a lot of people are really excited for it, and I am too. We're gonna do a bunch of cool songs, and we're gonna actually record the shows for a live record."We push John to define what he means by 'crazy' music."We're gonna do…" he laughed. "I'm actually gonna play a song that is not released, and we're gonna film a video for the live record too. So that will be very special. We're gonna film it in each city in Australia."In the full interview, we talked more about how much John loves Australia and how much he is looking forward to getting back to Perth especially. He expressed the importance of staying healthy on tours, getting enough sleep, eating well, and having a great time. He also mentioned that Australia felt very comfortable to him, likely due to his familiarity with the place and the presence of friends. He told us what to expect from his live shows and the honour of being asked to support Steel Panther.We spoke about the length of his set as a support band and if it was more difficult for him to adjust to shorter stage times after being used to playing full headline sets. We delved into his career, starting when he drove to LA as an 18-year-old determined to become a session guitarist. He ran us through his expectations versus reality back then and how his career has panned out since then, including at what point he knew his dream had become reality.John talked about the new Motley Crue EP Cancelled and how he enjoyed the recording process, as well as future plans for more new music from Motley Crue and more.https://teglive.com.au/live_tour/steelpanther/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

13 Okt 202411min

Although having rock music hardwired to nearly every thread of his sonic DNA, Shihad frontman Jon Toogood is also compelled to expose himself through calmer means.For a man best known for songs like My Mind's Sedate, The General Electric and Sleepeater, Toogood's decision to release his first solo album as an acoustic body of work came as a surprise to most, but not those who follow the man not the music.Following a tumultuous period of his life wrought with loss, sorrow and isolation, Toogood turned to his long-standing love of music, more for personal reasons than any other, and sat down to commit his feelings and fears to paper. These songs were originally never intended to be heard in the public domain but after letting close friends and representatives listen to his solo work Toogood was convinced to assemble his songs into an album so that the world could share in his triumph and tragedy.It was not a decision made lightly, but he relented on his initial misgivings and packaged the songs together to form Last Of The Lonely Gods, which was released last Friday. To celebrate the release Toogood is also headed to Australia next month for a run of solo shows starting at Mo's Desert Clubhouse on Thursday, November 14.HEAVY caught up with Toogood for more details."I love this record," he shared, smiling. "It's heavy in what I'm singing about… I'm singing about heavy shit. I'm a 53-year-old who lost his Mum during COVID when I was locked down in Melbourne, and she died in Wellington, New Zealand, so I had to say goodbye on the phone which I found really sad. I wanted to be there with my Mum and couldn't so it was tough. After that, I got stuck in New Zealand away from my wife and kids for three and a half months because there was an Omicron outbreak that happened while I was on tour. There was no flights going between countries, so I got stuck there and that was pretty traumatic. It was traumatic for my kids and wife as well because they were locked down in Melbourne, and she couldn't get any help so she was losing her mind, I was losing my mind. Then we finally made the move back to New Zealand and I caught COVID. The thing that happened to me was I've got pre-existing tendinitis - so ringing in my ears - which is basically from a life of playing heavy music and getting too close to a china cymbal. I've always been able to deal with it. I will go and see a band, and it will be loud, but if I take it easy the next day it will fade into the background. But this… two weeks after I caught COVID I got woken up out of a dream with a car alarm going off in my head. It was like I'd been to see Motorhead and stuck my head in the PA. On that first night, I didn't sleep for 36 hours. I ended up in the hospital, with doctors having to knock me out. It's literally like a car alarm going off in your head really loud."In the full interview, Jon talks more about the personal situations that led to him wanting to write a softer, mellower album, more about Last Of The Lonely Gods musically, why now is the right time for his first solo album, utilising his voice in different ways to suit acoustic music, if there will be more solo albums or if this is a one-off, the upcoming Australian tours and what to expect, what he gets out of smaller shows like these as opposed to full band sets and more.Tickets for Australian shows jontoogood.com.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

13 Okt 202419min