HEAVY Music Interviews

HEAVY Mag’s Ali Williams sits down with Jesse and Ben from Stellar Circuits for a wide-open deep dive into the band’s next chapter—one built on evolution, experimentation, and a whole lot of beautifully unhinged studio energy. What unfolds is a refreshingly candid chat that shows a band not just levelling up, but completely reshaping their creative DNA. Band members Jesse (bass) and Ben (vocals) dive into how they’ve pushed themselves into sharper, heavier, more emotionally charged territory—balancing precision with instinct, layering expansive melody over crushing groove, and building songs that feel bigger and bolder than ever. Opening up about refining their workflow, the unexpected twists behind the writing sessions, and the tight chemistry that keeps everything firing even when the studio turns into beautiful bedlam. Phantom Phoenix is the brand-new album that dropped on November 14, a release they describe as their most fully realised statement yet. With fresh material ready to tear the roof off, they tease early-2026 touring plans and promise a live show that brings all that density, detail and wild energy onto the stage.It’s a behind-the-scenes look at a band levelling up—sonically, creatively, and collectively—right as they unleash their biggest release to date. The guys unpack how their sound has shifted into fiercer, bolder territory: thicker riffs, cleaner melodic contrast, and songwriting that feels more intentional without losing the raw edge fans connect with. They describe the ongoing challenge of balancing brute force with emotional vulnerability, and how leaning into that tension has become a defining feature of their new material. From the studio, we get stories of organised chaos, last-minute re-writes, and the kind of hyper-focused intensity that only comes from a band locked in and hungry. They joke about the hair-whipping mania of their live sets, the internal battles over tiny sonic details, and the weird rituals that somehow keep everything on track during the most demanding recording sessions. Phantom Phoenix is described as their “most complete, most deliberate, and most aggressively honest” body of work to date. They touch on its themes, its tonal shifts, and the creative risks that set it apart from anything they’ve done before. It’s a release that marks a clear milestone: the moment Stellar Circuits fully step into who they are as a modern heavy act. Rounding things out, the band tease early-2026 touring plans, promising a live show designed to translate the album’s depth and weight directly into the crowd. Expect bigger dynamics, wilder performances, and the kind of immersive atmosphere that turns a gig into an experience. In short: this is Stellar Circuits at their most ambitious, most dialled-in, and most unapologetic. If the interview is any indication, the next era of the band is set to hit with force.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

28 Nov 8min

Interview by Ali WilliamsUK’s powerhouse Architects are gearing up for a massive return to Australian shores and fans are in for something fierce. In a raw, witty and refreshingly honest chat with HEAVY Mag’s Ali Williams, drummer and principal songwriter Dan Searle pulls back the curtain on the emotional and creative engine powering the band’s new era — just as they prepare to bring their latest evolution to stages across Australia.Speaking from a fog-laden UK morning, Searle dives into everything from sonic reinvention to the rediscovery of joy in writing heavy music after years of pressure, burnout and relentless expectations. He explores why the band refuses to stay static, how vulnerability thrives inside heaviness, and why evolution isn’t just an artistic shift — it’s a survival instinct.Its been 6 long years since the bands been here on tour in full, drawing on the eagerness of themselves to return and for fans to see them again, we get insight and introspective, as Searle's rifs on touring life, fan energy, and the tightrope between catharsis and chaos that has become Architects’ trademark.With their Australian tour on the horizon, Searle hints that fans can expect that same creative fire — sharpened, recharged and more explosive than ever. If this interview is any indication, Architects aren’t just returning to Australia. They’re returning transformed: heavier in spirit, freer in intention, in all the best ways.Tickets and full Australian tour details are available now via the band’s official channels and authorised ticketing outlets.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

28 Nov 18min

Sunshine Coast rock outfit Dellacoma are a promotors dream. Brash, skilled, confident and passionate, Dellacoma embody the spirits of rock through the ages, delivering it in a hard rocking package that is fuelled by the silky smooth vocals of frontman Dellacoma Rio.Formed in mid-2014, lead vocalist and namesake, Dellacoma Rio assembled a team of high voltage road warriors to bring his rock n roll vision to the stage. Hitting the road almost immediately the band has now amassed over 500 shows across the USA, United Kingdom, Europe and Australia. With many miles beneath their feet and a wealth of experience in the live arena, it is no surprise that playing live is their strong suit. So far they have played countless clubs, bars and venues as well as sharing larger stages with the likes of Def Leppard, Korn, Linkin Park, Five Finger Death Punch, Noiseworks, Skid Row, Styx, Tesla, Black Label Society, Buckcherry, Winger, Saliva, Drowning Pool and Saving Abel to name a few.And that touring has paid off, driving Dellacoma in a fresh, yet familiar sonic direction that can be heard on the band's third studio album Searching For You In The Darkness which is out today. Having recently returned from yet another successful international assault, Dellacoma have just started a mini run of Australian shows to promote the album, with their enimgmatic frontman joining HEAVY from the road. We start by asking how he is feeling about the release."Yeah, pretty good, man," he enthused. "It feels really good to actually finally have it out. It's definitely been a process and there's been… In hindsight, I probably wish I would have given myself a few more months, but that's always the way. I think you get down to deadline day and there's always bits and pieces that have to be done last minute (laughs)."We ask Dellacoma to dive deeper into the musical side of Searching For You In The Darkness."In writing this album, it was the first time I think that I really approached it from the perspective of, I guess, writing just songs rather than thinking about songs that I necessarily wanted to play live," he measured. "Not saying that I won't play these songs live. I will play as many as I can, but the thought had occurred to me, you know, as I was early in the writing phase, that with this being my third album there's now more material between all three albums plus a few surplus singles than I'm ever going to be able to play in one show.And that kind of unlocked something in my head. It felt like it took off some blinders almost, which was really cool. So we've got a couple of different tracks on here. We've got more of an acoustic-y style ballad in there. We've got probably one of the heavier tracks we've ever done as well."In the full interview, Dellacoma spoke more about the new album, including the different approach to songwriting and how it translated in the music. He talked about the album title and the underlying theme of the music, highlighting the bands musical growth over the three releases.We also talked about life on the road, the current run of dates and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

28 Nov 19min

By Angela CroudaceWith their ninth studio album Another Miracle landing on November 14, Of Mice & Men are stepping boldly into their next era—one defined by emotional depth, creative freedom, and an unshakeable bond with their fans. Drummer Valentino Arteaga speaks about the record with a mix of pride and awe, describing it as a “journey” built on layered soundscapes, soaring melodies, and crushing heaviness. It’s an album meant to be absorbed front to back, not just thrown on a playlist.Self-produced and richly textured, Another Miracle reflects a band continually pushing their own boundaries. Valentino compares its intricate sonic layers to “ten wedding cakes stacked on top of each other,” each one representing experimentation, growth, and the group’s ever-expanding musical vocabulary. Songs were crafted during a period of major life changes, including frontman Aaron Pauley discovering he was about to become a father, which brought a new emotional dimension to the writing.Valentino’s current favourite track, Troubled Water, mirrors the album’s dynamic energy with groove-driven drumming and bold performances. Yet he insists each song offers something different: “With Of Mice & Men, there’s something for everybody.”Despite their evolution, one thing remains firmly intact; their connection to fans. Community is at the heart of their legacy, and it’s something the band is determined to honour. “When you come to an Of Mice & Men show, you’re there with family,” Valentino says. That spirit will follow them to Australia in May 2026, where they’ll tour with genre-blurring heavyweights Crystal Lake for what promises to be an explosive run of shows.With Another Miracle, Of Mice & Men aren’t just reinventing their sound, they’re reaffirming why their music continues to resonate so deeply after 16 years: honesty, passion, and a commitment to constant elevation.OF MICE & MEN + CRYSTAL LAKE May 2026 Australian Tour DatesTuesday 5th May - PERTH, Magnet HouseThursday 7th May - ADELAIDE, Lion Arts FactoryFriday 8th May - MELBOURNE, 170 RussellSaturday 9th May - SYDNEY, Manning BarSunday 10th May - BRISBANE, The TriffidTickets: Pre-Sale: Friday October 31st @ 1:00pm LocalGeneral Public On Sale: Monday November 3rd @ 9:00am LocalFrom: https://thephoenix.au/of-mice-and-men-2026-2/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

27 Nov 32min

While many people and critics hail certain albums as being pivotal or defining in terms of musical genres or movements, the reality is that, while undeniably a great album, whatever they are referring to was just that. A great album at a time where a musical genre was earning its stripes.But every now and then - usually with the test of time - an album stands out in their particular field of metal. An album that really did help shape and refine a movement that was later to become a genre. An album that, decades after its release, is still hailed as a masterpiece and rightfully so.One such album is Broke from HED (PE). 25 years ago an up and coming rap/metal outfit called HED (PE) had already announced themselves with their self-titled debut album, but it was the release of Broke in 2000 that really catapulted the band up the rankings. Featuring Serj Tankian (System of a Down) and Morgan Lander (Kittie) as guest artists, Broke spawned the singles Bartender, Killing Time, and Feel Good, fusing rap, funk, hip hop and metal like never before and playing a huge part in the early development of nu metal.The album has resonated with fans the world over for the last two and a half decades, and Australian audiences will get the chance to share in the beauty of Broke when HED (PE) head to this side of the world next February to celebrate the album's anniversary.HEAVY sat down with frontman Jahred Gomes to get up to speed. One of the questions was if it was difficult learning the whole album, taking into account when it was written it wasn't done with the intention of playing the whole album in the future."No, it wasn't difficult," he recalled, "but you know, at PE, we've got some really long songs. So sometimes in the live setting, we do more medleys so we can play a bunch of shit. I imagine when the show comes out there'll be some songs played in full, some songs that we just touch on, but we want to make it exciting for people. We've got some tricks that we're going to be doing. It's different. It's 25 years later, so it's got more of a straight-ahead, thrashy punk rock vibe now than it did back then."In the full interview, Jahred discussed the significance of Broke, reflecting on its themes of financial and emotional struggles, its impact on the band's rise to fame, and the evolution of their songwriting. He acknowledged some lyrics he now finds regrettable but expressed comfort in performing the older songs. He also shared his excitement about touring with Nonpoint, highlighting the importance of supporting friends in the music industry and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

21 Nov 9min

Interview by Ali WilliamsLA Outfit BLVD OF EYES have just released their latest single We Are Human, and are about to kick off their Australian Tour on November 21 in Melbourne to coincide with the release of their EP on the same day.Founder and leading lady of the band Chloe Trujillo caught up with HEAVY Mags Ali Williams on the weekend to talk about their upcoming tour and new album drop, amongst other things. Having formed during the pandemic, BLVD OF EYES is the collaborative brainchild of Trujillo and fellow artist Mark Dalbeth. Chloe, who is also the wife of Metallica’s Rob Trujillo, is already in Australia supporting her husband as he tours with Metallica, in the lead up to her own tour. She shares that she has a genuine love for Australia and our people. Having formerly collaborated with other Australian companies such as The Guitar Strap Co, Chloe has formed an instant bond with the place since coming here in support of her husband band tour, Her Aussie connection doesn’t just stop there as her fellow band member and founder Mark Dalbeth is probably best known for being a founder of the Australian band Bellusira.Other band members of BLVD OF EYES alongside Trujillo and Dalbeth are Kevin Hicklin on guitar, and on drums, Lullah Trujillo daughter of Rob and Chloe. Although not joining them on this current tour, their daughter has been drumming for the band since they started back in 2021 and the tender age of 15. See the full interview at the HEAVY channel on Youtube. We Are Human is available now on all streaming platforms and for tour, tickets and event info for BLVD OF EYES go to https://www.blvdofeyes.com/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

21 Nov 18min

With their ninth studio album, Another Miracle, landing on November 14 - and an Australian tour commencing May 7, 2026 - Of Mice & Men are stepping boldly into their next era—one defined by emotional depth, creative freedom, and an unshakeable bond with their fans. Drummer Valentino Arteaga speaks about the record with a mix of pride and awe, describing it as a “journey” built on layered soundscapes, soaring melodies, and crushing heaviness. It’s an album meant to be absorbed front to back, not just thrown on a playlist.Self-produced and richly textured, Another Miracle reflects a band continually pushing their own boundaries. Valentino compares its intricate sonic layers to “ten wedding cakes stacked on top of each other,” each one representing experimentation, growth, and the group’s ever-expanding musical vocabulary. Songs were crafted during a period of major life changes, including frontman Aaron Pauley discovering he was about to become a father, which brought a new emotional dimension to the writing.Valentino’s current favourite track, Troubled Water, mirrors the album’s dynamic energy with groove-driven drumming and bold performances. Yet he insists each song offers something different: “With Of Mice & Men, there’s something for everybody.”Despite their evolution, one thing remains firmly intact; their connection to fans. Community is at the heart of their legacy, and it’s something the band is determined to honour. “When you come to an Of Mice & Men show, you’re there with family,” Valentino says. That spirit will follow them to Australia in May 2026, where they’ll tour with genre-blurring heavyweights Crystal Lake for what promises to be an explosive run of shows.With Another Miracle, Of Mice & Men aren’t just reinventing their sound, they’re reaffirming why their music continues to resonate so deeply after 16 years: honesty, passion, and a commitment to constant elevation.OF MICE & MEN + CRYSTAL LAKE May 2026 Australian Tour DatesTuesday 5th May - PERTH, Magnet HouseThursday 7th May - ADELAIDE, Lion Arts FactoryFriday 8th May - MELBOURNE, 170 RussellSaturday 9th May - SYDNEY, Manning BarSunday 10th May - BRISBANE, The TriffidTickets: https://thephoenix.au/of-mice-men-2026/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

18 Nov 32min

Sometimes a band comes along that manages to transcend the normal parameters of heavy music. A band who has all the elements to be labelled as such, but also displays enough emotional resonance and accessibility to allow their music to seep through into other markets as well.With a self coined phrase calling their music 'sad rock', Southern Californian outfit Dayseeker have proudly evolved from post-hardcore upstarts to a band whose sound sits somewhere between that genre and many more, defiantly allowing their emotions to dictate proceedings but still spicing things up with moments of heaviness that in lesser hands would work against them.Having recently released their sixth full length album Creature In The Black Night, Dayseeker have grown musically once more, delivering their most immersive and intentional record to date — eerie, cinematic, and threaded with a dark emotional current. It is a deeply personal experience for vocalist Rory Rodriguez, but one which he feels is essential in his own personal development as well as that of the bands. Dayseeker will be bringing their music to Australia early next month for all three Good Things Festival shows, as well as two select sideshows in Melbourne and Brisbane. HEAVY sat down with Rodriguez recently to talk about the new album and their upcoming Australian shows. We start by asking if the band is packed and ready to go with the Australian tour looming large."I think so," he smiled. "It's a little nerve wracking because we unfortunately parted ways with our guitar player very recently. We have a good friend of ours who is gonna be filling in for us, so these are our first shows with him. We're trying to get rehearsed and make sure that everything's good and that our live show stays intact. We really care about our live show being good, so other than that, we are really excited about coming to play."We mention there's no pressure at all having a debut gig in front of 50,000 people, to which Rory lets out a laugh. "Yeah. I feel worse for him. I think we get a warm-up show for a side show in Melbourne so he will get to play to 900 people and then jump times fifty for the festivals (laughs). He's a pro, though, He's gonna do great."In the full interview, Rory talks more about their live shows and what we can expect, highlighting the differences between outdoor and indoor gigs. He ran us through three songs Good Things punters can listen to if they aren't that familiar with Dayseeker, plus the diversity of the line-up and how that is a good thing for festivals.We talked about the just released Creature In The Black Night and the early response, what Dayseeker were going for musically on album number six and how it is their most immersive album to date. He dove deeper into the lyrical content of the album and whether it is an album of hope or despair, how singing about his problems has worked over time and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

18 Nov 13min