HEAVY Music Interviews

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.

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.

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.

After establishing themselves as serious contenders in the ever-growing Australian music landscape with their 2024 EP Requiem, Melbourne hard rock outfit The Last Martyr seemingly went into their shells, still playing the odd show but failing to release more new music to deliver the knockout blow.It was ultimately a combination of many different factors of life and music that stood as a buffer between maintaining momentum and walking the tightrope of everyday life, but if the absolute carnage that is their upcoming single Brain Rot is anything to go by, The Last Martyr have decided it's time to reacquaint themselves with their fans. And not by easing back into things, either.Harking back to their nu metal roots, The Last Martyr have proved that while they might not have been as prolific in the public forum, that doesn't mean they have remained idle in the creative realm. Brain Rot is a seething, attitude-laced descent into a world diminished by the rapid emergence of the digital age and the many fears, problems, and disconnections that come with it.Throw in the fact that vocalist Monica Strut was recently crowned as a deserved winner of the Women In Heavy Music Award at this year's Australian Women's Music Awards, and you have a potent mix of tempered aggression and personal embodiment that is just waiting to be unleashed. HEAVY spent time earlier this week with Monica to talk about the new single and her recent recognition by her peers."I think it's just one of those milestones that is so rare, especially in the music industry," she relayed when asked if winning the award has sunk in yet, "and as a woman, and in Australia. There's obviously the ARIA's, but you really have to be so on top of your game to win an ARIA. We don't have many awards like this in Australia, and there's something really special about even just being invited to the ceremony."We question Monica on the gap between releases and ask if she thinks The Last Martyr may have lost momentum in that time."We thought we weren't going to do it justice if we rushed it," she said of Brain Rot. "We had the song ready, but in terms of being a musician, it's not just about writing music. You've got to prepare all the contents, and you've got to have the marketing for it and create the single artwork. So I think we've delayed it a little bit, mainly due to logistical reasons."We bring up the return to a more nu metalcore sound and ask if that is going to remain the way forward for The Last Martyr."We're always going to experiment," Monica shrugged. "We're never going to be a band that sticks with a certain sound and then just copy/ paste. We have too many ideas, and we always want to be pushing ourselves as artists. But what I will say is I feel like this song and the next batch of songs, they're the best songwriting that we've ever done in terms of arrangements and everything like that."In the full interview, we explored the shift back to The Last Martyr's roots in more detail, discussing the reasons behind the return and how Monica thinks fans will react. We talked more about her recent Award and what it means to her as a person and an artist, also mentioning the previous two winners and how tight-knit the Australian metal circle is.We spoke more about not rushing into releasing anything straight after Requiem, whether Brain Rot is a standalone single or part of a bigger album picture, upcoming shows and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

Electro metal group Solence frontman Markus Videsäter caught up with HEAVY's Ali Williams to chat about their upcoming release, Angels Calling, and the inevitable album tour. Originally from LA, these guys are now settled in Sweden in the hope of optimising their expansion. Solence formed back in 2012 and had initially released tracks in increments in a build-up to their first album, Brothers, back in 2019.The success they saw from this catapulted them into the algorithm, which meant Spotify was kind to them, and we all know what happens when you scratch Spotify in the right place.Making a significant amount of their music during the COVID epidemic had unprecedented results, none of which could be predicted. As Markus stated, Solence could see the numbers they had, but that didn’t transpire into the realisation that those numbers were real people actually digesting their music. So when they were invited to perform alongside Five Finger Death Punch, the band individually and collectively had their minds blown at the surreal nature of their growth.Fast-forward to 2025, and Solence are locked in and serious about gaining more traction. Their latest release, Angels Calling, comes out on October 31 and will be available on all platforms. That date corresponds with the band's upcoming European tour that kicks off on November 7 and finishes up on December 6.Markus informs us that after their tour, Solence have some exciting new plans for 2026, and although he stopped short of revealing what those plans were, he has strongly recommended fans stay tuned and keep a close eye on things.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

Certain things in this world should always be spoken in the same breath. Be it respect, acceptance or merely just because that's the way it has always been, some things you just don't mess with. Like a pie and tomato sauce, a Tim Tam straw, bacon and eggs, and The Meanies and Australian music.It seems The Meanies can't ever put a foot wrong, even when it comes to apathetically releasing a song recorded 25 years ago that just happens to have worked its way to the surface, although, admittedly they did hedge their bets somewhat by inviting another classic Aussie band from that era in Frenzal Rhomb to provide a cover of Play This Song Every Night on the B Side.From the late 1980s and into this century, Melbourne pop punk-meets-hardcore-meets-punk-meets-attitude outfit The Meanies have crawled and fought their way into the halls of Australian music royalty, generally not caring either way about the trappings of success and the money and problems that invariably come with it. Put simply, The Meanies are the band that keeps on giving, and if you have no idea about why or how these guys have etched themselves into the realm of champions, then I suggest you repeat Grade 5. Or maybe listen to this chat HEAVY recently had with frontman Link Meanie. We ask him how a song could just be found after 25 years in captivity, to which he had a strangely semi-serious answer."We initially released an EP and a couple of more EPs from that recording session," he explained. "The more traditional Meanies-type songs. But I was just a bit confused at the time and recorded a whole bunch of ridiculous shit. There was a disco song, there's a fucking country song. I don't know what the fuck I was thinking, but yeah. So we did release those, and we had a whole bunch of other stuff that we've gradually done a bunch of singles with. So we'll have one of those tracks on the A side and a couple of Aussie bands covering our songs on the other side. So we've been lucky enough to have some really good bands do that."In the full interview, Link told us the story behind the suddenly found music and why it has been drip-fed over the years. We discussed the song itself, Shutdown, and the funkier direction it takes, asking if that was a direction The Meanies had contemplated taking 25 years ago. He told us of the fun he had writing and recording that sexier number, and the potential for The Meanies to rebrand themselves as sex symbols.We chatted about having Frenzal Rhomb and Leeches! feature on the B Side, each band covering a different song by The Meanies. We also spoke about the friendship and connection between them and Frenzal, and some fun times they have had together over the years. The topic of grunge music and its global invasion was raised, and how The Meanies started up around the same time, but never conformed to what was a rapidly expanding genre. He told us about the band's single launch tour starting on October 31 and what fans can expect, and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

At a time when much of the music industry was still finding its feet after the rapid emergence of alternative rock, Sydney up-and-comers The Clouds took a different approach. Rather than grow with the music trend that was sweeping the country, they decided to get ahead of the curve by expanding on what was, in the 1990s, a sound still very much in development.Coming together towards the end of 1989, The Clouds quickly stamped their own class on the Australian music scene, playing by no rules except their own and daring to colour way outside of the lines to create a sonic tapestry of eclectic beauty that saw the band rapidly surpass the growing movement to create one of their own.By blending dreamy pop, angular rock, and hazy shoegaze elements with warm melodies and poetic, insightful lyrics, The Clouds - armed with two part female harmonies which were almost unheard before in a band situation at the time - have stood the test of time and character, reaching their 35th anniversary as a band with little or no signs of conforming to industry expectations despite the obvious benefits of doing so.To celebrate this milestone, The Clouds embark on a select run of three capital city shows through November in what is sure to be a poignant trip down memory lane for anyone who has even only slightly followed the band and their music over the last three and a bit decades. HEAVY sat down recently with guitarist/vocalist Jodi Phillis to find out more, pointing out that 35 years as a band is as good an excuse as any to hit the stage."It's a bit surreal and a bit crazy," she smiled, looking back on the last 35 years, "but yes, it's always good to have an excuse. Something to hang the tour on, as they say."We bring up the obvious fact that The Clouds have to play certain songs that fans almost demand - like Hieronymus, Red Serenade, Say It and Soul Eater - but also raise the point that being a special anniversary run, the band has the right to be self-indulgent to a degree."We're doing a combination," Jodi laughed. "So we're going to do those ones that we know that the audience enjoys, and we still enjoy playing them otherwise we wouldn't do them. But yeah, we're definitely going to put back in some of the ones that we've dropped for a while that were also our favourites. Plus, we're putting in a couple that are really obscure, so it will be fun."In the full interview, Jodi talks more about the shows and the reasons behind doing three select performances instead of a traditional pub run, keeping match fit and being in a position to perform to your best as the hands of Father Time inevitably catch up and who else other than herself and Patricia Young will be part of the tour.We chat about the early days of The Clouds and the emergence of alternative music, with Jodi deliberating on their place in the alternative movement and how the band sonically negotiated that period. She brings up relearning songs that were written nearly forty years ago and how they have stood the test of time, the balance between playing their existing catalogue and writing new music and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

Melbourne rock/metal outfit To Octavia have shown their hand early in their career, resisting the temptation to follow in the path of easier acceptance in preference for staying true to their art.With the breakout success of their EP Somewhere In A World, Not Of The Dream, it would have been tempting and sensible to rehash the same winning formula for their debut album Melodrama. Their sound had obviously struck a chord with the music-loving public, and more of the same would have likely instantly propelled them into the next level of aspiring artists. But more of the same wasn't on the minds of To Octavia, who instead followed a darker, heavier path more in keeping line with their own musical progression, leaving behind the safety net they had worked so hard for and once again throwing their choices and music at the mercy of the public.It was a decision that has already shown dividends with four singles already making a splash, and with Melodrama coming out this Friday, October 31, it seems like the band's bold decision to defy expectations is not going to backfire on them.HEAVY caught up with guitarist Nav Jay, vocalist Merry Kirk-Holmes and drummer Lucas Keurntjes to chat more and start by asking how they are feeling on the cusp of the album's release."Very excited," enthused Merry. "This album has been in the works for a very long time, so it's really exciting to finally get it out."We ask the boys to dive deeper into Melodrama musically."We were all on the same page when we were writing it and taking it to whatever it was going to be," Merry replied. "We didn't know it was going to be an album at the time. But I guess there's more of a darker tone than the previous EP, Wonderland, which is a bit more upbeat, a bit more poppy and rocky. We decided naturally that we'd go back to our more metal influences, like our roots, really. And that led to experimenting more and more with different kinds of sounds and things."In the full interview, To Octavia tell us more about the musical side of Melodrama and how it is heavier than previous offerings. They detail their thoughts on taking the music in a darker direction and discuss the need to further expand their sound rather than play it safe.They discussed how their music has grown and will continue to grow, how Nav is fitting in to the band, the risk of alienating existing fans with the new direction and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

Norse folk music has always been a more than handy bedfellow with metal music. Despite the obvious sonic contrasts between the two, they seem to combine well with each other, providing an unsettling ambience that could potentially veer into darker territory at any given moment.While Kalandra - spearheaded by four Norwegian and Swedish musicians - make use of these Nordic elements, they also create a sonic tapestry laced with progressive rock and pop sensibilities that is both intimate and consuming. Led by Katrine Stenbekk’s sublime vocals, the band have spent over a decade refining their sound and building a world which has led to them sharing stages with acts like Wardruna, Leprous and Eivor while earning acclaim at festivals such as France's Hellfest and Norway’s Midgardsblot.And now, it's Australia's turn as Kalandra prepare for their first ever trip to our shores, bringing their haunting, beautiful and immersive live experience to a new world filled with new opportunities for the band. HEAVY sat down with vocalist Katrine Stenbekk, guitarists Jogeir Daae Mæland and Florian Bernhard Döderlein Winter plus drummer Oskar Johnsen Rydh to find out more, starting with the final piece of the touring puzzle just falling into place."I just actually got my final email from the Australian government saying that I'm allowed to bring this little funny instrument in," Jogeir laughed, holding up a goat horn. "It's something about the nature instruments and the endangered species in Australia."We ask the band about touring countries for the first time and if they do their homework, pointing out that the Australian sense of humour is a bit different to the rest of the world, offering the example that our way of showing friendship and respect is to pay out on each other."This is very good to know," Florian smiled. "This is like in Toulouse in France. We were very confused because when they boo, the whole crowd goes boo. Apparently, that means that they love it, which is very confusing for us. So yeah, learning these sorts of things like that is very useful to us."In the full interview, we discuss in greater detail what we can expect from Kalandra's live show, why it has taken so long to get over here and what, if any, research they plan to do. We asked them to elaborate on the atmospherics with their music and how they translate to the live arena, as well as the blending of instruments in their music and how that translates live.We spoke about Kalandra's upcoming EP Morketid and what it represents, as well as the musical growth in the band over their journey. I asked about getting the balance right in the creative process and how they know if they have gone too far or not far enough in any musical direction, future plans and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

What better way to kick off a new year than a trifecta of brutality? Which is exactly what Australia is getting next February when death metal miscreants Aborted join forces with Archspire and Organectomy for a tour so crushing they have had to name it the Return To Prison Island Australia Tour 2026.For the last three decades, Aborted have pioneered death metal, taking no prisoners in their blending and cross-pollination of extreme metal, death-grind and ferocious extremities neatly wrapped in a ball of technical precision that defies their relentless approach. Their most recent album, Vault Of Horrors, solidified Aborted's supremacy, and now they are headed our way to spread sonic carnage across the land. While these three bands will complete a four-date capital city run themselves, Aborted and Archspire have also been invited to perform at both Froth & Fury Festival shows, rounding out the tour with bookends in Perth and Adelaide.HEAVY sat down with Aborted's Daniel Konráðsson to find out what to expect. We start by asking if Aborted has hit the road with either Archspire or Organectomy before."We've toured with both of those bands before, absolutely," he smiled at the memory. "We did a summer tour with Archspire, which was a great time. We toured the U.S. together, North America, and had a lot of fun. Those guys definitely are very upper alley, both musically and personally. We've known those guys a long time; the two bands go way back. And sonically, I feel like they align as well, so that makes for a very good package. It's kind of broad, but it's also going to be pretty pummelling most of the way through, which is not bad (laughs). Organectomy were with us throughout Europe, and those guys were awesome. Absolutely awesome. So we're very excited to see them all again, definitely."Over the full interview, the discussion focused on the upcoming Australian tour and live performances by Aborted. Dan shared insights on the importance of crowd participation in creating an engaging atmosphere during shows, emphasising that they aim to foster an active environment where the audience's enjoyment is key to a successful performance.He expressed excitement for Froth & Fury Festival, highlighting the unique experience of a metal-only festival and the opportunity to discover new bands. Dan recommended three key songs for new listeners and reflected on his smooth transition into the band, noting his pride in enhancing their sound while maintaining high production quality in their latest album and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

While the idea of conceptual records and music is nothing new, more often than not, these concepts are drawn from ideas, visions, or the minds of people who are passionate about the very thing they are writing about. While these musical storylines are more often than not an entertaining escape from the mundane existence of everyday life, they are merely a figment of another person's imagination and can be construed as such.But when it comes to conceptual stories surrounding war and the atrocities associated with it, there are few bands who manage the task well. Subjects that have basis in reality and the suffering of others must have an authentic flavour to them in order to be respectful to those who have lived it and their families, with bands like Sabaton standing out for their continued excellence in this field.But there is also another band who delves into the horrors of war with unnerving detail, except this time the band in question themselves live and/or were raised in a war zone. A real-life battle zone where life and death are a daily balancing act. As such, their music is not only based on fact, it is written in conflict.That band is 1914, formed in Lviv, Ukraine, in 2014. From the outset, 1914 have written and sung about war - primarily WW1 - but the daily threat of war that lives on their doorstep enables the band to write with an eerie authenticity unlike most others. 1914's upcoming fourth album, Viribus Unitis, adheres to the same conceptual storyline as each of the other albums, except this time the story arc follows the personal accounts of a Ukrainian soldier in the K.u.K. army, following real events and tracing a timeline from 1914 to 1919. The album paints a grim journey through the war’s rise, climax, and hollow aftermath, combining a brutal mixture of blackened death metal, slow-burning doom, and ambient war soundscapes.HEAVY spoke with vocalist 2nd Division, 147th Infantry Regiment, Senior Lieutenant Dietmar Kumarberg (Dmytro Ternushchak) to find out more."I don't know how I must feel about it," he laughed, speaking with a thick Ukrainian accent. "At least I'm still alive - because I'm from Ukraine - so it's not bad at all in our circumstances. At least we did this, and we finished this album, and we will release it on Napalm Records. I feel some… let's call it happiness (laughs), because I'm allowed to do this, and it's not bad at all."We ask him to dive into the album deeper musically."With this album - like all of ours - we started based on real historical events, with a lot of research," he replied. "It's a big concept. But with this album, we started in a completely different way. We based the whole album on the life of one soldier. This is a soldier from the Western part of Ukraine - my home town. This is the view from one soldier when he faced war at the very beginning of the First World War, and the Russians invaded my hometown, and his regiment must retreat, and he faces the huge battles."In the full interview, Dietmar tells us more about the conceptual journey of the soldier, including his lonely end. He tells us the story behind the title - which is Latin for With United Forces and how it ties in with Viribus Unitus, including personal tales of battle he has endured living in Ukraine.Dietmar goes further into the concept and explains how 1914 manage to create a sonic landscape and atmospherics that take the listener inside the war zone and the importance of research and factual information in their music. He talks of the personal toll writing about such horrific encounters leaves on him after an album cycle and runs us through what it is like living as a musician in Ukraine throughout the war and devastation, plus much more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

CKY are the flag bearers for big, raw, authentic, earth-shaking rock liberated from useless pretence. They burned it all down, with a raucous, anarchic rock sound soaked in the skate-punk culture that birthed them; and a hard-partying lifestyle onstage and off that left decimated relationships and reputations in its wake.Boasting a collection of killer rock anthems like 99 Quite Bitter Beings, Flesh Into Gear, Escape From Hellview and Familiar Realm, CKY's music is a huge part of the infamous Jackass TV series as well as just about every skate and surf compilation of the era and covered by the likes of modern superstars Polyphia, leaving a highly influential imprint on the current punk/alternate scene.Following the infamous incident that forced the cancellation of their participation in the co-headline tour with Alien Ant Farm, CKY are finally making their way to Australia in January for three very special shows. HEAVY sat down with drummer Jess Margera to find out what to expect.We can't help but point out it has been well over a decade since CKY were last out here. "I can't believe it's been 14 years, that's crazy." Jess laughed. We follow by asking what has changed with the band since the last tour."We have a new bass player, Mike Leon," he replied, "and man, he's a shredder. He worked with the Cavalera's, and he did some stuff with that new band IIgor. It's really cool. He makes my job easy (laughs)."Talk turns to the early days of CKY and where they fit into the music scene."Same as now, we don't really fit in anywhere," Jess laughed, "which is a blessing and a curse. We've been doing this a long time, and a lot of bands can't really say that. So, it's funny when we play the festivals, because they don't know where to put us. We've played the metal stage, the punk stage, the rock stage… It's funny in that respect, but I think having our own sound has definitely afforded us to have a career. I don't take that for granted at all."In the full interview, Jess talks more about touring, emphasizing the challenges of maintaining their high-energy live performances as the band ages, particularly in hot weather, while also addressing the complexities of curating a set list that appeals to a diverse fan base by analyzing streaming data.Jess shared insights into CKY's unconventional rise to fame, highlighting the influence of skate culture and media appearances, including stunts for Jackass that sometimes led to injuries and tour cancellations. The conversation also touched on the band's eclectic musical style, their instinctual creative process, and the decision to release new music as singles in response to evolving listener habits, alongside reflections on memorable touring experiences, particularly in Japan.TOUR DATESFriday, Jan 23: Max Watts, MelbourneSaturday, Jan 24: Crowbar, SydneySunday, Jan 25: Crowbar, BrisbaneBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

In a relatively short amount of time as far as the music industry goes, Swedish rock outfit Smash Into Pieces have quickly risen to become one of the leading exponents of rock on the planet. After twice reaching the Swedish Eurovision final and delivering a string of consistently quality albums, the band found themselves on the international stage and touring with bands of the calibre of Evanescence and Within Temptation.But if you think getting somewhere near the top is hard, it's even harder staying there. All of a sudden, the weight of expectation falls heavier on your shoulders, and new music is critiqued on a level never experienced before. Which is why the next album from Smash Into Pieces couldn't just be as good as previous releases. It had to be better.Which is exactly what Smash Into Pieces have achieved with Armaheaven, to be released on October 31. Continuing the battle between humanity and AI where previous album Ghost Code left off, Armaheaven paints an even bleaker picture of humanity's future, set to the backdrop of a cinematic and sonically abundant tapestry of riches throughout its 15 tracks. It is another step forward in the evolution of Smash Into Pieces, and reaffirms their growing status with an almost effortless ambience that hints at even more expansion to come.HEAVY sat down with frontman Chris Sörbye to find out more."We have been working on this album for a long time," he told us. "There's a lot of songs there that have been with us for a long time, which we haven't really had the time to finish. For example, Devil In My Head has been with us for almost five years now. We didn't know what to make of that song in the early stages, but it turned out great."In the full interview, Chris talks more about the musical side of Armaheaven, how it continues from Ghost Code, runs us through the storyline and gives some insightful thoughts into AI.He talks us through the guest artists on the album, including Elize Ryd from Amaranthe and the history between the two bands. The topic of integrating cinematic scores into their music was discussed, as was the art of conveying emotion through atmospherics in the studio. Talk turned to their recent tour of Australia, the ever-evolving sonic palate explored by Smash Into Pieces and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

Celebrating twenty years in the music industry is a great achievement in itself, but celebrating 20 years of sustained success is even better. Bursting out of the blocks with their 2007 debut album The Way Of The Fist, Five Finger Death Punch were on a collision course with the rest of the world, laying the foundations for a turbulent yet continual upwards trajectory.By the time War Is The Answer followed two years later, the band were notorious for their rebellious spirit and ruthless approach to music, but love them or hate them, there was no denying Five Finger Death Punch were the real deal. For every one person who hated the band, there was another ten who loved them, and despite the public perception that 5FDP were the bad boys of metal, they maintained their belief and integrity and stayed on course.Now, 20 years later, that trajectory is available for the world to share when Volume 2 of the band's Best Of double header is released on October 24 via Better Noise Music. Both albums feature music entirely re-recorded, with 5FDP tenaciously clinging to the notion that their music was to be celebrated, not recycled. On the eve of the release of Volume 2, HEAVY sat down for a chat with guitarist Zoltan Bathory to relive the journey that has been two decades in the making."It's kind of crazy, because by doing this little exercise of recording these songs, we got to sort of revisit our past, you know?" he began. "Because we are a forward-facing band, like what's next? Where are we going? What's the next thing we're doing? So it's not really that we're looking into the rearview mirror so much, and so this was kind of crazy, looking back… 20 years… if I had to put some money in and bet, I probably would bet against us (laughs). I would have lost, because not many bands make it that long. It's difficult. And from all bands, this was like… it was a fire tornado or whatever for the last 20 years (laughs)."We ask Zoltan which of the two Best Of albums is his personal favourite."Each record has amazing moments, and both records have a song that has a feature," he measured. "The first one had Maria Brink, and that song became a number-one song. And it made a lot of sense. A lot of people don't know this, but In This Moment, and Maria and Five Finger Death Punch, our history is kind of intertwined. Not many people know this, but there was a band in Los Angeles that was a local band that was fairly big locally, but never really made it. And when this band fell apart, half of the band became In This Moment, and the other half went to Five Finger Death Punch. Then they got the record deal, I think, with Century Media. Then we got ours and we sort of grew in the same time. They were heavier, so they kind of went into that direction. We had radio songs, so the band obviously blew up."In the full interview, Zoltan takes us into both albums in greater detail, highlighting the guest artists on each and why they were chosen. He explained the band's decision to re-record everything rather than re-mix it or touch it up with technology, and relayed some fun stories from their studio time.We spoke about the never-before-released live songs on Volume 2 and how the band chose which songs to put on each album and why. Zoltan shared insights into changing certain bits of the songs, and if that was a rehearsed or jammed in the studio decision, what songs he may have fallen back in love with again during the process, plus he also revealed details of planned new music and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

Interview by Kyra-Jade CoombsOnly recently I celebrated my five-year anniversary with HEAVY Mag and over the years I’ve had the privilege of meeting and interviewing some of the world’s biggest music stars, living out my wildest music nerd dreams. Nerves come and go depending on who it is that I’m interviewing, and ‘normally’ I hold my shit together. Today? Oh boy… Don’t get me wrong, I jumped at the opportunity to have a chat with Wolfgang Van Halen, although it wasn’t until I somehow blasted through THREE, yes three, whole pages of questions I wanted to ask that I sat back and reflected on the gravity of the occasion. I thought about what his music means to me, what his family’s music means to me, and how insane it was that I would be casually chatting to Wolf from my little office in Australia.Wolf’s newest album from his band project Mammoth, The End, is due for its release on October 24, and this was a major topic interview. I wanted to know how this recording experience at the legendary 5150 Studios varied from his other Mammoth albums and what it was like to work with Robert Rodriguez on his self-titled film clip that honours the 1996 Quentin Tarantino horror film From Dusk Till Dawn as it celebrates turning 30 next year. If you haven’t already, do yourself a favour and watch it. Many Easter eggs await to be spotted… I’ll wait, hurry back...Being a man of many hats, or instruments rather, I felt I already knew what his stance would be about this particular question, although trying to be a good journalist, I wanted to ask about AI/technology and see how he felt about its place in the music industry. His answer was pretty much F$%K AI. "There's no soul or heart behind it. It makes hot dogs - it’s all gross stuff and none of it is real". Great answer, and honestly, if I’m going to trust anyone’s opinion on the matter, it’s going to be the guy who’s taught himself instruments without asking a computer to ‘fill in the gaps’. AI has its place in mundane tasks, not in our creative community.This was such a fun interview. We covered a lot of ground mapping out his music journey this far, dropping cool stories and treasured memories from over the years that only a Van Halen fan could subtly sprinkle in. Look, I could carry on all day - this is only meant to be a quick summary, go ahead and check out the video below and have Wolf tell you all about it himself!Get ready to have your f*#$king socks blown clean off. The End is near, and for once, everyone is running towards it. Be prepared to turn it up LOUD with your air guitar and drum sticks ready on stand by.Bye, legends!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

Sean Martin from The Quarantined took some time out recently to catch up with HEAVY Mag's Ali Williams to chat about their new release Nemesis (Friend of Mine), overcoming toxic relationships and algorithms and what the next chapter for the band entails. Discussing the creative process of songwriting and their musical influences and intentions, Sean explains the origin of their song Nemesis (Friend of Mine), which started as a poem inspired by a sudden burst of creativity. The transformation from poem to song presented challenges, especially in conveying the depth of the lyrics in a musical format. He goes on to talk about blending different musical genres, such as rock and pop rhythms, saying their goal was to capture the emotional energy of the lyrics while drawing inspiration from various music styles, including Aaliyah’s Tell Me You're That Somebody. Martin details the meaning and influences behind the lyrics of their new track, noting the song addresses themes of paranoia, confrontation, and understanding narcissistic behaviours. It reflects on overcoming manipulation and the personal growth that comes from understanding difficult personalities. These guys had the incredible opportunity to be recorded at Blackbird Studios in Nashville, which contributed a warm sonic quality to the music due to the use of historic equipment. Martin recalls the recording sessions were a calm experience, leading to a sound that improved upon previous versions. The production process involved collaboration with studio musicians who were given creative freedom within the framework of Sean’s original composition. This approach ultimately led to a more refined and satisfying final product. The Quarantined’s music often addresses political and social issues, aiming to promote free thinking and cautioning against fascism. He touches on the current state of societal discourse in the U.S., emphasizing the importance of diverse perspectives, acknowledging that he feels that artists and musicians, particularly from the US are in a position where the ability to express political and social commentary through music has been reduced to virtually impossible unless you want to be cancelled. Drawing heavily on a blend of punk, metal, and hip-hop influences, Martin describes it as a watering down of the essence of what those genres stand for, highlighting the similarities between these genres in terms of their energy and message. The goal is to create music that resonates across different audience segments. Ideally, without enraging the public or facing adversary reaction. The Quarantined’s new release Nemesis (Friend of Mine) is out now and available on all platforms.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

Few bands in history have left such a lasting impression in music as Santa Barbara funk metal outfit Snot.Forming in 1995, Snot released just one album before having their career cut short by the tragic death of frontman Lynn Strait. Despite their short time as a band, such was the impression left by Lynn and Snot that after his death, a tribute album called Strait Up was recorded in his honour, featuring everyone from Slipknot to System Of A Down to Sevendust paying tribute to the man and his music.Snot's fusion of genres - before it was common to do so - stood them out from other bands of the era, with their blending of hardcore, punk, nu metal and funk combining for the masterpiece that was their debut album Get Some.The band have flirted with the idea of reigniting the flame with a new frontman several times since Lynn's passing, but until recently, and buoyed by the resurgence of nu metal, have failed to find that elusive spark that ignited three decades ago to create pure musical magic.Next January, for the first time in over a decade, Snot return to Australia for a run of shows with Soulfly and Nailbomb - including Froth & Fury Festival - with vocalist Andy Knapp (Stronger Than Machines) to introduce a new generation to the power of music. HEAVY spoke with bass player John Fahnestock to find out what to expect. We start by running over the three touring bands - Soulfly, Nailbomb and Snot - and reiterate the quality of music in one package."Soulfly and Nailbomb, right," John laughed. "They are good friends of ours. We have known each other for, God, going on 25 years or more. Mikey (Doling, founding member and guitarist) also played in Soulfly after Snot, after Lynn had passed. So, we're out on the road with family again. We played with Soulfly in Mexico City back in May and rekindled our friendship, and here we are coming to Australia now."We ask John about their new vocalist, Andy Knapp, and what they were looking for in a frontman after trialling two previous vocalists in Tommy Vext and Carl Bensley."I think the whole thing is a lot different now," he measured. "We are pretty much saying Snot is back at this point. We finally found in Andy what we basically were dreaming of having, and I'm not saying anything negative on the past singers that we had. Before, when we put Snot back together, it wasn't like 'we're reforming, we're back', anything like that. We were just more doing it for fun, for the love of music, the love of Jamie and Mikey and myself playing together.And we were like, let's go out and play the songs, you know? But it wasn't seriously saying we're back and coming back here to stay, like we are now. It's a blessing to have found Andy and what he's doing, and obviously, the response from the fans has been nothing but positive."In the full interview, John spoke more about the upcoming Australian shows, what has changed with the band in the decade since they were last here and what we can expect. He spoke more about welcoming Andy Knapp as frontman and what sorts of things Snot were looking for in their new vocalist.He told us about the first show with Knapp and how old time fans reacted, how Snot's music relates with modern audiences, and how their sound shaped a generation of bands. We talked about the early days of Snot and the musical climate that gave birth to the band, their initial sound and how they found the balance between genres, including how to know when or if they had gone too far in one direction or not far enough in another.We spoke about the impact of Snot's debut album, Get Some, and the band's initial feelings on the album, including Lynn Strait's early vision for Snot and his musical passion. John delved deeper into the tribute album Strait Up and the contributions of the many bands, new music the band have written and if that will translate into a full album and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

Interview by Ali KBrisbane’s Community radio station 4ZZZ is celebrating 50 years of being on the airwaves. Known for being the springboard for most of Brisbane’s best-known musicians and bands, the station has been an integral part of their journeys. The day will be market day style, reminiscent of the original market days 4ZZZ held at Roma Street Parklands. Regurgitator have well and truly formed their position as one of Brisbane’s most well-known artists who, like many before and after, had their music on radio hosts' playlists at Zed Headquarters. Joining The Gurg on the line-up for Saturday’s celebrations will be The Saints, Butterfingers, Tropical Fuck Storm, Big Noter, Screamfeeder, Party Dozen, Flangipanis, plus many more. The Gurg's Ben Ely shares with HEAVY some of that nostalgia, noting that their reappearance on the stage at The Parklands will be the first time they’ve played since their initial gig there back in 1994. With a whopping four songs they’d written and an old drum sampler that played sounds of dogs barking and glass shattering, Regurgitator took to the stage and gave it all they had, having to play two songs twice in order to fill the time slot. The Gurg also announced their JUKEBOXXIN Tour, which kicks off in November. These guys have locked in for the long haul, taking their tour literally everywhere through until around August 2026, including New Zealand and Japan. They will be playing all 58 of their singles over an extended show that’ll be in two sets. Joining them as support will be South Australia’s Dem Mob. Tickets and event details for Zed 50 can be found at Oztix or via https://4zzz.org.au. Tickets and event information for Regurgitator’s JUKEBOXXIN Tour can be found at https://www.regurgitator.netBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

In the more than two decades since the band's launch, Sabaton has headlined major festivals, sold-out arena concerts worldwide, and gained a legion of loyal fans by carving out a reputation as one of the hardest-working bands in the business. Since their 2005 debut album, they’ve earned Gold, Platinum, and multi-Platinum certifications in territories around the world with their 10 studio albums. Eight of their albums scored Top 10 international chart status, and six claimed the Top 5. SABATON has earned eight Metal Hammer/Golden Gods Awards nominations, taking home the award for Breakthrough Artist in 2011 and Best Live Band in three different years, and a Grammis nomination (Swedish equivalent to the U.S. Grammy Award) as Best Heavy Metal band.Now, Sabaton return with their newest album and perhaps greatest triumph, Legends. LEGENDS marks the very first time that every band member has come together to contribute to the songwriting process. This is SABATON as you’ve never heard them before—relentless and unbound. LEGENDS is a global journey through the annals of warfare, leadership and unbreakable will.Throughout the album, SABATON—Joakim Brodén (vocals), Pär Sundström (bass), Chris Rörland (guitar), Thobbe Englund (guitar), Hannes Van Dahl (drums)—delve into some of history’s greatest and most loved characters such as Jeanne D’arc (also known as Joan of Arc), Hannibal, Genghis Khan, Vlad the Impaler, Julius Caesar, the Knights Templar, and the legendary swordmaster Miyamoto Musashi.HEAVY caught up with frontman Joakim Brodén to find out more."We're an evolutionary band, not a revolutionary band," he began, "so every album is a little bit of an evolution. It's never going to change completely between albums. If you listen to our first album and our last album, with this one, there's a huge difference. But between the albums, it's usually a smaller step or a slightly bigger step. And I think this is a slightly bigger step, actually, maybe because the previous two albums were about World War One, and now we're jumping in history. We are covering everything from Ancient Egypt - that's 1800 before Christ - to Napoleon 1800 after Christ, and jumping both in time and geographically, quite a bit in between there. So I think that has sort of influenced the music and the sound to a certain extent."In the full interview, Joakim discussed Sabaton's latest album Legends, detailing the lengthy process of its completion and the band's evolutionary approach to music. Joakim explained the criteria for selecting historical figures honoured in their songs, emphasizing a literal interpretation of legends and sharing personal connections to figures. He expressed surprise at the philosophical insights of Miyamoto Musashi discovered during songwriting and discussed his creative process, which includes managing writer's block.The conversation also touched on the limited edition vinyl of Legends, the band's commitment to diverse music formats, and upcoming tours in Europe, the US, and Canada, highlighting the excitement of live performances and audience engagement and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

Interview by Kyra-Jade CoombsOctober with all its spooky Halloween charm is the perfect setting to catch up with Wednesday 13. Our very own Kim Dracula has summoned Wednesday 13 to join him in his Australian tour starting in Sydney on the 21st of November. These shows are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth for all things macabre with each band having their unique style and stage presence that will have you hooked.Throughout his career Wednesday 13 has had such an interesting journey and we couldn’t wait to hear his story. Maintaining success in this industry doesn’t come easy. Among many other things, Wednesday has managed to reinvent himself after riding the wave of success with The Murderdolls, proving his music, tenacity and brand is something special.We delve into the origins of Wednesday 13 - the stage name, the band and the influence horror has had on Wednesday's career. He went on to share a story about working on set in full costume when a wildfire in LA breaks out and the band jumped in to help save the day which got his blood pumping and concreted his dislike of fires. Over the interview we started to reveal the many layers that make up the Wednesday 13 that we know and love today and we hope you enjoy peaking into his weird and wonderful world.The Horror Down Under Tour is going to be one hell of a show that you don’t want to miss out on. TOUR DATESFriday, Nov 21: Princess Theatre, BrisbaneSaturday, Nov 22: The Metro, SydneySunday, Nov 23: Northcote Theatre, MelbourneWednesday, Nov 26: UC Hub, CanberraFriday, Nov 28: The Gov, AdelaideSaturday, Nov 29: Magnet House, Perthhttps://thephoenix.au/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.