Interview by Kris Peters
Sometimes playing nice doesn't get the desired results, especially in music.
To really get to know yourself, your bandmates, and your audience, stepping into a studio and cutting some tracks with more polish than Mr. Sheen is often a band aid fix to a bandage problem. Any inconsistencies and/or inadequacies can be ironed out with creative technology and by the time you make it to the stage in a live environment, you are not only suffering from an inflated ego, but, more importantly, the sudden knowledge that without studio gadgets you're actually not very good.
Newcastle noise merchants FIST decided to do the opposite, knocking out hard yards on the touring circuit and playing more than 70 shows in front of new faces before offering up their first studio single KA-BOOM (MTHRFCKR). And if this one song is anything to go by, their bold move has paid off.
KA-BOOM (MTHRFCKR) is being premiered via HEAVY at 5pm AEDT on Wednesday, January 15 before being officially released through other channels two days later. The song hits with the subtlety of Thor's hammer and is a welcome breath of savage air that hopefully will continue long into the coming year.
Pretty much everything FIST has done so far is the opposite to what you would read in the modern age "How To Make It In Music" guide. But also, pretty much everything FIST has done so far has proved you don't need to follow rules. There are no rules in music. Isn't that part of the magic of the industry?
HEAVY spoke with FIST pumper Josh Morgan to find out more and start by thanking the band for a late sonic Christmas present.
"It's a very late Christmas present," he countered. "It should have been out a year before, but we're finally getting into it. We did a live album so we could try and get as much out of those songs as we can before we have to actually pay all the money to record them (laughs)."
In the full interview we talk about the band's different approach to establishing a fan base, if it worked, the benefits of road testing songs for a prolonged period before committing them to file, why they chose KA-BOOM (MTHRFCKR) as the first song to record, what to expect musically, upcoming shows, censoring your own music to an extent so as not to offend people and more.


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Sydney rock outfit Dear Seattle epitomize the current wave of emerging Australian bands.
With a distinctive Aussie tinge to their emotive and propulsive wares, Dear Seattle first emerged onto the scene back in 2013, releasing their debut EP Words Are Often Useless that same year. Following a second EP release, 2017's self-titled Dear Seattle, the Northern Beaches-hailing group solidified their presence with their first ever full-length album Don't Let Go in 2019, also securing the group a #10 spot on the ARIA Australian Album Charts.
Unleashing their powerful sophomore album Someday in 2022, Dear Seattle expanded their legacy to even greater heights, with Someday debuting at #4 on the ARIA Australian Album Charts, a Spotlight Album feature on triple j, and Rolling Stone declaring that "Dear Seattle is born again".
But with success comes greater responsibility (or something like that), and Dear Seattle are certainly under the microscope of public and media scrutiny as they prepare to unleash their third album Toy this Friday, January 27. Not that you would know it.
Four of the six album launch parties Dear Seattle hosted around the country in the lead up to Christmas were sold out, not a bad effort in a time where crowds and the music industry in general have basically come to a stand still.With four shows left to complete the tour - the first of which will be in Canberra this Thursday - focus now switches to Friday's release of Toy.
Will it live up to the hype? Will it live up to the expectation? Will Toy make Dear Seattle bigger than Nirvana? HEAVY caught up with frontman Brae Fisher to find out the answers to these questions and more.
"We've just done a few interviews before this, and it's so nice to chat about the album and kind of let everyone in on the process of what we've been doing for the last two years or so," he enthused. "I'm super excited. All the lead-up has been great. The energy's good. The shows have been awesome. I couldn't be more stoked."
In the full interview, Brae talks more about Dear Seattle's new album Toy, what to expect musically, the process of deciding which tracks make it onto the album, the importance of growing musically while still staying true to your musical DNA, the singles released and how they represent the album as a whole, the nostalgic truth behind the album title, their remaining album launch shows and more.

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Cavalera is a name with its fingerprints all over the history of heavy metal, an inspiring family legacy built upon decades of musical aggression, starting all the way back in 1984 in Brazil with Sepultura.
Over the last couple of years, Max and Iggor Cavalera revisited their first three releases, Morbid Visions, Bestial Devastation, and Schizophrenia, re-recording them for Nuclear Blast Records with a new level of intensity that impossibly captures the raw, youthful and trademark sounds of these iconic and pioneering releases. This month will see them bring the songs that laid the groundwork for not just their own legacy, but that of both the death and thrash metal genres, to Australia for a series of live offerings that will add yet another chapter to their non-stop commitment to extreme metal.
HEAVY caught up with Max Cavalera for a chat so good we have had to split it over two weeks. In today's second chapter, Max delves into his mindset when he went into the studio to revisit music from his past, how the new versions of all three albums are an improvement on the original, his thoughts on how the albums would have been received back then had they been recorded using the knowledge and experience he has today, the emotions that pass over him every time he steps on stage, the blending of experience and youthful exuberance in Cavalera that ensures the ball keeps rolling and more.


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Heeding the call for their first odyssey to Australia and handed the highly important task of hyping up the party hungry, NEKROGOBLIKON - the self-proclaimed Kings of Goblin Metal - promise to deliver a unique blend of melodic rock and gnarly death metal, infused with EDM-style flourishes when they arrive here for a run of shows with Alestorm towards the end of February.
Fronted by their ostentatious singing goblin hypeman John Goblikon and new screaming vocalist Dickie Allen (Infant Annihilator) the band takes cues from GWAR, Finntroll, and Dethklok, while maintaining a humorous, self-referential style.
For those unfamiliar with Nekrogoblikon unfortunately there isn't much HEAVY can do to help you understand the band on a more personal level, but the next best thing is to introduce the faithful and the new to guitarist Alex Alereza who we spoke with over two conversations about three weeks apart…
We put Alex straight on the spot by asking how Nekrogoblikon have managed to avoid Australia for so long.
"It's not on purpose, I promise that," he laughed. "We've been talking about it forever, and it's been something that we tried to make happen. There's been a few times there were tentative plans and then some kind of logistical nightmare occurred or something. Luckily this time we finally… our team was persistent this time (laughs). Like, we have to get you guys out there. It's the perfect way for us to do Australia for the first time, with another like-minded, fun band. I already feel like we'll be coming back more often after this."
In the full interview we spoke about the touring dynamics between Nekrogoblikon and Alestorm, what he is expecting from Australian crowds, the importance of keeping music fun, the role of their resident Goblin in everything from the live show to production to recording, the modern sanitized musical climate and where Nekrogoblikon sit in that respect, their musical mish mash of genres and why it works, new music and more.


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Cavalera is a name with its fingerprints all over the history of heavy metal, an inspiring family legacy built upon decades of musical aggression, starting all the way back in 1984 in Brazil with Sepultura.
Over the last couple of years, Max and Iggor Cavalera revisited their first three releases, Morbid Visions, Bestial Devastation, and Schizophrenia, re-recording them for Nuclear Blast Records with a new level of intensity that impossibly captures the raw, youthful and trademark sounds of these iconic and pioneering releases. This month will see them bring the songs that laid the groundwork for not just their own legacy, but that of both the death and thrash metal genres, to Australia for a series of live offerings that will add yet another chapter to their non-stop commitment to extreme metal.
HEAVY caught up with Max Cavalera for a chat so good we have had to split it over two weeks…
"Nostalgic brutality brother," he smiled when asked what delights Cavalera have planned for us. "Let me break it down for you why I say nostalgic brutality. It's because it's the closest thing you can get to 1980s Brazil extreme metal scene. Morbid Visions, Bestial devastation, Schizophrenia… it's the brutality of those records, the way they're meant to sound, the way we meant them to sound. Just like the re-recordings, except it's live. It's all real, live shit. No gimmicks. No other crap. It's plug your amp and go."
In the full interview, we discuss the set list in more detail, including potential cover songs and new tracks from re-recorded albums. Max shared his emotional experience of performing alongside family members, highlighting the unique chemistry between seasoned and younger musicians, and likening their bond to a "mafia" that ensures a lasting musical legacy. He also elaborated on the motivation behind re-recording classic albums, driven by a desire to enhance sound quality while maintaining the raw essence of the originals, identifying Schizophrenia as the standout performance and Morbid Visions as his favorite for its sonic qualities.
Max introduced the other members of the band besides himself and Iggor, their plans on how to re-record those three classic albums to improve on the originals, what things they focused on and more.
In part 2, coming next week, we talk about his mindset going into the studio, any difficulties he may have faced, what memories revisiting the albums brought back, having his son with him for the new recordings and plenty of other stuff.


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Opening for any major international touring band is a daunting task, but when you face the prospect of opening for two heavyweights of the metal scene in Sylosis and Angelmaker, that task becomes almost impossible.
But don't mention that to rising Australian metalcore outfit Lune, who will be doing just that when the Australian tour kicks off in Perth on February 11. Not that they won't agree with you, it's more that the band already know and are more than ready for the challenge.
HEAVY caught up with founding members and brothers Nathaniel (vocals) and Krys Smith (guitar) to find out more.
"I'm particularly nervous," Krys began, "because Sylosis are one of those bands that I found when I was formative with my guitar playing. I remember watching a video with Josh (Middleton) teaching how to sweep, and I was just learning to play guitar at the time. So it's pretty hectic for me to be playing shows with that guy. I'm super keen. Just in the process of putting a set together and making sure the nuts and bolts are nice and tight. Very, very excited."
In the full interview, the band spoke more about the honour of playing with bands they grew up listening to and the challenges of putting on the best show possible. They elaborated on their touring strategy, focusing on musical perfection and creating a positive environment for all involved, highlighting the importance of tailoring their set list to resonate with audiences while maintaining high energy during performances.We went deeper into a Lune live performance and what to expect, the reception for previous album The Change Around Us And The Change In You, new music and more.



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Fresh off a relentless touring schedule across the United States and Europe, HED PE are ready to conquer Australia once again and, for the first time since 2018, New Zealand.
HED P.E. has been a cornerstone in the rock and metal scene, captivating audiences with their unique blend of rock, punk, rasta, gangsta rap, and soul. Many bands three decades into their career would be happy to tread the boards and play for the nostalgia, but not HED P.E. Their most recent and incredibly fifteenth album, Detox, was released in December 2023 and shows a band with no time to sit on their hands and muse about the past. Detox is a crushing return to the G-Punk sound that the band's fans know and adore.
HEAVY sat down with frontman Jahred Gomes on the eve of the tour.
Jahred described HED P.E's live performances as a journey that incorporates various musical styles, including hardcore, punk, reggae, and hip-hop, and reflected on the positive reception of the album and their recent UK tour. 
He emphasized the importance of creating new music and touring, despite industry challenges, and acknowledged the band's ability to connect with diverse audiences. He confirmed that a secret record is in the works, which will be announced soon, plus reminisced about the early days of HED P.E. and how they have changed as a band over the course of their career and plenty more.


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Interview by Nev Pearce (Everblack Podcast)
Mayhem’s 40th Anniversary show promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for fans, offering a powerful setlist that spans their groundbreaking career - from the raw intensity of their debut album Deathcrush to their latest sonic explorations. This concert will honor the band’s four-decade legacy of musical innovation, boundary-pushing performances, and unrelenting influence on the black metal genre.
Fans in Australia will have the exclusive chance to witness this historic celebration, featuring a dynamic live performance that looks back on Mayhem’s journey as pioneers of extreme music. Expect a unique blend of rare footage, iconic photos, and a career-spanning set that underscores the band’s enduring impact on metal and music as a whole.
The Everblack Podcast caught up with Necrobutcher from MAYHEM to talk about their return down under for their 40th anniversary tour, reconnecting with previous members Manheim and Messiah, new music on the way and more.


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Brisbane metal legends Dreamkillers could be forgiven for resting on past accomplishments and spending the remainder of their career playing songs that are known and loved by many without placing themselves at the mercy of the metal Gods by continuing to write and release new music.
Since bursting onto the Brisbane music scene in the early 1990s and revolutionising Australian metal with their debut EP Poison In The Soup, Dreamkillers have been a mainstay on the circuit, evolving at their own pace without pause for expectation and/or conformity. Their refusal to bow down to authority and succumb to the whims and desires of industry heavyweights has seen Dreamkillers court controversy and embrace it, standing by their morals and music in a world that has become increasingly sanitised and confronting.
Where most bands into the fourth ten year stretch of their musical journey are content to go through the motions, Dreamkillers are only strengthening their resolve.
Churning out seven new songs over the past year - all of which will remain as stand alone singles for now - the band shows no sign of slowing down, recently inking a deal with Australian label XMusic and assembling a new batch of songs that promise to continue the bands enduring legacy.
They are, quite simply, a musical enigma. An immovable sonic blast of intent and uncompromising honesty that has all but died out in modern times.
HEAVY was fortunate enough to speak with the whole band over the last couple of days, running over the swag of tunes released over the last 12 months and how they reflect Dreamkillers moving forward.
"Unreal, it's pumping," the band answered when we ask how they feel entering the new year. 
"It's going good," guitarist Damo added. "More shenanigans, more music, more shows and more debauchery if we can have our way with it (laughs)."
"We just had a conversation," added vocalist Les Jobson. "We've got so many tracks we don't know whether to do a double album or two single albums. We just got busy. We thought we won't pay gigs, we'll write songs this year and that's what we did. Next year we're taking it to the streets."
In the full interview we discuss Dreamkillers upcoming show at HEAVY Resolutions on New Years Eve, run through each of the tracks released this year and what they are about, chat about what to expect from the upcoming album and which sonic direction it is leaning towards, go deeper into the songwriting process that breathes life and meaning into the band's music, signing with XMusic and what it means to the band, our regular Photo Bomb segment and more.

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Texan metalcore outfit Memphis May Fire decimated Australian fans almost a decade ago when they toured through the country as special guests to Parkway Drive in 2015. Known for their unassailable live shows, MMF have an uncanny ability to connect with their audience on an otherworldly plane, turning band and audience into one living, breathing, circle pit dancing organism that refuses to yield.
The band return in July 2025 as co-headliners with Atreyu, who are celebrating the 20th anniversary of The Curse with a series of never to be repeated shows that will see them play the songs from the album as well as other fan favourites. Individually, each band is an ominous live machine, but together they promise to deliver night after night of sonic carnage to remind us what we have been missing out on.
HEAVY caught up with frontman Matty Mullins to find out what to expect.
"The excitement definitely sinks in nice and early," he smiled when asked if he had cast an eye towards the Australian tour with some six months before it kicks off. "The reality of it all will hit a little closer to that timeframe."
We mention the double punch of Atreyu and Memphis May Fire on the same bill, with Matty admitting the union is pretty special to not just the fans, but the bands as well.
"We've done a co-headliner tour here in the States as well, so bringing that to Australia seems like the right fit," he noted.
In the full interview, Matty highlighted plans to perform a mix of new songs from their forthcoming album Shapeshifter, scheduled for release on March 28, alongside classic hits to engage long-time fans. Matt reflected on the band's evolution and how their experiences have improved their live performances, while also addressing the challenges of creating diverse music while preserving their distinct sound. He concluded by expressing excitement about reconnecting with Australian fans and delivering a memorable show, covering heaps more territory over the course of the interview.



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