Meanjin/Brisbane metalcore outfit Wildheart are one of the most prolific and vital local heavy acts right now. The band’s socially conscious lyrics and tireless work ethic has earned them the respect of their peers as well as industry recognition. Their debut album Global Crisis was named the 2022 Gold Coast Music Award’s Release of the Year after reaching #10 on Australian Independent Record Labels Association charts.
Since then, Wildheart have shared the 2023 EP Solid Rock//Sacred Ground, including a cover of the hit Goanna singalong. This year has already seen them share three singles, undergo a lineup change, and announce their highly-anticipated sophomore record Searching for Life Beyond Tragedy, out 15 November. The eight-track project is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland and will showcase the quintet at their finest.
In preparation for the album, we caught up the boys to discuss new music, politics, and more.
With your new album Searching for Life Beyond Tragedy due in a month (congrats!), how does it feel to have this next chapter of Wildheart just around the corner?
Feelings are always a bit mixed. Excited for people to hear it, but there’s always a bit of apprehension on giving something that has been yours for so long to the rest of the world.
Now that you’re one of Rivercity’s leading metalcore acts, what’s the best thing about being a Brisbane-based band?
We used to brag about having Crowbar, then it went away. BUT now it’s back, so we get to wear that badge again. Brisbane is kinda like a big country town, so there is definitely some good in knowing a lot of people in the scene.
Since releasing “Death is All That’s Left” in April, you’ve also shared the singles “Withered” and “Evergreen”. What do these songs mean to you, and how did they come together?
“Withered” allowed Wildheart to return to its more introspective roots, and was reflective of how we were feeling being bombarded with atrocities daily in the news cycle. That, along with guitarist Axel Best’s own struggles with anxiety, really empowered us to write a song to shine light on that.
“Evergreen” came after, when the sadness turned into anger at inaction on the very things threatening our planet; war, climate change, corporate greed, global catastrophes.
Empowering oppressed people and challenging mental health stigmas seem to be at the heart of the band’s mission. What do you expect from listeners as active members of the community?
Wildheart believes we all have a role to play in dispelling stigmas associated with mental health and talking about it openly and honestly. Initiatives like R U OK Day are often downplayed as not addressing the root cause of the issue, and whilst they are a great conversation starter, we all have a role to play in supporting each other and normalising the idea that it’s okay to not be okay.
In your opinion, what’s the biggest opportunity for growth in the Australian government? How could our current leaders do more for the younger generation?
They could start by listening to their younger voters. We just want to be able to afford to pay rent, able to afford to put food on the table, and maybe buy a house? It’s definitely a mask-off moment when the “party of workers” has no interest in helping the working class or those living below the poverty line.
You’ve got some shows coming up in Brisbane, Adelaide and Sydney this month and next. What can we expect from the live set, and where would you be most excited to play next?
We would love to be able to do a proper regional run and play some places we’ve never had the chance to go to! We’d also love to finally play Perth and perhaps even overseas.
Wildheart will be performing a co-headliner with Never Lose Sight at Black Bear Lodge in Brisbane on 27 October before taking their blistering live show to Adelaide’s Jive Bar on 1 November and supporting Vilify at Sydney’s Burdekin Hotel on 9 November.
Searching for Life Beyond Tragedy is out 15 November.
Stay connected with Wildheart on Facebook and Instagram for regular updates.
