Author: Dylan Oxley

Review: Future Static’s Liminality is a stunning debut album (2023 LP)

Naarm/Melbourne alt-metal five-piece Future Static have today shared their highly-anticipated debut album Liminality via Wild Thing Records. The 12-track project two years in the making is a blend of deft guitarwork over intricate rhythms as vocalist Amariah Cook brings a passionate and powerful performance. Produced, mixed and mastered by Christopher Vernon (Windwaker, The Beautiful Monument),…

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Review: Melbourne’s Colourburn sets a high bar with Compromise in Colour (2023 EP)

Melbourne alt-rock trio Colourburn have today released their debut EP Compromise in Colour, a bold entry to the scene with clear talent and intent. The five-track project was produced by Christopher Vernon (Bloom, Belle Haven, Tapestry) and draws influence from the likes of Movements, Citizen and Eat Your Heart Out. Comprised of Jordyn Briggs (vocals),…

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Interview: Lucas Woodland of Holding Absence talks unfinished art, tours and comic books

Welsh alt-rockers Holding Absence have gone from strength to strength and their third album The Noble Art of Self Destruction – released 25 August via SharpTone Records – is no exception. With a hectic tour schedule and exceptional live show, the band are turning heads and capturing hearts all over the world. Featuring the singles…

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Fletcher Gull shares the art that inspired his debut album Songs From Before

Naarm/Melbourne folk artist Fletcher Gull is mysterious and insightful on his intriguing debut album Songs From Before, released 22 September. The 10-track project explores indie-pop soundscapes with poetic storytelling in a reflective time capsule of his life thus far. Featuring the singles “Light Up” and “She Knows”, Songs From Before comes after the 2022 EP…

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Interview: Jono Hawkey of Bloom talks signing to Pure Noise Records, new single and arena dreams

Sydney melodic hardcore five-piece Bloom have been turning heads since their phenomenal 2020 sophomore EP In Passing. Last week, the lads shared their latest single “Bound to Your Whispers” – the first offering since 2022’s “Sink into the Soil” – and announced their signing to Pure Noise Records in partnership with local label Greyscale Records….

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South Summit share latest EP Tales of the Yeti and six artists they’re listening to right now

Perth indie-rock five-piece South Summit have returned yet again with their second EP of the year, Tales of the Yeti – released 4 August – just six months after dropping the former Creatures. Featuring the singles “Just Like You” and “Sidelines”, the six-track project explores more of a reggae style with local influences. The past…

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Live Review: Windwaker + Caskets + alt. + Headwreck – The Brightside, Brisbane (27.07.23)

Melbourne alt-metal favourites Windwaker brought their Love in the Dark Tour to The Brightside in Brisbane last Thursday night, supported by Caskets, alt. and Headwreck. The sold-out fourth show on their six-date run proved them as one of the nation’s most exciting frontrunners in the next generation of heavy music. Opening the night soon after…

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Interview: Amy McIntosh from Vilify talks latest single, tours and Newcastle’s heavy scene

Newcastle hardcore act Vilify have emerged as a force to be reckoned with since their debut EP Clarity in 2020. Featuring Amy McIntosh and Lizi Blanco of The Beautiful Monument, the quartet have come out swinging this year with blistering single “Take the Pill” and latest offering “From the Inside”. We caught up with Amy…

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Interview: Joshua Moore from We Came As Romans talks tour, perseverance and golf

Michigan metalcore outfit We Came As Romans have undergone a significant change these past few years yet still power through as one of the genre’s leading acts. Since the passing of vocalist and keyboardist Kyle Pavone in 2018, an integral member from their 2009 debut album To Plant a Seed onwards, WCAR soldiered on for…

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Album Review: Bad Juju – Blue Heaven (2023 LP)

Melbourne alt-rock outfit Bad Juju have today dropped their awaited debut full-length, Blue Heaven. Produced by Callan Orr (Dream on Dreamer, Hands Like Houses) and Sam Bassal (Ocean Grove, Trophy Eyes), the 12-track album explores life’s subtle complexities through moving lyrics and affecting music. The title track opener sets the tone of the record with…

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Joan & the Giants share heartfelt single “Sleep Alone” and top five tips for a good night’s sleep

Perth indie-pop outfit Joan & the Giants unveiled new single “Sleep Alone” yesterday, the second since their debut EP Me & You in 2022. The haunting confession of unrequited love showcases singer Grace Newton-Wordsworth’s velvety vocals over reverberating keys and rumbling drums with muted riffs and jingling tambourine. “Sleep Alone” began as a country-tinged acoustic…

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Thrice share top five Australia moments ahead of The Artist in the Ambulance 20th anniversary tour

California post-hardcore rockers Thrice are heading to Australia for a largely sold-out 20th anniversary tour of their seminal record The Artist in the Ambulance this September. The extensive tour will see them perform two shows in Melbourne and Perth, stopping at Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide in between. Thrice will be performing the album in full,…

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Interview: alt. talk debut album, tours and influences

Adelaide melodic metalcore outfit alt. are quickly becoming one of the country’s most talked-about heavy acts – and for very good reason. With their debut album ABEYANCE to be released this Friday 16 June via Resist Records and SharpTone Records, the forward-thinking rockers let us in on their creative process and 2023 plans. We had…

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Interview: Days Like These talk new EP, lineup change and community

Brisbane alt-rock duo Days Like These are back better than ever with a new lineup and sophomore EP ICON, released 19 May. Comprised of vocalist Callen Batson and drummer/vocalist Noah Murphy, the two bring an exciting flair to contemporary punk with pop hooks and killer collabs. We had a chat with the two about their…

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Movements drop latest single “Fail You” and announce new album RUCKUS!

In case you missed it, last Friday California alt-rock favourites Movements dropped the new single “Fail You” and announced their third album RUCKUS! will be out 18 August via Fearless Records. The gritty, upbeat track – their third this year – has something for all fans to enjoy, from the chunky lead riff to the…

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The VANNS give us a gear rundown with their new album Last of Your Kind

Sydney indie-rock quartet The VANNS have returned with their sophomore record Last of Your Kind, released 19 May. Featuring the singles “Making it Out Alive”, “Haunted” and “Ever”, the anticipated new album follows from their 2019 debut full-length Through the Walls. In support of the album, the band treated fans to an intimate East Coast…

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Album Review: Saint Lane – CRYING IN THE PORSCHE (2023 LP)

NZ-born, Gold Coast-based alt-pop artist Saint Lane has already returned with new album CRYING IN THE PORSCHE – released 19 May – after his acclaimed 2022 full-length i thought my name was cursed. With a wealth of singles and two EPs under his belt, the multi-instrumentalist offers a beguiling record with pop, hip hop and…

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Live Review: Slowly Slowly + Between You & Me + CLEWS at The Tivoli, Brisbane (25.05.23)

Melbourne alt-rock sweethearts Slowly Slowly brought their Daisy Chain album tour to The Tivoli in Brisbane last night for the third show on their five-date national headline run. Supported by Between You & Me and CLEWS, the quartet played a whopping two-hour set which included their latest album in full. Sydney indie-rock duo CLEWS kicked…

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Interview: Citadel talk new single, video and album launch

Brisbane progressive metalcore outfit Citadel have been making moves and they’re ready to bounce back with crushing new single “Nightmare Frontier”. After releasing their debut album DECOMPOSE on 4 November last year, the band have made a name for themselves in the local live circuit. “Nightmare Frontier” is an evocative track with aggressive breakdowns and…

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Interview: Liam Guinane of Windwaker talks lineup change, national tour and The Legend of Zelda

Melbourne metalcore outfit Windwaker are back with new music after a lineup change and some big tours recently. The beloved five-piece shared their latest single “Left in the Dark” on 11 November, the first to feature returned member and newly appointed vocalist Liam Guinane and synth maestro Connor Robins. In support of this, Windwaker have…

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Album Review: Sleep Token – Take Me Back to Eden (2023 LP)

UK alt-metal juggernauts Sleep Token have today revealed their highly-anticipated new record, Take Me Back to Eden, via Spinefarm. The enigmatic quartet have acquired a enormous devoted fanbase in recent years who ‘worship’ at their ‘rituals’ worldwide, including a sold-out Australia tour last month – without supports. Fronted by the masked Vessel, Sleep Token further…

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Interview: Emmy Mack of RedHook talks Unify, tours and meeting Billy Corgan

Eora/Sydney alt-rock powerhouse RedHook have exploded onto the global stage with their debut album Postcard from a Living Hell, released 21 April. Having toured extensively with In Hearts Wake last year, the band are currently in the middle of their own national headline tour before playing at Unify Off The Record in June. We caught…

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Interview: Jake Taylor of In Hearts Wake talks Unify, anniversary tour and getting back to nature

Byron Bay melodic metalcore favourites In Hearts Wake are coming off the back of a huge year with no signs of slowing in 2023. In that time, the environmentally-conscious quintet have released Green is the New Black – a documentary on creating an entirely carbon-offset album – with a stellar soundtrack, a deluxe version of…

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Krooked Kings share new album All Out of Good Days and favourite Aussie artists

Salt Lake City indie-rock quintet Krooked Kings have returned with their awaited sophomore record All Out of Good Days, released yesterday via Nobody Gets It. After a successful debut album with The Comedown in 2021, the band have gone on to perform at SXSW, sell out their West Coast tour and dominate Spotify playlists. Featuring…

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Guest Playlist: Safety First share the songs that inspired “Office Romance”

Sydney indie-rock quintet Safety First are starting the year off strong with their fun new single “Office Romance” – released 27 April – to get you through the day. The track is their fourth since emerging in 2022 and demonstrates their knack for spotlighting the interesting stories in everyday scenarios. Inspired by workplace sit-coms like…

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Molly Rocket drop debut EP Syrup and share their favourite desserts

Adelaide indie-rock quartet Molly Rocket have today released their debut EP Syrup. The five-track project from these young hopefuls is not as sweet as it sounds, with darker lyrical undertones and grungy guitars inviting chaos. Featuring the singles “Rabbit Hole”, “Asphalt” and “Methany”, the EP is the band’s first collection of songs since emerging in…

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Guest Playlist: The Southern River Band share the songs that inspired “The Streets Don’t Lie”

Perth’s favourite larrikins The Southern River Band bring 80s hair metal and pub rock to the 21st century with their latest single “The Streets Don’t Lie”, released 13 April. With an electrifying live show and a 2022 W.A.M. Rock Band of the Year award, the band is what you get if Motley Crüe and The…

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Interview: Broken Earth talk new single, influences and live shows

Sydney metalcore upstarts Broken Earth have today shared the ferocious new single and video “Breathe”, their first offering of the year. Produced by Mark Williamson (Inertia, Closure) and mastered by Kris Crummet (Sleeping With Sirens, Dance Gavin Dance), “Breathe” is a taste of exciting things to come from the band. The aggressive track boasts crushing…

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Live Review: Citadel + East Capri + Violent Conflict + ZUKO at Bad Luck, Brisbane (22.04.23)

Brisbane melodic hardcore quintet Citadel made Bad Luck in Brisbane their house of worship last Saturday night. The belated launch show for their debut album DECOMPOSE saw the band perform the record in full, with support from East Capri, Violent Conflict and ZUKO. After being postponed a week, the show at Brisbane’s newest heavy venue…

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Set Mo reveal new album Flux and share their five favourite EDM tracks

Sydney electronic duo Set Mo have today released their sophomore record Flux, a bold journey of evolution traversing the concept of change. The 13-track project offers bouncy rhythms and sharp percussion with vibrant piano and glossy synths. Comprised of members Stu Turner and Nick Drabble, the polished production is sweetened by the silky vocals and…

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