HEAVY Music Interviews

HEAVY Magazine

All the latest music interviews from the team at HEAVY Magazine. HEAVY interviews the worlds leading rock, punk, metal and beyond musicians in the heavy universe of music. We will upload the latest interviews regularly so before to follow our social accounts and our podcast account on www.speaker.com/user/heavy Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

  1. 2 days ago

    IRON MAIDEN & MEGADETH: DAVE MUSTAINE Promises Absolute Chaos For Australia

    Aussie metalheads, strap yourselves in because the tour of the century is officially locked, loaded, and headed down under this November! If you haven’t already heard the earth-shattering news, the absolute icons of heavy metal, Iron Maiden, are bringing their monumental Run For Your Lives 50th Anniversary World Tour to Australian shores. And because the metal gods clearly smile upon us, they aren't coming alone. They are bringing none other than thrash metal royalty Megadeth along for the ride. Let’s be honest for a second: this isn't just another standard gig line-up. This is a massive, history-making double bill that we quite frankly didn’t see coming. We’ve got Maiden hitting outdoor stadiums in Melbourne and Sydney for the first time in their legendary 50-year history, alongside massive arena stops in Adelaide and Brisbane. They're promising a killer, once-in-a-lifetime setlist pulled entirely from their groundbreaking first nine studio albums. That means everything from the raw power of the self-titled debut right through to the epic majesty of Fear of the Dark. But a massive stadium show needs a special guest capable of burning the stage to the ground first, and who better than Dave Mustaine and his crew of thrash pioneers? Megadeth recently celebrated a massive milestone with their latest studio release hitting the number one spot right here in Australia. Fresh off the back of their blistering run at Knotfest a few years ago, the band is proving they still have plenty left in the tank. With rumors swirling that this epic global run might be a final world tour epilogue for the thrash titans, the anticipation is hitting an absolute fever pitch. Here at HEAVY, we live and breathe this stuff. So, when the opportunity came up to have a sit-down chat with the mastermind himself, Dave Mustaine, to talk about this impending Australian takeover, you better believe I jumped at the chance. Dave is a man who never pulls his punches, and he was in fine form talking about what it means to share a stage with Maiden, how much he loves the relentless energy of Aussie crowds, and what fans can expect when Megadeth unleashes absolute chaos on these massive stadium stages. So, before you scramble to secure those last-minute tickets, grab a cold beer, turn the volume up to eleven, and check out our exclusive chat with the one and only Dave Mustaine. Australia, get ready to run to the hills, because the countdown is officially on! Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

    IRON MAIDEN & MEGADETH: DAVE MUSTAINE Promises Absolute Chaos For Australia
  2. 2 days ago

    Rituals And Rebellion: CHRIS HOWARTH Unpacks The Magic Behind IN THIS MOMENT's New Album WITCH

    When you think of theatrical, boundary-pushing heavy music, one name immediately commands the global spotlight: In This Moment. Led by the mesmerizing, chameleonic frontwoman Maria Brink and riff-master Chris Howorth, this band has spent nearly two decades turning live alternative metal into a dark, cinematic art form. Now, the Grammy-nominated force is back to claim their throne, unleashing their highly anticipated ninth studio album, Witch, on August 28 via Better Noise Music. It marks a bold new era for the group, following up on the raw energy of 2023's Godmode with something much more ritualistic, intense, and deeply introspective. Witch isn't just another collection of heavy moments; it’s a full-blown musical incantation. Across 11 tracks, the album showcases the band's legendary sonic spectrum—the fury, the femininity, and the absolute fire. Brink describes the record as her personal "declaration of inner transformation," a visceral deep-dive into alchemizing pain, ancient trials, and personal persecution into pure, unadulterated strength. Musically, it’s as heavy as it is haunting. Lead single Crawl seethes with an inescapable, gut-punching riff and a vocal performance that will bring you to your knees, while early teasers Heretic and Sleeping With the Enemy have already proved that In This Moment is operating at the absolute peak of their powers. True to form, the band isn't stepping into the dark alone. They’ve summoned an eclectic coven of special guests for this record, including Aussie alt-provocateur Kim Dracula on Heretic, post-hardcore titans Dayseeker on I Want To Believe, and an unexpected, star-studded cover of Pink Floyd's classic Another Brick In The Wall featuring the iconic Kat Von D. It’s an ambitious, uncompromising body of work that takes the band's signature fusion of industrial groove and soaring melodic hooks, and pushes it right to the absolute edge. HEAVY caught up with Chris Howorth to unpack the magic and malice behind Witch. In the full interview, Chris dives deep into the creative process behind the new material and what it was like collaborating with such a diverse group of artists. We also chat about the upcoming Taste of Chaos tour with Hollywood Undead, how they plan to translate these complex, mystical themes into a jaw-dropping live spectacle, and why the concept of the witch resonates so heavily in modern times. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

    Rituals And Rebellion: CHRIS HOWARTH Unpacks The Magic Behind IN THIS MOMENT's New Album WITCH
  3. 3 days ago

    Pure Sonic Devestation With DALE EVANS From TO THE GRAVE

    Western Sydney deathcore titans To The Grave have never been a band to play nice or bite their tongues. Over the last few years, they’ve systematically carved out a reputation as one of the most brutally uncompromising, intense acts on the global heavy music circuit. But if you thought their previous material was the peak of their hostility, you aren't prepared for what's next. To The Grave's sonic monstrosity Liberation Front is a terrifyingly heavy masterclass in musical warfare that takes their signature blend of suffocating breakdowns and socio-political fury to a dangerous new level. Liberation Front isn’t just an album; it’s a violent wake-up call. A call to arms if you will. Packed with the kind of volatile energy that makes you want to put your head through a drywall, the record finds To The Grave sharpening their technical knives while doubling down on their fierce animal rights advocacy and anti-establishment worldview. Vocalist Dane Evans sounds absolutely possessed, delivering a vocal performance so harrowing it defies human anatomy, backed by a rhythmic assault that feels like a multi-car pileup.  It is heavy; it is uncomfortable; and it is utterly essential listening for anyone who likes their music with teeth. To celebrate this release, To The Grave are doing what they do best - hitting the tarmac for an eight date Australian headlining tour that promises to leave venues in absolute ruins across the country. Known for their chaotic, high-octane live environments, To The Grave live shows are legendary for their lawless mosh pits and sweat-soaked intensity. This time around, backed by the sheer weight of Liberation Front, the band is bringing an entirely new level of production and savagery to the stage. They are out to prove exactly why they hold the crown for Australia's heaviest export, and God help anyone standing in the front row when the first breakdown drops. In a first for HEAVY, we spoke with Evans while busy in his tattoo studio laying down some ink to dissect the chaotic birth of Liberation Front, the madness of preparing for a nationwide trek, and why To The Grave refuse to compromise on their message. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

    Pure Sonic Devestation With DALE EVANS From TO THE GRAVE
  4. 5 days ago

    Nostalgia, Noise, and New Music: KALATONE Unleash The Beast

    Every now and then, a track lands on the HEAVY desk that doesn’t just ask for your attention—it kicks the front door off its hinges, grabs you by the collar, and demands you sit down and listen. That is exactly what happened this week when the absolute powerhouses in KALATONE dropped their blistering new sonic assault, Nostalgia. If you’ve been tracking these guys like we have, you already know they aren't a band to content themselves with playing it safe. They are a unit built on sonic evolution, consistently twisting heavy music into something entirely their own. But even with their formidable track record, Nostalgia feels like a massive leap forward into a darker, heavier, and completely uncompromising headspace. It is a track that marries crushing, low-end riffs with a sweeping melodic vulnerability, proving once again that heavy music doesn’t have to sacrifice emotion to remain completely irresistable. The single perfectly balances frantic, groove-driven verses with a chorus so massive it is destined to ignite festival stages and leave venues in absolute ruins. It is a relentless, four-minute masterclass in musical dynamics, showcasing a band firing on all cylinders and completely comfortable in their own skin. With the hard rock music scene clamouring to see what the band will do next, we caught up with the band to get the lowdown. In typical HEAVY fashion, we threw them completely into the deep end. We dug deep into the creative fire that sparked this new track, unpacked the intense sonic layers that make it a standout release, and discussed the other four tracks on their debut EP Pathways in more depth plus more. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

    Nostalgia, Noise, and New Music: KALATONE Unleash The Beast
  5. 6 days ago

    Industrial Warfare Down Under: KING YOSEF Ready To Unleash Hell With HEALTH And PERTURBATOR

    Few packages hitting Australian shores this year carry the sheer, unapologetic sonic weight of the upcoming Australia 2.0.2.6 tour. Headlined by LA neo-industrial heavyweights HEALTH, alongside French synthwave master Perturbator, the line-up is an absolute dream for anyone who loves their music dark, heavy, and deeply visceral. But if you think this run is just about the headliners, you are dead wrong. Opening the entire touring cycle is King Yosef, a Portland-based artist who refuses to be pigeonholed. Known for weaponising a volatile blend of industrial hardcore, metal rage, and blown-out electronics, Yosef is a certified force of nature. Off the back of his latest sonic assault, Spire of Fear, he is coming to tear local stages apart. When HEAVY caught up with the mastermind behind King Yosef ahead of the September tour—which kicks off at Brisbane's The Tivoli before steamrolling through Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart, Adelaide, and Fremantle—the excitement was palpable. This isn't just a standard metal gig; it is an immersive, multi-sensory purge designed to celebrate and dissect the digital decay of the modern era. Yosef has built a reputation for delivering uncompromised, vein-popping live energy that sets the perfect tone for a line-up of this calibre. We sat down with the man himself to get down and dirty about the upcoming Australian tour, how he approaches translating his chaotic studio creations into a massive live setting, what it’s really like to share the stage with titans like HEALTH and Perturbator and more. Grab a beer, dial in, and find out exactly why this is one tour you absolutely cannot afford to miss. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

    Industrial Warfare Down Under: KING YOSEF Ready To Unleash Hell With HEALTH And PERTURBATOR
  6. 6 days ago

    Clowning Around With MASTODON'S BRANN DAILOR

    Words and interview by Kyra Jade I don’t know many people who wouldn’t jump at the opportunity to interview Mastodon’s drummer Brann Dailor. We all have our bucket list interviews and this had Simon, AKA HEAVY MAG'S 'Professor of Mastodon', written all over it. The universe had other plans this time and Si’ was living it up in Bali. This meant it was my turn to jump in and make the most of this chance to ask all the quirky questions that have been burning a hole in my brain. Oh, and hopefully make our Professor proud… This year hasn’t been without intense heartache and loss for Mastodon with the passing of Brent Hinds. I couldn’t publish this interview without firstly expressing my deepest condolences to all band members and commend the way they’ve held themselves whilst navigating such a hard time. As adoring fans we may feel we are so connected to our favourite bands through their music that we lose sight of reality sometimes. I think it’s important to remember that to the members of Mastodon Brent wasn’t only a fellow band member, he was family. Their bond built through years of experiencing massive highs and crushing lows together; ultimately building a brotherhood only they understand. For this reason I made a decision to respect Brann’s space by keeping my questions light-hearted in hopes this might give him somewhat of a breather. There’s no shortage of things I wanted to talk about. Sometimes it takes me forever to write merely four questions to ask in an interview, for this one I was wondering how I would cram two pages of questions into 20 minutes? Things like… What was the scoop on their gig at Georgia's Aquarium, are fish a tough crowd to play for? Why would someone who doesn’t know how to draw decide to illustrate a different clown each day of COVID totalling a whopping 101? Why?! What’s it like having your song picked on Drumeo? The list goes on… Brann is not only a huge fan of Ozzy Osbourne, he’s blessed with a treasure trove of memories I can only dream of; including being invited to play at the Back to The Beginning, Black Sabbath's farewell concert! Who better to watch gush over the Godfather of Metal and geek out with than this guy, right?! I’ll shamelessly take any and every opportunity to talk about Ozzy. Having conversations with people who were in his orbit somehow makes me feel like I’m a part of their world, if only for a second. Mastodon’s new album Marrow Deep is very close to its release date of August 28. Though it may technically be my job to share my thoughts on new music, I don’t think it’s necessary to try to sell this one. I’ll simply be stating what you already know deep down inside. It’s a masterpiece. It may be fiercely complex and deeply thought provoking, although it still manages to give you that sprinkle of crazy we crave - all while being generous in sharing their raw emotion and feelings. Hope you enjoy this interview as much as I did. Until next time, legends! Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

    Clowning Around With MASTODON'S BRANN DAILOR
  7. 22 Aug

    KING ULTRAMEGA Keep CHRIS CORNELL’s Legacy Loud, Loved And In Very Safe Hands

    Interview by Ali Williams There are still very much mixed opinions out there in music land when it comes to tribute bands. Hard core fanboys will state "there is only ever one ..."(insert band name here), others will be highly critical unless its a carbon copy of the original artists , and on the other side of that some will say they have a place only if the artists is now frontman for that big band in the sky, "so they better make it sound like their own not the original".  Honouring the music of legendary acts such as Chris Cornell is a task that not many could say they could easily achieve or at least not to other musicians. His work moves, it unsettles, it still catches people off guard, and still exposes every vocalist who has ever confused enthusiasm with ability. So when Mark Menghi stepped into that world with KING ULTRAMEGA, he did not do it with a quick nod, a famous guest list and a hope that everybody would behave nicely in the comments section.  He did it slowly, carefully, obsessively, and with enough respect to make the whole thing feel less like a project and more like a responsibility.  Speaking with HEAVY’s Ali Williams, Menghi explained that KING ULTRAMEGA began during the pandemic, back when musicians were stuck at home, the world was sideways, and apparently some people coped by making excellent music instead of reorganising the same cupboard twelve times and pretending it counted as personal growth. Check out the full interview: heavymag.com.au Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

    KING ULTRAMEGA Keep CHRIS CORNELL’s Legacy Loud, Loved And In Very Safe Hands
5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

All the latest music interviews from the team at HEAVY Magazine. HEAVY interviews the worlds leading rock, punk, metal and beyond musicians in the heavy universe of music. We will upload the latest interviews regularly so before to follow our social accounts and our podcast account on www.speaker.com/user/heavy Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

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