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. Immersive Soundscapes And Their Inherent Beauty With TARJA

    1H AGO

    Immersive Soundscapes And Their Inherent Beauty With TARJA

    Interview by Cecilia Pattison-Levi Since launching her solo career, Tarja has consistently charted internationally and built one of the most loyal fanbases in the genre, willing to follow her in every new adventure. Across more than two decades, Tarja has released a highly successful catalogue, reaching the Top 10 of multiple European album charts and establishing herself as an artist of rare consistency and presence. Her live performances have become a defining element of her career: touring worldwide and appearing as a celebrated guest at major metal festivals, Tarja creates a powerful and emotional connection with audiences, turning every show into a memorable experience. Tarja will release her new album Frisson Noir on June 12, an album which reflects her ongoing dialogue between cinematic orchestration, classical heritage, and the power and intensity of contemporary metal. The album moves between intimate piano passages, dramatic orchestral textures, and powerful guitar-driven moments, creating a sonic tapestry that enriches the experience. At the center of the soundscape is Tarja’s distinctive voice, moving effortlessly between fragile emotional expression and operatic power. Around it, orchestral arrangements, choirs, and layered instrumentation create a cinematic world that constantly shifts between darkness and light, exploring deeply human themes such as fear, beauty, nostalgia, resilience, defiance, transformation, identity, disappearance, independence, trust, and perseverance. HEAVY sat down with Tarja to discuss the album in greater detail.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

    12 min
  2. An Expansion Of Sound With PK From PROMPTS

    2H AGO

    An Expansion Of Sound With PK From PROMPTS

    Interview by Kris Peters Known for redefining genre boundaries, Prompts have built a reputation for masterfully fusing elements of nü-metal, mathcore, djent and deathcore, crafting a sound that is entirely unique to them that feels both experimental and refined. With members hailing from both Japan and South Korea, the band’s dual heritage continues to shape their distinctive sound - a melding of contrasting influences and cultures. Continuing to prove themselves as one of metals most exciting up and coming acts, Japan-based metalcore outfit Prompts tread new ground on silky smooth new single "Death of Me", out now via Greyscale Records in partnership with Papercut Records (US). Leaning into a more subdued and atmospheric direction, "Death of Me" sees the band trade thrashing undercurrents for a slow-burning sense of yearning. The track lingers and aches, built around a deeply human contradiction - the kind of love where wanting the best for someone means convincing yourself to walk away. "One part of you swears letting go is the right thing to do, while the most honest part of you is quietly begging for the exact opposite," says the band. Ultimately, "Death of Me" unfolds as a confession confronting vulnerability and embracing softer truths. "It is about finally facing the softer, weaker parts of yourself you were trying to hide, and admitting that all you really wanted was to stay close to the person who never left your heart.” HEAVY sat down with frontman PK while he was in Australia as guest vocalist for Crystal Lake to find out more. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

    14 min
  3. A Fans Perspective On BAILEY SPINN

    5H AGO

    A Fans Perspective On BAILEY SPINN

    Interview by Scarlett Myors (12 years old) Music and musical tastes are very much an individual and personal thing, with heavy metal and hard rock being more of an acquired taste for the younger generation rather than a natural progression. Put simply, it's not easy to steer the youth of today down a path to harder edged music, especially when competing with things like K-Pop and the likes. But music can also be a transitional thing, with different gateways and inroads into new genres often coming from within. There are many bands/singers with more pop leanings that dabble in harder music, thus inviting their fans - many of whom are in that younger age demographic - to taste the sonic pleasures inherent in heavier music. One such artist is Bailey Spinn, a singer with a massive global following that also has rock coursing through her veins. Starting with last years track Critical, then Homicide earlier this year, Bailey Spinn has embraced subtle elements of hard rock, progressively showcasing a darker, harder edge to her music without pushing her existing envelope too far. That flirtation continues on Spinn's latest single Voodoo, which is released this Friday, May 15. Another step further into rock territory, Voodoo perfectly encapsulates the growing corrolation between pop and rock music without becoming too dark to alienate her existing fanbase. And what better way to showcase that musical transition than through the thoughts and feelings of one of Bailey Spinn's younger fans? Which is why HEAVY booked some time with Spinn to discuss Voodoo, with one of her fans - 12 year old Scarlett Myors - exploring the new song and more. She started by asking what the inspiration was behind Voodoo. "I decided to make Voodoo because I had an old friend who was doing some shady stuff," Bailey smiled, "and I wanted to get my feelings out there. I really like to write songs to get over it and we've all had a bad friend once in a while so I wanted to write it all down and get it off my chest. I love making heavier music, so I wanted it to feel a little spooky and scary with kind of BabyDoll vibes. I made a teddy bear for the visual stuff that's coming out very soon, so I just wanted to talk about my experience with that person and how they were stalking me on lione. It's very easy to stalk people on the internet nowadays (laughs)." In the full interview Bailey talks about what made her want to be a singer, the inspiration for her songs and music, who she would love to collaborate with in the future, words of advice for aspiring musicians, future goals and more. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

    6 min
  4. YOTH IRIA: From Hellenic Roots To Heavy Metal Heaven

    2D AGO

    YOTH IRIA: From Hellenic Roots To Heavy Metal Heaven

    Interview by Ali Williams If there’s one thing metal fans adore, it’s passion — and talking to Yoth Iria’s Nikolas and Jim (the legendary Jim Mutilator, no less) proves the Greeks have it in spades. Despite what might be the most lag-ridden Zoom call in human history, we all the patience of monks and the enthusiasm of headbangers at their first gig. And managed to have a conversation bursting with humour, honesty, and riffs of wisdom about their latest album, the evolution of Hellenic metal, and why live music is the truest form of human connection.  Yoth Iria’s sound is best described as new wave of Hellenic darkness— unmistakably forged in the fires of the Greek black metal scene — continues its ascent with new album which was unleashed late last week. Jim describes it as “the new wave of Hellenic black metal”, but with experimentation that stretches far beyond borders. The record blends everything from gothic metal and thrash to traditional Greek folk motifs and the odd splash of punk — a sonic gyros with a side of dark melody.  Nikolas adds with a grin that the secret to their evolution lies in balance: “You have to keep your identity but explore new worlds. You can’t just replicate yourself forever — that’s not art, that’s photocopying.” There is undeniable chemistry behind the chaos, and artistic chemistry, seems to be their real superpower. Jim and Nikolas compose like siblings who occasionally disagree but always end up laughing about it over beers. “We’re different in style,” Jim admits, “but that’s our secret to success. It’s the difference that makes the music breathe.” Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

    29 min
  5. Bringing Big Screen Energy To Your Music Vido With CHRIS SUN From SUN ENTERTAINMENT

    4D AGO

    Bringing Big Screen Energy To Your Music Vido With CHRIS SUN From SUN ENTERTAINMENT

    Australian filmmaker Chris Sun has spent over 15 years building a reputation in the horror world crafting brutal, unforgettable films like Daddy’s Little Girl, Charlie’s Farm and BOAR. Now, he’s turning that same cinematic intensity toward a new frontier: music videos. With the launch of Sun Entertainment, Chris is stepping into the global music scene with one clear mission — to give artists bold, high-impact visuals that cut through the noise. What started as a small, passionate setup with his son Kyle has rapidly evolved into a full-scale production powerhouse. Today, Sun Entertainment is backed by a team of producers, editors, set builders, and creative artists, many of whom have worked alongside Chris on his feature films. The result? A crew that knows how to bring big-screen energy into the world of music. “We want to be able to shoot incredible music videos at almost any budget level,” Sun explains. “From simple performance shoots to full cinematic story-driven productions it all comes down to the artists' budget and how far they want to push it. We’ll meet them there.” That flexibility is a huge part of what sets Sun Entertainment apart from other production companies. While many directors lock into one style or genre, Chris is flipping that idea on its head. Despite his horror roots, he’s making it clear this is about all music. All artists. All visions. “I’m not here just to shoot horror-style clips,” he says. “If you’ve got a song and a vision, I want to bring it to life no matter the genre.” Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

    29 min
  6. 35 Years Of Fear With DINO CAZERES From FEAR FACTORY

    5D AGO

    35 Years Of Fear With DINO CAZERES From FEAR FACTORY

    Interview by Angela Croudace One can’t overstate the size of the FEAR FACTORY boot print on the neck of heavy metal. Unleashing influential albums with devastating anthems for 35 years now, they are widely recognized as both crucial and innovative in extreme metal circles.  FEAR FACTORY manufactured, demanufactured, and remanufactured a sound that reverberates across several subgenres. They perfected an explosive blend of staccato paint-stripping riffs, industrial- tinged drums, electronic flourishes, and a scream/sing dichotomy, all of which became staples in heavy music, ever since the group first emerged in L.A. Celebrating 35 Years Of Fear, FEAR FACTORY are dialing in a Cybernetic Domination of Australia for their first full headlining tour in 10 years and finally for New Zealand, they perform for the first time since 2012! The signature sounds, concepts, and passions remain, as FEAR FACTORY salutes its past, present, and future. HEAVY caught up with guitarist Dino Cazeres to find out more. "We've been coming to Australia since 1993," he began. "This is gonna be our 15th time there, and I can't wait to get there. We have a huge catalogue of songs to sift through and create a perfect set for a killer live show in Australia." Fear Factory often deal with subjects of dystopia and control, the rise of the machines being a dominant landscape. Which begs the question, does Dino see the world today as closer to those themes than when the band first started? "100%," he nodded. "And I believe we are at fault, you know what I mean? We're the ones who are allowing this to happen. Sure, there are higher people who are making these kind of executive decisions and developing this technology, but a lot of the stuff that we sang about in the past has definitely come to fruition, and it's just… this technology's gonna keep on evolving." In the full interview, we covered Fear Factory's current creative state, touring plans, and forthcoming releases, with Dino explaining his songwriting and performance perspective. Dino described himself as a rhythmic writer who composes riffs with drum patterns in mind and said he writes whatever he feels, whether melodic or brutal; he noted his performance approach and enjoyment of entertaining fans remain consistent with his work since the 1990s.  The conversation addressed touring improvements, and emphasized that studio collaboration keeps the project enjoyable and motivating. Dino confirmed that new singles and a new Fear Factory record will be released soon and directed fans to fearfactory.com for tour dates and VIP packages and more. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

    8 min
  7. Welcome To The Enchanted Rock Palace With ROBERT NIXON From WEARY WIZARDS FEDERATION

    5D AGO

    Welcome To The Enchanted Rock Palace With ROBERT NIXON From WEARY WIZARDS FEDERATION

    Interview by Kris Peters Magic DOES happen! Weary Wizards Federation are coming back after a brief slumber and have declared a welcome home party for one and all Mo’s Desert Clubhouse on May 16. While your attendance stops short of being compulsory, if you’re NOT there you will miss out on not only the Wizards’ first live performance in over 365 days, but also the debut show from the fresh assortment of Wizards who now call the stage their home as part of Weary Wizards Federation. The Weary Wizards Federation have awoken from hibernation and are ready to once more unleash a thunderous sound rich in sonic beauty. And what would a welcome home party be without a few friends? Pretty boring that’s what! So to ensure everybody enjoys themselves Chase the Wolves, Birds are Fake, and Dirty Jox have all sent in their RSVP’s with a promise to do justice to this momentous occassion. Even better, you can bring your aspiring Wizards and Enchantresses because the whole celebration will be open to music lovers of all ages. To catch up on all of the spellbinding happenings, HEAVY nailed down the man behind Weary Wizards Federation, Robert Nixon. One topic of discussion is preperations for the comeback show and how Robert is feeling only a week or so out. "It's been a really interesting change for me," he measured. "From going from the previous members who were guys that have played in multiple bands and were very much familiar with playing on stage and in a band setting, to now, our new drummer Tom, it will be his first time playing in any kind of band. And the first time getting up on stage in front of a live audience. But he's stoked. He's pumped as. It's great for me - I have been doing this since I was 16 or 17 - so to see a guy doing his first show and to be lucky enough to get to do that at somewhere like Mo's Desert Clubhouse… We've struck it pretty lucky to be honest." In the full interview, Robert talks more about the show and what to expects. He talks us through the three other bands playing - Dirty Jox, Birds Are Fake and Chase The Wolves - and what they bring to the table. We talk about the lunchtime start and the fact it is an all ages gig and the benefits of that to the next generation of music lovers plus the diversity of genres across all four bands. We spoke about the re-recorded version of the band's 2023 debut EP and what to expect from that, including a brief history of Weary Wizards Federation and their plans moving forward plus more. Weary Wizards Federation play at Mo's Desert Clubhouse, Saturday, May 16 with Dirty Jox, Birds Are Fake and Chase The Wolves. Show starts at 12 pm and is an all ages event. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

    13 min
  8. Finding Yourself With ROU REYNOLDS From ENTER SHIKARI

    5D AGO

    Finding Yourself With ROU REYNOLDS From ENTER SHIKARI

    Interview by Kris Peters A band who transcend genre and have transfixed fans across the globe since emerging in 2003, ENTER SHIKARI weave an unforgettable blend of post hardcore rock and electronic wizardry, while also flying the flag for meaningful lyricism that spans politics, climate change and the very gamut of the human experience. During their remarkable and celebrated career, Enter Shikari have received several accolades in the form of gongs from NME, Kerrang!, Rock Sound, Heavy Music Awards and more. They have played a whopping 3000+ live shows around the world including three headline arena tours in the UK, supported the likes of The Prodigy and Linkin Park and played festivals such as Glastonbury, Reading & Leeds, Download and Slam Dunk where they also headlined in 2023. And now it's Australia's turn, as Enter Shikari ready for their first headline tour of this country since 2022 on the back of dropping their most recent album, Lose Your Self, as a well kept secret with no singles, no promotion. Nothing. A band who have never been afraid to shun convention, Enter Shikari remain as fresh and relevant today as when they first burst onto the scene in 2003.  HEAVY took the opportunity to chat with frontman Rou Reynolds ahead of the tour, starting by asking if he is packed and ready to fly. "Getting there," he laughed. "We're all very excited to get back to Australia. It's one of our favourite places to play." Australian fans got to see Enter Shikari live earlier last year as part of Knotfest 2025, so we ask Rou what has changed with the band since that tour. "Oh, blimey," he countered. "We finished up our record and released that. That was a long, arduous process (smiles). All sorts of life stuff has been going on… It's been all change really. But at the same time it doesn't feel like that long ago we were in Australia but that's an example of how quickly time seems to ebb away at the moment (laughs)." Talk turns to last months unconventional release of Enter Shikari's new album Lose Your Self, which was granted no advance publicity or convential single release schedule and was instead set forth on the world to little fanfare and much surprise. We ask Rou about the thought process behind such a potentially risky move. "I think once we finished the album we really saw it as a body of work; as one entity," he replied, choosing his words carefully. "And that was kind of a shock really, because the album was recorded in such a disjointed way over a long period of time. There was a worry that it wouldn't come together as one solid body of work but it did, quite effortlessly. At that point we were trying to think how did we want to release this and we basically just thought it would be a credit to the art of it if we just released it. How do we want people to approach this album? How do we want them to absorb it? And I think the traditional way of releasing three or four singles before a reord just didn't excite us. I think just dropping a record in people's laps forces them to take it in as an album. The focus then becomes not about the hype or trying to make a really successful album. It actually becomes about how do people react to the album? How do people indulge in it and make it their own when they take one body of work and immerse themselves in it. That's really exciting to us." In the full interview Rou talks more about the tour and what we can expect, running us through an Enter Shikari live show and the synergy between the band and the crowd that creates a welcoming and comfortable experience. We spoke more about Lose Your Self and the surprise release, including the changes in approach and pressure the band experienced by not having to meet pre-album obligations and expectations. Rou talked about the darkness inherent in the album material and how it represents Enter Shikari moving forward and much more. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

    11 min

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.