Horns up and infernal hails from the Adamantium Wolf, for I have once again risen from the ashes of publications past to scribe information from a mind forged by the fires of the heavy metal world, and force them upon mere mortals once more. Also, g’day mates, my name’s Lochlan, and rest assured that despite what you’ve just read, I don’t really take myself, music, or this reality to be more specific, particularly seriously. It’s all outrageous and absurd, and none of your bullshit matters. I’m also here to introduce myself as your new weekly metal columnist for Beat Magazine, so, thanks for making it this far.
If you have a keen interest in heavy music happenings within Australia, there is a fair chance you may have come across my name before. If not, rest assured that I’ve done a fair bit in my 15 or so years of active involvement in this madness. I’ve fought for metal across radio, print, and online outlets, and I’ve slayed for Satan at various record labels and touring endeavours. I’ve shed the blood of Christ upon stages all around the world, alongside fellow disgusting and disaffected vagabonds inside more touring vehicles than I’d ever care to count. As an added bonus, I’ve also shared heaps of sick memes all over the internet. I don’t care if you don’t believe me or not because it’s true – all of it.
This is the first piece I’ve written for street press since 2014. What can I say? I needed to step away from the keyboard for a bit (just kidding, I will never log off), but it feels right to be back at it in this moment. I look forward to all the potential art and ideas I can spread from within this here designated space. I’ll most definitely annoy a few people along the way, but hopefully inspire a few too. Metal has given me friends I consider family, and a livelihood that makes no logical sense. It has shown me a world beyond the mundane, and taken me around the planet twice over. Picking up the mantle of this column is the least I could do.
As I write this in the wee hours before my first-ever Beat deadline, I’ve just gotten home from a rather sick night at the second-ever Direct Underground Fest. It featured debut Australian performances by European acts Ihsahn, Belphegor, and Wiegedood, plus the return of New Zealand’s Diocletian, the third visit for America’s Revocation, and a first time on the big kid stage for Australia’s Encircling Sea. It was a pretty fat, broad slice from the extreme scopes of black and death. Sucked in if you missed it, and if you’re not familiar, pick the name that makes the least sense to you and go stream them now. If we both make it that far, I’ll catch you next week.
