All bands were reportedly hand-picked by Young – and Hyde couldn’t be happier. “James has great taste – he’s lined up an incredible bunch of bands. Australia’s been really good to us. Being from New Zealand and so far away from the rest of the world and to be embraced by James and all the people at CherryRock has been immensely beneficial. He’s been our champion in Australia and particularly in Melbourne.
“We had an amazing reaction last time we were there. It was greatly unexpected, because at our first solo show in Sydney we only played to fifteen people. So when we went to Melbourne and it was packed, it was pretty awesome.”
Beastwars put the capital H in heavy music – but that’s not exactly how Hyde sees it: “For me it’s soul music – it’s who we are. Sometimes we get tired of being called metal or sludge. It goes back to when I first heard Led Zeppelin – it’s hard rock. I don’t think we’re that heavy, I think we’re just right. It’s right for us and it feels good. I’ve always been a rock fan, I just love rock music. If people want to call it metal, sludge or whatever – it’s just loud and it’s an expression of who we are.”
Their sophomore album, Blood Becomes Fire, is their latest release and like any self-respecting rock album it’s available on vinyl, and according to Hyde it’s the only way to hear it. “We get them pressed in the States and when they arrive from such a faraway place, there’s nothing like it. A record is a beautiful time capsule. You put it aside for a while but then you revisit it. It’s a reminder of peoples’ journeys – it’s that memory of where you were and what you were doing, like a soundtrack to life. To celebrate International Record Day I went out and bought a Nick Cave record. I couldn’t resist.”
Life for Beastwars is pretty bright right now with a new album in the works, more freedom creatively and finally getting recognition in the big smoke. “We’re definitely selling a lot more t-shirts in Australia lately, which is good,” Hyde jokes.
“We’ve started writing our third album now and it’s very exciting times. I like that we’ve got the first two albums out of the way, so now we can focus on the third – and as a band we’re rising to the challenge and growing together. I promise you will hear new stuff at these shows. As a whole we’re more confident – it’s a confidence we’ve been given by our fans, it’s not something we just have. We’re given it by people who buy our records and come to our shows.”
Anyone who has seen a Beastwars show will know that it’s a full-blown assault on the senses. “Nothing beats going to a gig – people love to watch their favourite band on YouTube but that never ever translates the emotion and aggression of a live show. It’s like a moving Polaroid of what’s happening. You can’t understand what people are feeling in that room – it’s an intangible entity.”
BY NATALIE ROGERS
