FOUR MORE ACTS ADDED TO CHERRYROCK
The final four acts have been confirmed for CherryRock015 and they are The Shrine from LA, Warped from Geelong, Clowns and The Ugly Kings. It’s an “all-killer, no-filler” lineup of solid rock. As usual there will be two stages with 13 acts and no clashes. Already announced is the monster coup of Red Fang (US) the volcanic sounds of Beastwars (NZ), the geetar power of HITS (Brisbane), Child (Cherry Awards 2014 Act of the Year), the hirsute decibels of Fuck The Fitzroy Doom Scene, heavy Horsehunter, The Simpsons-inspired doom rock duo Dr. Colossus, tenth birthday celebrations from My Left Boot and Los Hombres Del Diablo (Sydney) in a complete lineup that obviously oozes the heavy stoner rock genre that Melbourne has grown (literally, on faces, heads and backs) to love, nurture and produce. It kicks off at midday on Sunday May 10 at Cherry Bar and AC/DC Lane and continues on until 9.30pm Tickets are $79 from cherrybar.com.au.
OPETH TOUR
Swedish progressive metal heroes Opeth will return to Australia in 2015 in support of their 11th album Pale Communion. Hailed as one of the most influential progressive metal bands in the world, Opeth have an ever-growing fanatically loyal fan base in Australia and are returning for a headline run after their highly successful Heritage tour in 2013. One factor which makes Opeth’s live shows second to none is that their concerts are always filled with surprises and you never know what their setlist is going to be. Featuring songs from their earlier death-metal material, up to their later symphonic prog-rock, an Opeth live show is like no other and is a must see for all die-hard fans.
They’ll be at The Forum on Thursday May 7, and tickets are on sale now from metropolistouring.com
KILLER BE KILLED TO RETURN?
Fresh from their triumphant debut run of shows during Soundwave, supergroup Killer Be Killed (Greg Puciato, Max Cavalera, Troy Sanders and Dave Elitch) are already looking at returning to Australia. Makes sense, since Australia has proven to be their most successful market, with Australia giving them their highest chart position of any country for their self-titled debut album. Now Puciato has told UK magazine Metal Hammer the future for the band was looking bright. “We’re gonna for sure book some more shows. We’re gonna come back to Australia. We’re already looking at trying to find time to track album number two. This was the proving ground, and now that we’ve come down here and seen that everything feels like a band, we’re gonna keep doing it.”
INTRODUCING COFFIN CAROUSEL
After two years in the making, Melbourne rock band Coffin Carousel featuring former members of Hatchet Dawn and Voltera are releasing an uncompromisingly dark EP titled Fiend with an accompanying music video on the appropriately dark date of Friday March 13. The EP was mixed by Grammy award winning Neil Kernon (Judas Priest, Sex Pistols, Queen) and will be available at all digital stores and on CD with two bonus tracks at all good music outlets through MGM Distribution.
THIS WEEK AT BENDIG HOTEL
Sumeru are coming back to Melbourne and this time they’re bringing vinyl: their Holy Lands LP is out now on Arrest Records Australia and Whitewinter Records. Catch Sumeru at Bendigo Hotel in Collingwood on Friday March 13 with Watchtower, Caged Grave, Grim Rhythm and Cement Pig.
Then Saturday March 14 sees Bendigo Hotel host a very special show in memory of Melbourne guitarist Merm Sauzier of No Remorse and Persecution who sadly passed away. Sauzier was not only known for his musical prowess but also for being one of the scenes most likeable and down-to-earth dudes. For the first time in Over 20 years, Melbourne’s Mass Confusion return for this special event. They were known as one of the most pioneering and experimental bands on the scene in the late ‘80s/early ‘90s mixing metal with chaotic fusion, style and madness. Sanctum’s original lineup featuring Nats, Shirty, Matt Skratch and Cherry have reunited for the first time in 25 years to play tracks from their ‘89 To Dust demo EP and take you back to a time of epic thrash. They’ll also perform a No Remorse set. A live tribute to Persecution will see original Persecution members Bo Remy and Darren ‘Dakka’ Antoci joined by Jason ‘Saundies’ Saunders (Sarfaust, Rankor, Hobbs Angel of Death) Cherry (Sanctum, King Fate) and Mark Cullen (Inverloch) performing Persecution’s Tortured Existence in full. As if that isn’t enough, this show will also feature the first gig from OMEGA featuring Bo Remy and Zac Halpin. Come and celebrate the history of Melbourne metal and pay homage to one the scene’s most memorable, likable yet not forgotten soldiers.
NEW BONJAH SINGLE
Bonjah have announced new single Burn, produced by Jan Skubiszewski (Dan Sultan, John Butler Trio) as well as a run of Australian tour dates before the band head overseas to play at Canadian Music Week in May. Catch them at the Easter Festival in Bendigo on Thursday April 2 and at Howler in Melbourne on Friday April 24.
THE RETURN OF CHARLIE MARSHALL
Charlie Marshall (Harem Scarem, The Body Electric) is one of Australia’s pre-eminent singer/songwriter/guitarists and after a recent musical hiatus, he’s returning to the stage for two very special and intimate gigs in his hometown of Melbourne. He’ll be performing two sets at both gigs, featuring solo material off his upcoming album Sublime – Songs Of Metaphysics, Science And Ecology, as well as songs from his musical past, at The Post Office Hotel in Coburg on Sunday March 22, and again on Sunday April 26 at The Retreat Hotel Brunswick. Both shows are free entry.
