R.I.P. JEFF HANNEMAN
As I’m sure you know by now, Slayer’s Jeff Hanneman died last week of liver failure after battling a flesh-eating disease caused by a spider bite. Jeff was responsible for pretty much all of my favourite Slayer songs. Raining Blood? Jeff. War Ensemble? Jeff. South of Heaven, Seasons in the Abyss, Angel of Death, Dead Skin Mask? Jeff Jeff Jeff Jeff. The metal world will be feeling this one for a long time.
BREAKING ORBIT, ENTERING ATMOSPHERE
Sydney’s Breaking Orbit were responsible for one of my favourite albums of 2012. They’re progressive, heavy, melodic, emotive and ambient. And they’re out on the road in June promoting Silence Seekers, the final track from the album. This one focuses more on the band’s melodic side and it’s an imposing thing of beauty. They’ll be at Revolver on Friday June 14. They’re also at Enigma Bar in Adelaide on June 15, which I’m telling you because road trips are cool and Breaking Orbit are worth one. Okay? Okay.
GIG ALERT: AMORPHIS
Funny: just edited an interview with these chaps for one of my other jobs. Finland’s Amorphis are coming to Australia for the first time ever! Never before has this iconic and distinguished act graced Australian shores, but in October 2013, this is all set to change. They’ll be here performing tracks off their latest release Circle but will also play classic and fan favourite Amorphis tracks across their comprehensive discography. They’re hitting Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth (the Melbourne show is Monday October 14 at Billboard The Venue), tickets from metalmassacre.com.au, moshtix.com.au or ticketek.com.au. Early bird tickets are on sale now via metalmassacre.com.au, while general tickets go on sale Monday May 20.
MANIFEST AT THE CORNER
Introducing the ugly cousin of Saltar Hype Entertainment’s At The Corner events: Manifest At The Corner. On Friday May 24, nine brutal Melbourne acts will thrash it out over The Corner Hotel’s two stages. Prepare to have your face melted as King Parrot, Dreadaught, Elm Street, Bronson, Voltera, Contrive, They, Cold Divide and Diprosus all light up The Corner Hotel. Tickets are $16 plus booking fee, on sale now from the Corner Box Office or cornerhotel.com.
BLEEDING THROUGH’S FINAL AUSTRALIAN TOUR
This is a celebration! After over a decade as full time touring act, Californian metal-core giants Bleeding Through have called it a day and have announced a final Australian this July. Having firmly cemented themselves atop the metal pantheon with the release of seven genre defining classic albums including metal-core staples This Love, This Is Murderous and The Truth, Bleeding Through set the benchmark for all those to follow whilst changing the face of heavy music. Although their departure will be an incredible loss to the international community of heavy music, fans can take solace in the announcement of one final tour of Australia with the band playing all the classics from an extensive discography. Perth’s metal kings Make Them Suffer are along for the ride. They’re at Ferntree Gully Hotel on Friday July 26 and The Hi-Fi on Saturday July 27. Tickets are on sale now from the usual outlets.
TWELVE FOOT NINJA SMASH CROWDFUNDING TARGET
Melbourne’s Twelve Foot Ninja continue to defy convention by setting a world record for the highest amount crowdfunded for a stand-alone music video, along with smashing the record for the largest Australian music crowdfunding target of $45,000 in just 28 days. By raising an astonishing $52,600 to make their highly anticipated next video clip via Australian crowdfunding platform Pozible, the project eclipses even mainstream favourites Eskimo Joe (who sought $40,000 in 60 days) and now sets the benchmark for music crowdfunding in Australia. Fans pounced on the campaign’s $2,800 – $7,000 rewards with three days to go, ultimately pushing the band well beyond their target of $45,000 with 60 hours still remaining. One overseas ‘superfan’ surprised the band by contacting them via social media offering to pledge $7k for a private performance and BBQ, leading the band to create a custom ‘reward’ to accommodate the generous offer. The ultimate surge that tipped the band beyond their target came from a consortium of Perth fans, who joined forces to pledge $5,000 for a BBQ with the band (which includes a rare acoustic performance).
Guitarist and video creator Steve ‘Stevic’ Mackay says “this is an amazing symbol of connectedness with our fanbase. To have the opportunity to collaborate with our supporters in the unique way has solidified my opinion that crowd funding will fill the void piracy created. It is the new model/paradigm shift I think artists have been waiting for. It is 100% about connection with fans – no dilution, no interference, no bureacratic ‘BS’, just point to point.” The video will take on cyber bullying – but with the same explosive humour, grindhouse aesthetic and relentlessness the band’s fanbase have come to love and expect. And keep an eye out for Periphery and a busty Penthouse Pet.
BEASTWARS
New Zealand’s heaviest, hardest working and most well respected stoner rock band Beastwars have just released their second studio album Blood Becomes Fire, and they’re finally touring Australia, for the very first time. They’ll be at the Bendigo Hotel on Saturday May 11 with locals Batpiss, Broozer and The Ruiner. They’re also appearing with Unida from the USA at The Hi-Fi the following night.
CIRCADIAN PULSE: YOUR LOCAL PROG FIX
Melbourne progressive metal band Circadian Pulse will be launching their debut EP In the Blink of an Eye at the Bendigo Hotel on Thursday May 16. Formed in 2008, the band has firmly established itself in Australia’s niche progressive metal scene. With influences including Dream Theater, Fates Warning and Symphony X plus a variety of other stuff, this will be a great opportunity to hear some local prog. The performance will consist of the recently released EP plus some other selections. Joining them will be fellow local metal bands Horizons Edge and Alaskan Thunder.
ROCK ‘N’ LOAD RETURNS TO THE ESPY
On Saturday June 1, the second annual Rock ‘N’ Load Festival returns to The Espy in a big way. The venue’s three rooms will feature some of the best live rock acts from Melbourne and interstate, with over 30 acts across three stages. The bands are – are you ready for this? – Dallas Frasca, The Fumes, King Of The North, The Nerve (Single Launch), My Secret Circus, Ten Thousand, Massive, Don Fernando, Gay Paris, Dead City Ruins, Battle Axe Howlers, Sudden State, Sheriff, Hotel On Mayfair (EP Launch), Riot In Toytown, Vida Cain, Dive Into Ruin, High Side Driver, Virtue, The Dead Love, Pretty Villain, Destroy She Said, Red Sky Burial, The Human Electric, The Caning, Horsehunter, Animal Hands, Elcaset, DJ Esquire and the Phil Para Band. Tickets are on sale now: $21 plus booking fee from Oztix, the Espy bottleshop, Polyester Records, Greville Records, Fist 2 Face, The Nash (Geelong) and Karova Lounge (Ballarat).
DOUBLE DRAGON MEMBERS RESURFACE IN VOROS
Voros, the five-piece Australian metal outfit featuring former members of Double Dragon and A Red Dawn, will play their first Melbourne show on Saturday July 20 at The Hi-Fi. The show is in support of their debut EP, The Sky Burial EPs: Pt I. Voros formed in mid-2012 when A Red Dawn and Double Dragon members Joshy Lamont (bass) and Davin Buttery (guitar) teamed up with Double Dragon’s Liam Weedall (drums) and set about establishing a new band that would incorporate elements of several metal sub-genres, while staying true to their Australian heavy metal instinct. The recruitment of guitarist Cameron Dodds and later vocalist Tyson Braithwaite would round out the five-pronged attack. With a full lineup in place, Voros began recording the six tracks that would make up the band’s debut release, The Sky Burial EPs: Pt I, II & II’ with plans to unleash it for free online in three installments throughout 2013.
COOL BAND ALERT: DEATH DEALER
What do you get when you team up ex Manowar/The Dictators guitarist Ross The Boss and ex Dungeon/Paindivision and Empires Of Eden shredder Stu Marshall with the insanely operatic and steel coated vocals of Sean Peck from Cage and bolt it down with Mike Davis on bass (Rob Halford/Lizzy Borden) and Rhino (Manowar) on drums? The answer is Death Dealer. Check them out at deathdealer.co where you can listen to music and watch an awesome EPK.
GIG ALERT: SAINT VITUS
The legendary doom lords Saint Vitus are coming our way in July. They’ll be at The Hi-Fi on Saturday July 20. I know, I know, there are some other awesome gigs on that night but you’ll fit this in. You’ll fit this in.
