This year’s event features a very eclectic palette of sounds within the extremely broad spectrum of heavy music, from the over the top, Viking-influenced power metal of Barbarion to the extreme tech death of Psycroptic, to the hard hitting strains of ‘90s and classic heavy rock-inspired Perth act Hailmary, and just about everything in between. The latter’s frontman and guitarist Kev Curran, speaking from his home in the western capital, is very happy that the range of bands is so diverse, rather than having soundalike band after soundalike band.
“Yeah, definitely,” he agrees. “You get to see a lot of different styles of metal and hard rock, and rock in general. You get a band like Witchgrinder as well, who’ve got that industrial influence, another different one in the spectrum of the heavy stuff. I really enjoy watching those guys; they’re another band I’m digging at the moment, so we’re really looking forward to seeing them.
“There’s so much going on,” he continues. “We’ve got our buddies from Perth, Chainsaw Hookers, they’re more punk rock, they’re coming over as well. It’s good to have two Perth bands on the lineup.”
Hailmary have been around for quite a number of years now, and have built up a sizable back catalogue through their prolific songwriting and strong work ethic. 2013 saw the release of their debut album Choice Path Consequence Solution, and they followed that up little more than a year later with their third EP Navigate the Sunrise. The band plan to cover most or all of that recorded history in their Brewtality set, with the main focus being on the most recent release.
“We’ll be showcasing some of the new stuff off the latest EP Navigate the Sunrise,” he reveals. “Going to chuck in a few tracks from everything else we’ve done as well.”
The band are also unveiling a new member on this trip. “We’ve got a new guitarist, too, Ben Elfick, who’s taken over guitar duties from our original guitarist Todd. I think people will enjoy this guy’s playing, he’s a really great player, and he brings something to the table.”
Hailmary are one of the hardest working bands in the country, making the massive trip from the west to the eastern seaboard on an incredibly regular basis. It’s always a huge undertaking, getting a rock‘n’roll band, its gear and entourage from the isolated west across one of the biggest nations on the planet to play multiple shows up and down the eastern seaboard, and Adelaide as well. But Kev takes it in his stride, and they should be back here at least a couple more times before the year is out.
“This must our third trip over there this year,” he says, referring to the coming jaunt for the Brewtality show. “We took a break during the recording, so I think that was the longest we hadn’t been in Melbourne for a long time. But we definitely clock up the miles. And those flights are not cheap, I can tell you.
“We’ve been offered some gigs for November in Sydney, I can’t specify them 100% at this point. And while we’re going all the way to Sydney, we may as well play in Melbourne, so there’s a good chance we’ll be back, one more time at least before the end of the year. We can’t stay away” he laughs.
The band are also working steadily on part two of the Navigate the Sunrise EP. “Yep, there’s definitely plenty of ideas, so I’m anticipating this release won’t take too long to come out. Maybe early next year.”
BY ROD WHITFIELD
