English extreme metal band, Cradle of Filth, the core band for founding member and frontman, Dani Filth, often intentionally courted controversy in their early days. Whether via confrontational t-shirts, occult curious literature, forays into horror film acting or just unsettling artwork based on disturbing themes, Filth and cohorts appeared to be pushing boundaries between decadence and nihilism.
AmarantheSupport: AuratequeMetro Theatre, Sydney.Friday, 30th August 2024. Swedish melodic metal band Amaranthe were finally in Australia for the first time ever and touring on the back of seventh album, The Catalyst, it was going to be interesting to see what the setlist would entail. But based on the turnout this evening, there were no concerns.
Sweden’s melodic metal band Amaranthe’s international profile has deservedly been steadily rising in popularity. Now, with their February released seventh album, The Catalyst adding even more musical excellent genre crossover material to their current setlist, together with a slew of classic tracks, the band are finally in Australia, for their first ever tour which see them venturing across the country.
Canadian three-piece Rush defined the power trio in progressive rock circles. For many musicians, there is no greater pinnacle of musicianship as found in the vast discography of Rush’s works. Sadly, their 2015 R40 Live Tour, which commemorated the 40th anniversary of celebrated drummer, the late Neil Peart, aka ‘The Professor’, joining the band, proved to be their last tour for what is known as the definitive line-up.
Supports: The Neptune Power Federation + The Vee Bees Saturday, 6th July, 2024 Venue: Liberty Hall, Moore Park, Sydney. Rating: Four skulls. It was apt for Australian punk rock band The Vee Bees to be the opening support for Municipal Waste’s return tour to Australia, after a good decade of absence by the latter, from
Thrash metal crossover band, Municipal Waste, last graced our wide brown land with their presence in 2013. So finally, they’re back to wreak havoc, and pummel eardrums, now with a couple more albums under their bullet belts to add to their sonic artillery. Those uninitiated with the Municipal Waste live experience are in for a steep learning curve.
New band Crownshift is comprised of experienced metal musicians from various other established Finnish bands. Their debut album, titled Crownshift, is ferocious and melodic, combining a variety of styles to create a modern and powerful album that is highly impressive.
Latest Album: BAT : Under the Crooked Claw. Label: Nuclear Blast. The horror genre and thrash metal subculture have always gone hand in hand. Any aficionado of 80’s splatter is likely to recall the hard rock and metal soundtracks associated with the more extreme claret spilling variety of the horror prosthetic gore effects craze that
Unleash the Archers + Firestorm & Thraxas!Thursday, the 6th of June 2024Manning Bar, Sydney UniversityRating: Five skulls. Canadian power metal band Unleash the Archers have been steadily gaining ground in the metal scene as the band to watch. Fronted by powerhouse vocalist Brittney Hayes [aka Brittney Slayes], backed by a sensational progressive metal band, and
Latest Release: The Road Not Taken. Label: Celtic Collections [independent]. Folk music is a wide and varied musical style that can encompass everything from traditional songs, steeped in various cultures, to more contemporary fare that could be seen as musical poetry. Whatever the case, much like blues and roots music, there are no limitations to