The Word on Metal with Josh Nixon
The tinnitus still rings in my ears from a massive week that saw Hellhammer from Switzerland, Viscera Infest from Japan, Thou and Full of Hell from the USA, and Voodoo Acid Space Kings rebranding the Polish White Eagle Club. Plenty more where that came from, as it’s time to look forward to spring.
Regarding ringing ears, The Baso seems to have joined forces with former The Greenroom audiologist, Garry Peadon. I’m pretty sure that was a new in-house PA system I spied with my little ears. It sounded absolutely monstrous there.
Immorium
Taking their opportunity to run that new PA through its paces, locals Immorium stepped up big time with their latest album, Rose Water Black, which came out in July.
The lads have been taking their melodic death metal on the road to celebrate. The hometown show lands at The Baso on Friday, 30 August and wraps up a month long campaign taking the new material interstate, which will no doubt sharpen the tools.
The new material is expansive, epic and ambitious in scope, and it sounds massive. Get yourself a copy of the record and get along to the show. Congratulations, lads, on an impressive quality release. Get those tix via Oztix.
Pod People and Emu Release new Albums
Friday, 30 August also sees the digital release of the long (long, looooong) awaited 3rd full-length from Pod People. The 30th will make available pre-orders for a limited deluxe vinyl release French label Blackfarm. The 6-track full-length was recorded in Toyland and Goatsound Studios in Melbourne and was produced, in part, by the band and, in large part, by a generous grant through artsACT.
We drenched this record in our blood, sweat and tears; we hope you dig it. We’ll have some launch shows in the near future, too.
Big shout out to Roy for the insane artwork. Just take a look at it! Pre order your vinyl copy via Black Farm Records.
Speaking of Blackfarm Records vinyl, Sunshine Coast power trio Emu released their debut album through Australia’s best underground French record label.
Guitarist/vocalist Connor Mitchell sent me a self-titled 6-track record in July, and I was blown away at how well these guys have nailed the power boogie of ‘70s Sabbath-adjacent bands like Sir Lord Baltimore, Budgie, and Captain Beyond.
As usual, Connor’s guitars are beyond reproach, and the rhythm section is superb. But Connor’s vocals really step up on this one, channelling Billy Thorpe via Dave Wyndorf. Groovy as all get out, give it a crack. Get it a listen here.
King Parrot and Killer Bands
A welcome announcement in the last month from Melbourne’s King Parrot, who once again take flight around the nation in November, and they’re migrating with a flock of killer bands for the whole shebang.
The USA’s Weedeater is back for the entire 11-date tour, which hits The Baso on Sunday, 10 November. Domestic species also in for the ride include 2-piece doom favourites Astrodeath and Melbourne maniacs Choof. A huge tour with much fun to be had. Tix via Oztix
Get thee to The Pot Belly
The Pot Belly has been on a roll of great shows. Seeing other venues expanding the options for bands and punters is awesome. The beers are always great, and so is the entertainment quality.
Saturday, 31 August, Acid Amora & The Dark Clouds and Acrolysis hit the stage. 8pm, $10 on door.
Also, Pilots Of Baalbek are still redeeming their frequent flyer points and hit The Pot Belly on Friday, 6 September, with Drugs In Sport, Sick Fizz, and Moot adding to the in-flight entertainment. 20 bucks via Trybooking.
Essence Festival!!!
Essence Festival is having a red hot Aussie crack at promoting not just the festival itself but also the capital and its surroundings.
A multi-tiered approach to promote the festival has been deployed, incorporating what to see and do in the ACT on the weekend of the 27th and 28th of September in a bid not just to promote the line-up – and a killer line-up it is! – but the region.
This is taking queues from Dark Mofo and how the event brings the whole city into focus.
We love artistic ambition here at BMA, and when you accompany that with Abramelin, Impetuous Ritual, Altars, Whitehorse and Carcinoid, to name but a very few of the two nights, well… It’s a big thumbs-up from Metalise, too.
Show your support; a ticket at The Baso website today!
The Festival of the Skull
is also rapidly approaching, with Witchskull, fresh from their performance with Triumph of Death, taking up residency in the back room at The Baso in October, playing an album in full each night over four successive weeks. The four events can still be attended at one low ticket price; check out the band’s socials or The Baso ticket site for a ticket today.
Beyond Canberra
Up the Hume, there are a few international tours of note. Iron Maiden is back in Australia in September and play Sydney on the 12th and 13th.
Undeath has a fun triple header with Melb’s Gutless and US band Resin Tomb on Saturday, 21 September. Event deets here.
And I’m sure prog metal fans already have their tickets for Monolith on Sunday, 10 November. Headlined by Coheed & Cambria with sets from Periphery, Leprous, Intervals, Novelists, and Silver Fang in the bargain.
Only some of the passport-carrying thrashers are missing the ACT, though. Italians Rhapsody of Fire and Sweden’s Dream Evil are at The Baso on Friday, 1 November, and countrymen Enforcer is here on Saturday, 23 November.
O, yes indeedy… Heavy music is alive and well, folks. See you up the front.
