Interviews
Boris the Blade
While Australian metal fans may currently be unfamiliar with the name Boris the Blade, chances are this won't be the case for long. With an impressive debut EP just released and the band's first run of shows completed, Boris the Blade appear set to fill a void in the local death metal scene. KYS caught up with the group's frontman Daniel Sharp late last week to discuss recent musical developments.
Balance and Composure
Balance and Composure are arguably one of the most exciting bands to come out of the alternative scene in a long time. Having built a following with a string of solid EP releases, the band released their debut full-length "Separation" to roaring acclaim earlier this year. With their hugely anticipated debut Australian tour about to kick off, we briefly caught up with guitarist and singer Jon Simmons.
Bring Me The Horizon
Love them or hate them, Bring Me The Horizon are pretty much the biggest name in heavy music right now. Having released their new album “There Is A Hell, Believe Me I’ve Seen It. There Is A Heaven, Let’s Keep It A Secret” which topped the ARIA charts, the boys have returned to Australian shores once again to tear up Soundwave festival. We caught up with bassist Matt Nicholls to discuss stealing gumball machines, Def Leppard and creepy haunted houses.
Break Even
One of the most popular hardcore bands in Australia right now, Perth's Break Even, are currently on tour in Europe (well, half of them anyway) with Your Demise, Stick To Your Guns and Letlive, and are in the writing stages for their next album. The band will be playing the annual Push Over festival in March, and we caught up with the band's guitarist Steffen to discuss the festival, the band's new album and nude stage dives.
Bullet For My Valentine
Following their September Australian tour and just ahead of their upcoming Soundwave performances, we sat down with Michael "Moose" Thomas, drummer for thrash/metalcore legends Bullet For My Valentine.
Ben Jorgensen
Former Armor For Sleep front man Ben Jorgensen never made it down here to Australia during his time with the band, but he is about to make up for it by touring the country as a solo act. With the tour kicking off in Adelaide in a few days time, Ben took the time to answer a few questions for us about the upcoming tour, as well as his debut solo EP, "There Is Nowhere Left To Go".
Bitter End
Hailing from San Antonio, Texas, Bitter End are testament to the fact that everything really is bigger in the Lone Star state. Their punishing, 80s-thrash infused riffs have rightly earned them fans all over the globe. With the recent release of their second studio album “Guilty As Charged” on Deathwish, Bitter End have again proved themselves as the rightful kings of metallic hardcore. We caught up with BE’s guitarist Jacob to discuss Angry Birds, country music and hitting rock bottom.
Baroness
Baroness are set to return to Australia this week for the second time this year, this time around opening for Metallica on their massive "Death Magnetic" tour. The band's guitarist and and vocalist John Baizley answered a few questions for us before the upcoming tour.
Backtrack
The NYHC scene has always been home to some of the most ferociously uncompromising bands in global hardcore such as Madball, Agnostic Front and the Cro-Mags. Today, a new wave of bands are emulating the New York sound in a more contemporary context, and among them are NY locals Backtrack. With an EP titled 'Deal With The Devil' out now on 6131 Records and an album set for release next year, Backtrack are shaping up to be one of the mainstays of the NYHC revival. Vocalist James Vitalo took some time to answer a couple of questions for us.
Blkout
Perth hardcore band Blkout got off to a slow start, but 2009 saw them escalate to a level beyond what anybody could have expected from them, releasing a 7" and an LP of raw, unforgiving hardcore. Multiple tours (with the likes of Rise & Fall and 50 Lions), Blkout have returned with a new 7" titled No Justice No Peace. If this is the first you've heard of the band, prepare to be educated in true, unadulterated hardcore. Vocalist Scott Angel answered a couple of questions for us.