Australia is infatuated with gold. We're currently sitting at 18 over at the Paris Olympics, we chuck in a cheeky "That's Gold!" after hilarious anecdotes or memes are shared and with that in mind, we're extending the presence of the metal element into this week's Top 10 Aussie Heavy//Alternative Tracks.
The following heavyweights and hitmakers (yes, like our playlist here) should be spun all weekend long - some even more than that - so take a quick look at the best releases our country produced this week.
Void Of Vision - 'Blood for Blood'
In the years we've been covering Void of Vision, we've watched on as the awesome foursome define their careers through innovation and monstrously heavy tracks guaranteed to get you moving. None more so than the releases they've been putting out for the forthcoming album What I'll Leave Behind (out Sept 20th via UNFD).
From my personal Australian Song of The Year 'Angel Of Darkness' last year, through to the daunting reflective single 'Gamma Knife', VoV has honed in on their unique blend of metalcore-meets-ravecore sonic explosion to deliver some of their best material yet.
'Blood for Blood' is no different. Whether you'll snap your neck to the bouncy/bass or invoke internal chaos as frontman Jack Bergin belts out the lyrics 'I wear this black lipstick when I seal it with a kiss / So the whole world knows this is my deathwish / I’ll take the blood, the sweat, the tears on my face / Sell it for a buck because you love the way it tastes', chances are you'll find yourself in a pool of sweat by the song's completion.
When discussing the new release, Bergin explained:
"I entered a phase viewing music as a literal bloodsport... We were losing close friends to suicide, dealing with our own mental health struggles internally, and losing support from those around us all as I was completely off the map dealing with my own health issues. Everything was an uphill battle and I had to tackle it while navigating through the criticism and unwanted feedback from an over-privileged 'fanbase' who seem to care more about the drama than they ever did about the music alone."
"The modern-day pressures of sustaining a career in music while honouring our creative processes and maintaining our well-being practices are becoming harder and harder as how we consume art continuously shifts, but I really don't think people who DON'T create will ever understand that."
In an age where the internet has given everyone a voice, maybe some of us need to shut the devices down and head outside to touch grass... For others, giving Void of Vision the recognition they so rightfully deserve is the perfect start to a new chapter.
Stream 'Blood for Blood' and pre-order the new album here
Ecca Vandal - 'Bleed But Never Die'
Speaking of Void of Vision, in 2021 they linked up with Ecca Vandal for a reimagined version of 'Decay' on their Hyperdaze (Redux) album, which introduced the alternative scene to the South-African-born, Naarm/Melbourne local and her ferocious approach to alt-rock; which found her on the riff-heavy 'Rell, the Iron Maiden' single from the League of Legends soundtrack.
Fast forward and Ecca returns with 'Bleed But Never Die', a romper-stomper concoction of punk-meets-indie rock with flavoursome hip-hop injected throughout. You'd find this offering in the same realm as fellow Aussie acts WAAX, Being Jane Lane or early Tired Lion, but with an abrasive in-your-face attitude to boot. Ecca Vandal has the appeal and prowess to leave her mark on the scene and if you haven't heard of her yet, now's the time to familiarise yourself, chump!
Stream 'Bleed But Never Die' here
Diesect - 'Second Death'
The Gold Coast core kings return with 'SECOND DEATH' and they're angry as fuuuuuuuuck.
Continuing to hone in on that ferocious metalcore sound that blends nasty breakdowns with looming cyberpunk synth' a surprise trap/rap section completely caught me off guard and shows progression for Diesect, as they introduce new elements on their climb up the ranks.
A guaranteed moshpit starter for their upcoming tour supporting Starve and Outsider.
Stream 'SECOND DEATH' here
Make Them Suffer - 'Oscillator'
STOP EVERYTHING AND GIVE MAKE THEM SUFFER'S NEW SONG A SPIN.
The band have kicked off their self-titled era in style and nothing will stop them from the global domination that awaits them. Read more about the forthcoming album here.
Stream 'Oscillator' here
ZUKØ - 'Broken Neck
Brisbane boys ZUKØ have slowly but surely made a name for themselves in the local scene, and the obvious next step is to get national recognition, which won't be far off with the efforts they've put into latest single 'Broken Neck'.
The song's theme centres around a broken home with vocalist Jesse Hudson pulling back the veil and bearing his soul with an increasingly aggressive fast and furious delivery that'll have you feeling something if you're in a similar position.
'Thinking it was me that I had to fix / Like it was my fault you had got up and fucking left / So I don’t have to prove anything to you / Best stay out of view'
With gut-wrenching lyrics and a dope AF bassline, this quintet prove they're one fo the only bands down under that blend their metalcore/hardcore/punk sound so effortlessly and deserve props for progression with every song drop.
See what the fuss is about and listen to 'Broken Neck' here
Motions - 'Concrete' feat. Dylan Davidson
Sticking around in Queensland but heading far north to Townsville, we're catching up with Motions again, who today released their first new song in 5 years - and it's got a collab that'll certainly draw a crowd.
The ambient alt-rockers instantly capture your attention with the opening instrumentals of the single, but the second vocalist Ted Walker starts belting out the words, you'll be captivated and intrigued enough to listen until completion. Deadlights frontman Dylan Davidson joins in with distant screams for the climax, but the attention is all on Motions as they invoke influence (in my opinion) from the almighty Deftones.
The last time we saw Motions live in action was 2019, but something tells us they'll be picking up momentum on the back of this new track.
Discover Motions and stream 'Concrete' here
Slowly Slowly - 'All Time'
If there's one thing that can be said about Slowly Slowly's Ben Stewart, it's that he writes some of the most intricate and poetic music this country has ever seen. A mastermind both behind a pen and mic, 'All Time' is yet another prime example of the musicianship that exudes when this band put their heart into their art.
Is anyone else picking up on that potential homage to INXS with the opening guitars? Listen for yourself below.
Stream 'All Time' here
Teen Jesus & The Jean Teasers - 'Dull' feat. Softcult
The Teen Jesus x Softcult collab is anything but dull as we're led through a shoegaze indie rock track that highlights the vocal performances of both acts. TJ's Anna Ryan takes the lead as they hark back to the late 90's vibes of Veruca Salt, Garbage and Janet English (Spiderbait) before Sc's Phoenix Arn-Horn joins in with an attention-grabbing duet that will no doubt bring fans of both bands together as their ears prick up in unison.
Looking to escape the brutal heaviness of the scene? Give the soothing sounds of your new fav collab a crack.
Listen to 'Dull' here
Indigo Blaze - 'Wanna Play?'
It's been a hot minute since we came across an Aussie band jumping on the nu-metal revival, but Perth's Indigo Blaze have done a pretty bang up job of bringing it back into the spotlight, especially on new single 'Wanna Play?'
Inspired after seeing Turnstile live in concert, the lads drew upon the band's ability to write catching punk/hardcore songs that make you want to dance and the evidence is clear with this offering which wouldn't be too far removed from Ocean Grove's early material alongside a song and chord structure that commercial radio would have lapped up in the late 2000s.
"Lyrically, the song is about dealing with writer's block and scraping for inspiration not just in music but in the monotony of working life."
Give it a crack via streaming here
Primrose Path - 'Hex'
Sticking around in Perth for Primrose Path - a progressive metal outfit that has bestowed their new single 'Hex' upon the world and caught my attention in the process. Vocalist Lindsay Rose ebbs and flows between alluring cleans and destructive screams while the band intertwines between her words with down-tuned guitars and a looming synth that lifts the song to new heights, creating a sound sphere of intrigue and heaviness that only the west do best.
There's a reason Primrose Path were selected to open for Karnivool and if this is the start of what's to come, our eyes are locked firmly on the four-piece.
Keep up with the band and give 'Hex' a go here
Give all the artists a closer look in our Aussie Heavyweights & Hitmakers Playlist - Updated weekly for both Spotify and Apple Music.
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4tMr1CycvXq1qJzG2aE84G?si=6f65c9fbf6994f37
