It is widely recognised around the globe that Australia is a rich melting pot of talent within the realm of alternative music, making us the enemy of music communities far and wide as they enviously watch on to see what our artists will do next.
In an interview with Wall of Sound, Left To Suffer/Project: Vengeance/Seven Hours After Violet vocalist Taylor Barber claimed that perhaps “There is something in the water in Australia… I think Parkway Drive might have pissed in the ocean and now everybody in Australia has great music talent”. Perhaps McCall and co. might enjoy urinating on the shores of Byron Bay, but ultimately, it runs deeper than that.
Us Aussies are fortunate enough to have bore witness to great acts like Parkway Drive, I Killed The Prom Queen, and The Amity Affliction pave the way for Northlane, In Hearts Wake, Polaris, Alpha Wolf, Make Them Suffer, Redhook and Thy Art Is Murder by creating a nurturing space for them to find their feet in, before eventually going on to tour the world.
To celebrate our alternative music community that is envied by the rest of the world, we have created a list of the 30 hottest unsigned heavy acts in the country right now (in alphabetical order) that you should be keeping your eyes on as they are bound to attain world domination.
ATLVS (VIC)
Hailing from rural Victoria, this recently turned four piece have been active for a number of years. After multiple frontman changes and multiple EP releases, these guys have found their stride and have gone on to share the stage with international acts such as ERRA, We Came As Romans and Bury Tomorrow. The group hasn’t released any music since 2023, but rumour has it that the group are currently hard at work writing some new material, so keep your eyes peeled for an announcement at some point.
Body Prison (VIC)
Since their debut single ‘Dogma‘, released only a mere two years ago, which was backed up by 2023’s full length album Until Madness, this Melbourne-based quartet has rapidly gained fame for their powerful performances that never fail to ignite the moshpit. With the experience of supporting artists such as Cattle Decapitation, RUN, Gravemind and having performed at Melbourne’s most recent edition of Good Things, the future is looking promising for the deathcore four-piece.
Cerement (VIC)
This Melbourne based deathcore act are an unrelentingly chaotic energy that unleash sinister breakdowns and horror inducing brutality into the world with their heavy tunes. Through sharing lineups with big name acts Unearth and Vulvodynia, this group are carving their presence into the heart of Australia’s heavy music community, especially with the release of tunes like ‘paraNORMAL‘, the ominous ‘How Can I Love With These Hands?‘ and that demonic cover of The Used‘s ‘The Bird and The Worm‘.
Crave Death (QLD)
The ferocious Candice Bankovacki fronted act, who are edging towards celebrating ten years of being an active band, shared the stage with the likes of Alpha Wolf, Crossfaith, ten56. and Emmure at the 2024 edition of CVLTFEST. As big opportunities continue to come the Brisbane band’s way – including catching the eye of infamous concert videographer hate5six – who knows how tight this group’s grasp on success may become with the follow up to 2023’s EP Die Slow. They dropped ‘DECAY II‘ and ‘Sever‘ mid-year last year, so let’s hope for new material around the corner.
Cultists (NSW)
Sydney’s local scene is starting to heat up and Cultists are front of mind with their delectable deathcore meets metalcore soundscapes, jarring riffs and frontman Liam Solway‘s ear-piercing screams. If you’ve already spun old tracks ‘SNAKESKIN‘ and ‘SINK INTO THE CEILING‘ to death, then smash your head against the nearest wall as ‘DEFECT‘ invokes utter chaos on your senses.
Darkmatter (WA)
Originating from Perth, this four-piece has garnered the attention of Australia’s alternative music communities since their 2021 debut single ‘Parasite Culture‘, which was later solidified by their EP titled The Anatomy of Violence. As the group continue to gain traction, they have gone on to share lineups with genre leading groups such as thrown, Alpha Wolf, Bury Tomorrow and fellow Perth exports, Make Them Suffer.
Daybreak (WA)
Sticking around in Australia’s west coast, Daybreak have accumulated a loyal following throughout the country with their killer releases, beginning with 2017’s Death Dreams. This group have a history of being the go-to West Australian act to perform with the big named international and local heavyweights such as Kublai Khan, August Burns Red, Fit For An Autopsy, Polaris and Thy Art Is Murder. Following the release of their latest album, The Sound, that list is sure to grow even longer in the future.
DEADSKIN (VIC)
Returning to lurk around the Melbourne scene as we check in with none other than core four-piece DEADSKIN, who sent shockwaves throughout the Aussie community with the release of their A HOME IN THE SUFFERING EP last year. The band continues to come out swinging with any show or support slot they’re put on and if they keep it up, it won’t be long before they’re joining the top-tier heavyweights they look up to.
Deficit (NSW)
Having spent 2024 touring with notable acts such as Diamond Construct and Ocean Sleeper, this nu-metalcore four-piece have an impressive bunch of singles in their back catalogue (such as ‘ORIGINAL CRIMINAL‘ and ‘Trailblazer‘) which is bound to boost them further along their climb to prominence. With no word of what the group will do next, my best bet is that a full studio release would strengthen their existence within the world of Australian heavy music.
Diesect (QLD)
Emerging from the sun-drenched Gold Coast in Queensland, this hard-hitting four-piece have won over punters across Australia playing shows with everyone from While She Sleeps, Silent Planet/Currents, ERRA and Fit For A King as they set out to dominate the heavy music world. Their latest collaborative release with Darknet titled ‘Dienet‘ and are set to tour an almost completely sold out Australian trek with thrown throughout February.
DIS//CORD (SA)
Setting a foot firmly on the ground of the progressive metalcore scene is RADelaide upcomers DIS//CORD, who have only released three tracks so far, all of which leave more than a lasting impression with each spin. If bands like Protest The Hero, August Burns Red and Northlane tickle your fancy, then tune in for the immaculate screams of frontman Jake Turner and co. and keep your eyes and ears close to said ground for what they pull off next.
ELISION (NSW)
This Sydney based metalcore four-piece have spent a number of years refining their sound, which was encapsulated perfectly on their latest single ‘Nostalgia‘. With more tricks up their sleeves surely to be revealed throughout 2025, this is one act definitely worth paying close attention to.
Harroway (NSW)
Bellowing gutturals and pummelling instrumentals are just some of the key factors that keep fans coming back to Harroway. They’ve made traction and a name for themselves following the release of the I Don’t Want To Be Here Anymore EP in 2023, and even scored opening slot duties for We Came As Romans, Ocean Sleeper and Patient Sixty-Seven. After putting on affordable All Ages shows, and dropping the song ‘Heresy‘ last year, word has it new material is not to far away…
Hate Complex (VIC)
Brought together by former Inhibitor vocalist Jesse Burr, fresh deathcore act Hate Complex have made their presence known within the local heavy music scene following the release of three strong singles and a handful of performances. Their boldly brutal breakdowns and alluring guitar chugs make sitting still impossible for any heavy music fan.
Irken Armada (NSW)
Sydney is stepping up with their new crop of core kings and Irken Armada are fast becoming hot property in the local circuit, having already shared the stage with the likes of Diamond Construct, LUNE, and Cancer Bats. With their sights set on national recognition, it won’t be long before the rest of the country (and world) discover their thumping tracks ‘Your Own Version of Hell‘, ‘Gutter Mouth‘ and breakthrough hit, ‘Hospital Road‘.
Life Pilot (SA)
Alright, RADelaide, what’s good? Life Pilot are a self-described ‘No Bullshit Chaotic Hardcore’ act and if you’ve come across their live shows, you’ll know that statement rings true. Having come and gone in the scene since we first set eyes on them in 2017, the band turned heads with their recent single ‘Feeding An Illness‘ which not only rips hard, but was filmed in the infamously haunted Glenside Z Ward for the Criminally Insane.
melting (VIC)
Emerging mid-way through 2024 with their debut single ‘Modern Human Ritual‘, this Melbourne based project has been brought together by guitarist Alex Bertuna, who previously played alongside Mélancolia shredder Billy Morris, and Alpha Wolf vocalist Lochie Keogh in the local band Earthender. With only a few singles and a handful of live performances under their belt, this group has had an explosive start, which they are sure to capitalise on as we move further into the new year. Anyone who’s seen this band perform at one of their few gigs can attest that they’re a standout act on the rise in 2025.
Outsider (SA)
Seemingly drawing influence from notable acts such as Boundaries, Kublai Khan and Chamber, Adelaide metalcore quartet Outsider have spent a number of years honing in on their mosh inducing sound. Following on from impressing punters while supporting the likes of While She Sleeps, Stick To Your Guns, Deez Nuts and more. Elevating their rise to prominence, the future looks exceptionally bright as they gear up for an Australian tour supporting thrown, Half Me and the aforementioned Diesect this February.
RVN//NT (QLD)
It’s no secret Brisbane has been coming our swinging for the title of Australia’s best breeding ground for new heavy talent and the metalcore scene is thankful for an act like RVN//NT. When they’re not popping up on shows across QLD, they’re dropping new music aplenty with singles like ‘Distain‘, ‘Void of Mind‘ and ‘Destruction‘ highlighting their talent and the quality of musicianship the four-piece produce.
SAME PAINS (QLD)
They say the further North you travel in Australia, the better the bands get, and SAME PAINS are evidence of this. The North QLD core kids spent their formative years in other bands but came together to bring their wealth of knowledge and experience to a new and improved outfit that resulted in scoring a spot at BIGSOUND 2024 and playing shows between Darwin and Melbourne. Following on from their closure – an aggregate release, the lads have promised more material is on the way as they continue to climb Australia’s upcoming echelon of next-gen metalcore mainstays.
SIGNALS (SA)
Proudly claiming Adelaide as their hometown, the metalcore upcomers levelled the hell up when they unleashed their Poetry Of Spite EP last year, complete with killer songs such as the title-track and single, ‘Permanence‘. Hellbent on making their mark, the five-piece won fans over at Froth & Fury Festival, played shows with Alpha Wolf and We Came As Romans and have their sights firmly set on the rest of the county as they prepare to drop even more new music and “touring as much as possible” throughout 2025.
Starve (VIC)
It’s only a matter of time before these future icons get picked up by one of the bigger labels scouting our shores for the next big thing. Between dropping EPs, two-tracks and their tasty AF debut album Life’s Promise Dies, The Melbourne-born band have conjured their own hype, their way, and proved local bands can cause more than a ripple with the right sound and ethos. Their All Ages album launch brought the next generation of moshers to the forefront with many kids getting a healthy dose of their br00tal slayings in the process.
Strange Fiction (QLD)
If Every Time I Die had an Australian lovechild, it would be Strange Fiction. The party hard pals from Brisbane give ‘100 Fucking Percent‘ in everything they do, from on-stage antics to their heavy AF music videos. If you’re ever in their vicinity, make sure you tag along and check them out. They’ll be pulling bigger crowds and slamming wider stages in no time.
UNI/VS (QLD)
From the early beginnings with the EP Deaths Door (2017), through to their most recent collection on the 2023 EP Something More, Brissie boys UNI/VS have kept us hooked with their display of melodic-metalcore, throwing back to the glory years of bellowing screams and crisp, soaring highs in the chorus – especially last year’s single release ‘A Chosen Death‘. As we wait patiently for their next instalment of music, we can only imagine it’s going to be their best work to date given their progression with each drop so far…
Vilify (NSW)
The feisty foursome from Newcastle know all too well how hard it is to be an upcoming band in the Aussie scene. When they’re not speeding down the highways late at night following epic sets, the heavy hitters are dropping fire in the form of tracks such as ‘Dread Addict‘, ‘Split Tongue‘ and ‘Light Bringer‘. Having ripped up stages at CVLTFEST and supported the likes of Redhook, Northlane, ERRA and Diamond Construct, it won’t be long before they’re snapped up and signed.
Virtues (QLD)
In the core scene, as bands age gracefully, they tend to leave the heavier material behind in favour of palatable, melody-friendly tunes… Not Virtures though, who kicked around the mid-2010s as a metalcore outfit, before rebranding as a gurn-inducing deathcore romper-stomper hellbent on snapping necks with each show. Taking influence from all over the heavy music scene, it’s still astounding this band hasn’t been picked up yet. Maybe the powers that be are too afraid of frontman Wade Felsch following the release of singles like ‘The House That Evil Built‘ and ‘The Valley‘. Keep your eyes locked on their next move in 2025.
Volatile Ways (NSW)
Not ones to be pigeonholed into a specific genre (but sonically drawing upon sounds from the death/hard/metal/core scenes) this Newcastle outfit – fronted by the ferocious Emily Beekmans – won over fans when they supported The Acacia Strain and send shockwaves throughout Froth & Fury Festival with songs like ‘Pink Mist Wish List‘ and ‘The Invocation Of Doom‘. Latest offering ‘Televised Suicide‘ dropped in early December, so make sure you’re across it too, especially if you need a healthy dose of raw, unfiltered gutturals.
Wildheart (QLD)
Staples in the Aussie heavy scene, Wildheart spent 2024 honing in on their song writing skills and levelled the fuck up on their sophomore album, Searching for Life Beyond Tragedy, by implementing cleans to the melodic-metal/hardcore soundscape and delivering a much needed education of indigenous issues in the process.
WildAsh (QLD)
In the short amount of time we’ve had our eyes on WildAsh, they’ve slowly but surely made a name for themselves in the local metalcore scene in Brissie. Combining soaring vocals with chuffy riffs and plenty of throwdown theatrics, it’s only a matter of time before other states catch on too. Looking for a starting song? Give ‘Obey‘ and ‘LUMA‘ a spin.
ZUKØ (QLD)
Rounding out the sick list is another batch of rising stars from Brisbane who have been tearing up the local scene stages throughout the Sunshine State, making a name for themselves with their unapologetically heavy hitters, including singles ‘Absence‘, ‘Venom‘ and latest offering ‘No Place for You‘. As their streaming numbers increase, so do the new sets of eyes and ears checking them out – are you next? Catch the supporting Alpha Wolf and MALEVOLENCE throughout regional Australia in May.
What do you reckon? Agree with the above list? Wish one of your fav acts made the cut OR your band was in our sights too? Get in touch across our socials and stay tuned for what is shaping up to be yet another MASSIVE year for Australia’s heavy music scene.
Check out the playlist featuring two key tracks from all 30 acts on Spotify, Apple Music and TIDAL.
We’ll leave you with Sugar Spine, an exceptional genre-bending band featuring Josh Munke, an Aussie abroad, who will without a doubt blow up on a global scale with new music inbound.
Written by Adam Rice, Ricky Aarons and Paul ‘Browny’ Brown.
