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Looking for a brand new heartbreaking emo track to add to your playlists? Brisbane alternative-rock quartet Garden Eyes have you covered with their newest single ‘Contest’ ; a stripped-back love song expressing the heart-wrenching reality of loving someone through their struggles with mental health and depression. Having just been released on the 17th, you definitely do not want to sleep on this one! Being Garden Eyes’ second release of 2026, following their previous single

As we are now a few months deep into 2026, I wanted to take a moment to celebrate some of my new favourite Australian-based femme artists and female fronted bands. Through my work with Hot & Heavy, I've been lucky enough to be introduced to so many up-and-coming new bands that are loaded with talent, especially in genres that are typically male-dominated. I was inspired to curate this list after attending Siren Sounds , a mini-festival which featured a line-up prioritising lo

As the days get colder and the nights get gloomier, I’ve got the perfect track to accompany you for the start of the season. ‘Drömsång’ , Swedish for “dreamsong”, is the eighth track off of Këkht Aräkh ’s third album “Morning Star” that just dropped at the end of last month (I’ll save the full album review for another day ♡). This song is a re-recorded version of ‘Dröm Sång ’, a single released by Këkht Aräkh in late 2024, with this version of the song taking a more atmosph

Acclaimed UK metalcore band Polar are back with their first music drop of 2026, and it was definitely worth the wait! Following up from their 2024 album ‘Five Arrows’ , ‘JOHATSU’ is a marker of Polar’s new era entering 2026. Consisting of a revitalised line-up and renewed positivity, Polar are on a path of worldwide domination. The literal meaning of the title ‘ JOHATSU’ stems from the Japanese word for “evaporation”, however it also has a heavier connotation and is used t

Haunting female-fronted alt-metal band Twisted Lullaby have just dropped a blood-chilling new single, and it is definitely their darkest song yet. ‘Murder Me’ is thematically harrowing, told from the perspective of a man who brutally murders his lover. Through powerful lilting vocals, lead singer Shay conveys the sheer horror and despair of this story. maintaining a late 90’s/early 2000’s nu-metal vibe and sound, ' Murder Me' features heavy chugging riffs and adrenaline in

Refreshed, explosive, and powerful Grizzlyshark’s latest track, ‘Desire’ (released March 6th), brings a burning and bright energy that will be sure to impress fans of the band. Brisbane's emo hardcore band Grizzlyshark’s exciting new line up has delivered a track full of edge, grit, and a tinge of playful energy that keeps the songs momentum pumping throughout.  It can be difficult for a band to come back swinging after a series of member changes but Grizzlyshark have managed

‘ZERO DAY’ is the latest single from progressive Perth-based metal band MiLkyWay , and it is the type of track that transcends expectations. The main aspect that immediately stands out about 'ZERO DAY' is the fact that this track is entirely instrumental. This unique quality really draws attention to the beautifully complex and technical music that MILKYWAY have written and created. Taking inspiration from modern progressive metal, alternative metal, and cinematic sound des

Last weekend I had the absolute privilege of attending the sold out headline show for Italian goth-metal legends Lacuna Coil , a s part of their SleepLESS EMPIRE Australian tour. Taking place at the stunning Northcote theatre, it was such a magical evening enshrouded in gothic beauty, gloriously heavy music and a crowd of passionate fans. Being Lacuna Coil’s first headline tour in Australia in a decade, this was one that you absolutely did not want to miss. @staticdawn__

Brisbane based hardcore/metalcore heavy-hitters ZUKØ played a sold-out gig last week at The Catfish in Fitzroy, marking their debut Melbourne headline show as part of their 'Teeth To The Curb' East Coast tour! With a stacked line-up of local bands like BLOOD OATH and Melting , as well as Perth-based “nu-metalcore” band Pincer+ coming along for the ride, the night was entirely dedicated to hot & sweaty hardcore chaos and mayhem. @staticdawn__ Leading the lineup for the nig

Pop-metal phenom ‘Machine on a Break’ delivers yet again with a cinematic, anthemic and ethereal track, ‘Ocean Full of Mirrors’ (released 20 February).  Machine on a Break is a solo, female-fronted, project, emerging in 2022 with several well-received singles and a burgeoning live act. Ever since then, Machine on a Break has only grown, serving fans tracks that combine the melodic sensibilities of pop with all the familiar instrumental hallmarks of metal. She’s since opened f

Bursting into the new year with a politically charged and emotional self-produced EP ‘Polyester City’ (released January 27) Atlas and the Attic show that they’re not afraid to confront the chaos of modern society.  The EP opens with three unapologetically political tracks, critical of our current society and the systems that run it. The first track, ‘The Gravedigger’, provides listeners with an excellent marker for what is to come across the course of this EP. ‘The Gravedigge

Adelaide-based Metalcore/Hardcore collective SØRRØWSTATE have just dropped their second ever single, and it is a total heavy banger! Taking inspiration from the instrumental energy and chaos of bands like Pincer+, Diesect and Alpha Wolf, ‘Rot With Me’ is absolutely explosive and a total sonic assault. Describing themselves as “the embodiment of suffering”, SØRRØWSTATE are a total breath of fresh air in the Aussie Metalcore scene. These guys are absolutely not afraid to bare

If you are looking for a song to add to your end of the world party playlist, then you're absolutely in luck! All Regards’ newest single ‘discontent’ is a catchy post-apocalyptic banger that deals with the idea of “apathy in the face of annihilation”. Utilising a sound that takes the punchiness of pop-punk and the melodic aspects of alt-rock, the Melbourne/Gippsland based band express the bleakness of being powerless in the face of corruption and utter destruction. Through

Ominous and sludgy Brisbane band Violent Conflict have brought in the new year with a succinct yet scary metalcore track, ‘What I’d Give To See You Burn’, released January 23.  Violent Conflict aren’t new to the Australian scene but have recently gained traction, particularly with their 2025 release, ‘Venom’. This four piece band consisting of vocalist Josh Guerin, bassist and vocalist Connor Grawley, guitarist Leigham Moyses, and drummer Robert Schilke are fast growing in th

Forget Valentine’s Day, spend this February 14th with some heavy metal greats at ‘Life’s a Beach ’. A day dedicated to great music, great drinks, and even better views from the Riviera Beach Club near St Kilda. It’s the perfect way to spend a Saturday as summer winds down for the year.  Headliners and event curators, Polaris, will be joined by some excellent guests including We Came As Romans (US), Thy Art Is Murder, Ocean Sleeper, Caskets (UK), Terminal Sleep, Reliqa, and He

Australia’s local music scene is thriving, well, almost. Every weekend, in every state, you can find a local band playing the gig of their lives. It could be their first gig ever, their first gig back after a dry spell, or an out-of-state band that has driven hours just to play to a 100 capacity room that’s barely half-full. Every weekend (some weeks every day) there’s someone, somewhere, playing live music.  Statistically, they can’t all be good. And admittedly, there will b

Hailing from the Central Coast of NSW, Repriever are keeping the heart of the metalcore scene alive and beating with their just released EP ‘Fracture’ . This is the band's first EP drop since 2019, and it is a testament to Repriever's sonic and technical development. Flawlessly blending heavy breakdowns with softer, hauntingly melodic moments, this EP is equal parts intense and wistful. Named after the Shinto sun goddess, ‘ Amaterasu ’ is the opening track and sets the tone

Newly crowned 'Poster child' of pop punk, Taylor Acorn is returning to our shores in March 2026, and this time is bringing their friends Arrows in Action.

Newcastle locals Maple's pet dinosaur is getting ready to warm up the crowd at Good Things Festival next week at only 15 years old. They dropped their newest single, 'Chorus', and it's a grungy, alt-rock anthem!

Get ready to cry, sing, and stage dive your heart out, Hot Mulligan are officially heading back to Australia in April 2026 for The Sound A Body Makes When It’s Still tour, joined by saturdays at your place (USA) and Forests (Singapore).