blog

Brisbane based post-punk six piece My Friend Chloe are back in 2026, with a mesmerising new track that explores the very idea of what it means to grieve. Described by the band as “post-punk for the dance floor”, 'Grief' is like if The Prodigy travelled back in time to the 70’s for song inspo. Taking listeners through a psychedelic post-punk haze, a hypnotic bassline is layered with dual floating synths and distorted guitars that weave into the sonic texture. The vocals in thi

The queen of bitch-punk is back!! Sage’s newest single ‘Vagrant’ is a viciously fierce anthem for the outcasts, punks and anyone who has been looked down upon by society. If you're looking for a rallying cry, then this one is for you... Sage is a punk-duo from Naarm (Melbourne), consisting of trans frontwoman Sage and drummer Jareth Hammet. Making their debut only last year, These guys are absolutely electric live, with Sage bringing some absolutely unhinged and brutal punk r

For this edition of Niche Genres For Baddies, we are stage diving headfirst into the rowdy and unapologetic world of Riot Grrrl. What Is Riot Grrrl? Riot Grrrl is a feminist and political movement that was born from an underground female punk collective in the early 90's in Olympia, Washington. It was a direct response to the rampant sexism and misogyny in the male-dominated punk scene of that era, as well as a society that did not value women and their experiences. This comm

Let’s not deny that we all listen to artists outside of heavy music—whether it’s Sabrina Carpenter, Harry Styles, or others across pop and beyond. After all, where would we be without nu-metal, pop-punk, and the genres that blur those lines? Still, I think we’ve all had that thought: “this artist could actually crush a heavy or metal album.” So, I’ve curated this list and also asked the crew to chip in with their takes! Halsey She's been very vocal on her love for heavy music

Darwin's metalcore outfit Koh have delivered a 7-track EP that feels both incredibly beautiful and painfully disgusting at the same time and honestly i'm in awe! The production on this one is flawless and KOH are such a tight band with an immense live energy even through studio recordings. 'Golden Death' explores the idea of transformation into something newer and greater in rebirth. "The term Golden Death, to me, means a different type of end. One that is more sacred and not

As someone who has been playing The Sims for the majority of her life, one of the coolest parts of the world-building in this franchise is the Simlish covers of real songs that are recorded for and included in each Sims game. If you're not a fellow simmer you're probably thinking "wtf is simlish"? Well, Simlish is an entirely made up language written purely for use in the world of The Sims in order to leave the story-telling entirely up to the imagination of the player. Promo

If you’re looking for a song that perfectly encapsulates that nostalgic feel of 2000s alternative rock, while still feeling modern and relatable, Vinewood Rally have you covered with their brand new song ‘Lydia’. From the outskirts of Western Sydney, Vinewood Rally are a three-piece rock band that take inspiration from the rawness of post-grunge and the attitude of early 2000s alt-rock. With ‘Lydia’, these guys draw from the sounds of bands like Violent Soho, Grinspoon, Linki

"False Face is a formidable force that commands attention from the world."

Jinjo are a four piece metalcore band, hailing from the Central Coast of NSW. These guys state that “some feelings must be screamed” and through ‘Bone Shovel’ they absolutely practice what they preach. ‘Bone Shovel’ is Jinjo at their ultimate form, with this track telling a story of survival and resistance in the face of overcoming personal battles. Grinding riffs, haunting guitar melodies, racing basslines and dynamic vocals form the backbone of this track, coming together w

Note From Tia: In my opinion, one of the coolest things about heavy music is the sheer range of different forms it can come in. Metal itself has something like 50 different subgenres, and more and more artists are pushing the boundaries of what heavy music can be defined as. I wanted to start this blog series in order to draw attention to some of my favourite lesser known or more niche heavy music subgenres, as well as spotlighting talented local artists in these genres. Hope

A split Review by Zoe Aitchison & Madisun Manyweathers I first heard about Basement a month or two ago while tuning in to FBI radio. The presenter broadcast their single ‘Covet’ from their 2012 Album "Colourmeinkindness". As soon as I heard it, I was eager for more and what a pleasure it is to find them at the perfect time with the drop of this absolute gem! It's been a long 8 years between drinks, but Basement are finally back with their brand new album “WIRED”, out now via

'A TASTE OF CHAOS' is the latest chapter in Scott Middlin’s discography, demonstrating some of his heaviest and most self-assured music yet. Scott Middlin is a solo Australian artist previously known for his involvement with bands including Emecia, Emerald City, and Against the Atlantic. He has also published a book and works as a tattoo artist, which makes him just that much cooler. 'A TASTE OF CHAOS' seamlessly blends the sounds of modern metalcore, alternative rock, and di

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 loc

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__