'Sterilise' -Whisperhead Single Review

Whisperhead, a breakout Dubbo nu-metal band, have returned with their grimy and groovy single ‘Sterilise’. 

The band has taken a slight departure from their previously released singles. ‘Sterilise’ feels grittier and thicker, with a heavy chugging guitar, pounding, steady drums and a vocal line leaning more melodic than heard before.

Forming in 2022, Whisperhead have taken the Australian heavy music scene by storm and quickly began building a fanbase with their performances around the country following their first single, ‘Swallow You’. It’s clear from their latest single that this new band is truly finding their musical stride. 

Particularly enjoyable is a skillful build-up following the first verse. Listeners are met with an incredibly satisfying combination of Nolan’s softer vocal tone, and a grungy, meaty yet subdued guitar tone that feels tangible, as though you can sink your teeth into it, and you want to. 

Nolan’s voice feels delightfully discordant, inspiring feelings of unease, a building tension and a hinge of fear reminiscent of the vocal performance of Benjamin Burnley from Breaking Benjamin. 

Whisperhead’s guitarists have shone through in this track with their ability to bring the song a slower, gritty, syrupy feeling initially which builds to an impression of frantic desperation, reflected in the refrain repeated in the chorus of ‘Take it, make it go away’. 

Nolan’s vocal performance similarly adds to this sense of intensity growing, and growing, until your heart is pounding and your head is banging. His screams are perfect for hitting the angst ridden spot inside us. Nolan screams where you cannot.

Whisperhead’s rhythm section is equally impressive and is ultimately what makes the song as catchy and memorable as it is, the drums and bass are swinging and provide the ‘groovy’ element amongst the grime brought by the guitar and Nolan’s vocals. 

‘Sterilise’ feels weighty in a way Whisperhead’s other songs have not. It’s a song that settles in your chest and sets your blood pumping. ‘Sterilise’ is a song that listeners would be drawn to in times of sadness and anger, a song brimming with angst, to fill that void inside left by disappointment and despair. 

But despair no more, Whisperhead will not disappoint, not with ‘Sterilise’. 

For more information about Whisperhead click here for their linktree.