A progressive metal quartet from Adelaide, Sun of Gaia are a talented bunch. Rather than take the predictable prog-metal route of trying to recreate an hour’s worth of Dream Theater inspired anally retentive dullness pomposity, the tracks on their 2016 EP look farther afield for inspiration. The riffs are heavier than many prog metal bands for starters – more of a melodic death metal punch informs their sound, along with some hardcore – but that’s not all that sets them apart. In terms of taking such riffs and fusing them with the unexpected, this release is a real winner.
Tag Archives: aussie
HOBO MAGIC – Hobo Magic
From Brisbane comes classic metal/stoner metal band Hobo Magic; a band deep into the sounds of early Sabbath and more than ready to shake their audience with a rather fierce bottom end. There are hundreds of bands out there churning out post-Kyuss riffage, of course…so many, in fact, that it’s easy for many of them to be overlooked, or indeed, lost in the noise. Fans of the style should make a special pilgrimage through the realms of the internet’s countless stoner bands to find Hobo Magic, for musically, they have something special that really sets them apart.
SKULLCAVE – Climbing EP
Rarely was a band more aptly named. It takes about three seconds before this second EP from Australia’s Skullcave sets about caving in listeners’ skulls. These guys not only know their way around an enormous riff, but also know how to make the simplest riffs sound truly frightening.
DIRE WOLF – Black Death EP
As much as their choice of band name might suggest, Brisbane’s Dire Wolf probably don’t have much time for the Grateful Dead’s brand of Americana. Formed in 2011, the band’s chief goal was to become one of the city’s heaviest bands – and if they couldn’t claim such a feat previously, their 2015 EP release ‘Black Death’ must set them pretty close. In just under twelve minutes, the band lay down a brutal hardcore sound, uncompromising yet thrilling, in a manner that fuses influences from Dillinger Escape Plan with a whole lot more besides.
MATTHEW SHACALLIS – Reach The Stars EP
Bringing sunny power pop all the way from Sydney, Matthew Shacallis fronts a three piece band on his 2014 EP ‘Reach The Stars’. It’s a record that conveys a natural sound while still retaining the kind of well-crafted production value you’d expect from his chosen musical niche.