The Australian heavy music scene is in a constant state of dynamism. Since its humble beginnings, the scene has developed into a diverse melting pot of hardcore, metalcore, emo and punk that flourishes as the country’s most dedicated and passionate scene.
2018 was a massive year for heavy music in Australia.
The inaugural Download Festival made its way to the country. showcasing not only the best in international heavy music but showing off local talents like Ocean Grove, Cast Down, High Tension and more. Legendary artists like Parkway Drive and The Amity Affliction dropped huge albums, whilst new school leaders like Trophy Eyes and Hellions released their most accomplished efforts to date. Polaris conquered the world, Pagan dropped a stunning debut and Good Things Festival made us feel like kids all over again – 2018 was truly one for the history books.
2019 is shaping up to be a huge year already. With that in mind, we’ve taken a look at some of the artists who will shape the identity of Australian heavy music in 2019.
Caged Existence
Australian hardcore is in a total period of renaissance. Although youth centers and halls may be less at the epicenter of the scene, a new generation of riff-masters and demon-summoning screamers are burning through with politically fuelled, socially conscious heavy music.
Caged Existence are at the forefront of this blistering movement. Combining the face-melting ferocity of modern hardcore luminaries like Jesus Piece and Code Orange, they’ve cemented their place as leaders of the scene. Their EP The Body Prison saw wide acclaim amongst the community, whilst the band cut their teeth live alongside Antagonist A.D, Deez Nuts and Justice For The Dammned.
They’ll be making their inaugural Unify Gathering appearance next month – 2019 is undeniably their oyster.
Caged Existence – ‘Human Disease’
Alpha Wolf
Alpha Wolf have been on the brink of total scene takeover for a while now. Releasing their debut album in 2017, Mono proved the band’s heightened proclivity for slam-style riffs, nu-metal-esque soundscapes and total metalcore madness.
This year saw the band take their sound even further with singles ‘Black Mamba’ and ‘No Friends’, released with accompanying music videos that showcase the band’s mysterious aesthetic and strong creative direction. They’ll be heading to Europe for the first time (where we’re sure they’ll be loved immediately) in 2019 to tour alongside scene legends Emmure.
As one of the most creatively driven bands in the scene, whatever Alpha Wolf do next will be huge.
Alpha Wolf – ‘Black Mamba’
Wither
With members from Australian heavy scene luminaries, Dream On Dreamer, Belle Haven and Pridelands at the helm, its easy to see why Wither’s entrance onto the scene caused total hysterics.
Their debut EP Rot & I is the realization of the finest in Australian metalcore, refining the genre to the best of what it should be – dissonant, uncompromisingly heavy and simultaneously anthemic and catchy.
Wither – ‘Nothing To No One’
Falcifer
It’s clear Falcifer are fighting for the crown title of being the most uncompromisingly heavy bands in the country currently. The Adelaide crew culminate in a kingdom conquering spectacle of deathcore-drenched metallic hardcore that leaves no prisoners in its ferocious path.
Spending the last year cutting their teeth live alongside Parkway Drive, The Acacia Strain and Make Them Suffer, Falcifer are a hardcore force to be reckoned with.
Falcifer – ‘Sraight//Faced’
Justice For The Damned
Having already conquered Europe, won over their hometown and released an excellent debut LP, the Sydney hardcore/deathcore crew are gearing up to have their biggest year yet in 2019.
Releasing the scorching, black-metal inspired ‘No Brother, No Friend’ in November this year, the track signified a stylistic development for the band, flexing their liking for a revolutionary shred, holding nothing back in its utter brutality.
Justice are due for a new album, and if it follows in the path of ‘No Brother, No Friend’, we’re in for a total treat.
Justice For The Damned – ‘No Brother, No Friend’
Diamond Construct
Diamond Construct are following a tradition of intelligent metalcore in Australia. Having just signed to local legends Greyscale Records, the band’s most recent single ‘Submerged’ highlights their anthemic take on metalcore and strong aesthetic vision.
The band have recently shared the stage with Polaris, Parkway Drive and The Devil Wears Prada, carving their enigmatic live show into something incredible.
Diamond Construct – ‘Submerged’
Honest Crooks
No band start mosh pits quite like Honest Crooks. Honest Crooks are Australia’s most dedicated slam purveyors, and they have a legion of dedicated fans to prove it.
Hailing from Tamworth and Canberra, Honest Crooks deliver a unique brand of barbaric beatdown that’s as heavy as it is catchy.
Honest Crooks – ‘Imminent Threat’
