metal

  • Adriatic: Brisbane’s Balkan Djent/Hardcore/Metal Band

    Loud and brutal at Vinnies Dive Originally published in The Riff We turned the corner into Nerang Street in Southport on the Gold Coast when Adriatic lead guitarist Bojan Sambolec messaged me: I hope you brought earplugs. It’s insanely loud.… Continue reading

    Adriatic: Brisbane’s Balkan Djent/Hardcore/Metal Band
  • The SCHEMA Collective

    SCHEMA Festival 2019 was in November and I went there to write a review for Scenestr. Some of the SCHEMA Collective took time out to chat, so here’s more about them. Rashid Alkamraikhi is a co-founder of the Collective, and… Continue reading

    The SCHEMA Collective
  • The Story of Kidz

    A group of waist-high kids being adopted by a music mentor, to be tutored at his home? Seems unthinkable doesn’t it? Moses De Silva, a double bass player in Kota Kinabalu, was my translator in this interview. Warning: a bit… Continue reading

    The Story of Kidz
  • Valtozash Brisbane Review @ Crowbar

    My take on this fabulous metal-jazz big band, originally published in Scenestr. http://scenestr.com.au/music/valtozash-brisbane-review-crowbar-20171221 Valtozash, Brisbane’s 17-piece jazz-metal big band, headlined X-Mess II at Crowbar in Fortitude Valley (20 December). They crammed onto the stage and brutalised us with an onslaught… Continue reading

    Valtozash Brisbane Review @ Crowbar
  • Iron Maiden Voyage, Valtozash EP review

    In the late eighties, my mind was shot to pieces by the maniacal brilliance of a group of London jazz musicians called Loose Tubes, under the mirthful goading of their band leader, enfant terrible Django Bates. Today, I am listening… Continue reading

    Iron Maiden Voyage, Valtozash EP review
  • Jazz metal heads Valtozash at BJC

    Originally published in Scenestr. Valtozash Bigband appeared at the Brisbane Jazz Club (8 April) as Gregorian monks, on a smoky stage set against the magnificent city skyline. They opened the first set with a metal take on Herbie Hancock’s jazz… Continue reading

    Jazz metal heads Valtozash at BJC
  • Glorious chaos: Valtozash at BJC

    Their horns assault you with a stabbing dissonance.  An electric guitar invades your mind with frenzied brilliance, then wails like a banshee. Bass guitar and drums build that sound of despair, the relentless thudding eventually impales your heart. If you… Continue reading

    Glorious chaos: Valtozash at BJC
  • Glorious chaos: Valtozash at BJC VIDEO

    Their horns assault you with a stabbing dissonance.  An electric guitar invades your mind with frenzied brilliance, then wails like a banshee. Bass guitar and drums build that sound of despair, the relentless thudding eventually impales your heart. Continue reading

    Glorious chaos: Valtozash at BJC VIDEO