God damn, I love this time of year. It's festival season and with Soundwave approaching, metal, punk and hardcore lovers should be waking in wet patches. The Soundwave crew has compiled another epic line-up and if you can't find 10 bands that blow your mind at this festival, I'm sorry to break it to you but your mum lied, you're a loser.
In fact, there are so many incredibly epic bands playing this festival that one must prepare by prioritising those that need to be seen. You may have avoided this, as inevitably you will find yourself pitting favourite band against favourite band. It's something akin to choosing which child to save. But fret no more; the AU review has selected the 10 bands you’d be stupid to miss.
Stiff Little Fingers
These guys are one of a few classic punk-rock outfits appearing on the bill. Heavily influenced by their 1970’s Northern-Ireland context, their tunes absolutely drip vitriol. A decade since their last record, their Australian tour signals an epic comeback, including the upcoming release of their 10th studio record No Going Back due out in March. This will be the band’s second ever tour of Australia in 37 years, so who knows when they’ll be back.
The Porkers
The Porkers aren't your wussy trumpet-playing, spiky-haired type ska band. They cut their teeth in the drunken, amphetamine-fuelled pits of working-class Newcastle, NSW: A place where a night out wasn't complete in the "80s, "90s and early-2000s until you and your crew had fought to the bloody end with some other crew of stupefied amateur pugilists. The Porkers were the soundtrack to many a fist-fight. All that aside, these gents can play. This seven-piece combines Jamaican rhythm and grungy reggae with funk, punk rock and metal riffs. This is a band that can start a party and hold tight while that party's guests descend into madness.
Mushroomhead
Costumes, masks, theatrics… these guys know how to put on a show. Musically, Mushroomhead are a little bit of everything – elements punk, techno, electro, industrial and hip-hop all coming together to create some of the most un-settling, rage-fuelled, head banging music around.
Clutch
It’s a rarity to find a band that has been around for over 20 years and had absolutely no line-up changes, but that’s Clutch. This consistency has made Clutch develop together as a band, becoming incredible live performers and has seen their material just get better with time, with their most recent record Earth Rocker their most successful yet. They’re one step forward from traditional rock n’ roll, but a few steps back from heavy metal. Perfect for anyone heading to Soundwave who’s a little scared their ears might bleed. So grow a beard and get to the front of the mosh.
Living Colour
Without Living Colour, you'd have no Faith No More, no Soundgarden and No Rage Against The Machine. Simple as that. This is an influential band that you may never get the opportunity to see and hear again. These pimped-out New Yorkers combine metal riffs and high-range vocals with elements of free jazz, soul and rock. Living Colour might be best known for their track "Cult of Personality", which featured heavily on MTV back in the day, but they have a back-catalogue of monumental tunes. Expect metal riffs, bass-slapping, more style than a vodka-drinking penguin in Ray Bans, sexy-rhythm and political lyrics.
Down
Down are some serious dudes. This band is one of the big guns in the sludge-metal, stoner-rock scene. You'll get dark, heavy, extended riffage, rolling drums that conjure an approaching army and head-banging beats. Down has never gained the wide-ranging popularity that its music should command, perhaps because it hasn't been the primary project for its members. But the band's debut album Nola is a revered, critically acclaimed classic.
Placebo
With an impressive backlog of absolutely heartbreaking tracks including “Sleeping With Ghosts” and “The Crawl”, and huge electro and symphonic influences, Placebo are somewhat at the other end of the spectrum compared to some of the bands performing at Soundwave. They’re a band that has proved their longevity, with a huge fan base and an extensive and varied catalog. They’re an obvious choice, but with good reason.
Filter
They’ve been teasing us for a while, but FINALLY they are coming down under. The four-piece emerged out of Cleveland 20 years ago, and have been peddling their very own brand of industrial rock ever since. You’d probably know them by the tracks off their Title Of Record album which will take you right back to 1999.
The Dillinger Escape Plan
No surprise here. One of the greatest experimental metal bands of all time. They combine hardcore vocals and grinding chords with undertones of melodic metal riffs and rhythm, like nobodies. For more than 15 years, The Dillinger Escape Plan has remained uncompromisingly committed to developing their unique sound, rather than striving for scene popularity. The band, whatever combination of musicians it's comprised of, is known for a physical and brutal stage show that should leave the most hardened head-bangers mentally fatigued. DO NOT MISS THIS BAND.
Alice In Chains
This is your one excuse for missing The Dillinger Escape Plan. If the set times of those two bands clash, riot. As all unhealthily-attached fans would be, I was uneasy about the band reforming with a new singer after the tragic death of front-man Layne Staley in 2002. I had not seen Alice In Chains live before Staley's death and so thought I never would. So when Alice In Chains announced their reformation it produced a mix of rapture and dread. But when new lead-singer William Duvall first took the stage at Soundwave 2009, and axe-man Jerry Cantrell let rip, all those mixed feelings were instantly resolved and forgotten. To see Alice In Chains is to scream along to each classic metal song while 20,000 heads bang in unison.
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SOUNDWAVE FESTIVAL DATES & VENUES – FEBRUARY/MARCH 2014
SATURDAY 22 FEBRUARY - BRISBANE, RNA SHOWGROUNDS
SUNDAY 23 FEBRUARY - SYDNEY, OLYMPIC PARK
FRIDAY 28 FEBRUARY - MELBOURNE, FLEMINGTON RACECOURSE
SATURDAY 1 MARCH - ADELAIDE, BONYTHON PARK
MONDAY 3 MARCH - PERTH, CLAREMONT SHOWGROUNDS
TICKETS ON SALE NOW: http://soundwavefestival.com/
This article was co-written with Callan Lawrence with assistance from Paul McBride, Philippe Perez and Nathan Atkins. Stay tuned to the AU review for ongoing coverage for everything Soundwave Festival!