Necrosonic Festival returns to the Mansfield Tavern on Saturday, August 22 2026, and the full lineup has been revealed to the masses! With dual headliners Rivers of Nihil (USA) and our very own Psycroptic, alongside exclusive reunions, one-off performances and long-awaited resurrections ~ this year’s ritual is the most formidable yet.
With a massive deference to Australian talent, this year’s line-up is: The Bezerker, Rivers of Nihil, Psycroptic, Gravemind, Lynchmada (Exclusive ‘One Last Time’), Segression (30 Year Reunion), Minus Life (Resurrected – Exclusive), Pestilential Shadows, Five Star Prison Cell (Resurrected), Wxrldfxcker, Witchskull, Dreamkillers (Special EP Set), Helm (Resurrected – One-Off Show), M.S.B.I. (Resurrected – One-Off Show), Barriers, Meth Leppard, Permafog, Destruktor, Gutless, F.U.C, RUN, John Lee Spider, The Matador, Body Prison, Growth, Grotesque Bliss, Vyrion, Neomantra, Nembutolik, Slaughtercult and Bruxa.
HEAVY has thrown down the challenge and sent a Q & A sheet out to all bands, with any that don’t return one completed having to buy us a beer at Necrosonic. So while we are quietly hoping we get minimal replies, a couple have gotten back to us already, and today we feature The Matador.
The Matador is a progressive post-metal and atmospheric sludge outfit originating from the Gold Coast, Queensland. Formed in 2005, the band initially carved out a reputation in the local hardcore scene before evolving into a slower, more expansive sonic beast. Following a decade-long hiatus, they triumphantly reformed in 2024 to bring back their trademark wall of dark, brooding structural weight.
The Sound: A compelling mix of spacious, meditative movements, moody down-tempo textures, and gargantuan down-tuned riffs. Fans of atmospheric post-metal giants like Cult of Luna, Isis, Amenra, and Russian Circles will find themselves right at home.
Q & A
HEAVY: NECROSONIC 2026 is almost upon us. How far out from August 22 will you allow yourself to get excited?
THE MATADOR: We’re hoping to have some new material recorded and ready to release by Necro, so we’re pumped right now!
H: What does it mean to your band to be playing NECROSONIC?
TM: It’s so cool to be playing with a lot of old friends, and we’ll hopefully make some new ones too. Kent has shown faith in us for a long time, so we’re stoked he asked us to play.
H: How important are festivals like NECROSONIC for the Australian music scene?
TM: In terms of heavy music, they are vital. It’s a great way to introduce new bands alongside old favourites, and Kent does a rad job of bringing some great bands back from the dead.
H: It’s a long day of music. What will you be doing to make sure you will still be standing come your set time?
TM: Lay off the rumbos until after we play!
H: Give me your Top 3 Festival survival tips.
TM: Don’t get on the rumbos before midday, eat plenty of food and stay away from shots.
H: Which band – other than yourself – do you think will get up to the most mischief on the day?
TM: Not sure how much mischief we’ll get up to, but with a name like Meth Leppard, they’ve got to be a chance, I think.
H: What one song would you tell festival goers to listen to of yours if they haven’t heard you play before?
TM: Kingdom of Glass, the first track off our first EP, Descent into the Maelstrom.
H: Will you be taking requests on the day?
TM: If someone yells out a song we have on our set list, for sure, haha.
H: Run us through your typical live show and what punters can expect.
TM: We are a little different to a lot of the bands on the bill, lots of atmospheric instrumental parts interspersed with doomy post metal riffage with some ebow and slide guitar thrown in there too.
H: What’s your latest release?
TM: We just put out our first new music in over 10 years in April, it’s a 3 track EP called Throat of the Mountain.
H: Finally, what plans does your band have for the rest of 2026 into 2027?
TM: In terms of shows, we’re playing with Gaerea at Crowbar in July and then, of course, Necro. We have a heap of new music that we are getting ready to record, so we want to make up for lost time after our 10-year hiatus. We want to head interstate as well, so once we have some new music recorded, we’ll look into planning that. Hopefully, we can make some connections with a few bands at Necro!
NECROSONIC tickets and more information https://necrosonicfestival.com/
