Padded Cell Productions and BMF Productions present Metal in the Mountains 2026. To be held at Beechworth Historic Precinct, 100 Ford Street, Beechworth, Victoria, from November 13 to 15, this dose of alternative, underground culture proudly stands behind the Historic Precinct buildings of Beechworth.
Returning for a massive seventh year in the centre of Beechworth with a full range of heavy bands, ready to pummel the granite foundations into sand, this year’s show will not hold back. The peaceful citizens of the quiet historic township of Beechworth will be shaken from their vintage homes. The earth itself will quake, and the cockatoos will scream from the trees. All within earshot will know that Metalhead Ned is back in town.
The full line up is Segression, Elm Street, PistonFist, Kitchenwitch, Hematemesis, Helluloid, Virulent Invocation and Raise The Fallen. HEAVY has sent out Q&A’s to all of the bands to find out more about them and what to expect, with Segression the focus of todays session.
SEGRESSION
If you call yourself a true-blue Aussie metalhead, then the name Segression should instantly make your neck snap. Hailing from Wollongong, these absolute legends have been injected into the very fabric of our heavy music scene for over thirty bloody years. They didn’t just survive the cutthroat music industry; they laid the boots to it and carved out their own path.
Back in the late 1990s and early 2000s, when the world was obsessing over American nu-metal, Segression stood tall and dropped absolute anthems like 5th of the 5th and the chart-topping powerhouse album Smile. Their sound is pure, unadulterated groove metal—brutal riffs, crushing basslines driven by frontman Chris Rand, and a live energy that could tear the roof off the Mansfield Tavern. There’s a reason global heavyweights like Ozzy Osbourne, Pantera, and Slipknot handpicked these Wollongong bruisers to share national stadium stages with them. They are professionals to the core, and they leave absolutely everything on the stage.
Fast forward to 2026, and Segression is proving that true Aussie metal never dies. Celebrating their 30th anniversary, the boys have reformed with guitar slayer Damon Bishop joining the ranks to tear through a massive national run of shows. They just unleashed their definitive Best of Segression album, compiling decades of raw, metallic ore. But they aren’t just living off past glory—they’re writing fierce new material like We Are Deathless. True Aussie metal warriors!
Q & A
HEAVY: METAL IN THE MOUNTAINS returns to Beechworth this November. How excited were you to get the call up?
SEGRESSION: Segression are extremely excited and honoured to headline Metal in the Mountains. The band is ready to deliver another heartfelt crushing show.
HEAVY: What does it mean to your band to be playing MIM?
SEGRESSION: This event has a unique and special feel to it and Segression cannot wait to become a part of a great festival creating memories that will be talked about for years.
HEAVY: Have you ever been to MIM as a punter?
SEGRESSION: Unfortunately, none of the band have been to MIM before
HEAVY: It’s a long day of music. What will you be doing to make sure you will still be standing come your set time?
SEGRESSION: We will be watching a great lineup of bands and catching up with as many friends and fans as possible.
HEAVY: Give me your Top 3 Festival survival tips
SEGRESSION: Dress to the conditions
Stay Hydrated
Avoid the party animals until later in the day
HEAVY: Which band – other than yourself – do you think will get up to the most mischief on the day?
SEGRESSION: PistonFist for sure
HEAVY: Run us through your typical live show and what punters can expect.
SEGRESSION: Segression combine songs from their early albums rights through to their current releases. The band explode with a massive ball of energy that lasts from the first note and beat until the last.
HEAVY: If you could get one band on the line-up to cover one of your songs who would it be and what song would they cover?
SEGRESSION: PistonFist to play Painted in Blood
HEAVY: What’s your latest release?
SEGRESSION: The Best of Segression it gives a taste of all of our releases.
HEAVY: Finally, what plans does your band have for the rest of 2026 into 2027?
SEGRESSION: Segression will finish 2026 launching the WE ARE DEATHLESS single in their home town of Wollongong in Dec. 2027 will see the launch of not only their album but also stayed tuned for an announcement of a new festival.
Metal In The Mountains 2026 will be held at Beechworth Historic Precinct, 100 Ford Street, Beechworth, Victoria, from November 13 to 15. Tickets HERE
