Author: Callum Doig

Growing up around tracks at the young age of eight from Rage Against the Machine to Queens of the Stone Age and At the Drive-In, I found my love for heavy music develop quicker and quicker, as I got into countless bands in genres from Alternative, Prog, Stoner and Math Metal over the years. Being part of the music journalism industry since 2013, I’ve had the honour to review the legendary Soundwave Festival twice, Unify, and the last ever Big Day Out, as well as interview big names such as Zakk Wylde, Matthias Jabs, Richard Patrick, Greg Puciato, Mikael Akerfeldt, A Nameless Ghoul and many, many more. With metal and rock music playing a massive part of my life since I was young, and eventually became inspired to pick up multiple instruments, I couldn’t have picked a better genre to influence me into getting involved in the scene, regardless of what the position would be. Heavy music has done more for me than anyone or anything else, and I intend to stick around for more and more as the years go by.

Gig Review: Wednesday 13 + Darkc3ll + Witchgrinder, Melbourne, 14 April 2016

Wednesday 13 + DarkC3ll + Witchgrinder The Corner Hotel, Richmond 14 April 2016 Review by Callum Doig Photos by Sofie Marsden Horror punk hasn’t lost its touch, it still packs a solid punch even with the small amount of artists that base themselves in the genre. Wednesday 13 is one such artist that’s keeping the […]

Gig Review: Asking Alexandria + Supports, 8 April 2016, Melbourne

Asking Alexandria + Blessthefall + Buried In Verona 170 Russell, Melbourne 8 April 2016 Review by Callum Doig Photos by Bethany Mafrici Asking Alexandria’s reputation as a metalcore band comes as more than just a standard group in the genre. Their persona as a live act and a harder rock influenced one helps them stand […]

Asking Alexandria: Back With Black

By Callum Doig After a handful of Australian visits and their fourth full-length LP, The Black, now released, Asking Alexandria are headed our way for their first ever headline tour, alongside their first tour with their brand new frontman Denis Stoff, taking the place of Danny Worsnop. Founder and guitarist Ben Bruce had a chat […]

Gig Review: Between the Buried and Me + Supports

Between the Buried and Me + CHON + I Built the Sky 170 Russell, Melbourne 29 February 2016 Review by Callum Doig What is it with prog music these days? How does the genre now hone some of the most amazing bands of all time in its long, epic history? There’s plenty of fresh blood […]

Gig Review: The Sword + Supports

The Sword + Clowns + American Sharks Max Watts, Melbourne 22 February 2016 Review by Callum Doig As part of the Rolling Thunder festival that took place the day before their headline set in Melbourne, Texan stoner quartet The Sword announced their very first headlining run in Australia, with their hometown brothers from American Sharks […]

High On Fire: Still Bringin’ The Heat

By Callum Doig There’s no denying that High On Fire are one of the most electrifying bands onstage. After the success of their latest LP Luminiferous, the trio announced an Australian tour from Brisbane to Perth. With not a whole lot to say, bassist Jeff Matz spoke on behalf of the band’s excitement to return […]

Sevendust: “Soundwave Couldn’t Pay Us In 2014”

by Callum Doig Twenty-one years on and still going strong, Georgian natives Sevendust have been one of the most acknowledged metal bands since their inception, spawning a successful career with a great catalogue of records in their history. The quintet will be returning to Australian shores for the first time in five years, since their […]

Eluveitie: Playing Is All That Matters

Review by Callum Doig Celtic metal ensemble Eluveitie have been the icon of Switzerland’s metal scene for thirteen years. Being one of the biggest European acts in their region, they’ve also managed to maintain a loyal and devoted Australian fan base. Having been to Australia only once in their career, Eluveitie announced that they’re on […]

Gig Review: DriveTime Commute, Melbourne

DriveTime Commute Swinburne University Student Apartment, Hawthorn 24 November 2015 Review by Callum Doig Photos by Louis the Strange Photography House shows aren’t exactly uncommon these days. You’ll find them to be just as maniacal as any local show in a small venue that you would use for 21st birthdays and all. But to witness […]

Gig Review: Nile + Unearth + Supports

Nile + Unearth + Feed Her To The Sharks + Whoretopsy Corner Hotel, Melbourne 21 November 2015 Review by Callum Doig South Carolina death metal messiahs Nile and Massachusetts’ very own metalcore outfit Unearth both have quite a history in their own scenes. Who would’ve thought they’d be teaming up together for one of the […]

Gig Review: Megadeth + Children of Bodom, Melbourne

Megadeth + Children of Bodom Festival Hall, Melbourne 19 October 2015 Review by Callum Doig Photo by Matt Allan I really don’t think I need to hit it off with an introduction for both bands in this review, so let’s get straight into it. After last year’s quarrel with last year’s Soundwave, Megadeth kept their […]

Gig Review: Helloween + supports, Melbourne

Helloween + Damnation’s Day + Horizon’s Edge 170 Russell, Melbourne 14 October 2015 Review by Callum Doig Photo by Carl Neumman German power metal pioneers Helloween have made a killing career that’s gone on for over thirty years as one of the most defining acts in their genre. Though they’re not the most frequent visitors to Australian […]

Zakk Wylde’s Black Label Society: “Black Label is more than just a band or a brotherhood.”

By Callum Doig Where do I begin? Well, we all know whom Zakk Wylde is, all thanks to Ozzy Osbourne taking him under his wing. Since being recognised as one of metal’s greatest guitarists alive, Zakk and his brainchild Black Label Society have been thrashing and bashing the scene all over the world with a […]

Gig Review: Cancer Bats + supports, Melbourne

Cancer Bats + High Tension + Jack the Stripper The Bendigo Hotel 24 September 2015 Review by Callum Doig Canada’s very own hardcore punk enthusiasts Cancer Bats are no strangers to the Australian shores. Having made many appearances in the country since 2007 from supporting Bullet For My Valentine to being part of Soundwave, the […]

Gig Review: Brewtality Festival, Melbourne

The Bendigo Hotel/The Tote, Melbourne 8 August 2015 Review by Callum Doig Brewtality is one of the best local celebrations in Melbourne for metal music and beer. Since 2013, the festival has spawned some great acts in their line-up such as Witchgrinder, King Parrot, Dreadnaught, Psycroptic and Barbariön. With Brewtality happening for the third time, […]

Prophets of Saturn – Retronauts – Album Review

Prophets of Saturn Retronauts HeviSike Records Release Date: Out Now Review by Callum Doig England may be the birthplace of metal, but, generally, a lot of amazing groups were formed in that small country, and the list is as infinite as the inspiration of Jimi Hendrix and Blue Cheer. Hailing from Leicester, Prophets of Saturn […]

Between the Buried and Me – Coma Ecliptic – Album Review

Between the Buried and Me Coma Ecliptic Metal Blade Records Release Date: 10 July 2015 Review by Callum Doig What is there to know about Between the Buried and Me? Other than the fact they’ve had quite a history together as one of Progressive Metal’s most phenomenal acts out there, BTBAM have gone out to […]

Gig Review: High Tension + supports, Melbourne

High Tension + I Exist + Outright + Diecut Howler, Melbourne 11 July 2015 Review by Callum Doig Australia’s scene in heavy music only gets better and better, gig after gig. There are plenty of bands out there that have been excelling greatly, and one of them happens to be the one and only High […]