Every now and then, a release comes across my desk that doesn’t just demand a loud, unapologetic spin—it violently grabs you by the throat and forces you to confront the world outside your window. If you fancy yourself a follower of the Australian heavy music scene, you already know we are living through a massive golden era of home-grown talent. But right now, it’s Vault Hill, a devastating four-piece out of Melbourne, who are ready to completely flip the script with their savage new seven-track EP.
These guys first caught our attention back in 2022 with their debut offering, Amber Falls. It was a cracking introduction that perfectly fused teeth-rattling thrash intensity with the punishing, syncopated weight of modern metalcore. But what they’ve put together on this new record is an entirely different beast altogether. Spearheaded by the O’Brien brothers, Morgan (vocals) and Adrian (guitar), alongside a lethal rhythm section featuring Kyle Dean (bass) and Frankie Demaru (drums), Vault Hill have weaponised their songwriting and expanded their sonic palate in the process.
Vault Hill recently dropped their first new single in two years, The Pain We Keep Alive, which we were absolutely stoked to premiere exclusively here at HEAVY. Not only does the track showcase the band’s musical growth, carrying the massive groove and sheer sonic hostility of heavyweights like Lamb of God and other major players,.but it also serves as the lead single from Vault Hill‘s upcoming 7 song EP Modern Way which be unleashed on September 25. But what makes this EP a truly vital piece of Australian art owes as much to its lyrical heart as it does the devestation of its music.
Inspired heavily by vocalist Morgan’s time spent living and working in the Northern Territory, the new material dives headfirst into the uncomfortable, often ignored truths of systemic inequality and the ongoing oppression of First Nations communities. It is a blistering critique wrapped in crushing breakdowns and torrential screams. It pulls no punches, reminding us that beneath the pristine, global-facing tourism ads, real people are hurting, and ignoring the problem only feeds the cycle.
This isn’t just music to throw down to in the pit—though God knows the breakdowns will cause some serious neck damage—this is socially conscious heavy music of the highest order. I was lucky enough to track down Morgan and Adrian to chat all about the creative process behind the new material, the heavy message driving their lyrics, how they managed to capture such pure, concentrated lightning on this record and more.
