Interview by Kris Peters
Sydney metal outfit Battlesnake have become a mainstay on the Australian music scene.
Since bursting out of the blocks with their EP Myths and Legends from Gorbag’s Domain in 2020, many have wondered if Battlesnake were just a flash in the pan or a one-trick gimmick, but time and time again the band have proven any and all doubters wrong. Their energetic and fun live show has become the stuff of legends already, with the band’s uncompromising approach to their music and their seemingly carefree off-stage persona combining to provide a band and brand of music unlike any seen or heard before in this country.
“The first time that we’ve been playing these songs live is on stage with the supporting Eagles of Death Metal.”
BATTLESNAKE
By harking back 20 years, Battlesnake have also brought their brand of music into the modern age, crunching riffs that would make Black Sabbath take notice while providing enough in the way of modernisation to keep the impossible to p[please youth of today engaged.
This Friday, June 6, Battlesnake continue their path to world domination with the release of their third album, The Dawn of the Exaltants and the Hunt for the Shepherd, which actually acts as a prequel to their previous offering The Rise and Demise of the Motorsteeple.
With the band counting down the days before boarding a flight to the UK for nearly three months worth of shows, HEAVY caught up with vocalist Sam Frank and keytarist Elliott Hitchcock to shoot the breeze.
“No, I’m never nervous, but this will be the first time that we’ve played all of these new songs live,” Hitchcock answered when we asked how they are feeling about the album release. “Actually, the first time that we will be playing these songs live is on stage supporting Eagles of Death Metal.”
In the full interview, Sam and Elliott expressed excitement about performing new songs live for the first time. The band shared that their songwriting was influenced by 90s video game music and clarified that the album’s narrative, a prequel to their previous work, developed organically. We discussed the musicality of Battlesnake’s craft and how this new album represents another chapter in the band’s ongoing saga.
They highlighted the challenges of maintaining a consistent release schedule as their artistic scope expands. Preparations for the tour were discussed, including rehearsals and the significance of performing at major festivals, which are seen as bucket list items for many metal bands and more.
