With the countdown to Necrosonic Festival at The Mansfield Tavern in Brisbane on August 31 now on, HEAVY thought it appropriate to introduce you to the bands playing on the day, two at a time, starting from today until the day of the show.
Conjured by one of the dark architects behind the legendary Overcranked, Inferno and Dead of Winter Festivals, Necrosonic heralds a day filled with unrelenting brutality and the heaviest, most sinister sounds that the underworld has to offer, some even returning from the dead for the ritual.
Hosting 30 bands across three stages over 12 hours, Necrosonic Festival promises to satiate even the heaviest of hungers. Today, we introduce you to Spire and Isua.
Tickets on sale now from https://necrosonicfestival.com/
SPIRE
Spire is a formidable presence in the Australian black metal scene, originating from Brisbane, Queensland. Formed in 2007, the band has carved out a distinct niche for itself by merging the raw intensity of black metal with atmospheric and ambient elements. Their lyrical themes often delve into the realms of space and nihilism, showcasing their penchant for existential exploration and a deep-seated fascination with the void beyond the terrestrial confines. Spire’s music reflects a journey into the depths of derangement, savagery, and abstraction, pushing the boundaries of the genre and defying expectations at every turn.
Their debut, a self-titled EP released in 2010, established Spire as a rising force within the black metal community, demonstrating their unique ability to blend suffocating ambience with the ferocity of black metal. This was followed by the Metamorph EP in 2011, which further entrenched their reputation for crafting music that is both nihilistic and steeped in a near-tyrannical atmosphere. Their first full-length album, Entropy, released in 2016 by Iron Bonehead Productions, took their sound to new depths of complexity, showcasing a diverse array of styles from eerie atmospheric instrumentals to ferocious, unconstrained modern black metal. This album was marked by bestial screeches and meditative throat singing, further solidifying Spire’s place in the extreme metal landscape.
Spire’s commitment to innovation and artistic evolution continued with their sophomore full-length album, Temple of Khronos, released via Sentient Ruin, which represents the culmination of their relentless pursuit of extreme metal futurism. Their live performances have seen them sharing stages with heavyweights such as Blasphemy, Aura Noir, Marduk, Batushka, and Portal, showcasing their prowess to audiences across diverse settings.
The band’s journey is a testament to their unwavering dedication to exploring the furthest reaches of black metal, continually expanding their sonic palette and challenging the conventions of the genre. Spire’s discography not only captures the evolution of their sound but also represents a significant contribution to the global black metal scene, particularly in showcasing the innovative spirit of Australian metal.
ISUA
Emerging from the year of fire and plagues, ISUA have since asserted themselves as one of Australia’s most exciting heavy acts. With their 2021 EP I, and recent debut album ABANDON both nominated for Best Heavy Work in the Music Victoria Awards, the band have brought their punishing live show to sold-out venues across our states. ISUA continue to breed devastation onto unassuming masses with their abrasive and aggressive approach to sludge and doom.
