If you like your music thick, volatile, and dripping with pure, unfiltered Aussie attitude, you need to stop what you’re doing right now. We are sitting down with Ben Hosking, the powerhouse guitarist from Newcastle’s own groove-metal wrecking ball, Where The Devil. If you haven’t witnessed these boys live yet, you are seriously sleeping on one of the most punishing and exhilarating acts in the local underground scene right now.
The main reason we’re spinning this yarn today is because the countdown is officially on for one of the most anticipated events on the heavy calendar: Hollowfest 2026. This absolute monster of a festival is gearing up to tear the roof off the Mansfield Tavern—a legendary staple of the Brisbane music scene—and Where The Devil are primed to deliver an absolute masterclass in sonic violence. Hollowfest has built a reputation for showcasing the absolute cream of the crop when it comes to local and national heavy talent, and throwing these boys into the mix is like pouring petrol directly onto a raging bonfire.
In this chat, Ben and I dive into the band’s mindset ahead of the festival, how they plan to step up their game for the rabid Hollowfest crowd, and what it means to share the stage with so many killer homegrown bands. We also get a bit of a cheeky sneak peek into what the band has cooking in the studio and why Australian heavy music is currently in the best shape it’s ever been. So, grab yourself a cold one, crank this up to eleven, and check out the full chat below. Hollowfest 2026 is coming to break some necks, and Where The Devil are leading the charge!
Hollowfest will be held at the Mansfield Tavern on October 31. Tickets HERE
