Necrosonic Festival returns to Mansfield Tavern on Saturday, August 22 2026, and the full lineup has been revealed to the masses! With dual headliners Rivers of Nihil (USA) and our very own Psycroptic, alongside exclusive reunions, one-off performances and long-awaited resurrections ~ this year’s ritual is the most formidable yet.
With a massive deference to Australian talent, this year’s line-up is: Rivers of Nihil, Psycroptic, Gravemind, Lynchmada (Exclusive ‘One Last Time’), Segression (30 Year Reunion), Minus Life (Resurrected – Exclusive), Pestilential Shadows, Five Star Prison Cell (Resurrected), Wxrldfxcker, Witchskull, Dreamkillers (Special EP Set), Helm (Resurrected – One-Off Show), M.S.B.I. (Resurrected – One-Off Show), Barriers, Meth Leppard, Permafog, Destruktor, Gutless, F.U.C, RUN, John Lee Spider, The Matador, Body Prison, Growth, Grotesque Bliss, Vyrion, Neomantra, Nembutolik, Slaughtercult and Bruxa.
HEAVY has thrown down the challenge and sent a Q & A sheet out to all bands, with any that don’t return one completed having to buy us a beer at Necrosonic. So while we are quietly hoping we get minimal replies, a couple have gotten back to us already, and today we feature EYE OF THE ENEMY.
Tickets and more information: https://necrosonicfestival.com/
Eye of the Enemy is an Australian melodic death metal band formed in Melbourne in 2006. They deliver a ferocious sonic blend that seamlessly pairs the rhythmic groove of American metalcore with the blistering speed of classic European melodic death metal.
The heavy five-piece outfit initially gained traction with their 2008 self-titled EP, eventually signing with local independent label Just Say Rock. They have released three full-length albums: Weight of Redemption, The Vengeance Paradox, and Titan. Celebrated for an unrelenting live presence, they have shared major festival stages with international heavyweights like Amon Amarth and Trivium. In late 2024, they expanded their catalogue by unleashing their politically charged EP, Only Equals Negotiate.
Q & A
HEAVY: NECROSONIC 2026 is almost upon us. How far out from August 22 will you allow yourself to get excited?
EYE OF THE ENEMY: We’ve been excited since our last Brisbane show in 2025; we just didn’t know it was the prospect of this festival echoing through time.
H: What does it mean to your band to be playing NECROSONIC?
EOE: We’re stoked – Brisbane has always been a second home for Eye Of The Enemy, and for Mitch and James, they started gigging in their first bands there. Brissy crowds are always some of the best in the country, so we’re looking forward to feeling that again.
H: How important are festivals like NECROSONIC for the Australian music scene?
EOE: They’re vital. Metal, music broadly, even just the entire concept of “artistic expression” is really fucking struggling at the moment. It’s hard to get government or private funding, and for artists it’s hard to get experience, with venues shutting and touring getting more expensive. So for people to work super hard and put everything into a festival like NECROSONIC means that our Australian heavy music scene can survive and keep churning out world-class bands.
We need festivals that are celebrations of Australian metal, events for punters and the bands to revel in how good our scene is. We need promoters willing to put on great local talent alongside big internationals, because without that, how are the local acts supposed to get bigger? As a bonus, it’s always great to see festivals help put old bands together. Mitch won’t shut the fuck up about getting to see Five Star Prison Cell.
H: It’s a long day of music. What will you be doing to make sure you will still be standing come your set time?
EOE: Cocaine. An early night beforehand, a big healthy breakfast with whole proteins and low GI carbs, lots of water, an afternoon yoga session, and some cocaine.
H: Give me your Top 3 Festival survival tips.
EOE: Neat Feat 3B Action Cream, Anti-Chafe Cream, 75g
Neat Feat 3B Action Cream Sweat Rash & Chafing Cream (100 g)
Cocaine
H: Which band – other than yourself – do you think will get up to the most mischief on the day?
EOE: Given that Nembutolik are from Frankston, I reckon it’ll be them. Though F.U.C are playing and there’s an act called Meth Leppard. I hope the promoters have their insurance sorted.
H: What one song of yours would you tell festival-goers to listen to if they haven’t heard you play before?
EOE: Lorem Ipsum – it’s our most recent single and is indicative of where the band is creatively and handsomely.
H: Will you be taking requests on the day?
EOE: We will! And if the requested song is in our setlist, we’ll play it!
H: Run us through your typical live show and what punters can expect.
EOE: High energy and aggression, from us and the crowd. And given it’s a Brissy gig, heaps more than usual. We love a sweaty, bloody pit.
H: What’s your latest release?
EOE: Only Equals Negotiate, our four-track EP.
H: Finally, what plans does your band have for the rest of 2026 and into 2027?
EOE: We’re writing and releasing a new album and looking to tour it here and overseas if the stars align. And if anyone’s keen for a sneak peek, we’ve got some new tracks- plural- we’re chucking into our set.
