Necrosonic Festival returns to the 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: The Bezerker, 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 Neomantra.
Neomantra certainly know how to craft a song, with clever use of atmospherics adding depth and a sense of impending danger at almost every turn.
Hailing from Perth’s roaring heavy scene, this four-piece post-metal powerhouse is currently dominating live circuits, including booking huge spots like Necrosonic 2026. On their crushing releases Henosis and Paranosis, they weave a dark, ritualistic circle of grimdark doom metal that acts as a total headbanging punch to the jaw.
Each track functions as its own sonic tale, simmering delicately below the surface before shattering your expectations with monstrous riffs, demonic screaming, and a mesmerisingly heavy undertone. It is a top-notch effort that leaves a lasting impression and keeps your neck snapping.
Q & A
HEAVY: NECROSONIC 2026 is almost upon us. How far out from August 22 will you allow yourself to get excited?
NEOMANTRA: We are already excited. Any chance to jump on a plane and watch killer bands will get us excited naturally. Can’t wait.
H: What does it mean to your band to be playing NECROSONIC?
N: It really means a lot to be playing to a festival crowd and some amazing bands from the East. Being from Perth, we’ve done a couple of tours but will always take the opportunity to play to new crowds and meet new people too. The Perth scene is great but were always keen to venture across.
H: How important are festivals like NECROSONIC for the Australian music scene?
N: Festivals are essential for bands to get exposure and to watch other killer bands that you wouldn’t necessarily see otherwise. And don’t forget the fans – haha – there are very few festivals these days, so props to the organisers big time.
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?
N: It is indeed a long day of metal music. Prior to the set we will purely stick to water and cardio. After that, though… no promises.
H: Give me your Top 3 Festival survival tips.
N: 1- stay hydrated
2- go with your mates
3- respect everyone and check out something new
H: Which band – other than yourself – do you think will get up to the most mischief on the day?
N: Not too sure about mischief – but I remember supporting 5 star prison cell about 20 years ago, and that was loose. Haha. Hopefully we’re now older and wiser.
H: What one song of yours would you tell festival-goers to listen to if they haven’t heard you play before?
N: Astral Prison would probably be regarded as our main/popular song having a music video and receiving airplay on Triple J (formerly) The Racket with Lachlan Watt, Perth’s RTRFM Critical Mass program and Andrew Haug’s 24×7 Rock/Metal Radio, I’d think that track gives a broad sense of what we do.
H: Will you be taking requests on the day?
N: We are more than willing, just no cheesy covers haha.
H: Run us through your typical live show and what punters can expect.
N: Our set typically starts heaving generally, then we kinda get a bit doomy and proggy in the middle, with some longer songs, before finishing with a bang.
H: What’s your latest release?
N: Our Paranosis EP from late 2024, it’s been a little while between drinks again haha but rest assured new music is currently on the way.
H: Finally, what plans does your band have for the rest of 2026 and into 2027?
N: We’re releasing 3 singles and a video. Hoping to support it with a launch in Perth too. The music is a little different to our current releases, so it will be interesting to see the response and how it’s received by our existing fans.
NECROSONIC tickets and more information HERE
