Features / Music

Stratovarius is a name that brings to mind sweeping, lushly orchestrated albums, epic concepts and fierce, razor-sharp musicianship. I was lucky enough to catch up with metal legend and Stratovarius drummer Jörg Michael and have an in-depth discussion about the band's latest album, Elysium, his recovery from cancer, his rise throughout the 80s to become a top session drummer and Stratovarius' split with former guitarist Timo Tolkki.

Aside from having one of the most memorable names in punk rock, Star Fucking Hipsters are known for being a punk supergroup of sorts whose brand of ska-punk delivers a raw and confronting message. With their third full-length slated for release this year via Fat Wreck Records and their debut Australian tour steadily approaching, we heard some interesting thoughts from vocalist and guitarist Stza.

Boston's Defeater are one of the most outstanding and meangingful bands that still exist in melodic hardcore today. The band have just released their second full length, the follow up to 2008's 'Travels" titled "Empty Days And Sleepless Nights". This month will see Defeater finally hit Australian shores with Perth hardcore long timers Miles Away and Brisbane newcomers Fires Of Waco. I caught up with drummer Andy, who was kind enough to give up the time to discuss the new album, the history of Defeater and touring.

Welsh post-hardcore heavyweights Funeral For A Friend have just dropped their latest record Welcome Home Armageddon, and it kicks arse. Returning to and polishing their roots in Casually Dressed and Hours, the album is equal parts agressive and melodic. Just into the start of their massive UK tour, the band lend me their drummer Ryan Richards for 20 minutes to brave a dodgy phone connection and talk about the new album and the possibility of an Australian tour, among other things.

A summary of theMusic's ventures to SXSW in 2011. Did Masty tip the right bands? How many acts did he champion that we've never heard of again? He did alright we reckon...

For fans of punk and hardcore music, Dennis Lyxzen is a name that is easy recognised. Most notably for being the front man of punk pioneers Refused, but also as the voice of The (International) Noise Conspiracy and many other various projects. The latest one being AC4, which sees Lyxzen teaming up with Refused drummer David Sandstrom for some straight forward hardcore punk fury which will soon be visiting our shores. Kill You Stereo had a chat with Dennis to hear all about AC4 and his current mind state in general.

Over 10 years as a band now and Canadian post-hardcore outfit Silverstein have shown absolutely no sign of slowing down. Now that they've got Soundwave done and dusted, they're eagerly awaiting the release of their fifth studio album 'Rescue' which is due later this month. While they were over here for Soundwave, I had a chance to chat with Guitarist Josh Bradford at their Melbourne Sidewave.

Melbourne's Hopeless are one of the finest proponents of melodic hardcore on the Australian scene at the moment. The band are busy writing their second full length, which follows the recent release of the Human 7". Lead guitarist Tim Carter spoke to me about how the new album is progressing, his favourite hardcore bands and most importantly, Skan's porn.