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HEADWRECK Become The First Nu-Metal Act To Sign With Independent Label EMPIRE

Mary Varvaris

"There's something undeniably compelling about Headwreck," said Cameron Walsh, the Australian Territory Manager at EMPIRE.

HEADWRECK
HEADWRECK(Credit: Andrew Vaughan)

It’s a big day for Brisbane rising stars HEADWRECK, who have just signed a record deal with an iconic independent label.

HEADWRECK are officially the first-ever nu-metal act to join EMPIRE, an independent label that’s launched the careers of household names such as Kendrick Lamar, Anderson .Paak, Shaboozey, and more.

Along with the announcement, HEADWRECK have unveiled the new single, Raindrops, an explosive number that follows their ARIA-charting EP, Attitude Adjustment, released late last year. Raindrops premiered on triple j Drive earlier this week.

“The lyrics explore the feeling of not being able to be rid of someone who negatively impacts your life, but are still delivered in a fun way, true to the Attitude Adjustment style,” the band said of the single. Check it out below.

HEADWRECK’s partnership with EMPIRE comes as they soon launch into a mammoth European and UK tour, which includes dates opening for Paledusk and a run of headline shows.

The band will then perform at the UK’s legendary heavy music festival, Download, in June, as well as open for We Came As Romans and Thrown on their festival sideshows. In September, HEADWRECK will come back home to open for Bury Tomorrow.

Discussing their partnership with EMPIRE, HEADWRECK commented in a statement, “From the first-time meeting, it was clear they genuinely understand our vision, who we are and where we want to go.

“They’ve built something special by empowering artists to stay true to themselves, and that’s exactly the kind of team we want behind us. We’re very excited for this next chapter. We can guarantee it won’t be boring.”

EMPIRE’s Director of A&R, Peter Kim, added, “Headwreck is one of those instinctive decisions—you hear it and just know. There’s a rawness and intensity to what they’re doing that feels both fresh and necessary right now. They’ve got the songs, the identity, and the ambition to break on a global level. We’re fired up to help share their vision with the world.”

Cameron Walsh, the Australian Territory Manager at EMPIRE, commented on the immediacy of HEADWRECK’s sound and praised the way they’re connecting with fans and changing up the heavy music scene.

“There’s something undeniably compelling about Headwreck – the immediacy of their sound, the clarity of their identity, and the genuine connection they’re building with fans,” Walsh said.

“What really stands out is how intentional everything is – from their fully in-house creative to the chaotic energy of their live shows and the way they channel early 2000s heaviness into something far more expansive, at the intersection of metalcore, alternative and electronic-driven sounds.

“For EMPIRE, it’s about aligning with artists who are shaping culture in real time, and Headwreck are doing that in a way that feels both raw and authentic.”

HEADWRECK are undoubtedly experiencing an upward trajectory, embarking on their debut headline tour last month following stints opening for Polaris, Northlane, and others. The band has also been identified as one of triple j Unearthed’s Forecast Artists of 2026, solidifying their status as one of Australia’s hottest new heavy acts.