Fresh Finds: Class Of 2025 – Aussie Acts To Add To Your Playlist

Mark Hebblewhite, Journalist

Mark Hebblewhite has been a contributor to The Music since its inception and has also written for Kerrang, Rolling Stone, MTV Screen, Drum Media and 3D World. 

Mark covers all things loud and obnoxious whether it be from the worlds of metal, punk/hardcore or old school hip hop (although in his old age he'll also go a bit of proggy dad rock).

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Reviews / Live
Testament
Live Review: Testament, Flaming Wrekage @ Metro Theatre, Sydney
Musicall, Testament were a sonic juggernaut... This was a band that was enjoying the sh*t out of playing.
Reviews / Live
Ice Cube
Live Review: Ice Cube, B Wise @ ICC Sydney
Based on this super tight and powerful performance, Ice Cube isn’t ready to relinquish his crown.
Reviews / Live
Kublai Khan TX
Live Review: Kublai Khan TX, Terror, Guilt Trip & Splinter @ Metro Theatre, Sydney
With sold-out shows across the country, hardcore is clearly in demand in Australia. Here’s hoping tour packages like this keep happening with great regularity.
Features / Interviews
Speed
There's 'Only One Mode' For SPEED: A Scene That's 'Accessible & Without Ridiculous Hierarchies'
Sydney's SPEED have taken over hardcore with the mission statement: 'Is this good for Australian hardcore?' Their debut LP offers a resounding 'yes.'
Reviews / Live
Kreator
Live Review: Kreator & In Flames @ Enmore Theatre, Sydney
The economics of touring is getting tougher in the current climate, but bills like this not only make it viable to bring international bands out but also leave punters feeling very satisfied.
Reviews / Live
Katatonia
Live Review: Katatonia, Flaming Wrekage, Evocatus @ Metro Theatre
The band didn’t miss a step all evening, making some pretty complex material seem effortless and ethereal.
Reviews / Live
Live Review: Descendents, Nursery Crimes & Tantichrist @ The Metro Theatre, Sydney
There are very few reliable things in life – but the Descendents’ ability to put on a flawless show should be considered one of them.
Reviews / Live
Live Review: KISS @ Accor Stadium, Sydney
"Even though KISS are now bonafide senior citizens, they retained a power and vitality that was truly jaw dropping."
Reviews / Live
Live Review: Napalm Death, Wormrot & 12Gauge Rampage @ The Factory Theatre, Sydney
For a band this established to be this vital so far into their career is pretty damn remarkable.
Features / Interviews
Fans Expect 'Certain Things', But That Won’t Stop Steve Vai Doing What He Wants
Guitar legend Steve Vai might be the master of fretboard histrionics, but in talking to The Music about his highly anticipated national tour, Mark Hebblewhite quickly found out that, above all, he’s one of rock n roll’s nicest guys.
Reviews / Live
Live Review: Bad Religion @ Hordern Pavilion
"Bad Religion may have been playing last but judging by the number of Social Distortion shirts in the audience, this was a genuine double-headliner situation."
Reviews / Live
Live Review: Dead Congregation, Blood Incantation, Faceless Burial @ Metro Social
The metal scene is healthier than it's been in years with a co-headliner like this, writes Mark Hebblewhite.
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