Brendan Crabb, Journalist

Phrases like ‘a band for musicians’ get tossed around aplenty, and though largely applying here (fusion enthusiasts ahoy – you’ve found your new bible), there’s plenty to catch the ear of most listeners with an penchant for expansive musicianship.

"We’ve been together five months, got 35, 40 shows under our belts, and it’s pretty cool, man."

After burrowing underground for a while, Newsted’s on a mission to reclaim as many fans as possible. This is a fair starting point.

On these shores, Airbourne’s pretension-free fare deserves to be ruling arenas and gaining more prominent main stage festival spots, rather than preaching to the converted in clubs.

“The past defines us while the present refines us” is this record’s mantra. Here’s hoping the frontman can keep this line-up intact as they enter a new age of hell.

"The metal scene’s not as big in this country as it is in certain other countries. So you can’t really come home and have a whinge about it. You just come home and get excited to be playing to your own home crowds again.”

Despite attendance being down, probably due to this being their second visit in less than 12 months, Fear Factory continues to command one of the most loyal metal audiences in these parts. Keep fighting the machines of hate, lads.

You’ll need a Gatorade or two to replenish after listening to The Blackest Beautiful. It’ll be energy well expended, though.

Good to know Steve...

"I’ve always wanted to have it all; I wanted to be able to play relatively effortlessly with great chops, but have great tone and great phrasing."