I remember, as 2008 was coming to a close, a brutal band by the name of Grim Demise added me on MySpace. Having such a wanky sterotypical metal name deterred me from listening immediately, but a few days later I decided to investigate. As the music was loading, I noticed they were from Newcastle, for some reason this sunk my spirits lower still (if you’re from Newy, and offended… move) but then the first track kicked in and BAM like a limbless antelope being mauled by a lion, I was swatted around the room in a ceaseless musical barrage the likes Australia has been failing to produce for years. What these guys were doing was not revolutionary in any sense, it was something far simpler than that – they were sticking to a proven formula and they had the dedication to make it sound good.
So, sitting there that lazy afternoon, I though “RIGHT! If these guys keep moving along at the cracking pace they’ve obviously been going, Australia’s in for a good kick in the pants next year.” But, alas, my gluteol predicitons were shattered. Half the band dissappeared, all hope seemed lost, for months, I sat there as they begged for members, hoping and praying that Newcastle had someone that could strum six strings and sound angry. And I would be praying a while.
Jump to now, and the band are doing the odd show around town, but are still down a serious vocalist. Hindering them from progressing any further than what they did initially, and it’s monumentally painful to sit here and watch all that potential slowly evaporate into contempt, boredom and an addiction to one or more brands of fast food. All this is ultimately stopping a proper release, and ultimately a support slot and/or tour.
Australia hasn’t produced a decent death metal band that was worth a pinch of shit for nearly countless years (except Chaos Divine), I don’t care if you disagree with me either, you’re probably a prick. And when a band finally surfaces, demonstrating the skill, determination and love of the music to pull this fair country out of the heavy metal toilet, they can’t even find a bloke willing to scream into a microphone and have some fun.
Mentioned fleetingly in the previous paragraph, Chaos Divine are proudly wielding the mighty sword of death metal and have been slogging it out for a few years now. And low and behold, like a pack of hungry dogs swarming an unguarded pack of sausages, the Australian metal public have embraced them – leaving them with a record deal and a slot at the Perth BDO (if it finds another venue). This is proof that death metal isn’t just for Norwegians and kids who like their black lipstick, it’s an art form for the intellectual and bogan alike to enjoy. And if you’re a person who doesn’t like death metal, chances are you haven’t heard any, and these two bands are perfect to set you on your way to listening bliss.
And yet, with all this potential for Big Day Out appearances and fancy indie record contracts, Grim Demise still can’t find a vocalist. Highlighting the ridiculous “can’t be fucked” attitude in relation to music that seems to riddle a lot of places (Canberra being a strange exception, along with the more predictable Melbourne). Making this predicament even more baffling is the relative ease of being a death metal vocalist – no lessons, no equipment, no strings to replace, no amps to buy, just get up there and scream your head off.
Regardless of their vocalist predicament, Grim Demise have been working on new material and have still got some old demos up for streaming. Donate your listening time to a band putting in the hard yards for the music they love, and doing a stand up job of it (they’re far more deserving than Fall Out Boy, anyway) And if you know someone who can scream and/or yell their head off living in Syndey or Newcastle, point them in Grim Demise’s direction, and you may help start something amazing.
www.myspace.com/grimdemise
And you can’t forget the jaw-dropping, fist pumping Chaos Divine. Serving up their distinctly different approach to death metal, while retaining all the elements that makes the music great. If you’re in Perth anytime soon, check these guys out live and prepare for one the best experiences of your life; or if you’ve got a couple of spare bucks, why not pick up their album – 10 tracks of mind-altering intensity for $20 (they’ve gotta make a living).
www.myspace.com/chaosisdivine
