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News : The official guide to Metal Obsession’s 7th Birthday show

By on October 18, 2015

When we turned an unexpected five years old we pulled together a bunch of our favourite bands (all hail The Amenta) and put on a gig to celebrate at. It went pretty well, people had fun, so we decided to make it an annual event. This year we turn seven, and after getting a bit carried away have ended up with by far the biggest lineup so far. And one we’re very proud of/excited about.

Considering the size and variety of the lineup (the goal being that attendees discover something new and unexpected), we thought a handy guide to the lineup might be a nice teaser. Come along and have a beer with us, pre-sales and all the details are already available.

ORPHEUS OMEGA
Headlining the night is a band who have had a big year releasing and touring on the back of their new album Partum Vita Mortem. Their catchy brand of melodeath demands both moshing and singalongs, which is exactly what we’ll all need with a few beers in us.

HYBRID NIGHTMARES
Another band who have had a huge year with their Four Ages project, releasing 4 thematically connected EPs and some sold out launch shows. Expect costumes, theatrics and obelisks.

RISE OF AVERNUS
We usually try to avoid having the same bands play consecutive years but there was no hesitation when Rise asked to come back down. This Sydney-based “orchestral progressive doom metal” outfit is world class. Hell, Grutle from Enslaved did guest vocals on their latest EP, so you know they have to be good.

SANZU
Making the long trip over from Perth as part of their album launch tour, Sanzu are like if Gojira heard Portal and went “we need to be more dissonant”. It’s a good thing.

GODS OF EDEN
Expect to see this name around a lot on the back of their new album From the End of Heaven. Grand, progressive, technical metal. Their debut EP was great, this is next level. They don’t have a Bandcamp though (way to ruin the flow of the article, guys!) so check out their newie on Youtube.

ADAMUS EXUL
One of the finest black metal bands in the country and absolutely killer live. Some bands make the whole corpse paint and misanthropy thing look cheesy, these guys do not. The vocalist is also in Feralian and Greytomb below, giving the show the unofficial title “Nickfest”.

ATRA VETOSUS
Speaking of black metal bands that nail it live. These Tasmanians are no strangers to Melbourne, and we’re always happy when they return. It’s a more melodic brand of black metal, but there’s just something really powerful in their live presence. New album in the works too.

MYRIDIAN
Another band we have had on a previous Birthday show, Myridian play a very European style of melodic death/doom (thus their Opeth support). Their latest full length We, The Forlon is truly superb. Get it.

WOOD OF SUICIDES
A 3-piece playing harrowing, droning blackened doom that will finally have the follow-up to their 2009 debut out for this show. Prepare for misery. No Bandcamp, have a listen on Youtube; headphones and lights off required.

SCAPHIS
A relatively new death metal band. They may not have any real recordings out yet but they had a huge debut show earlier this year and, from all reports, kicked major arse.

GREYTOMB
Previously known as Subterranean Drilling Machine, there have been some member and stylistic changes, and the result is one of the most exciting new black metal bands around. It’s atmospheric post-black metal that’s absolutely enthralling, and a style not enough bands are doing locally. Note: the recording below features the previous vocalist.

ARBRYNTH
A personal favourite. The self proclaimed “forest metal” band sound consistently huge live and have gone from strength to strength. The new material they have been performing live is sounding like another huge step forward, and they’re debuting another newie at this show. Bonus!

ORNITHOLOGIST
Remember earlier when we said the goal here was for people to find something new and exciting? That’s where curveballs like Ornithologist come in. 2-piece “pseudo-electro bird-grind”. These guys vanished years ago and recently resurfaced. We’re excited.

ORDER OF CHAOS
These guys are bringing something a bit more classic to the night. Killer riffs, big grooves and some serious aggression. Bang your fucking heads.

BØG
Another curveball. 3-piece dirty hardcore-tinged sludge. Bring earplugs. And a beer.

THE SEAFORD MONSTER
These dudes have been around since 2007 and still haven’t released any serious recordings. Instead they just drink beer and smash out live gigs with brutal death metal tracks about serious topics like “Backpack full of Shit” and “Vagina Gumboots”. Sick.

FERALIAN
A band who really deserve to be higher on the bill but we just had to squeeze onto the show after being blown away by them live. A 6-piece playing dark, melodic death/doom that’s intense but with a sense of grandeur.

See you all at the show!

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About

Mitch Booth is the owner, designer and grand overlord of Metal Obsession. In the few seconds of spare time he has outside of this site, he also hosts a metal radio show over on PBS 106.7fm in Melbourne (Australia) and organises shows under the name Untitled Touring. You should follow him on Twitter.