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After 9 studio albums, and almost 20 years in the game, In Flames are finally returning to Australia for their second ever tour! Its been 4 years since they last graced our shores, and I recently had the chance to chat to singer Anders Friden about the upcoming tour on the Soundwave Festival, amongst other things! Metal Obsession: Hi Anders, thanks for taking the time out to chat to Metal Obsession. How are you? Anders Friden: I'm fine, i've got myself a dinner here, ... Read More

Formally known as '20grams', Sydney's Paindivision are quickly skyrocketing to the top with their no-bullshit brand of heavy metal already already placing them as the support act for several big international tours, as well as their own Japanese tour. Now, the band have released their second album, 'One Path', and I had the opportunity for a quick Q&A with the founding member and former Dungeon guitarist, Stu Marshall. G'day, cheers for taking the time to do this interview with MetalObsession.net . First of ... Read More

After solidifying a dedicated and cohesive line up in late 2006, Empyrean has built a reputations of powerful live performances and their majestically powerful atmospheric Black Metal sounds. With a debut EP release in 2007, Empyrean are back with their first full length record 'Quietus', set to be released on the 11th of December. MetalObsession.net caught up with guitarist from the band Shayne Johnson to talk about what to expect on the new album, studio problems and Polish drummers! Read More

Having just released their brand new album "Vertebrae", I had the honor of speaking to guitarist Ivar Bjørnson, about everything Enslaved. Metal Obsession: First up, congratulations on Vertebrae Ivar: Thank you very much mate. MO: I’ve had it on constant rotation, it’s brilliant. After speaking with many people who have already heard it, I haven’t heard any bad responses and some people are already saying it’s album of the year. Were you expecting such a positive response? Ivar: We were hoping for it but I think ... Read More

Preparing to tour around Australia and New Zealand, and with a new album '(Ob)Servant' just out, Dave Haley from Tasmanian Technical Death Metallers Psycroptic joined us for a chat about the new album, the band's new label, touring America and the upcoming Aus/NZ tour. Read More

Adelaide’s UNIVERSUM have been making a lot of noise lately. With a new album out titled ‘Leto Destinatus’ and the national support for Dragonforce, as chosen by DF front man ZP Theart, I had the chance to speak to guitarist Stephen just before the tour kicks off in Perth. Read More

We recently had the chance to speak with Sam Dunn about his latest documentary, Global Metal. Sam Dunn Interview - 19/10/2008 Global Metal is a new and fascinating documentary by veteran film makers Sam Dunn and Scot McFayden, who explore the vast cultures and people of the modern world, and their connection to the brotherhood and mass movement phenomenon that is heavy metal music. Traveling across the globe to places such as India, China, South America and Japan. We experience first hand different cultures and ... Read More

I recently had the chance to chat with Sonic Syndicate singer Roland Johansson about their upcoming album 'Love and Other Disasters', the history of the band, and their future touring plans.. including hopefully a tour of Australia! Metal Obsession: Thanks for taking the time out to chat with metalobsession. Roland Johansson: No problem at all MO: Could you do a quick introduction of the band for our metal audiences who aren't too familiar with Sonic Syndicate? RJ: Sonic Syndicate is 6 people. There is a girl ... Read More

After many longs months without a guitarist, Melbourne 'Progressive Black Metal' band NE OBLIVISCARIS recently announced the addition of French guitarist Benjamin Baret to the band. We recently caught up with Ben to speak about his life back in France, his reaction to joining Ne Obliviscaris, and also his hopes for the future of the band. Read More

INTERVIEW WITH DOUBLE DRAGON (SA) – September 2008. With their debut release blending the sounds of the Gothenburg Death and New Wave of American Death Metal, from my perception here in Melbourne, Double Dragon could easily be considered one of the leaders of the Adelaide scene, and even of the Australian scene. I recently caught up with vocalist Lee Gardiner to talk about the new album, recent lineup changes and the band's appearance at the upcoming Against The Grain Festival in Adelaide. Read More

I recently had the pleasure to speak with one of the world's most influential people in metal today, Rob Halford of Judas Priest. We discussed what was planned for the upcoming Judas Priest Australian tour, with the original line-up of course. The new album "Nostradamus", and all things Priest. Please click the link below to listen to the interview. Metal Obsession interview with Rob Halford JUDAS PRIEST 2008 AUSTRALIAN TOUR: Brisbane Entertainment Centre Wed 10 Sep, 2008 Brisbane Acer Arena, Fri 12 Sep, 2008 Sydney Hisense Arena (Formerly Vodafone Arena) Sat 13 Sep, 2008 Melbourne Adelaide ... Read More

Anarchsphere have established themselves quite well within the Melbourne metal community of late, with a 3 track EP, various successful gigs around Melbourne and recently scoring a national tour with US thrash metal legends, Testament. I recently had the pleasure to speak with Brett and Lach of Anarchsphere to discuss all things metal. Metal Obsession: G'day Brett and Lach. Thank you for taking the time to speak with us at Metal Obsession, would you like to give us a quick introduction of yourself and the ... Read More

With their first australian shows in a year coming up, and the pending release of their new album, Kartika, Metal Obsession spoke to Mark Kelson from The Eternal about 'Kartika', the upcoming tour, and what we can expect from both. MetalObsession.net: Cheers for taking some time out to chat with metalobsession.net. Could you please give our readers a quick introduction of yourself and The Eternal? Mark: The Eternal formed in 2003 after the end of my previous band Cryptal Darkness. Cryptal Darkness had really ... Read More

Epic and powerful, BANE OF ISILDUR's aural and live attack on the Australian metal scene with their brand of black metal infused 'war metal' has taken parts of the underground by storm both here and abroad. And now with a new recording due out, and headlining festival appearance on the horizon, I caught up with Ray (Bass) for a chat about the band's music, influences and future. Read More

With their first Victorian live shows coming up in the near future, I spoke to Tom (guitars) from Sydney-based post rock band sleepmakeswaves about the band, the local scene and their debut EP. Metal Obsession: Can you give us a bit of an introduction to the band? Tom: Sleepmakeswaves began in two parts, on one side Kid (guitars) started up a new project in the post-rock/electronic side of things and was looking to collaborate with other artists. Simultaneously Myself and Alex (bass) had started ... Read More

Interview with THE OCULARIS INFERNUM - 11/08/2008 MO: First of all I would like to thank you for taking part in this interview for www.metalobsession.net, and now could I please get you to quickly introduce yourself and The Ocularis Infernum to the readers of MetalObsession.net. OI: Darren, 21, Vocalist The Ocularis Infernum are essentially a four piece tech death/grind outfit with hints of groove, melody and slam; members are scattered over suburban Melbourne MO: The band has been around now for a few years in the ... Read More

Formed in Kuopio Finland 1999, Shade Empire is fast becoming one of the more creative Metal bands to come out of the country. The band signed with Dynamic Arts Records in 2006 and late 2007 saw Shade Empire join with Dynamic Arts Record and hit the studio for their third studio album "Zero Nexus". I recently interviewed vocalist Juha Harju about their new album, the writing process and touring.... Metal Obsession: G’day. First of all, a big thanks for taking the time to ... Read More

As some of you may know, Trivium recently played a sell out show at Sydney's famous Enmore Theatre last month in Australia to promote there upcoming new release. The band have eagerly been awaiting the arrival of Shogun, the forthcoming new album which will be release on September 27th, 2008 to fans across Australia. Scott Boelsen and myself (Anwar Rizk) had the chance to sit down with Travis Smith, drummer of the legendary thrashcore band while he was in Melbourne. We chatted about ... Read More