Discover Australian Melodic Hardcore Bands #3

In todays instalment of Discover Australian Melodic Hardcore Bands I decided to go with three very different sounding melodic hardcore bands.

Northern Territory

Tapestry

In 2015 the city of Darwin brought us a five piece melodic hardcore band named Tapestry. The group has since played many local shows, signed to Backbone Music Group, played with the likes of Polaris and The Plot in You, headlined shows across Australia, have toured multiple times and released two EPs. I believe they moved to Victoria for more live gigging opportunities. This band has made their mark in the scene and has posted about tracking a debut album so keep an eye out.

Queensland

Sentiment

Formed in late 2020, Sentiment came into the scene heavy with their debut single Sentiment. They released a softer, more groovy single on April 15 2021 called Once a Rose, Now a Parasite which is when I discovered them. This is one of those bands you would expect to see supporting bands like Counterparts, Ambleside, Hindsight, Bloom and Stepson. 

Western Australia

Among Them

Formed in late 2014 Among Them released they debut demo in late 2014 Expectations, a three track EP in 2015 and their debut emotional, heavy and unique album Coming and Going in 2018. I can't find their old music online but if its anything like their album I'm sure its good stuff. I haven't seen them post anything for a couple years... fingers crossed they come back soon.

Discover Australian Melodic Hardcore Bands #2

In todays instalment of Discover Australian Melodic Hardcore Bands I decided to go with a newer band and two veterans.

New South Wales

Vilify

Melodic hardcore band Vilify is an all-star group of  metalcore musicians, Made up of members from The Beautiful Monument, Liberties, SETMEONFIRE, and Cold Era. The band released their debut EP CLARITY in December of 2020 and a the new single Veils of Grey earlier on in the year in February. These people are solid and talented musicians and I'm excited to watch them grow.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Vilifyau/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1vcCPOlMYtuwIS7W7fzZno?si=WKbh3vXcTrysd_h8T65BYQ/

Queensland

Stepson

Emotional heavyweights Stepson formed in late 2014 releasing their debut single Leak. This band has done countless headline tours across Australia, Supported bands like Counterparts, Title Fight, While She Sleeps, Stray From The Path, The Acacia Strain, Polaris, Capsize and Northlane. Their set to go on their first international tour with Polaris across the EU & UK and show no sign of slowing down. So far this year they have headlined a tour for their new album Help Me, Help You, played 2 festivals and are booked to support Being As An Ocean's on their Dear G-D... 10 year anniversary tour. A discography made up of three EPs, one single and an album should give you the impression these boys know their way around and its obvious when you see them live.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stepsonpunk/

Bandcamp: https://stepsonpunk.bandcamp.com/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5zAwXQwC3M34U7lKFgeX1y?si=z4vV0YUpTvaTX0HZIKKyyQ/

South Australia

Ambleside

Named after a street in their hometown Ambleside is made up of 5 people. They formed in late 2013 releasing their debut EP New Tide and in 2015 they remastered and rereleased New Tide with Mutant League Records. This newer version of the ep had less songs than the original but also included Tired Eye which became their most popular song until the famous Wash Away came out. They've been on countless tours both as a supporting acts and as the headliner. They have played shows with international bands like Silverstein, The Plot In You and Movements. Ambleside are one of my favourite bands of all time so I'm very biased when it comes to their music. Ambleside played shows with Stepson regularly until the pandemic.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amblesidehc/

Bandcamp: https://stepsonpunk.bandcamp.com/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7Fr8MbK08l3g9yHrXb4j4Y/

Live Music In Australia

Perth beatdown band Sedative playing Diamond Dogs Music Lounge and Bar, Dapto, NSW

To support live heavy music we have made a YouTube channel. On this channel you will find playlists for Australian band footage, An updated list of channels who post band footage and footage recorded by us and our Zoom Q2n video camera. Although it can be weird seeing a different perspective of events you attended and footage at venues that don't exist any more. I encourage everyone watch, record and share gigs. We all need to push live heavy music and make an effort to archive it. Don't forget to share the channels as well as the videos.

You can find our YouTube page here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnaJcdo-o7Xcv6p70wrQGPg

A playlist of live recorded Australian music with the best audio: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3eX0jAmXK_RGVNpJbpK-C99-kFY7zrZF

A playlist of more live recorded Australian music with good audio: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3eX0jAmXK_RGVNpJbpK-C99-kFY7zrZF

List of channels we personally watch

Radarspics

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2FZ-Z2zoPp7ZW2D0Yzcyhw

Sean Kerwin

https://www.youtube.com/user/Sean3886

HCMI

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxYdAFU0VCJcYF3Nzu4sgYA

Harley Merrell-Rose

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJfE_4mBz7lJ9cSEft3w95g

CoastCore TV

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVGa7nEv3ZteBLaPoCX2fuA

jack from adelaide

https://www.youtube.com/user/zooyorkjack

That Guy's Live Music

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTgtNjx7j4zC6D27IC_D9-A

Daniel Ginger

https://www.youtube.com/user/Daniel123939

Cracked Teeth Media

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmUn48RBiR0ok5i8ILBiE5g

TRIG GAMES

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkdUIwCJ1bgh_Ou96bpbRmw

kizza

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqsiO0Z6RtlNGpekcs7phDQ

Discover Australian Metalcore #1

Here I will be sharing three great metalcore bands each from different states.

Queensland

APATE

In 2013 Brisbane band APATE entered the scene with their single Stick Tight and received positive feedback in the community. Around 6 months later they would release their debut EP Pandora's Box. They would regularly play shows and hang with bands like Alpha Wolf, Justice for the Damned, and Graves during this time. Since that EP they have changed their sound and released the EP Spit You Out, signed with Human Warfare and released their most recent EP Rage on the 25th of June 2021. Apate has played shows alongside bands like Chelsea's Grin, Prepared Like a Bride, Feed Her To The Sharks, Born of Osiris and Polaris, Headlined countless tours across Australia and been playing gigs for several years. These guys know their way around.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Apateband

Bandcamp: https://apate.bandcamp.com/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5R4yFMEotYRffAVk4ARMEZ?si=GHHfRwvoRe-jHQKU5-pVEQ/

South Australia

Catalyst

Formed in late 2020 in the city of Adelaide, four piece metalcore outfit Catalyst started their career strong with their debut single 930 featuring Mauvais front man Jaycob Page. The single and band received good reviews. After a while they started to tease an EP by releasing two more singles and later they released their first EP The Eternal Sleep which included an alternative version of 930. Despite being formed in the age of lockdowns and Covid-19 this band has still managed to play many gigs and a co-headline a tour. I think they mean business.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catalystADL/

Bandcamp: https://catalystadelaide.bandcamp.com/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2TCXCxCh7CNlBxlDL2YLap?si=eK86QhdUSDq2z0hGk_Lahg/

Victoria

LUNE

November 6 of 2019 LUNE entered the battle with the title track Ghost off their forthcoming EP Ghost. They have since gone on to make quite a name for themselves in the hardcore scene supporting Pridelands on tour, Gravemind on their tour, playing interstate shows and their solid performances at both UNIFY FOREVER and Knight and Day Festival. If you like being able to say "I listened to this band before they got big." start listening to this band now.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lunegroove/

Bandcamp: https://lunegroove.bandcamp.com/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5R4yFMEotYRffAVk4ARMEZ?si=F8V3d9xFTJWeUjyeMyR2PA/

Free Metal Drum Samples

In this post I have put together some of the best metal drum samples I have found on the internet. You can never have enough drum samples so here's some downloads to clutter up your computer. 

Deathcore Drums - groovemaster

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UDZMlpjlRaDsY2_Bgqbcla6NOCTnEz9v/view 

Kicks, Snares and Toms by THE METAL KICK DRUM 

https://www.themetalkickdrum.com/free-stuff/kicks

GetGood Drums VIP List Free Drum Samples - GetGood Drums - download by going to the link and scrolling down until you see free samples

https://www.getgooddrums.com/?msclkid=7225d354b6a511ecb37466609d9c573c

Odeholm Audio FREE Mini Snare Pack

https://odeholm-audio.com/products/free-mini-snare-pack

Erkan Collection including samples from Andy Sneap - Ultimate Metal Forum

https://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/threads/sharing-my-collection-of-drum-samples-here.529782/?msclkid=eb69484eb6a611eca4fdd46301a25c05

Over 300 Royalty Free Snare Samples

https://www.stayonbeat.com/2013/09/25/free-snare-samples/

Slingerland, Rock and Indie Drum samples

https://www.indiedrums.com/2015/10/10/slingerland-kit/

https://www.indiedrums.com/2012/10/10/free-drums-samples-rock-kit/

https://www.indiedrums.com/2012/10/10/free-drums-samples-indie-drums-free/

Kristian Kohle Free Kick and the Kold Konkrete Krack Snare

https://app.filepass.com/s/j0nZ7KVrgLUC8ehh/p/Raw%20Samples

https://app.filepass.com/s/o6KQRhzltGn6yADL/f/350159/Kohle%20Kold%20Konkrete%20Krack.wav

Wilkinson Audio Creative Commons Drum Samples

https://wilkinsonaudio.com/collections/free/products/wilkinson-audio-cc-drum-samples

NumbSkull Snares 1.0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ypxcauby2l7z837/Numbskull%20Snares%201.0.rar?dl=0

Snaredrum-13x03inchPearl-HighPitch-multisampled

https://freesound.org/people/quartertone/packs/9034/

High Quality Cymbals 2006

https://freesound.org/people/ltibbits/packs/889/?page=1

PureTones Pearl Reference 14x16 Snare Drum

https://puretones.net/product/freesnare/

AuroraDSP

https://auroradsp.com/en/samples/39-the-rising-drum-samples.html

https://auroradsp.com/en/strona-glowna/28-dw-collectors-sample-pack.html

Discover Australian Melodic Hardcore Bands #1

Today I will be sharing three great melodic hardcore bands each from different states.

New South Wales

Keepsake

From the city of Sydney, past Wild Fires members and a few new faces come together to write sad songs you can't help but sing along to. Keepsake released their debut EP Slowburn on the April 10th of 2021 and have been talking about releasing new music very soon. I've personally seen this band live and they put on a great show.

Check out the song Passivity from their debut EP on YouTube:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aukeepsake/

Bandcamp: https://keepsakeau.bandcamp.com/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/20PmpnVklB8MTdPPnjxXvM?si=jOKChaulSxaiBEQF2KnecQ

South Australia

Raccoon City

Formerly known as Raccoon City Police Department the band released music from 2011-2015 then went on hiatus. They returned several years later releasing a single under their new name Raccoon City. This emo/melodic hardcore group is made up of  5 talented people from Adelaide. From all the images and footage I have seen they put on a great show.

Check out the single CARNATION from their second album on YouTube:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RaccoonCityband/

Bandcamp: https://rcpd.bandcamp.com/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3jjLXvgaQQxuk5KWsGKZhc?si=MmpL_eRrTr2BsCQYvwyt3A

Western Australia

Vacant Home

Formed in late 2016, the isolated city of Perth brings us a 5 piece melodic hardcore band. They started their journey by releasing their first single Shiver on the Dreambound YouTube channel to which they received raving reviews. Since being formed the original vocalist and bassist have left but they have new members and continue to play play gigs. I have personally seen this band many times and was never disappointed . 

Check out their very first single Shiver on YouTube:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vacanthomeau/

Bandcamp: https://vacanthomeau.bandcamp.com/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7prTdTVfJtpIkodHVYOxxH?si=HuQGoheoTpqkfFL0LZfiaQ

11 Free Bass Plugins For Metal and Rock

When it comes to bass guitars, there's nowhere near as much free software as there is for regular guitars. So today I have put together a list of 9 free bass effects and 2 free virtual bass guitars worth having in your arsenal. Nine out of the eleven plugins work on mac computers so don't feel too left out mac users. If you're interested in free guitar overdrives check out a previous post here.

Effects

TSE BOD

TSE BOD is a digital emulation of a Sansamp overdrive. A few users who own a Sansamp pedal say the plugin holds up quite well to the real thing. You can get a variety of tones out of this beast if you have the patience. But if you want to get heavy... put the BOD before an amplifier and create the dirtiest bass tone your ears can handle.

Another Metal Music Blog · TSE BOD v3

Download the plugin at https://www.tseaudio.com/software/tseBOD?msclkid=3f63273bb36111ec97d4829dd81ba183

Compatibility: Mac, Windows 64bit and 32bit

Format: VST, AAX and AU

Here are the plug-in settings used in the demo:

Bassprofessor MarkII 

Bassprofessor MarkII is a great tool for enhancing your bass tone. It offers processing, EQ and a dirt slider. You can use this plugin to shape the signal before an amp sim or you can adjust the settings to make the plugin sound like an amplifier sim.

Another Metal Music Blog · BassProfessor MarkII

Download the plugin at https://plugins4free.com/plugin/2590/

Compatibility: Windows 64bit and 32bit

Format: VST

Here are the plug-in settings used in the demo:

Bass Landscapes

Bass Landscapes is a unique booster pedal. To get a vintage sound switch the tube setting on.

Another Metal Music Blog · Bass Landscapes

Download the plugin at https://plugins4free.com/plugin/1147/

Compatibility: Windows 32bit

Format: VST 

Here are the plug-in settings used in the demo:

Bazz

Bazz is a virtual pedal based on a Bazz Fuss unit. This plugin is very in your face and I personally don't know how to use it, so get creative.

Another Metal Music Blog · Bazz

Download the plugin at https://nalexsoft2.blogspot.com/2019/04/bazz.html

Compatibility: Mac, Windows 64bit and 32bit

Format: VST and AU

Here are the plug-in settings used in the demo:

Amplifiers

SHB-1

SHB-1 is a digital emulation of the real life tube amplifier built for Thrash/Death Metal band Subhuman's bassist Federico Fulceri. This plug-in is also made by the same company that built the real life amplifier, Ignite Amps.

Another Metal Music Blog · SHB-1

Download the plugin at https://plugins4free.com/plugin/1132/

Compatibility: Mac, Windows 64bit and 32bit

Format: VST and AU

Here are the plug-in settings used in the demo:

Amplitude 5 Custom Shop

Amplitude 5 Custom shop is the free entry subscription to Amplitude 5. You will have to sign up to IK Multi Media site in order to download this plugin. You will receive three positional mics but only the one bass head and cab which are being used in the demo. I highly recommend putting the BOD in front of this plugin in the DAWs signal chain if you don't like the overdrive provided by Amplitude.

Another Metal Music Blog · Amplitude 5 Solid State Bass Preamp

Download the plugin at https://www.ikmultimedia.com/demodownload/?a=amplitube-5-cs

Compatibility: Mac and Windows

Format: VST via IK Multi Media installer

Here are the plug-in settings used in the demo:

Bass Deluxe

Bass Deluxe is a versatile amp sim made by lostin70s. My FL Studio had trouble recognising this plugin as a vst3 file so if you run into the same issue I did just download the vst option instead and use the .dll file.

Another Metal Music Blog · Bass Deluxe

Download the plugin at https://plugins4free.com/plugin/3187/ or https://www.lostin70s.com/plugins/BassDeluxe

Compatibility: Mac 64bit, Windows 64bit and 32bit

Format: VST, VST3

Here are the plug-in settings used in the demo:

Bass Grinder Free

Bass Grinder Free is made by the talented people at audio assault. With this plugin you get 2 amp heads and 3 cabs. Put the BOD in front of one of this in the signal chain and thank me later.

Another Metal Music Blog · Bass Grinder Free Dragon Head and Cab sim

Another Metal Music Blog · Bass Grinder Free Razor Head and Cab sim

Download the plugin at https://plugins4free.com/plugin/2082/

Compatibility: Mac, Windows 64bit and 32bit

Format: VST, AU and RTAS

Here are the plug-in settings used in the demo:

Bass - Amp by NaLex

Bass - Amp is a bass guitar tube amp head made by the talented NaLex. NaLex is known for making some of the best free guitar amp sims out there so its no surprise when they release a bass amp it sounds great. Unlike the other amp sims on this list the Bass - Amp does not include a cab sim so you will have to use your own IR and IR loader. I personally recommend NadIR or LeCab2. In this demonstration I am running a DARKGLASS TONES Satan Tone IR by Panda Sound through NadIR by STLTONES and Ignite Amps.

Another Metal Music Blog · Nalex Bass Head

Compatibility: Mac, Windows 64bit and 32bit

Format: VST and AU

Download the plugin at: https://nalexsoft.blogspot.com/2021/06/bass-amp.html

Cab sim: https://www.stltones.com/products/stl-ignite-emissary-plug-in-bundle

IR being used in demo: https://panda-sound.com/product/panda-cabs-free-pack/

Here are the plug-in settings used in the demo:

Virtual instruments

Ample Bass P Lite

Ample Bass P Lite is a realistic sounding emulation of a Precision Bass. Play notes ranging from E1-F4. You can import Guitar Pro and Tux Guitar files into the tab section to have the bass play your tab. The bass comes with ‘articulations’ including palm mute, slap and legato slide. Great for E standard metal and rock.

Another Metal Music Blog · Ample Bass P Lite

 

Download the plugin at https://plugins4free.com/plugin/2505/

Compatibility: Mac 64bit, Windows 64bit and 32bit

Format: VST, VST3, AU and AAX

 

4FrontBass

4FrontBass is another some what realistic sounding emulation of a Bass. This time you can play as low as G#0. Perfect for playing alongside guitars in drop tunings. The first demonstration is the plugin by itself and the second demonstration is running the 4FrontBass through Bass Grinder Free Dragon.

Another Metal Music Blog · 4FrontBass

Another Metal Music Blog · 4FrontBass put through BassGrinderFree Dragon

Download the plugin at https://plugins4free.com/plugin/190/

Compatibility: Mac, Windows 64bit and 32bit

Format: VST