While Australia is traditionally thought of as the home of pub rock and, increasingly, talented young bedroom producers, some Aussie music lovers may be surprised to learn that our sunburnt home is actually a hotbed of progressive metal outfits.

It’s true. Even a cursory search through the flyer-littered cork board at your local laundromat will yield dozens of upcoming gigs from talented prog metal bands located right in your area, but it does pose the problem of finding just the best ones.

In order to help us sort through the bustling Aussie prog metal scene, we recruited one of the scene’s most respected outfits, Brisbane’s Caligula’s Horse, to guide us through some of the best bands in the movement.

With a strong contingent of fans throughout the country and several highly acclaimed tours under their belt, Caligula’s Horse recently celebrated signing to The Agency Group for all their North American bookings and Wild Thing Presents for management.



Bands Everyone Should Listen To

A Lonely Crowd

Because it sounds like Björk shirtfronting spiderbait. That’s a good thing.

Transients by A Lonely Crowd

Orsome Welles

Old English chic and pounding heavy grooves. Dat flatcap.

ERTH NEWS BULLETIN by Orsome Welles

Sleepmakeswaves

Probably the most exciting and colourful instrumental post-rock I’ve ever heard. Do not miss out.

Love of Cartography by sleepmakeswaves

Helm

Crushingly heavy riffs played by three guitarists, on strats, through vintage amps. Killer mate.



Interim

Genuine modern melodic rock with an exciting (and let’s face it, handsome) live show. Because dayum.

She’s The Devil by Interim

Albums Everyone Should Own

Osaka Punch – Voodoo Love Machine

The perfect name for a close-to-perfect album. Throw away your serious face and dance to this, you silly bastard.

Voyager – V

As well produced as it is flawlessly constructed, Voyager are the best of a rare breed: a metal band who put the song above all else.

Twelve Foot Ninja – Silent Machine

Real talk: Why haven’t you heard this album yet? You know what? I’m sick of your excuses. Grab your mosh pants and your biggest chorus voice. We’re doing this RIGHT NOW.

Ne Obliviscaris – Citadel

The most intricately crafted, dense, and melodic progressive death metal our humble country has to offer. It doesn’t get better than this.

Breaking Orbit – The Time Traveller

Vast and expansive, great grooves, killer riffs, amazing atmosphere.

Best Live Acts

Voyager

The most fun live act I’ve ever come across – but don’t let that fool you, these guys are incredibly tight and a bunch of awesome musos.

V by Voyager

Statues

As intense as any live show you’ll see in this country. Perth’s Statues are our answer to The Dillinger Escape Plan.

Affliction Prescription by Statues

Twelve Foot Ninja

As above, under “Silent Machine”: if you haven’t seen TFN live yet, get to it! Tight to the point of disbelief, fun, and absolutely unique.

Smoke Bomb by Twelve Foot Ninja

Toehider

Mike. Mills. You will not hear another voice like this in Australia, I guarantee it. Mike. Goddamn. Mills.

What Kind Of Creature Am I? by Toehider

LeSuits

Full horn section, costumes, jams, heavy, hooky, fun party music. Don’t miss them if they come your way!

Stuck In The Mud by LeSuits

Favourite Upcoming Acts

Rise Overrun

Fresh-faced punchy Aussie rock with a poignant message and beautiful melodies. Give their debut “Earthbound” a spin.

Earthbound by Rise Overrun

Flynn Effect

Female fronted dark alternative rock with an original visual aesthetic live. “Skin” is an awesome debut album.

Skin by Flynn Effect

Opus of a Machine

Their debut album “Simulacra” has been met with great reviews and their live show is tight, punchy, and exciting. Really cool groovy melodic prog metal.

Simulacra by Opus of a Machine

Without Parachutes

For fans of early Muse and any other melodic hard rock, this awesome 3-piece have got it going on.

This Is a Fire by Without Parachutes

Tour Dates

Brisbane, The Zoo – Friday January 16

Supported by Interim, Orsome Welles (VIC), Rise Overrun

Sydney, The Factory Floor – Friday January 23

Supported by Breaking Orbit, Orsome Welles (VIC), Red Bee

Canberra, The Basement – Saturday January 24

Supported by Breaking Orbit (NSW), Orsome Welles (VIC), Renegade Peacock

Melbourne, The Evelyn Hotel – Sunday January 25 (Australia Day Eve)

Supported by AlithiA, Orsome Welles, Kettlespider

Perth, Rosemount Hotel – Friday January 30

Supported by AlithiA (VIC), This Other Eden, Carthasy

Adelaide, Enigma Bar – Saturday January 31

Supported by AlithiA (VIC), Dyssidia, For Millennia

Tickets on sale now via wildthingpresents.com, Oztix, and the venues.