HALLOWEEN HYSTERIA // Your Guide To The Best Gig This October

In Hysteria’s eight year history we’ve fronted up to shows, shot them, critiqued them; even nabbed a scoop or two behind the scenes.

MORE: HALLOWEEN HYSTERIA: Your Guide To The Best Gig This October // DOWNLOAD AUSTRALIA 2019: Drop First Epic Line-Up With Two Major Farewells

We may or may not have pinched a few brews from band riders over that time (soz!) So now it’s time to spread our wings into organising one of our own. Of course, we never wanted to do it by halves. So we’re putting on the hardest rocking, mosh-inducing, ear-ripping, beer-soaked good time the Valley will be talking about for yonks (once the hangovers and bangovers die down.). So in true Hysteria fashion, we present to you the full line-up of Halloween Hysteria—and what you can expect from our quality roster of cool acts. Because as we’ve said from the start, if it’s too LOUD, GOOD! Now it’s even louder … so BETTER? Together with Young Henrys, Dead Of Winter Festival, Brisbane Bodyart, Ruthless TV, Rockstar Productions and Scenestr, as impresarios of the highest calibre (for the first time), we think you’ll be inclined to agree. So what does your $50 (and booking fee, can’t forget that) net you on that hallowed Saturday, the 27th of October at the Jubilee Hotel? Read on:

THE BENNIES

Can there ever really be a party without The Bennies?! The Melbourne ska-punks have conquered the Australian music scene with their good vibes and hard touring ethic. Amongst their non-stop touring around the globe, the band has somehow found time to release their excellent fourth album Natural Born Chillers, released through The Smith Street Band’s Pool House Records. Come and join the party starters as they belt out such hits as Get High Like An Angel, Detroit Rock Ciggies, and their triple j Hottest 100-charting smash Party Machine. Catch them headlining the Young Henry’s Carpark Stage on the day. // Tim Byrnes

FOR FANS OF: Frenzal Rhomb, Less Than Jake, Reel Big Fish

KING PARROT

Since forming in 2010, Melbourne band King Parrot has become Australia’s most beloved grindcore jesters. The band has built a great reputation over the years with their aggro music and disturbingly hilarious videos, garnering triple j airplay, ARIA Award-nominations, albums reaching the charts, and even recording with Down and Pantera vocalist Phil Anselmo. The last 12 months have been busy, with the release of their third album Ugly Produce, touring far-and-wide, and being on the line-up for Australia’s first Download Festival. King Parrot is wild, feral, and must be experienced live. They’ll be tearing up the Jubilee Hotel as co-headliners of Halloween Hysteria. // Tim Byrnes

FOR FANS OF: Blood Duster, Rotten Sound, Cattle Decapitation

VOID OF VISION

Metalcore young guns Void Of Vision have grown with each new release. Their debut EP Broken//Bones made a big splash and their 2016 debut album Children Of Chrome made waves in the Australian heavy community. After spending 2017 touring with the likes of I Prevail, Deez Nuts, and Northlane, the band surprised fans in November with the unannounced release of their second EP Disturbia. Their live shows are a cathartic experience of brutal riffing and roaring vocals. // Tim Byrnes

FOR FANS OF: Northlane, Ocean Grove, Chelsea Grin

HARD-ONS

Most people are a waste of time, but not Aussie punk greats Hard-Ons. The Alfalfa Males have been crafting short, fast, bright, and catchy slices of punk since forming all the way back in 1981. Since then, they’ve released 11 fantastic albums and become Australia’s most commercially-successful independent band. It’s always a yummy treat to experience these legends. // Tim Byrnes

FOR FANS OF: The Ramones, The Saints, The Buzzcocks

ALPHA WOLF

Originally from Tasmania before their big move to Melbourne’s music scene, Alpha Wolf has been shredding guitars and bringing in the pits since they came together in 2013. Now in 2018, Alpha Wolf has delivered a killer new single Black Mamba and are fresh off their recent Death Dealers Tour with Australian Metal icons Thy Art Is Murder. Going from strength to strength and city to city, Alpha Wolf have taken the Australian heavy music scene by storm—showing that their resilience and passion for music, and the music scene we are all apart of, is what will set them apart. If you haven’t already experienced the impressive live performance from Alpha Wolf make sure you catch them at Halloween Hysteria. // Louise Inkster

FOR FANS OF: Parkway Drive, Architects, Thy Art Is Murder

VOIID

After opening the Groovin The Moo Townsville leg earlier in 2018, touring with the likes of Grinspoon, Skegss, Camp Cope and continuing on to support Clowns on their Freezing in the Sun tour starting in late September. Voiid have released three successful singles this year alone, with their tracks starting to get some rotation on triple j. With messy, dominating stage presence and seemingly uninterrupted touring dates, this band is continuously proving their worth in the Australian scene. // Aimee Ravik

FOR FANS OF: L7, Pist Idiots, Waax

PRESS CLUB

Off the back of a successful national tour and dropping a coming of age album Late Teens in April, Brunswick base four-piece Press Club are reaching new heights. With a solid track rotation on triple j, and after supporting The Smith Street Band on an eight-week tour across the nation, Press Club have since been announced in several upcoming festival line-ups including Hysteria’s very own Halloween Fest. This garage punk rock band is gaining momentum quickly, it’s only a matter of time before they’re playing larger venues and you’re paying higher prices for tickets. // Aimee Ravik

FOR FANS OF: West Thebarton, Ruby Fields, The Hard Aches

BARE BONES

Sydney punk quintet Bare Bones first came to prominence after scoring the triple j Unearthed slot at Soundwave 2015. The band have since been catching attention with their swagger and dirty tunes, scoring prime support slots with Northlane, Rise Against, Prophets of Rage, Stone Sour, and The Bronx, all in support of their debut album Bad Habits in 2017. // Tim Byrnes

FOR FANS OF: The Bronx, Every Time I Die, Gallows

STEPSON

Brisbane based melodic-hardcore outfit Stepson have been steadily gaining momentum since their humble debut release Broken Bottles / Drunken Hearts in 2014. In the four years since, the five-piece have gone on to release another EP and some singles along the way, while also having the pleasure of supporting some of the hardcore scenes finest bands across their Australian tour legs, including the likes of Title Fight, Counterparts and some of Australia’s best talent—Hellions. With the release of their song Come with Me they’re due to drop some new tracks soon, and while they’re yet to really break through into mainstream radio—they aren’t messing around on streaming services like Spotify with over 150,000 listens on their latest track. // Aimee Ravik

FOR FANS OF: Hellions, Trophy Eyes, Defeater

BAD JUJU

Melbourne rockers Bad Juju may be new to the scene, but there’s a reason their grunge rock has been getting attention. Featuring members of House Vs Hurricane, Confession, Lovers Grave, and Earth Caller, Bad Juju formed after the friends wanted to play something less heavy than their respective bands. However, as displayed on their recently-released debut EP Hidden Desire, the triple j Unearthed feature artists still rocks very hard. // Tim Byrnes

FOR FANS OF: Trophy Eyes, Thrice, Turnover

HANNY J

Melbourne-based rocker Hanny J has been getting by pretty well with her rocking tunes. After moving from her hometown Warwick, Queensland, Hanny J made noise across the Brisbane punk scene before striking out solo in 2013. Since moving to Melbourne, Hanny now plays Bass as a member of punk rockers Clowns. But as a solo artist she’s crafted impassioned and evocative songs, laying out her deepest feelings over infectious rock. // Tim Byrnes

FOR FANS OF: The Smith Street Band, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Brody Dalle

AFTER TOUCH

After Touch have hit the ground running since entering the post-hardcore scene back in 2014. The Shellharbour-based quintet have already supported major names like The Story So Far and Northlane, which quickly cemented their place in the Australian music scene. After signing to UNFD in 2017, the boys have been hard at work on their debut EP You Wish This Was About You, which is set to be released in September 2018. Their latest single, Use Me has been added to triple j on high rotation since its release last month. // Lavender Baj

FOR FANS OF: Better Half, Endless Heights and Deadlights

DROWN THIS CITY

Drown This City have been an impressive band since the get go. Within their first year, they released their debut EP False Idols and sold out Melbourne’s Workers Club for their first ever show. In their short lifespan, the post-hardcore quintet has already ticked off festivals like Bigsound and UNIFY Gathering, and have supported huge acts like Falling In Reverse after just a few years in the scene. Their unique sound, featuring an amalgamation of melodic clean vocals and blistering, brutal screams from frontwoman Alex Reade, means that Drown This City are a fresh, new sound in the Australian scene. // Lavender Baj

FOR FANS OF: Northlane, Silent Planet & Tonight Alive

OUTRIGHT

The Melbourne-based five-piece have not stopped since the release of the debut LP, Avalanche back in 2014. More recently, the group have blessed our ears with their four-track EP, HOLLER, which was released this year via Reason & Rage Records. The quintet pride themselves on their DIY attitude and strong moral compass. Front woman, Jelena is a strong pro-rights activist, which is clearly shown in her lyrical content. Outright were one of the stand out bands at this years UNIFY Gathering // Lavender Baj

FOR FANS OF: Walls Of Jericho, Oathbreaker, and Power Trip

FIREBALLS

Fireballs have had decades to perfect their craft, forming back in 1989 after finding themselves bored with the rockabilly scene. Throughout the years, the Melbournian four-piece have released four full-length albums and a plethora of EPs that earned them both local and international success. Their ’80s trash metal-inspired psychobilly has earned them a place performing with acts like KISS, Mötley Crüe and Motörhead over the years, and now they’re back and ready to rock the crowds at this year’s Halloween Hysteria. // Lavender Baj

FOR FANS OF: Motörhead, The Living End, Cosmic Psychos

AVIVA

The Sydney born, LA based emo-pop artist, AViVA entered the music industry with a bang with her first single GRRRLS, which currently has 17+ million streams. Her unique sound is a lovechild of punk rock, emo and pop music, proving that emo is still alive and well. Although she now calls America home, AViVA is back in the country later this year as a part of Halloween Hysteria, where you can catch her performing the uber-successful solo tracks that skyrocketed her career to an international level, including her latest release, Hushh. Despite her international success, AViVA still manages to come back to Australian shores frequently, including when supporting Tonight Alive on their headline tour earlier this year. // Lavender Baj

FOR FANS OF: Tonight Alive, The Chainsmokers, Mia Vaile

BLACK RHENO

Since their formation in 2015, Black Rheno have developed a unique sound, combining elements of punk, sludge, stoner and groove metal into a DIY musical masterpiece. The Sydney trio have put a strong emphasis on cementing a position in the heavy scene, touring extensively around Australia as part of their 2016 EP release, as well as supporting bands like King Parrot in early 2017. Their debut EP, Let’s Start A Cult received a positive response from both the press and the public, scoring a substantial amount of airtime on triple j, as well as a variety of features in Australian music publications. Catch them performing tracks from Let’s Start A Cult at Halloween Hysteria this year. // Lavender Baj

FOR FANS OF: Pantera, King Parrot, High Tension

EXHIBITORS

Travelling all the way from Singapore, EXHIBITORS are a band not to be missed at Halloween Hysteria 2018. The melodic hardcore quintet formed back in 2012 and have been winning over crowds in Singapore ever since. They have recently performed with bands like Counterparts and Stray From The Path, and are ready to bring their latest track, Absence to Australia for an epic performance. // Lavender Baj

FOR FANS OF: Counterparts, Defeater, Endless Heights

FALCIFER

Falcifer are another impeccable heavy ensemble hailing from South Australia. The four-piece features a strong female vocalist and tracks that can only be described as pure brutality, making them a force to be reckoned with in the local scene. Released in 2016, their debut EP Theta is gut-wrenchingly heavy and features vocals so intense that you’ll constantly be reaching for the repeat button. // Lavender Baj

FOR FANS OF: Cursed Earth, Justice For The Damned, Daybreak

DRIVEN FEAR

Since forming back in 2004, Driven Fear have ticked off some pretty impressive milestones in their career. The Queensland-based quintet signed to Pee Records in 2009 and haven’t looked back since, with three consecutive releases in 2009, 2010 and 2011, all proving to be wildly successful in their own right. The band have also shared the stage with major names like The Amity Affliction, The Ghost Inside and Strung Out in their impressive 14 year career. Their most recent full-length release, Freethinker clearly stems from the band’s punk/hardcore roots, while still being appealing to a much wider audience. With such an impressive career, we’re surprised Driven Fear were still able to up the ante with Freethinker in 2016 and their latest single, My Rhythm Sense, which was released in April this year. // Lavender Baj

FOR FANS OF: Pennywise, Good Riddance, Sick Of It All

ARTERIES

Sydney-based post hardcore outfit, Arteries have been on a steady rise since the release of their debut EP back in 2013. Drawing inspiration from acts like The Dillinger Escape Plan and Norma Jean, it is easy to see why the quintet have won the hearts of so many music fans around the country. The group solidified themselves as a major contender in Australia’s metal scene after supporting big names like Make Them Suffer, Northlane and Architects, just to name a few. Their most recent full-length release, This Will Destroy Us further proved that Arteries are a force to be reckoned with in the Australian metal scene. // Lavender Baj

FOR FANS OF: The Dillinger Escape Plan, Norma Jean, Justice For The Damned

VALHALORE

Missing some viking rock from your life? Then get amongst Brisbane’s epic folk/viking metal band Valhalore. This six-piece group has been hitting it hard LIVE since November 2015 and have refined their stage presence to be tight with a capital T. The release of their first full-length album Voyage into Eternity last year saw them break into the international folk metal scene and receive world wide praise from fans and fellow musicians alike. Valhalore have been on a roll, hitting Brisbane’s Dead Of Winter Festival in 2017, where they proved themselves worthy of the later timeslot—drawing in passes by with their fierceness and intricate folk metal sound. With a packed schedule for the rest of the year, grab your rune stones and make sure you catch Valhalore in 2018. // Louise Inkster

FOR FANS OF: Amon Amarth, Eluveitie, Fintroll

BAKERS EDDY

A true pop-punk story, four slacker skaters hitting the big city (in this case, Melbourne) to follow their dreams of becoming a band that embraced and reflected their happy-go-lucky mentality of ‘zero fucks given’. Bakers Eddy rolled onto the Aussie music scene in 2015 with their single Something Outside and have since continued to grow and perfect their sound. Drawing inspiration from growing up in New Zealand amidst the Maori culture and the gaps they saw in Australian indigenous culture, Bakers Eddy use their music to create awareness of human rights and equality, and reinforce that doing what you love means you’ll never work a day in your life. Their 2018 EP I’m Not Making Good Decisions is paving the way for an exciting future for Bakers Eddy, but with the year far from over who knows what else they’ll accomplish in the next few months. // Louise Inkster

FOR FANS OF: Green Day, NOFX, The Hives

THE WRATH

Punk rock veterans, The Wrath, have been at it for 13 years and have no plans on stopping anytime soon. Their long, successful career has seen the group support The Amity Affliction, The Misfits and Tiger Army, as well as a spot on the 2007 Big Day Out line-up with more huge acts like My Chemical Romance and Muse. More recently, the five-piece from the Gold Coast have blessed our ears with the release of their second full-length album Disillusions and Resolutions in 2015, which saw the band return to touring for the first time since 2007. With more music and touring to come, The Wrath are still worth keeping an eye on, even after all these years. // Lavender Baj

FOR FANS OF: Misfits, Mad Sin, Tiger Army

KILL THE APPRENTICE

Drawing on American punk influences and coupling with traditional Aussie rock n roll, Kill The Apprentice has an impressive edge in the East Coast music scene. The five-piece band has featured at festivals like Dead Of Winter and embarked on two international tours. Their current line-up is eight years strong and delivers energetic live shows that would amp up any collective group of disgruntled youths into rioting through the streets (in a good way!). Don’t miss their fearless return to the stage at Halloween Hysteria. // Louise Inkster

FOR FANS OF: Motorhead, Turbonegro, The Distillers

BETH LUCAS

The Brisbane-based emo pop punk artist, Beth Lucas has been playing regularly across the country for a decade now, so she’s clearly onto something good. Her acoustic take on pop punk and emo genres, powerful lyrics and captivating live performances have given Beth the opportunity to play with huge names in the industry like Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, State Champs and Little Brother (John Floreani). She recorded her fourth EP last year with none other than Troy Brady (The Amity Affliction) and since then, has already released EP5, Even If It Kills Me. // Lavender Baj

FOR FANS OF: Dashboard Confessional, D At Sea, This Wild Thing

BLIND MAN DEATH STARE

The self-proclaimed “hardest working DIY punk rock band” in Australia, Blind Man Death Stare focus their energy on producing anti-sexist/racist/state, pro-equality agendas. Since forming in 2015 out of the remaining members of Brisbane punk band, The Pints, BMDS quickly made a new name for themselves, releasing their debut EP Born A Centimetre From The Finish Line just a few months later. The group toured extensively to celebrate the release of their first full-length album It’ll Grow On Ya, which saw the Melbourne-based four-piece play 20 dates across Australia and New Zealand last year. They’re heading back to Brisbane later this year to take back their home turf at Halloween Hysteria, so be there or be square. // Lavender Baj

FOR FANS OF: NOFX, Guttermouth and Stiff Little Fingers

BENCH PRESS*

The Melbourne post punk four piece are fresh on the scene, only forming in 2016, but Bench Press have quickly gained a solid reputation for their outstanding stage presence and live sound. The quartet have really made the world their oyster, already touring Europe with fellow Damaged Music group, Clowns. Their self-titled debut album is out now via Poison City Records. // Lavender Baj

FOR FANS OF: Fugazi, Gang Of Four, Private Function

FROM CRISIS TO COLLAPSE

Although they all call Byron Bay home, From Crisis To Collapse includes members from Spain, Italy, Sydney and Brisbane to form Byron’s newest extreme metal outfit. Since forming in 2015, the quintet have been hard at work writing and performing music with strong musicianship and lyrical content. The group released four new tracks last year, Dimitri, Crisis, Turn the Gun on Our Ruler and Crystals are Us, and are ready to win over the hearts and eardrums of audiences at this year’s Halloween Hysteria. // Lavender Baj

FOR FANS OF: Killswitch Engage, Lamb Of God, Revocation

RESIST THE THOUGHT

Having toured with the likes of Suicide Silence and The Acacia Strain, metal Sydney based band Resist The Thought have been making a name for themselves within the metal scene since 2007. During a prime period of metal and metal-core music, Resist The Thought established themselves as a band to watch, working with fellow Australian metal artists like CJ McMahon of Thy Art Is Murder and releasing DVD counterparts to their record Sovereignty. 2018 brings us a fresh and focused Resist The Thought with the promise of an EP dropping later this year! // Louise Inkster

FOR FANS OF: Thy Art Is Murder, All Shall Perish, As I Lay Dying

EARTH CALLER

Earth Caller … direct from the 613 come the PHDs in pretty hard (break)downs and even harder riffs. With latest album Crystal Death garnering acclaim from pits and pundits alike, this is an addition to Halloween Hysteria that will be felt long after they leave the stage. Grab a pint, get in the pit, and get rowd-ay. // Tom Valcanis

FOR FANS OF: Wage War, Deez Nuts, The Ghost Inside

RADOLESCENT

Gold Coast trio Radolescent began when the friends decided to play at a mate’s house party. While they described that early performance as “sucking”, the band have grown to become one of the best new acts on the Coast. The band are now gearing up to the release of their second EP, the follow-up to last year’s Scrape Ya Plate, which will surely be a fun burst of 90s-indebted slacker punk that will start a storm in the mosh. // Louise Inkster

FOR FANS OF: Dune Rats, FIDLAR, PUP

HEY BABY!

If you’re about letting loose and having a party of a time with some wacky musicians, Hey Baby! from Brisbane MUST be on your radar! This surfer-punk-garage band concoction mix fast and energetic melodies with cool and cruisey lyrics, transporting you to a bonfire party by the beach. After a string of successful live gigs, Hey Baby! are charging through the Australian music scene with their contagious ‘don’t take it too seriously’ attitude, so get on board and enjoy the ride with them! // Louise Inkster

FOR FANS OF: Pixies, Dune Rats, The Bennies

HAMMERS

Following the path of the original blues / rock fusion bands from the good old days, Hammers are your typical Aussie blokes dead set (heh!) on bringing you a unique blend of metal, country and punk music that keeps you guessing in every song. Hammers are about keeping life rock ‘n’ roll and having a helluva party with their fans. Fresh off the back of their debut tour The Homeblokin’ Tour, a triple j premiere for their single Speak of the Devil and a debut full-length album on the way, there’s still so much to expect from these true blue Aussie rockers. // Louise Inkster

FOR FANS OF: Down, Clutch, Every Time I Die

MASSIC

Get amongst the grooviest metal band to come out of Brisbane, the five-piece hardcore rockers Massic. With big smiles and bigger riffs, Massic hit the ground running in 2018 with the release of their debut album Redshift and a string of festival appearances including Wallapalooza X, SCHEMA Festival and Dead Of Winter Festival. If you’re ready to be transported to an out-of-this-world breakdown oasis, Massic needs to be your go-to band! // Louise Inkster

FOR FANS OF: Meshuggah, Lamb Of God, Raised Fist

DERAIGN

Adding their names to a prestigious list of Australian thrash metal bands, Deraign have been working hard since their inception in 2012 to deliver a ferocity that will have you banging your head “until you get a six pack!” Their debut EP Purity in Violence catapulted the band into the thrash metal scene and saw them support Iron Reagan in Brisbane, as well as securing a spot at Thrash Festival in Sydney. In 2018, the band has continued to play gigs and even demo some songs from their in-progress debut album, receiving high excitement from fans for what this first full length album will bring. // Louise Inkster

FOR FANS OF: Slayer, Venom, Municipal Waste

SERAPHIC

Don’t let the elegant piano notes fool you, Seraphic are the perfect blend of operatic-metal, mixing soprano voices with heavy riffs and creating music that the angels themselves would applaud. This five-piece, female led, piano metal group hail from Halloween Hysteria’s hometown of Brisbane, where they’ve gone from supporting prog-metal legends Queensryche to co-headlining Ye Gods Of Metal Festival to embarking on their debut East Coast Australia tour just last year. It’s hard to put into words just how intricate and engaging their combination of classical and metal music really is, so make sure you see them for yourself! // Louise Inkster

FOR FANS OF: Epica, Opeth, Evanescence

APATE

They’ve played with Aussie heavy music icons Parkway Drive, In Hearts Wake, Violent Soho and Ocean Grove, working their way through the ranks of up-and-coming bands to leaving their mark in Brisbane music history, it’s all looking good for nu-metal group Apate. Their latest EP Spit You Out was received with major praise from fans and critics alike, commending the huge steps forward the band is taking to solidify their place alongside Australia’s heaviest. Apate are all about the heavy breakdowns and complex riffs that will have you clearing the circle pit and head-banging till tomorrow—a Brissy born and bred band that is not to be missed! // Louise Inkster

FOR FANS OF: Parkway Drive, Northlane, Alpha Wolf

IN ASHES

It’s all about first impressions and Gold Coast’s In Ashes made one hell of an impression when they released their debut album Breathe Hope in 2017. Giving us the loud, heavy and aggressive music that we all know and love from our former youths, In Ashes transport you to the time when hard-hitting breakdowns rained supreme. And we all know that with the release of a successful album (typically) comes a tour—so pray with us fellow metal heads. // Louise Inkster

FOR FANS OF: Poison The Well, Architects, Deftones

WE SET SIGNALS

Brisbane post-hardcore rockers We Set Signals, who recently signed to the We Are Triumphant label, are the perfect guilty pleasure if you’re missing those 2006 post-hardcore years when everything was ripped skinny jeans and heavy eyeliner. Releasing their debut album Abandon Ship Abandon Hope in 2017 saw their fan base expand to greater numbers than they’d ever imagined; back in those ADTR cover band days. In August 2018, the album hit 2 million streams on Spotify. If you don’t already know what all the fuss is about, download the album and enjoy for yourselves! // Louise Inkster

FOR FANS OF: Of Mice & Men, The Amity Affliction, The Ghost Inside

HE DANCED IVY

The resurgence of Australian punk is strong within He Danced Ivy. The punk-prog band, who kicked off the second half of 2018 with the release of their single Guillotines, have been captivating audiences with their mix of soft acoustics, swift punk instrumentals and party anthem lyrics since their relocation to Brisbane in 2016. These self proclaimed ‘party-prog’ers deliver a whirlwind of different styles that somehow all work to create an enthralling album narrative. Make sure He Danced Ivy is on your to see list! // Louise Inkster

FOR FANS OF: At The Drive-In, Karnivool, Soundgarden

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*Bench Press no longer appearing. Being Jane Lane and Diskust have since been added to the line-up.