Soundwave '13: Anthrax, Fozzy, This Is Hell at The Hi-Fi Bar (Metal as Fuck)

Melbourne's Hi-Fi Bar takes decorating advice from none other than Mick Jagger. It's painted black. All over. Even the green room is painted black. Everything is painted black. It conjures up memories of high school drama rooms. More accurately, incendiary heavy metal gigs. Christ help you when it sells out, though.

Read why at Metal As Fuck.

Soundwave '13: Melbourne Soundwave 2013 (TheVine)

In hip Gen Y heartland Flemington (well, maybe in the bowels of one's heartland) the transition of metal and punk cornered into tearing up dingy graffiti-trashed clubs to the mainstream is complete. The working-class rebellion is over.

The two-pronged attack from political correctness and economic rationalism starved the subculture of oxygen, corralling it into libidinous day-long expressions instead of steadfast lifestyle commitments -- 'til death or follicular necrosis. Mohawked metalheads sip lattes in cramped wood-panelled cafes incongruously named "Pepper" and "Monkey Tricycle" alongside urban professionals and retired graphic designers. Smartphones replace zippo lighters as rock show accoutrement du jour. The Big Day Out, as Andrew noted in his Brisbane review is no longer the heavy fans' festival.

Read much, much more at TheVine.

Soundwave '13: Gallows w/ Shai Hulud at The Corner Hotel (Metal As Fuck)

What’s with the god damn weather in this town?

Good question. Humidity feels like wading through barrels full of heat accelerant. Is it like dwelling inside an aerosol can, or something? Why does humidity feel like the sun is drawing nearer? Why did I think wearing pants was a good choice? It was so hot inside the Corner Hotel, a fine haze could be seen through lights. Red curtains cordoned off approximately half of the modestly sized pub backroom for this Gallows show. Keep in mind they were up against nostalgia ticklers Blink 182, Kyuss Lives and Garbage. Not that Soundwave is a popularity contest. Although if it truly wasn’t, every band would have equal time allotted to them and they’d play in alphabetical order.

Read more at the mighty Metal as Fuck.