With the clock about to tick over into February, we’ve reached the final countdown to Soundwave 2015. The second draft of festival timetables has already been released, meaning it’s about the time that most non-fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants punters will be at least starting to create a mental shortlist of the bands that they’re most looking forward to checking out.
The problem is there’s just so many acts to choose from, and timetable clashes mean you’re always going to miss out on someone. You need to prioritise your time, but how do you know what you should and shouldn’t be checking out? Well, you should probably make sure you’re catching those buzz bands, and definitely see those acts who you might just not have the opportunity to see again.
So, just in case your brain is having trouble stringing together that shortlist, we’ve compiled our own to throw you a bone. Here’s a list of eight acts you can’t afford to miss at Soundwave 2015, and some compelling reasons why you’ll kick yourself if you skip their sets.
8 Acts You Can't Afford To Miss At Soundwave 2015
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1. Atreyu
American metal stalwarts Atreyu have just reformed after a 3-year hiatus, and their appearance at Soundwave 2015 marks their first Australian performance since reuniting to reclaim their crown as the Kings of Metalcore.
The band, who’ve been together since 1998, have stuffed their suitcases full of both nostalgic classics and brand-new material for the trip down under, including recently released single 'So Others May Live', ahead of a brand-new album slated for release later this year.
Catch the historic reunion on Stage 5 on Faith No More Day.
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2. Killer Be Killed
This one is a complete no-brainer. The Soundwave stage will play host to this so-called "Justice League of Rock"s first-ever live performance. Metal greats Max Cavalera (Soulfly, ex-Sepultura) Greg Puciato (The Dillinger Escape Plan), Troy Sanders (Mastodon) and Ben Koller (Converge, replacing resident drummer Dave Elitch) have promised a treat for Aussie fans, who'll bear witness to their live debut.
They've hinted at a surprising setlist filled with songs from across their respective bands’ catalogues as well as some badass covers, together with potential cameos from other big-name musos.
When was the last time you say a band of this magnitude play their first show? Get there. They're on Stage 4, Slipknot Day.
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3. Faith No More
As one of the festival’s main headliners, Faith No More’s Soundwave set should already be high-up on most people’s to-do list. Throw in the fact that their appearance at the festival will be exclusive, with no headlining shows around the action, as well as the fact that they're arming themselves with their first brand-new musical release in 17 fucking years, rock fans should be triple-circling their set time with a red sharpie and pinning it to their calendars, refrigerators, or children’s faces.
Catch them on the main stage on, well, Faith No More Day.
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4. Terror Universal
There is so much damn hype surrounding this mysterious demon supergroup, it’s alarming. These masked metal muppets have only recently been spawned but their music is already kicking disproportionate amounts of ass. Soundwave 2015 will mark their first ever Australian performances, some of their first-ever as a matter of fact, and they promise to be a monstrous, blood-soaked affair.
Another thing: the band members’ individual identities are still shrouded in mystery. So far, all we know is that the band is made up of former and current members of Machine Head, Ill Nino and Soulfly.
Australian fans will score their first chance to get up close and personal with Terror Universal to attempt to solve the riddle for themselves on Stage 4, Faith No More day.
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5. Smashing Pumpkins
Are you kidding? You HAVE to see this band. Even if you've already seen them, you need to see them again. Not only are they one of the biggest acts on the whole damn lineup, Pumpkinhead Billy Corgan has threatened to disband the group altogether if their new albums don’t perform well, meaning Soundwave 2015 could be the last time Aussie fans will ever get to see them perform live.
Are you willing to take that risk? If the answer is no, pencil 8.30pm, Stage 4, Slipknot Day into your planner.
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6. King Parrot
These Melburnian rabble rousers are renowned as one of the most neck-breaking live acts on the local scene, and they’re starting to absolutely blow up overseas. They’ve just come off a marathon American tour supporting none other than Phil Anselmo’s Down, and they’ll be returning to Soundwave for the second year in a row to whip out their gnarly brand of thrash metal on the big stage.
Catch them so you can say you saw them before they were huge. They're destroying Stage 4 on Faith No More day.
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7. Steel Panther
Let’s get one thing straight: Steel Panther are NOT just for those with a proclivity for skintight spandex, industrial strength hairspray, guyliner, unconvincing scalp-mirkins and the pussiest, most shameful variety of heavy metal in the genre’s rich chronology.
Yes, this band may tick all of those boxes, but they’re also incredibly talented musicians whose skills will blow you away, probably while your girlfriend blows them. Steel Panther are packing what is arguably one of the most mesmerising live shows in modern rock music, combining hilarious banter, theatrical antics, unparalleled showmanship and kick-ass tunes. And, yes, clothes that would make a 12-year-old girl sigh with envy.
They’re so good, even hipsters like them. 'Nuff said. Catch them playing Stage 1 on Faith No More day.
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8. The Aquabats
OK, while we can’t promise you’ll love this band, we CAN guarantee that their set will be unlike anything else you will see on the Soundwave lineup. With a genre-bending blend of punk, rock, ska, new wave and even synth-pop, this band doubles as a league of silver-helmet-wearing, Zorro-faced crime-fighting superheroes.
They even had their own TV show one time, ‘The Aquabats! Super Show!’, a live-action musical action-comedy which ran for two seasons and even won a Daytime Emmy Award.
They also claim to be “seriously…the best band in the world.” Judge for yourself on Soundwave’s Stage 3 on Faith No More day.
