Alive and Local #3: Devil Electric, Sisters Doll, Hands Like Houses and more

By BRIAN GIFFIN

WELCOME to another update on local Australian activity. This edition, death metal, vintage rock, psychedelic garage punk, good time rock n roll and the chance to open for a high-profile band. See below.

IN an update on last edition’s report on the return of Brisbane’s Dead of Winter festival, the full line-up has now dropped with DZ Deathrays taking headlining honours. The rest of the bill is filled out by punk, HC, metal and rock from all around the country and across the Tasman. Head to their website for more details: deadofwinterfestival.com.au. Full line-up: DZ Deathrays, Mammal, Jay and Lindsay Frenzal, Beanflipper, Toe to Toe, Lo!, Slim Krusty, The Neptune Power Federation, Nicolas Cage Fighter, Flangipanis, Brace, Dartz, Witchgrinder, Bulletbelt, Pizza Death, Astrodeath, Black Rheno, Monster Zoku Onsomb!, Hammers, Dad Fight, Boofheads, R.U.B, Mitch Please, Rick Dangerous & the Silkie Bantams, Backhand, Valtozash, ZZade, Space X Dragon, Buried in the Sand and Helltrippers.

MELBOURNE vintage rockers Devil Electric have announced their return after a five-year break. Their new album Tahlia will be released on February 13. Singer Pierina O’Brien says of title track and first single: “This song really represents Devil Electric at its core. It’s epic in its composition with a sweeping melody that takes me from the low end of my vocal range to its peak.” The album is available for pre-order on vinyl from their BandCamp or across digital platforms on release.

GOOD time rockers Sisters Doll will be bringing their high energy fun times to venues around the in preparation for their UK tour in May and June. The lads have released a new single, appropriately titled “Good Day to be Alive” and have shows in Sydney, Gold Coast, Adelaide and Perth over the next couple of weeks.

SELF-PROCLAIMED cinema core merchants The Gloom in the Corner finally release their new album this month. With the singles “Assassination Run”, “Angel’s Wrath Whiskey” and latest “Nope (Hollow Point Elysium)” preceding it, Royal Discordance drops on February 27, just in time for their dates with US nu-metal band King 810. Pre-order on digital now.

CANBERRAN rockers Hands Like Houses are returning to venues with Dream On Dreamer in April, with an eight date national tour. In an effort to give back to the scene that raised them, the lads are seeking local bands to open for them each night. Acts can apply using this form, or through the band’s socials.

MALEVOLENT doom-deathsters Malignant Aura released their new full-length Where All of Worth Comes to Wither on January 26. It’s the second album from the monstrous four piece and is available on vinyl or download now.

MORE scorching death metal cacophony comes from Melbourne’s Circle of Blood, whose new single “Immolation” is the precursor to and warning of debut album. In Praise of Darkness is out in March – download the single.

IN further Aussie death metal news, Wollongong melo-death unit Destruction of the Healer have teamed up with Liam Hedges of Gosika for a crushing new single, “Bestial Hunger”, available now.

APRIL will see the return of Melbourne proto-punk psychedelic fuzz trio Stepmother when they release their long-awaited second album. Absurdus Manifestus is pure unadorned rock and roll with first single “New World” available to stream now, ahead of European touring in June.

TOUR DATES

SISTERS DOLL

FEBRUARY 13: Bridge Hotel, Sydney
FEBRUARY 14: Vinnies Dive, Gold Coast
FEBRUARY 20: Woodshed, Adelaide
FEBRUARY 21: Lynott’s Lounge, Perth

HANDS LIKE HOUSES

APRIL 16: The Baso, Canberra
APRIL 17: Manning Bar, Sydney
APRIL 18: Princess Theatre, Brisbane
APRIL 19:  Kings Beach Tavern, Sunshine Coast
APRIL 23: Beer Deluxe, Albury
APRIL 24: 170 Russell, Melbourne
APRIL 25: Unibar, Adelaide
APRIL 26: Magnet House, Perth