Alive and Local #5

By BRIAN GIFFIN

THE latest round of updates from the local Hot Metal-endorsed music community.

Three years on from their last run of shows, Sunk Loto are back, with a new track out soon. Unseen on Aussie stages since 2023 after their successful return four years ago, the lads are launching their newest musical endeavour with a three date tour in August. New single “Dead Shadows” will be released on May 8.

Almost immediately carving out their name with their distinctly Australian brand of pop-skater punk, 28 Days ruled the summer festival circuit in the late nineties. Three decades on from their early days in a Frankston skate park, the lads are getting back together for a mid-year assault.

Thirty four years since their last EP, Melbourne rock legends Nick Barker and the Reptiles are back with their new release. Loose II is now available on all streaming services or as a limited edition CD available for pre-order here.

In November last year, Randy Rhoads’ bandmate in Quiet Riot, Kelly Garni, toured Australia celebrating that legacy. While he was here, he teamed up with Brisbane rockers Snake Bite Whisky to perform “Killer Girls”, originally from the Sunset Strip band’s 1979 album Quiet Riot II. After the tour, the gang decided to lay down their version for posterity, teaming up in a studio to record their tribute to one of rock and metal’s biggest guitar influences. Watch the clip now.

Metalcore unit Engraved have just released a new track, the third from a forthcoming album. “Bleed” is the latest instalment on the band’s journey, coming after the previous singles “NCB” and “The Fallen”, all of which feature on the album Hymns for the Hollow, due in May.

Perth rockers Electric State are stirring the pot with their latest single, “Stand Up”. Out now on all streaming platforms, “Stand Up” is the second single from the band’s album due for release early next year.

Sydney metal entity Evilean is releasing their EP Exhumation Evilean next month.The first EP for the extreme thrash act will be released on April 3. Single and clip “Lost Cause” are available to stream and view now.

As reported a while back, Melbourne vintage rockers Devil Electric have returned after five years in the wilderness with their brand new album Tahlia out last week. Third single “Weirdos” has also dropped, and the band are on the road soon. We’ll have an interview with guitarist Christos here on Hot Metal very shortly.

Inspired by the near-death experience suffered by vocalist Chris Mercuri’s mum, “dead_SPACE” is the newest track from Melbourne’s nu-metal crushers Druid. The first track from the band to feature former bassist Tim Lucas in his new role as dual vocalist, the song is available on all streaming platforms now.

Melbourne deathcore unit Melting have unleashed their first new track for the year in the shape of “Glare”. The follow-up to last year’s EP release, You Exist Because We Allow It, “Glare” is streaming across all platforms now.

Their second new release of 2026, “They’ve Always Lived in the Castle” is the latest from Adelaide alt-metallers alt.. Both it and previous recent single “Sucker Punch” are now available for streaming.