Founded in 2015 WILDHEART are a Brisbane based melodic hardcore band who stormed onto the local scene with their debut release ‘A Thousand Days’. Since that release, the band have established themselves as firebrands and ones to watch, with their hard-hitting messages and music. Wildheart have slowly yet surely carved themselves a position as a heavy, emotional outfit that demands the attention of punters through their relentless live performances.
“Backburner is about “the government’s continuous refusal to listen, learn and adopt indigenous techniques that were used for thousands of years to preserve and care for the land.” – Yugambeh man and Vocalist for Wildheart, Axel Best
Now, they return with their most pressing and important song to date. The recent single is called ‘Backburner‘ and it’s available HERE.
Yugambeh man and Vocalist for Wildheart, Axel Best, says that the song “…was written after Australia bore witness to the worst bushfires we have ever seen. Backburner is about “the government’s continuous refusal to listen, learn and adopt indigenous techniques that were used for thousands of years to preserve and care for the land.”
The song also features powerful words from Indigenous man Bruce Shillingsworth’s speech on ABC’s Q&A program in October 2019 when he called for Australia to “wake up”. When speaking with vocalist Best about the use of his words on the song, Shillingsworth reiterated the message “I believe, and you also believe, that there is an important message to tell the world. Change has to come – We are now guided by our ancestors and spirits to go forward and light up the flames, they can’t put us on the back burner.”
The single was recorded, mixed and mastered by Gareth Hargreaves – and the film clip for the track was filmed and edited by Dan Ramsey of SP\LIT Media!
In August 2018 the bands sophomore EP ‘We Are’ was released #2 on the iTunes Metal chart, #39 on the overall iTunes chart. First single We Are premiered on killyourstereo.com, being cited as a ‘fresher, larger re-introduction to their sound and intent…’, achieving #6 on the triple j Unearthed Metal chart, as well as #3 on the Indigenous chart to rave reviews from curators. This EP saw a shift in the bands message steering towards issues of more global impact as well as continuing to tie in strong introspective lyrics.
Wildheart performed BIGSOUND 2018 and has seen regular playtime across various well known platforms such as triple j (having been played on triple j lunch, Short.Fast. Loud, The Racket and Home and Hosed, as well added to rotation on triple j unearthed!) and Spotify’s ‘Homegrown and Heavy’ playlist; and have played alongside heavyweight acts including Casey (UK), Listener (US), Belle Haven, Bare Bones, Young Lions, Deadlights, and Dregg; and hitting the road on several independent East Coast tours.
Ever putting their money where their mouth is, Wildheart have performed in support of multiple not-for-profit organisations including Beyond Blue, Support Act/The Black Dog Foundation, and Sea Shepherd. The band is a proud advocate of an open conversation surrounding mental health and suicide and with the recently released ‘Rising Tide’ in 2019, have shown a strong shift into the discussion on the ongoing racism and discrimination shown towards the first nations people of Australia.
3 Australian hardcore & metal acts you should know, by WILDHEART:
1. Nerve Damage
“Our resilience.
(Now) A spit in your face.
Despite your efforts,
We are here to stay.”
Aggressive and chaotic, Fronted by Bundjalung/Yugambeh man Shaun Allen, Nerve Damage is one of the best hardcore bands in Australia.
2. Homesick
“Freedom isn’t free”
From Darug country. Homesick is an outspoken hardcore band, they put culture in the forefront of their lyrics and image. Definitely worth checking out.
3. Dispossessed
“Warpath never ended
This land never ceded
Remain undefeated
Warpath never ended”
Unfortunately no longer active, dispossessed were absolute monsters in the scene. Always fueled with rage. You could always rely on Dispossessed to put capitalists, white supremacists and homophobes in their place.
