Tasmania's finest export - extreme metal pioneers Psycroptic - are set to add another layer of steel to their legendary status on a co-headline tour with like minded-but-saxophone-wielding US progressive death wizards Rivers of Nihil this August.

The last 18 months have seen Psycroptic's unrelenting work ethic at peak focus - with global touring alongside Dying Fetus, Six Feet Under, and their upcoming co-headline tour partners.

Rivers of Nihil are still riding high off the back of 2025's masterful and hugely successful self-titled fifth album through Metal Blade Records - a heavy metal institution and label home that will soon be shared with Psycroptic as they prepare to unleash their 9th studio in mid 2026.

Joining them on all shows will be the psychologically twisted sounds of Melbourne's Growth, and the straight up brutality of Sydney young guns Slaughtercult.

PSYCROPTIC + RIVERS OF NIHIL (USA) CO-HEADLINE TOUR w/ special guests GROWTH & SLAUGHTERCULT

Celebrating ten years of her breakout EP 'B‑Grade University', Alex Lahey is hitting the road for a huge Australian tour with her full band. Playing some of her favourite rooms around the country, Alex will perform 'B‑Grade University' in full, dive into fan favourites, and preview brand new songs no one has heard yet. With the promise of a special guest or two along the way, these shows are set to be a full‑tilt party for old and new fans alike.

Alex Lahey ‘B-Grade University’ Australian Tour

"Avatar have evolved into one of metal's most wildly inventive live forces. They orchestrate chaos on stage with a full blown metal machine at their base. The set is a masterclass in controlled madness. The songs land like hammer blows, each one bigger than the last. An unmissable spectacle from start to finish – what a night!!" **- York Calling**

"Johannes Eckerstrom is without a doubt one of the greatest frontmen of our time. The flair and theatrics of Alice Cooper crossed with the charisma and vocal ability of Freddy Mercury and Bruce Dickinson, he is a true force of nature to be dealt with on stage" **- Everblack Media**

"The mark of a great show is that it doesn't end when the lights come up. It lingers, echoing in your bones, reminding you why live music still matters. Avatar didn't just play a concert in Silver Spring. They staged a war, a carnival, a ritual and for those lucky enough to be there, it was one hell of a night." **- Park Life DC**

Australia&hellip; you thought they forgot! They did not. They waited. They sharpened their claws. They let the forest grow wilder, darker, hungrier. Three years is a blink in eternity, yet long enough for the trees to learn your secrets. Now they return not as visitors, but as conquerors. Bring your torches. Bring your madness. Bring your soul laid bare. Step into the woods and let **The Clown** paint your face with fire. Do not go in alone&hellip; because once you enter, you never truly leave.

In 2023, when we declared **AVATAR** one of the greatest live metal bands on the planet, some were incredulous. Then Australia witnessed the crushing the band delivered. ***Dance Devil Dance*** hit **#1 on the iTunes Rock and Metal Albums Charts** (and #6 across all genres), and the doubters vanished.

Now AVATAR return with the triumphant release of their tenth studio album, ***Don't Go In The Forest***, continuing their legacy of crushing riffs, soaring hooks, masterful songwriting and shadow‑soaked storytelling.

Australia prepare to pledge your allegiance. **The reckoning has arrived.**

AVATAR (SWE)

September 2026 – Prepare your necks and brace your ears &mdash; **SHRED FEST 2026** is coming! The renowned travelling metal festival will storm across Australia and New Zealand, delivering an unmatched celebration of technical excellence, intensity, and musical precision.

This year's edition features two of the most acclaimed names in modern extreme metal Obscura (GER) & Fallujah (USA):

**OBSCURA (GER)** – Progressive death metal pioneers and masters of technical virtuosity. Following two successful Australian tours along with a return to New Zealand, OBSCURA are back to present their latest album *A Sonication* as part of their ongoing world tour.

**FALLUJAH (USA)** – The visionary force of progressive and atmospheric technical death metal, set to unleash their transcendental soundscapes across southern shores.

Joining the international lineup are some of Australia's most formidable local acts:

**ASHEN (Perth, AUS)** – Delivering crushing death-doom steeped in atmosphere and relentless groove.

 **ANOXIA (Sydney, AUS)** – Champions of old-school death metal, channelling raw aggression and riff-driven fury.

Additional guests will appear in every city on this tour

**Line Up**

**OBSCURA (GER)
 FALLUJAH (USA)^
 ASHEN (WA) +
 ANOXIA (NSW) #**
 *+ Special Guests *

SHREDFEST

**SPACE TRAVEL ROCK'N ROLL&hellip;**

&hellip; can only mean one thing; the Return of SWERVEDRIVER. This time playing their classic debut RAISE in its entirety, plus an extended set of SWERVEDRIVER classics.

Born in 1989 out of Oxford UK, the band formerly known as Shake Appeal settled on their new moniker in time enough for Creation Records impresario **Alan McGhee** - on the recommendation of Ride guitarist Mark Gardener - to sign them on the strength of their demo. Those initial tracks would form much of the debut ep *Son of Mustang Ford* featuring the classic of the same name quickly followed by two further eps *Rave Down* and *Sandblasted* before, in 1991 landing on their debut full length LP **Raise**.

The album quickly became quickly a defining sound of early 90s underground alternative rock. Energised and inspired by the guitar heavy sounds of My Bloody Valentine, Dinosaur Jr, Husker Du and the like, Swervedriver perfected their own shimmering, guitar-clashing juggernaut with a uniquely British flavour firmly intact, with Melody Maker calling 'Raise' one of the *&ldquo;truly great albums of the year.&rdquo;*

*"As an opening statement, Swervedriver couldn't have been more sonically eloquent than Raise. This record was a blinding assault of guitars and their afterburn. In 1991, few records before it had both the power and dynamic reach.&rdquo;* - **Trouser Press**

*"A perfect amalgam of shoegaze texture, power pop anthem and grunge heaviness&rdquo; *- **Signal/Noise**

SWERVEDRIVER

Fast rising New York 4-piece Infinity Song are set to make their second trip to Australia and first trip to
New Zealand in January 2026, with dates set for** Auckland, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane** and **Perth.**

Composed of siblings **Abraham, Angel, Israel **and** Momo Boyd **- the soft rock group have had a whirlwind few years since being handpicked by **Jay Z** for **Roc Nation **in 2016. Initially busking and working on their craft across iconic New York spots such as **Central Park** & **Grand Central Station**, the band have since made their way across the globe hitting some of the biggest stages in the world; including **Madison Square Garden **and **Carnegie Hall **in New York, **The Palladium, Union Chapel **and **Koko** in London, and iconic festivals such as **Glastonbury, Lollapalooza, Boston Calling, Bonnaroo **and **Railbird.**

Often likened to legendary artists such as **Fifth Dimension, The Mamas and The Papas, **and **ABBA**, the
band have had some incredible viral success throughout the career - including their 2024 hit*** 'Haters
Anthem'*** which has seen over **300 million streams **since release and even landing them an endorsement from **Doja Cat. **

The band are currently in the midst of a hefty world tour across Europe, Asia the US in support of their latest single ***'London Foxes'***, a bold, playful track that blends their signature harmonies with a fresh sonic edge. Amongst the extensive tour list, the band have recently played at festivals such as **All Together
Now Festival** (IRE), **Kampnagel Summerfestival **(Germany), **Haldern Pop Festival **(Germany), **Flow
Festival OY** (Finland) and **Summer Sonic Festival **(Japan).

Their debut Australian tour last year was an overwhelming success, **selling out **their Melbourne show at
the Night Cat and leaving punters spellbound with their captivating performances.
This time around they're taking things up a notch, with their biggest Australian venues yet.

Infinity Song

With Special Guests: **The Omnific**

**"SOEN's Joyfully Melancholic And Gracefully Powerful Live Performances Leave You Breathless... I dare say  Soen has even long surpassed Opeth the band that first brought Martin Lopez to prominence."** Sonic Perspective 

In the world of prog metal, few bands are spoken of in such hushed tones and reverence as SOEN. Renowned for their cinematic soundscapes, intricate musicianship, and emotionally charged and intense performances; they have carved out a distinctive space in the music world. Their music blends atmospheric prog, heavy riffs, and introspective lyrics, earning them a dedicated global following and universal critical praise. 

 Hailing from Stockholm, Sweden, Soen has released a string of critically acclaimed albums since their 2012 debut Cognitive. With influences ranging from Tool and Pink Floyd to modern progressive metal, they continue to push boundaries while staying true to their core ethos of honest, powerful songwriting. 

"The comparisons to Tool is not a knock. It's a testament to Soen's ability to channel that kind of tension and mood while being unmistakably themselves. When they come through your city, make the effort. This is a band that shines live... Absolutely killer!" LoudFlash.com 

 Joining SOEN for these epic shows are Australia's own prog treasures, THE OMNIFIC, who will be celebrating their 10 year anniversary together with a very special set resurrecting songs that have not been played live in many years and may never be performed again. 

&ldquo;The Omnific never cease to entice, excite and amaze&rdquo; TheMusic.com 

 The Omnific's 2021 debut record Escapades which debuted at #3 on the Australian Indie Album Charts garnered high praise from the likes of Metal Hammer, Guitar World, Bass Player, Bass Magazine and The UK's biblical PROG Magazine which declared it &ldquo;a veritable master class&rdquo;. Their 2024 follow up, The Law Of Augmenting Returns, only amplified the band's reputation and pushed them to over 17 million Spotify streams and over 5 million YouTube views to date. 

The Omnific's live show, full of swagger, showmanship, and stellar technical performances, has left a lasting impression on audiences worldwide.

SOEN

East Coast Australia - join us for an evening with Western Australia's progressive metal pioneers, marking Voyager's long-awaited return to the stage with a special night of music, comedy, and connection with their fans.

In November 2026, Voyager will present two carefully curated performances following an extraordinary and challenging period for the band, including frontman Danny Estrin's two-year battle with terminal cancer. Against the odds, Voyager returns to the stage to share a unique live experience that goes beyond a traditional concert - blending performance and storytelling. Special guests to be announced.

This follows Danny being invited as a special guest commentator for this year's Eurovision Song Contest, presenting alongside Courtney Act for the 70th year anniversary of the contest. Thrusting him back into the spotlight, Danny's charisma and charm yet again resonates with the Australian audience and what better way to extend a further invitation to the fans by playing two special shows later this year.

This will be a deeply meaningful celebration of resilience, creativity, and community, honouring one of Australia's most internationally respected heavy music exports following their landmark Eurovision appearance.

Danny Estrin says: &ldquo;every show I get to play with Voyager from now on is so special- to be able to do something so intimate and interactive as these two concerts is not only a celebration of music, but also a beautiful opportunity to share stories, laughs and tears with our amazing fans&rdquo;

Join Voyager Through the Storms and the Stars and be a part of their continuing legacy.

**VIP Experiences:**
Voyager will be offering limited access to a two tiered VIP experience prior to the shows via Soundrink and you can purchase upgrades here:
**VIP UPGRADE

Tier 1 - SOUNDCHECK ACCESS + MEET & GREET VIP UPGRADE**
- Witness a part of Voyager's soundcheck
- Partake in a Q&A
- Meet the band and have a professional photo taken
- Be part of a group VIP photo
- Receive a signed poster and Voyager goody bag
- Have early access to the merch stand
**Tier 2 - MEET & GREET VIP UPGRADE**
- Meet the band and have a professional photo taken
- Be part of a group VIP photo
- Receive a signed poster and Voyager goody bag
- Have early access to the merch stand

VOYAGER

When future historians of music draw up a list of the movers and shakers who changed the modern musical landscape, there will be no doubt that Hugh Cornwell's name will be prominent amongst them. As a pioneering musician, songwriter, and performer his pervasive influence persists in the record collections of music aficionados, across the globe's radio waves and on stages around the world, Hugh's presence is unquestionable.

As leader of The Stranglers, Hugh was the main songwriter of all the band's most memorable songs across ten stellar albums all of whom consolidated Cornwell's stature as a unique songwriter and musician. His lyrics to Golden Brown, from the La Folie album, and their multiple meanings, is a songwriting masterclass.

Widely regarded as the poet laureate of punk, Hugh Cornwell has also built a substantial and singular body of impressive solo albums. His tenth solo opus, Moments of Madness, continues his illustrious output by experimenting with musical genres as his enviable reputation as a wordsmith resounds across this album's songs.

All the Fun of the Fair was released in October 2024, a double live album full of magic, showcasing gems from Cornwell's solo catalogue alongside Stranglers' classics, capturing the visceral ferocity of Hugh's live performance

&ldquo;His solo work is a joy to listen to - great lyrics and wonderful guitars - and the Stranglers numbers stand the test of time, still sounding great after all these years.&rdquo;
 - Scottish Music Network

&hellip;&hellip;&hellip;&hellip;&hellip;&hellip;&hellip;&hellip;&hellip;&hellip;&hellip;&hellip;&hellip;&hellip;&hellip;&hellip;&hellip;&hellip;&hellip;&hellip;&hellip;&hellip;&hellip;.

HUGH CORNWELL 
AUSTRALIAN TOUR - JUNE 2026

Wed 10 June – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine

 Fri 12 June – Corner Hotel, Melbourne

 Sat 13 June – Manning Bar, Sydney

 Sun 14 June – Crowbar, Brisbane

 Thu 18 June – The Gov, Adelaide

 Fri 19 June – The Rosemount, Perth

Tickets available via - www.troubadourpresents.com

HUGH CORNWELL

Japanese instrumental rock group **MONO** have announced their new album 'Snowdrop' will be released on 12 June 2026. It will be followed first Australian tour in 4 years, taking place in April 2027. The legendary quartet will perform in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and return to Perth and Adelaide for the first time since 2020.

When MONO recorded their previous album &ldquo;OATH&rdquo; with longtime production partner and friend, Steve Albini in 2023, they never fathomed that it would be the final studio album they made together. Albini tragically died the following year, and that loss left an incalculable void in the lives of not just everyone who ever knew Steve, but everyone with an attachment to any of the thousands of records he helped bring into world over the past four decades. He brought a clarity to the chaos, and a selfless sense of service to art and artists that was unrivaled. On both a personal and practical level, the loss left MONO faced with profound grief and uncertainty. Albini had become a fundamental part of MONO's unmistakable sound, and the thought of replacing him was daunting, to say the least. 

Enter: Brad Wood. Chosen for both his familiarity with MONO's creative and technical working process – as well as his decades-long friendship withSteve Albini – Brad Wood entered Albini's storied Electrical Audio studios in September 2025 to record what would become &ldquo;Snowdrop&rdquo;. Once again working with Chicago-based conductor and orchestral musical director, ChadMcCullough, MONO enlisted a 10-piece orchestra as well as an 8-piece choir for the eight massive works that make up &ldquo;Snowdrop&rdquo;. 

With the band performing and Wood recording in the same hallowed space where the majority of MONO's records had been made in their quarter-century history, the songs on &ldquo;Snowdrop&rdquo; carry an extra weight. Wood then mixed the album at Seagrass, his home studio in Los Angeles. Where there could easily be a pall hanging over &ldquo;Snowdrop&rdquo;, there is instead an extraordinary air of gratitude. Rather than steep in heartache, there is a poignant appreciation for the resonance of life well-spent with a dear friend – and the yearning for what may come. &ldquo;Snowdrop&rdquo; is the sound of a band turning shock and sadness into hope and wonder, and finding renewed focus in the freedom of unknowing.

Originally formed in 1999, MONO's unique approach blends orchestral arrangements and shoegaze guitar noise into memorable and emotional epics. Consistently held in high regard by their peers, their music has been praised by media, including NME proclaiming &ldquo;This is music for the Gods.&rdquo; Amongst their fans, they are revered as one of the best live experiences in rock.

Manning Bar

Events