Written by Corey Jackson

It seems Australia’s starting to form a reputation for churning out amazing heavy band after heavy band. Heavyweights like Parkway Drive, The Amity Affliction, Thy Art is Murder, and Northlane have been smashing the international circuit for years, while Make Them Suffer, Polaris, and Trophy Eyes are really starting to make a name for themselves.

That’s not all the country has to offer though; here’s a list of lesser-known Aussie bands that should definitely be on your radar in 2020.

Hellions

Very few bands fuse melodic hardcore, hip-hop, and MCR-inspired theatric emo at all, let alone this seamlessly. There’s not much else I can say about Hellions without writing an essay; they truly stand alone. I urge you to listen to their records in full and experience their world for yourself.

Homesick

Touching on indigenous struggle, equality, domestic violence, and lack of government accountability, Homesick have always been a lyrically-charged hardcore group. Considering the current social and political climate, their message has never been so powerful and important.

DVSR

Australia’s answer to Hacktivist, DVSR blend the djenty, down-tuned metalcore sound with rap so very tightly. Vocalist Matt Youkhana delivers his vocals viciously, perfectly blending with the instrumentals, and I’d be lying if I said he doesn’t put half the upcoming hip-hop artists to shame in terms of delivery and lyrical content.

Tapestry

With their own mix of highly-emotive melodic hardcore and post-hardcore with electronic undertones, Tapestry makes for a very moving listen. If you’re a fan of bands like Casey, Holding Absence, and Being As An Ocean, there’s a high chance you’ll adore them.

Honest Crooks

Arguably Australia’s hardest band, enough said really.

Windwaker

Blending the groove of Dance Gavin Dance with the heavy riffs of Architects and the pop sensibilities of Issues, here’s a band that’s bound to blow up any second now.

Whatever, Forever

Man, I just really miss Balance & Composure. Lucky for me (us), Whatever, Forever exist in their absence. Still yet to release a full-length, this band has massive potential, so I’d be keeping an eye out if I were you.

Patient Sixty-Seven

If you’re searching for a band holding down the classic 2011 Rise Records sound while still sounding fresh, your search is over. Merging the more technical side of metalcore (think Erra, Architects, Polaris) with the vocally-driven side of metalcore and post-hardcore (think Issues, Picturesque, I Am Abomination), P67 are well-worth your time.

Falcifer

This one’s for the pitters. Don’t get me wrong, Falcifer aren’t the most groundbreaking out there, but Stephanie Marlow’s vocals are absolutely ferocious, and I’ll back any band that sounds like Kublai Khan.

Young Lions

With Zach Britt of Dream on Dreamer on vocals, I challenge you to name any post-hardcore/alternative rock band as underrated as Young Lions. If Saosin, 30 Seconds To Mars, and Conditions had a love child, this group would be it.