Fun fact — it would have been my grandad’s 100th birthday on this very day. Yep, that’s right! And I got to celebrate it at the best metal festival in the northern suburbs of Adelaide: Metal on Murray.
Now, as I’ve said before, I’ve been to so many gigs and festivals that I lost count many moons ago. But there are few I look forward to as much as Metal on Murray. Having spent my teenage years living in Gawler, it feels like a homecoming. But I can tell you, back in the olde times of the 80s, nothing like this would ever have been allowed to exist. Right now, in 2026, it’s just getting bigger every year.
The bands, as diverse as they are exquisite.
The crowd, from the staunchest metalheads to young kids having their first experiences at a metal show.
Everybody at the Prince Albert Hotel in Gawler had a genuinely fucking awesome day… again.
From the Gawler Youth Group to the headlining band, The Blood Sucking Freaks, and every band in between, there was not one act that didn’t leave it all on the stage.
And speaking of leaving it all on the stage, we got to say goodbye to local Gawler group Those Left Behind, helmed by popular local figurehead and Metal on Murray founder Timmy Bishop, who played their final show. It was an emotional end to a much-loved band. Take a bow, boys, you’ll leave a massive hole in the local metal scene.
The list of bands was as diverse as the colour spectrum. From Apocalyptic Annihilation and two-piece juggernaut Hell Machine, to the punk stylings of yet another exceptional two-piece all-female band Witch Spit (in their second Metal on Murray appearance in a row), it truly was a day for everyone.
Other brilliantly brutal bands on the day included the mighty Pizza Death, who are just about to head off on a European tour. The precocious Stabbitha and the Knifey Wifeys (who I had the ultimate pleasure of chatting with later that night). Headbore, who lived up to their reputation as an absolutely crushing live band. Storm the Crown ravaged all who squeezed in to catch them live up north.
Locals Strength of a Bear, who we also saw last year, were hungrier than ever, tearing up all and sundry. Dirty Pagans, who I never thought I’d get to see, put on a show for the ages and ripped into their set with riotous gusto. Sundowner blew everyone away. Drown This Fury set the stage for a rowdy day, and Blood Sucking Freaks closed it out in their own unique way.
All up, Metal on Murray continued its rise up the festival ranks in our humble state and took the cake for any metal festival this side of Adelaide.
Last year, all hell broke loose when the rain poured down and the decision had to be made to take the festival inside, but everybody, from patrons to band members, did their bit to make it work. And work it did.
You might remember when I wrote my review last year that it felt like a metal community had come together as a family, well, this year was exactly the same.
I asked many people, bands and punters alike, what they thought of Metal on Murray, and they all came back with the same answer:
It felt like one big metal family.
From the youngest kids in attendance to the old fuckers like me, we were all one on the day. You can’t say that about a lot of other musical genres, and I for one was incredibly humbled to be part of such an incredible experience.
I didn’t get to interview as many bands as I would have liked, but I’d like to say a hearty thank you to those who took the time to chat with ParMetal Media — Strength of a Bear, Witch Spit, Stabbitha and the Knifey Wifeys, Fish from Headbore, and Killer from Storm the Crown. You guys made my day.
Metal on Murray isn’t just another festival, it’s a place where metalheads gather to see the best bands Australia has to offer. And let me tell you, the South Australian metal and punk scene is thriving.
There are so many incredible local bands out there. Get out and show them your undying support. Trust me, they appreciate it. And don’t be afraid to say hi, grab a photo, or have a chat, they enjoy it just as much as we do.
Happy 100th heavenly birthday, Grandad. I hope I’m making you proud.
