By Jai That Aussie Metal Guy | Crannk.com
Adelaide’s fuzzed-out doom lords The Dirty Pagans have officially dropped their highly-anticipated new album Forever High, and to celebrate, they’re lighting up Jive in Adelaide tonight (June 28) with a launch party of seismic proportions.
Formed in 2016, The Dirty Pagans have become a staple in Australia’s heavy underground scene with their self-proclaimed brand of “riff ’n’ roll” — a thick, groove-laden fusion of stoner doom, classic rock bravado, and thunderous live energy. Now, with Forever High released just yesterday, the band has fully embraced their status as riff-slinging cult heroes.
An Album Born in Smoke, Sweat, and Swagger
In my recent interview with frontman Matty Dee, he described Forever High as a “labour of love” — one forged through the haze of relentless gigging, late-night writing sessions, and a deep connection to both their musical roots and the road-tested response from fans.
“We road tested these songs on tour with Glenn Hughes last year and got an excellent response,” Matty told me. “Fans are loving our blend of heavy riffs, soaring vocals and tongue-in-cheek humour — Blaze up kings and queens, Forever High is here!”
Tracks like the blistering title cut “Forever High” and the brooding single “Killer in the Night” showcase the band at their most confident — marrying vintage doom aesthetics with modern grit and personality. The record is full of swagger, smoke, and seismic grooves, oozing authenticity while keeping tongues firmly planted in cheek.
With Gareth Briggs joining on drums, the rhythm section has never sounded more powerful — propelling each track with purpose and raw energy. Recorded independently in true DIY spirit, the album is loud, unapologetic, and utterly unfiltered.
Launch Show at Jive – June 28
To mark the arrival of Forever High, The Dirty Pagans are throwing an unmissable party tonight at Jive, Adelaide. It’s set to be one of the heaviest, sweatiest nights of the year with support from:
- Snake Bite Whiskey – Queensland’s sleaze-laden hard rock powerhouse
- Rocky’s Pride & Joy – Adelaide’s soul-fused blues rock crushers
- The Coogees – bringing the desert punk energy
Whether you’re a longtime follower of The Dirty Pagans or diving in for the first time, tonight’s show promises huge riffs, thunderous volume, and a wild celebration of underground heavy music.
Riff ‘n’ Roll Lives On
From their humble beginnings in Adelaide’s dive bars to sharing stages with legends like Glenn Hughes, Red Fang, and Nick Oliveri, The Dirty Pagans continue to fly the flag for riff-driven, amp-worshipping rock ‘n’ roll.
With Forever High, they’ve delivered a record that is both a celebration and evolution of their sound — and tonight’s launch show is the perfect place to experience it live and loud.
🎧 Stream the album: Spotify
💿 Pre-order & merch: Bandcamp – dirty-pagans.bandcamp.com
📍 Launch show: June 28 @ Jive, Adelaide
🔗 Follow: Facebook | Instagram @dirtypagans | Linktree
