Brisbane/Meanjin metalcore outfit Wildheart unveil exciting changes in their camp accompanied by melodic new single Withered.
Withered sees Wildheart delve into introspective themes, tackling everyday struggles and opening up on mental health issues. The single seeks to remind listeners that those who can relate are not alone. The track accompanies the announcement that vocalist and proud Yugambeh man Axel Best will move to guitar, with vocal duties passed across to new member Dane Evans. The decision follows Best’s own struggles with anxiety, and he is thrilled to transition into the new role as guitarist. New vocalist Evans’ roots lie in Byron Bay, where he is considered hardcore royalty having previously played in local favourites Crime Scene, Deceiver and Sink or Swim.
Withered is paired with a music video sponsored by Arts Queensland. It was important to the band to represent feelings of loneliness visually with the peaceful juxtaposition of the natural beauty of their home in the Gold Coast. The clip shares stunning scenes from the Gold Coast hinterland as the backdrop to Wildheart’s vulnerable and open new tune.
Withered releases not long after the quintet solidified their place as one of the East Coast’s most refreshing bands with April single Death Is All That’s Left – the powerful and hard-hitting offering that unapologetically set out to call for an end to discrimination and racial inequality. The single was added to a number of editorial Spotify and Apple Music playlists, saw play on Double J, triple j, Unearthed, community radio across Australia and their cover of Solid Rock was spun on Sir Doug Nicholls round on Channel 7 Friday Night Football in May.
Through their music and advocacy over the years, the band has explored both domestic and international issues, matured and honed their sound and live performance. The groups debut album, ‘Global Crisis’ — named 2022 Gold Coast Music Awards Release of the Year — covered a number of issues affecting indigenous Australians. The release saw the band nominated as finalists in a number of categories at the Gold Coast Music Awards, the Queensland Music Awards, and the Environmental Music Awards as well as debuting #10 on Australian Independent Records Associations charts.
Additionally, their previous single Sacred Ground released in March 2023 via Bad Apples Music (a First Nations label by rapper and public figure Adam Briggs) was written in response to potential damage to the natural environment in the Northern Territory where Traditional Land Owners were not consulted. The accompanying music video was nominated as a finalist in the 2024 Queensland Music Awards.
Wildheart passionately advocate for open conversation and action surrounding mental health, social injustice, and discrimination. The quintet have jumped from strength to strength, earning them their shot at Australian music festivals including UNIFY Gathering, BIGSOUND, Thrashville, Bleach, and Fireball Festival, as well as playing sold out shows across a multitude of Queensland venues and performing alongside heavyweight acts; Stick To Your Guns (USA), Holding Absence (UK), Northlane, Alpha Wolf and more. It’s easy to see why they’re fast becoming one of the most well-known heavy acts in Queensland with their take on metalcore heralded by triple j short.fast.loud.’s Josh Merriel naming Wildheart “one of the best bands running around Brisbane”.
