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Welcome to the third edition of The Soundcheck's Women In Heavy Music series; an ongoing feature every quarter aimed at shining a light on some of the incredible women in the heavy scene.
Round One of the series focused on women in heavy music primed to make waves in 2024, while Round Two introduced some of the up and coming Aussie talent. Today, we're staying close to home again and celebrating five amazing Australian acts boasting female powerhouses, ranging from experimental rockers through to hardcore heroes and everything in between.
As always for a lot of you out there, these bands will need little introduction. But if you're hunting for some new tunes or just want to revel in some of the incredible talent that the Aussie heavy community has on offer, come and get better acquainted with these five bands, loudly and proudly boasting women. And keep an eye out for more to come from this series!
Part Three: Aussie Bands With Powerhouse Females
YOMI SHIP
Hailing from Perth, experimental rock trio Yomi Ship are inescapably hypnotic, with their immersive take on art rock, instrumental prog and math rock proving a heady draw card since they first erupted back in 2016.
A treat for the senses, with sharpened complexity balanced alongside otherworldly instrumentation and dreamy melodics, to experience Yomi Ship is to be transported to another galaxy, buffeted by dazzling soundscapes and inventive whimsy.
Comprising bassist Jade Champion alongside guitarist Jarred Osborne and drummer Nick Osbourne, the lush dexterity of the trio draws to mind a hazy fusion of The Mars Volta and Pink Floyd, with plenty of psychedelic and jazzy undertones percolating to perfection.
Previously supporting the likes of Karnivool, Cog, Chon, Animals as Leaders and I Built The Sky, Yomi Ship are hitting the road in Europe currently (sadly sans Osbourne who is currently dealing with a back injury), and will be taking the stage later this year on home soil once again supporting Aussie rock heroes Cog as part of The Vinyl Tour Continued. And you can also check out their sonic latest outing, their sublime 2024 album Feast Eternal which more than vividly lives up to its name.
For more Yomi Ship info, head here.
VILIFY
One of Newcastle's most ferocious acts, Vilify pack a powerhouse musical punch alongside also embodying a full-blown celebration of female Aussie talent, with the group's vocalist Amy Mcintosh and bassist Lizi Blanco also members of The Beautiful Monument.
Few bands could count 2020 as a successful year against the backdrop of the pandemic, but Vilify roared to life in late 2020 wielding a voracious take on the alternative metal trope, going on to generate tens of thousands of digital streams and supporting everyone from Northlane to ERRA, Crossfaith, Windwaker and Void Of Vision.
With a firm vision to showcase issues close to home for the band, Vilify are not just an exciting local act; they are also one of the most crushing groups on the scene currently, with lashings of venomous vocals, caustic riffage, and aggressive yet emotionally-charged thematics set to rattle your bones (and potentially also your soul).
Recently releasing a new EP Fever Dream earlier this year, Vilify also appeared on stage at Alpha Wolf's curated heavy festival CVTLFEST back in February, and ticked off an East Coast headline run to rave reviews.
For more Vilify info, head here.
ACID CHERRY
All-girl Brisbane heavies Acid Cherry are the ultimate amalgamation of of '90s grunge and '00s nu metal; think an Alice In Chains-meets-Korn fever dream, and you'll scratch near the surface of what Acid Cherry is all about.
Dynamic, daring and with just the right amount of jagged edges, Acid Cherry cleave angst and fiery execution into their potent creations, flexing down-tuned guitars, raw vocals and plenty of distortion alongside moments of carefully curated calm.
As firmly signposted on their 2023 track Nosebleed and its sardonic lyric "heavy music is something girls will never understand", Acid Cherry, like so many females in the heavy realms, have had to prove themselves in the traditionally male-dominated grunge and metal arenas. But in 2024, there is little doubt this group are here for a good time and a long time, with solid gigging in 2024 featuring their new lineup.
Most recently appearing at Greaser's Sailor Jerry Saturdays and an upcoming gig later this month at Tomcat in Brisbane, keep an eye out for plenty more sensational noise to come in Acid Cherry land in the near future.
For more Acid Cherry info, head here.
WICKED ENVY
High octane Sydney rockers Wicked Envy have repeatedly gone from strength to strength over the years, with their dark and delectable releases channeling spiritual nods to The Pretty Reckless, Black Veil Brides, Halestorm and Metallica.
With an alternative lens to their rock'n'roll persuasions, Wicked Envy pack an emotional punch along with emphatic vocals, plenty of hooks, and towering riffs. Most recently enamouring via their latest track Final Descent, a sharp and twisty sonic take on the cult horror flick Final Destination and a fear of flying, Wicked Envy have also been hitting the road for their Red Eye Flight headline tour, with more shows still to come later this year - including one later this month alongside another of today's features: Acid Cherry.
Comprising vocalist and keyboardist Desiree Hancock, with guitarist Jared Doust, bassist Jakub Kyral, and drummer Eddie Green, Wicked Envy straddle a tantalising balance between throwback influences and assured craftsmanship; and here's hoping the quartet's latest singles are slowly building towards a follow up to their 2022 EP What The Hell Am I Doing.
For more Wicked Envy info, head here.
OUTRIGHT
Melbourne's Outright are a band straight up born to thrive. With unbridled sonic savagery, a DIY ethic, and a driving social conscience, there's something inescapably brilliant about these modern Aussie hardcore mavericks, whether onstage or in the studio.
Forming in 2010, Outright have gone on to tick off an arena tour alongside Rise Against, headline tours at home as well as New Zealand and Japan, and smash out unforgettable festival appearances, including at UNIFY and Download Festival in Australia. Fronted by the magnetically ferocious Jelena Goluza, who was also one of the inaugural nominees for the Australian Women In Music's Heavy Music Award in 2023, Outright have the rare ability to melt your face clean off while also fuelling their blistering repertoire with meaningful topics ranging from accountability through to decolonisation, climate change, and mental health.
Most recently busting out some rollicking new tracks in 2023, including Bury Us, Share the skies and War Words, Outright also run their own record label Reason and Rage Records, and released their latest material on a limited run of snazzy cassettes.
For more Outright info, head here.
Keep an eye out for more to come from the Women In Heavy Music Series every quarter!
BY TIANA SPETER
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