New Zealand sludge metal four-piece Beastwars abide by one steadfast maxim: Obey the Riff. Described as “a mongrel mix of Kyuss, Neurosis, and the mighty Godflesh…” (NZ Herald) and playing “heavy tunes for heavy times” (ALARM), the Wellington-based sonic soothsayers utilize the chaos that engulfs our world as ammunition for their defiant howls into the abyss.

In 2011, Beastwars’ debut transformed New Zealand’s music scene. It went in at #15 on the national charts, was shortlisted for the Taite Music Prize, and was nominated twice at 2011’s New Zealand Music Awards (winning Best Album Artwork via Nick Keller’s otherworldly landscapes. It was also finalist for Best Rock Album). A local craft brewery even acknowledged the band’s achievements by naming a beer in their honor, which was available at their shows, and in stores throughout the country. Beastwars was a hugely successful release on vinyl, topped Bandcamp’s ‘most downloaded’ list, and the band made acclaimed videos for Lake of Fire, Empire, and the 7-inch vinyl release Tower of Skulls.

Reviews praised Beastwars as “a prime slab of destructively soulful stoner/sludge metal… one of the best debuts of 2011” (Metal Observer). MSN Metal hailed the album as “bludgeoning, catchy… far too good to be limited to just Down Under”, while at home, the New Zealand Herald applauded Beastwars for bringing together “pummeling intensity, beautiful brutality, and sonic paranoia to create a sound all of their own”.

Beastwars formed in 2007, and the band’s reputation as a commanding live act has been secured with sold-out shows on multiple nationwide tours. The band was also hand-picked to support High On Fire, the Melvins, Kyuss Lives!, Helmet, Black Cobra and Fu Manchu on their New Zealand tour dates.

Photo Credit: David James

Beastwars are:

Christian Pearce (guitar)
Nathan Hickey (drums)
Matt Hyde (vocals)
James Woods (bass)

Related Acts: