It’s a metal lover’s feast each June at Dark Mofo, Tasmania’s midwinter festival celebrating the dark through large-scale public art, food, music, fire, light, and noise, in Hobart.
Now in its tenth year, Dark Mofo will delve into centuries-old rituals to explore the links between ancient and contemporary mythology, humans and nature, religious and secular traditions, darkness and light, and birth, death and renewal.
Dark Mofo takes place 8–22 June 2023 in Nipaluna/Hobart. Subscribe for updates: www.darkmofo.net.au
Here’s the heavy stuff:
HYMNS TO THE DEAD | Wednesday 14 June
Dødheimsgard (NOR), Uada (USA), Zuriaake (CHN), Haunter (USA)
Into the pit for a night of black metal carnage—a Dark Mofo ritual.
Dødheimsgard is recognised as one of the leading bands and pioneering visionaries of the mid-1990s Norwegian Black Metal movement. Since their formation, they have released four full-length albums and are widely acclaimed for their expertise in crafting dark and mind-bending psychedelic-tinged extreme music, which borders on the edge of insanity.
Since their formation in 2014, Uada‘s (USA) rise has been meteoric. Listed as one of the 50 best American metal bands from the past decade by KERRANG! The band boast four glorious albums and are ready to dazzle with their melodic black metal.
Zuriaake (CHN) plays traditional black metal with Chinese musical influences. Typically donned with microphones decorated with traditional lanterns and branches, the musicians focus on philosophy and Chinese history both lyrically and visually.
For the past ten years, Haunter (USA), a band consisting of four members from Texas, Oregon, and Colorado in the United States, has meticulously developed a distinct musical style that blends elements of death metal and black metal. Their emphasis on technicality, creativity, and enigmatic subjects sets them apart.
KING WOMAN | Saturday 17 June
Several years prior to the creation of King Woman, vocalist Kris Esfandiari had the sudden urge to recount a near death experience she had as a child. The recurring feeling that she was being ripped from her body, evolved into a poem called Celestial Blues—which would become the title of King Woman’s sophomore album. This show will present weighty subject matters that are wistful, brooding and hypnotic sounding. This will be a cathartic purge in the shape of doom rock. Deeply personal songwriting—to the band and anyone with religious and/or mental torment
DEAFHEAVEN (USA) | Thursday 15 June
An exclusive, ten year anniversary performance of the San Francisco outfit’s critically acclaimed album Sunbather. A celebration of both the festival and Deafheaven’s decade milestone. This will be a revelatory union of black metal and ambient post-rock.
HEALTH (USA) | Sunday 18 June
These experimental rock noisemakers lurk in the cavernous territory of heavy industrial and moody, violent electronic. The American noise rock/industrial band from Los Angeles, California have collaborated with Korn, Nine Inch Nails, Lamb of God, and many other metal and rock greats. Prepare yourself for moody violence over trap music. Blinding, dark and emotional noise.
WITCH (USA) | Sunday 11 June
The birth of the band Witch can be traced back to the fusion of seemingly conflicting musical influences. J Mascis, widely recognised for his work with Dinosaur Jr., and his longtime friend Dave Sweetapple shared an interest in creating a hard rock group. They were then joined by Kyle Thomas and Asa Irons, both of whom were members of the New England avant-folk ensemble, Feathers. Eager and capable partners in the endeavour, Witch was born in 2005. Surrender to a cascading haze of fuzzy riffs from the heavy stoner doom quartet.
DROWNING HORSE, EXTORTION + IRONHAWK | Friday 16 June
Drowning Horse (AUS), Extortion (AUS), Ironhawk (AUS)
Ground shaking, bone rattling, ear splitting metal from down under.
Drowning Horse’s musical style is a unique blend of blackened drone, doom, sludge, and metal, which results in an immersive and captivating experience. Seeing them perform live is to participate in a collective, cathartic experience where every fibre of your being is jolted and unsettled by the seismic weight of their ritualistic dirge emanating from the stage. Their thunderous drumming, mind-bending riffs, and fierce vocals are delivered to the audience with a clear sense of purpose and intent, leaving a lasting impression.
Joining the Perth band will be friends Extortion—playing for their first time ever in Tasmania following their recent release of ‘Seething’, the band’s first release in over a decade. Lutruwitan/Tasmanian warlords of infernal rage Ironhawk will also be on the bill; this unholy trinity has been shaking the bones of headbangers and hellraisers worldwide since 2013.
