Australia’s heavy metal scene began taking shape in the late 1970s and early 1980s, initially influenced by the global rise of hard rock and heavy metal, as well as the country’s own thriving pub rock circuit. The most famous Australian export in heavy music is undoubtedly AC/DC, whose high-voltage hard rock sound laid a foundation for generations of bands and influenced countless metal musicians worldwide. Another internationally recognised name was Rose Tattoo, whose bluesy, hard-hitting sound bridged the gap between rock ’n’ roll and metal, and whose influence would later reach bands like Guns N’ Roses.
The 1980s saw the emergence of Mortal Sin, often cited as Australia’s first true thrash metal band to achieve global attention. Around the same time, bands like Hobbs’ Angel of Death and Slaughter Lord were shaping Australia’s extreme metal underground, blending thrash with proto-death metal aggression.
In the 1990s, the scene diversified. Alchemist gained a reputation for their psychedelic and progressive approach to death metal, while Damaged delivered intense grind-infused death metal. The country also became home to a small but dedicated black metal movement, with acts like Nazxul achieving cult status abroad.
The 2000s brought Australian metal to wider international audiences. Parkway Drive spearheaded the metalcore wave from Byron Bay, becoming one of the biggest modern metal bands in the world. Meanwhile, Psycroptic from Tasmania brought technical death metal to global acclaim, and Deströyer 666 carried the Australian blackened thrash style to the European underground.
Australia’s metal festivals, including Soundwave Festival (now defunct) and Download Festival Australia, have helped maintain a strong live scene, often mixing international headliners with prominent local acts.
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FAMOUS METAL BANDS FROM AUSTRALIA
AC/DC
Airbourne
Alchemist
Damaged
Deströyer 666
Hobbs’ Angel of Death
Mortal Sin
Nazxul
Psycroptic
Rose Tattoo
Sadistik Exekution
Slaughter Lord
Wolfmother