Artists: Nothing, Vault Hill, Roswell Deathsquad, Oppose the Sun
Venue: The Bendigo Hotel, Melbourne, Australia (Naarm, Woiwurrung country)
Date: 8th August 2025
Review by: Ulffe
Photos by: Dave Collopy
There was a buzz in the air at the Bendi as hot food and cold drink is consumed, punters were elated as the weekend snapped into gear. Conversation and laughter fill the room between the sudden swell of instruments during soundcheck as the bands set up.
For my second week in a row I’m thankful to Black Oceans Media for organising a staggering line-up.
Oppose the Sun
Grand, cinematic orchestration introduced us to the fresh 5 piece. Coming in extremely hot for their first ever live performance at the Bendi were Oppose the Sun.
Donning dark shirts was the band, looking as sharp as their riffs- showing us up and making us punters look sloppy in our carefully curated patch jackets and band merch. Attention to the details sometime overlooked, plus more importantly an enjoyable, confident and energetic performance and high production in their songwriting.
Knocking socks off starting with the final track No Distant Light from their 3 track EP Return To Dusk, they launched into a crushing wall of blackened death metal. Expertly brutal vocals, double kicks pelting like bullets, pounding bass that was showcased rather than hidden deep in the mix, and soaring guitars that played off each other. The crowd loved it, the band have all the ingredients and showmanship to become well known in the scene.
A highlight was when they launched into their second track, Return to Dust– their vocalist proclaimed it was inspired by Supernatural – ’it’s about killing priests and tearing down the church’. Kristian launched himself into the crowd agitating the sea of bodies into a proper mosh rather than a mass of stationary headbangers. ‘Don’t make me come down there again’ he later warned, like a firm father. Those of us with Daddy issues obliged for the duration of the set.
OPPOSE THE SUN put on an exceptional show. A talented bunch of players who put on an exciting introduction to what I’m sure is going to be an exciting career. I’m sure we’ll see them tearing up other stages soon enough.
Highlight of the set unrelated to the performance – I had a chuckle as the videographer who was making sweeping arcs over the subjects throughout the set got this great shot of the drummer by threading his pole mounted camera through the bassists legs. A silly moment that was a sort of juxtaposition during such a brutal gig.
Roswell Deathsquad
I remember goofy ass me was thinking to myself ‘Hey I wonder if this going to be some sort of sick, space metal?’ I very quickly realised once a galactic hue of purple and green lit the stage. It’s been far too long since I’ve immersed myself in concepts of cosmos and space travel, but I got a tingle in that section of my brain reserved for galactic wonders when hearing the PA fill the room with comms between astronauts and Mission Control, what a fun intro to the band for the hungry punters!
Roswell Deathsquad are traditionally a 4 piece from what I can tell, they lacked a bassist this night but nonetheless have an extreme technical ferocity guaranteed to get you moving. Plus, I’m inclined to believe this is a set guaranteed to get weird. The crowd danced, formed circle pits and even waved around inflatable ‘little green men’ (aliens, not leprechauns) after the band threw them into the crowd. I actually think one of the aliens clonked a woman in the face, but she seemed totally fine.
From Roswell Deathsquad’s second track, the intensity was turned up. More of those tarantula hands running up and down the neck of the extended range headless Strandberg from the guitarist, with punchy rhythmic palm muted riffs with quick interchange between sweeps and taps. The drummer, a monstrous intergalactic machine, engineered precision – a tight driving force. The bands vocalist has such good range, peppering filthy, dirty vocals over intense tech riffage and seamlessly moving between different vocal styles, including clean vocals. I laughed when he hyped the crowd with the sentiment ‘punch someone, I don’t give a fuck!’
Nothing
What’s one thing better than a band with songs full of smashing riffs? Memorable, catchy, melodic rhythm? Intricate drumming that expertly generates brutality and groove – also unafraid to work an array of cymbals? What can beat punchy, low end groove? What’s better than crushing vocals, shared between all members? NOTHING.
As the local 3 piece take the stage I walk up to secure a spot close to the front alongside some keen fans. I was astounded by Nothing. They are huge, they’re exciting and have the best energy in their performance. They play and joke with the crowd as well as each other between tracks and genuinely seem to be enjoying the ride.
To be real, I understand they have a long history. Their catalogue starting with a 2007 release and in the past they have performed with some heavy hitting bands, Children of Bodom and Amon Amarth to name a couple. I, however, had only properly heard them for the first time in the week leading up to this show. After checking out their 2025 album, The Self Repair Manifesto it was clear there’s something unique and special about this release. Then hearing some favourite tracks performed in a live setting was mind blowing.
Expertly driving progressive death metal, they write such fun compositions that surprise. There’s nothing wrong with plain ol’ death metal, and I’m not here to say alone it can’t be unique, but Nothing have built such a sick, distinctive sound for themselves.
This is one of those extreme bands with some of the most interesting, technically advanced drumming in the scene. I add Nothing to my current favourites, Convulsing and Ulcerate.
It’s hard to pick a highlight of their set, but I remember vividly experiencing the final moments of Subterfuge, the weight of the week washed away during the open section. Total spiritual experience. Nothing stole the show last night for me.
The last thing I need in the world is a new shirt, but I couldn’t help it, I want to spread the love for these guys. What’s unfortunate was that their payment system was down so they couldn’t sell merch. This is kind of critical for a band these days. Please click the link if you have anything to spare, grab a CD of their killer album, grab an awesome shirt if you can- just give these generous dudes some love! I hope to see them hit the stage again very soon.
https://nothingmetal.bandcamp.com/merch
Vault Hill
Wrapping up the night were locals Vault Hill, who wasted no time. As a 4 piece they deliver their sound in which I hear influence from thrash and metalcore – super popular with the punters of the night. I loved noticing their guitarist repping a sick Roswell Deathsquad tee- there’s certainly a sense of community in our awesome scene.
The late night crowd were immediately onside with Vault Hill, I don’t think they needed to convert anyone. From the very first moments of their opener, bodies moved. The pit cycled between moshing and dancing. It was almost jarring (in a great way) to see so many smiling faces where you’d normally get the stoic ‘stern heavy music appreciation stance’. I’m totally guilty of that…
Musically speaking their blend of sharp, thrashing riffing and breakdowns that hit you like a falling rooftop kept the energy cycling in waves. Their set was high energy from the first moment, and during their set they treated the crowed to new music, promising their next release late 2025 or early 2026 to the crowd.
I want to end this review by encouraging punters who may be dropping into a gig to see one of the bands on the bill to stick around for the other sets. Try something new. While I get sometimes these shows run late, it sucks to see venues trickle out and exceptional bands left with less than packed venues. Similar for the front side of the evening. Please come early where you can to check out some openers. We are SO lucky to have such talented local acts and there were a few moments that killed me to see people not stick around only to miss face melting talent.
Thanks again to Black Oceans Media, the bands, the Bendi- plus Craig for the kindness!
Gig Gallery:
