Brisbane/Meanjin metalcore outfit Wildheart solidify their place as one of the East Coast’s most refreshing bands with new single Death Is All That’s Left, a powerful and hard-hitting offering that unapologetically sets out to call for an end to discrimination and racial inequality.
Death Is All That’s Left expresses the deep frustration that First Nations voices are not being heard or listened to – particularly after the no vote. Front man and proud Yugambeh man, Axel Best, explains that “as long as this continues to be an issue, we’re going to keep addressing it. We want to use our platform to discuss issues that matter – someone’s got to do it”.
Through his lyrics, Best takes aim at leaders who don’t utilise their position to help those in need, stating “if you’re in a position to help others, you should be using your position and power to do so. People have a right to education, to equal opportunities, to feel safe”.
The accompanying music video is dark and gritty, using imagery depicting cemeteries, churches, and a lone figure running fearfully to represent feeling unsafe in the community and to personify the rising death toll of First Nations people. The single is both polished and political, highlighting the huge step up Wildheart take with each new release.
This latest offering is not the first time Wildheart has addressed socio-political issues through their music. Death Is All That’s Left furthers their advocacy on their standout 2019 track Rising Tide, featuring Shaun Allen of Nerve Damage, highlighting the alarming number of Black deaths in custody in Australia.
The groups debut album, ‘Global Crisis’ — named 2022 Gold Coast Music Awards Release of the Year — covered a number of issues affecting indigenous Australians. The release saw the band nominated as finalists in a number of categories at the Gold Coast Music Awards, the Queensland Music Awards, and the Environmental Music Awards as well as debuting #10 on Australian Independent Records Associations charts.
Additionally, their previous single Sacred Ground released in March 2023 via Bad Apples Music (a First Nations label by rapper and public figure Adam Briggs) was written in response to potential damage to the natural environment in the Northern Territory where Traditional Land Owners were not consulted. The accompanying music video was nominated as a finalist in the 2024 Queensland Music Awards.
Wildheart passionately advocate for open conversation and action surrounding mental health, social injustice, and discrimination. The quintet have jumped from strength to strength, earning them their shot at Australian music festivals including UNIFY Gathering, BIGSOUND, Thrashville, Bleach, and Fireball Festival, as well as playing sold out shows across a multitude of Queensland venues and performing alongside heavyweight acts; Stick To Your Guns (USA), Holding Absence (UK), Northlane, Alpha Wolf and more. It’s easy to see why they’re fast becoming one of the most well-known heavy acts in Queensland with their take on metalcore heralded by triple j short.fast.loud.’s Josh Merriel naming Wildheart “one of the best bands running around Brisbane”.
Latest single Death Is All That’s Left is available and streaming everywhere now.
