Give us a quick rundown of the ORPHEUS OMEGA story so far?

Put the kettle on it’s a long one, Chris & Joao our (ex Guitarist) met in uni and Joao basically mocked Chris’ music tastes and started introducing him to Melodeath, that spawned a love of the genre and the 2 formed a band, they then hijacked Chris’ brother Matt from his other band and Milky + Sasha the founding members from other local bands which Chris knew.. somehow it’s 15 years later and I’ve been stuck with these crazies on this weird adventure, we’ve been through a few changes but it’s feeling stronger than it ever has.

 

Labels & webzines often like to write at the end of a bio or review with the term ‘for fans of’ such & such bands. But we really think the band itself should be telling us this. So enlighten us if you would. ORPHEUS OMEGA is for fans of?
At this point???

Modern metal? we’re definitely a metal band but we’ve strayed from our original Scandinavian influences, there’s Melodeath, there’s core there’s death metal, there’s pop singalong choruses, we just want to write exciting fun to perform modern metal songs these days so subgenres aren’t what we want to talk about, we’re a Metal band and we have fun with that. Nowadays it’s pushing as far as possible how we can get across our thoughts/ feelings into both the music and lyrics in as an expressive way as possible. 

Your new EP, ‘Portraits’, is out on April 20th independently. Is this because you all painted pictures of each other? What would you say to a metal punter now to convince them to part with their crypto or credit card & grab themselves a copy?
A very personal experimental exploration of our influences & tastes with amazing guests and some of our most exciting music in years. Seriously, don’t miss it.

The new EP contains five songs. One song written by each member of the band with their own vision & execution, which we think is a great concept. Whose idea was this?
We’ve actually had this idea on the back burner for almost 7 years? It was debated and discussed/started many times in the band,  it’s only been because of the most recent lineup and the passion/drive Leon & Luke have brought to the band that it suddenly felt like this idea was the right time & the right moment with the right people.

You have an array of guest musicians from well known bands such as Soilwork, Caligula’s Horse, Omnium Gatherum & Mors Principium Est, each adding their own flavour to these songs & all working so well. How hard is it to try & arrange high caliber guests such as these onto a recording & release? Do you shout them beers & chicken parmi’s at the local or is there a much more difficult path you have to follow?
Honestly it’s literally just the difference between an E-mail and a random facebook message haha, honestly all 4 of the guest we organised for the EP where an absolute breeze to organise and work with, nothing but respect love & professionalism from all parties that’s all there really is to say, it was an honour.

With your new EP ‘Portraits’ and the split you did in 2021 with Triple Kill, that’s two small releases in a row. When can we expect a full length recording? Or you slowly evolving into a grind band that only releases the small stuff?
Look, coming out of lockdown was a very weird uncomfortable finding your feet period, I probably should say this… but we actually have a FULL album of music written, but we’re still rolling the ball out and warming up and getting back into our shoes post the music scene waking up again.

Mainstream metal vs the underground – what’s your preference & hit us with 3 bands that have been tickling your fancy lately & we should check out.

Both are great, you should rock out to the 1 million follower band JUST as hard as your local 100 follower slam band, Did you want 3 local bands? I can only say for myself (Kes) but in the melb scene at the moment.
-Terminal Sleep
-The Last Martyr

- RUN

Are the coolest local bands in my mind at the moment (except Triple Kill, I am legally/meme obliged to mention them at all moments) 

It’s great to see bands such as yourselves, Triple Kill & Voyager having fun with your music & film clips. Showing metal can have a lighter side & it’s not all about bullet belts, grimness, anger & war. Will we see you guys gunning for Eurovison next year?
I can neither confirm nor deny such a thing :P

Favourite musical format? Tape, vinyl, CD or digital & why?
If you asked me 2 years ago I would of said CD and I had hundreds, but after having to move house again every year I’ve finally given up on physical media EXCEPT Vinyl for special releases, so I’m mainly digital and if something I think is TRULY special I get it on Vinyl now

What formats will your EP be available on?
Only Vinyl & Digital, Vinyl pre-orders are available now and they include hi fidelity Digital copies of the release too.

A lot of bands in the current climate are adapting & coming up with some interesting & out there ideas for merch. Anything you plan on doing differently? Or if not, what do you have on offer at the moment?

We have SO many good merch/joke ideas, from the OO beach towel to the OO wine knife to the OO butt plug (even I don’t know how much we’re joking on that last one) merch is always fun to make but we’ll mainly keep to making fun engaging shirts and clothes but we’re always down for suggestions and our mosh shorts have basically become a staple for the local scene which is lovely.

Hypothetically, your next album is out, you’ve booked a massive national tour. What would be your ultimate Australian heavy music line-up that you would take with you to support you on it?

Is it sad that I say Parkway Drive are the headline and we’re main support?
They’re our absolute bucket list band to play with.
If it’s literally just BEST aussie lineup we could ever write in the world

Parkway Drive
Orpheus
Voyager
Psycroptic
Triple kill variety show joke opener.

CAN YOU IMAGINE A MORE AMAZING/FUN GIG!!?!

And lastly….

Most overrated metal band ever is?
I am saying this as KES not OO…..Pantera (please don’t hurt me)

 

Most underrated metal band ever is?
HEAVEN SHALL BURN.
GERMAN DADDY BAND <3 godfathers of metalcore