It is great to see more and more glorious heavy metal coming from the far distant shores of Australia these days! And one up and coming band that is a prime example of just that is Aardvark! Ed Vaark gave an insight into the band and what is happening in their camp!

TheNwothm: Hey there, I hope you are all well! Please introduce the band and where you guys are from?

A: Hey! Thanks for having us, It’s a joy to be considered a part of this new movement of classic heavy metal! We’re Aardvark from Melbourne, Australia that I’d probably classify as being stylistically somewhere between NWOBHM and Traditional metal. 

TheNwothm: Can you tell our readers a little about each of yourselves?

A: We’re a four piece band, We have Dylan on Drums, he briefly played in Melbourne heavy metal band Teuton and has various projects in other genres, but had been wanting to play heavy metal for quite a while, he enjoys long walks on the beach, and picking daisies. Then there’s Danny on Bass! Therefore, this is my first band since I was 15 (33 now). I enjoy watching movies and having a large ego.    

TheNwothm: It is not often I come across heavy metal from Melbourne in Australia! What is the heavy metal scene like in Melbourne and Australia in general? I know you guys have the amazing Sabïre over there!

A: Yeah, It’s quite rare here! It’s surprising considering how huge the music scene in general is in Melbourne. There’s a pretty healthy extreme and modern metal scene here, but there are maybe only two bands I can think of who are playing a similar style to us. Yeah, Sabïre are doing great stuff!  

TheNwothm: So how did you guys form? You have only been around a couple of years?

A: Yeah, we’ve only been playing live for about a year. Basically, I started writing an album because I wanted to see if I could do it. However, there was never really any intention to start a band from these songs. Once I had all the demos written I would show my friends and my friends would show their friends and eventually Dylan approached me and encouraged me to start playing the songs with him. From there, Danny jumped on board and then Sorcha did the same and Aardvark was born.

TheNwothm: And the name is pretty awesome? How did you come up with the idea of being called Aardvark?

A: Thank you! Well my name is Ed Vaark, which kind of sounds like Aardvark, I also had a pet Aardvark when I was young and he was a pretty vicious little thing, so I thought it would be an appropriate name for a heavy metal band! 

TheNwothm: Where did you all learn to play instruments and sing? Are you guys self taught or did you take lessons?

A: I’m basically self taught. I’ve had a few lessons here and there, but nothing very consistent. My lessons have come from playing and singing other bands’ music. Sorcha started learning piano when she was 6, then moved to flute and guitar. She also started singing at a young age in school. Danny had guitar lessons throughout High School, but is self taught on Bass and Dylan had drum lessons throughout High School too.

TheNwothm: So after jamming for a while, what kind of direction did you decide to take with the music and lyrics? Do you have any particular influences that helped carve your sound?

A: I think most of the influence and growth from jamming is largely unconscious. Our process is that I’ll go off and write a demo then bring it to the band and we might change the structure slightly and each member will improve upon what was originally written.

Lyrically, I have a list of song titles in my phone that I refer to when I’ve written a song, so usually the feel of the song dictates what the song will be about, I’m not someone who can do it the other way around. As cheesy as this is, my primary inspiration for song lyrics is just life. I have a tendency to gravitate towards the melancholic, which you can hear in a lot of our lyrics. Other than that, fantasy and sci-fi is always a good source of inspiration.

TheNwothm: If you had to choose your top 3 favourite heavy metal bands who would they be?

A: Judas Priest, Accept and Thin Lizzy (I feel like they count!)

TheNwothm: And are there any you would particularly love to play with if you had the chance?

A: There are heaps of bands we’d love to play with. We’re fortunate enough to be playing with Cirith Ungol in June, which we’re super excited for. But really, playing with any of the classic metal bands or revival heavy metal bands would be great!  

TheNwothm: If you were to choose a character from a movie or a book who would you be and why? And do you take influence from movies and books for the band?

A: I don’t think we’ve consciously been inspired by film or books, but we’re all pretty big fans of those mediums, so I’m sure we’ve been inspired in some way! If I were to choose a character from a movie I guess I’d take Roy Scheider’s character in William Friedkin’s ‘Sorcerer’ (an amazing remake of an amazing movie called ‘The Wages of Fear’).

He’s tasked to transport the extremely volatile explosive, nitroglycerine, through the jungles of South America in an unstable old truck. This feels like a pretty accurate representation of life to me. Sorcha on the other hand can quote all of Wayne’s World so go figure.

TheNwothm: Back in August you released your first two tracks “Don’t Call Me a Liar” and “Too Old to Cry.” What can you tell us about these songs?

A: Well they’re two pretty different songs. Don’t Call me a Liar is pretty poppy and simple and is one of our many breakup songs. Too Old to Cry (a play on words for ‘too young to die’) is much faster and more energetic and was one of the last songs written for the album.

TheNwothm: And how were the songs received by listeners?

A: The reception has been great, especially considering we self released the single. People seem to really be digging it, which is incredibly affirming.

TheNwothm: When approaching the recording of the songs did you want to achieve a raw sound or follow more a modern route with it being well polished?

A: We wanted it to sound well polished, but well polished for a release in the early 80s. We still wanted it to have that old school sound. 

TheNwothm: So now these songs are out, are there plans for a full length in 2024?

A: Yes! we’re releasing our debut album ‘Tough Love’ through the German label Dying Victims Productions on March 15 2024. It will be released internationally, so it will be at stores all over the place. But keep an eye on our instagram, we’ll have info on where to get copies online there! 

The hour of the Aardvark approaches…

We’re thrilled to announce that on March 15th 2024, our debut album ‘Tough Love’ will be released internationally through German label and classic heavy metal bastions @dyingvictimsproductions .

Tough Love is a compendium of songs that represent a tough, masculine vulnerability. This album is full of both personal anthems and mythical journeys which balance self-reflection and escapism. This has been a long time coming for us and we’ve invested a lot of love and care into its presentation. We’re excited to share this with you and hope that you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed putting it together.

Huge thanks for all the support of our friends, family, the bands we’ve played with and who have encouraged us along the way, Dying Victims and all you ‘Aard ‘Varker’s’ out there (you know who you are).

Pre-orders are available now!

Aardvark

https://aardvarkheavymetal.bandcamp.com/album/tough-love

TheNwothm: And what can people expect from an Aardvark live show if they are seeing you for the first time?

A: We have accumulated a number of dedicated Aardvark fans who come along and bring the thunder in the form of singing and pumping fists. other than them, you can expect the heavy impact of powerful hooks, melodic riffs and a lot of leather.

TheNwothm: Do you have any plans for 2024 with regards to gigging?

A: 2024 is looking to be a pretty busy year actually. In February we’re playing with Riot City, then in June with Cirith Ungol and we’re also playing the Steel Assassins festival in Sydney in November, which is all very exciting. We’ve only played in Melbourne thus far, so we’re looking forward to expanding our horizons this year!

TheNwothm: Where can our readers buy your music and merch?

A: We’re most active on Instagram at Aardvark.band, that’s where we announce all our shows and merch / release news; but if you want to support us, you can find us at our bandcamp page here: aardvarkheavymetal.bandcamp.com 

TheNwothm: Anything else you would like to mention?

A: First of all thanks for having us, we really appreciate being featured on your site and really admire what you’re doing in spreading the word of this genre! Secondly, to your audience I’d just like to say that it’s the year of the Aardvark. Join us on our journey to overthrow every other mid-sized mammal on earth! Keep the den safe and your snouts to the ground, there’s lots ahead!