HAZMAT is a Thrash Metal band based in Sydney Australia, and draws inspiration from the Classic Thrash of Megadeth, Exodus, and Testament. HAZMAT employs clean vocals and harmonies, fast and thrashy to slow and heavy riffs, and also incorporates eclectic instrumentation. The band’s self-titled debut album, recorded in Sydney’s Damien Gerard Studios, is available through Hardline Media, and includes a selection of songs from the band’s formative years along with new arrangements, totaling 14 tracks. The first leg of HAZMAT’s Blitz Attack Australian tour is complete, and will continue during the second half of 2011 with shows in Canberra, Melbourne, and Brisbane.
HAZMAT was founded in 2006 with Jay (vocals, guitar; ex: FIX, Neophobia) and Duck (guitar; ex: Downside, Neophobia). The services of Caine (drums; ex: Eyes Of March) were employed in 2008 while Stu (bass; ex: FIX) joined the following year. With HAZMAT members having supported major acts in previous bands (Neophobia-Machine Head; FIX-Richard Clapton/Kevin Borich/Mal Eastick), HAZMAT is interested to explore tour support opportunities locally and overseas with major local and international acts. HAZMAT’s self-titled debut album is available for download via iTunes and CD Baby. Hard copies and merchandise are available via their website.
As the Metal Express Radio Independent Band of the Week beginning August 29, 2011, here’s what each of the Band Members had to say when asked to provide a few insights …
Metal Express Radio:
How did you come up with the band name?
Jay:
The band name was suggested by one of the founding members Dave Dunn. As my father worked in the Hazmat unit of the Fire Brigade he thought it sounded heavy. It’s funny how the best answers are closest to you but you don’t see them.
MER:
What are 3 bands that you feel were most influential to your band, and why?
Jay:
Megadeth, Slayer and Testament, because if I had a vision of a band it would be a fusion of the three (I would love to say Iron Maiden, Exodus, Judas Priest, Anthrax, Addictive, and Mortal Sin but you only asked for three.)
Duck:
Megadeth, Metallica and Testament (just because).
Caine:
Megadeth, Metallica and Iron Maiden (we play a similar style to what they created, which made me want to play in a band).
Stu:
Megadeth, Metallica and Iron Maiden (they are the common ground between the four of us).
MER:
What are the 5 best Metal/Hard Rock albums of all times, and why?
Jay:
Rust in Peace (unprecedented musicianship and intensity)
Reign in Blood (anger and testosterone personified)
Practice what you Preach (vocal intensity and song structure)
Powerslave (it was going to be Number of the Beast ’til I saw Live After Death … showmanship)
Face of Despair (Australian band with a truly international sound)
Duck:
Rust in Peace (Megadeth at their finest)
Burn My Eyes (brilliant)
Vulgar Display of Power (ground breaking)
Seasons in the Abyss (awesome)
Number of the Beast (way ahead of its time)
Caine:
… And Justice for All (my favorite album of all time)
Rust in Peace (ahead of its time)
Ghost Reveries (favorite album of Death and Rock Folk)
Ashes of the Wake (not a bad song on it)
Vulgar Display of Power (ground breaking)
Stu:
Seventh Son
Rust in Peace
… And Justice for All
Reign in Blood (epitomizes the Thrash genre)
L.A. Woman
MER:
What is the best concert you’ve ever attended, and why?
Jay:
Megadeth – Rust in Peace Tour, due to the intensity and the ability to replicate recorded music.
Duck:
Megadeth – Rust in Peace Tour, just mind-blowing.
Caine:
Carcass – Heartwork Tour, because it was the closest I’d ever been to the front and they were one of my favorite bands at the time … they played their asses off.
Stu:
Iron Maiden – Somewhere Back In Time Tour … best sing-along ever.
MER:
What was the most memorable gig your band ever played, and why?
Jay:
I’d like to say that we haven’t played it yet ’cause all of them have been memorable to date, but the band is playing and memories are for retirement.
Duck:
Anywhere and everywhere (they are all memorable for different reasons).
Caine:
Gaelic Club (played so hard the roof came down).
Stu:
Lucky Aus 2009 (My first gig with Hazmat).
MER:
What is the craziest thing any member of your band has ever done for the sake of Metal/Hard Rock?
Jay:
I plead the fifth!
Duck:
What happens on tour stays on tour!
Caine:
Jay trying to stall my car’s wiper motor with his male member … unsuccessfully! Ouch!!
Stu:
Climbed across a brick wall two stories up whilst on tour … for reasons I can’t explain, because what happens on tour stays on tour!
MER:
If your band was appointed Rulers of the Metal World, what is the first law you’d make?
Jay:
Metal is our law, so live, breathe, and respect it.
Duck:
Metal is the Law!!
Caine:
Metal is the Law!! Or to have Justin Bieber tortured as he has done to the world.
Stu:
No laws, just …………….
MER:
If you could tour with any band, who would that be, and why?
Jay:
Slayer (’cause they look like they could get us out of any trouble we could get in to on tour).
Duck:
Hazmat and anyone (don’t care who we play with or when as long as we are there).
Caine:
Metallica (they are the pioneers of Classic Thrash Metal).
Stu:
Metsatoll (because I want to play torpull).
MER:
What do you think your fans and the music industry will say about your band in 10 years?
Jay:
Can’t wait for their next album!
Duck:
Hopefully that we have stood the test of time.
Caine:
That we are still going strong.
Stu:
It’s a long way to the top.
MER:
If you could have any wish fulfilled for the band, what would it be?
Jay:
Some reward for all the hard work the boys have put in over the years.
Duck:
Play every night in every country.
Caine:
To be writing, recording and touring full time. To be in a band as an occupation.
Stu:
Record contracts and lots of tours.
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