Melbourne heavy rock outfit The Last Martyr recently dropped Freaking Out a track that continues their sonic evolution. Produced, mixed and mastered by the unstoppable Chris Lalic (Windwaker, To Octavia, Days Like These), Freaking Out is a thrashing addition to the band's collection that tells a tale of bravery in taking the risk to fall in love despite feeling content with being on your own. The hard-hitting track kicks off with blast beats before taking the listener on a ride through terrain that features haunting verses and a soaring ethereal chorus. Our latest taste of the band's upcoming EP, Purgatory which will be out this Friday, December 10th, Freaking Out is set to become an anthem for Aussie heavy music fans in the coming months as they slip deeper and deeper into Purgatory.
Watch the visualizer for Freaking Out below
Inspired by Freaking Out we had a chat with vocalist Monica Strut about The Last Martyr's favourite songs for freaks.
The Last Martyr's Favourite Songs For Freaks
Silverchair - Freak
It would be un-Australian to not include this classic right up front. Everything about Freak makes it possibly the most perfect grunge-rock track a band of our shores has ever produced. It’s hard to believe that the guys were still in high school when this came out.
Korn - Freak On A Leash
When you think of freak-themed heavy tracks this classic track would have to be one of the first that comes to mind for most people. Freak On A Leash is the epitome of late-90s heavy music and the lava lamp in the video is simply iconic.
Cane Hill - Gemini
Now for some modern nu metal in Cane Hill’s Gemini. I remember seeing them at Sydney’s Big Top a few years ago. I’d never heard of them at the time and let’s just say, I can’t even remember who the headliner was, I dug them so much. When it came to writing this article the bridge where vocalist Elijah Witt repeats the lyrics, “I’m not a freak,” in his raspy voice sprung to mind. I’m also big into astrology (I’m a Gemini moon), so naturally a song with such a title stands out to me. Honourable mention to their track New Jesus though which definitely has ‘freak flag’ all over it!
Halestorm - Freak Like Me
Halestorm’s 2012 album, The Strange Case Of… has to be one of the best rock albums in the last decade. It’s one of those albums you can listen to from start to finish with so many bangers. Freak Like Me is damn groovy and moment before the guitar solo where Lzzy does one of her signature fry screams gets me moister than an oyster. Plus I’m just a huge fan of live compilation video clips (Side note: I’m hoping we can release one for The Last Martyr’s newest single Freaking Out since we’re playing a few festivals next year)!
Ocean Grove - Freaks
Now to something a little more recent and close to home, Ocean Grove’s Flip Phone Fantasy literally got me through 2020. This song Freaks is so beautiful, atmospheric and dynamic. It has a rare guitar solo that reminds me of something Slash would write because it focuses on enhancing the song melodically and that tone is just gorgeous.
Dir En Grey - Obscure
Adding this bonus in not because there are any lyrics about freaks but because the video is so f’d up, it would give Slipknot a run for their money. This gem was recommended by my drummer Vin and I quote, “I remember watching it at age 15 as a church going boy with a centre part and thinking I was about to go to hell.” Enjoy.
The Last Martyr returned with a vengeance in April 2021 with Hindsight, which premiered via Maniacs a fierce tune with bounce that led the band to a multitude of milestones including triple j rotation and Unearthed Feature Artist, establishing the band's unique blend of nu-metal and heavy rock.
Watch the video for Hindsight below.
The band followed swiftly with, Afterglow a hard-hitting and nostalgic bop about young love and reflection through rose coloured glasses. The track itself features a huge chorus with a twist in the form of a trap second verse. The bands carefully crafted sound found them a spot on Metal Injection's relaunched Slay At Home monthly series in October, where The Last Martyr performed a mini live stream set to thousands of viewers.
Watch the video for Afterglow below
The Last Martyr are breaking free of the Melbourne lockdowns like a force, with the first three shows of 2022 being festivals. Catch them at Unify Gathering between January 20-23, the Sydney leg of Uncaged Festival on 12 February and the rescheduled Halloween Hysteria festival on 2 April.
Freaking Out is streaming everywhere now. Purgatory will be available December 10.
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