Melbourne-based hard rock/metal act High Tension have been building an ever-increasing fan base and attracting the gaze of music media nationwide since delivering their 2013 ARIA nominated debut album Death Beat. Their 2015 follow up, Bully further cemented the quartet as a band to watch. Now with a line-up change to half of the band, which involved the inclusion of guitarist, songwriter, producer Mike Deslandes and drummer Lauren Hammel, a newly invigorated High Tension release their third album, Purge. (Released June 15)
Lyrically it’s a savage album, with lead vocalist Karina Utomo providing the gut wrenching themes, reflecting her horror at the anti-communist purge in Indonesia in 1965 and 1966 – during which hundreds of thousands of members of the communist party were slaughtered. It’s a story close to Utomo’s heart and one that she has told in part before. This time, there’s no holding back.
The multi-talented Deslandes and band have taken Utomo’s rage and perfectly formed a fierce sonic platform for it to radiate from.
To celebrate the launch of their brutal new album Purge, High Tension are embarking on a headline tour of Australia. Ahead of the tour Australian Musician’s Greg Phillips sat down with the band’s Mike Deslandes to discuss the creation of Purge.
PURGE TOUR DATES
15 JUNE – DARK MOFO, TASMANIA
22 JUNE – AMPLIFIER BAR, PERTH
23 JUNE – DAY OF CLARITY, ADELAIDE
29 JUNE – LANSDOWNE, SYDNEY
30 JUNE – CROWBAR, BRISBANE
7 JULY – THE TOTE, MELBOURNE