.png)
After a long delay, it is about time I resumed my journey across the stormy seas of the contemporary metal world and what a better way to restart than with a long overdue stop at the misty shores of Australia. It is no secret that I adore that place for its stunning nature, the wonderful people I know there, but mostly for its insane heavy music scene. Consistently producing some of the freshest and most notable bands in recent decades, and following a killer 2022 that went above and beyond our wildest expectations, it is no surprise that the Down Under has presented us with yet another hidden gem. As we go deeper into 2023 with all the mad releases from recent weeks and months, we sail to Brisbane, Queensland to have a virtual chat with Distorted Views. If you are looking for a dose of fresh, dynamic, djenty, nu metal-infused modern metalcore with bracing Hip Hop bars and sleek electronics, look no further and give these guys some love. After few changes last year, the band currently consists of Cam (guitars), Zach (vocals) and Jordan (drums), fusing those genres mentioned above with irresistable vigor, and looking forward to a huge year ahead that hopefully puts them on everyone's radar where they so belong.
Right from the start, Cam says they love "grabbing nu metal, metalcore, djent, EDM and Hip-Hop and mixing them all together in a way that is still heavy and sounds great live" and jokingly describes them as "Limp Bizkit meets Northlane meets Currents", and you can hear that in every track they have. Counting their latest rager 'Catalyst' from yesterday, and going back to their impressive 2021 debut 'Propaganda', Distorted Views have 10 singles out so far. We are looking at a consistent rate of great releases, each building on the previous and adding depth and intensity to what is now a signature sound that is uniquely theirs.
You can go back and check everything from the start or focus from their latest 2023 offerings in 'Catalyst' and 'Alter Ego' and make your way backwords, but either way you won't get it wrong with Distorted Views as they are make a wrong step. It is not often for underground bands to display such levels of maturity and confidence from the very start but these guys exude nu metal swagger and metalcore ferocity with the composure of the establish headliner and global force they are destined to become. The talent and ideas are there, and if they play their cards right, you will be hearing a lot more about them soon.
Although a young and relatively unknown outfit, Distorted Views were found long time ago by Cam, who took his time to "find the right people with the right mindset that could see the vision and have the right work ethic to keep up". The perseverence sure paid up, the trio now grinding forward as a cohesive gelled unit, navigating through the treacherous reality of being a metal band in the contemporary post-pandemic scene. Making the most of the opportunities social media and technology present nowadays, Distorted Views are unsigned and intend to keep it that way, handling all writing, mixing, producing and promoting in-house which makes their existing material even more impressive.
At present, Cam is the mastermind and main songwriter behind Distorted Views, recording and mastering in his home studio, with Jordan spicing up the drum parts and chanelling his EDM background into all additional production, extra layering and atmospheric synths. Last year saw the band recruit Zach as the final missing piece, and fully focus on songwriting and shaping what is the most authentic representation of themselves. Going through their earlier nu metal-centric songs like 'Suffocate', 'Misfit' and 'Clutch' and moving onto the noticeably more chuggy, djenty and screamy 'Glitch' and 'Interference' to their all-round latest singles, you can feel the evolution and process behind making that signature Distorted Views vibe that we can expect to hear in the future.
Awesome music and bright future aside, I had to ask what Distorted Views are really about, and the answer was refreshingly straightforward. Going deeper into their music, you can definitely take their message as political, but you can also just see it as clever lyricism, and ultimately it all comes to perspective. Cam says they want everyone to start thinking for themselves and I do wish more people listen to this going forward, especially after the mad events in recent years and the crippling zombification all over the world.
"At the end of the day, whether you're left, right, or in the middle, just understand how easily the crowd is manipulated and how many things in this world are designed to pre-condition your way of thinking. Doing your own research and forming your own opinion is very valuable, we just want people to think for themselves!"
Obviously, I had to mention how awestruck I was from the local Aussie musical scene, a modern metal cliche that will never disapper as long as bands like Distorted Views keep popping up year after year. Most of the bands I personally follow tend to be from the southern parts of Australia and it is refreshing to see Brisbane added to the map again. Apparently, it's not because of the water or the air over there, Cam gives the abundance of insane talent across the underground scene to the local live culture:
"Live music is very big here. We all grew up going to gigs and festivals, and most of our parents played instruments themselves, and were an influence to us all too. I'm honestly impressed everytime I go to a small show and see a band I haven't heard before and they are absolutely killing it live!"
With all these genres heavily intertwined in their music, you can imagine their influences go all over the metal spectrum, but if they had to chose one band they would love to go on tour with, Cam did not hesitate to point out Northlane: "We do very similar stuff in our music, but it's also so different, so I feel that would be dope to see live". Then he casually mentions the brilliant Mirrors too, and you can't help but dream this tour happens as soon as possible, and bring that signature Aussie awesomness over to Europe too.
Speaking of local bands, it is no secret that for me 2022 was heavily dominated by Australia, and not just because UNFD were unstoppable, or because Parkway Drive, Northlane, In Hearts Wake, Thornhill, Ocean Grove and Void of Vision all dropped new music. It is mostly because of those unsung rising heroes; the sheer brilliance across the debut and breakout albums by the likes of Windwaker, Banks Arcade, The Gloom In The Corner, Pridelands, Reliqa, and many more. It really is an endless stream of fresh new talent, year after year, and you can easily see Distorted Views joining their countrymen very soon.
For 2023, Distorted Views are focusing on playing live as much as they can, alongside dropping more singles and just making all the noise they can. They are quite active across their socials and YouTube channels, so keep an eye out for live sessions, streaming, behind the scenes content and various tutorials, and just follow them everywhere you can so you don't miss on their killer music. Also, find their singles in my Modern Metal playlist, and I am sure Distorted Views will be part of the 100 tracks that define the year!
Follow Distorted Views on the links below:
Also, find their music on our Modern Metal playlists!
Thank you, Distorted Views, first for the patience, quick resposne and putting up with my constant delays; second, for being absolute legends; and last, for keeping up with the fantastic releases! Be awesome, be great and be heard, we'll be watching!
Comments