New Zealand hardcore heroes Amanaki have built a reputation for spine-crushing hits and ferocious displays of musicianship that deserve to be heard around the world.
Following on from the release of their new EP Vices, we chat with bassist Ethan Downey-Parish about the music he frothed all year long and to find out if they'll be making it to Australia to show us how to throw down with the next #WoSYearInReview...
TOP 5 RELEASES OF 2025
5. Brainwave - Ill Intent
4. Bleed - Bleed
3. Stray From The Path - Clockworked
2. Drain - …Is Your Friend
1. Orthodox - A Door Left Open
TOP 5 SONGS OF 2025
5. Shuv-It - 'Don’t Wait'
4. Gravitate - 'Endless War'
3. Varials - 'I’ll Find The Dark'
2. Disembodied Tyrant - '8.6 Blackout'
1. Headwreck - 'Plan Z'
WHICH AUSTRALIAN BAND' CAN'T YOU GET ENOUGH OF?
Blood Oath are a new band and have just recently put out their new EP titled The Pattern Of Pain which is unreal from front to back! Also big shoutouts to Gravitate, Iron Mind & Forewarned! Some great hardcore music coming out of Australia this year!
BEST GIG YOU PLAYED THIS YEAR AND WHY?
We played the first day of Foundation Fest II this year in Hamilton which felt like a big celebration of the New Zealand hardcore scene! It was also the first chance for us to play some of our new songs live which was received very well!
TELL US ABOUT A CAREER HIGHLIGHT YOU HAD IN 2025
We released our 5th EP this year titled Vices which we have been working on for quite a while. All of us in the band are very happy with every single song on this EP. It was so hard having to wait to release them but the wait was worth it with the great support and feedback we have had for this release!
WHAT IS THE CURRENT STATE OF NEW MUSIC?
A lot of great new hardcore music has been released this year which is no surprise when you have bands like Speed and Turnstile leading the way with their big success worldwide and influencing others to start a band or for current bands to put in a lot of work to show the new fans of the genre who they are.
ANY SNEAK PEEKS OF INBOUND PLANS NEXT YEAR?
Finally play some EP release shows early next year around New Zealand as we sadly couldn’t make it work at the end of this year but am looking forward to celebrating it! Australia may be on the cards too!
BEST ADVICE GOING INTO 2026?
Start a band with your mates, write some music, play some shows and just have a great time doing it
Words by Ethan Downey-Parish @ethdowneypa
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