They say the second album hurdle is the hardest, but not for Mélancolia .
The blackened nu-metal/core hybrid sound raised eyebrows and pricked up ears around the world (and in our own backyard) setting the lads up for a prosperous future following the release of random.access.misery.
On top of touring regional Australia with Thy Art Is Murder and Cradle of Filth in Europe, 2026looks to be just as hectic with more ground covered than ever before.
Let's hook into their #WoSYearInReview to see what else is in store this year...
TOP 5 RELEASES OF 2025
5. Thornhill - BODIES
4. $uicideboy$ - THY KINGDOM COME
3. Deftones - private music
2. Bones, Grayera - DUNGEON
1. Deafheaven - Lonely People With Power
TOP 5 SONGS OF 2025
5. Thornhill - 'Tongues'
4. Deafheaven - 'Heathen'
3. $uicideboy$ [ft Night Lovell] - 'Carried Away'
2. Bones, Grayera - 'TheTrapDoorBeneathOurFeetSwingsOpen'
1. Deafheaven - 'Winona'
WHICH AUSTRALIAN BAND CAN’T YOU GET ENOUGH OF?
Dregg, creatively untouchable band - a REAL in your face attitude that I think a lot of the new gen of Nu-Metal lack completely. Chris is one of the best frontmen Australia has ever produced and Zac might be one of the best Aus composers of our generation. Cannot sing their praises enough
BEST GIG YOU PLAYED THIS YEAR AND WHY?
Two come to mind - Cairns on the Thy Art regional tour, the crowd exploded from the first note until the moment we finished (they punched literal holes in the ceiling)
Zwolle, NL supporting Cradle Of Filth and Suffocation - sold out crowd - the band felt so locked in and the energy in the room felt like we had complete control
TELL US ABOUT A CAREER HIGHLIGHT YOU HAD IN 2025
releasing our second album - a pretty big departure from our first album and seeing its praises sung felt incredibly rewarding. It truly feels like we have carved our own niche honorable mention - touring with Cradle of Filth. That band was the original blueprint for what started Mélancolia
WHAT IS THE CURRENT STATE OF NEW MUSIC
i think seeing a return to the glory days of song writing with more stripped back layers is becoming fairly prevalent - it’s great to see people (particularly the youth) relying on musicianship and songwriting rather than backing tracks and guitar noises
ANY SNEAK PEEKS OF INBOUND PLANS NEXT YEAR
more international touring and we’re officially writing for our next release
BEST ADVICE GOING INTO 2026
remember why you do this, take moments to take in and celebrate your achievements and stop hanging your artistic self worth on numbers on a screen - what’s important is making art that connects and stands the test of time
Words by Mélancolia
