People like to rag on Adelaide, but every year when the Froth & Fury lineup drops, those located across the country start looking up flights to good old South Australia.
The 2026 Edition of Froth & Fury is set to be the biggest one yet. Not only relocating to the iconic home of the dearly departed Big Day Out, but organisers have also answered any “what about Perth?” cries with a date of their own.
If the premise of a festival based around beers and heavy music isn’t enough to get you buying a ticket, or if you do have a ticket and are overwhelmed by the lineup… here is a little guide on some bands our team will be checking out.
DOUBLE DRAGON
At the last Froth & Fury, we saw the comeback of Adelaide hardcore legends Day of Contempt. This time, another iconic act is making their return, this time from the metal scene. If you do not know who Double Dragon are, then it is time to brush up on your Australian metal history. This band has ticked many of the boxes. Playing sets at both Big Day Out and Soundwave, touring with metal greats such as Soilwork, Megadeth and the one and only Slayer (with frontman Leeroy even stepping in on vocals for the thrash icons). We could go on about the band's legacy, but the best way to experience it will be to be in the pit as they celebrate 20 years of their Scars Of Fire EP (you will find us in the wall of death for ‘Inflictor’)
BODYSNATCHER
Okay, since we started with a band only on the Adelaide lineup, let us give you a heavy one from the Perth date. Fast-rising stars of the global deathcore, Bodysnatcher are sure to tear up Perth HPC stadium. Absolutely, insanely heavy breakdowns and some of the most creative mosh calls in the game, the Florida natives bring a killer beatdown sound with a fun and rowdy vibe. If you are heading to Froth & Fury to throw down, then this is the band to do it for. When a band is from Florida and has three members called Kyle, you know it is going to be a wild ride. If you are new to them, start with their viral track ‘King Of Rats’ and work from there.
FRENZAL RHOMB
Summer sun, a froth in hand, it just feels like the right time for some iconic Aussie punk. Luckily, Frenzal Rhomb are on the bill. Catchy, loud and just relentlessly fun. Their breed of sarcastic, cheeky and uniquely Australian humour is infused in their skate punk sound. Honestly, other than when Alestorm headlined the festival when it was at Pirate Life Brewery in 2022, there hasn’t been a more fitting band for this lineup. They even have the ultimate theme song for the day: ‘Never Had So Much Fun’. The best bit? They will be playing at both festivals, so whichever one you attend, you can catch them.
ABORTED
One of the most iconic names in death metal, Aborted are not one to miss. Formed in 1995 in Belgium, they are considered pioneers and legends of the genre for a reason. We use the term face-melting sometimes a little too flippantly, but once you see them live, you will TRULY understand the term. Thunderous drums that rip straight through and an intensity that is unmatched, Aborted is a reference point for a tone of newer metal bands. If you want to brush up on your knowledge or get to know them a little before the fest, then chuck on their albums Goremageddon and Engineering the Dead. They aren’t for the faint of heart, but once you see them, you will understand why we are recommending them.
GRIDIRON
How to explain Gridiron. Do you like hardcore? Do you like nu-metal? Do you like hiphop? Do you like death metal? Well, the Pennsylvanian boundary breakers dabble in it all. Take a little bit of Terror, a little bit of Limp Bizkit, a dash of Missing Link and whatever the hell they feel like at the time. Formed during the pandemic, the band have had a fast rise, but for a reason. What you can expect from Gridiron is the unexpected, BUT do expect to get off the bench and get in the trench, because their pits are for the heavyweight moshers. Unfortunately only appearing on the Adelaide lineup, but we know they will leave a good impression and return soon.
SOULFLY
This really should go without saying, but as Froth & Fury is a family-friendly event (and websites like ours, maybe where our under 16s are flocking to for music recommendations), but Soulfly is a must for any heavy music fan. Spearheaded by the legendary Max Cavalera, who will be pulling double duty with Nailbomb, also on the bill, Soulfly not just spearheaded but perfected what it means to infuse groove into crushingly heavy music. Soulfly brings forth anthems of aggression that push music to its bludgeoning limits but never sacrifice style and groove. Every twist and turn of their discography is soulful but vicious, with moments of trippy brilliance. There is just so much history and story behind not just Soulfly, but Max Cavalera, that it would almost be a crime to miss this man in action.
Look, we know we said six bands you must see, but there is no way we can leave this list without mentioning our headliners.
That’s right, the one, the only…
POLARIS
There is just something magical about this band. A sense of despair and reflection is brought into the sonic realm in a flurry of melodic metalcore that feels both innovative and like home. Drenched in emotion and an energy that penetrates the soul, the band have been flying the flag of Australian metalcore lord and proud across the globe. Selling out headline tours here and abroad, and hitting the stage at some of the most well-known festivals in the UK/EU, Sydney’s Polaris have truly become the darlings from down under in the metalcore sphere. Landing support slots with bands like Bring Me The Horizon, A Day To Remember, Slipknot and now Linkin Park on their Aussie tour, it is no wonder they are now in the big leagues.
“You know, we're really looking forward to these festivals early next year!”
Frontman Jamie Hails told Wall of Sound in an interview earlier this year when asked about returning home to headline the stellar lineup that makes up Froth & Fury. Just wait for the mayhem when the opening riff of 'The Remedy' kicks in...
Look, narrowing this down to 6 (plus 1) was hard enough, because these lineups are STACKED. Check out the rest of the bands here.
So make your way to Perth or Adelaide (or both, why not?).
Words by Kayla Hamilton @kaylazomboid
Saturday January 24 – Perth HPC, Mount Claremont, W.A
Saturday January 31 – Adelaide Showgrounds, Wayville, S.A
