Backstage Hangs With SPLIT CHAIN

Backstage Hangs With SPLIT CHAIN

Author: HEAVY Magazine January 27, 2026 Duration: 12:40
Interview by Simon Russell-White
Videography and editing by Rashid AlKamraikhi
There’s a phrase you’ll hear repeatedly when in the company of Split Chain: “The Chain does what it wants”. As mantras go, it’s used by the Bristol, UK quintet as a means of encapsulating the broad-minded, unconstrained creative freedom with which they approach their art, as well as a means through which to try to make sense of the sky-rocketing trajectory the band have found themselves on.
Call it instinct, fate, divine intervention, whatever – the whims of ‘The Chain’ have led to a moment where one thing is abundantly clear: Split Chain are one of the hottest, zeitgeist-capturing new bands in the world.
In Australia right now on tour with Better Lovers, this is Split Chains first ever trip Down Under, and this is what HEAVY reviewer and conductor of this interview, Simon Russell-White, thought of their live performance in Brisbane...
"It’s currently 6° Celsius in Bristol, UK, this being the hometown of English rockers Split Chain. If the hot and humid weather in Queensland bothered anyone on stage, then they sure didn’t show it. Split Chain delivers a heavy and emotive set, emotive in the way of musical notation and all out deep feels. Singer “Bert” Martinez-Cowles voice sails through the PA system as the band cruises through their eclectic tracks including stand out (for me) ‘who am i?’ drawing serious attention and crowd participation.
It’s been a whirlwind two plus years for the lads, from playing small hometown shows, to signing with Epitaph soon after now Bert, Jake, Oliver, Tom and Aaron have embarked on their first ever Australian tour, and tonight’s show along with Better Lovers is their first here in the land of Oz. It was special, and the reception the quintet received will surely see them return very soon!"
With three shows left in Melbourne, Belgrave and Adelaide be sure to catch this epic line-up for yourself.


Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

Dive straight into the raw, unfiltered conversations happening behind the amplifiers and drum kits. HEAVY Music Interviews, straight from the team at HEAVY Magazine, pulls you backstage and into the green room for genuine talks with the most compelling voices in rock, punk, metal, and the wider heavy music landscape. This isn't about polished press releases; it's where artists open up about the craft of a crushing riff, the stories behind an iconic album, and the realities of life on the road. Each episode delivers a new perspective, whether it's a legendary frontman reflecting on decades of noise or a breakthrough band explaining their explosive sound. You'll hear the passion and personality that fuels the music, directly from the musicians creating it. For anyone who lives for the energy of a heavy track and wants to know the people behind it, this podcast serves as a regular, essential connection. Tune in for authentic discussions that go far beyond the surface, keeping you directly plugged into the heart of the scene.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 1000

HEAVY Music Interviews
Podcast Episodes
Maintaining Altitude With MATTY DEE From DIRTY PAGANS [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:04
Interview by Kris PetersDirty Pagans have been on a crusade to return airwaves to the meatier sounds of hard rock and heavy metal for the best part of ten years now. Self dubbed riff n roll, the Adelaide outfit focuses o…
A Sonic Tribute With FREDERIC LECLERCQ From SINSAENUM [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:52
Interview by Kris PetersMuch has changed in the Sinsaenum camp since the release of Repulsion for Humanity in 2018, with the loss of drummer Joey Jordison central to the personal tragedy, which was compounded by the loss…
Bringing Brutality To The Table With CHRIS From HEBEPHRENIQUE [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:35
Interview by Kris PetersFrom the fractured depths of Australia’s extreme metal underground emerges Hebephrenique, a sonic entity conjured to annihilate the boundaries between chaos and control. Rooted in a volatile blend…
Merging Musical Past And Present With JOSH LARKIN From THE WHISKEYS [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:03
Interview by Kris PetersTweed Heads rock outfit The Whiskeys are a time bomb waiting to go off.After a number of years honing their skills, mainly by playing a bunch of live shows, the double-edged sword of Benny Whiskey…
Beyond The Abyss With LEE JENNINGS From THE FUNERAL PORTRAIT [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:19
Interview by Kris PetersThe Funeral Portrait have always been true champions for the underdog; the outcasts of society who are struggling to find their identity or be accepted in a world that is often harsh and judgmenta…
Smashing It Out Of The Park With BABYBEARD [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:04
Interview by Kris PetersHeavy Metal and J-Pop are two genres which, for all intents and purposes, should not be joined in sonic matrimony, but try telling that to Australian-born Japanese sensation Ladybeard and the two…
Reflecting On Human Nature With NIGEL BURK From CARSEX [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:15
Interview by Kris PetersForged from the survivors of Long Beach bands Damned Age, Black Velvet Brigade and Red River Massacre in 2018, Carsex pull no punches when they come to their sound, name or influences.After crossi…
Baring Your Scars With LIMBERLOST [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:06
Interview by Kris PetersFusing modern rock with classic undertones, American rock outfit Limberlost bring together the best of two worlds to create a powerful and infectious sonic palette that transcends the underlying b…