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
A Good Day To Be Alive With BRENNAN MILETO From SISTERS DOLL [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:35
Melbourne-based rockers Sisters Doll have always been a band who value their support base. From driving 30 hours to play a handful of shows in Far North Queensland to playing on the open waters of America as part of the…
Fast Riffs And Flying Shoes: ARCHSPIRE Gear Up For Aussie Tour [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:16
Archspire vocalist Oliver “Oli” Alleron is clearly excited about returning to Australia, with the band set to tour in January. From his love of Australian crowds to his unexpected obsession with The Block, Oliver speaks…
40 Years Young With JORDAN RUDESS From DREAM THEATER [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:12
With the worldwide excitement around the recently completed European tour, GRAMMY®-winning, progressive music titans Dream Theater have announced their 40th Anniversary Tour 2026 leg for Australia. The tour will be An Ev…
MATTY MULLINS From MEMPHIS MAY FIRE Talks About Next Aussie Invasion [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:24
Interview by Ali WilliamsIf you think the wildest part of touring is the fans, you’ve clearly never tried to drive a truck through an American winter. HEAVY caught up with Matty Mullins—frontman, ice-road survivor, and M…
25 Years And Still A Dirtbag, With BRENDAN BROWN From WHEATUS [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:22
No matter what they do musically from now until eternity, New York rockers Wheatus will always be known as the Dirtbag band. The fact that Teenage Dirtbag is probably bigger today than when it first smashed the air waves…
Humility, Honesty And Heat With BETTER LOVERS [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:33
Interview by Simon Russell-WhiteThough Australia is familiar territory for the members of Better Lovers - Jordan Buckley (guitarist/ex Every Time I Die) and Will Putney (guitarist/producer/Fit For An Autopsy) - there is…
PERSEFONE’s BOBBY VERDEGUER Talks New Album And Orchestral Madness [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:47
Interview by Ali WilliamsIf you’ve ever wondered what happens when progressive death metal collides head-on with a full-blown orchestra (spoiler: nobody wears a tux, but plenty of heads bang), Persefone’s latest adventur…