The track, entitled The Olm, is the first recording featuring their new vocalist Sam Dillon (Lo!, Snakes Get Bad Press) who joined the band in November of 2015. You can see the video clip for the track below…

The band have been devastating audiences across the country throughout 2016 with their revitalised sound and line up, featuring performances alongside
Cryptopsy, Thy Art is Murder, Psycroptic and many more, giving Australian audiences a taste of what’s to come when the new album hits.

“We wrote the bulk of the music throughout 2015 when we never had a solid line up,” says drummer Rob Brens “So having the band in this somewhat fractured state gave us the opportunity to write with no preconceptions of what the band really was. We didn’t think about our previous work, or writing death metal or whatever. We just wrote music and we came out with what feels like a really fresh sound for us”.

The result is a departure from their total break-neck technical death metal roots. Hadal Maw’s music has evolved and features sprawling atmosphere, thunderous groove and memorable, crushing guitar lines that meld with their distinct dissonance tinged hooks that they’ve become renowned for.

To celebrate this news we decided to have a further chat with Brens, and find out a bit more about what’s been going on in the world of Hadal Maw in 2016.

Good day, Rob, and thanks for getting involved in our End of Year Celebrations. The first question I have for you is this:  What was the best new album you heard in 2016? “Endless Summer by The Midnight but if I have to pick metal it would have to be Fires within Fires by Neurosis“.

And what about old stuff – did any reissues grab your attention this year? “I don’t usually keep track of reissues but I’ve been listening to Steely Dan way more since I got a turn table”.

And moving away from music for a moment, what was your non musical highlight of the last twelve months? “Visiting Norway – what a stunning country”.

And what have you found particularly disappointing about the wider world in 2016? “I’m not too sure to be honest. Probably the anti vaxx movement still being a thing”.

Back to music now – Would you say the music scene – and our kind of music in particular, is in good shape at the minute? “I’d say so. Some of the best metal has been released in the past 18 months for sure”.

That’s good to hear – but that answer notwithstanding did anything disappoint you musically in 2016? “I don’t think there was much I was “disappointed” in. I do my best to avoid expectation”.

Very wise! Which practitioner or practitioners of your own musical role impressed you most this last twelve months? “Probably Dan Presland from Ne Obliviscaris. Dude just goes from strength to strength”.

And what about live perfrormance? Who were the best act you saw live this year? “Off the top of my head, The Aristocrats“.

I have heard nothing but good things about their recent shows… Back to you and Hadal Maw – what does the next twelve months hold in prospect? “Ideally, lots of overseas touring, we’ll see how that pans out. We’re releasing our second  album in February so anything after that is gravy”.

Which band, if any, do you think is primed to break out into the wider consciousness in 2017? “Departe and Frontierer“.

Something a bit less serious now – as we approach the festive season, what night would you say was best for a party – Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve? “New Year’s Eve, people usually try and be lucid for Christmas lunch but no one really gives a shit about New Year’s Day”.
We’re not going to ask for a New Year’s Resolution – but what musical feat do you hope to attain next year? “First overseas run with Hadal maw is the goal”.

Anything else you’d like to say to the readers of Sentinel Daily? “Just keep supporting art as often as you can whether it’s buying music, merch or going to shows, it’s the lifeblood of the scene!”

Amen to that!

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Hadal Maw will hit the road in support of Olm in the following cities

TOUR DATES
Friday, February 3: Crowbar, Brisbane
Saturday, February 4: Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
Friday, February 10: The Bald Faced Stag, Sydney
Saturday, February 11 Brisbane Hotel, Hobart
Friday, February 24: Amplifier Bar, Perth
Saturday, February 25: Enigma Bar, Adelaide