Just when we thought Stalker – Speed Metal shows couldn’t get anymore insane, we decided to put them on tour with ABIGAIL/BARBATOS for a royal Satanik Panik of a tour of NZ and this week AUSTRALIA!
NZ – You exceeded all expectations and the support you gave us was uncanny.
AUSTRALIA – Wear your raincoats and get READY FOR FVKING DRUNK!
Some maniak who had the balls to be at the front of this insanity at Whammy Bar Auckland 09.05 / Massive thanks to Riley Cochrane for the other photos!
To Our Hardcore Fans in Hard-to-Reach Cities (Adelaide, Hobart, Auckland, Perth, Alice Springs, Darwin & more)
We know that sometimes our tours don’t make it to your city — and we hate that too. Touring is expensive, and as much as we want to play everywhere, it’s not always possible.
So here’s what we’re doing: If we’re not hitting your city/State on a tour, we want to offer you a FREE ticket to a nearby show — on one condition: You support the band by grabbing some merch.
That’s it. You help us out by repping the band, and we’ll help you out by getting you into the show.
It’s our way of saying thank you for sticking with us even when we can’t be in your backyard. We see you, we appreciate you, and we want to make it work however we can.
All Enquiries regarding this deal can be sent to yourmatebookings@gmail.com
Japan’s Blackened Thrashaholics ABIGAIL & New Zealand’s Speed Metal Abusers STALKER are set to take over Australia in May 2025!
Both trios are agitated and itching to give you performances like you’ve never seen! If you’re unlucky enough to still exist in this world of wimps and cotton wool, you’d better don your raincoats before the ooze of true heavy metal soaks you through with sweat and booze!
METAL TO THE GRAVE: Matt “Skitz” Sanders’ Final Live Performance
A Thunderous Farewell to a Legacy of Extreme Metal Annihilation
Adelaide, Australia – Saturday May 3rd 2025 – Prepare for the ultimate blitzkrieg of pure, unrelenting extreme metal chaos as Matt “Skitz” Sanders, one of the most brutal and influential drummers in the history of underground metal, delivers his final, devastating performance at METAL TO THE GRAVE. This is not just a show – it is a sonic onslaught, a ceremonial obliteration of the mainstream, and a ferocious tribute to the underground that Skitz has helped forge.
The Line-Up will Include Diabolic Rites, Destruktor, Demoninacht, Hell Machine, Oath of Damnation, Persecution, Spectral Dominion & Tzun Tzu.
The event will take place at the JIVE on Saturday May 3rd 2025, and promises to be an explosive, skull-crushing farewell to a career spanning nearly four decades of extreme metal carnage.
For nearly four decades, Matt Sanders has been the unholy heartbeat of the extreme metal scene. From his pioneering work with Damaged, Sadistik Exekution, Hobbs Angel of Death, Abramelin, Blood Duster, Gravetemple, and countless other boundary-pushing projects, Skitz’s ferocious blast beats, double-kick annihilation, and relentless precision behind the kit have redefined the art of percussion in the extreme metal world.
His contributions have reverberated through the hallowed halls of the underground, leaving a trail of obliterated eardrums and shredded amplifiers in his wake.
This will be the final time that Matt Sanders steps behind the kit for a live performance, and he’s vowed to go out with the raw, unbridled force that fans have come to expect.
But he’s not doing it alone. Skitz has personally curated an apocalyptic lineup of bands who share his commitment to pure aggression, brutality, and underground integrity. Prepare to be pummeled by the unrelenting riffs, blast beats, and guttural growls of an army of extreme metal warriors. No genre is safe. This is extreme metal in its purest, most unadulterated form.
Confirmed Bands for METAL TO THE GRAVE:
Diabolic Rites – the rabid & insidious spawn of Raw Black Satanic Metal playing their final show ever; DEMÖNINÄCHT/Matt Skitz Sanders (Skinvocations), BLODGRIS (Bass & Blackened Chants) & MUTILATOR (666 Strings) will take to the stage for one last hellish ride into the Infernal flames of blood- drenched & sadistic old school extreme metal!!! CHANT THE SPELLS OF KAOS & FIRE!!!
Spectral Dominion – An orgiastic feast of blackened death metal ripped from the city of churches
Oath of Damnation – Adelaide-based purveyors of a dark, symphonic style of blackened Death Metal reaching from Stratospheric orchestral heights to low, guttural, blasting devastation. Oath of Damnation is an onslaught of fury and malevolence upon the senses.
Demoninacht – the Malevolent Bastard child of Matt Skitz Sanders, Paying An Unholy Tribute to the 1980’s Lord’s of Infernal Thrash Metal Debauchery
Hell Machine -“Hell Machine is a demonic two-piece blackened thrash attack, conjuring unholy chaos from the depths of Adelaide—pure sonic warfare forged in fire, blasphemy, and relentless aggression.
Destruktor – Geelong Extreme Metal Veterans Destruktor are ready to desecrate with brutality and fresh off the launch of the 3rd album “Indomitable”, DESTRUKTOR are looking forward to kicking your arse as we send Skitz off in style.
Tzun Tzu – TzunTzu is a four piece Death Metal band from South Australia with oriental influences both lyrically and stylistically performing oriental sounding passages intertwined with the heavy music.
Persecution –
A Statement from Matt “Skitz” Sanders: “After nearly four decades behind the kit, countless shows around the world, and a lifetime of unforgettable memories, I have made the difficult decision to retire from playing live. This isn’t a decision I’ve taken lightly – it’s something I’ve been contemplating over the past year for many personal and professional reasons.” “Drumming has been my life’s passion, and the journey it has taken me on is something I could never have imagined. From the sweat-soaked stages of underground venues to the massive festivals, I’ve been privileged to share this wild ride with incredible bandmates, loyal fans, and a thriving community that has supported me every step of the way.” “The time has come, however, for me to step back and hang up the drumsticks when it comes to live performances. While I may no longer be behind the kit on stage, my love for music and the extreme metal scene remains as strong as ever.” “To everyone who has come to a show, banged their heads, or shared this journey with me: thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your energy and support have made it all worthwhile. This isn’t goodbye – just a new chapter.”
Skitz’s legacy in extreme metal cannot be overstated. He has been a central force in the formation of Hate-Core and Grind subgenres, an architect of sonic devastation who has brought the fury of underground acts to audiences around the globe. With world tours, festival appearances, and relentless studio work with Destroyer 666, Funerary Pit, Cemetery Urn, Humonic, Insidious Torture, and more, Skitz has become a living legend among extreme metal’s most devout followers.
The lineup for METAL TO THE GRAVE will showcase a brutal blend of black metal, death metal, grindcore, doom, and thrash, reflecting the full spectrum of Skitz’s expansive musical journey. Expect nothing less than pure sonic carnage as he sends his farewell to the stage in the only way he knows how: with maximum intensity, crushing riffs, and blistering percussion.
Ticket Information: Don’t miss your chance to witness the final live performance of one of extreme metal’s most ferocious drummers. METAL TO THE GRAVE promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime event, and tickets will sell out fast. Keep an eye on our social media channels for ticket sales and further updates.
Get ready for the final blast! METAL TO THE GRAVE – an explosive, no-holds-barred farewell to the live stage. The storm is coming. Stay brutal. Support the underground. Murder the mainstream.
Anoxia – Revel in Sin Australian Album Launch Tour 2025
Sydney based Death Metal band ANOXIA are hitting the road in April/May to unleash their debut album “Revel in Sin” in the cities of Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney.
Bringing back a sound from a bygone era consisting of early 90’s USA style Death Metal and following the wake of the devastation caused by debut EP “Languish in Suffering”, the record sees the band taking their sound to the next level, bringing to the fore the considerable experience they have gained as an active live band and funneling it back into 8 tracks of malevolent mayhem, showing respect for the genres roots while indulging in their own bloodbath of razor-wire riffing and glass-gargling howls underpinned by a pulse pounding rhythm section.
With supports locked in with Left to Die and the legendary Atheist, 2025 should be the year that puts Anoxia and “Revel in Sin” on the radar of any self-respecting death metal fan.
Catch ANOXIA on tour with the following bands in April/May:
For the first time ever in Australia, LEFT TO DIE, March 2025!
Pioneering the sound of Death Metal since the 1980s’, a reborn tribute to the band DEATH including original members and other members hand-picked to do the job and present to you DEATH METAL in its purest form “Scream Bloody Gore” & “Leprosy”.
The Quartet will slash and cast curses upon the masses in March 2025, bludgeoning the cities of Frankston (Headlining Flippin The Bird 2025), Hobart, Perth, Brisbane, Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne (Headlining Melbourne Dethfest 2025).
DEATH never toured Australia when the band existed and before Chuck Schuldiner passed in 2001, making this tour a very special tribute to one of the Gods of Heavy Metal.
Featuring Death alumni Terry Butler (Bass and Obituary) and Rick Rozz (Guitar) alongside Gruesome (USA) members Matt Harvey (Guitar, vocals of Exhumed, etc) and Gus Rios (Drums, ex-Malevolent Creation); is Australia ready for this caustic onslaught of pummelling Death Metal destruction
Monday 10/3 The Gasometer, Collingwood (PUBLIC HOLIDAY)
GA – General Admission Ticket VIP – Meet and Greet the band, watch sound check, photo with the band, complimentary signed poster and VIP Lanyard