This is part one of a six-part series on the year in indie Aussie music. 

We found a lot to love in this year's metal scene, including some real stand-out albums. Genre-blending was the name of the game on st. sinner's hearts in hands as well as To Octavia's MELODRAMA, two of our favourite albums of the year, while a couple of EP's well worth checking out are Bad Juju's Simulacra and the Ceaseless Black EP from Nightmarsh.

st. sinner

A few tracks that deserve special mentions include the unrelenting Moments from Atriox, the progressive behemoth Precious Remedies Against Wanting Nothing (The Little Song of Calm) from Breed, and Hollow Heart from LUMENS (among a slew of great tracks from them this year).

Dead Mall also had a big year with the release of their album SUPERLIMINAL, while Torizon brought us five intricately woven tunes, and GUILD delivered four great heavy psychedelic-infused rock tracks. We're also loving the nu-metal vibes of Brigg's new project BIG NOTER.

Torizon

Our favourite punk albums of the year came from Private Function with the eclectic and unpronounceable ¯\_(ツ)_/¯, Last Quokka with the quintesentially Aussie  Take the Fight to the Bastards, and The Maggie Pills with the gothic-flavoured Hearts Enduring Lingering Loss.

Special mentions also go to Harold Holt Search Party with RIP, Grevillea with Stuck in the Blue, and Modus Fire bringing the ska-punk with The Weary & The Wise.

A few other bands who've impressed this year with multiple releases of stellar tracks include ChAMBER LANe, Her Trash, and Teenage Joans. 

ChAMBER LANe

HAVE A LISTEN!

We've made it easy for you to check out the year's top punk and metal tracks!

Find all our favourite punk tracks of the year on our BITE ME! playlist.

Check out all our fave metal tracks of the year on our GO HARD! playlist.

Who knows, you might find some tracks to include when you vote in the HOMEGROWN HUNDRED (voting is open until Tuesday, January 27, 2026 - vote for your fave Aussie artists now!)