[Music Monday, 9th March 2026]: HEALTH (US), BATTLE BEAST (FIN) & THE HALO EFFECT (SWE).
Welcome back to the 9th March edition of Music Mondays! Here, we discuss the latest Heavy News happenings from both the domestic and international heavy/alternative music scene.
Be sure to check out our social media (Facebook / Instagram/ Bluesky) for additional footage and photos from myself and Richie Black Photography from yesterday’s Dethfest 2026 in Melbourne (upcoming Gig Review and Gallery of Brewicide).
Right. ‘Nuff of all that - here’s some music news!
Support your local creatives - support the scene.
As Always,
Peace, Love and Grindcore - Brady.
HEALTH (US) Release New Remix EP 'R-TYPE 1' & Recent Album 'CONFLICT DLC' Out Now. Touring Nationally This September
Photo Credit: Mynxii White
"If RAT WARS is ELDEN RING and CONFLICT DLC is SHADOW OF THE ERDTREE, then R-TYPE has to be NIGHTREIGN. Enjoy these remixes and alternate versions by the best in the business: from the dance floor to the killing floor, these interesante interpretations will thrill and excite you and your family in the year of the FIRE HORSE!" - JOHNNY HEALTH
Following the release of their sixth studio album CONFLICT DLC last year, HEALTH are showing no signs of slowing down. Now, the band have released R-TYPE 1, the first in a series of remix EPs that compliment and expand the universe the band created on CONFLICT DLC.
Listen/share here:
CONFLICT DLC resonated far and wide, receiving praise from the likes of Pitchfork, DIY, Kerrang, Revolver and many more around its release last December. The album is a stack of 12 full-octane industrial metal songs, that sees HEALTH continue to explore deep existential undercurrents through a borderless genre lens. A slate of sad bangers for the end times, CONFLICT DLC finds connection in the disconnect and comfort in the dark.
Praise for CONFLICT DLC:
“HEALTH render the dehumanizing effects of a technologically mediated world in high-definition riffs with malevolent force.” - Pitchfork
“The album is littered with signifiers that they intend to stick around the top table of metal.” – DIY
“HEALTH are leaning even further, faster and harder into their industrial metal tendencies.” – UNCUT
“A goth-industrial institution.” – STEREOGUM
“‘CONFLICT DLC’ affords HEALTH space to evolve while remaining anchored to their roots.” – CLASH
HEALTH’s unapologetically heavy sound has always pulsed with an electronic undercurrent. Since the bands’ earliest days, they have consistently broadened their sonic world through remixes and reinterpretations of their work, and R-TYPE 1 is no exception. Bringing in artists such as EKKSTACY, Mothica, Street Sex, HVDES and others, the release builds on the originals to carve out an entirely new dimension within the CONFLICT DLC landscape.
Having toured across the US, Mexico and South America last year with Pierce The Veil, HEALTH are ready to take their new show on their own co-headline tour next month across North America with Carpenter Brut before heading to Europe for festivals this summer and then Australia in September to tour with Perturbator and King Yosef.
The band will be unleashing their apocalyptic energy on stages throughout the continent, transforming each show into a visceral, full-body experience. Known for channeling chaos into catharsis, their performances fuse crushing riffs, sweeping electronics, and an intensity so consuming it feels more like a ritual than a concert.
Listen to R-TYPE 1 here:
https://i.hlth.band/healthr-type1
R-TYPE 1 Track Listing:
01. ORDINARY LOSS (BROOKS ALEKSANDER RMX)
02. YOU DIED (HVDES RMX)
03. SHRED ENVY (TOKYO ROSE x ALEX RMX)
04. STILL BREATHING w/ EKKSTACY (SNAKES OF RUSSIA RMX)
05. DON’T KILL YOURSELF (STREET SEX RMX)
06. DARKAGE (1000 EYES RMX) FT. Mothica
Destroy All Lines Presents
HEALTH
AUSTRALIAN HEADLINE TOUR 2026
WITH SPECIAL GUESTS
PERTURBATOR
KING YOSEF
TOUR DATES:
FRIDAY 18 SEPTEMBER - THE TIVOLI, BRISBANE
SATURDAY 19 SEPTEMBER - THE ROUNDHOUSE, SYDNEY
SUNDAY 20 SEPTEMBER - THE FORUM, MELBOURNE
WEDNESDAY 23 SEPTEMBER - THE ODEON, HOBART
FRIDAY 25 SEPTEMBER - THE GOV, ADELAIDE
SATURDAY 26 SEPTEMBER - METROPOLIS, FREMANTLE
Tickets from
destroyalllines.com
BATTLE BEAST’s MARINA LA TORRACA On Joining The Band and Touring Australia For The Very First Time
When BATTLE BEAST announced the departure of their long‑standing vocalist Noora Louhimo, fans around the world braced for a major shift in the band’s identity. What followed was the beginning of a bold new chapter: the arrival of Marina La Torraca, a powerhouse vocalist known for her work with Phantom Elite, Exit Eden and her extensive background in musical theatre.
Now, as Battle Beast prepare for their debut Australian tour, (part of the FIRST run of shows with the new line up) Marina steps into the spotlight with confidence, humility and a deep respect for the band’s legacy. Marina talks about the transition, the chemistry within the band, and what fans can expect from this new era.
“It felt like the start of something powerful.”
Q: What was your reaction when Battle Beast first approached you about joining the band?
A: “It was a mix of excitement and responsibility. Battle Beast has such a strong identity and such a loyal fanbase, so being asked to step into that role was a huge honour. I knew immediately that if I said yes, I had to give it everything I had. It felt like the start of something powerful.”
Finding the chemistry
Q: How did the first rehearsals with the band feel?
A: “Surprisingly natural. The chemistry clicked very quickly. Everyone was incredibly welcoming, and musically it just made sense. There was this feeling of, ‘Okay, this works. This feels right.’ That gave me a lot of confidence moving forward.”
Honouring the past, shaping the future
Q: How do you balance honouring the band’s legacy with bringing your own voice to the material?
A: “I never wanted to imitate anyone. Fans deserve authenticity. I approach the songs with respect for what came before, but I also bring my own identity and emotional truth to them. That’s how you keep the spirit alive while still evolving.”
A career built across worlds
Q: Your background spans Phantom Elite, Exit Eden, and professional musical theatre. How have those different worlds shaped your approach to Battle Beast?
A: “Metal gave me power and precision. Theatre gave me presence, storytelling, and emotional expression. And my work in design and production taught me to see the bigger picture of a show. All of that comes with me onstage. Battle Beast is theatrical by nature, so it feels like a perfect intersection of everything I’ve done.”
Meeting the fans for the first time
Q: What excites you most about the first Australian tour?
A: “Australia has been on the band’s wish list for years, so to be part of the lineup that finally makes it happen is really special. I’m excited to meet fans who have been waiting so long to see Battle Beast live. There’s something magical about stepping onto a stage in a country you’ve never performed in before.”
A band united
Q: How has the band supported you during this transition?
A: “They’ve been amazing. Very open, very collaborative. They’ve given me space to be myself while also guiding me through the history and the emotional weight of the band. It’s been a true team effort.”
What fans can expect
Q: What can fans expect from the live shows on this tour?
A: “Energy. Power. Emotion. We’re bringing a set that honours the band’s history but also reflects the new dynamic we’ve built together. It’s going to feel familiar, but also fresh — like the beginning of a new era.”
Stepping into a beloved role
Q: How do you feel stepping into such a beloved role within the band?
A: “It’s a big responsibility, and I don’t take it lightly. But I also feel incredibly grateful. Fans have been so supportive, and the band has been so encouraging. I’m here to give everything I have and to help write the next chapter of Battle Beast with honesty and passion.”
Battle Beast’s debut Australian tour marks not just a milestone for the band, but the unveiling of a revitalised lineup ready to take on the world. With Marina La Torraca at the helm, the future looks fierce, focused, and full of fire.
BATTLE BEAST March 2026 Australian Tour Dates
Tuesday March 10th PERTH, Magnet House
Wednesday March 11th ADELAIDE, Lion Arts Factory
Friday March 13th MELBOURNE, Max Watts
Saturday March 14th SYDNEY, Manning Bar
Sunday March 15th BRISBANE, Crowbar
Tickets on sale now from:
Battle beast - Links:
Official Website
Youtube
THE HALO EFFECT Release Collaborative Single 'Lest We Fall' and New Live Video with HEAVEN SHALL BURN and THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER
THE HALO EFFECT Release Collaborative Single 'Lest We Fall' and New Live Video with HEAVEN SHALL BURN and THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER
Swedish melodic metal force THE HALO EFFECT have officially launched their highly anticipated European tour alongside HEAVEN SHALL BURN and THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, which was kicking off on February 27th. To mark the tour’s opening night, the bands treated fans to a special gift: the release of a brand-new single, 'Lest We Fall'.The track is a powerful collaboration featuring all three vocalists, blending soaring melodies, crushing riffs, and anthemic intensity into a modern melodic metal standout. 'Lest We Fall' captures the spirit of the tour itself — unity, energy, and a shared passion for heavy music — while showcasing the distinct strengths that have made each band a pillar of the scene. Following the single’s release on February 27th, the bands now present a captivating live video filmed during the first days of the tour, bringing the raw on-stage energy of the collaboration to life. With the tour underway and a new visual companion to the track, fans can expect unforgettable nights across Europe as these three heavyweights bring their combined fire to the stage.
Watch the video for 'Lest We Fall':
Listen to 'Lest We Fall' on all platforms:
Mikael Stanne comments on the collaboration:
"In order to kick this tour off properly we have a treat of epic proportions for you guys. As we are in full production for our next album we decided to take a bit of a detour and create something specifically for this tour throughout Europe. So here it is! "LEST WE FALL" featuring none others than Marcus Bischoff from Heaven Shall Burn and Brian Eschbach from The Black Dahlia Murder. Enjoy and see you out on the road!"
And Maik Weichert from Heaven Shall Burn adds:
"Without the musical contributions of each and every member of The Halo Effect, the sound of Heaven Shall Burn simply wouldn't exist in this form. It's a huge honour for us to finally join forces with our friends and present this song to you! We're also incredibly excited to have the guys on tour with us; this is going to be the best school trip ever! Be there!"
And Brian Eschbach from The Black Dahlia Murder says:
“Very honoured to have been asked to join in on this one with these melodic death metal legends’’
photo credit: Linda Florin
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