Aboriginal rockers Southeast Desert Metal tell dreamtime stories through heavy metal music in new doco
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09.07.2021

Aboriginal rockers Southeast Desert Metal tell dreamtime stories through heavy metal music in new doco

Words by Sam McNiece

The short documentary, Desert Metal Dreaming is airing on ABC iView now.

The most isolated metal band in the world, Southeast Desert Metal, tell their story in a new documentary airing on ABC iView in celebration of NAIDOC week. Desert Metal Dreaming shows their connection to land and culture through the love of heavy metal music, saying “the songs are dreamtime stories for the younger generation to listen to.”

What you need to know:

  • Desert Metal Dreaming is a documentary about an indigenous metal band from the outback who share stories through their music.
  • Lead singer and songwriter Chris Wallace opens up about his influence and inspiration for creating his music.
  • The documentary is streaming now for NAIDOC week through ABC iView.

Read all the latest music news here.

“I hold the spirit of my ancestors. My guitar is my spear!” says songwriter and frontman Chris Wallace. Throughout the twenty minute doco, Chris discusses his upbringing and the influence of his Aunty Kathleen, who often told him dreamtime stories, and let him listen to AC/DC.

Kathleen Kemarre Wallace is an established author, storyteller and artist. She grew up in the bush with a traditional lifestyle before moving to a religious mission in the fifties. Through her storytelling, Aunty Kathleen provided Chris and the band a wealth of cultural knowledge and stories which would inform their songwriting.

The band shares their stories through metal music to the world, with the hopes of continuing to tell stories from their cultures past.

Southeast Desert Metal are now an established metal band in Australia, performing at Mona Fona, Nannup and Garma festivals in addition to supporting Karnivool and Cosmic Psychos. Their third album has been recorded, is set to be released this year and they will be playing Blacken Open Air festival July 30, 2021.

Have a listen to their rocking track ‘Eagle’ below.

Desert Metal Dreaming is available to watch on ABC iView now.