Headkase is a hard rock/metal band from Brisbane, Australia formed in 2001 and known for their theatrical and energetic stage shows (often including circus-themed costumes, masks and facepaint). Notable for combining many different musical styles (metal, jazz, techno, salsa, swing, and circus music, among others) the band's sound is frequently compared to acts like Mr. Bungle and Dog Fashion Disco, and has always been described by fans and reviewers as "circus-metal", a term which the band have chosen to use themselves as a description of their music.
They have supported Killing Joke (UK), Skinlab (USA) and Jerk along with Blood Duster, Devolved and Testeagles, as well as performances at festivals including Overcranked 2006 and Rapid 2002 and 2005.
Headkase released a demo/EP titled The Beginning in 2001, followed by their full-length studio album The Worm County Circus in early 2009, which was mastered by Dave Neil (whose other mastering work includes releases by Devolved, The Butterfly Effect, Melodyssey and Kate Miller-Heidke).
Contact Headkase: headkase.net@gmail.com or sales@headkase.net
Associated Acts (current and previous bands featuring Headkase members): The Berzerker, Twilight Orchestra, Dizeaze, As Blood Runs Black, Wish For Wings, The Wrath, Kcavemen, Black Mask, Nudge From Hey Dad, The Go-Go Haunters, Happy Camper, Devilution, Leopard Street Droogs, Asceticism, Violent Green, From These Wounds, Beijing Tank, Western Decay, Minus Life, Plague Of Man, Figurehead, Vulgar Display Of Liquor, Rad Rockets Are GO!, Silent Partners, Marlinchen, Acid Worm, Braisen Virtue, The Mevalonic, Aftermath, Kalliope, Weedkill, Shrapnel, Teratophobia, The Panda Lovers, Boris, Mucus, Cronic, Tic, Comotised Spiders.
Sounds Like
"A unique brand of eerie carnival-styled metal, combining the industrial effects of a keyboard with pulsating drumbeats" - TIME OFF
"This six piece are re-defining a circus metal genre" - DEVOLUTION MAGAZINE (UK)
"One just had to admire their tight and powerful sound, their energy and showmanship" - RAVE MAGAZINE
"These guys are phenomanal live, but best viewed from a distance, unless you like to slam dance" - LIFEMUSICMEDIA.COM
"Headkase have a sound all of their own" - UNDERGROUND UNITED
"Death metal meets Mr. Bungle" - RAVE MAGAZINE
"A unique combination of heavy groove metal with plenty of influences taken from Mr. Bungle's evil side" – THE FALLOUT MAGAZINE
"The Worm County Circus is an album that every music fan on earth should own – simply amazing for a debut" - METAL REVOLUTION (Denmark)
"The Worm County Circus sounds like a kid at a fete, jacked up on fairy floss, confused and excited by all the bright lights around them" - RAVE MAGAZINE
"One of the most interesting albums of this year" - INFERNAL MASQUERADE (USA)
Influences
Mr. Bungle, Fantomas, Mushroomhead, Vicious Hairy Mary, Dog Fashion Disco, Carnival In Coal, System Of A Down, Slipknot, Secret Chiefs 3, Rammstein, Darth Vegas, Ministry, Strapping Young Lad, The Bird, Fear Factory, Faith No More, Soilwork, Soulfly, Portishead, NIN, Megadeth, Slayer, Joe Hisaishi, Kiss, Pantera, Cannibal Corpse, Murderdolls, Wednesday 13, Carcus, Von Gherkin, Napalm Death, Alice In Chains, Supertramp, Steve Vai, Limpbizkit, Papa Roach, Testeagles, Damaged, Rage Against The Machine, Roni Size, The Mark Of Cain, Massive Attack, Hybrid, Meshuggah, Killswitch Engage, Chimaira.