There was a time when blending mountainous Heavy Metal tunes and madcap-controlled lunacy was very much the norm. Thankfully, in 2017, Australia’s Battlesnake were formed, which brought the art of theatrical abandon and melodic barbarity back to the forefront. And with a new album titled Dawn Of The Exultants And The Hunt For The Shepherd, you suspect that will continue.
Battlesnake
Dawn Of The Exultants And The Hunt For The Shepherd
Release Date: 6 June 2025
Words: Brian Boyle
After the Spinal Tap-like spoofery of the spoken word opener Dawn Of The Exhultants, that is very much the case.
What these guys are singing about is anyone’s guess. Some tracks might require a degree or an imagination that needs a medical assessment. Whatever the hell The Father Of Iron Flesh is about, you can be sure it’s not a wholesome ditty about Peggy Sue next door or momma’s homemade apple pie cooling on the ledge.
But that does not matter a jot. This jet-fueled terroriser will lift you off your seat, bounce you off the walls, and make Rammstein sound like The Osmonds.
Although Heavy Metal is the flag they predominantly trade under, the psychedelic and progressive rock influence is undeniable. Shepherd Hunter and Beelzebug II sporadically tick all these boxes.
But genres aside, what’s more striking about their music is the arresting delivery on the big theatrical tracks. The melodious Murder Machine, featuring the wonderfully demonic vocals of Sam Frank, is a relentless pulveriser, as is the grinding Sanctum Robotos, with Frank once again paralysing you with his devilish execution.
The spoken word moments of Beelzebug’s Nativity, The Borning Of The G, and Fowl Of The South might appear to the casual listener as mere filler fodder.
But rest assured, these are vital to the flow of the concept, which frankly is too much of a mind-warp to explain. But if you understood its prequel, The Rise And Demise Of The Motorsteeple, then a fruit loop tune like Aurous Automatic might resonate quicker with you.
While they look twice as mad as they sound, they are far from being a bunch of Aussie chancers out on a massive giggle. Epic closer Moto Exordium shows a more serious and crafted side to the band. Chillingly cinematic and layered with power and emotion, it is a stunning way to round off the eccentric journey.
Battlesnake is as mad as a jumbo box of frogs, but all their unconventional carry-on is channelled with perfect balance throughout this album. The tongue is firmly back in the cheek of Heavy Metal.
Battlesnake – Dawn Of The Exultants And The Hunt For The Shepherd is out today. For more details, visit battlesnake.lnk.to/DawnOfTheExultantsAndTheHuntForTheShepherd
