Intent To Harm came together through severe adversity and a determination to push through genuinely hard times. Formed by Matt Turkington, formerly the vocalist for Internal Devour, Splatterpuss and Alter Idem, as a deeply personal outlet during unimaginable struggle. Featuring some familiar faces from the Australian underground, including members of Internal Devour, Splatterpuss and Body Prison, this new act is built on the foundations of proper old-school brutality: filthy riffs and knuckle-dragging grooves.

1. “Drained Of Life” is your debut single. Why was this the right song to introduce Intent To Harm to the world? You’ve mentioned it was the first song written on guitar during recovery. What does it represent to you now compared to when it was first created?

I picked “Drained of Life” because it features some of the very first riffs I wrote on a guitar and it felt like the natural first choice.

It also showcases the band’s sound quite well, with a nice mix of hardcore and death metal throughout.

There wasn’t too much time between writing and releasing it, but it represents resilience and friendship to me.

I overcame many obstacles to get here, and many friends gave me tips and encouragement along the way.

2. Intent To Harm was formed during an incredibly difficult period in your life. Can you talk about how the surgeries and recovery process shaped the identity of this band? Was there a specific moment where you realised this wasn’t just therapy anymore — it was becoming something bigger?

The surgeries were honestly horrific and took place on the other side of the world which made it more difficult. As soon as I woke up from the major surgery, I knew life would be different for me. I remember thinking that if I ever got to take my partner out for dinner again, that’s a win. Performing vocals, being on stage, or making music again felt so far away.

Making music has always been something dear to my heart, and I have always used it as a cathartic process. I felt very lost without it, especially in a time I needed it more than ever. So I decided to find a way around my limitations.

3. Matt, you’d never played guitar before this. What was it like teaching yourself to play while physically recovering from spinal surgery? Did the physical limitations influence the riffs and songwriting style in ways that maybe wouldn’t have happened otherwise?

It was very hard haha, and for a long time I thought that maybe I won’t be able to write songs I am happy with. My partner Laura helped me a lot in the beginning because I couldn’t even pick up or hold a guitar. She would help me set-up in bed and I would just mess around with catchy chug orientated riffs to begin with.

I ended up buying a lightweight headless guitar and that was a game changer. Now I am able to play standing up for around 20 minutes and that has helped me write more challenging riffs.
I would say that the physical limitations have absolutely shaped my songwriting but at the same time, I have tried to really push myself to the edge of what is possible for me to play.

4. You’ve all been involved in the Australian underground scene through bands like Internal Devour, Splatterpuss and Alter Idem. What feels different about Intent To Harm

compared to your previous projects? Is this band more personal? More direct? More Focused?

It actually feels very similar to all of those bands which I didn’t expect it to. Especially seeing as I was a vocalist in those bands, I thought that maybe it would feel weird to have someone else doing vocals but it was actually awesome.

I would say I am a little less ‘serious’ about this band, as I always had dreams of touring overseas with those other bands. Whereas with ITH, I am just happy to be playing music with my friends and my ultimate goal is to just get back on stage again.

For Daniel and Tom, I think it is very much a fun band but that is also what makes it great haha.
Music is meant to be fun, and when you are having fun, you write better music I think.

5. The band combines old-school brutality with hardcore groove. Was that fusion intentional from day one, or did it naturally develop from the members involved? What bands or eras were influencing the sound while these early songs were being written?

Yeah it was definitely intentional as brutal death metal is my favourite genre, followed by hardcore. All the songs we have in the bank were mostly written before the other members joined so they didn’t influence the sound directly. However, the riffs from all of my previous bands influenced my style and Tommy wrote some Internal Devour riffs. Dmac and I like all of the same bands and our current influences are Tribal Gaze, Sunami, 200 Stab Wounds, The Red Shore, Sanguisugabogg, Defeated Sanity, etc.

Aidan from Internal Devour, and Fraser from Splatterpuss have also influenced me greatly as I was always in awe of what those guys wrote.

6. Bringing in Daniel Macdonald as vocalist seems like a deliberate move to amplify the aggression. What made him the obvious choice? What did he bring to the table that elevated the material?

Yeah for sure, he is a friend of mine and instantly came to mind. His voice is just so tough and fits the style perfectly so yeah I am pumped he is on board.
I also had some other mates keen, so I will get them in to do some guest vocals.

7. Connor McLaughlin joined as a session drummer from the United States. How did that connection come about, and what did working with someone internationally add to the dynamic? Did recording remotely change the creative process?

I found some of his drumming videos on Instagram and reached out to see if he would be keen. I sent him some demos and he was down, and yeah it just went from there.

I programmed some drums, just so I could send him guitar scratch tracks to write real drums to. From there, he recorded some pre production drums in his basement, which led to some riff changes and more scratch tracks haha. After I was happy with it all, he put down the finals and absolutely smashed it.

8. There’s a powerful narrative behind this band — survival, resilience, rebuilding from scratch. How much of that story do you want listeners to know, versus just letting the music speak for itself? Do you see Intent To Harm as a positive force born out of Negativity?

I am not too concerned if people know or not, but it is for sure a positive force in a time of struggle in my life.

Everyday is still very hard for me, and having music and my friends is everything to me.
My partner and I also run a record label (Vicious Instinct), and this has been the catalyst to get it running at full capacity again. The label means a lot to me, and I am so stoked to have it back up and running.

9. Now that you’re physically able to perform again, what does stepping on stage mean to you compared to before the surgeries? Has your relationship with heavy music changed after nearly losing the ability to participate in it?

I am not quite well enough yet and haven’t been back on stage yet. I won’t go too much into it, but there have been some complications and the bones in my spine are still healing. Getting back on stage is my dream right now and I am going to make it happen no matter what.

I think I will appreciate it much more, but in saying that, I first had metal rods put in my back at age 22 so every single show I have played has been after surgery haha.

10. “Drained Of Life” marks the beginning. What’s next for Intent To Harm? More singles? An EP? Live shows? And how far do you see this project going?

We have almost finished recording another single, with just vocals left to go.

Otherwise I have a bunch of songs sitting there that Tommy and I will go through and tweak. I’d say we will drop an EP with a music video and after that, hopefully some shows and if I can will it into existence, some small tours.

Bliss n Eso, The Gardens, Melbourne 15/3/26

Bliss n Eso unleash at the Royal Botanic Gardens supported by Aussie hip-hop heavyweights Drapht and Horrorshow. Warming up the night was DJ Junor, bringing some 90’s nostalgia in what was a family friendly Sunday evening of hip hop in the most beautiful of settings. Photography by Ben Loy.

Today, Aussie singer-songwriter Flynn Gurry releases his brand new EP Gold, a heartfelt and energetic collection that captures a defining moment for the rising artist. Led by the gritty folk-rock single “Bones”, the EP finds Flynn expanding his sonic palette while staying true to the warmth, relatability and storytelling that have quickly set him apart.

Written across continents — from the Scottish Highlands to Flynn’s hometown of Warrnambool — Gold explores themes of dreaming, love and self-discovery. As Flynn puts it, the EP represents “the making of me.” Collaborating with fellow songwriter Cooper Lower, as well as Brad Arthur and Caisha Sprout, Flynn crafts a collection that balances soaring folk anthems with intimate moments of reflection.

Opening with the warm, shimmering title track “Gold”, the EP moves through the acoustic urgency of “Shadows”, the buoyant and road-worn honesty of “Don’t Stop Dreaming”, and the tranquil rumination of “8am” featuring Lottie McLeod, before culminating with the cathartic punch of “Bones.” Co-written with Lower and produced by Joel Quartermaine (Eskimo Joe, Dan Sultan, Meg Mac) alongside Edwin White, the track marks a bold sonic step forward, inspired by the soulful drive of artists like Kaleo and Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats.

Raised on the windswept coast of Warrnambool, Flynn has quickly risen from busking on Melbourne streets to sharing stages with the likes of Ian Moss, King Stingray, Ash Grunwald and Kim Churchill. After winning triple j Unearthed’s One Night Stand competition in 2024, he has continued to build momentum with appearances at Beyond The Valley, Port Fairy Folk Festival, Queenscliff Music Festival and BIGSOUND, alongside national tours supporting The Dreggs and Pierce Brothers.

With Gold now out in the world, Flynn will take the new songs on the road for his Gold EP Tour, running from March through May across Australia. Known for his charismatic stage presence and dynamic performances, the shows promise the same mix of euphoric folk energy and heartfelt storytelling that defines the EP.

Flynn Gurry – Gold EP Tour

FRI 20 MAR — Lighthouse Studio, Warrnambool VIC
SAT 21 MAR — Wide Open Spaces Festival, VIC
FRI 27 MAR — Paper Scissors Rock Co, Halls Gap VIC (Free Show)
SAT 28 MAR — Alt Road Wines, Winchelsea VIC (Free Show)
FRI 03 APR — Down The Rabbit Hole, McLaren Vale SA (Free Show)
FRI 10 APR — Solbar, Maroochydore QLD
FRI 24 APR — The Retreat Hotel, Melbourne VIC
FRI 01 MAY — Towradgi Beach Hotel, Wollongong NSW (Free Show)
SUN 03 MAY — Stag & Hunter, Newcastle NSW (Free Show)
THU 07 MAY — Little Albert’s, Bathurst NSW
FRI 08 MAY — Smith’s Alternative, Canberra ACT
SAT 09 MAY — Golden Age Cinema, Sydney NSW (Free Show)
SUN 10 MAY — Bombies, Freshwater NSW (Free Show)

Upchuck

The Tote Hotel

11/03

After giving a stellar performance at Golden Plains Festival, Atlanta natives Upchuck sold out The Tote in record time. Cramming into the band room, fans were all hands on deck for the support band Clamm. Warming the audience up, they thrashed around the stage, giving a very energetic performance. The room is absolutely soaking in the raw energy and playing on home turf seems to get them going. They’re loud, energetic and front man Jack Summers is completely lost in the music as he kneels in front to the amp as is worshiping it.

After a short break, the Tote is almost bursting at the seams as Upchuck arrive. People are crammed into every possible space they can find, if there was space on the ceiling, you’d find them up there.  Making their Australian debut, the band rips into the set list with such ferociousness that it’s mesmerizing.

Leading the band in a frenzied performance Kaila “KT” Thompson is the driving force behind the wild performance. She is fierce, and the pit reflects her energy. By half way into the first song the pit erupts and bodies are slammed against each other. Thompson dives head first into the melee several times, and the crowd welcomes her. It’s hectic, high energy fun that leaves the floor bouncing.

Punk performances like these are always high octane and Thompson is right at home there on the stage, microphone in hand giving it her all. She gives a memorable performance that leans into old skool punk, the kind where there are no rules and certainly no fucks given. You either love it, or you don’t but one thing is for certain- every single person in the room has loved every moment.

Peach PRC turned Palace Foreshore into a glitter-soaked pop playground on March 12, delivering a bold, cathartic set of pink-hued anthems that had the crowd screaming every word back to her.

Images by Monique Pizzica