Naarm/Melbourne metalcore band Vault Hill confronts difficult realities on “Modern Way,” a seven-track EP shaped by the landscapes and social conditions of Australia’s Northern Territory. Drawing on vocalist Morgan’s experiences of living and working in the region, the release examines persistent inequality affecting First Nations communities while recognising the striking beauty and unforgiving character of the place. Its subject gives the band’s heavy sound a clear purpose: making space for issues that should not be pushed out of view.
“Modern Way” brings together groove metal, modern metalcore, thrash and hardcore, channelled through the band’s interest in forceful riffs, aggression and rhythmic weight. The music’s intensity suits material concerned with injustice and the tension between a landscape’s natural splendour and the inequalities experienced by people who call it home. The EP does not treat the Northern Territory as a distant backdrop. Morgan’s first-hand connection informs its perspective, grounding the songs in lived experience rather than abstract commentary.
That distinction matters. Writing about First Nations inequality carries a responsibility to approach the subject with care and awareness. Vault Hill’s stated intention is to draw attention to continuing disparities while paying tribute to the region itself. The combination asks listeners to hold two realities together: admiration for a place and an honest recognition of the conditions faced by its communities. Heavy music becomes a vehicle for confronting discomfort, not escaping it.
The EP also marks a significant point in the band’s development. Since releasing their debut EP, “Amber Falls,” in 2022, Vault Hill has steadily expanded their reach. Singles “27.1” and “Break The Silence” earned national airplay on Triple J and PBS FM’s Tyrannocoreus, alongside support from Australian and international radio outlets and podcasts. Their work has attracted coverage from HEAVY Mag, Hysteria Mag and AAA Backstage.
Vault Hill’s musical reference points include Lamb of God, Slipknot, Killswitch Engage and Every Time I Die, influences that help frame their blend of groove, aggression and modern metalcore. Their reputation has also grown through performances with Orpheus Omega, Eye of the Enemy, Furious George, Identity Error and Whisperhead, as well as appearances at Tic’d Off Festival and PBS FM’s Tyrannocoreus Dino Mosh Festival. These experiences have helped establish the band within Australia's heavy music community.
With “Modern Way,” Vault Hill brings their musical and social concerns into sharper focus. The seven songs invite listeners to engage with the realities behind the subject, while affirming the band’s place in Naarm/Melbourne’s emerging heavy music community. Their work makes a case for heavy music as a space for reflection, accountability, and challenging conversations.
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