Prepare For A Bumpy Ride As BOLZER Prepare To Hit Australia

Interview by Kris Peters
Swiss extreme metal duo BØLZER formed in Zürich in 2008 by Okoi
Jones (vocals/guitar) and Fabian Wyrsch (drums). Known for their
unique blend of black and death metal, the band creates a raw,
atmospheric sound characterized by complex riffs, atonal elements,
and mythological themes influenced by Nietzsche, paganism, and
ancient cultures.
Their music is described as an "intuitive art project born from raw
passion," delivering a chaotic, spiritual live experience they
liken to an "atavistic vortex." BØLZER gained significant acclaim
with their 2013 EP Aura, praised by NPR and Stereogum as one of the
year's best metal releases, followed by Soma (2014) and their debut
album Hero (2016). Their unconventional approach, blending brutal
intensity with psychedelic and doom elements, has earned them a
cult following in the extreme metal scene.
BØLZER is touring Australia in August 2025 as special guests of
PORTAL, an Australian extreme metal band known for their dissonant,
horror-infused fusion of death and black metal for what promises to
be the most brutal tour to grace these shores this year.
Heavy sat down with Jones and Wyrsch to get the lowdown on what to
expect. It has been a while between drinks for Australian fans, so
we ask the boys what has changed with the band since they last
visited.
"We just finished a studio session for a new album," Wyrsch
replied. "But that one is due for next year. So for now, we're just
preparing everything and also starting to play a few new songs
live. So definitely some of them will appear on this Australian
tour as well. Very much looking forward to playing some fresh
material."
We ask what fans can expect.
"I think we're immersive in the sense that the music's very
powerful in an organic sense," Jones measured. "There's a lot of
not just aggressive energy, but powerful, human, honest energy
around, and people seem to connect with that when we play live. We
put a lot of our passion into it."
"In a personal way," Wyrsch added. "We're not putting up theatrics.
It's more like really…"
"There are no masks, no makeup," Jones finished. "It's very down to
earth, but in your face."
In the full interview, Okoi and Fabian expressed excitement about
returning to Australia after several years and highlighted their
recent studio session for a new album, set for release in 2026.
They plan to incorporate new songs into their live performances
during the tour and reflected on their past collaborations with
Portal.
They described their live shows as immersive experiences filled
with powerful energy and recommended their EP Aura and the Hero LP
for new listeners. They discussed their artistic evolution and the
challenge of maintaining originality while expressing confidence in
their new material, which they believe will resonate with both
current and new fans. We spoke about how BOLZER approach music
festivals and if they take time to listen to the local bands, the
growth in their music and more.


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