Matt Young, frontman of the thrash/grind/punk outfit, gave us the lowdown.

The band recorded their new album with Phil Anselmo (Pantera, Down) in New Orleans. Can you tell us about that experience?

We made the trek down to Louisiana after we finished touring with Down and Orange Goblin through North America in December. We set up down at Nodferatu's Lair, which is Phil's home studio, and got the album recorded in about three weeks. It's a great place to record and you can really just focus in on the music, as it's out in the woods and there is nothing really nearby. It's a great studio and has so much character. All the bands that have recorded there in the past have left their mark on the place and now we can say that we have too.

You're seemingly perpetually on tour, both here and overseas. Are you accustomed to being on the road these days?

Yeah, for sure. I get pretty bored just sitting around waiting now, but there is always something to do when not on the road in terms of organising and preparing for the next tour. We have created this life for ourselves now through a lot of hard work, a bit of luck and just being prepared to go the extra mile.

The band is returning to the Illawarra this month. Has the area played host to some memorable King Parrot performances?

Definitely, we have played at Hy-Fest a few times with our great friends from Hy-Test and Bruce! and, of course, we love the guys from Tumbleweed. We have played at the Corrimal Hotel once before, it was a great show and I really love the venue.

The band's live show has an impressive reputation - do you believe a non-heavy music fan could attend a King Parrot gig and still enjoy it?

For sure, we pride ourselves in being able to cross over to a wider audience, and I think our show is pretty unique in the fact that it's quite in-your-face, energetic and confronting, while still being funny and light-hearted. We tread a fine line, but I think anyone can enjoy it if they have an open mind.

You've established a following here and abroad and drew large crowds at a festival like Soundwave. However, do you feel a lot of Australian metal bands still have to battle that stigma, that they're viewed as inferior to their overseas counterparts in the eyes of many metal fans?

Yeah, I think it's tough for Aussie metal bands because we are so far away from the rest of the world and that requires big determination and commitment to make touring even a possibility. I take my hat off to anyone and everyone that has done it.

King Parrot with High Tension and Colossvs

Corrimal Hotel

Friday, May 22