Adelaide metalcore band LUMENS will showcase their debut self-titled EP at BIGSOUND 2025.
Although it's only five songs long, the EP is a ridiculously exciting listen from start to finish. It's one of the more unexpected releases of the year, sounding like it's coming from a veteran Aussie favourite, not a band who only has eight songs in their discography.
For the four members of LUMENS, it hasn't been an overnight success story. The EP was only released in April, but it had been lying in wait and ready to go for a long time. "Most of [the EP] was done, the earliest around 2021, properly I'd say," explains guitarist George Carey.
"We recycled some riffs from even back in like our old band days, from like 2019, even before I joined the band there's one riff from 2017 or something that makes it into the EP on 'Saviour Of Peace'.
"Most of it was done in these COVID songwriting sessions which happened in 2020/ 2021 which was when we started forming them as proper songs."
"Might I add [the sessions happened] in the back of a van because we couldn't actually catch up together because it was illegal," vocalist Rhys Jackson Stars adds.
"Full songwriting mode was probably about two years to be honest. After that was recorded and everything, it was 18 months before it was released," continues George.
"I think it's really blown all of our expectations out of the water with how far it's reached and what it's done for us," bassist Henry Scott shares. "Even just to have the opportunity to be a part of BIGSOUND for example, it wouldn't have happened without the EP, to be honest.
"We've had so many good connections with triple j and people wanting us to do shows or just being in their playlists and fans coming to our shows. People we've never met before wanting us to sign CDs and t-shirts.
"It's crazy to see how far this EP we made so long ago has gone. . . It's like riding this huge high still even though it came out a few months ago."
On a Zoom call with all four members, drummer Miles Sly pops up. "Now this leaves a scary part as well because obviously after releasing such a good EP it's like you want to follow it up with something better, release something quicker, pressures definitely on from such a good release."
For such a new band – with a strong first release in hand – performing at BIGSOUND is a massive opportunity. LUMENS are also looking for people like booking agents and publicists at BIGSOUND to take them to the next level.
However, the outcome of what they really want is pretty simple – to play more shows, whether that's overseas or interstate. "Potentially international connections too, would probably be a big [goal] that we're trying to get. International festivals and more tour based stuff. We want to play more," George says.
"We don't play nearly as often as we probably should. I did our tax return the other day, I only invoiced three shows in the last financial year. I'm like, 'yeah we should definitely play more than three shows a year'," Rhys laughs.
Australian artists like Parkway Drive, Polaris, The Amity Affliction and Northlane have been making a massive impact overseas in recent years. Meanwhile, Thornhill are supporting one of the biggest contemporary metal bands in the world, Sleep Token on their sold-out American arena tour.
A path has been paved for Australian bands to potentially follow this success. So what's the dream for LUMENS? "I guess I just think of bands like Thornhill," George says.
"They can play small clubs in Australia on a regional run and then a year later they can be playing massive, sold-out American tours. You know, with the help of a really good album and stuff like that. It's travelling, touring and just having fun is the dream ultimately."
LUMENS 2025 Tour Dates
Tue 2 Sep - Crowbar @ BIGSOUND (Brisbane)Wed 3 Sep - The Alligator Club @ BIGSOUND (Brisbane)
