Terrorizing the top end: extreme music in Darwin

Darwin. For whatever reason Australia's northmost capital city seems to be completely off the Australian DIY grind, noise and punk touring radar (or most radars for that matter). People tend to shy away from travelling up to Darwin due to its transient nature, the oppressive heat and the general lack of information coming out of the city (it's important to note that even Confession doesn't bother with Darwin).

It is also a city I have been very interested in. How could you not be obsessed with finding out about what goes on in their 'underground scene' -which seems so underground that even the other grind Australian underground elements are left oblivious to its very existence. The young fringe dwellers in Darwin have to have something to keep themselves occupied, and as a general rule you'll quite often find the most extreme conditions and isolation can breed some most unique artistic culture.

The invention of the internet can now connect even the most remote parts of Australia with us Sydneyfolk (remember Petrol Powered Goon Bag Holocaust?). As such, I will now give you a rundown of the bands that inhabit Australia's top end or "North Coast" as they call it.

Celador
Celador are a sludgy 2 piece from Darwin. Slow, minimalist, and intense. Releasing their debut album independently. Listen. A 2-piece couple that record, mix and master everything themselves, handmade CD's, with all music shared on their bandcamp. Celador's next show will be on the 11th December, at Happy Yes with Burrfoot (Grunge Rock) and Straight Skirt (Cute Minimalist Garage).

Aborted Jesus Milkshake
Also known at Brutal North Coast Blackened Deathgrindslamcore. A joke grind band taking what Anal Cunt did and raping it. Think Grannyfist minus the plastic bags and Luke.
http://www.myspace.com/abortedjesusmilkshake

Kingdom of Decay
NT's premier doom band, dark and brooding, atmospheric and very metal.
http://www.facebook.com/kingdomofdecay

Blastcorp / Glass Corpse / Kris Keogh
A solo artist that plays fucked up glitchy electronica, noise and breakbeats. Reminds me much of Drillbit mixed with Thom York.
blastcorp.com

Red Plum & Snow
Nice noise, acoustic, electric, melodic singing and harmonies mixed with atmospheric background noises and tape loops.
http://redplumandsnow.bandcamp.com/

Semishigure
Now broken up but Semishigure were Darwin's only Japanese Pop Punk band. Much loved, much missed.
http://www.myspace.com/semishiguredarwin

I recommend you check out these bands, download and listen to their music. Hopefully we'll hear much more from our friends to the north.