Perth’s Electric Eye Heavy Fest returns in 2025, reaffirming its place as one of Western Australia’s premier celebrations of heavy music. Taking over Freo.Social on Saturday October 4 2025, the festival delivers a powerhouse lineup of extreme metal, uniting some of the most formidable names in the scene.
Kano (guitarist) from EYE OF THE ENEMY took some time out to chat with us here at The Rockpit about what they are most looking forward to, what the band has planned for the rest of the year and teasers about what they’re bringing to their set!
Sean: This marks your first show ever in WA for Electric Eye Heavy Fest in Freo. What’s it like for the band to finally land in WA after all these years?
Kano: As soon as the opportunity came up we immediately accepted it. In all these years I guess the option was never there, even when we did national tours with other bands WA was never really on the cards. Also the fest is called Electric Eye, it sorta has our name in it, we have to do it! Really keen to check out the WA metal scene and perform for our fans and hopefully make a few more. We are super keen.
Sean: You’ve been active since 2006, and have released three albums and an EP over that time. How has your musical identity evolved over nearly two decades?
Kano: I would say it has evolved organically, yet, purposefully. I know, sounds all arty and cork sniffery but after Weight of Redemption each release had to justify why it should exist. We didn’t want to just release more of the same album over and over. I do think however that we have been able to retain a core sound identity throughout which is also important.
You will see this happen again with what we do next, expect it not to be what you expect, but still sound like Eye of the Enemy, which is what you would expect, but .. hang on.. yeah, new stuff is new.
Sean: You’ve shared stages with legends like Amon Amarth, Cradle of Filth, and Children of Bodom. What have been standout touring moments or lessons from those experiences?
Kano: In the band we will all have different memories, but a few stand out for me.
Hearing Dani filth doing his vocal warmups (is there an eagle in here?), then walking up to us, saying “hi” then continuing.
Sitting between 2 vikings (both Johans in Amon Amarth) on a Qantas economy flight between shows and seeing Johan Hegg eat a little raspberry muffin with delight.
Witnessing Fleshgod Apoclaypse having an argument (we think) backstage with the top half of them in stage costume, and the bottom half in their underpants.
As far as lessons, when on tour everyone is working and has a job to do. As a band, your job is to contribute to the overall success of the show, put on a great show for the crowd who have paid to see you, and be professional and respectful. If that means you need to sleep on road cases at the venue at midday so you have enough energy for the show, then that’s what you do, and that’s what I have done… was horrible ha ha
Sean: With the lineup at Electric Eye featuring Disentomb, Werewolves, and yourself – each from different corners of extreme metal – does being around such diverse peers influence how you craft your set or performance?
Kano: In a general sense we always consider who else is on a bill when putting together a set and try to strike a balance of songs we think people will enjoy, different to other bands they will hear on the night, and, iconically Eye of the Enemy.
For Electric Eye though, we think that the bands are diverse enough that we didn’t really need to give it much consideration and are just putting together the best Eye of the Enemy set we can. I will say though, we are gearing up to have fun on stage too.. 🙂
Sean: Reflecting on the Australian metal scene, you’ve seen its growth firsthand. What’s your take on how the scene has evolved since you started?
Kano:Ohhh man, this is a sit down after a few pints kind of question where I talk your ear off about the good old days for about 3 hours.
First the good, we have more Aussie Metal Bands on the world map, and those bands are really making a good name for the Aussie metal scene.
In terms of how things have evolved, well there has certainly been lots of change.
This is just my personal perspective, however the Australian Metal scene on our side of the crust has gone into a bit of a regression. With less venues come less promotors, that and amongst a few other things has made it really challenging for bands and the scene to grow organically. That isn’t to say there isn’t a lot of awesome bands in the Australian Metal scene, or there are not a lot of awesome people doing more than their fair share in the scene however it does seem there are fewer opportunities these days for bands, and that’s not just metal bands.
Also, I am just a grumpy old bastard wearing rose tinted glasses so what would I know ha ha.
Sean: What’s next for Eye of the Enemy once Electric Eye closes its doors – new music, touring plans, or something entirely different?
Kano: Trying to find my wallet somewhere in the pit, and then after that it will be continuing working on the new album. I am not going to carry on about it being the best album we have ever done and all that guff, but we are really into what’s happening and can’t wait to get it out and share it with others. It has also justified several new guitar purchases for me so that’s a bonus.
Sean: You can invite 3 musicians dead or alive to join you for dinner. Who would you invite?
Kano: Ozzy, Lemmy, Dime. No more questions your honour.
Sean: If you could be credited with writing any song ever written, what song would you choose?
Kano: “Hurt” by Trent Reznor. Most people think that it was Johnny Cash who wrote it, but he just did a cover, Sevendust also did an awesome cover of it too. I figure I could just complicate the matter for everyone by being credited for it, but also….. that song… hits you right in the feels. Don’t make me think about it for any longer I am starting to well up.
Check out EYE OF THE ENEMY at Electric Eye Fest at Freo.Social on Saturday October 4 2025
EYE OF THE ENEMY SOCIALS
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM
SPOTIFY
