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.
Mark De Vattimo (guitarist/vocalist) from PSYCHONAUT 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.
Sean: How does it feel to be part of Electric Eye Heavy Fest this year? What drew you to say yes to this event?
Mark: Honoured! We played at the first EE a few years back and would love to play it EVERY YEAR (wink wink-haha). Plus, FREO SOCIAL is an incredible venue and stage to be on.
To be a part of a huge underground metal festival in your home state is always a great feeling.
It’s also a great way to meet and schmooze with other bands from over east. The best way to pick up new fans too, because there’s always a BIG turnout.
BIG Thanks to Jess & crew/gang for putting on this great event each year. We appreciate the hell out of you all for the monster effort!
Sean: What are you expecting from the Fremantle crowd?
Mark: Not sure about ‘the Fremantle crowd’ as such… I’m more interested and expectant that WA metalheads will come along and enjoy the full day of different metal sub-genres and being around like-minded folks! It’s a BLAST!
Sean: What have you been up to in 2025? Any recent releases, tours, or major milestones you’d like fans to know about?
Mark: Psychonaut has been recording for the past couple of years. We all live far from each other, so we make do with whatever time we have together to keep up the recording momentum. We’re chipping through it. If only recording an album took as long as it does to listen to one heha
We played least years DARK DOWN SOUTH and have played quite a few shows this year.
Sean: Can you give us a teaser – what can fans expect from your set at Freo Social? Are you pulling out anything special for this show?
Mark: Fans can expect us to roll out what we do best, us. The band has its own personality and character with songs made from horror films, sci fi books and certain moments from heavy metal history. Psychonaut has fun onstage without resorting to being clowns 😉
Sean: This year’s lineup includes Disentomb, Werewolves, Eye of the Enemy – some heavy hitters! any bands you’re especially excited to share the stage with?
Mark: Oh yeah, def those bands you’ve mentioned! Always great to play alongside of Aussie metal bands who travel to this side of the country. Plus, we write songs about werewolves!
Sean: For those unfamiliar with your music -how would you describe your sound, and what are some of your core influences?
Mark: It’s music is rooted in 80’s Heavy Metal culture with lyrical content based on classic horror and sci-fi films as well as heavy metal culture references. Psychonaut cites influences such as Mercyful Fate, Loudness, Motorhead, Black Sabbath, Type O Negative, W.A.S.P. & Slayer.
Sean: What comes next after Electric Eye for you – more shows, studio time, or maybe a bit of rest after the chaos?
Mark: On Dec 6, we’re doing a full Sabbath/Ozzy show (we’ve also been a Sabbath covers band since 2008under the name of SABOTAGE) with The Sorcerers and other bands at the Charles Hotel.
RECORDING! Someone give us a deadline…please!
We’re also teeing up some shows for next year…so if you hear of some we’d be a good match for..
Sean: You can invite 3 musicians dead or alive to join you for dinner. Who would you invite?
Mark: Frank Zappa
Ed Van Halen
Tony Iommi – to see if he eats left-handed
Sean: If you could be credited with writing any song ever written, what song would you choose?
Mark: ‘SYMPTOM OF THE UNIVERSE’ – Black Sabbath. That song is the epitome of HEAVY METAL. I first heard it on a chewed-up tape in the mid-80s and it’s been in my veins and on my mind ever since.
Anyone who knows me will tell you “Oh yeah, MDV wants the full song to be played at his funeral, and NO ONE leaves until it’s finished!”
Check out PSYCHONAUT at Electric Eye Fest at Freo.Social on Saturday October 4 2025
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