Newcastle’s own punk outfit, Dead Mall, are gearing up to unleash their highly anticipated debut album, ‘Superliminal’, on 21st August, and if their latest single, 'Eviction Night', is anything to go by, it’s set to be an explosive affair. This track serves as the final tantalising taste of what’s to come, showcasing the band’s audacious leap into new sonic territories, blending their punk roots with a potent dose of nu-metal and metalcore.
'Eviction Night' hits with undeniable force, driven by one of the most impactful breakdowns on the entire record. It’s a testament to Dead Mall’s evolving sound, seamlessly weaving heavier elements into their already dynamic style. This expansive approach marks a busy year for the emerging five-piece, with each single from ‘Superliminal’ demonstrating a willingness to push boundaries and defy easy categorisation. The result is a track that feels both colossal and meticulously crafted – a fitting crescendo before the album’s full unveiling.
Beyond the sonic impact, 'Eviction Night' boasts a uniquely charming lyrical inspiration: the Australian reality TV phenomenon, Big Brother. Frontman Ruairi Burns, a self-confessed devotee of the show (and serial auditionee), explains the track’s tongue-in-cheek origins. "I don't know if I really wanted to be on Big Brother but I've applied 3 or 4 times over the years. Mostly, I was into the idea of making the audition tape. I'm sure I have the tape somewhere, and I do mean tape. I always used my VHS camera and one single tape. I'd edit it so that when it cuts, you'd see a glimpse of the old auditions, or random footage that made me look even more insane. I had a lot of really stupid plans for once I got in there."
Burns' fantastical plans for the Big Brother house are as entertaining as the track itself: "Like, I started learning all of the dialogue for 'Toy Story', so I could repeat it word for word. Or, when I'm alone, talk to the cameras and audience in a completely different voice. In the diary room, I wanted to address 'Big Brother' simply as 'Brother', but in a way that felt dark and villainous, like I was always doing his evil bidding." He concludes with a nod to the track’s title, "I never got past the first round of auditions, so 'Eviction Night' is my Big Brother fantasy (not that kind). At the time it was written, they were airing their worst ever season, so I had a lot of grievances to air. I have no grievances with Gretel Killeen though."
The meticulous attention to detail extends to the album's production. Engineered and mixed by guitarist Darcy Long, ‘Superliminal’ benefits from an intimate, in-house approach. Guitarist Joe Willis laid the foundational instrumentation, sending intricate demos that, remarkably, closely resemble the final polished tracks. The band then refined these ideas, moving between Durham Studios, Sawtooth Studios, and Darcy’s home, fostering a collaborative environment that brought the album to vivid life.
Willis reflects on the organic writing process: "Writing the music for the album wasn’t something that was really planned, but kinda just happened. I got carried away with writing initially, just spewing out demos - riffing on any idea I thought was remotely cool and ended up with a pile of them. A sort of random codswallop that was arguably incohesive as a group of tracks, but I kinda liked that. I’ve always enjoyed albums that have a bit of everything." This eclectic approach is evident in ‘Superliminal’, which, as Willis describes, "seems to jump around - from some classic four-to-the-floor riff-salad, to a pop-rock song with three-part harmonies and questionable percussion choices."
To mark the release of ‘Superliminal’, Dead Mall will embark on a series of album launch shows in late August across Sydney, Wollongong, and Newcastle, with more East coast dates slated for the latter half of 2025. Fans are advised to prepare for a night of high-octane punk infused with unexpected twists – and perhaps a secret Toy Story monologue.
For more from Dead Mall on the run up to their new album, be sure to give them a follow on Facebook and Instagram.
