Metal, Hardcore, Indie, Rock
Australia’s genre-bending Windwaker will unleash their third album, “Smile, You’re On Camera” on October 23rd through Fearless Records.
“dna” explores one’s internal struggle with self-perspective and sincerity in an increasingly social media-driven world, which is an existential battle many of us can relate to. It’s all wrapped up in an alt rock package. It’s laced with synths, hip-hop-inspired verses, and never scrimps on the hard-hitting riffage and bloodcurdling screams. The Aussie band remains committed to erasing genre parameters and flipping off sonic boundaries. The result is music distinct as, well, actual deoxyribonucleic acid.
“‘dna’ explores a deeply internal struggle with identity, self-worth, and the feeling of being trapped by one’s own nature,” the band offers.
“The song reflects on emotional instability and the pressure of living up to expectations, while battling impulses, ego, and the fear of never truly changing. There’s a recurring tension between wanting growth and feeling stuck in destructive patterns, as if these flaws are hardwired into their ‘DNA.’ Another key theme here which is explored over the album is authenticity. References to ‘doing it for the likes’ and people ‘switching sides’ highlights disillusionment with superficial validation and fake personas, while the protagonist in this song tries to strip away ego and confront their true self.”
As a whole, “Smile, You’re On Camera” ruminates on the weight of time and growth, struggles and sacrifice for the better life and authenticity in spite of a world full of superficial and sinister characters and bad actors. It’s a collection of catchy, energetic and heartfelt songs. The album is highly introspective and does not follow a linear narrative, instead presenting a series of personal reflections and snapshots that capture the emotional highs and lows of this period. It’s a celebration of how far the band has come and a candid look at the pressure of being seen, leaving listeners with a sense of both resolution and ongoing evolution.
PRE ORDER “SMILE, YOU’RE ON CAMERA” HERE
Ultimately, Windwaker’s music effectively results from a chemical reaction between multiple genres. The band serves as the common denominator on an endlessly rotating carousel of styles, splicing stadium-size hooks, swaggering rhythms, gnashing guitars, and jaw-droppingly dynamic vocals into one unpredictable sound. The band has constantly pushed the envelope, taking flight into rarified air as an outlier. They already made a hyperspace-size jump musically from “Love Language” [2022] to “Hyperviolence” [2024]. The latter spawned “Sirens”, which gathered 9 million Spotify streams and counting. In response to the highlight “Fractured State of Mind”, OnesToWatch raved, “Simultaneously brutal and beautiful, the ferocious new track explores the aftershocks of lost love and is sure to be an instant hit for those in need of a therapeutic rage session.”
In a 10/10 review, Distorted Sound predicted, “Hyperviolence“ has the energy of a band about to make it big.” Plus, Melodic Magazine hailed “their genre-warping take on modern metalcore.” Along the way, they notably shared stages with everyone from Motionless In White and I Prevail to Beartooth and Caskets, among others.
Windwaker are:
Liam Guinane – Vocals
Justin Keurntjes – Guitar
Indey Salvestro – Bass
Chris Lalic – Drums
Connor Robins – Synths/Samples
EU tour with Bury Tomorrow + Stick To Your Guns + Elwood Stray set for February 2027
