Hailing from the heart of south-east Perth, Western Australia, Indigo Blaze fuse metal, hip-hop, to create an unstoppable force in live music. Since their formation in 2020, the band has built a reputation for delivering electrifying performances that ignite crowds across the state. With a Western Australian Music Song of the Year nomination already in their back pocket.
Indigo Blaze is emerging as a driving force in the nu-metal revival. Having shared stages with legends like Ocean Grove, Gyroscope, The Southern River Band, and Shangrila, and rocked iconic venues including Freo.Social, Jack Rabbit Slims, and The Rechabite, they’ve proven they are more than ready to own the big stage.
A good friend of mine over at @perthbandsrock first introduced me to Indigo Blaze, and from the very first moment I caught a glimpse of them live, I was absolutely captivated. It felt like I was watching the inception of something truly special—like witnessing the birth of a band that was destined to not just fit into the nu-metal scene, but to completely redefine it. In a genre that has always had a fiercely loyal, cult-like following, Indigo Blaze is doing something remarkable: they’re pulling in listeners from all genres and creating an inclusive, diverse community of fans who are drawn in by their unique take on the sound.
I had the chance to gather a portion of their live performance, and let me tell you, it was nothing short of electric. From the moment they hit the stage, you could feel the intensity in the air. The way they commanded the room was incredible. The energy was contagious, and the crowd couldn’t help but get swept up in the power of their performance. Each band member played with such passion and precision, with a level of chemistry between them that was undeniable. It wasn’t just about the music—it was about the connection they have with each other, and how that translates into something raw and magnetic on stage.
What truly stood out was the seamless way they blended heavy, face-melting riffs with the groove and flow of hip-hop, creating a sound that feels fresh but still carries that nostalgic nu-metal punch. The heaviness of their instrumentals was complemented perfectly by Rhys’ powerful, gritty vocals, bringing an element of aggression and emotion that hits you right in the chest. Their set was tight—flawlessly executed and well-polished—proving just how much work they’ve put into perfecting their craft. There was no sign of stumbling, no weak moments—just pure, unadulterated energy from start to finish.
Watching them live was a reminder of what makes a great band: the chemistry, the sound, the performance, and the connection with the crowd. Indigo Blaze ticks all those boxes and then some. They’ve earned their place in the scene, and it’s clear to see why they’re gaining such a strong following. They’re not just playing music—they’re creating an experience, one that draws people in and leaves a lasting impact.
After filming a short video from their set (which you can check out on the Chaos Instagram), I reached out to the band to ask if they’d be willing to sit down for a Q&A. To our excitement, they agreed, and I got the chance to ask them a few questions. Here’s how the conversation went.
Q: Tell us about your band and how you see yourselves. Who is Indigo Blaze?
We are Indigo Blaze, a 5-piece nu-metal crew born in the blue-collar suburbs of Perth. We mix heavy instrumentals with an Aussie hip-hop vibe to carve out a unique sound within the nu-metal genre. Our shows are packed with high energy and are guaranteed to set any venue on fire. We’ve built a name for ourselves by fusing different elements and putting on a performance that gets the crowd moving.
Q: What first got you into music?
We each bring a mix of influences to the table. Levi and Leights are die-hard metalcore fans, with deep roots in heavier genres. Jase, having played with The Southern River Band for years, adds that classic rock flavour. Ryan, our drummer, is a musical beast, pulling inspiration from everything, from indie to death metal. And Rhys, the voice of the band, is all about underground Aussie hip-hop. It’s taken time to find the right balance, but now we’re starting to see how well it all comes together
Q: How would you describe the evolution of your sound?
Our early songs were influenced by bands like the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Beastie Boys, with a bit of a garage band feel. But over time, we began experimenting more and hopping between genres—our back catalogue includes everything from indie anthems to hardcore-punk tracks to funky jams. As we progressed, our heavier influences began to dominate, and that’s when the modern Blaze nu-metal sound truly came to life. Once we hit on that, we knew we had found our pocket—and the response has proven we were right.
Q: What’s the best and worst gig experience you’ve had?
We’ve never really had a “bad” gig because, at the end of the day, every show beats a day at work. But there is one show that stands out where we played to only five people—two of whom were sound engineers! But it turned out that one of those people was Ryan, the drummer from another band we were opening for. We were so blown away by his talent that we knew he was the one we needed. Not long after, his band wrapped up, and Indigo Blaze swooped in to make him part of the crew!
On the flip side, our best shows have definitely been at the Indian Ocean Hotel. As a heavier act, we weren’t sure how we’d be received there at first, but our headline shows over the years have been insane. From crowdsurfing on bodyboards to people doing backflips off the stage, it’s always been our home and will continue to be.
Q: Who would you most like to collaborate with?
We’re all about genre-mashing, so we’d love to team up with a hip-hop artist, whether from the UK grime scene or the US. It could create something really fresh. We already had an awesome experience collaborating with Late 90s on our track UNBOUND. We stepped out of our usual sound, and it was cool to bring another band in to help shape the final product. Steve from Late 90s came through to our home studio, and together with Levi and Rhys, they finished the song. We highly recommend collaborating with other local bands—there’s so much creative magic in doing something outside of your usual wheelhouse.
Q: If you could open for any artist, who would it be?
It’s an obvious one, but it’s gotta be Limp Bizkit. They were a huge influence on us, and we’d love the chance to bring that same energy to their crowd.
Q: What’s your favourite song to perform live?
After spending 10 months writing and staying off the stage, we’ve just started getting back into the groove of playing live again. During our time away, CRITICAL HIT has really taken off on streaming platforms. Playing it live for the first time last weekend and seeing the crowd react—it’s definitely going to be one of our go-to tracks moving forward.
Q: What’s the best advice you’ve been given?
No matter the size of the crowd, always bring the same energy to every live show, whether there are two people or two thousand. That’s how you make an impact.
Q: If you could change anything about the music industry, what would it be?
One thing that’s frustrating is the need to constantly document every aspect of your life as an artist, as if you’re an influencer. We’re a five-piece crew, working full-time jobs on the tools, in mines, or on the road. The industry often demands that you be constantly posting and playing a character online. It can be exhausting, especially when you’re more focused on creating music and delivering a great live show. It’s tough for people outside the Perth scene to truly appreciate that, but we keep pushing because we believe in the music first.
Q: What’s next for you?
We’re heading into the studio next week to finish our debut EP! As every band says, this is the best stuff we’ve done, but the production has definitely stepped up a notch. We’re giving it our all this year, so expect to see us at more live shows as we make up for lost time and bring our new tunes to the stage. See you soon!