APES

APES are a Melbourne-based sludge/hardcore band known for their raw, cathartic sound and unflinching exploration of dark themes. Formed in the early 2010s, they’ve carved a niche in Australia’s heavy music scene with releases like *MMXIII* (2013) and *The Great Fire* (2015), blending crushing riffs, visceral vocals, and lyrics steeped in existential dread. Tracks like *Coffin* and *Lullabies for Eternal Sleep* showcase their knack for pairing bleak atmospherics with pummeling intensity, while their DIY ethos and explosive live shows have earned them a cult following. Recent works like *Penitence* and *Lightless* continue their tradition of unrelenting, emotionally charged heaviness, solidifying their status as purveyors of Australia’s underground metal darkness.