Naarm/Melbourne warrior kings of neo punk/funk, Mammal mark their return with their explosive new single, ‘Keanu Reeves’, which we are premiering today, ahead of its November 15 official release.

Targeting misinformation in scintillating fashion, the new single (the band’s first new material since 2022) is loaded with riotous beats, elasticated bass-lines, razor riffing, and of course, the voracious vocal delivery of Ezekial Ox. The brand new Mammal outing will also be witnessed taking full, ferocious flight this December, with a special single launch show taking place on Friday December 22 at The Evelyn Hotel as part of the reinstatement of the traditional Mammal Christmas Party.

Named for the Internet’s Boyfriend while also laden with the trademark Mammal spitfire stylings, 'Keanu Reeves' finds the Melbourne quartet embracing spacious frustration and brutal neo-scream in musically muscular fashion. Drawing sonic inspiration from the equally powerful likes of Rage Against the Machine, Jimi Hendrix, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Public Enemy, Metallica and Clutch, 'Keanu Reeves' also brought Mammal together with the multi-platinum awarded Jimi “The Island” Maroudas (The Avalanches, Tim Rogers, The Living End) on producing duties, as well as engineering by Tyson Fish and mixing by long-time Mammal collaborator Forrester Savell (Karnivool, Helmet, Sunk Loto).

One of the most fiery live acts that Australia has offered, Mammal make a hard return with their latest, ‘Keanu Reeves’ bringing those trademark thick metallic grooves, biting riffs, and super-bounce bass lines we’ve come to know and treasure. Frontman Ezekiel Ox, as always, bringing the double-dose of cerebral and piss-taking, throwing lines at you so fast you have no time to chew on them; just swallow them whole, and digest them later. Name-checking Keanu Reeves’ filmography, and celebrities alike, over the top of supercharged disco metal is the red herring of the track - the Ox man is deadset dangling the idea of misinformation right in from of you. ‘Some things aren’t real’, but you can damn well bet Mammal are, and ‘Keanu Reeves’ is a welcome groove-fuelled riff-heavy return for one of Australia’s mainstays in the heavy/alt scene.

Speaking of the track, Ezekiel explains that 'Keanu Reeves ‘is a lyrically pop culture-laden powerhouse beating with a timely thematic core.

“We started writing for our new album, and Pete [Williamson] and Zane [Rosanoski] came up with the original Keanu Reeves song. I flew down for a couple of days of drinking, smoking and freestyle, and the song came out. It’s about misinformation, and the need for humans to be able to agree on an objective reality to survive. It’s grim out there at the moment, Orwellian. But in the end, some things are real. We name check Tracy Chapman in the song too, which is exciting.”

Since forming and releasing their debut self-titled EP in 2006, Mammal have toured relentlessly while also crafting a formidable reputation for their animated live performances, timeless sonic creations and authentic, working-class political activism that has garnered the quartet an ever-growing cult-like status across the globe. Revered as a “must see” rock’n’roll juggernaut, Mammal’s back catalogue includes their striking singles ‘Smash The Pinata’, ‘The Majority’, ‘Hell Yeah!’ and ‘Think’, with their touring history also spanning headline shows in London, Perth, Auckland, Brisbane and everywhere in between, as well as supports with some of the heavy scene’s towering giants, including Kiss, Avenged Sevenfold, Sebastian Bach, Cog, Grinspoon, Spiderbait and Shihad to name a mere few. A band who also walk the walk alongside their musical calls-to-action, Mammal have also previously volunteered their live services, raising much-needed funds for various charities, supporting Interchange, the Refugee Action Collective and Fitzroy Legal Service over the years.

Now primed to release their sophomore studio album ‘The Penny Drop’ in 2024, the long-awaited follow up to the band’s debut full length T’he Majority’ in 2008, Mammal are ready once again to fly their commanding flag for meaningful rock’n’roll with a newfound and dynamic vigour. And, as Ox concludes, Mammal are entirely locked and loaded to light the fire loudly and proudly once more, with ‘Keanu Reeves’ gifting the perfect kindling to close out 2023, and leading into an unforgettable 2024 from the band.

“We feel ready and raring to go,” says Ox. “We say what we want, how we want and play loud and proud. We believe that at its best, rock and roll is a form of rebellion. Punters know when they come to the show that we give shit, about the music, about them. About their schools and unis, their hospitals and parks, their housing situation. Their favourite bands. We always punch up, and we aren’t pulling the ladder up behind us.”

Keanu Reeves is out Wednesday November 15, but you can preview it now thanks to On The Map PR.

The Penny Drop is set for release in 2024.

MAMMAL Christmas Party

FRI 22 DEC | THE EVELYN HOTEL, MELBOURNE VIC | 18+

Tickets available from www.mammal.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets