Adelaide's LUMENS balance intensity and barbed beauty on progressive metal-core self-titled debut EP
Adelaide progressive metal-core outfit, LUMENS dive deep into the raw complexities of existence on their now-release debut self-titled EP. Navigating inner battles, defiance, identity, and the search for freedom, the EP delivers a sonic experience that is both punishing and breathtaking with every riff, breakdown and melody.
LUMENS through down the challenge for listeners to confront their own struggles and aspirations.
Adding to the ever-growing pool of heavy music pushing boundaries in Australia, LUMENS have come out swinging with their self-titled debut EP—a release packed with intensity, complexity, and barbed beauty.
Kicking off with ‘Primrose’, you’re lulled in by a glimmer of Polyphia-style finesse before the track shifts into a pummelling groove laced with ambient flow. And that sets the tone: LUMENS aren't afraid to flex modern prog sensibilities, but they don’t lose the plot doing it.
The guitars are thick and crunchy, sure, but there’s an undercurrent of early-2000s metal nostalgia weaving through it all—especially in ‘Hollow Heart’ and ‘Saviour of Peace’. There’s a familiarity in the riffs that pays homage to the genre’s forebears without falling into copycat territory.
Frontman Rhys Jackson Star is a weapon in his own right—switching seamlessly between guttural growls and clean, vulnerable melodies. He knows exactly when to lean into beast mode, and when to pull back and let things breathe. It’s dynamic, it’s deliberate, and it hits hard.
What really defines this EP, though, is its refusal to hold back. When the big moments hit—and there are plenty—they hit like a freight train. LUMENS is an aural workout: it’ll leave you breathless, sweating, and riding high on metal-fuelled endorphins.
Each track explores a different facet of human experience— ‘In Too Deep’ is a fierce critique of societal control and the forces that restrict personal freedom, while ‘Primrose’ takes an introspective turn, delving into self-awareness, internal conflict, and the weight of personal expectations. Together, these singles set the stage for LUMENS debut EP.
Since their explosive 2022 debut HNSN, LUMENS—Rhys Jackson Stars (vocals), George Carey (guitar), Henry Scott (bass), and Miles Sly (drums)—have rapidly gained momentum in the heavy music scene. Their unique sound and unrelenting energy have earned them national recognition, with placements on Spotify's Homegrown + Heavy and Fresh Finds Heavy, airplay on triple j, community radio, and triple j Unearthed rotation. They were also named a feature artist on triple j Unearthed. Primrose was selected as a ‘Track of the Week’ by PROG Magazine (UK), while triple j Unearthed’s Jerry Ijale Agbinya praised: "LUMENS are fast becoming one of my favourite heavy outfits coming out of Aus."
LUMENS self-titled debut EP is out now on all streaming platforms.
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