INTERVIEW: DYSSIDIA IN CONVERSATION WITH MITCH BRACKMAN
Interview by Cecilia Pattison-Levi
Adelaide’s progressive heavy metal masters, Dyssidia are releasing their second album ‘Deeper Wells Of Meaning’ where the band challenges the boundaries of what progressive metal can be and what it can sound like. It’s been five years since their last album ‘Costly Signals’ and this new record takes the band in a new direction by diving deeper into their unique musical textures and heaviness that fits with daring arrangements and sudden changes in mood.
If you are a fan of complex arrangements, tight musicianship and a plethora of timing changes, Dyssidia’s three recently released singles ‘Impulsivity’, ‘Serum Sickness’, and ‘Dream Persuasion’ show what’s coming on ‘Deeper Wells Of Meaning’. “Yeah! The sounds in our new album range and there is a wide dichotomy,” said Mitch Brackman. “I think though, my favourite song, of the released tracks is ‘Impulsivity’ as it has the two extremes of heavy with the clean and harsh singing. And ‘Impulsivity’ was a song that came together in a really visceral and organic way. It felt like an epic sonic journey to send off the end of the album, especially with its emotive and powerful outro, in classic Dyssidia style”.
Formed in Adelaide in 2010, Dyssidia’s style has been heavy progressive metal music. The band comprises of Mitch Brackman (vocals), Corey Davis (guitar), Dimi (keys), Neil Palmer (bass), and Liam Weedall (drums). They have been together as a band for 15 years now.
“We have been a band for a long time now,” agreed Mitch Brackman. “We are established, but still growing. All the life pressures get in the way. But what is important to us – as a band – is to be inspired, and to write and perform together, and we have done that on our last album ‘Costly Signals’ and our new album ‘Deeper Wells Of Meaning’ and we can’t wait to get out and perform them”.
“We have been so lucky to play with amazing metal bands from all over Australia and the world in the last 15 years, but I have to say playing with Opeth was one of the best nights of our lives,” stated Mitch Brackman. “It’s a full circle thing. The guys from Caligula’s Horse (touring with Opeth now) have been great friends and have supported us and this new album in helping with the production. Sam Vallen mixed and mastered the songs and they have that great finished soundscape”.
Dyssidia are pushing the boundaries. Their new song ‘Dream Persuasion’ sees Dyssidia join forces with shamisen virtuoso Noriko Tadano. The result is heavy progressive metal that has the shamisen’s sharp, resonant tone weaved through it. The result is a blend of ancient textures and contemporary heaviness that fits comfortably within Dyssidia’s reputation for bold arrangements and sudden changes in mood.
‘‘We like to write music organically, authentically, and that means the tone will change,’’ explained Mitch Brackman. “Writing an album is a huge process. I write a lot of the lyrics. I write about what I observe in society. The other guys write the music and the two forces come together. The band is kind of a democracy. We are open to ideas. Even the name of the new album came from our drummer Liam – so it’s a whole band effort”.
“We can’t wait to get out and tour our new album, and our last one as well, as COVID-19 got in the way of that album,” said Mitch Brackman. “We are still here, still kicking, still making music. We just need to be more active in the touring space. But 2026 is coming and we want to launch this album in every city around Australia. We just love making beautiful music together, as a band, and we want to get out and show everyone”.
Dyssidia’s new album ‘Deeper Wells Of Meaning’ is out on 28 November 2025 through Wild Thing Records.
If you are in Adelaide, Dyssidia will be launching their album with a special hometown show at Jive on Saturday 13 December 2025 before they head out on tour in 2026.
