Hailed as a “hardcore Toxic Holocaust,” Wellington’s Brainwave channel the grit of Drain, Mindforce, and Forced Order into a thrashing, metallic hardcore attack all their own. After years of cementing their reputation as one of New Zealand’s most ferocious live bands, the five-piece now take the next step with their debut full-length Ill Intent, arriving October 22, 2025.
Recently, the band have dropped a new video for the album’s title track ‘Ill Intent’, featuring guest vocals from Luke Manson of Xile. The track exemplifies the record’s dual spirit, deeply personal yet politically charged, raging with both despair and defiance.
“It’s an extremely personal record, albeit one set against the backdrop of a world tearing itself apart. It’s about hopelessness, the pain of loss, and the brutality of everyday life. But it’s also about conquering the summit, overcoming both yourself and your detractors,” the band shares.
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The making of Ill Intent marked a turning point for Brainwave. They grew from a four- to five-piece with the addition of guitarist Ian Moore, forged a close production partnership with Lewis Noke-Edwards, and invited some key figures from New Zealand’s hardcore scene, including members of Lucre, Molosser, Martial Law, and Xile.
The result is a ten-track album that captures both the personal and the political, a raw, unflinching document of struggle, but also a rallying cry to fight back.
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Aural Aggravation 