This five-piece metal-core band from Sydney has recently augmented their epic sound by including a seven and an eight-string guitar as well as a six-string bass, completing the picture on their bone-crushing, technical sound. They have their own mix of post hardcore, and metal core, which they mash together in super high-energy performances. They go onstage at The Factory Theatre on the 7th, where they’re set to battle it out with seven other incredible bands for a spot in the finals in the Emergenza Festival. Before the show, they tell us all about it.

CAN YOU INTRODUCE US TO YOUR BAND FICTIONS? HOW DID THE NAME COME ABOUT?
Originally our name was Stranger Than Fiction (not after the movie), but after our sound turned heavier, we decided a shorter, snappier name would be more suited - so we took off 'stranger than' and added an 's' to Fiction. Thus, Fictions.

WHERE DO YOU DRAW YOUR MUSICAL INSPIRATION FROM?
A lot of Australian hardcore bands - Northlane, In Hearts Wake, Thy Art Is Murder, as well as pretty much anything heavy with hard-hitting breakdowns or a significant emotional impact through the genre - Aversions Crown, Being As An Ocean, Bring Me The Horizon, the list goes on.

SO FAR YOU'VE RELEASED AN EP ENTITLED ANY LAST WORDS. CAN YOU TALK TO US ABOUT THAT?
That EP was released as Stranger Than Fiction, actually - and was intended to be released to, a), show what we can offer as a band musically, and b), show that we aren't just another local band - we are aiming to make an impact on the hardcore scene and play shows, make music and make people want to listen.

WHAT DOES PERFORMING MEAN TO YOU?
Performing means to put on a good show and make people want to get off their feet and move and feel our energy, and for us to feel theirs. It's an opportunity to vent emotions through our own music for other people to experience, as well as to share our music that we've spent time to writing.

WHAT WAS THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE FIRST ROUND FOR YOU?
Playing on a real stage with real sound gear definitely is a huge step up from playing backyard shows on the grass on a tarp! This as well as meeting other sick musicians and just having a genuine good night listening to what they have to offer with their music, as well as them listening to ours.

WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN UP TO BETWEEN GIGS AND WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN DOING TO PREPARE FOR THE NEXT PHASE OF THE COMPETITION?
We've been practicing our material - new and old songs - writing new tracks in preparation for our next EP due 2014/15. We've spent a lot of time working on not only our songs, but tightening our live performance - transforming it from a music show with individual songs, to a live half hour performance full of energy - we are so excited to share it.

IN WHAT WAY DO YOU THINK YOU'VE GROWN AS A BAND SINCE YOU FIRST ENROLLED IN THE FESTIVAL?
Definitely a heightened sense of maturity has emerged in being not only accepted to play such an amazing venue and festival, but being taken to the next round has given us a stronger sense of family in our band. This connection shows through our live performance.

SO HOW DOES IT FEEL BEING ONE STEP CLOSER TO THE EMERGENZA FINALS?
Surreal - as a hardcore band, and the fact that only one other hardcore band played the same night as us, we were excited to be given the opportunity to move toward the finals - we are excited to play with the bands that made it to this round and to show them our progress as a band and are happy with any outcome.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO THE MOST ABOUT THIS ROUND IN THE SEMI-FINALS?
To play with the next level of bands - to have made it to this round, a certain level of musicianship must be evident - and we are excited to meet these people and play on such an amazing stage with them, as well as play on the stage in The Factory Theatre!

WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO ENROLL IN THE EMERGENZA FESTIVAL?
We decided to enroll to obviously have a chance to go to the finals, but more so to share our music, play at The Lair, and grow as a band - Emergenza has helped us do this already as we have already seen a huge improvement in our live music.