How Windwaker Continues to Reinvent Metalcore Experimenting with New Album "smile, you're on camera"

Today in heavy music, we are living in a world full of genre blending and experimentation. We are seeing artists like Electric Callboy blend heavy metal with German house music to create something insanely fun and bouncy. We are seeing artists like Babymetal blend heavy metal and J-pop, connecting 2 massively contrasting sounds both stylistically and culturally to create sheer magic. And we are seeing Bring Me The Horizon, literally do it all.

It is a great world that we live in with music like this, and all of this genre blending is a reaction to the world around us, and a reaction to the musical generation that came right before this one. But what is the reaction going to be for this massively experimental style of heavy music? Is it going to go in reverse to being more reserved and focused in on one style? Is it going to be something even wilder? What if it is going to still be full of experimentation and genre blending, but with more of a focus on coherent transitions, not just viral craziness?

Liam from the experimental Australian metalcore band Windwaker rejoins the podcast for his second time, and the band’s third time. The band’s 3rd time on the podcast coincides with their 3rd album “smile, you’re on camera” releasing on October 23rd. The experimentation continues on this album and on the episode as we talk about:

- How Windwaker created “smile, you’re on camera” that stays eclectic with their style of experimentation between metalcore & hyperpop, but with more of a focus on album cohesion instead of each song as a single, while still being infections all the way around.

- Why “smile, you’re on camera” was written as a living diary of the band between 2025 and 2026, instead of being focused on a singular topic or concept.

- The reason Windwaker wants to keep experimenting with metalcore & hyperpop, along with other styles of music, and not depend on the standard metalcore topes if they do not make sense to throw into a song, as a response to too many people creating music for the sake of “going viral.”

3rd time’s the charm bringing Windwaker to the podcast, and they are sure to return. Tap the subscribe button as we are going to keep this rolling over and over again.

Find Windwaker Online:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/windwakerofficial

Twitter: https://x.com/windwakertweets

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/windwakerofficial/

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@windwakerofficial

YouTube: https://youtu.be/TD58qKZOzgE?si=Yhh2y2ALSQE6xWud

Website: https://windwakerband.com

Merch: https://windwakerband.com/store/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/46le9d4IkW3C6zTxhkuxIS?si=rdGOsAh2Tcik7OlPPWiKCg

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/windwaker/955986347

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Welcome: (0:00)

3rd Time’s the Charm for Windwaker: (1:53)

Continuing to Stay Eclectic, but Being More Consistent on an Album: (4:31)

Favorite Song on “smile, you’re on camera”: (8:17)

The Concept Behind “smile you’re on camera”: (14:20)

Evolution of the “Attack Attack” Vibe: (20:41)

How Musical Revolutions are Reactions to Current System: (24:00)

More Infections Windwaker Songs: (26:27)

Not Always Chasing Common Metalcore Tropes: (29:45)

When Windwaker Wants to Respond to Current Music: (39:04)

Wanting A Viral Moment, Naturally: (43:09)

What’s Next?: (45:30)

New Artist Suggestions: (48:32)

Kevin’s Final Thought; A Fan of the Band Always Defying Expectations: (54:05)