ArtistDirect News
Adelaide Prog-Metal Band Control The Sun Releases Second Single "Pyre"
Adelaide’s own progressive metal outfit Control The Sun has just dropped its second single, “Pyre,” on 8 August 2026. The track follows the band’s debut, “Say It’s Over,” which set the tone for the group’s sound earlier in the year. “Pyre” is now available on all major streaming services and comes with a self‑produced music video.
The five‑piece—Chris Gard, Jack Thomson, Christian Tassone, Matt Mitris and Gerard Kotlowy—draws on Adelaide’s heavy‑music heritage. All members previously performed with local acts Japam and Colibrium, and the band describes its lineup as “veterans of the city’s heavy scene.” According to the group, the title and lyrics of “Pyre” reference ancient funeral rites in which royalty were cremated to aid their passage into the afterlife. They frame the imagery as a metaphor for cleansing and new beginnings.
Musically, the single centers on a hard‑hitting guitar riff while keeping the band’s goal of blending aggression with detailed arrangements and memorable melodies. “Pyre” continues the thematic direction of “Say It’s Over,” which explored the loss of youth and the struggle to abandon destructive habits. The band has said the earlier track was intended to resonate with anyone who has felt the bittersweet passage of time.
Control The Sun’s first live outing came at Adelaide’s Froth And Fury festival in January 2026, where they opened the main stage with a high‑energy set that showcased material from both singles. The band has now announced a performance at the Downpour event in Adelaide in August, with tickets on sale through Moshtix.
In addition to releases, the group is working with Australian producer and engineer Forrester Savell. Savell’s credits span progressive and heavy‑music acts, and his involvement signals the band’s ambition to refine its sound. The collaboration is expected to influence future recordings.
The release of “Pyre” continues to build momentum for Control The Sun, adding to their emerging catalogue and positioning them for further exposure within the Australian progressive‑metal scene. Their next public appearance at Downpour will give fans a chance to hear the new material live and expand the band’s audience.
In summary, Control The Sun’s “Pyre” builds on the themes and musical approach of its debut, while the band’s live history and partnership with Forrester Savell outline the trajectory of a local Adelaide group gaining traction in the progressive‑metal niche.
The five‑piece—Chris Gard, Jack Thomson, Christian Tassone, Matt Mitris and Gerard Kotlowy—draws on Adelaide’s heavy‑music heritage. All members previously performed with local acts Japam and Colibrium, and the band describes its lineup as “veterans of the city’s heavy scene.” According to the group, the title and lyrics of “Pyre” reference ancient funeral rites in which royalty were cremated to aid their passage into the afterlife. They frame the imagery as a metaphor for cleansing and new beginnings.
Musically, the single centers on a hard‑hitting guitar riff while keeping the band’s goal of blending aggression with detailed arrangements and memorable melodies. “Pyre” continues the thematic direction of “Say It’s Over,” which explored the loss of youth and the struggle to abandon destructive habits. The band has said the earlier track was intended to resonate with anyone who has felt the bittersweet passage of time.
Control The Sun’s first live outing came at Adelaide’s Froth And Fury festival in January 2026, where they opened the main stage with a high‑energy set that showcased material from both singles. The band has now announced a performance at the Downpour event in Adelaide in August, with tickets on sale through Moshtix.
In addition to releases, the group is working with Australian producer and engineer Forrester Savell. Savell’s credits span progressive and heavy‑music acts, and his involvement signals the band’s ambition to refine its sound. The collaboration is expected to influence future recordings.
The release of “Pyre” continues to build momentum for Control The Sun, adding to their emerging catalogue and positioning them for further exposure within the Australian progressive‑metal scene. Their next public appearance at Downpour will give fans a chance to hear the new material live and expand the band’s audience.
In summary, Control The Sun’s “Pyre” builds on the themes and musical approach of its debut, while the band’s live history and partnership with Forrester Savell outline the trajectory of a local Adelaide group gaining traction in the progressive‑metal niche.