Headkase is a hard rock/metal band from Brisbane, Australia formed in 2001 and known for their theatrical and energetic stage shows (often including circus-themed costumes, masks and facepaint). Notable for combining many different musical styles (metal, jazz, techno, salsa, swing, and circus music, among others) the band's sound is frequently compared to acts like Mr. Bungle and Dog Fashion Disco, and has always been described by fans and reviewers as "circus-metal", a term which the band have chosen to use themselves as a description of their music. They have supported Killing Joke (UK), Skinlab (USA) and Jerk (Australia) along with Blood Duster, Devolved and Testeagles (Australia), as well as performances at festivals including Overcranked 2006 and Rapid 2002 and 2005. Headkase released a demo/EP titled ''The Beginning'' in 2001, followed by their full-length studio album ''The Worm County Circus'' in early 2009, which was mastered by Dave Neil (whose other mastering work includes releases by Devolved, The Butterfly Effect, Melodyssey and Kate Miller-Heidke). ASSOCIATED ACTS: Drummer Todd Hansen is also currently a member of The Berzerker, Wish for Wings, The Wrath, and Finnish band Dizeaze. He is also well known for his work with From These Wounds, Beijing Tank, Happy Camper, and as a brief fill-in touring drummer for American deathcore band As Blood Runs Black during their UK tour in 2008. Keyboard player Brett Hansen (brother of Todd) has been a permanent member of avant-garde noise group Silent Partners since 2002 (along with vocalist Nutty and guitarist Raleigh as regular contributors), and was known for his work with ambient quintet Marlinchen before their demise in 2007. PRESS: "The six-piece belt out a unique brand of eerie carnival-styled metal, combining the industrial effects of a keyboard with pulsating drumbeats". Maree Bedford - Time Off Magazine "Their style of death metal meets Mr. Bungle got some response from the crowd, which had almost doubled by the end of their 30 minute opening set". Simon Milburn - Rave Magazine "Headkase slam out a heavy set of metal tracks with keyboard effects, hammering drum beats, evil clown masks and a menacing stage demeanour" ... "by the closing track, 'Murdered And Dumped In The Willow', the punters are clearly oozing adrenalin." Time Off Magazine "Headkase brought their Slipknot meets Mr. Bungle nuttiness to the indoor stage" ... "one just had to admire their tight and powerful sound, their energy and showmanship." Shaun Nancarrow - Rave Magazine "Like a dirty bomb in Disneyland, Headkase have the potential to cause panic. The good sound and physical depth of the Paddington bunker provided a safe haven for the freak-metal act, with the genre traversing track Coc*ine & Caffeine a highlight". James Stafford - Rave Magazine "Calling their style 'circus metal', the band's full length is full of manically happy keyboards and bizarre atmospheric passages pressed between metalcore choruses" ... "the band have squashed into the mix a slew of sick riffs and enough curveballs to make the album interesting" ... "The Worm County Circus sounds like a kid at a fete, jacked up on fairy floss, confused and excited by all the bright lights around them ". Tom Hersey - Rave Magazine "Headkase have a sound all of their own. In saying that, their influences are very noticeable in their work. Incorporating the metal vocals reminiscent of early Slipknot or Mushroomhead, dark wave themes similar to The Misfits or even The Murderdolls, and of course the experimental work of Mr. Bungle and Supertramp. These very different themes bring us to the genre Headkase have all to their own known as ‘Circus Metal’. Worm County really has all you could ask of an album; Something to dance to, create to, mosh to, scream to, sing along to. The Worm County Circus evokes almost every uncontrollable action you can imagine music brings to us. It even offers the perfect break-up song (A Song Called Life)". Jess Levin - Underground United