Sedative (band)
Australian deathcore band from Perth, formed in 2021.
Sedative is a deathcore band from Perth, Australia, that got together in 2021. The current lineup includes vocalist Matthew Daly (also known as Blanche Dubrah), guitarists Benjamin Reay and Ryan Wiseman, bassist Ryan Spencer, and drummer Silverstein Fontonarosa. So far, they’ve put out one EP, *Death Romantic*, and one studio album, *Love is Not Enough*.
The band formed from the remains of a previous group called Grenade Brain, which included Daly, Raphael Abadi, and Ryan Spencer. The original Sedative lineup had Daly on vocals, Abadi on guitar, André Avila on guitar and backing vocals, Spencer on bass and vocals, and Nathan Wolfenden on drums. Their first single, "Cough Medicine," came out on 9 June 2021 with a music video directed by Avila and Daly, and it dealt with coping mechanisms and mental health. They played their first shows on 25 and 26 June in Perth and Bunbury, supporting the Melbourne metalcore band Vengeance. Later singles included "No Hard Feelings" (15 September) and "Vile" (3 December), the latter about substance abuse and self-worth. They played their first interstate show in Adelaide on 28 October.
On 11 March 2022, they released the single "Romilda Vane" and announced the EP *Death Romantic*. The next single, "Godspeed," came out on 8 April with an animated video, noted for its hardcore-influenced vocals and fast riffs. The final single from the EP, "Unlove," dropped on 11 May. The EP itself was released on 20 May, including those singles and new tracks. On 8 July, they supported Saviour in Northbridge, and on 14 July, they backed the American deathcore band Fit for an Autopsy in Perth—their first time supporting an international act. On 9 September, they played at Amplifier Bar in Perth as part of ATLVS’s tour. The single "Midnight Valentine" came out on 30 September with a video. They supported Saviour again on 18 November at the same venue.
On 10 February 2023, they released the two-track EP *HE:LL AM*, which included "Midnight Valentine" and "Heavy Lies The Head." They supported the Slovenian metalcore band Within Destruction on 5 March in Northcote, Victoria.
At some point before June 2023, founding guitarist André Avila left the band for reasons not given, though he kept making music videos for them. Scott Foster replaced him on guitar. The band played TerrorLoud 2 in Darwin on 10 June, headlined by Make Them Suffer.
Quick Facts
- Origin
- Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Genre
- Beatdown hardcore, deathcore
- Years Active
- 2021–present
- Label
- Independent
- Current Members
- Matthew Daly (Blanche Dubrah) / Ryan Spencer / Silverstein Fontonarosa / Benjamin Reay / Ryan Wiseman
- Past Members
- André Avila / Nathan Wolfenden / Raphael Abadi / Scott Foster
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Sedative formed from remnants of the band Grenade Brain, with initial members Matthew Daly (vocals), Raphael Abadi (guitar), André Avila (guitar, backing vocals), Ryan Spencer (bass, vocals), and Nathan Wolfenden (drums). They debuted with the single 'Cough Medicine' on 9 June 2021, followed by 'No Hard Feelings' and 'Vile'. Their first shows were on 25 and 26 June 2021 in Perth and Bunbury supporting Vengeance. In 2022, they released the EP Death Romantic on 20 May, preceded by singles 'Romilda Vane', 'Godspeed', and 'Unlove'. They supported international acts Fit for an Autopsy and Within Destruction, and released the two-track EP HE:LL AM in February 2023. Lineup changes occurred in 2023 and 2024, with guitarists Avila and Foster replaced, and drummer Wolfenden replaced by Silverstein Fontonarosa. In 2024, they released the single 'Lake City Quiet Pills' and toured Southeast Asia. In 2025, vocalist Matthew Daly faced criminal charges for common assault with racial aggravation and for visually recording a private activity without consent, with a trial listed for March 2026.
Reader's Guide
Sedative represents a contemporary force in Australian deathcore, blending death metal, slam, and hardcore influences. Their music, featured on Triple J's The Racket and Spotify's 'Homegrown & Heavy' playlist, has amassed over 150,000 streams. The band's thematic focus on mental health, grief, and addiction resonates with a growing audience. Their significance is also marked by legal controversies surrounding vocalist Matthew Daly, which have drawn attention to the band. Despite lineup changes, Sedative has maintained a presence through national and international tours, including a Southeast Asian tour in 2024. Their legacy is still developing, but they have established themselves as a notable act in the Australian heavy music underground.
Did You Know?
- Their debut single 'Cough Medicine' was released on 9 June 2021.
- Vocalist Matthew Daly faced criminal charges in 2025 for common assault with racial aggravation and for recording a private activity without consent.
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