Contrive
Australian heavy metal band from Melbourne, formed 1999.
Contrive are a heavy metal band from Melbourne, Australia, who formed in 1999. Their sound has drawn comparisons to Sepultura. The lineup includes bassist Tim Stahlmann and twin brothers Paul Haug (vocals and guitars) and Andrew Haug (drums). Andrew Haug is also known for hosting the Triple J metal program *The Racket* from 2002 to late 2011.
The band released their debut album, *The Meaning Unseen*, in September 2005, mixed by Fredrik Nordström. Reviews praised its blend of modern hardcore, 1980s thrash, and classic heavy metal. Their second album, *The Internal Dialogue*, was recorded in Melbourne with producer Adam Calaitzis and mixed by Devin Townsend.
Contrive have played extensively, including three appearances at the now-defunct Metal for the Brain festival and opening slots for Sepultura, Riverside, Mayhem, Machine Head, Destruction, Devin Townsend, Opeth, and Testament. In 2009, they toured Southeast Asia, performing in Singapore alongside Parkway Drive. In 2011, they toured Vietnam, becoming the first Australian metal band to do so.
The band has been inactive since around 2019. Their final known show was supporting Voivod in Melbourne in January 2019.
- Formed
- 1999
- Origin
- Melbourne, Australia
- Genre
- Heavy metal
- Nationality
- Australian
- Years active
- 1999–c. 2019
- Notable member
- Andrew Haug (host of The Racket)
Lore & Background
Contrive released their first studio album, The Meaning Unseen, in September 2005. It was mixed by Fredrik Nordström and received favourable reviews highlighting combined elements of stomping modern hardcore, '80s thrash and old-time heavy metal. Their second album, The Internal Dialogue, was recorded in Melbourne with producer Adam Calaitzis and mixed by Devin Townsend. A third studio album, Slow Dissolve, followed in 2017.
The band performed extensively since their inception, including three performances at the now-defunct Metal for the Brain festival and opening slots for overseas bands such as Sepultura, Riverside, Mayhem, Machine Head, Destruction, Devin Townsend, Opeth and Testament. In 2009, they toured South East Asia, including a show in Singapore with Parkway Drive. During 2011, the band toured Vietnam and were the first Australian metal band to do so.
The band have been inactive since c. 2019. Their last known performance was as a support to Voivod's Melbourne show in January 2019.
Reader's Guide
Contrive occupy a notable place in Australian heavy metal history primarily through their longevity and the profile of drummer Andrew Haug, who hosted Triple J's metal program The Racket from 2002 to late 2011. The band's music, compared to Sepultura, blended hardcore, thrash and traditional heavy metal. Their 2011 tour of Vietnam marked them as the first Australian metal band to perform there, a milestone in the genre's regional expansion. Though inactive since around 2019, their discography of three studio albums and two EPs, along with performances at major festivals and support slots for international acts, underscores their role in the Australian metal scene. Their significance lies in both their musical output and their contribution to metal's reach in Southeast Asia.
Did You Know?
- Andrew Haug hosted the Triple J metal radio program The Racket between 2002 and late 2011.
- Contrive were the first Australian metal band to tour Vietnam, doing so in 2011.
- Their second album, The Internal Dialogue, was mixed by Devin Townsend.
- The band's last known performance was supporting Voivod in Melbourne in January 2019.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Contrive?
Contrive is an Australian heavy metal band that originated in Melbourne at the turn of the millennium. They have been active from 1999 through roughly 2019, building a dedicated following in the groove metal scene.
What does Contrive sound like?
Listeners frequently draw parallels between their aggressive tone and Sepultura's groove-heavy style. Their catalog weaves together modern hardcore energy, late-'80s thrash riffs, and classic heavy metal structures into a single cohesive sound.
Who are the members of Contrive?
The core trio consists of twin brothers Paul Haug (vocals and guitar) and Andrew Haug (drums), joined by bassist Tim Stahlmann. The Haug brothers' sibling partnership is a defining feature of the group's identity.
What albums has Contrive released?
Their debut, The Meaning Unseen, arrived in September 2005 and was mixed by Fredrik Nordström. A follow-up, The Internal Dialogue, was recorded in Melbourne and further developed their groove-driven approach.
What is Andrew Haug known for outside of Contrive?
Andrew Haug spent nearly a decade hosting The Racket, Triple J's weekly metal program, from 2002 until late 2011. That radio run made him a widely recognized voice in Australian metal media well beyond the band's own releases.
More in Groove metal musical groups 1-24
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