D. Lohan; Brush & Scribe

ESSENCE 3 | MMXXVI BEYOND THE THRESHOLD THE BASO | OCTOBER 2-4 MORE INFO TO FOLLOW

Would you still like a shirt with @greallach_art ’s amazing Dutch Old Masters-esque artwork on the front, and @epoch_creative ’s six-limbed skelly mascot on the back? Or a crew neck? All the shirts that were in ordered and paid for on the day at Essence have been dispatched. But we need to do another run – I don’t even have one for myself yet! @blackbirdyelloweye suggested maybe we see if folks are interested in crew necks too. Drop us a comment or DM if you want to express interest – if it’s not a size we have at the moment, we can arrange it in the next run. (NB: I am acutely aware there are a few outstanding EOIs and Essence crew deliveries yet to complete – I’ll be interstate for the next week, so please hold your horses with those!)

Shirts are here (finally)! Drop us a line if you want one! Folks who already ordered, we’ll expedite matters this week 🥰

Hey Essence, 🔥 tl;dr – if you want a gorgeous Essence shirt, talk to the merch girls if you’re there, or shoot me a message if you’re not 🔥 Notwithstanding the general aura of triumph and solidarity at the festival, I have a bit of a sad story that I hope you can help me resolve. Dave @blackbirdyelloweye @epoch_creative in conspiracy with @greallach_art (whose jaw-dropping artwork you can see at the festival) has made these stunning, iconic double-sided shirts on natural cotton that were supposed to arrive on Wednesday or Thursday. They did not, nor did they arrive on Friday despite our lovely merch lady Cassie camping out at my place waiting for them until beyond the very last minute. By way of background: Dave had to wait a little while for our chosen shirt stock to arrive and then set right to work, and sent them as soon as completed. But bad weather in Tassie meant that rather than getting put on a plane, they got put on a ship (this is Express Post, mind). Then they sat around at a distribution centre in Melbourne notwithstanding that I had lodged an enquiry with increasingly complaint-like overtones. At the moment they just look like a rather depressing sunk cost on my balance sheet. But [cue redemptive arc orchestral theme] I’ll sort you out with one for $40 and eat the postage – or, if you’re in Canberra, I’d be delighted to present it to you in person. Plus if you’re at the festival and you want one, it’s another excuse to come chat to the delightful Denise and Cassie on merch. Thanks, if you’ve read this far, and so much love ♥️ p.s. please spread the word!

Artist: Grim Ripper @grim_ripper_tas Album: Into The River Of Oblivion Released: 2025 Country: 🇦🇺 Label: @grindheadrecords @primitive_moth Black Smoke and Teal marbled vinyl Limited to 100 units worldwide Hand numbered: 23/100 #grimripper #grindheadrecords #primitivemoth #vinyl #aussievinyl #vinylcollection #vinylcollector #vinyladdict #vinylporn #colouredvinyl #metalvinylcollector #metalvinylrecords #deathmetalvinyl #physicalmedia #metal #deathmetal #aussiemetal #aussiedeathmetal #australianmetal #australiandeathmetal #tassiemetal #oldschooldeathmetalsound #extrememetalguy #extrememetal #extrememetalhead #metalhead #supportaustralianmusic #supportaussiemetal #supportundergroundmetal

ESSENCE 2: A Divergence In Darkness Fri 3 Oct – Sun 5 Oct 2025 Essence 2025 will be even bigger and better. We’re having conversations with some exciting and surprising acts, and as you’d expect some of Australia’s most compelling underground acts will deliver the goods as well. We’ve involved our trusted comrades @gutterprincecabal to jointly present and curate. The Labour Day long weekend (ACT, NSW, SA) gives you the Monday off to get home, so you can join us in Canberra for Friday evening’s commencement, and follow the program right up until Sunday evening. Thanks to @thebasocanberra for hosting once again, it really is the right venue for us. And thanks also to @epoch_creative / @blackbirdyelloweye , who proved in 2024 that they’re the right visual partner for Essence, so we’re proud to collaborate with them again. We look forward to seeing you here. More news soon 😈

@essence_festival totes from @blackbirdyelloweye @epoch_creative – Dave has done his customary epic work $20, limited edition of 100 – move swift! 🔥 For your goodies from @blacksoundrecs @straightouttakambah_ @ghosty.ijl and of course allll the band merch See you at @thebasocanberra tomorrow ♥️😈🔥

🔥 ESSENCE LIMITED EDITION TOTES It’s a conundrum when you attend a music event with a stacked bill, you’re already in your favourite band shirt, but you’ve just spotted your next 5, 10, 15 favourite band shirts… and that’s before you even look at the LPs… a fit-for-purpose vessel is required. We’ve collaborated to solve your pickle with @epoch_creative / @blackbirdyelloweye , who have prepared the breathtaking double-side tote bag design shown here. This will be available on the day in a limited run only. Get in early, they’ll go fast! 🔥

Feel like everyone in Hobart was down on the South Arm peninsula in awe at the dancing solar flares this evening. Looks incredible through the lens and is always such a pleasure to witness. #auroraaustralis #southernlights

Completion of my latest piece for @intothefallfest including the progress shots of the process. Highly enjoyed working on this composition and look forward to working with oils a lot more in future. #oilpainting #oiloncanvas #horrormovieart #deathmetalcoverart #fantasyartwork #tasmanianartist #oroginalartwork #antiai

A small selection of my favourite wall tiles from our Portuguese journey.

Edge of the earth.