Cinematic soundscapes that build from whispers to roaring climaxes. 111–139 BPM.
Australian Post Rock is a subgenre of post-rock that emerged in the mid-1990s, characterized by expansive, cinematic instrumentals that build from quiet, atmospheric passages to loud, cathartic climaxes. Bands like This Will Destroy You and Sleepmakeswaves are central, using electric guitar, bass, and drums to create emotive, often wordless soundscapes.
The defining artists of Australian Post-rock — the names that shaped the sound. Tap to hear on Spotify.
The classic anthems and current essentials that define Australian Post-rock.
Australian Post Rock is defined by its dynamic range: quiet, clean guitar melodies and sparse percussion build into dense walls of distorted guitars, crashing cymbals, and driving bass. Tracks often exceed seven minutes, focusing on gradual development rather than verse-chorus structures. The rhythm is typically steady but not rigid, with a BPM range of 111-139, allowing for both slow, brooding passages and urgent, fast-paced sections.
Key characteristics include the use of reverb and delay to create spacious soundscapes, and occasional spoken word or sampled vocals. The genre avoids traditional song structures, instead favoring crescendos that release tension in explosive climaxes.
Australian Post Rock originated in the mid-1990s, drawing from the global post-rock movement pioneered by acts like Slint and Talk Talk. Bands such as This Will Destroy You (though US-based, influential in Australia) and local acts like Sleepmakeswaves and We Lost the Sea shaped the sound, blending indie rock's rawness with classical crescendos.
Throughout the 2000s, the genre evolved with heavier use of distortion and electronic elements, while maintaining its core dynamic shifts. The Australian scene remained tight-knit, with festivals like the National Young Writers' Festival showcasing post-rock acts.
Culturally, Australian Post Rock reflects the country's vast landscapes and isolation, often evoking a sense of epic journey and introspection. The genre thrives on independent labels and has a dedicated global following, with bands touring extensively in Europe and Asia.
How Australian Post-rock is built — drum pattern, swing, and the sounds you need.
When producing Australian Post Rock, focus on building tension through layering. Start with a clean guitar arpeggio or ambient pad, then gradually introduce bass and drums. The drum pattern should be simple but impactful—use a steady kick-snare pattern with occasional fills to mark transitions. Swing is minimal; aim for a driving, straight feel at around 120 BPM.
Typical samples include field recordings (rain, wind) or vinyl crackle to add texture. Use heavy compression on the final mix to ensure the quiet parts are still audible and the loud parts hit hard. Reverb and delay are essential for the guitar sound—think long, shimmering reverbs and dotted-eighth delays. For the climax, layer multiple distorted guitars and crash cymbals to create a wall of sound.
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