Editorial Policy

Our Editorial Policy

At soundwavefestival.com, we are committed to honest, passionate coverage of the music we love. That means no pay-for-play reviews, no corporate-approved talking points, and absolutely no pretending a mediocre album is a masterpiece because someone sent us a free t-shirt. We write what we think — and we think a lot about heavy music.

Independence Is the Whole Point

This is a fan-operated site with zero ties to record labels, festival promoters, or PR agencies. Every opinion published here is genuinely held (sometimes regrettably so). When we recommend something, it is because we actually believe in it — not because someone slid into our inbox with a press kit and a prayer. If we ever feature sponsored or affiliate content, it will be clearly and conspicuously labeled as such.

How We Cover What We Cover

Our editorial decisions are driven by a simple question: would this matter to someone who cares deeply about the Australian heavy music scene? We prioritize:

• Accuracy over speed — we would rather be right than first
• Context over clickbait — every story gets the background it deserves
• Diverse voices within heavy music culture — the scene is bigger than any single genre or clique

Corrections Policy

We are human beings writing about chaotic live events and decades-old festival memories, so occasionally we get something wrong. When that happens, we fix it — promptly and transparently. Corrections are noted directly within the updated article. If you spot an error (factual, not a difference of opinion about whether Load was a good album), reach out to us at sound@soundwavefestival.com and we will address it.

Last updated: March 2026