Divide and Dissolve is an Australian doom metal project known for its powerful fusion of heavy, instrumental soundscapes and a deep commitment to Indigenous sovereignty and anti-colonial activism. Formed in 2017 in Naarm (Melbourne), the band consists of guitarist and saxophonist Takiaya Reed (Black and Cherokee) and percussionist Sylvie Nehill (Māori), who left the project in 2022 due to personal reasons. Their music is a visceral blend of drone doom, sludge metal, and ambient textures, often featuring saxophone and piano alongside crushing riffs and thunderous percussion. Thematically, Divide and Dissolve’s work addresses colonial violence, white supremacy, and the erasure of Indigenous cultures. Their name itself serves as a call to dismantle oppressive systems and honor ancestral lands and traditions. The duo's discography includes four full-length albums: Basic (2017), Abomination (2018), Gas Lit (2021), and Systemic (2023). Gas Lit was produced by Ruban Nielson of Unknown Mortal Orchestra and received critical acclaim. Systemic continued this trajectory, offering a more structured approach with tracks like “Blood Quantum” and “Kingdom of Fear,” the latter featuring spoken word by Minori Sanchiz-Fung. The album critiques systemic oppression and advocates for Indigenous liberation. New album Insatiable arrived in 2025.
