A reliably melodic presence in prog-driven alt-rock, Brisbane’s Dead Letter Circus took inspiration from Faith No More, TOOL, and such fellow Aussies as Cog and Karnivool while shaping their slippery sound. Their early singles—take 2007’s “The Mile” and “Lines”—showcased leader Kim Benzie’s emotive, skyward vocal range and then-guitarist Rob Maric’s high-precision riffing. The following year’s “Next in Line” added thrumming electronics, while 2009’s “The Space on the Wall” tapped into bracing rock potential. Both tracks appeared on the band’s 2010 debut album This Is the Warning, which debuted at No. 2 in Australia and became a career-long calling card. After Clint Vincent replaced Maric in 2013, his intricate yet atmospheric work became a hallmark on tracks like that year’s “Lodestar.” Dead Letter Circus has always sought out new stylistic entry points: 2015’s “In Plain Sight” opens with strummed acoustic guitar before widescreen rock elements kick in, even as 2018’s “The Armour You Own” harks back to the ominous rumble and loud/quiet dynamics of grunge. The ensemble have lain dormant since 2020, but their catalog remains an important touchstone for the most malleable of heavy acts.