According to The Australian, Sydney, Australia-based quintet OUROBOROS may be the first death-metal band to receive support from the Australian government through the Australia Council For The Arts.

The Australia Council For The Arts offers a broad range of grants for Australian artists and arts organizations. In 2010-2011, the arts-funding body invested over AUD 163 million (approximately $160 million) in artists and arts organizations to support Australian artists to make art for Australian and international audiences.

OUROBOROS‘ AUD 20,000 grant (approximately $19,670) is to help the band write new songs for its next album that will include a symphony orchestra.

“This is amazing for us,” drummer David Horgan told The Australian. “We couldn’t consider hiring an orchestra to do this without this kind of support.”

Composer Matthew Hindson, chair of the Australia Council music board which approved the grant, said of OUROBOROS: “They have a degree of technical virtuosity and musicianship. No matter what kind of music you are involved in, that comes through.”

Read more from The Australian. Source: Blabbermouth.net