NataliezWorld

American Deathcore band Epimetheus released their new single "Wake Up (It Is What It Is)". The release was recorded, mixed and mastered in "FL Recordings" by Fernando Lemus.

Check out the new single linked below:

https://epimetheus.bandcamp.com/track/wake-up-it-is-what-it-is

https://open.spotify.com/album/1Ga1ldQQTNlsPPyvcoO4rh

Formed in 2009 in San Antonio, Texas, Epimetheus is a deathcore band blending deathcore, metalcore, and death metal with a unique edge. After sharing stages with icons like All Shall Perish and Chelsea Grin, they paused in 2011 for personal pursuits. Reunited with a fresh vision, they’re crafting aggressive new tracks while staying true to their roots, ready to captivate a modern audience with their evolving sound.

Rock band THE RIPTIDE RATS have only been doing the music thing for two years! But since, they have released their debut EP, with an album debut sometime this year. With that they will be playing shows, releasing music, and just hoping to get people's attention struck one way or another. See what they had to say to us below.

1. Please tell us about the history of your band and its members.

We are The Riptide Rats from Kungsbacka, Sweden. We have been playing our mix of surf rock, western and twang for about two years now. We were living in the same neighborhood for many years without really knowing about each other, but after buying some marketplace stuff from each other we realized our mutual love for awesome music. And after that Fred & Gus tricked me to the shed with a promise of “playing some ZZ-top” covers, although that was never their plan.

2. What’s the origin of the band’s name?

We wanted something that said we were into surf rock, and Riptide did that job, and then we needed something to show our punk/rock/action background, and rats did that job.

3. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?

Kungsbacka is located on the west coast of Sweden, about 20 kilometres south of Göteborg. I would have to say that the music scene in Kungsbacka could be more vital, but the scene in Göteborg is amazing, as I am sure you know 😊. In Kungsbacka we got some good stuff cooking like: Manimal, The Chuck Norris Experiment, Tears of A Fallen Hero, Mannekin & Domesticated Riot.

4. How would you describe your style?

We are an instrumental surf rock, western, twang rock kind of band.

5. What have you released so far and what can someone expect from your works?

We released out debut EP “The Eastwood EP” on beautiful 7” vinyl on Ghost Highway Records in 2023, there are still a few copies at www.ghosthighwayshop.com. During 2024 we released a series of songs called "The Shed Sessions” on all streaming platforms, and we just released our new single DUNES, that is taken from our upcoming 2025 LP.

6. Do you have any new music in the works?

Yes, we will release a full album during 2025. Vinyl, CD, tape... The whole sha-bang.

7. How about playing shows and touring, have anything planned out?

We blow some shows here and there, but we are waiting for the album before we will hit the road for real, so hopefully we will see many new parts of the world in 2026.

8. What plans do you have for the future as a band?

We are doing our best to have fun with the music. If people like what we do and buy our records and show up at our gigs, we are very happy campers.

9. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?

https://theriptiderats.bandcamp.com

At our Bandcamp you can listen to all songs we have recorded for free, and also buy our vinyl, t-shirts if you dig it. And we are on all streaming platforms too!

10. What is it you’d like a listener to remember the most when hearing your music for the first time?

The smooth sound of my sweet bass lines! Haha! No, we hope that people can hear how much we enjoy playing this kind of music, and hopefully we can brighten up someone’s day a bit! Thanks for having us!

Rockin metalhead solo artist ZAYD has his debut EP out, along with several single's dealing with various topics such as conflict, fear, love, and hope! He's the main man behind this project, and does the discussing with us, all about his music making ways, and future plans ahead.

1. Tell us about the history of your band and its members.

I’m a solo artist—a rare thing in the rock/metal genre—but everything you hear in my music is
100% me. It’s a one-man army! I started as a guitarist and songwriter, playing with various bands. Unfortunately, no matter how much energy I invested, the bands kept breaking up. By 2014, I felt drained and quit, thinking my journey was over. In 2015, everything changed. I was with this girl—spoiler alert, she’s now my wife—who believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. She told me she loved my voice, something I’d never heard before. Her encouragement gave me the courage to pick up the mic and nd my
voice. I recorded my first song, Father, in 2016 but fear held me back from releasing it. That changed in
2017 when I met my guitar idol, Mark Tremonti (Creed, Alter Bridge), at a guitar clinic during
the Alter Bridge Canada tour. I played Father for him, and he said something I’ll never forget:
“Let the world decide where this song belongs. Don’t hold back.” Those words ignited my journey as Zayd.

2. What’s the origin of the band’s name?

Zayd is simply my name. In Hebrew, it means “plentiful.” No crazy backstory—just a name that creates who I am.

3. Where is the band based out of, and what is your music scene like there?

I’m based in Saskatchewan, Canada—one of the coldest places in the country. Winters here often
drop below -40°C, making it perfect for staying indoors and writing music. Saskatchewan is known for its country music scene, with artists like Hunter Brothers and Tenille Arts. For a rock/metal artist like me, breaking through here is tough. The local scene is nearly non-existent, but I see it as a challenge to bring something new to the table.

4. How would you describe your style?

My style blends raw rock and metal with emotional honesty. Each song deals with personal struggles, hope, and resilience, creating a powerful connection with listeners. It’s heavy yet vulnerable, with riffs and melodies that linger long after the music stops. My goal is to create a safe space for anyone who’s ever felt lost or broken, reminding them they’re not alone.

5. What have you released so far, and what can someone expect from your works?

I’ve released several singles exploring themes of inner conflict, fear, love, and hope. Each song is a journey—layered with intense riffs, heartfelt lyrics, and emotional melodies. My music isn’t just about sound; it’s storytelling through rock and metal. Whether you want to scream out in frustration, react on life, or have hope in chaos, my songs are here to meet you where you are.

6. Do you have any new music in the works?

Absolutely! My first EP, Deceit and Desecrate, is out now. This project is deeply personal, exploring themes of redemption and transformation. You’ll hear heavy riffs, melodic intensity, and raw emotion in every track. The EP isn’t just about music—it’s about connecting with fans and building the Unity Tribe. I can’t wait to share this journey with everyone.

7. How about playing shows and touring?

I’ve performed within Canada and am focused on growing my fan base before venturing internationally. Touring is a dream of mine—I’d love to connect with fans around the world. For now, I’m concentrating on creating meaningful music and content.

8. What plans do you have for the future as a band?

My vision is to grow as an artist while fostering a community of fans—the Unity Tribe. Beyond releasing Deceit and Desecrate, I hope to collaborate with other artists, tour globally, and create music that resonates deeply with listeners. 

9. Where can we listen to your band and buy your stuff? 

You can find my music on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and all major streaming platforms— just search “Zayd.” Follow me on social media for updates and exclusive content. Click here: https://lnk.to/thisizzayd 

10. What is it you’d like a listener to remember when hearing your music for the first time?

I want listeners to feel understood. My music reacts real struggles but also carries a message of hope. If you’ve ever felt lost, my songs are here to remind you that you’re not alone—and there’s always light at the end of the tunnel.

Indigenous Melodic Black Metal Hísemtuks Hími•n has been writing and recording music for sometime now, Releasing an array of material over that sometime period, with the band playing shows of course, with more shows and even tour set for this year! The band discloses the matters of all of this right below.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that?

Hísemtuks Hími•n is “Night-sun Wolf’ in Sahaptin (Nez Perce) language. If you look at our logo, you’ll see the two wolves on the side and the moon on top. I wanted our band name to go along with what we write about. (pronounced: hey-some-tucks hey-me-in)

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

There's only a few limitations for what we play, we can literally go from writing the most evil eerie riffs to the most beautiful, atmospheric, melodic song and still have it sound pretty decent. A lot of what we play is just a reflection of what we listen to as a whole.   

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Yes and no. I've known our guitarist, Mikey, since middle school. We’ve always wanted to be in a band together. We were pretty much the only metal heads throughout the school years, but growing up in the west plains of Spokane, there was always push back. When I was forming the full line-up, I decided to try to find a drummer first before anyone else, I put an ad out and got a follow on Instagram from Coleman (Gormless) from Pullman, Wa. He had drum vids on his page and so I hit him up. We met and talked, and then we just clicked!

4. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?

We are from Spokane, Washington! The scene in Spokane is super cool! Great bands and a great support system! Covid was kinda a lose win situation. It cost a bunch of venues to close down completely, but at the same time it gave an opportunity for kids, like me at the time, to come up with their own music. Even till this day, you still see new bands coming up left and right. Our biggest hot spot for metal shows is The Big Dipper, one out of many venues that survived the pandemic. My recommendations are Age of Nephilim, Xingaia, The Night We Died, Xenoplasm, Penis Envy, Toxic Vengeance, Tombripper, POTUS, Lich, Desert Dweller, Reaping Fields, Bonemass, and that's only just to name a few!

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Mostly other Black Metal bands. Bands like Catamenia, Dissection, Limbonic Art, Emperor, Old Man’s Child, Vinterland and Carach Angren are what really got me into writing. As far as the symphonic inspiration, Legend of Zelda games have some really cool theme songs LOL! I also like to use some influences from bands that aren’t exactly in the Black Metal realm. Bands like Death, Trivium, Children of Bodom, and Slayer to name a few.

6. What are your songs about? (What specific themes do they cover?)

Mostly about Native American history, culture and folklore. Mickey and I (Nathen) are both part Indigenous. I'm a quarter Spokane and Nez Perce, Mikey is half Sioux. If you ever get into the Black Metal rabbit hole, you’ll notice quite a few bands have a viking lyrical theme. We wanted to do the same thing but with our culture. I think it fits well where we are from. Washington state definitely has a pretty good Indigenous population and most of our cities are named after Native American tribes. One thing that I've noticed with bands like Blackbraid, Nechochwen and us is that we go for the same lyrical theme but since we are all from different areas of the US and therefore our cultures are different, we all have our own sound. I think that's pretty cool!

7. Do you write your own songs? (Discuss the songwriting process in detail.)

Before I put together the full line-up, I did all the song writing. I would usually record guitar first to write the whole song, then add drums, bass, additional guitars, symphonic stuff and then write lyrics and vocals. I still write songs as a whole but now that I have a full line-up, I let my band mates do some of the writing and see what works and what doesn’t. One thing that I've been trying out is writing all the symphonic parts first as a full song and then adding the rest on top.

8. What have you released so far and what can someone expect from your works?

We have our first release, Wendigo. I wrote that album when I was about 16 but didn’t release it until I was 18 lol. That album is about Spirituality and coming in touch with ancestors and horror Indigenous stories. Our second album, Yawí•chinika, is about my hate for winter lol! And also spirituality. Yawí•chinika means “North” in the Sahaptian language. Witch of the Night was definitely a step up as far as songwriting goes in my opinion. I explored different bpms and time signatures. Our last album, Sp’q’n’iʔ, I was really honing in my Spokane heritage on that one. Sp’q'n'iʔ is “Spokane” in the original Salish language. It means “Children of the Sun”. We made a lyric video for Dancing Ghosts of Latah, that song is about the leaching of Yakama’s sub-chief and his six other people in Hangman Creek. You can find that video on our YouTube channel!

9. How about playing shows and touring, have anything planned out?

Right now, we are playing at Ray’s Golden Lion in Tri-cities, Wa on  Feb. 8th 2025! There's talks about us playing at The Big Dipper in Spokane here soon! We are hoping to play a PNW tour during the summer, we will see how that will go!

10. What plans do you have for the future as a band?

We are already writing some new material. Our idea is to write a concept album of the Steptoe war. This one is gonna be quite a difference from the other albums, this one is going to have more of a grim spooky vibes lol! We might also release a compilation album of rerecorded stuff. Our goal for the year is to do a tour and hopefully play some festivals to get our name out there a little bit.

11. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?

We are on all the streaming platforms! We have merch and CD's, if you want something just DM us on our socials! If you want Plague Demon Records issued CD's link will be down below

https://linktr.ee/hisemtuks_himin?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=fdb4e120-3156-4d02-b888-8e2ad69019df

https://plaguedemonrecords.bandcamp.com/album/usbm-tribute-to-darkthrone

Metalcore band DEAD BEFORE IMPACT have a couple of single's along with an EP, with some all new music in the works as well. The band chats about their music abilities, creativeness, and playing shows in time for Valentine's as well as this coming summer!

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that?

The vocalists, Blake and Tristan came up with the name on a night of drinking after comparing their mental struggles to being dead before impact.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

The majority of the band grew up in the scene and looked up to other bands growing up. Tristan wanted to make music with friends and was decently new but has grown to love the community behind metalcore and is just as invested as the rest of us.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Yes, the two vocalists and drummer were friends in high school and Tristan met Joe(guitar) in college. Blake and Ty(drummer) were very briefly in another band in high school but reunited when Ty joined Dead Before Impact.

4. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?

We are based out in Nashville, TN. Nashville’s metal scene is growing rapidly and we love to be a part of it. Joe is in another band Counterfeit and Ty is in a black metal group Nocturnal Pulse. We also love Majora and Bloodveil.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

If we are talking bands that were inspirations, Linkin Park, Korn, We Came As Romans, and Bring Me the Horizon are only a few we can name in a short interview. As far as motivation, writing songs that connect with people who feel the same way we do or feel isolated motivate us to keep writing.

6. What are your songs about? (What specific themes do they cover?)

Mental health, past relationships and the complexities of the society in which we live in.

7. Do you write your own songs? (Discuss the songwriting process in detail.)

Yes, we write everything that we release. We self produce most projects and start there. We tend to write in the studio and build around the track. We try to have all four of us in the studio as often as possible but occasionally virtually meet.

8. What have you released so far and what can someone expect from your works?

We’ve released an EP and two singles up this point. Authentic lyrics with dark thrash tones with some melodic electronic influences.

9. Do you have any new music in the works?

Yes, we are always working on new music and plan to release several new songs this year. 

10. How about playing shows and touring, have anything planned out?

Yes, we have two shows in Nashville, TN booked for February 14th 2025 and June 2025. We plan on playing outside of Nashville later this year. 

11. What plans do you have for the future as a band?

We plan to continue making music and hope to reach as many people as possible. We’re in this for life.

12. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?

We are on all streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. You can find our merch at https://www.deadbeforeimpact.com/ or catch us at a show and get exclusive merch not sold online.

Metalcore band HAUNTED MASK have a couple of single's out to their name, with another single out just in time for Valentine's this year! They have played a handful of shows already, and will head out on tour, promote said single's, and get in the studio sometime soon to unleash their debut EP! They discuss all of this below.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that?

Our guitarist Cesar got the idea of our name from a Goosebumps book The Haunted Mask.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

I grew up listening to metalcore bands like Bring Me The Horizon and Asking Alexandria and thought they were super cool and I wanted to play stuff that sounded like that.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Our guitarist Cesar has been my best friend since we were 12 so we’ve always hung out and played music together, I’ve met our drummer Dylan and our bassist through playing in other bands with them over the years.

4. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?

Our band is based in the Bay Area in California which has a super cool thriving hardcore/metal scene! Our good friends in HVN, Vice In Vanity, and The Beauty In Death are all dope bands from this scene that should be checked out!

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

The fact that I get to make music with my friends inspires me to write cool stuff that we all have fun playing, it’s even better when people enjoy these songs that we write!  

6. What are your songs about? (What specific themes do they cover?)

The lyrics I write tend to gravitate around negative emotions that I’ve had, like regret or sadness, I feel like its cathartic letting that all out into our music, especially when I’m screaming these words lol.

7. Do you write your own songs? (Discuss the songwriting process in detail.)

Yes, we do write our own songs, our process is kinda like a weird “conveyer belt” situation where one of us has an idea, then another one of us will add on or tweak the idea, it eventually gets made into a rough demo where I will then scream/sing random (sometimes gibberish) lines until they turn into something cohesive and then finally I’ll write actual lyrics about whatever I’m feeling at the moment.

8. What have you released so far and what can someone expect from your works?

So far we’ve released 2 singles: “Self Inflicted” and “Void” which are both up on all streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, as well as their respective videos up on YouTube.

9. Do you have any new music in the works?

We have a new single coming out on February 11th 2025 called “Never Be” which I’m super excited about!

10. How about playing shows and touring, have anything planned out?

We’ve played a handful of shows that have been super fun and have our first weekender tour coming up on Valentine’s Day weekend!

11. What plans do you have for the future as a band?

As of right now our goal is to prep for the upcoming tour and focus on promoting our upcoming single, we also plan to get back in the studio to finally record our first EP!

12. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?

All our stuff is up on all platforms, and you can buy merch from us at shows! Find us online: https://linktr.ee/hauntedmaskband

Post hardcore band RUSTED HEARTS had known one another when the band had formed, but since then, they have gone on to write and record, what would be 3 EP's and one full-length to date! Newer music is in the works as well, expected to be released soon. They have been actively playing live around their area and want to head out further, expanding their horizons, hoping to tour one day! The band talks of all of this below.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that? 

I actually got the band name Idea brainstorming with my girlfriend. We kept picking out words we like and she came up with Rusted Hearts as we're kind of in the Rust Belt and we make emo music so we kind of wear our hearts on our sleeve.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

All of us in the band have been a big fans of bands like My Chemical Romance, The Used, and Armor For Sleep so it just felt like a no brainer to make music like them.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

We did, I (Pat) knew our Drummer (Nate) from recording his first band back in the 2010s. I knew our guitarist (Kevin) from being in the scene and having pretty similar music tastes. Our bass player (Christian) and I were in a band together before this one where we met.

4. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?

We're Based out of Cleveland Ohio, and our music scene here is thriving for sure. We often play with bands here like Mud Whale, Lemonbar, Wig Doubt, This Summer (rip), but also some older bands like Runaway Brother, Light Years, and Signals Midwest.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

The Biggest inspiration for me is experience/the human condition. I sing a lot about stuff like that.

6. What are your songs about? (What specific themes do they cover?)

A lot of our songs focus on Death or Past relationships. mainly focusing on the unknown or the what if of it all.

7. Do you write your own songs? (Discuss the songwriting process in detail.)

We do, typically we focus on instrumentals first then come up with lyrics after.

8. What have you released so far and what can someone expect from your works?

We have 3 EPs and 1 LP out currently. You could expect to hear a transition from being a bit more of a pop-punk focused group to something with a bit more of an Alternative/Emo edge.

9. Do you have any new music in the works?

We are currently sitting on about 3 new songs looking for homes.

10. How about playing shows and touring, have anything planned out?

Yes, we play somewhat often in Cleveland and we're going to be branching out a lot more in 2025 to the surrounding areas.

11. What plans do you have for the future as a band?

We want to focus on getting new songs together and collaborating with other artists/songwriters. We also are putting a big emphasis on touring,

12. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?

We are on Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, and Bandcamp, as well as anywhere else you listen to your music. We have a shopify that is pretty accessible through our Spotify page but can also be accessed HERE.

Alternative pop punks A HERO'S FATE have a few EP's out and about, and even a full-length, with them working on all new music for this year! The band goes into discussion about their comeback from taking some time to themselves, with a show coming up fast, wanting to put out new music and getting the fans old and new back into the groove!

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name? Did you plan it, or did it just come out like that?

The name A Hero’s Fate came from wanting something that felt epic yet relatable, something that reflected the idea of struggles, perseverance, and the journey people go through—kind of like the arc of a hero in a story. Whether it was planned or spontaneous, the name stuck because it fit the vibe we wanted.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

We grew up listening to pop-punk, alternative rock, and post-hardcore, and it just felt natural. The energy, the emotion, and the storytelling in the genre matched how we wanted to express ourselves. Plus, bands like Blink-182, Taking Back Sunday, Sum 41, New Found Glory, and The Starting Line were huge inspirations for us, so it made sense to take that influence and run with it.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Yes! We were friends before the band, and that chemistry definitely helped. Being in a band is a lot like a family—you spend so much time together that it really helps when you already have that connection.

4. Where is the band based out of, and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?

We’re based in Orlando, Florida, which has always had a diverse and underrated music scene. There’s a mix of pop-punk, hardcore, indie, and metal bands that have come through here. Some bands worth checking out from our area include Hungover, Magnolia Park, 408 and Felicity—they’re killing it right now!

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

A mix of personal experiences, random life moments, and just the absurdity of growing up. Sometimes, it’s about real situations, sometimes it’s a funny story that gets exaggerated into a song. Musically, we draw inspiration from classic pop-punk bands and even outside genres to keep things fresh.

6. What are your songs about? (What specific themes do they cover?)

A lot of our songs focus on:

• Growing up and figuring life out

• Relationships and breakups (but with a fun twist)

• Nostalgia for the 2000s pop-punk era

• Funny, self-deprecating takes on life

We like to balance catchy, fun songs with some meaningful, emotional tracks, so there’s always something for different moods.

7. Do you write your own songs? (Discuss the songwriting process in detail.)

Yes, we write everything ourselves. Usually, it starts with a riff or melody idea, then we build around that. The songwriting process is collaborative—sometimes lyrics come first, sometimes the music shapes the lyrics. We’ll mess around with different structures until something clicks. We try to keep our writing process fun and open-ended so that it feels natural, not forced.

8. What have you released so far, and what can someone expect from your works?

We’ve put out a few EPs and full-length releases, including tracks like “Orange County” and “Amateur Hour.” If you’re into energetic pop-punk with a mix of humor and heart, you’ll vibe with our music. Expect big hooks, fast-paced energy, and lyrics that hit home but don’t take themselves too seriously.

9. Do you have any new music in the works?

Yes! We’re working on new material for 2025 to go along with our comeback show at The Abbey on March 22, 2025. The new songs will still have that classic A Hero’s Fate sound, but with some fresh influences now that we’ve had time away.

10. How about playing shows and touring—have anything planned out?

Our comeback show is happening on March 22, 2025, at The Abbey in Orlando, FL, with Hungover, Overthinker, and Twin Rova as supporting acts. Beyond that, we’re figuring out what comes next—whether it’s more local shows, a short tour, or festival dates.

11. What plans do you have for the future as a band?

Right now, the focus is on reconnecting with fans, putting out new music, and seeing where things go. Whether we go full-force into touring or keep things more project-based, A Hero’s Fate is back, and we’re excited to see what happens.

12. Where can we listen to your band, and where can we buy your stuff?

You can stream our music on:

• Spotify

• Apple Music

• YouTube

• Google Play

• Pandora

For updates, merch, and exclusive content, check out:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aherosfate

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AHerosFateOfficial

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aherosfate

And, of course, you can catch us live at The Abbey on March 22, 2025!

Solo project artist BAYLEC decided upon black metal as his genre of choice. With that, he has gone on to write and record, later release three full-length albums to his name. No new music in the works, due to him releasing his most recent and third album to date "An Infinite Dark". He goes into talk about him creating said music, no shows planned just yet but being known is the best part.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that?

The name came from my first name “Cayleb”. I just scrambled the letters to form “Baylec” and thought it sounded good.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

I wanted to play this genre because black metal, or as some call it “depressive black metal”, resonates with me more than most other genres. The themes I talk about fit the genre the most. If you listen to my first album and even my second, you can hear changes in styles. I experimented a lot with these different styles to try and find the one most fitting with me.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

I am a solo band, but have worked with a couple people before. The chorus for “Your Own Heaven”, a song on my most recent album, was actually done by my good friend Timothy. If I ever plan on working with anyone else in the future it would only be someone I know and am friends with.

4. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?

I am based out of Heber Springs AR. The music scene here is very small, but when talking about metal, it is practically non-existent. Most of any sort of scene is usually based out of the bigger towns near me. One band I would recommend if I had too would be this band “Zashed” that is from a town about 45 minutes from me.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

My life experience is what inspired me to make music. I love being able to make and compose songs that talk about my experiences with trauma and abuse that can express the pain and suffering that I once felt.

6. What are your songs about? (What specific themes do they cover?)

As I said before, each of my songs talk about a different life experience I have been through. Most of which are not sunshine and rainbows. With that being said, most of my music talks and expresses topics of pain, internal suffering, and despair that I have or am feeling.

7. Do you write your own songs? (Discuss the songwriting process in detail.)

Yes, everything I do is written by me. The songwriting process usually starts with a simple song I make before building upon that, to make a solid instrumental. After that I either pick or write lyrics about a topic I feel like resonates with the instrumentals. Then the rest is just me isolating myself to record everything and mix it to my liking.

8. What have you released so far and what can someone expect from your works?

I have released 3 albums so far. My debut self-titled which was released in July of 2024, “Fragments of a Shattered Mind", which was released in October of 2024, and my most recent album “An Infinite Dark” which was released January 13th of 2025. From all of this, someone can expect songs with hate filled emotions along with soft melancholic acoustics.

9. Do you have any new music in the works?

At the moment, no. I am taking a break to promote An Infinite Dark and get better music equipment before starting the recording process on anything else. In the meantime, I will be working on myself and my songwriting capability.

10. How about playing shows and touring, have anything planned out?

I have not planned anything for live shows. With me being a solo act, it would be hard to do one. Plus I would have to get session people and I am honestly not a huge fan of that. I guess if enough people wanted me to do one, I would work something out! I also plan on finding a way to sell CDs and possibly Vinyl one day.

11. What plans do you have for the future as a band?

For the future, I plan on continuing to make music once I get to a settled point to record. I also plan on getting more and more feedback on my music to learn and hopefully make my next record better than the last.

12. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?

I am on streaming platforms! When it comes to merch, you can locate and buy it at BAYLEC | BAYLEC | Printify Pop-Up. However I'm still working on making and finding a way to sell CDs and other things. Right now I am just selling them from my house to people I know. I plan on expanding that soon. Very soon.

Emo band SKIIMO had grown up together, moved from one state to another, then would go on to write, record and release their debut EP, a single, with a sophomore EP on the way; along with a debut full-length expected within the next year! The band wants to release more music, play more shows, tour eventually and just leave a place for themselves that all can know who they are as musicians. See what they discuss with us below.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that?

A: So, our entire band moved to Denver from Illinois and we grew up playing in a band that was apart of the “Midwest Emo” genre. Because of that, we wanted to sort of come up with a name that took on the idea of Midwest Emo but out west. That is how we got Skiimo. I (Bryson) love to ski, which was a huge factor for moving out here. So we mixed the word Ski and emo together and got Skiimo.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

A: I have always been enthralled by emo. From Sunny Day Real Estate to MCR and more, it has always been a genre that resonated with me. I also just always find myself writing songs with a bit sadder tone in the vocals.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

A: Yes! We all grew up together and Brayden and Zack are brothers.

4. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?

A: We formed in Denver despite originally being from Illinois. We are still learning the local scene here but have met some really cool bands already like Flower Head and Team Nonexistent.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

A: Mental health. Past relationships. Depression.

6. What are your songs about? (What specific themes do they cover?)

A: My songs range from being about past relationships to struggling with my own mental state and struggling to accept that this is just how I am.

7. Do you write your own songs? (Discuss the songwriting process in detail.)

A: Yes! Usually, I will write the guitar part before I work on the vocals. I find the majority of the guitar written for each song to be figured out at night while I'm just sitting down watching anime and playing guitar. Vocals-wise, I usually have to be in the right state of mind or else it seems forced.

8. What have you released so far and what can someone expect from your works?

A: At the moment, we have one EP out and a single, which will be apart of our second EP (releasing in February 2025).

9. Do you have any new music in the works?

A: We do! After our sophomore EP releases, we will be working on our first LP.

10. How about playing shows and touring, have anything planned out?

A: We have a small tour planned for May and then will look at a larger tour in 2026 for our full-length.

11. What plans do you have for the future as a band?

A: Make music. Play shows. And hopefully, have an impact on at least one person.

12. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?

A: Our music is on all major streaming platforms! Spotify, Apple Music, etc. However, merch-wise, we only do drops Usually it's on our Bandcamp. If you want to keep an eye out then follow Skiimo on Bandcamp or follow our Twitter or Instagram.