This summer, experimental/prog rock legends Primus are sharing the stage with fellow prog outfit Coheed and Cambria. There will be various special guests depending on the city. That list includes Guerilla Toss, Too Many Zooz, Fishbone, Fantastic Negrito, and All Them Witches.
Serpent Rising is a new heavy metal/rock project hailing from eastern Pennsylvania, comprised of members from various local acts. So far, the band has shared three singles, and they have a fourth on the horizon.
I was lucky enough to be given the chance to talk to lyricist/frontman Bradon Marshall! We dove into the members’ musical histories, their shared influences, what’s coming next for Serpent Rising, and much more!
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Mostly Music: Tell me about how Serpent Rising formed, and what’s the story behind the name?
Bradon Marshall: So the band was formed by two members (Josh & Clint) of an old punk band called Cold Blood Creep after they disbanded due to issues with their singer. Then, they found Seth, the guitarist, after seeing him cover a Lamb of God song. Finally, they met me about 3 months ago, before I left the group Two Dollar Horse. I stepped down as lyricist and frontman for TDH, and am filling the same role for Serpent Rising.
As far as the name goes, we bounced around on a bunch of names prior to Serpent Rising, but none of them felt right. Once the name Serpent Rising was put on the whiteboard, we knew it was the one. It sounded cool, rolled off the tongue, and represented our heavier tone, from the words to the drop tuned instruments.
A simpler way we all look at it is, as Josh put it – before this band, we were all kinda lost in music. Once we were all together, it felt collectively like we rose above the water and started treading.
MM: Did you all have a mutual direction at the beginning, or were you working from different musical backgrounds/influences?
BM: We definitely have different musical backgrounds, I think each member is all over the place; but we totally have our favorites.
Clint, the drummer, is old school. He really likes Motorhead. Josh, the bassist, really loves Dream Theater. So clearly, there’s a beautiful disconnect between all of us, where we as a team can pull from different styles to create.
MM: Who are the band’s major shared influences?
BM: I think if you listen closely, you can hear the best of different rock/metal subgenres come into play. Some honorable influences are as follows: Stone Temple Pilots, Alice in Chains, Megadeth, Periphery, Korn, Sleep Token, Lamb of God, and Acid Bath.
MM: That list definitely runs the gamut of subgenres! So, what is your writing/recording process? How do y’all bring it all together?
BM: Our writing process is currently pretty streamlined and fit so that each member can add their defining piece of the puzzle separately. The main songwriters are Josh and Seth. We are all pretty comfortable with audio engineering from a studio standpoint.
They [Josh and Seth] are really good at creating hook-based riffs with emotional transitions. Basically, they create the whole instrumental portion of the song on their own, then they send it to me to add my lyricist touch. Once the song is pretty much 100%, we bring Clint up to speed.
MM: On that same topic, what is the story behind the latest single, “Asphyxiation”?
BM: Another great question! “Asphyxiation” has done really well; better than any of us expected for the start up of the project. The song has its highs and lows instrumentally as well as lyrically.
In our mind, it tells an abstract and sad love story paired with the words, which is why when Josh and I laid out the script for the music video, we wanted it to not be too on the nose.
I can’t speak for the band as a whole or anyone that pulls a meaning from the words, but personally, I have dealt with a lot of difficulty with love and put my faith in a lot of things and people that have burned me. Or it is as simple as just not being able to see eye to eye repeatedly, to the point where it creates a jaded “not where you belong” type of feeling when it comes to actually getting close to anyone. Almost suffocating, in a sense, hence the title.
MM: As a lyricist, from where do you draw most of your inspiration? And what made you start writing? Did you begin in a different medium (poetry, perhaps)?
BM: I think I draw most of my inspiration from things I’m too afraid to say not in front of a microphone, as funny as that sounds. It’s always personal for me, but I try and keep the words abstract. Someday, we could dissect the lyrics of a song to fully understand the meaning I put behind it.
I’ve been writing poetry for most of my life, and I have always looked at it as just poetry on top of music, but once I started playing instruments, I had a place to put the words & it opened up a whole world for me.
MM: Y’all have released 3 singles thus far. When can we expect an album or EP? Or does the band prefer to upload tracks to a streaming service and not actually put them into a collection like that? I know several bands are going that route with the decline of the demand for physical copies of records.
BM: As far as releases go, yes, there are currently 3 out of the 13 songs we have lined up for possible release. But I wouldn’t expect an album. It just doesn’t work like singles do. Albums are great, in our opinion, but there is a decline in desire for them and with us trying to also do music videos and cinema content for the majority of the songs, singles make it much easier to do so piece by piece!
Two of the three songs currently have music videos and an unreleased (as far as streaming services are concerned) track called “MUD” has only a video on YouTube.
MM: I am from the generation that set a lot of store by music videos, so I’m really enjoying this resurgence of artists who like to express their music visually as well. So, what are the band’s plans for 2024?
BM: As far as our plans for 2024, we’ve booked shows to fill out most of the year, and we’ll be focusing on recording songs to be released and content for music videos and things of that nature. Our plan is to be a little more than just a band that makes and releases music. We’re still planning out ideas for our next big music video adventure! Everything we do, we want to keep DIY. It seems to keep the creativity natural and we are cohesive together more than we’d be with an outside party.
A collaboration or two with another local artist/musician would be cool, though!
MM: What would be your dream collaboration?
BM: It would be really cool to work with an off-genre band to create a mixture of sounds that weave well together but not to be expected!
MM: Taking that a step further, what would be your dream tour lineup (that includes Serpent Rising, of course)?
BM: I always loved the idea of keeping it close to home. There are a ton of great bands locally. Just to name a few that I’d love to travel and share music with – The Stone Eye, Hannibal, People Food, Ben Grinder Group, Ephraim, Die Tired, The Spyders of HBG.
That’s just a few, there’s many more! The music is there, you just gotta look for it!
MM: I love when bands promote other locals! It helps me spread the word as well. Still on the topic of live shows, what’s your favorite thing about performing?
BM: I think collectively our favorite thing about performing so far since we’ve started is after a show we get to come off stage and talk to people who heard us for the first time, maybe have a drink with them, and just talk about the music and various other things. Short of the connection we get with them on stage, there’s nothing else comparable!
MM: Last but not least, is there any message you have for your listeners (and my readers)?
BM: If we could say something to those who listen and anyone who reads this, it would be to always try to create something each day, even if it’s just a little happiness, check out our new single “MUD,” releasing March 30th, and come say hi to us & have a beer or six at our up and coming shows!!!
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Serpent Rising is truly just getting started. If you are a fan of the heavier styles of music, I would highly recommend looking them up right now! Make sure you follow the band on their socials so you never miss any news in regard to upcoming releases or live shows. You can listen to their latest single, “Asphyxiation,” below, and don’t forget that “MUD” drops on March 30th!
Scottish metal band Alestorm has announced the Tour of the Dead Marauder with special guests Elvenking and Glyph. This North American run is in support of the release of their new EP, Voyage of the Dead Marauder, which will be released March 22nd! Tickets are available at alestorm.net.
Nothing More will be touring alongside Wage War, Veil of Maya, and Sleep Theory throughout April and May, but the alt-rockers from Texas have announced a few extra dates that Wage War will not be appearing on (and two that Sleep Theory will be missing from, as well). Tickets and VIP packages are available at nothingmore.net!
Post-hardcore/prog rock band Skies of Terra is back with a new single entitled “Invincibility Codes,” which features alternative/trap metal artist Seethe. The track is now available to stream everywhere!
Hard-hitting from start to finish, “Invincibility Codes” is sure to satiate the tastes of even the most discerning heavy music fan. When asked about the story behind the song, vocalist/instrumentalist Euclides Polanco had this to say:
“‘Invincibility Codes’ is about the anxiety-driven feeling of falling. [In this case] ‘falling’ could be used as running out of time, losing sight, close to giving up, and negative contemplations. Phrases like ‘leave the lights on, I’m on my way home’ are calls to the ones the main character is speaking to before deciding…to leave this life. There is a lot of talk about confusion and being driven off the deep end while trying to hide behind a fake smile each day.”
The frustration and hopelessness behind living this way is expressed through music, vocals, and lyrics, all knitted together into a piece that is relatable to anyone who has had to put on a brave front in their day-to-day life. The verses are host to a rapid-fire beat, matched by a driving riff, all topped by Euclides’ clean vocals. “Am I alive? Or barely just breathing?/This isn’t living or existing, behind a malignant smile/And I cannot break free!”
This combination climbs to the bridge and chorus, during which, conversely, the music is more rhythmic while vocalist Justin Townsend unleashes a tidal wave of pent-up rage. “Falling from the sky/Above my head, you are watching me from a vengeful drone/I’m falling fast/The darkness spreads/Leave the lights on, I’m on my way home!”
As the second bridge reaches its close, Euclides announces “Wait, we’re not quite finished yet!” and we are launched into the final breakdown, penned and delivered by Seethe. The story of this collaboration makes it seem as if it were always meant to be.
“Skies of Terra and myself, we’re from the Pittsburgh scene,” explains Seethe. “In 2019, my band signed to a label called Brutal Business Entertainment, but going into 2020 [when Covid happened], the owner wanted to step down. He essentially gave me the label to run. Skies of Terra was one of the first bands that I personally signed.”
“Seethe showed us love very early on,” Euclides recalls. “I had written the demo for ‘Invincibility Codes’ in January 2020. It was originally written for the EP, The Party is Over, but it didn’t fit the narrative and vibe. It just wasn’t ready. Seethe had written a section that sounded pretty sweet, but we left the track alone until fall of 2022. [That’s when] I re-wrote it and sent it to Seethe to work on. He’s the one that ended up creating a big foundation for how things were articulated throughout the album. ‘Invincibility Codes’ has very important motifs that are revisited in other tracks.”
“Clides brought [‘Invincibility Codes’] to me, and he was like, ‘I really want you on this outro’,” Seethe says. “The track was kinda the same as it is now, but a lot of the kinks weren’t worked out. We went back and forth about it, then we shelved it. Out of nowhere, [in 2022], Clides gave me the music and they had me write my breakdown for the end.”
“It was nerve-wracking,” Seethe adds. “They gave me a blank slate at the end to do whatever I wanted. I felt the pressure, because Clides and Justin are both great vocalists, so without knowing what they were gonna do ahead of time, I had to make sure I sent the track out on a high note.”
True to his aim, Seethe does conclude “Invincibility Codes” on a high note. He grants the listener a final eruption of anger, an audible picture of hitting the breaking point. “Push it to the brink/Push, push/I’m coming!/I’m coming home!”
Stream “Invincibility Codes” now, and check out the lyric video below!
Follow Skies of Terra on all their socials so you never miss anything!
Nothing More and Wage War are teaming up this spring for a North American tour, and they’re bringing along special guests Veil of Maya and Sleep Theory. You can get tickets and VIP at nothingmore.net and/or wagewarband.com!
4/16 – Charlotte, NC – The Fillmore Charlotte
4/17 – Birmingham, AL – Avondale Brewery
4/18 – New Orleans, LA – Fillmore New Orleans
4/20 – Austin, TX – Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater*
4/22 – Grand Junction, CO – Amphitheater at Las Colonias Park
4/24 – Riverside, CA – Riverside Auditorium
4/27 – Las Vegas, NV – Sick New World Festival 2024^
4/28 – Albuquerque, NM – Revel Entertainment Center
4/30 – Kansas City, MO – Arvest Bank Theater
5/1 – West Des Moines, IA – Val Air Ballroom
5/3 – Green Bay, WI – EPIC Event Center
5/4 – East Moline, IL – The Rust Belt
5/5 – Omaha, NE – The Rose Theater
5/7 – Madison, WI – The Sylvee
5/8 – Grand Rapids, MI – GLC Live at 20 Monroe*
5/10 – Bethlehem, PA – Wind Creek Event Center*
5/14 – Norfolk, VA – The NorVa
5/15 – Raleigh, NC – The Ritz
5/17 – Indianapolis, IN – Egyptian Room at Old National Centre
Avant-garde metal band Avatar is playing a few dates in North America this May! With them will be rap-rockers Oxymorrons and the all-female rock outfit Conquer Divide. Tickets are on sale at avatarmetal.com!
5/8 – Indianapolis, IN – Egyptian Room at Old National Centre
5/9 – Huntsville, AL – Mars Music Hall
5/10 – Greensboro, NC – Piedmont Hall
5/11 – Norfolk, VA – The NorVa
5/12 – Sayreville, NJ – Starland Ballroom
5/14 – Portland, ME – State Theatre
5/15 – Wallingford, CT – Dome at Toyota Oakdale Theatre
5/16 – Reading, PA – Reverb
5/17 – Columbus, OH – Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival 2024*
Mostly Music 