Legendary drummer joins Metal Devastation Radio for an unfiltered conversation about life on the road, record labels, vinyl, and the future of heavy music
Death Angel drummer Will Carroll recently joined The Zach Moonshine Show on Metal Devastation Radio for an in-depth interview covering Death Angel’s upcoming European touring schedule, his work with independent labels Hectic Records and Bleeding Priest Records, the current state of the underground metal scene, and the unexpected circumstances surrounding the recent vocalist change in his other band, Nefarious.
The episode opened with new music from Metal Devastation PR artists and featured this week’s Battle of the Bands Top 6 winners before diving into a wide-ranging discussion with one of thrash metal’s most respected musicians.
During the interview, Carroll revealed that his summer schedule will be one of the busiest periods of his career, spending nearly two months in Europe between Death Angel and Nefarious.
“We do festivals with Death Angel and then we do three additional weeks in Europe with Nefarious… I’ll be out there for a total of seven weeks with two different bands. So it’s going to be a busy summer.”
Death Angel’s European run will include performances alongside legendary acts before Carroll transitions into additional touring duties with Nefarious.
The Story Behind Nefarious’ Vocalist Change
One of the biggest topics discussed during the interview was the recent lineup change in Nefarious, including the transition from original vocalist Katon W. De Pena to new vocalist Sean Rivera.
Carroll praised De Pena’s contribution to the band’s original recording while explaining the communication issues that led to the difficult decision.
“He did a great job on the record. He sounds great, but basically he ghosted us.”
Carroll explained that after recording the album, communication between the band and vocalist became increasingly difficult.
“After we recorded the album and we were putting it together and getting ready to put it out, we were having communication issues with him.”
As the band’s first live performance approached, uncertainty surrounding the lineup created additional challenges.
“We had our debut show coming up and we couldn’t get a hold of him. We didn’t know if he was actually even going to show up to the gig.”
Although De Pena did perform the debut show, Carroll explained that the communication problems continued afterward.
“He showed up and it was great… We were excited about moving forward. And then we didn’t hear from him again for like over a month. He just stopped talking to us.”
Moving forward, Nefarious will release updated versions of the album featuring new vocalist Sean Rivera, while the vinyl editions released through Hectic Records will remain tied to the original recording.
Supporting Independent Metal
Beyond performing, Carroll discussed his passion for supporting underground music through Hectic Records and Bleeding Priest Records, two labels dedicated to releasing physical music and helping new artists reach fans.
The conversation explored the importance of vinyl, record collecting, independent releases, and the role smaller labels continue to play in keeping heavy music alive.
Carroll also shared his thoughts on the importance of community within metal and why supporting independent bands remains essential in today’s music landscape.
About The Zach Moonshine Show
The Zach Moonshine Show continues to bring exclusive interviews, underground discoveries, and conversations with influential artists from across the heavy metal world. The show features established legends alongside emerging bands, giving fans a direct connection to the artists shaping the future of metal.
The Will Carroll interview is available now through Metal Devastation Radio, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, and other major podcast platforms.
Full interview, photos, track listing, and replay links:
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