In this episode of The Metal Maniacs Podcast, we sit down with Metzfire—a Grand Rapids-based hard rock/alt-metal powerhouse whose sound blends moody atmospheres with haunting melodies, crushing grooves, and deeply emotional lyricism.

Formerly known as The Orphan and Others, Metzfire is a band that channels personal struggle and historic tragedy into powerful sonic storytelling. We dive deep into their debut album “Coordinate Oblivion”, discuss their evolving lineup, talk gear, production, and the journey from their inception to opening for national acts like The Browning and Hail The Sun.

🔥 Highlights from the episode include:

Behind the scenes of recording “Coordinate Oblivion” at Raygun Recording Studio

Reflections on standout tracks like “To Drink an Ocean,” “Stoned Ape Theory,” and “Into the Unknown”

Johnny Whitney’s vocal style—ranging from haunting cleans to visceral screams

Their DIY writing process and how they create moody, genre-bending arrangements

The band’s unique chemistry as a 7-piece and their approach to live performance

What they're listening to, what’s next for 2025, and how they transform anxiety into art

🎵 About “Coordinate Oblivion” (2024)

This 8-track debut captures a range of sonic moods—from ethereal ambiance and post-grunge breakdowns to technical, emotionally charged alt-metal riffage. Recorded and produced by Chris Frankhauser (ONN, Glass God),

🎤 Current Lineup:

Johnny Whitney – Vocals (Kamilla, Johnny Logic)

Josh Barnaby & Mike Hafer – Guitars (The Veronica Speedwell, The Skyline Obscura)

Jonas Beel – Guitar (The Storied Life)

Mike McNally – Bass (Romance for Ransom)

Mike Nolen – Keys/Synth (Long After Midnight)

David Koetje – Drums (Until Forever)

⚙️ Topics Discussed:

Band formation and evolution

The importance of tone, gear, and unconventional tunings

How riffs become full songs

Balancing melody with aggression

Collaboration, songwriting dynamics, and what makes Metzfire click

Show experiences across Michigan

Touring aspirations and new material in the works

🔗 Metzfire Links:

🌐 Linktree-https://linktr.ee/metzfire

💿 Follow us-https://linktr.ee/metalmaniacsmi

📣 Whether you’re a fan of Sevendust, 12 Foot Ninja, Dead Poet Society, or Coheed and Cambria—you’ll want to hear what Metzfire is doing. Their genre-fluid, emotionally intense songs will hit you in the chest and leave you thinking.

💥 Don’t miss this powerful and inspiring conversation.

🎙️ Listen now on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your fix.

🔔 Like, comment, subscribe, and share with a fellow metalhead.

In this pulverizing episode of The Metal Maniacs Podcast, your hosts Jay Ingersoll and Modd dive deep into the diseased heart of Michigan’s underground with Decedent, one of the most exciting new names in the Sepsisgrind scene—a self-described style of cataclysmic death metal somewhere between Sanguisugabogg, Gatecreeper, and 200 Stab Wounds, all filtered through a thick Cannibal Corpse groove and old-school Chuck Schuldiner worship.

🧠 We sit down with the Mount Pleasent-area trio—Josiah Hill (vocals/guitar), Anthony (drums), and Malakai (bass)—to unpack the brutal origins, gear setups, writing methods, and growth of the band from raw demo days to their killer debut album release on Iron Fortress Records, For Those in Shallow Graves (out Aug 15, 2025).

We talk:

🧟 The origins of the Decedent name and lineup

🧬 Recording their first self-titled demo EP (March 5, 2023) — complete with "Machining Through Your Guts" and "Cataclysmic Dome"

🔨 The Persistent Ruin EP (Jan 5, 2024) — tighter drumming, better production, and standout cuts like "Cerebral Hemisect"

💥 Their gnarly Senseless Disgust single (July 23, 2024 via Harder Than You Records)

💦 The devastating Piss Leach split EP (Sept 27, 2024) feat. "Involuntary Self-Decimation"

🪦 The debut full-length For Those in Shallow Graves (Aug 15, 2025) — 9 tracks of pure filth, including:

We break down what makes this 3-piece so tight live, how they develop riff-driven anthems with old-school grooves and blast-laden madness, and why their tone and songwriting offer some of the most exciting death metal in Michigan today.

🎛️ Tech talk? We cover:

Guitar tones

Drums and cabs

Tunings

Practice and rehearsal routines

🪦💀 They may be young, but they’ve got the heart of rotting veterans—and this new LP proves it. Recorded by Furniture City Soundworks, mixed/mastered by Colossus Audio, and wrapped in disgusting art by Martyrdoom Illustrations, For Those in Shallow Graves is slimy, relentless, and catchy as hell.

💽 Pre-order the CD or cassette now at:

👉 https://www.ironfortressrecords.com

🎧 Stream "Molded in Concrete" + the full discography:

👉 https://ironfortressrecords.bandcamp.com

📲 Follow Decedent:

👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/decedentmi

📲 Follow Iron Fortress Records:

👉 https://www.instagram.com/ironfortressrecords

📽️ Watch the LP teaser and music videos:

👉 @ironfortressrecords

🔊 Also discussed:

Their show with Noxis in Lansing

Upcoming tour plans

What they’re listening to right now (spoiler: it’s nasty)

The joy of being in a band, getting weird with riffs, and what’s next for Decedent

Follow us-https://linktr.ee/metalmaniacsmi

🎧 Whether you're into the buzzsaw low-end of Frozen Soul, the riff-worship of Gorguts, or the sledgehammer bounce of Sanguisugabogg, this episode is for you.

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