**Photo-Akuro productions**
The Truth About Being in a Metal Band with He Who Dwells | TMMP-92
In this episode of *The Metal Maniacs Podcast*, hosts **Jay Ingersoll** and **Nick Modd** sit down with one of Grand Rapids' most ferocious and fast-rising metalcore acts—**He Who Dwells**. Taking inspiration from **God Forbid, Killswitch Engage, Unearth**, and the crushing melodies of Swedish melodeath, this band has been carving out a name for themselves with their high-energy performances and razor-sharp songwriting.
We dig deep into the **formation** of the band, their **songwriting process**, and what it takes to stand out in today’s heavy music scene. **Vocalist Derek Zoerman, lead guitarist James Kennedy, rhythm guitarist Will Wilson, join us for an in-depth conversation about their influences, live shows, and the passion that fuels their music.
### **Topics Covered:**
🔥 **The Inception of He Who Dwells** – How did this powerhouse of a band come together?
🔥 **Breaking Down the Name** – What’s behind "He Who Dwells"?
🔥 **Metal Origins** – The members share their journey into heavy music and the bands that shaped them.
🔥 **Writing Process & Production** – How do they craft their crushing riffs and soaring melodies?
🔥 **Tone & Gear Talk** – Guitar tunings, amps, cabs, and drum setup for that signature sound.
🔥 **Show Stories** – The best, worst, and most insane live experiences.
🔥 **What’s Next?** – New music? Studio plans? Future shows?
### **Releases & Song Deep Dives:**
Though He Who Dwells has only released singles so far, each track is a **precision strike of metalcore brutality**. We go through their **discography** and discuss their evolution:
🎵 **Self Induced Panic** (3/16/2022) - A raw, riff-heavy introduction to the band, featuring crushing highs and haunting cleans.
🎵 **Raven The Loathing** (4/27/2022) - A continuation of their debut session, this track delivers **tight production** and an eerie closing sequence over intricate tapping.
🎵 **Apathy** (10/31/2022) - A **melodic, Swedish-influenced** masterpiece with harmonic guitar work and dynamic vocal shifts.
🎵 **Whole Wheat** (11/23/2022) - A **Lamb of God-inspired** banger, leaning more into melodeath territory with its relentless intensity.
🎵 **In the Marshes** (7/4/2023) - A **showcase of technical precision**, with a mesmerizing playthrough video.
🎵 **Quiet, They’ll Hear You** (10/13/2023) - A more mature sound, integrating **orchestral strings** to elevate the band’s sonic depth.
We also discuss their live presenc, the **reality of navigating the Michigan metal scene**. Whether you’re a fan of old-school **metalcore** or the more **melodic death metal side of things**, He Who Dwells is a band you need to have on your radar.
🔗 **Check out He Who Dwells' music and videos here:**
🎥 **YouTube**: [@hewhodwells6322](https://www.youtube.com/@hewhodwells6322/videos)
🌐 **Linktree**: [He Who Dwells](https://linktr.ee/hewhodwellsmi)
If you love heavy breakdowns, soaring guitar harmonies, and unrelenting aggression this is an episode you can’t miss Turn it up loud, and let’s dive into the world of **He Who Dwells
🤘 **Follow us -https://linktr.ee/metalmaniacsmi
🎙️ HE WHO DWELLS-https://linktr.ee/hewhodwellsmi
#Metalcore #MelodicDeathMetal #HeWhoDwells #MichiganMetal #MetalPodcast #MetalManiacsPodcast
