DEATH CULTURE: Tearing Open the Void with Metal, Memory, and Meaning
- Editorial Board
- Jun 24
- 2 min read
The rising metal artist reveals how his journey through darkness, rage, and rebirth fuels every lyric and riff.
Today we have the pleasure to have DEATH CULTURE here on Goathead.
GHR: What inspired you to start writing music?
DEATH CULTURE: I’ve always loved metal. I picked up bass and electric guitar at 13 and felt the fire in my hands the moment I learned to play an arpeggio. It was rage-inducing, powerful—it became my outlet. These past two years, after coming out of a deep depression, I realized it was now or never. I poured all that energy into my love for metal. My wife Angelina sings in her band Aela, and watching her do what she loves lit a spark in me. Seeing fans come alive at her shows made it clear—this is what I want to do. I want to create memories, light up people’s nights. That’s what music is about.
GHR: Can you tell us more about your experience performing live and your most memorable moment so far?
DEATH CULTURE: I haven’t hit the stage yet—that’s the next step. I’m planning to start local in Indiana by summer 2026. But one moment I won’t forget: a fan on TikTok named Demongirl messaged me and asked for a custom song. I made “Death and Judgement” for her, and it drops in July. Sharing that connection and seeing how the music meant something to her—that was powerful. That’s why I’m excited to perform live. Not just to play, but to look people in the eyes and know the songs helped them somehow.
GHR: How is your songwriting process structured?
DEATH CULTURE: It’s based on emotion—whatever I’m feeling that day. My album Hollow Trigger dives deep into my experiences living with Schizophrenia and Borderline Personality Disorder. I journal daily, and those entries shape the lyrics. It’s raw and cathartic. After ten years in the Army, and losing people I loved, music became my way to feel anything again. Songs like “Fuck Your Smile” and SMILEFRACTURE come from that fractured place—where you wake up broken and look at the world like, “How can anyone smile today?” But deep down, you’re glad someone can.
GHR: What motivates you to create and bring awareness through your music?
DEATH CULTURE: The world is brutal. People carry so much pain, and most of the time they do it alone. My music is a voice for those silent battles. If I can help someone feel seen—even for three minutes—that’s the mission. I want to scream what people are afraid to say. There’s strength in that honesty.
GHR: Could you share some insights into your upcoming projects?
DEATH CULTURE: Right now, I’m focused on shooting music videos for each track off Hollow Trigger. It’s going to take a lot of work, but I want each one to be visual extensions of the songs. Of course, I know myself—at some point I’ll get that itch again and a new project will take shape. You’ll see it hit my socials before anywhere else.
Oh—and one more thing. I’m beyond honored that one of my childhood heroes, the band MuDvAyNe, actually noticed and liked my music. That means everything.
Don’t forget to follow DEATH CULTURE and listen to him on all streaming platforms.
