WarCrown is a progressive doom metal band from Denver. They have been active since 2019, when bassist Sin Odison and guitarist Caleb Byars recruited Jizzly Evan to join a musical project the two had been working on. Drummer Angel Odinson was quick to follow and as of this last summer, Mike Melton has been added on as a second guitarist. Collectively, the band has put out one self-produced/self-titled EP and Full length.

They also have big mouths and feel it is their job to antagonize the dead. But when you poke a stick at this demon long enough, you’re going to fuck around and find out. I paid a visit to Caleb’s house where the band had met to begin recording their newest album. I had managed to ravage the entire band when the late-arriving Jizzly showed up, ultimately with a big surprise for me….

~Maris The Great

THE DEMISE OF WARCROWN

WARCROWN FINAL INTERVIEW

Tell me about the first WarCrown show. Wasn’t there something unusual that happened with the drums?

Jizzly: During the pandemic, we played our first show without a drummer, before we recruited Angel on drums.

How did you manage that?

Sin: We programmed the drums on a laptop. Caleb is very talented when it comes to audio engineering. We actually practiced with programmed drums for almost a year.

Was it difficult to move into using a mortal as a drummer?

Angel: It was mostly awkward because of the Doom and Gothic metal background I have. Caleb and I have plans for the next couple of months. We will work on a more technical approach and now that Mike is bringing new ideas I think we will make it fit perfectly. Riffs and beats so sick, Bernie sanders will want to give ’em Healthcare asap (laughs)

Sin: Angel fit in really quickly. The first practice was really the only awkward practice. Then he fell right into place. Grisly, tell Maris about Derrick Daniels!

Jizzly: Before Angel, we had a stand-in drummer. He was a blow up sex doll with a big ole weiner. Unfortunately, his attitude wasn’t the best and Sins son had to slit his throat (laughs)

Sin: He wore a help wanted sign around his neck for our first performance! (laughs)

Was there a goal at the very beginning? Or was it to just have fun?

Sin: I think that answer will vary from member to member. For me, I had played in a few bands in my younger days. One day, a few years ago, I decided that I needed to play music again. I had not focused on bass for quite a few years. So I started practicing again, with the goal of being in a band. I played bass for Viper Witch for about 6 month. Then moved on to a band where I met Caleb. That band fell apart within about a year. However, Caleb and I had become close friends. We knew we wanted to continue playing together, but take things in a different direction than our previous band. We started writing together, with a new vision in mind, and butchering some of the riffs from our previous bands songs. I guess it was never really about a set goal, but just a need to create. I am an artist for a living as a blacksmith and knife maker, however even in my free time, I personally have this need to continue creating. Drawing, writing music, etc…

Jizzly: For me, my only real goal was to do what we do, and be the best at how we do it. We can be pretty unconventional, and it’s hard to put into words just what our entire act is about. But when I play with these guys, I know we’re doing it right.

Mike: I agree with both Sin and Evan; the need to create something is strong and it’s really hard to put into words. Playing music has really been the only way I’ve been able to accurately express myself (until I went to multiple rounds of therapy!), but I’ve been incredibly self-conscious about pitching my own material, so being in a successful original project has been decades in the making for me. The rawness that is WarCrown is beyond refreshing to me, especially in an age where technicality and perfection reign supreme. I think Evan put it perfectly, it’s hard to put into words, but when we’re doing it, it’s right.

I always felt you, Jizzly, came from some other kind of music. You don’t have a metal energy but more Punk or something else about you.

Jizzly: I’ve always been into metal, but I definitely draw a lot of inspiration from punk and a huge amount of classic rock. Jim Morrison is my spirit animal

You used to dress in sailor drag. It was hot. Why did you stop?

Jizzly: Lol, sailor drag. After 8 years under the thumb of the military, it was just time for a change.

When you wore the sailor uniform, did you ever stand in front of a mirror and watch yourself jerk off

JIzzly: Haha no, although I probably should have

JIzzly: I mean, it really depends on if I remembered to drink water that day.

Drinking water affects ejaculation?

JIzzly: Hydration is key sir. Hydrate or die-drate

Have you had sex while in uniform?

JIzzly: Do the math. I had that uniform for eight years and have an absolute smokeshow of a wife.

You were married back then?

Jizzly: Yessir, Amber and I got married the day after boot camp graduation

Do you think she married you because you looked hot in uniform?

JIzzly: Well, yeah. I only got the uniform so I could get the girl

What is it like having her in a metal band and at the same time you are? Is there a sense of competition among you both?

Jizzly: Oh totally. But not in a bad way. We like to tease each other about who sells more tickets, or gets more online interactions. Keeps us both trying to be better.

Sin: I will only say from my perspective that Blood of Lilith is like a sister band to us. They started around the same time as us. We practiced at Rocket Space then switched to the practice space we have now. They recently switched to a different space. I miss having them around. It’s definitely hard to not compare where we are to where they are. Sometimes we’re ahead of the game, sometimes they are.

When are you releasing new music?

Jizzly: We’ll have new music out this spring. Last night was our last show of the year, and now we’re going back into writing/recording mode so we can crank out a new album

Looking back on what you’ve recorded, how do you all see it?

Sin: We had a bit of a formula, and a mold so to speak that many of our songs followed. I love our first album, and at this point hate it as well! I think a lot of artists find that in their work. I am an artist for a living as well, and I see the flaws in my own work, way more than anyone else does. However this is a good thing. It pushes you to be better! I am looking forward to our next album because we are actively trying to break our own mold, to strengthen our relationships with one another, and write songs that are just better!

Give me an example of a band that you think has everything, that you would all enjoy inspiring to be

Sin: Impossible. There is no such band that exists. I personally have my favorites. As an audiophile. there is not one set genre, there is no perfect band. Also getting us to agree on one band would also be impossible. Another reason WarCrown is unique and a bit all over the place. We all have very different styles and influences.

Jizzly: I agree with Sin. I don’t really think we could all agree on one perfect band. For me personally as far as aspirations go, I’d say late stage Motley Crue. They’re old, fat, and people still love them anyway.

Like me!

Jizzly: Exactly!

Pretend you could wave a magic wand for WarCrown and can make it anything your heart desires. What would the band be like?

Jizzly: I’d keep us exactly as we are, with the small exception that we can do this for a living, and play to giant crowds.

Sin: That would be rad! To have a ton more resources, access to the best recording and gear! We would rule the fucking world! Especially now that we are undead and immortal! Ha

Photos by Photos by AVA Dthia. Special thanks to Grisly Evan.

THE DEMISE OF WARCROWN

WARCROWN FINAL INTERVIEW

FOLLOW THE BAND HERE