Houston’s Of The Fallen may have started as a few friends jamming in a garage, but the band has grown into a powerful force with a message that reaches far beyond crushing breakdowns. Blending the raw spirit of MySpace-era deathcore with the innovation of today’s heavy scene, the band has carved out a sound that is both familiar and distinctly their own.
At the heart of their music is something even more important than heaviness: honesty. Their latest work confronts PTSD, anxiety, depression, addiction, and body dysphoria through lived experiences, creating songs that aim to make listeners feel understood rather than alone.
In this interview, Of The Fallen discuss their evolution, the Houston metal community, the influences that shaped their sound, and why vulnerability has become one of the band’s greatest strengths.
Of The Fallen’s journey began years ago when guitarist Wayne and two friends started writing music together in a garage with no expectations beyond having fun.
Initially, the band’s music leaned heavily into progressive metal inspired by acts like Opeth before naturally evolving into something far heavier. While deathcore forms the foundation of their sound, they emphasize that their influences stretch well beyond a single genre.
Each member brings different musical tastes to the table, ranging from slam and death metal to metalcore, nu metal, hard rock, and even Nickelback—a favorite of Wayne’s.
For the band, deathcore’s greatest strength lies in its versatility.
“It brings together the aggression of death metal with the energy and emotion of hardcore, while still leaving plenty of room to experiment and make something that’s your own.”
The band’s name originally came from a Dimmu Borgir song suggested by one of their early drummers. Over the years, however, “Of The Fallen” has evolved into something much more personal. Rather than focusing on defeat, the name symbolizes perseverance getting back up after life’s hardest moments, rising from the ashes, and continuing forward regardless of the obstacles ahead.
Being based in Houston has played a major role in the band’s development. With multiple local and touring shows happening throughout the city every week, the scene constantly reminds them of the opportunities available while also teaching valuable lessons about patience and timing. Although Houston is often described as an oversaturated market, Of The Fallen sees it differently. Whether a show draws 15 people or hundreds, they believe the consistent support from fans is what keeps the city’s metal community thriving.
Of The Fallen proudly embraces influences from both classic and contemporary deathcore. They admire the MySpace era for its raw authenticity, memorable riffs, and songwriting that prioritized instrumentation as much as vocals. Modern deathcore, meanwhile, inspires them through its willingness to experiment and continually push boundaries. Rather than choosing between the two styles, the band hopes to combine them. Their goal is simple: capture the energy of early deathcore while embracing the creativity of today’s scene.
Mental health has become the emotional core of Of The Fallen’s music. Wayne explains that after stepping away from the band for several months while dealing with his own mental health struggles, he realized how rarely these conversations happen—particularly among men working in blue-collar environments. That experience changed the band’s direction. Their EP, In One Form Or Another, explores five deeply personal subjects experienced by members of the band:
“A few years ago, I (Wayne) stepped away from the band and put everything on hold for around four months. During that time I was struggling mentally, dealing with a lot of uncertainty, and going through several personal issues that were taking a toll on me. Eventually, I got the help I needed, and it really opened my eyes to how little mental health is talked about especially among men.
All of us work blue-collar jobs, and you see firsthand how many people are told to “just deal with it” instead of asking for help. I’ve seen it with coworkers, people in the music scene, friends, family, and in my own life.
That’s why mental health became the heart of our music.
Every song on our EP, …In One Form Or Another, focuses on a different struggle that someone in the band has experienced personally:
– PTSD — inspired by our drummer’s experiences after combat.
– Anxiety — something every member has dealt with in one way or another.
– Depression — based on what I experienced during my hiatus and something so many people continue to battle.
– Addiction — inspired in part by struggles involving former band members and by how many people use addiction to mask emotional pain.
– Body Dysphoria/Dysmorphia — centered around our vocalist’s personal experiences.
We’re not trying to tell people that healing is easy or pretend we have all the answers. We simply want people to know they’re not alone. We’ve lived through these struggles ourselves, and if our music can make someone feel seen or understood, then it’s doing exactly what we hoped it would.“
As Of The Fallen continue to evolve, they’re proving that deathcore can be both devastatingly heavy and deeply human. By blending the raw intensity of the genre’s early days with a modern willingness to experiment, the band has crafted a sound that reflects not only their musical influences but also their personal experiences. Whether they’re delivering crushing riffs or opening up conversations about mental health, Of The Fallen are building something that resonates long after the final breakdown reminding listeners that strength isn’t found in hiding your struggles, but in facing them head on.
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