Descent Into the Nether: NetherDred on The Zach Moonshine Show
There are interviews, and then there are conversations that remind you why heavy metal exists in the first place. The recent appearance of NetherDred on The Zach Moonshine Show was...
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Descent Into the Nether: NetherDred on The Zach Moonshine Show
There are interviews, and then there are conversations that remind you why heavy metal exists in the first place. The recent appearance of NetherDred on The Zach Moonshine Show was firmly in the second category. This was not a rushed promo stop or a checklist of predictable questions. It was a deep dive into musicianship, storytelling, and the long game of building something that actually means something.
NetherDred joined the show fresh off the release of their debut EP Lords of Mayhem, and from the jump it was clear this band is operating with intention. Every riff, lyric, visual, and piece of merch feeds into a larger vision they call the Netherverse, a timeless realm built to house stories of power, corruption, heroism, and consequence.
As the band explained during the interview, the Netherverse was created specifically to avoid creative limitations.
“The Netherverse exists in a timeless state. The stories can come from any point in any time. That’s kind of the beauty of it.”
That philosophy alone sets NetherDred apart in a modern metal landscape that often feels disposable and trend-driven.
Real Players, Real Records
One of the strongest themes throughout the interview was authenticity. NetherDred were upfront about how Lords of Mayhem was recorded and why that mattered to them. No shortcuts. No artificial polish. No AI tricks.
“There’s no fake musicians on here. There’s no AI anything. It’s us, raw. That’s the way we like it, and that’s the way we play it live.”
The EP was recorded through a mix of home studios in Rio Rico and Tucson before being sent off for mastering. The band played to a click, locked in the takes, and focused on capturing a natural, organic sound. The result is a record that feels alive, like you are standing in the room with them rather than listening to something stitched together on a screen.
That approach carries into their live performances as well. What you hear on the EP is what you get on stage. No smoke and mirrors, just musicians who put in the work.
Lords of Mayhem and the Birth of a Trilogy
The conversation naturally moved into the concept behind Lords of Mayhem, which serves as the opening chapter of a planned trilogy of EPs. The first release introduces three heroes and the central antagonist, the God of Mayhem.
Watching from his own dimension, the God of Mayhem observes these warriors overcoming impossible odds. Impressed, he begins to manipulate them, feeding their darker impulses through magical weapons and false victories. What begins as strength turns into tyranny.
“It’s really about how absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
Future EPs, including the upcoming Kings of Mayhem, will continue this arc, showing the heroes’ descent, their realization of manipulation, and their ultimately futile attempt to escape a god who exists beyond their comprehension.
The storytelling lands somewhere between epic metal tradition, dark fantasy, and sharp-eyed commentary on power structures, all without beating the listener over the head.
More Than Music: Comics, Collectibles, and Community
NetherDred are not just releasing songs. They are building an ecosystem.
Each EP comes with limited-edition merchandise runs capped at 100 units. Once they are gone, they are gone. Included with Lords of Mayhem is a graphic novella that visually tells the story of the title track. Think of it as a lyric video in comic form, pairing the music with imagery that brings the characters to life.
For collectors and long-term supporters, this approach rewards loyalty and makes each release feel like an event rather than background noise.
Gear Talk for the Diehards
The interview also went deep into gear territory, and not in a superficial way. Drums bought with college money, vintage Tama kits, massive snare collections, Iron Cobra pedals, and cymbal racks that look like they came straight out of Guitar Center’s display floor.
Guitar-wise, the band talked about ditching unreliable setups, embracing Blackstar heads, EverTune bridges for rock-solid tracking, and simplifying pedalboards to focus on performance instead of tap dancing.
The bass discussion alone could have been its own episode. Custom-built instruments made from reclaimed piano wood, fence posts, and pallet lumber. Headless six-string basses. Fretless monsters with necks thicker than baseball bats. Instruments that are as unique as the players themselves.
This was not gear for Instagram likes. This was gear chosen for sound, feel, and longevity.
Roots Matter
Another standout moment was hearing the band talk about their musical upbringing. Buddy Holly. The Beatles. Cream. KISS Alive. Iron Maiden. Judas Priest. Slayer. Hair metal. Power metal. Alternative. Goth. Funk.
Rather than pigeonholing themselves into a single genre, NetherDred embrace the full spectrum of their influences.
“We didn’t say we’re going to play this kind of metal. We said we’re going to use our influences collectively, and whatever comes out of that is our kind of metal.”
That mindset is audible in their music. Cinematic without being corny. Heavy without being sterile. Theatrical without being pretentious.
The Netherverse Comes Alive
Vocalist Rachel’s operatic background adds another crucial layer to the band’s sound and identity. Her clean, powerful delivery gives voice to the characters of the Netherverse, transforming performances into something closer to ritual than recital.
As described during the interview, she is less a traditional frontperson and more a sorceress channeling the stories into the crowd. It is a role that fits perfectly with NetherDred’s commitment to immersive metal.
Looking Forward
The interview wrapped with talk of upcoming shows, festival appearances, and a clear desire to expand the Netherverse beyond Arizona and into the wider underground metal world. The band emphasized community, collaboration, and supporting fellow artists as core values.
“Join us in the Netherverse. It’s a great place to escape.”
That invitation sums up the entire conversation. NetherDred are not chasing trends or algorithms. They are building something slowly, deliberately, and with respect for the past while keeping an eye on the future.
For fans of heavy metal that values craft, storytelling, and authenticity, this interview was essential listening. And if your speakers survived the broadcast, consider that a victory.
Crank it loud. Enter the Nether. Don’t be soft.
Full show now streaming on Mixcloud:
Track List:
Battle Of The bands Top Six Winners:
1 - Broken Trinity - Offspring Forged From Deathless Souls2 - Suspended Animation - CarefulWhat you Say3 - Mistress - Terrified eyes4 - Changing Tymz - Emptiness5 - The Funeral Procession - The Whispering Dark6 - GREYNOISE - TIMEBOMB
The Zach Moonshine Intro
7 - Ozzy Osbourne - Snowblind/Black Sabbath Live8 - Axedragger - Axedragger/FightAnotherDay
NetherDred - Interview featuring Spellbound/Lords of Mayhem
9 - Megadeth - Ride the Lightning/Let There Be Shred10 - Zach Moonshine - Barbarian/Alcohol11 - NinjaWitch - White Buffalo12 - Exodus - 311113 - Iron Bones - Strigoi (Bringer of Death)14 - Black Label Society - Name In Blood/You Must Be Blind/In This River15 - Jeff Fabb - Into Thin Air/Listen to Hear16 - Party Cannon - High Tariff Behaviour17 - Deteriorot - Ritual Ceremonies of Blasphemous Horror18 - GIRLZEROTH - HYPOCRITICAL MASK19 - Battlesoul - A Hundred Shades20 - Hook & Lace - Blaze
Also check out the isolated interview segment on YouTube, Spotify etc.
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Check them out on YouTube and subscribe!
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Super massive thanks to the 129,047 metal maniacs from around the world that tuned in live to the broadcast Friday night!
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