THE BEAST

The Haunted North Unleash “Savage Ghost” – Randy V Talks Origins, Heavy Hitters, and What’s Next on Metal Devastation Radio

If you like your heavy with grit, groove, and zero plastic polish, this one hits like a hammer.

On a recent episode of The Zach Moonshine Show on Metal Devastation Radio, The Haunted North stormed in with their crushing new single “Savage Ghost” , and frontman Randy V pulled back the curtain on how this whole thing came together. The result is a band rooted in real history, real connections, and a sound that doesn’t chase trends, it bulldozes through them.

“It’s like a freaking hammer” – The Sound of Savage Ghost

Right out of the gate, the vibe was clear. This isn’t overproduced, copy-paste rock. This is weight.

“It is smash your head… it’s like a freaking hammer, isn’t it?”

That pretty much sums up Savage Ghost . Thick, groove-heavy riffs with a dark, almost cinematic feel. You can hear the DNA of classic heavy hitters, but it never feels like imitation. It feels lived-in.

Heavy Hitters in the Mix: JD DeServio & Jeff Fabb

One of the big talking points was the involvement of some serious players behind the scenes.

Randy V broke it down:

“JD jumped in… Jeff did the last two singles… these guys literally did their tracks and then jumped on a plane to LA to start rehearsing.”

That kind of commitment shows up in the final product. The rhythm section alone gives Savage Ghost that undeniable punch, the kind that hits you in the chest and sticks.

A Wild Origin Story You Can’t Make Up

The Haunted North didn’t form the usual way. No Craigslist ad, no “hey let’s start a band” moment.

This thing is built on what can only be called pure rock and roll fate.

From gym meetups in Canada…
To connections through Black Label Society circles…
To a chance encounter with Layne Staley’s mother…

Yeah, seriously.

Randy V shared one of the most surreal moments:

“I realized… that’s Layne Staley’s mom… and we ended up becoming really good friends.”

That connection eventually led to the creation of music tied to tribute material, which snowballed into something much bigger.

“It wasn’t coincidental… all that had to happen for us to meet.”

You don’t script stuff like that.

From One-Off Track to Full-Blown Band

What started as a single turned into something else entirely.

“He said, ‘What if I could get Jeff and JD to play on it?’ I said… ‘well, then I’d have to reconsider.’”

That reconsideration turned into a full project, and now The Haunted North is building serious momentum.

Influences: From European Metal to Grunge Darkness

Randy V didn’t shy away from talking influences, and it paints a clear picture of where that sound comes from.

“We were more into European metal… Priest, Schenker… then when everything shifted, the two bands that grabbed you… Soundgarden and Alice In Chains.”

That blend explains a lot. You’ve got the precision and power of classic metal mixed with the mood and weight of early 90s darkness.

And it shows.

No Fake Emotion. No Industry BS.

One of the real standout moments was Randy talking about authenticity in music.

“People know when you’re… not real… when you actually felt it, they hear it.”

That’s the difference between something that sounds good and something that sticks with you.

The Haunted North leans hard into that second category.

Gear Talk… Sort Of

For the tone chasers out there, there were a few nuggets dropped, even if Randy laughed off being “the wrong guy” for full gear breakdowns.

What we do know:

Friedman amps are part of the tone equation

Gibson-style guitars in the mix

A serious, dialed-in setup from guitarist Sean

“I know tones very well… if it sounds like shit, I’ll call it instantly.”

Fair enough.

What’s Next: Live Shows and More Releases

The focus now is simple. Take this thing to the stage.

“We’re hyper focused on getting out and playing live this summer.”

Plans are pointing toward shows around Sturgis and beyond, with more content rolling out, including:

The Bleed video gaining traction

A new Savage Ghost lyric video using 30+ year old footage

A growing catalog of heavy tracks like Medusa , 21 Grams , and The Beast

The Haunted North Is Just Getting Started

There’s something refreshing about a band that isn’t trying to fit into whatever the algorithm says is hot this week.

The Haunted North is building this the old-school way:

Real connections

Real players

Real stories

Real heavy music

And it shows in every riff.

Listen Now

The full episode featuring Randy V of The Haunted North , including the interview and a stacked lineup of new underground releases, is now available on Mixcloud via Metal Devastation Radio.

Turn it up loud. This one wasn’t made for background noise.

Track List: 

Battle Of The Bands Top Six Winners:

1 - Antipope - The Maker - (289,749 votes)
2 - Another Demon - Drawn and Quartered feat. James Murphy (Testament, Death, Obituary) - (131,632 votes)
3 - NIKOLA'S CAGE - RASCAL - (27,654 votes)
4 - Severed Sun - Complex - (25,239 votes)
5 - Mistress - Terrified eyes - (9,493 votes)
6 - Heidbekka - Völva - (6,412 votes)

The Zach Moonshine Intro

7 - Ozzy Osbourne - Over The Mountain
8 - Black Label Society - Pedal to the Floor/Lords Of Destruction

The Haunted North - Interview featuring Savage Ghost/The Beast

9 - Dark Chapel - Sign of Life/Hit of Your Love
10 - Zakk Sabbath - Electric Funeral/Lord Of This World
11 - Jeff Fabb - Listen to Hear
12 - Awaiting Abigail - Funhouse
13 - The Funeral Procession - Carrion
14 - SEEING HELL A.D - DISSECTION
15 - Empire of None - You
16 - Broadslab - Keep On Rollin'
17 - LANGUISH IN DESPAIR - Killing Spree
18 - Stygian Mind - Crown of Bullets
19 - Riftpatrol - Parasite (feat. Yuuko Sings, DJ Neon Nights & Amanda Power)
20 - Crystallion - Shell Shock (MANOWAR Cover)
21 - Bjarte K. Helland - The Final Count
22 - HELL-BORN - In Scarlet And Death
23 - Mephisto Odyssey - CRASH Feat. Brad Gillis, Wayne Static
24 - MARTYRED - WHERE THE BODIES LIE
25 - VITHIAL - War of the Gods, the Balance of Darkness and Light

Also check out the interview portion up on YouTube, Spotify, Apple:

Super massive shout out to the 292,325 metal maniacs from around the world that tuned in for the live devastation Friday night!

Follow the band: 

https://www.thehauntednorth.com/