Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve been diving deep into the catalog of Welcome
Eternity. Their sound hits with a powerful blend of heavy grooves, thundering drums,
melodic vocals, and razor‑sharp guitar solos. The band pulls from classic thrash and
early‑2000s metal, all while carrying a clear nod to the haunting harmonies of Alice in
Chains.
Welcome Eternity are clearly a band in motion — sharpening their sound, pushing their
creativity, and carving out their own lane in the modern metal landscape. With
“Katharsis” set to drop and a high‑energy set lined up for the Secret City Metal
Meltdown Fest (Oak Ridge, TN March 21 st ), they’re stepping into a moment that feels
bigger than just another release cycle. It’s the kind of momentum you can feel building,
riff by riff
Who is the best band or artist you have seen live?
Mike - Best performance: Diamond Rio 1991 – they sounded exactly like the album,
with some great improv jams.
Most memorable: Gwar. I was front row; my arm was stained green for a week.
Best overall: One Minute Silence. UK band opened for Sevendust. Ridiculous energy.
Dave - Really hard to say, but Miss May I is definitely one of the most impressive.
Jacob - The legendary Metallica, of course!
Phil - Born of Osiris is the best band I’ve seen live.
You guys have some solid beards in the band. In your opinion, who has the best
beard in the history of Heavy Metal?
Mike - Zak Wylde's beard is pretty epic.
Dave - I agree with Mike
Jacob - Dave Vananda! Haha
Phil- I think John Petrucci probably has the best metal beard, and whenever I have
grown my beard out, it takes a lot influence from his beard.
How long has Welcome Eternity been together, and what’s the story behind how it
all started?
Dave - Jacob and I started W.E. as a studio project around mid-2021 and we eventually
got the itch to bring it to the stage. We’ve been in the same band together since 2014-
2015 in a band called VanKale. After VK folded, we took a little time off, and then
decided we love writing with each other and have always had great chemistry. So we
recruited Mike on Bass - who was also a previous member of VK - and Phil on guitar,
who was in a band called Divided We Stand, who we played with quite often.
What is your favorite thing about playing in the Knoxville metal scene?
Dave - I was always taught if you have nothing nice to say then don’t say anything. I
also never listened. I’m not a fan of the Knox metal scene which is one of many reasons we are branching out. It’s not necessarily bands. There are some amazing bands and artists
here! It’s more “promoters” and “cliques” that are my issues. I won’t speak for my band
mates.
Mike - Just playing live in general. But for the most part a lot of knox scene is like
family... you love some....want to slap some.
Jacob - I like turtles…
Phil - Lots of great people and musicians. Most of them offer support and
encouragement to be more creative and prolific. Only some are bad influences.
Which artists do you listen to, and how does that influence shape the music you
write?
Dave - Alice in Chains is and always will be my favorite band. I wanted to pay homage
to them but also make it much heavier. I think some of our stuff reflects that. Also…
Bryan Adams (no shame)
Mike - My influences are all over the place - from blues/jazz to tech-death & everything
in between. For the most part, we all listen to similar bands.
Jacob - Metallica and Trivium. Love that thrash! And Wham!
Phil- My influences are Veil of Maya, Alter Bridge, Unprocessed, Killswitch Engage,
Periphery, Born of Osiris, Erra, All That Remains, Stevie Wonder, Lamb of God, Protest
the Hero, Avenged Sevenfold, Breaking Benjamin, and Bruno Mars
I saw the video for “Alive Inside” on Capital Underground Television. When it
comes to making videos, is that an effort from the whole band, or does one
person take the lead on it? WE - That video was filmed by our good friend Carson Hunt. We let him have fun with it and gave him full control. We filmed that and our video for comfortably numb at a fest gig called WallyPalooza (Shout out to our brother Wally Miles) Our video for the upcoming single “Katharsis”, Dave took over on that one wanting to tryhis hand at filming a more complex video than our first one “Slave To The Crown.”
Dave - And I’m a horror fan, so there’s a couple of little Easter eggs paying homage to some classics
As a horror fan, I am excited for the video release for Katharsis on March 18 th .
What else does Welcome Eternity have in the works as spring rolls on?
WE – On March 21st in Oak Ridge, TN, we’re playing the Secret City Metal Meltdown
Fest. We’re currently finishing up mixing our 2nd album titled “Ashes” as well as trying
book some gigs getting ready for summer.
Where can fans find Welcome Eternity on social media and keep up with
everything you have going on?
WE - You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. You can also visit
us at www.Welcomeeternityband.com
Welcome Eternity is
Jacob - Vocals & guitar
Dave - Drums
Mike - Bass
Phil - Guitar
