Interviews About Albums: Stalemate Of Wills - Existence Denied (2026)

In this new interview, we sat down with the American Sludge Metal/Stoner Metal band Stalemate Of Wills to ask questions about their album, "Existence Denied".

1. What can you say about this new CD?

Well, we're definitely excited to finally have a full-length release! To date, we've only released a few singles and a 2-song EP (if a 2-song EP counts as an EP). We had a few hiccups along the way as we did all of the recording ourselves, and it took about 6 months longer than expected, but we've finally crossed the finish line! We feel good about the songs and the artwork came out sick. For the artwork, it was important for us to have something that is drawn instead of hitting a soulless, easy button with AI (I'm not a fan). We worked with a local tattoo artist, Jarred Russell of Black Star Tattoo, for the art, and he crushed it for sure. I'd say we're all pretty happy with how it turned out. We're currently looking into physical copies, and I was hoping to be able to press some vinyl, but we're on the fence with whether it's worth it. I really wanted to go all out on vinyl pressing, but the cost for what I'd like to do is pretty unrealistic.

2. What is the meaning of the CD name?

EXISTENCE DENIED. It refers to having to go to a quiet place to escape the shit world around you. LOL, something that I find myself attempting to do too often...

"Running away from the earth, accepting the best of the worst - avoiding decline - existence denied". I dunno, out of all of the song titles, that's the one for some reason we all thought had the best ring to it.

3. Which one is the composer of the CD?

I guess I'm the main composer of the band (Derek - guitar and Vocals). Here's how our process works: I'll sit down and compose a song that's in my head and demo it, normally with just guitars and drums. I'll then shoot it over to the other guys to get an opinion. Luckily, we are all on the same page, and when I hand something over to them, we're already 80%of the way there. Bob will add his own drum fills and switch a beat around every once in a while, and Jake does whatever he feels is appropriate on bass. He's recently been moving back and forth with both clean and distorted bass tones, so that has been adding some new dynamics. After we settle on the arrangement of the song, it may sit for a while until I get to put some lyrics to it. Sometimes, the lyrics come immediately, but other times they will sit there for months until I have an epiphany one day, and I'll finish the whole song in like 15 minutes.

4. If you had to pick one song, which one would you pick?

I'd probably pick "Visibility". I feel that track is a good representation of the band's sound. That is why we put it first. If you don't like what you hear on that track, you may as well move along. The riff is good; it has the right groove to it, just one of our favorites to play. The song is about my frustration with social media and the never-ending quest for attention. Stalemate of Wills isn't a band starving for attention. You aren't going to see us purposely saying controversial shit or acting like fools to get noticed. "Visibility" stands out to me for that reason.

5. Is there a special message on this CD? If there is what it is?

There is not. Our music is influenced by the climate around us.

6. Are there some lyrics that you'd love to share?

I'd like to share the lyrics to the first song, STALEMATE OF WILLS, released. This was the building block of the band, and to this day, one of my favorite songs. The song is "CORRODE". It's about growing up in a deteriorating city whose time has passed.

CORRODE

Sophistication - to blight overnight

Generations - depressed, displaced and left to rot

A beacon of hope - to crumbling decay

Rusted majesty, swallowed by the new way of life

Watch it all corrode

Watch it all corrode

Watching it corrode

Disappearing, into the past it goes

Twist of fate forged by distrust

The fools have dug their graves - buried and lost to time

Eradicated - supply and demand

Pools of ignorance contaminating all the land

Watch it all corrode

Watch it all corrode

Watching it corrode

Disappearing, into the past it goes

It's short, and to the point, but laid the foundation for what we are doing.

7. Which inspirations have been important for this album? Like musically or friends, family, someone you'd love to thank especially?

We are always grateful and appreciative of our musical influences, which range from Beatdown Hardcore to traditional Doom Metal. Sabbath, Crowbar, Hatebreed, Corrosion of Conformity, Obituary, if it involves a good, heavy riff, we like it! This makes us a band stuck in the middle, though. We are too doom metal for hardcore, too hardcore for doom metal, not metal enough for some that are into extreme or black metal, and too metal for anyone that is into punk. We knew that would be the case from the beginning, but we are good with it, as this is what we want to do. We're not looking to fit into anyone's clique. We are going to play music that we like, not something we HOPE other people will like.

I'd also like to give a shout-out to Eric Klinger, a friend and former bandmate. Eric also plays guitar in Pro-Pain and is responsible for mixing and mastering this record. If you like what you hear, he is interested in taking on other projects as well, so hit him up on Instagram @klinger.de.  Eric is from Pittsburgh, and we have been friends for many years. He inspired me to learn how to record all of this myself and do things with a DIY mentality. He also influenced me to become a better guitar player. I'm not sure I'd even be doing this if I couldn't record my own music at this point, so working with him has inspired me for sure.

As always, we should probably give thanks to our significant others as well for putting up with this nonsense LOL. My wife is extra tolerant as band practice is at our house... I certainly can't forget to thank the folks that we see at the shows for the support as well.

8. Something to add?

Thanks to you for the interview! Please take a moment to check out www.stalemateofwills.com and give us a share and a follow on the socials! Thanks again!

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