Happy New Release Friday, friends! Yes, another one is upon, and my backlog continues to grow in an uncontrollable way. One album that I am caught up on however, and am pleased to feature today, is Heat Lightning. The latest from New York-based heavy metal/hard rock outfit Sanhedrin is out today through Metal Blade Records, following 2022’s Lights On. As well-received its predecessor was, Sanhedrin have clearly upped their game. It’s bigger, more powerful, the production is cleaner… they’re clearly pushing themselves in all the right directions. So for our latest Profile, Jeremy Sosville (guitars, vocals) shared a little more about this project and their history. Check out his responses directly below and give the album a listen along the way. Catch ya later!

—

How and when did you first get into playing music, or metal more specifically, and how did your band get its start? Any pushback from family/those close to you?

My first memories of any kind involve the notion that I should pursue a life in rock music on stage. My father plays guitar and had lots of cool hard rock and heavy metal tapes kicking around the house when I was young. Once he put a guitar on my lap, the fascination began! The band started casually as three people writing songs together with a pretty strong identity, When we made our first record, it was only to document the songs we had written. Little did we know that it would become what it is today. In terms of pushback, I haven’t experienced much. Most people who have tried to bring me down for chasing my passions were only doing so to make themselves feel better about not chasing their own dreams. Those people are easily swept aside. I have a great level of support from my family and friends. They are all quite proud of me as a person and as a musician.

How would you describe your band and what you play to someone who is completely in the dark?

We play a blend of hard rock and heavy metal rooted in a classic sound but with a fresh and contemporary vibe.

Is there anything about your latest album or about your band that no one will find in any interview or review that you care to divulge?

I can’t think of anything.

Any funny stories from playing shows / tours / festivals, etc?

Most of those occur behind the scenes and are held as closely guarded secrets. I find that like on tour is a series of triumphs and absurdities. We have lived through just about every scene in Spinal Tap by this point.

What do you see as some of the great things happening in and around the metal scene (yours or just in general) and what are some of the worst things happening right now?

I teach guitar lessons where I live and have been pleasantly surprised at the hunger that some teenagers possess to find the coolest, sickest newest bands. As I’ve grown older, I’ve noticed that the appetite for heavy metal music transcends generations and it makes me realize that this kind of music will likely never go away. On the negative side, musicians have been robbed of virtually every source of income they once could depend on to develop and grow a band. Streaming royalties are insulting, the cost of touring is rising and now venues want to take cuts from your merch sales in many situations.

Most folks have passions for a cause or causes that are close to them. What, if any, are some of the most important issues (social/political/humorous/etc.) for you / your band and how do you insert those issues into your music?

I don’t have any one formal cause that I can say is more important than another. I really just try to be a good member of my community and set a positive example by my own actions. I live in an economically depressed area where a lot of people feel ignored by the system. The best thing I can do is to let people around me know I have their back.

Do you have day jobs or hobbies you want to share?

Nathan and Erica both work in the live sound business in Brooklyn as stagehands. I live about 400 miles north of them in a small town in northern New York near Canada and teach guitar lessons and piece together a few other odd gigs to make it all work. When I’m not creating music, I like to spend time outdoors as much as possible. If I’m on water somewhere, even better.

What advice do you have for music critics and outlets out there? How can we all better serve the genre in the eyes of a hard-working musician?

Be kind. Just because you don’t like something or someone does not give you license to be cruel to them.

Any specific long term goal(s) in mind?

I never know what life holds one or two years from now at any given point, so it’s hard to say. I suppose my main motivation is to continue writing songs and improving as a guitar player and recording artist. As I get older, that requires a bit more discipline in terms of how I take care of my mind and body.

When you’re not obsessing over your own material, what are some of your favorite albums to listen to currently?

I’ve gotten pretty obsessed with Al Di Meola, both as a songwriter and a guitarist. I’ve also been listening to a lot of what I guess people call post-hardcore like Jawbox and Husker Du. And lately I’ve been bumping Dead Congregation and Bolzer when I’m looking for something dark and dirty.

What is the near future outlook for you or your band? Any specific events on the horizon that the masses should be aware of?

We’ll be playing some select US dates in March and April, followed by a European tour in May and June with our friends in Savage Master.

Summarize your band in one word.

Sincere

—

Many thanks to Jeremy and Sanhedrin for the time!

---

Heat Lightning is out through Metal Blade Records. For more information on Sanhedrin, head over to their website.