We’ve got a fun one today, folks. Ireland-based God Alone released The Beep Test a month ago through Prosthetic Records and it is, quite simply, addicting. But also quite difficult to categorize. Not intentionally, but also not-not intentionally? That’s the vibe I’m getting. Math-y noise rock that unabashedly pulls in themes of metal, pop, techno… you get the idea. But two things are clear throughout their latest full-length album: this collective is very, very good at what they do, and they are having a really good time doing it. Jake O’Driscoll (guitar, vocals) stepped in to answer our Profile questions, which you can find below. So it’s time to hit play and read those responses to learn a little bit more about what God Alone is all about. Oh, and do me a favor and remind me to hit Fionnbarra (and Cork in general) next time I’m in Ireland.

—

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?

When we were all about 12 I’d say we all happened to get into music and also metal. We all just knew each other from around Cork and have essentially grown up playing music together, this band started when we were all 15 and 16. Never been any pushback either people have always been very supportive thank god!

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

It’s essentially just 5 friends playing music together with little regard for genre, just us having a laugh really and that’s all it’s ever been. It’s really fantastic to be able to create things and perform with your best friends.

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?

That we’re really good buds!

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

On the 19th of March 2022, we played an amazing gig in Nottingham but we had a super early bus the following day so we tried to sleep in the venue. That was obviously unsuccessful and we ended up being incredibly sleep deprived on a megabus to Brighton where we kept talking about night terrors and “The Man” who we still talk about now! Definitely freaked a few people out. That then turned into 48 hours of no sleep because we had to get a super early flight the following day. What a funny story.

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?

We’re really big fans of inter-genre mixing and there’s a lot of mixed bill shows happening all around Ireland at the moment with metal bands collaborating more and more with bands and artists outside of the usual metal scene. Being such a small country I think this is inevitable in a way and we see only positives in this.

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?

Humour is very important to us and we try to inject that into our music as much as possible. We have a lot of inside jokes and weird references that normally act as the catalyst for most of the music we create.

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

Two of us work in a pub in Cork called Fionnbarra which is honestly the best place on Earth with the most supportive people. Hands down the best pub in Ireland. We love it so much we filmed our most recent music video there. The other three of us then work as music teachers, a PHD student and a mechanical engineer.

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?

Asking more band specific questions that are easier to answer haha! It’s not really our place to say.

Any specific long term goal(s) in mind?

Essentially just doing what we’re doing right now but more of it. That’s always the goal really to have fun doing what you love with your friends.

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

Coilguns – “Odd Love”
Waldo’s Gift – “Malcolm’s Law”
And So I Watch You From Afar – “Megafauna”

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

Our new album being released on October 10th is our main goal right now. Following that we’ll just be doing as much touring as possible!

Summarize your band in one word.

Fun, Craic, Party.

—

Many thanks to Jake and God Alone for the time!

---

The Beep Test is out now through Prosthetic Records. For more information on God Alone, head over to Instagram or Facebook.