The end of 2025 is quickly approaching, but before we get too hyped up about 2026 releases we still have plenty of good stuff to touch on from the year that was very much still is. For instance, Decay, the fifth full-length album from North Carolina metal merchants Wretched. Released back on October 17th through Metal Blade, their latest output offers something for everyone. Decay explores a wide range of different weights and complexities, while holding firm to a sound that is truly authentic. It’s raw in all the right ways. To help us explore this album and this project a little further, Billy (vocals), Steven (guitars), Andrew (bass), and Marshall (drums) all stepped in to respond to our Profile questions. It’s an awesome read to accompany an awesome release. So, I invite you to take the jump and get started!
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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?
[Billy Powers] I first got into playing music just outside of high school after a friend and I discussed starting a band after graduation. We did so and played for several years going through minor lineup changes until I decided to try out for another local band called And Since Forgotten. Once my audition turned into joining, the name changed to Wretched, I tracked vocals on an EP and then we went on a 2-week Southeast US tour. Once we’d returned we had an offer from Victory Records, which we took, and now we’re where we are today! Concerning pushback from family/friends, no. Everyone has always been incredibly supportive of every route I’ve taken in life, be it job choices or even within music.
[Steven Funderburk] I began playing Guitar at age 12, spent a few years learning the instrument while wanting to form a band the entire time. Formed Wretched at age 15/16 with Marshall while we were going from sophomore year into junior year of high school back in 2005. My parents have always been my biggest supporters in this journey. They’ve always let me be who I need to do rather than follow the typical societal route of go to college – get married – buy a house – have kids – retire – die.
[Andrew Grevey] I started taking bass lessons when I was 9 years old. My twin brother started playing drums at the same time and we grew up jamming and writing together. He plays drums in an awesome doom metal band called The Osedax.
[Marshall Wieczorek] My parents were always listening to music around the house growing up. They would go to concerts often and they didn’t mind the little “concerts” at home and stuff. Early on, Steven and I would record demos in my garage. I borrowed a 24 channel mixer and we made pretty rough demos on my Fostex MR-8. Overall our families have always been really supportive.
How would you describe your band and what you play to someone who is completely in the dark?
[Billy Powers] Music for the musician, metal for those who don’t like metal. I feel our music, especially our upcoming release, “Decay”, has something to offer everyone no matter their musical preference. While it may be harder for some to adjust to or appreciate what we’re doing, everyone in this band compliments what the other puts forth in very amazing ways and I’m hopeful that we can at least in some way bridge the gap between genres.
[Andrew Grevey] A group of nice guys just trying to write good music. At this point in our career we’re not really going for any specific sound or genre, so I’ll go with metal.
[Marshall Wieczorek] Wretched is a band that plays music that resembles “rock ‘n’ roll” but in a more eclectic manner. We share similarities with different styles of music. Sometimes going really fast, sometimes going really slow. Sometimes the music is aggressive and sometimes it’s more tranquil, like you’re floating. The vocal style is pretty “gravely” which adds to the complexity of sounds that we encourage.
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?
[Steven Funderburk] We purposely did not write much “tech” stuff on “Decay”. While we are very proud of our previous records, we just simply do not have much interest in writing anymore fast-paced tech-ridden material. None of us really listen to much tech stuff to begin with, so naturally wanting to get away from that world felt right.
[Marshall Wieczorek] We self-produced this album (“Decay”) like we had done on “Cannibal”. We kept things really raw. In the sense of in the digital world, it’s too easy to fix and manipulate things, so there might be some sounds or things that we let go through because it is part of the human experience.
Any funny stories from playing shows / tours / festivals, etc?
[Andrew Grevey] So many. I love pranking my band members. Literally my first day in the band, on day one of my first tour with them, I offered the guys vitamins saying they were chewable, but they weren’t. Marshall being so nice started chewing it and politely just ate it thinking I actually enjoyed chewing those things. The list goes on…
I bought this horrible tasting stuff that you put on your nails to stop you from biting them. It’s the worst tasting thing I’ve ever experienced so I would put it on a stage water bottle and let chance play out to which band member drinks it. And there’s nothing you can do to get rid of the taste, just have to keep playing. One time tour had been over for like a week and Joel calls me, cussing me out because he took some waters home with him to South Carolina and was on a long bike ride with 1 water and it happened to be one of my roulette waters.
I sent our old guitarist John to the wrong house once when we were staying with a friend in Nashville. He just walked right in to a family having dinner.
[Marshall Wieczorek] We definitely have tons of funny stories from back in the day when we were younger, but still these days there is never a shortage of laughter.
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?
[Billy Powers] Metal is hitting a great path currently. We have pop, rap, hip-hop, country artists and more collaborating with bands across the metal genre and its sub-genres. Then we have an amazing band like Gojira playing the 2024 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony in Paris. That right there was so huge for the world of metal, opening the door to this style of music for so many people who likely haven’t heard or understood the genre very much prior to that performance. The openness of acceptance is getting more vast and it’s, simply put, a very exciting time for the metal scene locally, nationally and internationally.
[Steven Funderburk] I think it’s a double-edged sword. There are a ton of incredible bands out on the scene right now which is great. With today’s technology, social media, etc – it’s become too easy to start a “band”, make a profile, upload a photo and song and boom you’re now a “band”. It’s made the industry totally vulnerable to an insane oversaturation which in turn makes it really difficult for most new and emerging artists to be heard and seen, let alone forge a career.
[Andrew Grevey] This new generation of bands coming out are so sick. Lots of fundamental death metal and black metal bands coming out without all the gimmicks and carbon copy subgenre bands. 200 Stab Wounds, Sanguisugabogg, Frozen Soul, Spectral Wound, Moss Upon a Burning Skull are some sick up and coming metal bands to check out.
The worst is the economic structure for touring artists. It’s so tough be sustainable on the road with venue merch cuts, extra income cuts when playing Live Nation and Clear Channel venues. Between pay for crew, merch expenses, gas to the next show and vehicle maintenance and band members it’s almost impossible to maintain a sustainable profit unless you’re a sell-out headlining major artist.
[Marshall Wieczorek] The metal scene looks much more different in 2025 than it did in 2015 for sure. Things seem better than ever though. It’s been really awesome to see so many of the classic bands that I’ve grown up listening to having made comebacks as well. There is definitely a new scene happening in 2025. There’s a new sound these days.
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?
[Billy Powers] I strictly write fiction when it comes to my lyrics. While I may at times subconsciously incorporate aspects of personal experience into what I write, those personal additions solely revolve around trauma, loss and hope. Always reaching for the light at the end of the dark tunnel of life.
[Steven Funderburk] My cause is to be my own boss. To make my own way in life. Politically speaking, no one in the band dabbles in or involves politics with what we do. I mean, playing in a metal band is kind of like the ultimate middle finger to politics, right? Socially speaking – our fans are what drive us to continue doing this. It’s humbling to hear and see how our music has impacted lives and the stories people have because of our music.
[Andrew Grevey] As the late John Lennon said “All you need is Love”. Kill them with kindness \m/
[Marshall Wieczorek] Peace and Love.
Do you guys have day jobs or hobbies you want to share?
[Billy Powers] While collecting comic books has taken a back seat recently, I do have a pretty solid collection spanning across many publishers, titles and genres. Otherwise, I thoroughly enjoy gaming. The consoles I have currently are Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Wii, PS2, PS5 (my go to), Xbox One S and an Xbox Series X. I’m a sucker for nostalgia and will often revert to playing games from the early Super Mario days as well as Metal Gear Solid and Dino Crisis 2 from the PS1 to name a few. Though, I am currently on my seventh play through of Elden Ring and the DLC Shadow of the Erdtree. I’ve also been playing a lot of Elden Ring Nightreign lately as well as Lies of P.
[Steven Funderburk] I work at a record shop for an old friend named Dillon Smith / Noble Records. We were buddies way back in our teenage years right around when Marshall and I formed the band. We took different pathways in life and didn’t see each other for maybe 17/18 years and one day I was shopping at Noble Records and we recognized each other. Fast forward a couple years from that moment, and I now ship all of the outgoing records from Noble and do a bunch of other rad things at the shop. It was already a forming hobby of mine 7 or 8 years ago and since working at Noble, it’s become full fledged. I’ve met many great people at Noble and can honestly say it’s the best job I’ve ever had. It only took 20 years of working jobs to finally land on the one at age 36.
Hobby-wise, I’ve been heavily into cars / motorsports for my entire life. Engines are magical to me. The band had to replace our beloved 2005 Ford E350 that we’d had for 14 years last summer. The van was special to me because of its heart – a Triton 6.8 Liter V10 engine. The next best thing in torque and towing power to a diesel engine.
So I replaced that van with a 2004 Ford E350 that has an International Harvester 6.0 Liter Powerstroke Diesel Engine. It’s something of a grail van personally to me – I’m sure there aren’t many musicians out there who love their vans as much as me. I’d say a hobby of mine is keeping our van in tip top shape maintenance-wise while enjoying its capabilities. I spend hours on end researching on forums, videos, etc to really learn our van’s engine’s and how they work. I think its crucial when going on tour so you really know your vehicle well and how to use it properly for many years of use.
[Andrew Grevey] I work in finance for a Physical Therapy/Chiro clinic called Elevis Wellness Collective. One of the owners, Ragan Thornton, is a longtime Wretched family member. She directed the “Cimmerian Shambala” music video and tour managed us in the past. The job rules because I’m in a field I love and I can work remotely when I’m traveling on tour so it’s perfect.
For hobbies, I love sports and staying active. Basketball is my therapy. I can stay on the court for hours. It’s the only thing besides performing that keeps me 100% in the moment.
[Marshall Wieczorek] I love photography and videography. I like to develop 35mm color film and do scans. I love making little movies, music videos and programming for Wretched. I also randomly show up to local venues grabbing the audio and filming the sets to toss them online. I just love building audio/video and then combining it. I grew up watching music videos and live concerts, so I’m just absolutely obsessed with all of that.
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?
[Billy Powers] I’d say just keep doing what you’re doing! I feel that bridging the gap between artists and their fans is incredibly important. My favorite aspect of being in Wretched is connecting with fans and other artists who share our passion and overall just having great conversations and adding positivity to the life experience.
[Andrew Grevey] Metal sells. Look at Metallica, one of the biggest bands in the world. Look at all the other genres using metal logos in their merch. I love it. Metal is alive everywhere. If anyone who judged metal went to a metal concert, they’d be surprised how much nicer everyone is compared to most mainstream artist crowds. Not to say all other crowds aren’t friendly, just metal shows have this unmatched energy shared with the whole crowd.
[Marshall Wieczorek] Don’t stop.
Any specific long term goal(s) in mind?
[Billy Powers] To attain the dream of Wretched becoming a career/full-time job. Larger stages and huge production would be incredible as well. I’d really love for people to come to our show and leave having had an incredible experience in the way of going to a theater and leaving fulfilled after watching a new favorite movie. In the meantime, I’ll take touring as much as possible as a steppingstone in that direction. Haha.
[Steven Funderburk] To turn the band into my career / full time job.
[Andrew Grevey] I’d love for us to get involved in movie soundtracks or create one ourselves. We already have all the instrumentals; we love exploring different sounds and pushing ourselves musically so I think it would be perfect.
[Marshall Wieczorek] Goals that we have for this band are bigger stages and more production to make our live show compliment the music experience.
When you’re not obsessing over your own material, what are some of your favorite albums to listen to currently?
[Billy Powers] “Fasciination” by The Faint, “Combinations” by Eisley, “Act I-V” by The Dear Hunter, “Dangerous Days” by Perturbator, “New Medicines” by Dead Poetic, “Get Some” by Snot, “The War of Art” by American Head Charge, “Recovery” by Eminem, “Radioactive” by Yelawolf, “Tonight the Stars Revolt” by Powerman 5000, “Young Machetes” by The Blood Brothers, “Pink Lemonade” by Closure in Moscow, “Blackstar” by David Bowie, “Tragic Kingdom” by No Doubt, “Devil” by Lydia, “Vapor Transmission” by Orgy, self-titled Savage Garden, anything by Silverchair, “Aenima”/”Lateralus”/”10,000 Days” by Tool. And yeah, definitely “Decay” by Wretched. Haha.
[Steven Funderburk] “Diamond Life” from Sade, “Question and Answer” from Pat Metheny, anything from Chick Corea, Al Di Meola as of recent.
[Andrew Grevey] My music taste is all over the place. Been revisiting lot of the Happy Monday’s. They’re a British dance group from the 80’s and 90’s, one of my favorite bands. The new Clipse/Pusha T album, “Malice”, is amazing. CA7RIEL & Paco’s album “Bano Maria” is probably my most listened to album this year.
[Marshall Wieczorek] Honestly I jam stuff like Sabrina Carpenter or Lana Del Rey, or jazz. I like a good bit of ambient/math bands. Just stuff that’s instrumental in music often. I like to study different things.
What is the near future outlook for you or your band? Any specific events on the horizon that the masses should be aware of?
[Billy Powers] While there are no announcements to make at the current moment, we’re really looking forward to hitting the ground running in 2026. Besides future touring being a definite, “Decay” comes out on October 17, 2025. Put on your headphones, turn up the volume and get your ears, eyes and minds ready!
[Andrew Grevey] We have a bunch of tours lined up in the new year. Keep your eyes out for tours in January, February and March to be announced soon!
[Marshall Wieczorek] We have some tours happening in 2026 that will be announced eventually.
Summarize your band in one word.
[Billy Powers] Wretched.
[Andrew Grevey] Onomatopoeia.
[Marshall Wieczorek] Decrepit.
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Many thanks to Wretched for the time!
Decay is out now through Metal Blade Records. For more information on Wretched, head over to their website.