We’re officially in the final third of the year, which we means all of have a lot of catching up to do as we start to consider our 2026 lists. No, I’m not even remotely ready for such an endeavor either… but I’ve been in this exact position each year for a solid decade now so what are ya gonna do? Anyway, I digress! Our first Profile of the week (yes, optimistically I’m planning on more), features the doomed black/death metal project Blackstaff, the passion project of Dustin Cleary. Back in July he released the new EP Drowner and it is packed with the dense, pummeling riffs we love while still leaving plenty of space to explore many different themes and, simply, sounds. With a lean toward dark fantasy and horror, indeed, there is a lot contained within this 20-minute runtime. But at this point I’ll just turn it over to his responses for you to learn more. You know what do from here… so enjoy!

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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.

My father was my greatest supporter in this, and I believe I was 10 or 11 years old when he bought me my first guitar. I was in total awe of the harmonies on old Scorpions records, and when the intro to “Rock You Like A Hurricane” played it thrilled me like a drug to hear the interplay between guitarists.

My first concert at 13 years old was a Morbid Angel show in Seattle, and after watching Trey Azagthoth shred I knew I wanted to play extreme music.

I played in bands in my teens, but for many years I was separated from my passions by a wall of heroin and methamphetamine. It wasn’t until my 30s that I picked up the guitar again, and met my production mentor Todd Purnick who taught me about tracking and mixing music. Shortly after I learned to record myself, Blackstaff began to take shape.

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

I play blackened death doom with a soul full of rock n’ roll. Riffs over all!

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

It’s difficult to say what questions someone might ask me or what might come up, but one thing that comes to mind is that this album almost didn’t exist at all. Parts of it were burned into my brain, and I very much wanted to work them out, but I had a complete first draft of “Drowner” written and recorded and was about to go to the production phase when the hard drive it was stored on stopped working. I spent a great deal of money and time trying to get the files back, but only parts of the bass and drum tracks were salvageable in the end. This was discouraging to say the least, and set the tone for what would become an extremely difficult process of rewriting/recording the album, then agonizing over something like 100 different mixes to get it right. Todd and I really worked our asses off on this thing

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

Not for Blackstaff, but when I was young I remember passing out on stage once after a particularly good bender. I was head banging a little too hard!

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?

Here in the Pacific Northwest, there is a thriving scene of thick, blackened music. It is a privilege to live in the middle of this beautiful, powerful natural world where bands like Mizmor, Hell, Bell Witch and Sunn (((O))) got their start.

I wouldn’t say that there are any terrible things specific to the metal scene — there are plenty of terrible things happening in the world and between people, but I don’t know that I associate any of them strongly with metal. I suppose if I had to pick one thing, I would say that people as a whole fear what other others think and feel entirely too much. I want to see a world one day where every person lives and lets live, and chooses to find the common ground.

Except for pedophiles and rapists — those weirdos can get absolutely fucked sideways.

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? 

My personal values show up in my music often, and they include things like being kind to the environment and serving justice to the monsters wearing human skin in the world. Beyond that, I am a huge fantasy nerd and sometime fiction writer, and those greatly shape my music. 

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

My day job as a bridge builder and carpenter pays my bills, but I don’t want to talk about it beyond that because it is just a means to an end. My other interests include writing, fantasy/horror games of all kinds, and experiencing the world around me as mindfully and spiritually as possible — this is perhaps the greatest challenge in today’s world. I also have a farm which I share with my wife, who is the greatest woman I have ever met.

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?

As someone who listens to every genre, speed and flavor of music out there, from Sia to UFO to Portal and everything in between, I would say — never stop being a music fan first and above all else.

Any specific long term goal(s) in mind?

Musically, though my vision for a live experience is quite uncompromising, I hope to hone and take Blackstaff on stage. Happily, I believe I am developing the group of musicians to do it with, and am making plans as we speak.

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

The answer to this question changes often, but here are some albums I am returning to again and again lately: “Hybris” by Inerth; the entire Altarage discography; “Forgotten Days” by Pallbearer; “Worship the Animal” by Nile; “Hush” by Grin; “Absolution” by Khemmis; and always I am weaving in and out of radio hits of the 70s and 80s (bands like Pink Floyd, The Cars, Fleetwood Mac, Led Zeppelin) and 90s classics such as “Demanufacture” (Fear Factory), “Draconian Times” (Paradise Lost) and anything by My Dying Bride. 

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

Beyond this EP I have been working on several other musical projects in the Blackstaff scope, including a split with a good friend and Drone artist (DA/AD) and what is shaping up to be a full length record (which will be titled “The Necromancer”).

Summarize your band in one word.

RIFFS!

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Many thanks to Dustin for the time!

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Drowner is out now. To keep in touch with Blackstaff, follow along at Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok.