Let it Rot Lets us check out unreleased tracks! The Metal Maniacs Podcast- 97

This week, we’re joined by the melodic, chaotic, and crushing metalcore force from Lansing, Michigan—Let it Rot. From their early beginnings to their genre-bending new material, we sit down with the full band to talk history, riffs, tone, songwriting, and everything in between.

Featuring:

A.J. Boike – Drums

Andrew Ketcham – Guitar/Vocals (and yes, he used to hold down bass duties)

Scotty Lange – Bass/Backing Vocals

Other Members

Alex “Rocky” Torres – Guitar

Brandon Hartman – Lead Vocals

🔥 We dig into the origins of the band , how their lineup solidified, and what it took to get from the first riff to the first release. From “End of Humanity” (2019) to their brand new double-drop “CHOKE” and “Scarlet” in 2025, Let it Rot takes us deep into the evolution of their sound.

🎸 We break down tracks from End of Humanity like:

“The Distance Between Taco Bell and McDonald's” – a track as catchy as it is crushing

“My Resolution” – panic chords, trem-picked fury, and that killer bridge

“1/28” feat. Preston Mailand – melodic intro into metalcore madness

“Let’s Eat Nik” – soaring clean guitars meet chanty vocals in a Scale the Summit x Misery Signals dream

“King of Worms” – blackened highs and a brutal breakdown that hits like a truck

Then we get into the self-titled record (2022)—a step up in production and maturity. We hear influences ranging from Lamb of God to Killswitch Engage, and even God Forbid vibes bleeding into tracks like:

“Lost in Light” – their first real use of backing track production

“Life of Deceit” – the riff that grabbed us and the solo that held us

Lake of Fire” – premiered on Metal Injection, over 18k YouTube views and counting

“Polyrythmia” – Djent-inspired groove meets stunning piano outro

And then there’s the new wave...

🆕 “CHOKE” (Feb 14, 2025) – veering into industrial/hard rock territory, channeling Static-X energy with its gritty edge.

🆕 “Scarlet” (Mar 14, 2025) – dare we say, their heaviest song yet? Different production, but still very Let it Rot. And that guitar solo? FIRE.

In this episode, we also explore:

🎤 Their vocal evolution – from gutturals to melody, dual harmonies, and deathcore screams.

🎸 Guitar & tone talk – including their use of Strandberg, ESP, Schecter, Fishman pickups, Kemper amps, and Darkglass electronics.

🥁 Practice schedules, writing processes, and how they choose when to shred, scream, or go soft.

🧠 How they handle creative suggestions, balance structure vs chaos, and evolve their sound naturally.

Plus:

Their favorite and worst show memories

A look at upcoming shows

Life outside music, from hobbies to what they're currently spinning in the van

Advice for up-and-coming bands

What’s next for Let it Rot

This one's packed with insight, stories, and riffs—we’re talking melody, brutality, and progression all wrapped in one hell of a discography. Whether you’re a fan of techy metalcore, emotional heaviness, or just killer Michigan bands doing it right, this one’s for you.

🧠 Listen now and get inside the mind of a band that isn’t afraid to evolve.

🎧 Available wherever you get your podcasts.-https://linktr.ee/metalmaniacsmi

🔗 All Let it Rot links in the show notes.-http://linktr.ee/let_it_rot