Doomed Confessionary: Andrew Campbell (Barren)
Barren was formed in 2020 in Blackwood, New Jersey, by Andrew Campbell (guitars, vocals, bass, production) and Nick Bonsanto (drums, percussion), two lifelong friends and collaborators who had previously played together in several underground metal projects, including Empress, Arcanica, Thrashole, and Lör. The formation of Barren came at a time of deep personal transformation for Campbell. Music became an outlet for him to process the pain, isolation, and emotional turmoil he had experienced, and Barren quickly became the vehicle for this catharsis. Together, Campbell and Bonsanto, who also witnessed many of these struggles firsthand, crafted a sound that was raw, heavy, and filled with a sense of emotional gravity.
The bond between Campbell and Bonsanto runs deep, having grown not only as musicians but also as friends who stood by each other through some of life’s darkest moments. Their previous bands were often rooted in thrash and death metal, but Barren allowed them to explore a slower, heavier, and more atmospheric style, pulling influences from doom metal giants like Conan and Pallbearer, as well as progressive and experimental elements found in bands like Opeth. Their music is defined by crushingly heavy riffs, thunderous percussion, and moments of eerie calm, mirroring the emotional highs and lows of the stories they tell through their songs.
Barren will release their debut album »The Hanged Man« on October 31st, 2024 via Skull House Records.
Can you say a few words about your band?
We are a doom metal band from New Jersey the also introduces aspects of death metal and progressive metal into our sound.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
The biggest challenge for us thus far has definitely been making this album that is releasing on October 31st. This album was completely written, performed, recorded, engineered, mixed, and mastered by yours truly. It was a massive undertaking but I had a vision and I needed to see it through to completion. I also learned a whole lot about production along the way. The album is not perfect but it was never meant to be so.
What can you be most proud of so far?
I’m simply proud to have created an album that is exactly as I intended it to be seen. It is raw, emotional, and imperfect. This relates greatly to the subject matter that influenced these songs.
What was your biggest regret?
My biggest regret would have to be not devoting more time to making music. Too often I have been sidetracked by paying the bills and performing at my job and sacrificing the time for what really makes me happy which is writing, recording, and performing music. I have wasted a lot of time putting money in other people’s pockets instead of focusing on what brings value to my life.
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
This band was conceived with the intention of being a studio only project. That’s not to say that a live performance will never happen, however we will be sticking to staying in the studio for the foreseeable future.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
How generally friendly most of the other folks in the scene are. The metal scene is mostly just a bunch of nerdy goofballs in denim and leather that want to have fun and laugh. Mostly. There’s always bound to be a couple sourpusses in the crowd, but that’s anywhere you go in life.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Recently I’ve been listening to the new Pallbearer album a lot, »Mind Burns Alive«. The new Unto Others record, »Never, Neverland«, is getting a lot of plays from me as well. The whole Kyuss discography has been spun a lot as well since it’s the end of summer here and desert rock always pairs well with a scorching sun. The last couple releases from Melted Bodies is also a frequent flyer in my stereo, their sound perfectly encapsulates the chaos and strangeness of life (mine at least).
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
Fuck the rules. Everyone will tell you how things are supposed to be done and the “right” way to do things. Just follow your ears and things will generally work out just fine.
What are your guilty pleasures?
I actually enjoy Chapell Roan, she seems like she’s got a fresh, genuine, artistic take on the modern pop sound. She gives me hope that creativity and artistry won’t become extinct in mainstream music. She looked pretty sick in that full plate armor at the VMAs as well.
Can you say something more about current music scene in Gloucester Township / New Jersey?
The Philadelphia metal scene has always been a pretty populated place, even these days when heavy music is on the back burner popularity-wise. We still get big metal acts playing the arenas here, and even the smaller local shows have a built-in audience of locals who are crazy about heavy metal.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
Unfortunately we will not be performing live this year. Like I said above, it’s not impossible, just not in the cards at this time.
What are your plans for the future as a band?
Well, now that our debut is complete and set to release I guess it’s time to start chipping away at number two, right?
How can people best support your band?
Check us out wherever you like to stream your music. »The Hanged Man« will be available everywhere on October 31st, right now our debut single »Unheard« is available for streaming. The official music video is also on YouTube. We will have merch available on our socials soon, so if that’s something you may be interested in just keep an eye out. We never had a goal to make money off of this project, we just want folks to listen and enjoy.
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Life is difficult and full of struggle and hardship. Do not forget to take care of yourself and do the things that make you happy. We only have so much time here on this rock, so make it count. Never forget; Nothing is everything.
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well