Doomed Confessionary: Ace Stallings (Mutually Assured Destruction)
Photo by @nickcapturesva
Mutually Assured Destruction is a sludge/hardcore band from Richmond, Virginia featuring members of Sentinel, Holy Land, Down To Nothing, Fire & Ice and more.
Blending New Orleans heavy metal stylings the likes of Crowbar and Down with energetic hardcore sensibilities made for the dance floor, Mutually Assured Destruction presents their »Hexer« 7″, released on April 12th, 2024 via Creator-Destructor Records.
The tracks hold themes of anguish both inside and out, paired with groove riffs and wailing vocal melodies. Be it fans of hardcore or metal, this record has something to scratch the itch.
Mutually Assured Destruction are Ace Stallings (vocals), Tyler Wall (guitars, keyboards), Ryan Groat (guitars), Eric Hoyt (bass) and J.D. Cichocki (drums).
Can you say a few words about your band?
Mutually Assured Destruction is a heavy metal hardcore band from Richmond, VA. We’ve been around since 2019 and try to take all the elements from stoner/doom metal and hardcore that we love and mix em together real nice like.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
Great question. I’d say our biggest challenge is scheduling against real life. None the less we’ve been able to hit a couple continents for gigs this year (2024) and release a new 7″.
What can you be most proud of so far?
I’d say our debut LP »Ascension« that came out on Triple B in 2022. It took awhile to come together, but from the art to the style of the tracks themselves it was all very intentional. It felt amazing to hold the physical copies when we got them.
What was your biggest regret?
Another great question. Nothing huge comes to mind that we/I would regret, but perhaps I regret not touring than we already did last year.
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
I’d say our best show was a show I/we put on ourselves in March of 2023. It was a Sunami, Division Of Mind, Downfall, Killing Pace, M.A.D. show. About 600 people packed in a warehouse going absolutely insane. That was a fun one.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
I’ve been a promoter/playing shows for about 20 years and the biggest surprise for me would be that I would be playing and setting up the biggest/best shows I’ve done this deep in the timeline. Would never have guessed that, but here we are. It’s something I’m extremely appreciative of.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
My favorite releases this year have been the new Chapel Of Disease record, the Kriegshog LP, the No Idols demo, the Upon Stone LP, the Invertebrates LP, and I need to sit with it more, but I think I like the new Gatecreeper a lot.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
Nothing comes to mind immediately, I’ve learned so much from so many people over the years. Most all of it has been good advice, but there isn’t like one shining thing that comes to mind above the rest. I think the advice I would give a new musician right now is go to as many shows as possible.
What are your guilty pleasures?
I hate to admit it, but I like watching Hazbin Hotel.
Can you say something more about the music scene in Richmond / Virginia?
I love the Richmond hardcore/punk/metal scene with all my heart. Even if I wasn’t from there, I’d be heralding the bands it churns out. Division Of Mind, Windhand, Destruct, Enforced, Killing Pace, Blazing Tomb, Municipal Waste, Downfall, I could list 50 bands I bet over the years and genuinely like all of them. Proud to be from Richmond.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
We have a hometown show in VA on 7/20 with Mindforce and End It. We are playing an unannounced festival (at this time) in Tulsa, Oklahoma in mid November. We had a pretty busy first half of 2024, but are using the back half to write a new record so we are taking it easier than usual.
What are your plans for the future as a band?
We’re locked in to do another LP, spirits willing it is out in 2025 earlier rather than later.
How can people best support your band?
Come see us at a show and have fun. Buy a record or shirt from us at mutuallyassureddestruction.bigcartel.com, Listen to us on your preferred streaming platform. All the regular stuff!
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Keep on keepin’ on. If you rock with us, we rock with you. Love you if you do.
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well