Doomed Confessionary: Mike, Jeremy & Raf (Embering Effigy)
Embering Effigy is a Southern fried thrash metal band from Conyers, Georgia. They are taking the Atlanta metal scene by storm by bringing back the old school Bay Area style thrash with a Southern groovy edge. The band consists of Jeremy “Whiplash” Dunn (guitar, vocals), Mike “BigMac” McGrady (bass, backing vocals) and Raf “Indio” Martinez (drums). Their raw speed and Southern influence is sure to be a game changer for these up and coming thrashers!
Embering Effigy recently dropped their latest single »Rougarou«. The Rougarou is a monster from Cajun folklore. In the legend, this beast is often described as having the body of a man and the head of a wolf or a dog and prowls Louisiana swamps looking for misbehaving children and adults alike.
Can you say a few words about your band?
Mike: Unique. We have a Southern rock/blues/thrash guitarist, a Death/Iron Maiden style drummer and a doom/sludge/thrash bassist. All blended together to recreate a sound we’ve never heard.
Jeremy: We are a different breed. A unique blend that hasn’t been done before.
Raf: It’s a metal machine that started as a thing that fit into one category but, it has morphed into a beast beyond categorizing.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
Mike: I’d say content creation. I’m not a fan of doing the trendy tiktok videos that every other band is doing. Do they work, yeah sometimes, but I feel like the more organic videos of a great performance, a killer solo, something funny at a show or practice, goes much further than a trendy video.
Jeremy: Getting a solid drummer. Raf has been a blessing.
Raf: Getting me (the drummer) to try new things, like a metronome and in ear monitors.
What can you be most proud of so far?
Mike: For me, this is my first band. Almost 3 years ago was the very first time I played in front of anyone that wasn’t my mom or my wife. So getting over that anxiety of being in front of people. Also the friendships I’ve made, not just in the scene, but in the band. These are my brothers.
Jeremy: Our drive. Through setbacks and hard times we’re still killing it.
Raf: Recording to a click track.
What was your biggest regret?
Mike: Not venturing out to other music scenes in the Southeast as much. Sometimes your home scene isn’t where you’re going to find the biggest following. Sometimes you gotta find your Detroit Rock City.
Jeremy: Richmond IFYKYK.
Raf: Not joining sooner.
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
Mike: Best show was probably Playing at The End in Nashville. The crowd was super energetic and involved for not just us, but every band.
Jeremy: Nashville at The End March 29th, 2025.
Raf: Playing in New Orleans.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
Mike: Seeing the love and support other bands show you. Not all of them, but the good ones, they play their set, then watch you play or vice versa. I’ve heard stories of bands not supporting other bands before I started playing, but seeing so many support each other was a pleasant surprise.
Jeremy: The lack of originality. Every band sounded the same. That’s why I love what we do, we stand out!
Raf: Playing shows with bands from other genres but being well received by their fans.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Mike: By Way Of Fire, First One Dies, Bless The Dead, Give Me Oblivion, Derailer, Slayer, Exodus, Pantera, Down, Crowbar, Acid Bath, High On Fire, and Havok, just to name a few.
Jeremy: Cannibal Corpse – Chaos Horrific.
Raf: Iron Maiden, Exhorder, Black Sabbath and Cradle Of Filth.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
Mike: Don’t follow the trends. Trends come and go. Create what you like, create what you want to hear. Be genuine.
Jeremy: Keep it simple, don’t overcomplicate it. Let the music do the talking.
Raf: Keep playing till you die.
What are your guilty pleasures?
Mike: For me? EuroBeat and 90’s dance music.
Jeremy: 90’s pop music (hangs head in shame).
Raf: I don’t have any, nothing is a guilty pleasure, you like what you like and that’s all that should matter.
Can you say something more about current music scene in Atlanta?
Mike: The Atlanta scene has started to rise from the ashes. It used to have the “every band for themselves” mentality, but in the last 2 years or so, we’ve seen more and more bands help each other get to that next level, whatever that may be for that band. I’ve seen more bands and band members share other band’s flyers to try and help every band have a good crowd.
Jeremy: It’s slowly growing. A shift is happening that I think will be very beneficial for us.
Raf: It’s slowly getting larger and tighter, as in, not competing with other bands, but instead, we all support each other to make a stronger and bigger scene.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
Mike: We’ll be in Conyers, Georgia on April 25th for Juggerfest ’25. Gainesville, Georgia at Blackstrap Rock Hall on May 9th with our brothers in By Way Of Fire and EMBR. Beaumont, Texas on May 31st at the Texas Rose Saloon. More shows to come.
Jeremy: Our next show is April 25th at Juggerfest 25 in Conyers GA!!
Raf: Juggerfest 25 on April 25th in Conyers, Georgia.
What are your plans for the future as a band?
Mike: Getting back into the studio and finishing recording our first album.
Jeremy: The sky’s the limit!
Raf: Playing Wacken!
How can people best support your band?
Mike: Come out to our shows, share our show flyers, stream our music, buy some merch, tell your friends about us are all great ways to support us and any bands you like.
Jeremy: Come see us live! Buy merch and stream, stream, stream!
Raf: Come see us!
Do you have any message for your listeners?
We can’t thank you all enough for all the support you’ve given us Never stop dreaming, give it everything you got. We have a new song coming out on April 4th. »Scarlet Rot«, on all platforms, via Self Made Records and Earache Digital Distribution.
Links:
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp | Spotify | YouTube
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well