Doomed Confessionary: Omar Barreto (Three Towers)
Three Towers is a three-piece stoner/crossover band from Oakland, California.
Forged in the smoke and slime of Oakland’s DIY metal scene, Three Towers formed in 2017 from the ashes of past projects such as Zombie Holocaust, Agata, Pillager, and Egg Shen. Blending stoner, sludge, rock n roll and Bay Area thrash, the trio delivers a heavy-hitting dose of stoner crossover for fans of all things heavy.
With 2 tours, 3 EPs & an international split release under their belt, the band has now partnered with Wet Records to finally dish out their long-awaited, debut full-length LP, »Ties That Bind«, out July 7th, 2025.
Three Towers are Omar Barreto (guitar, vocals), Bryan Cammerer (bass, vocals) and Daniel Souza (drums, vocals).
Can you please say a few words about your band?
We call ourselves “Hella Loud, Hella Fun!”
According to our label, Wet Records, we are “A crushing blend of stoner metal, sludge, and raw crossover/thrash energy. This is a sonic sledgehammer forged in molten riffs and punk venom.”
I think both are accurate 🙂
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
Working through a constant backlog of material. Writing faster than we release. We get caught up in the creative process and forget to put ourselves out there the way we should.
What can you be most proud of so far?
Definitely our live shows. We’re very much a live band , meaning we can capture an energy that you have to be there to get. Even if it’s a smaller show. Sometimes our most sloppy or intimate sets are the most memorable. But that’s a double edged sword. Many people only get to experience us online or on vinyl. We’re constantly striving to make our personalities better translate to what we put out.
What was your biggest regret?
Not touring Spain and Portugal when we had the chance! We released a split with Wülfcrown from Madrid , (go check it out, Wülfcrown rocks) and they offered. But we were in the thick of the ups and downs of the pandemic life changes so the timing didn’t work. Touring Europe is still a goal of ours. Hopefully sooner than later!
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
Our record release show that just happened! People went ape shit and we really felt the love. Plus, it was a DIY all ages venue run by good friends. It just doesn’t get any better.
As for a tour…probably the west coast tour with our boys in Phantom Hound for their album release! Those guys are just the best buds and every minute was fun.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
I can think of a lot of ups and downs in the Bay Area scene over the years. But the nicest thing to surprise me lately is how the different heavy music sub-genres seem to be converging in a new beautiful way post pandemic. Especially the younger generation of punk and hardcore. When I was a kid, you just didn’t have floor punches in karate kicks coexisting peacefully with circle pits. Now it’s the norm and honestly, it makes the shows way more lit and inviting in my opinion.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
• Of course Sabbath/Ozzy!
• Demonsmoke
• Autopsy
• Hypnotic Pattern
• King Gizzard
• Hippy Deathcult
• Necrot
• BrainOil
• The Freeks
• Mystic Majesty
• Phantom hound
• Glowing Brain
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
As a musician, to keep playing with integrity and stay true to yourself. To be open to new avenues and for it to be okay when it gets uncomfortable or tough. Share the load with your bandmates so you don’t get burnt out or frustrated because someone is taking on more than they can chew. Don’t take things too personally, and remember we’re all here to have fun.
As a band, to keep playing live and not get distracted with the digital requirements of this day and age. That doesn’t mean to not partake, but the intimate contact we make through a live performance speaks louder than 100 clicks/likes. And for that matter, one follows the other if you do it right.
What are your guilty pleasures?
Too many to name!
• Hot Dogs (Bryan!)
• Vinyl records and antiques
• Peanut M&Ms
• Boring talk radio and history podcasts
• Alien abduction documentaries
• Unsolved mysteries
• Flaming hot Cheetos
Can you say something more about the current music scene in Oakland?
Oakland, CA has such a great punk and metal community. We’ve seen it change over the past 20 years since we were kids playing in short fast and loud punk bands. Personally I felt it used to be a bit more elitist than it is now. I’ve seen a lot of inclusion at the past few shows. Although many venues have come and gone, there is a strength that prevails in the community.
Some people may be put off by how people look, dress, act but we’re all generally pretty friendly. The Bay Area has a rich history with so much good music, and it’s great to start to see the next generation of young punks and metal heads carry the torch wherever possible.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
In support of the new release, you can see us on the following dates:
With Hypnotic Pattern**
8/22 Winters Tavern – Pacifica, CA
8/30 Redwood Bar – LA, CA
8/31 Transplants Brewing – Palmdale, CA
9/12 Jury Room, Santa Cruz CA
9/13 Mystic Saloon – Avery, CA (Calaveras county)
9/14 Savage Henry’s Comedy Club, Eureka, CA
With Mystic Majesty from Italy**
10/10 Music City, CA
What are your plans for the future as a band?
To keep writing, playing live, and having as much fun as we can while doing. We’d like to push this record and expand our audience as much as possible. We have the next release on the pulse and will be planning more road shows for 2026.
How can people best support your band?
You can best support Three Towers by picking up a copy of the new vinyl, »Ties That Bind« from our Bandcamp at threetowers.bandcamp.com.
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Thanks for the years of support and hope you grab a copy of the new record. If this is your first time hearing about Three Towers, check out all the »Deity« releases and work your way up to the newest to get a feel of the evolution. Play it loud! We hope to see you out there.
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well