Doomed Confessionary: Sam, Draken & Troy (Wicked Trip)
Wicked Trip is a three-piece heavy occult doom band from Tennessee, USA. Originally founded in 2018, Wicked Trip currently consists of Sam Daniels (guitars, vocals, keys), Troy Walker (bass), and Draken Mayo (drums).
So far, Wicked Trip released several singles, EPs, a split with Druid Stone and two full-length albums: »Wicked Trip« (2021) and »Cabin Fever« (2023). Their latest release is »Tales From Beyond The Grave« EP (2025), a haunting collection of lost songs/demos re-imagined by the same depraved minds behind »Cabin Fever«.
Can you please say a few words about your band?
We are the Wicked Trip – we’ve been called the “Tennessee Mephistofeles” – and while we love it, we feel that we are the introduction to this type of music (at least locally).
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
Trying to maintain a consistent lineup while figuring out our way in life has been difficult.
What can you be most proud of so far?
The support we have been able to maintain/keep has been a huge luxury that we hope to expand on.
What was your biggest regret?
Our biggest regret (as always) has been not playing enough shows – there is just not a huge doom scene in Tennessee.
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
The biggest concert we’ve ever played I would have to say has been the last Moonlite Barbershop show (shout out to Ponddigger) because it was just so fucking awesome. Everyone was there. When it comes to playing/listening to badass music, meeting like-minded people from the scene, etc etc, it couldn’t have been better.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
The biggest surprise has been the love and hospitality – it is so cool to see the nicest people listening to the evilest stuff.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Well we all have our different tastes haha – collectively we’ve been listening to Pantera, Clutch, Megadeth, Sunn O))), Mephistofeles (the greatest band in the world), and a little Bob Welch.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
The best advice we’ve been given is to never stop writing/learning. You gotta keep things fresh and evolve or you’ll get stuck.
What are your guilty pleasures?
We’re all slaves to our vices – drugs/sex/every sort of filth – along with the paranormal and exploitation films.
Can you say something more about the current music scene in Tennessee?
We’re creating it, or trying to. There hasn’t been a whole lot of change in the past 30 years (country music really prevails down here). Pushing the glass ceiling has given a breath of fresh air for fans of the macabre in the volunteer state and we hope our efforts inspire others.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
Nothing is set in stone, but we have plans for a few “mini tours” as well as some one-off shows (TBA).
What are your plans for the future as a band?
12. We have some huge plans for the future that we can’t really disclose at the moment. Our third studio album is currently being recorded but that’s all I can say haha.
How can people best support your band?
The best way for fans to support us is by checking out our music and sharing it (if ya like it). We have some merch as well (check out our Bandcamp, Saturn Eye Records, and Drugula’s Crypt for more).
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Smoke ’em if you got ’em, play it slow/play it heavy, and stay tuned – more wicked tricks are around the corner…
(also check out: Mephistofeles, The Black Furs, Las Historias, Wicca 333, The Curse Of Sahara, Demonio, Ibliss, Sign Of The Sorcerer, Black Spell, Arteaga, Demon And Eleven Children, Black Pappo, Druid Stone, Ponddigger, Season Of The Witch, and SEL if you haven’t already)
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well