Interview with GraveReign

June 01, 2026

Interview with GraveReign

by Mick Michaels

Cosmick View: Hello, and welcome to The Cosmick View! Thanks for taking some time out of your day to speak with us. It's greatly appreciated.

CV: What do you think the fascination is with the horrid of human history? Do you think it could be the frailty of the human condition, meaning that we all have the potential to commit such heinous acts?

GR - When we originally set out to do the second disc, the idea was a double album with one side representing the good of humanity, and the other side the evil (the duality of man). However, when we started, we realized that even the good had dark secrets behind them so the album's focus became the horrid of the human condition, and the propensity for evil committed by humanity.

CV: Does such an array of horrific historical subject matter offer a palette of musical freedom to explore and write about that’s not available in other themes?

GR - TE - if anything we found the subject matter provided a stricter focus, and if anything, limited our freedom because we approached each subject through a specific lens.

CV: With so many dangerous and terrible individuals from history to choose from, was there one individual who you knew had to be included on the new album “Icon Of The Accursed?”

GR - yes, but we wanted to avoid just doing a record about serial killers, so we knew we wanted to look at different aspects of evil. Genghis Khan for instance, killed 11% of the world's population during his time, but he wasn't a serial killer. Jim Jones killed over 900 people, and wasn't a serial killer. The only thing we set out to avoid was the third reich, which has been covered ad nauseum.

CV: Musically speaking, where do you see the new album going that the first album, “Destination: Aftermath,” didn't?

GR - it's more of a continuation of what we explored on the first disc "Destination: Aftermath" which was also our first foray into writing together, so with the experience of having done the first disc, we knew each others' tendencies and knew where we could push the envelope with each other from both a performance and writing perspective

CV: Many artists are content with releasing the same album over and over again, never really pushing boundaries. Do you feel this new album is pushing boundaries for you as an artist and as a band?

GR - maybe not so much boundaries, but we took different chances with tunings, song approaches, and topics that differed from the first disc. For instance, we weren't going to suddenly change our overall sound, this is a progressive power metal band but we agree, the end result was not expected to be "Destination: Aftermath 2" but something new.

CV: What do you feel is the biggest boundary an artist can push?

GR - Really just a matter of stepping out of your comfort zone. Exploring different styles and approaches made us look at the songwriting process in a different manner, but certainly in some cases easier as we already knew our own limitations and strengths having worked together on the first disc.

CV: GraveReign has taken on two new members, drummer Michael Ray and a new rhythm guitarist in Jack Lazor. How has the band’s dynamic changed and what do you feel Michael and Jack bring to the mix in terms of style and performance?

GR - The songwriting was really Tony and Dave creatively pushing forward, but we also realized that some of this needed some enhancements for our live performances so it became a "no brainer" really to bring on some of our closest friends to help enhance that. Both Jack and Michael bring significant experience, and no one lives for metal like Mick! We think we have a great team!

CV: In addition to the upcoming new album, what more can fans expect coming from GraveReign in 2026 and beyond?

GR - We anticipate "Genghis Khan" as second single with a video forthcoming, and rehearsals to bring both "Destination: Aftermath" and "Icon of the Accursed" to the stage

CV: Thanks again for taking the time to share with our readers. We wish you all the best and continued success.

GR - Thanks, we appreciate all you do and look forward to seeing people when we start the live shows!

Check out GraveReign at
Official: www.gravereignband.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/gravereign

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My name is Mick Michaels...I'm an artist, music fan, songwriter, producer, author, show host, big dreamer and guitarist for the traditional Heavy Metal band Corners of Sanctuary. Writing has always been a creative outlet for me; what I couldn't say in speech, I was able to do with the written word. Writing has given me a voice and a way for me to create on a multitude of platforms including music and song, articles, independent screenplays, books and now, artist interviews. The Cosmick View is an opportunity to raise the bar and showcase artists in a positive and inspirational light. For me, it's another out-of-this-world adventure.