Nashville stoner metal band Howling Giant are set to release their third album entitled Crucible & Ruin on October 31st. Howling Giant’s drummer/vocalist Zach Wheeler spoke with Metal Express Radio about the upcoming album, lineup changes within the band, touring plans, and more. Check out the chat below!
Metal Express Radio: Howling Giant are set to release their third album entitled Crucible & Ruin on October 31st, what can you tell fans about the upcoming release?
Wheeler: Crucible and Ruin is a concept record that explores the perspective of four different entities: a novice god and their first attempt at building a world, a civilization searching for meaning on an imperfect planet, the arrival and influence of primordial chaos, and the celestial archivist who documents the rise and fall of worlds across the cosmos.
MER: How was the writing and recording process, being your third album?
Wheeler: We pretty much started writing this record as soon as we finished Glass Future. We wanted this record to have a little more aggression, and have a little more focus on guitar layers, replacing some of our previous organ heavy arrangements with a more in-depth riff-based foundation. This record was recorded at Amish Electric Chair Studios with the amazing Neil Tuuri.
MER: How would you compare Crucible & Ruin to your previous two albums?
Wheeler: This is first record since the arrival of Adrian Lee Zambrano, and his influence is all over this album. The textures and extra layers he provided helped bring our writing to another level. Stoked to have him on board! Compared to Glass Future, the production quality on Crucible and Ruin is more modern and aggressive which really seems to suit the overall vibe of the song arrangements. Neil Tuuri captured some of the best drum sounds and guitar sounds we’ve ever had and was able to bring out the best in our playing across the board.
MER: You’ve released a song from the album entitled “Canyons”, how did “Canyons” come about being the first single from the new album?
Wheeler: “Canyons” was written down in Texas while we were tracking demos with our friend Drew Harakal. The song came alive and instantly became one of our favorites on Crucible and Ruin.
MER: You have a couple shows in North America with Castle Rat, then will be touring with Anciients, what are your expectations on Howling Giant’s touring schedule?
Wheeler: We’re excited to get back out on the road and share some new tunes with everyone. The addition of Adrian on guitar brings a whole new energy to the live show and a whole new life to the guitar harmonies. I think these will be some of our best shows yet!
MER: What do you see as plans for Howling Giant after your tour with Anciients?
Wheeler: After our Anciients tour we plan on balancing our time between writing new material and prepping for a busy 2026 tour schedule. Stay tuned!
MER: Is there anyone you hope to tour with?
Wheeler: This could be a long list because there are so many bands that we love, but here are a few; Cave In, Pallbearer, Elder, Pelican, Baroness, Slomosa, Rezn, Russian Circles. We could keep going with this list, but these are some of our favorites.
MER: Is there anywhere you hope to play live and why?
Wheeler: We would love to go to South America. We are excited to go back to Europe. If we ever get the chance to go to Australia, we’ll be sure to prepare our Men At Work cover set.
MER: What have been some of your favorite releases of 2025?
Wheeler: Between the Buried and Me – The Blue Nowhere, Elder – Liminality/Dream State Return, Friendship Commanders – Bear, Lo Pan – Get Well Soon.
MER: Out of Howling Giant’s three albums, what is one you would suggest to a new fan and why?
Wheeler: I would suggest Crucible & Ruin because it is a great representation is great representation of our current sound, and it includes some of our best work to date.
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