Periphery abandoned their numbered-record formula to make a concept album about loneliness. Guitarist Mark Holcomb describes brutal guitar tones, emotional subject matter and the practical fallout for touring techs.
The record features dramatically heavy, dense guitar tones and complex arrangements on tracks such as Mr. God, Obsession, Subhuman and Everyone Dies Alone.
Holcomb’s playing on Everyone Dies Alone channels recent personal grief following his father’s death, contributing to the album’s darkest moments.
The band’s pursuit of extreme guitar sounds created logistical and workload issues for guitar techs, prompting Holcomb to apologize for making their lives harder.
# Overview Periphery chose a different route for their latest record. Rather than produce another entry in the numbered series (Periphery I–V), the band committed to a concept: loneliness. They wrote songs built around isolation, anxiety and related conditions, and paired that subject matter with some of their heaviest, most meticulously arranged guitar work.
# Why they changed course The group had grown tired of the "Periphery VI" approach that had become a predictable pattern. During a European tour the members brainstormed alternatives—EPs, double albums and other formats—but settled on a thematic full-length after drummer Matt Halpern suggested an album about loneliness. The idea resonated because it's a universal emotional experience that allowed the band to pursue darker lyrical and musical territory.
# Sound and songs The album leans into super-heavy guitar tones and dense production. Songs named in the conversation include Mr. God, Obsession, Subhuman and Everyone Dies Alone. Those tracks combine complex progressive-metal arrangements with intense, dramatic guitar work. Everyone Dies Alone stands out for its emotional content: Holcomb links his performance to grief he felt after his father's recent passing. The band describes their writing process as therapeutic sessions that shaped both the music and the lyrical focus.
# Guitar tone and practical fallout
# Influences and context When asked about other concept albums that address alienation, the band referenced Pink Floyd's The Wall as a touchpoint for themes of loneliness and isolation. Periphery's approach differs musically but shares thematic lineage: exploring the darker side of human experience through a unified album narrative.
# What to expect listening Expect a heavy, dramatic record that pairs technical progressive-metal elements with emotionally charged lyrics. The album isn't meant to be upbeat. Instead it probes uncomfortable feelings—depression, obsessive behaviors, anxiety and isolation—through layered arrangements and aggressive guitar textures.
# Practical takeaways for musicians and fans
# Bottom line
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