The New England area is home to many amazing metal bands and artists. One of these bands is Death Rattle, out of Maine and New Hampshire. Death Rattle is on label M-Theory Radio and has released their latest album, The Moral Chokehold, on May 30th, 2025. This release features some incredible metal music moments and remains enjoyable throughout.
Death Rattle began in 2016 and consists of band members: Ryan Vanderwolk (guitar), Chris Morin (drums), Kevin Adams (bass), and Trey Holton (vocals). They have released some amazing videos for this album that have tantalizing visuals, with song “Malthusian Dependency” featuring the very talented performing artist Philia Porphyra, who also happens to be the wife of Killswitch Engage vocalist Jesse Leach. While this visual and track is incredible, I have navigated to “Nietzche, and the Fall” as one favorite, and “March of Delusion” as another, which takes you on a really fun ride throughout the song. There is not a bad moment on The Moral Chokehold, though. I really would encourage you to press play from the first song, “The Light”, and end with “The Darkness”. (Such a clever way to title the beginning and end of an album).
One thing I especially enjoy about Death Rattle is their lyrical content and what they are putting out there for others to think about and feel some sort of mutual understanding with the fans and audience. I really appreciate when bands take the time to put so much emotion and thought-provoking words into their lyrics.
Ryan was kind enough to sit down with Metal Nation and discuss this release as well as many other topics. (If you are viewing from your phone, please scroll to the bottom of the page and click, “View Desktop Version” to gain interview and video access).