The air in the Christian Metal Group’s digital studio crackles with anticipation as Jimmy Sarles and Jay Goodwin sit down with Kelly and Brandon from Cast to Sea. This isn’t just another band interview. It’s a rare moment where faith, music, and nautical mythology collide—where stories of salvation and storms are as much a part of the setlist as the pounding drums and seven-string guitars.
Jimmy Sles (Christian Metal Group): Welcome, Cast to Sea. Let’s start from the beginning: did you grow up in religious homes?
Brandon: Yeah, we all grew up believing in Jesus. We didn’t go to church every Sunday, but we’d hit up vacation Bible school in the summer. When I was 11, I gave my life to the Lord. I’ve been reading the Bible and praying ever since.
Kelly: I started going to church with my grandma at five. My parents joined in, and we became that family—Sundays, Wednesdays, church events, you name it. Even after we stopped going and I joined the military, I kept connecting with God. Sometimes it’s less about the church, more about experiencing the world with open eyes.
Jimmy: Did you grow up in a musical home?
Brandon: Not at all. I was the first to pick up an instrument—saxophone in school, then jazz band, then guitar, and a bit of music theory before the Navy.
Kelly: My dad’s a phenomenal guitar player. My parents let me blast music. First show was Slayer, which blew my mind. Living Sacrifice was a huge Christian influence. Honestly, my music and my faith both keep expanding boundaries.
Jay Goodwin: Where does Cast to Sea come from, and what’s the meaning behind the name?
Brandon: We’re from Whiteville, North Carolina, close to Wilmington and Myrtle Beach. The name’s nautical, inspired by our Navy days and Jonah’s story—being thrown into storms, searching for purpose. We’ve even got a comic book-style story on Facebook about being “cast to sea,” finding Jesus, and now playing metal for Him.
Jimmy: So, who does what in the band?
Kelly: I do vocals and guitar. Brandon’s the drummer, beat maker, producer, and musical wizard. David, who’s not here tonight, plays bass.
Jay: And the big question: why Christian metalcore?
Brandon: We tried being the “Christian Archspire” at first, but couldn’t find the right live musicians or vocalist. Mental health struggles in the scene made us want to do it differently—putting God first. That’s when everything clicked. Metalcore’s approachable, but we’re heavier than most—seven and eight strings, five-string bass. This is raw, it’s us, it’s the Holy Spirit in the room.
Kelly: We want to be distinct—no pirates, just sea folklore, biblical metaphors, and honest heaviness.
Jimmy: Who are your influences?
Brandon: Guitar: Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, AC/DC, Ozzy, Randy Rhoads, System of a Down, Shadows Fall, Children of Bodom. Vocals: Matt Heafy (Trivium), Alexi Laiho (Children of Bodom).
Kelly: Drums: Dave Lombardo (Slayer), Vinnie Paul, Chris Adler (Lamb of God), Sleep Token’s drummer. We blend gospel timing with metal—always searching for something new.
Jimmy: Tell us about your singles, “The Coping Apparatus” and “Curse of the Essex.”
Brandon: I love tying nautical legends to biblical messages. “Curse of the Essex” is about the whaling ship that inspired Moby Dick—stranded, forced to survive, past erased by grace. We also reference Jonah, being thrown overboard. “Coping Apparatus” is about Jesus—the heavy riffs are life’s trials, the melodies are Jesus calling us back.
Kelly: Every song needs a message, a light. That’s our goal.
Jimmy: What’s next? Any surprises on the new EP?
Brandon: The heaviest song is “Oceanic Abyss,” about Davy Jones’ locker and spiritual battle. We’re mixing and mastering as we go, aiming for a release by year’s end.
Kelly: Our final track, “Anchors,” is a crowd chant about breaking free. That’s what we call church: heavy music, people united, praising God together.
Jimmy: Your logo is deathcore but your sound is metalcore—what’s up with that?
Brandon: We love great artwork and support under-recognized artists around the world. We’re Christian metal at heart—no boxes, just music and message.
Kelly: Why put God in a box? We might even drop a tech-death track next time. Cast to Sea is here to stay, bringing revival to churches, venues, and anywhere people want to worship heavy.