On the latest episode of The Kevin Powell Podcast, I had the chance to sit down with the members of SHEORU, an emerging band blending metal and pop influences into a sound they proudly call "pop metal." We talked about their formation, creative process, and their brand-new EP, Vantage. If you haven’t heard of them yet, here’s your chance to discover what makes this band stand out.
A Band Built Across States
SHEORU is a band spread across multiple cities, with members residing in Richmond, Philadelphia, Boston, and California. Despite the distance, they make it work through road trips, FaceTime calls, and carefully planned recording sessions. As vocalist Thalia mentioned, “We do our best to be super efficient with our trips, stacking as much work as possible into each session.”
The Writing & Recording Process
SHEORU’s writing process is a mix of virtual collaboration and intensive in-person sessions. Guitarists Danny and Tim revealed that their EP features a variety of tunings, with Project 8 tuned to a crushingly low nine-string setup, while Ruin offers a higher range. The band’s producer, Zev, plays an integral role, sometimes composing MIDI versions of guitar riffs before the band even records them live.
Thalia’s experience in crafting vocals for Vantage was particularly interesting. “The instrumentals made me feel something even before lyrics were written,” she explained. “Each song told a story before I even put words to it.” This approach resulted in an EP that flows as a complete narrative, depicting different facets of a toxic cycle, from frustration (Life or Death) to self-doubt (Ruin) to breaking free (Vantage).
Blending Heavy & Catchy – What is Pop Metal?
When asked how they describe their sound, Thalia had a simple answer: “We are pop metal, and we like getting heavy.” The band emphasized that their music features plenty of melodies to sing along to, but they also love to bring the intensity. “It’s heavy pop metal,” Danny added. “We have songs you can sing to and songs you can get mad to.”
Advice for Up-and-Coming Bands
As a band that’s made long-distance collaboration work, SHEORU had some valuable advice for aspiring musicians. Tim emphasized the importance of playing to each member’s strengths: “Find what each person is best at and use it to the band’s advantage.”
Thalia also had words of wisdom about taking your time with releases: “Make sure you’re proud of your work in every aspect—sound, visuals, promotion. And don’t rush it. Even overnight success stories took years of work.”
What’s Next for SHEORU?
With Vantage out now, the band is gearing up to perform their set together live for the first time, an exciting step given their remote writing process. They’re also staying engaged with fans, appreciating every comment, share, and stream.
If you’re looking for a band that blends the best of pop and metal, SHEORU is one to watch. Give Vantage a listen and experience their unique take on modern heavy music.
Listen to my full conversation with SHEORU on The Kevin Powell Podcast on iHeartRadio! And don’t forget to follow the band for updates on future releases and live shows.