American Grim returns with their new single “Secrets of Roswell,” a track that fuses extraterrestrial lore with heavy industrial aggression. In this interview, the band discusses their fascination with alien encounters, their evolving sonic identity, and how music, comics, and film converge to shape the ever-expanding American Grim universe.
1.
“Secrets of Roswell” blends extraterrestrial lore with heavy, industrial
aggression. What first sparked your fascination with the Roswell crash and
convinced you it was the right story to tell through music?
We knew Roswell was the story we wanted to focus on because it was the first
documented extraterrestrial encounter. Roswell was the event that sparked
interest in other encounters and in order to continue to write about American
extraterrestrial encounters it was pertinent that we start at the beginning
with Roswell.
2. Your sound has been described as Rob Zombie meets Nine Inch Nails in Area
51. How would you personally define the American Grim sonic identity, and where
does this new single fit into your evolution?
Throughout our careers our sound has been continuously evolving. Each of our
records (Freakshow, Ultra Black, and 1947) capture a multitude of styles and
influences. Our newest album is the most ‘conceptual’ piece we’ve written with
a more theatrical tone while still keeping those metal elements.
3. The track feels cinematic in its intensity. How much does film and visual
storytelling influence your songwriting process?
We’re currently merging visual and auditory art after analyzing the current
state of the music/entertainment industry. We see the value in creating visual
and aural art and believe that the future of songwriting is the combination of
the two.
4. You recorded at Michael Morello’s studio, a familiar creative hub for the band. What role does that space play in shaping your sound and chemistry as a group?
Michael Morello’s studio has always been our main hub for creating, rehearsing, and post-production. The studio is a place where we can experiment, explore new ideas, and create our best work free from pressure or judgment.
5. As a band that’s entirely self-sufficient—handling music, production, engineering, and even comics and film—what are the biggest challenges and rewards of keeping everything in-house?
The biggest challenges are getting everything done without reporting to anyone else. We needed to set our own deadlines and goal point and stick to them even when hurdles come along. The biggest rewards are that we can say no one but those a part American Grim are responsible for its creations.
6. The mystery of Roswell has inspired decades of speculation. Do you approach it as truth, myth, or simply a powerful metaphor?
We wholeheartedly believe that something strange did happen in Roswell. We believe this because of the Marcel family story. The Marcel’s story tells a different narrative than what the government declared.
7. “Secrets of Roswell” feels like more than just a single—it’s almost a transmission. What message do you hope listeners walk away with after experiencing it?
We hope our music inspires people from all walks of life to find importance in exploring the idea of extraterrestrials and the history of the extraterrestrial in America.
8. You’ve recently been performing at conventions and film festivals, blending music with comics and movies. How do these different creative outlets feed into each other and strengthen the American Grim universe?
As musicians it’s been incredibly valuable to meet, discuss, and even just be under the same roof as some of the greatest minds in the entertainment business (now or in the past) and it helps us further expand our reach to spread our message.
9. Your comic Roswell Remains ties directly into your music and upcoming film. How important is it for you to create a cross-media story rather than just sticking to music?
Right now, it’s our main focus to merge our music and film together. We’ve discovered that we’re able to reach a larger audience by integrating different types of entertainment into our music.
10. With your fourth album on the horizon—focused on forgotten extraterrestrial encounters—can fans expect a continuation of Roswell’s story, or will you be exploring entirely new cosmic myths?
We don’t believe they’re myths. We perceive these encounters as truth and believe that others will as well the more we bring these occurrences to light. Our fourth album will be discussing, in depth, different encounters from across the United States.
11. American Grim has been called a “culture within a culture” at conventions. How have fans responded to this blend of music, comics, film, and paranormal themes?
Throughout our time attending comic book conventions we have gained a massive amount of support. Many fans/convention goers are personally inspire to create art so when they see us, an indie artist who is creating within multiple mediums, they’re overwhelmingly supportive and help keep us moving forward.
12. Finally, looking back on your journey as a band—if there’s one truth you’ve uncovered in chasing these mysteries through your art, what would it be?
The thing that sticks out the most when exploring extraterrestrial content is that the people who you assume don’t believe, do believe. More and more people are looking into extraterrestrial encounters every day and believe more than ever in 2025.
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