Formed by a quarter of heavy metal lovers, KILJIN have forged a sound that blends old-school metal with modern aggression and bucketloads of attitude, which they describe as “heavy, loud and uncompromising.”
The Alma, Michigan, band started out in 2020, formed by the Aumagher family trio of brothers Trevor (lead vocals and lead guitar) and Bryant (drums and vocals), their father Tony (bass and vocals) and Jeremy Keeler (rhythm guitar and vocals), who shares their vision, dedication and passion for heavy metal.
As Trevor tells us: “That mix of family loyalty and true friendship has kept KILJIN strong for decades, allowing the band to grow, evolve, and stay relentlessly heavy. The bloodline connection brings a level of chemistry, trust, and intensity that can’t be manufactured.
“KILJIN’s sound is rooted in classic heavy metal but driven by modern aggression and intensity. We focus on crushing riffs, pounding rhythms, and powerful vocals, all delivered with raw energy and zero polish for the sake of authenticity. It’s music built to hit hard and stay honest – no trends, no gimmicks, just straight-up heavy metal with conviction and attitude.”
Our latest taste of this is Far Too Gone, KILJIN’s fifth album in six years, which was released on New Year’s Day. From the album, they sent us the second track Disjointed, which starts out with spoken vocals that give way to a cool darting riff intersected with funky harmonic notes. Big drum rolls tee up a lively opening verse led by Trevor’s engaging vocals and powered along by stabbing guitars and driving drums, before the vocals intensify, leading into repeats of “What am I to do?” A funky stabbing guitar note leads into an intense chorus that ends with a screeching guitar solo, which leads us into a wild final section.
On the track, Trevor told us: “The reception to Disjointed has been very positive so far. Fans have really connected with the raw energy, the honesty, and the heaviness of the release. We’ve heard a lot of feedback about how intense and aggressive it feels while still being very true to who KILJIN is, which is exactly what we aim for. For anyone who hasn’t listened yet, you should expect pure, no-compromise heavy metal—hard-hitting riffs, pounding drums, powerful vocals, and an aggressive edge that doesn’t let up. Disjointed is heavy, loud, and unapologetic, with a raw feel that reflects decades of experience and passion. It’s meant to be felt as much as it’s meant to be heard.”
There’s plenty more where that came from on the album, including the wild opening track No Life, the delicious Erased, the excellent What Are You Looking For, a personal favourite Wadadada and the lively Inhabit The Void.
The KILJIN sound is heavily influenced by classic heavy metal bands that value power, aggression and authenticity like Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and Metallica, in terms of their riffs, songwriting and attitude. But, as Trevor says: “We’re influenced by the evolution of metal as a whole. We respect modern heaviness and intensity, but we’ve always focused on taking those influences and making them our own. The goal has never been to sound like anyone else – it’s to honour the roots of metal while pushing our own identity forward.
And on what inspires them to write music, he added: “Our biggest influences come from real life and real experiences. After doing this for over 30 years, we’ve lived through a lot, and that naturally finds its way into the music. We’re influenced by classic heavy metal, but more than anything, we’re driven by emotion, intensity, and honesty.
“Lyrically, we focus on themes like struggle, resilience, frustration, family, loyalty, and pushing through adversity. We write about what it takes to survive, to stay true to yourself, and to stand your ground in a world that constantly tries to wear you down. Nothing is forced or fictional – it’s all grounded in reality, which gives the music its weight and authenticity.”
There’s plenty more to come from KILJIN, who’ll continue working on new music with the goal of getting back into the studio this year. They’ll also be lining up select live shows as they remain committed to delivering heavy, loud, uncompromising metal, both recorded and live.
And Trevor added: “KILJIN is about authenticity and commitment. We’ve never chased trends or tried to fit into a scene – we’ve stayed true to heavy metal and to ourselves for over 30 years. Everything we release comes from real experience, real emotion, and a genuine love for heavy music. If you’re looking for something honest, heavy, and unapologetic, KILJIN delivers. Turn it up, feel it, and experience it the way it was meant to be heard – loud.”
You can follow KILJIN on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok, and check out their music on Spotify, Bandcamp, Apple Music, Deezer, Soundcloud and YouTube.
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