The new Cordyceps album Hell Inside is a harrowing, immersive dive into emotional trauma—channeled through the haunting metaphor of cordyceps fungi infecting the human psyche. Capital Chaos TV caught up with vocalist Rafael Gonzalez to talk about the evolution of the concept, personal healing, sonic shifts, and the enduring legacy of late friends and mentors.
Photo credit: Msan
“Hell Inside” is described as channeling mental anguish through the metaphor of cordyceps infecting humans. How did that concept evolve during the writing process?
The songs started off as deeply personal reflections on my own struggles. For instance, “I Am Hate” is about the time I was stabbed in the chest three times by someone I considered a friend. Writing it helped me release the anger and distrust I was holding onto. “Suffocating” explores depression—again, in a very personal way.
Then with “Obliterate,” I wanted to flip the perspective: what if cordyceps could feel those human emotions as they infected us? Hate, anguish, suffering. Over the course of the record, they begin to feel so much pain they start to hate us in return and ultimately want to destroy us.
With so much of the new material coming from real-life trauma, how did that vulnerability affect your performance or songwriting, compared to your previous record, “Betrayal”?
It made the process heavier—emotionally and vocally. Sometimes while listening back or singing certain lyrics live, I’ll get overwhelmed, even tear up. It’s not just a song anymore; it’s a reminder of surviving something. That kind of connection brings a whole different intensity.
The band’s sound has shifted from pure brutality to include blackened elements. How did you approach evolving the sound without losing the core identity of Cordyceps?
Even on the first album, the original guitarist and I were already weaving in black metal influences. We’ve always been drawn to darker atmospheres. For me, it was never about changing the sound—it was about expanding it. Staying brutal, but also letting in the shadows.
Trevor Strnad was an early supporter of your music. How has his memory carried forward in your journey, especially with this new album?
Trevor—and Eric Lindmark—mean the world to me. Trevor became a friend over the years. We’d talk at shows and festivals. After Betrayal, I was alone for a while and seriously considered quitting. I asked him if he thought the label or fans would be mad if I just stopped. He looked at me and said, “Dude, you can’t do that. Keep making music—people like it. Don’t give up.” That stuck with me. He’s a big part of why I’m still here doing this.
Tracks like “I Am Hate” and “Regret” hit emotional extremes.How important is emotional contrast to the structure of “Hell Inside”?
It’s essential. I wanted this record to feel like a journey through real emotional suffering, but not to wallow in it. The purpose is to connect with the pain, to identify it, and then overcome it. It’s about pulling strength from those dark places—not just surviving, but growing
If actual cordyceps fungi took over a metal band, what genre would they play—and would the blast beats come from human drummers or zombified ants?
Definitely zombified ants they are way cooler than us. For me I think cordyceps would play brutal music how could it not its brutal af.
Hell Inside isn’t just an album—it’s a raw, emotional purge, set to a backdrop of apocalyptic horror and blackened brutality. Through trauma, survival, and sonic evolution, Cordyceps has crafted something uniquely powerful. On July 25th, Cordyceps will release their sophomore album, Hell Inside, via Unique Leader Records.
Pre-order Hell Inside now in various formats via: https://orcd.co/HELLINSIDE
Categories: Cordyceps, Interviews, Music
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