Daemon Grimm Unleash Laced Divination

Photo Credit: Blaine Bruskotter

Written by: Jennifer Touche

Photos by: Blaine Bruskottter, Jennifer Touche

New Orleans metal band Daemon Grimm has released their new album Laced Divination, a record that has been a couple of years in the making and is shaped by by everything the band has endured along the way. Built from previous single releases alongside new material, the album stays true to the sound they've established while showing a more refined direction.

Now that the record is finally out, the focus has shifted to getting back on stage, reaching new listeners, and keeping the momentum alive. In a recent conversation with vocalist Jake Walker, that mindset came through clearly.

What is the title of the new album, and what was the inspiration for the title?

Jake: Laced Divination, essentially we were in this era of exploring the mind, peeking behind the veil. It felt like a spiritual awakening but through artificial means. This record touches on a lot of things, but the title can translate down by defining each part. It’s meant to make you think for yourself!

How long has this record been in the works from start to finish?

Jake: Aw man, some of these songs are as old as the Big Bad Daze EP, which was in 2019. "D.L.Y.H." was for sure tracked in 2018. We really finished before the pandemic, like 2020. And have been sitting on it while we watched the world fall apart with Covid. Sold our van, had no idea what would happen, lost members, gained members, cycled through them, been a real LONG ride.

Artwork Credit: Clckwrk Media

What’s one track you feel best represents this release, and why?

Jake: I think the song "Moonsick Lunatic" does the best. It has a smashing chorus with haunting vibes. Hardcore verses that’ll make ya two-step and bang your head. It takes you on a journey from the interlude before the actual song, into "Moonsick," and that song feels like a journey into the pits of the Grimm mind. It takes you on a heavy, dark psychedelic ride. And it’s about the friggin' moon, who doesn’t love the moon!?

How does this album build on or differ from your previous releases?

Jake: This one feels like it builds off Big Bad Daze EP because it quite literally was tracked during that era. IT does feel more refined, but it's the same realm for sure. Keep following us cause we already got newer music in the works and I’m telling ya. It’s even better. don’t plan to take another 6 years to get that to y'all lol.

What changed most in your approach to writing and recording this time around?

Jake: This was such a while back, it really was much of the same process/time as Big Bad Daze. Worked with Jonathan Dolese of Konkrete Studios before he moved to Nashville to continue absolutely crushing his career. We had some rough ideas, brought 'em to the man himself, and went from there.

You’re currently operating without a permanent bassist, how has that impacted your writing process?

Jake: It hasn’t at all, our guitarist Brandon will track and write bass in the studio, and now a days, for current things, it’s him and our newest guitarist Lacy, that’s putting down bass tracks for demos/music.

Who’s handling bass parts during songwriting and recording right now?

Jake: Songwriting part I described a bit above, but for gigs it’s our guy that’s been around damn near the entire time Nick! Always got it held down, hoping to get that back to permanent or eventually find a permanent guy again, we shall see!

Has not having a fixed bassist changed the way the songs are structured or built?

Jake: Unfortunately, bass has been the most challenging position to keep locked down. We have very talented guys playing strings in the band, so bass… no problem, no issue, as our bassists have always been players and not writers. Maybe that can change though!

How would you describe the overall direction of this record compared to your past releases?

Jake: I’d say this one really feels like it tells a story, but that’s not entirely intentional, the interlude has lyrics that you can find in other songs across the album, the first track "Dweller on the Threshold" kicks of the album with “here we go again another Grimm motif, filled with love, sex and death,” but funny enough that song is also using the show Twin Peaks as metaphor points to your own life, etc. The album ends with "Parallel Farewel" — which I’m hoping you all have heard by now. It wraps it up in a nice way.

Is there anything on this album that fans might not expect?

Jake: The second to last song, "Stellar Door" — our chill track, if you will.

What are your main goals with this release?

Jake: I just want this to reach further than everything before, keep growing, meeting new bands, fans, team members, I want to hit the road, start doing more regional weekend bangers & then some longer ones once we figure that out more, so if you’re reading this and know some good contacts to help book out of state/tours, holler!

To what extent are you planning to take this release live? Are you focusing on local shows, regional touring, or pushing beyond that?

Jake: Alllllll of the above — we’ve been around for a hot ass minute, and truthfully haven’t hit the road hard enough. It’s now or never — is how I feel. We’ve played our hometown plenty over the years, so the focus is out and playing home with more intention as well.

What’s next for Daemon Grimm after the album drop?

Jake: More music! More gigs, vids, and all that. We actually have soooooo much in the demo bank right now and are already working on new stuff, that’s because what you are about to hear with Laced Divination is old to us, new to you haha, but we are eager to just keep the ball rolling — and def not take another 6 years to drop — so lock in with us, support us however you can, by the end of this year/start of next, you’ll hear what we actually write like/sound like in 2026. Until then, I really hope everyone enjoys Laced Divination, it’s been a long time coming, and it’s def special, but eager to keep pushing.

Catch Daemon Grimm live on May 30th at Gasa Gasa in New Orleans.

Vocals: Jake Walker

Guitar: Brandon Landry, Lacy James

Drums: Brock Champagne

Follow Daemon Grimm

Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube | Spotify | Apple Music | Amazon Music | LinkTree