By Jai That Aussie Metal Guy – Crannk.com
When it comes to forward-thinking, mind-bending tech-metal, few bands come close to what FALLUJAH has achieved over the past decade. With their latest album Xenotaph, Out Worldwide June 13th through Nuclear Blast , the Bay Area outfit isn’t just pushing boundaries—they’re erasing them entirely. And with the addition of guitarist Sam Mooradian, they’ve added another secret weapon to their sonic arsenal.
I recently had the pleasure of sitting down for a chat with Sam Mooradian—who also fronts his own projects INHALE EXISTENCE and his solo work—and let me tell you, this guy doesn’t just melt fretboards, he warps time and space with them.
🚀 A New Chapter in FALLUJAH’s Legacy
Xenotaph builds on the momentum of 2022’s critically acclaimed Empyrean but rockets the band into new dimensions of melody, atmosphere, and sheer technical brilliance. With Sam joining the ranks alongside fellow guitarist Scott Carstairs, vocalist Kyle Schaefer, bassist Evan Brewer, and drummer Kevin Alexander, the band’s chemistry has never sounded tighter—or more adventurous.
“The cool thing about this lineup is how everyone brings a different flavor, but it all comes together like this chaotic, spacey stew,” Sam explained. “There was a really collaborative spirit on this album. Everyone was firing on all cylinders.”
The record’s singles—“Kaleidoscopic Waves,” “Labyrinth of Stone,” and “Step Through the Portal and Breathe”—offer a kaleidoscopic view into the dense musical multiverse FALLUJAH is exploring. From brutal blast beats and jazz-fusion solos to ethereal soundscapes and clean vocal hooks, Xenotaph isn’t just an album—it’s an odyssey.
📖 Conceptual, Cosmic, and Crushing
Lyrically and conceptually, Xenotaph dives into the abstract—drawing inspiration from sci-fi classics like Children of Dune, dream logic, and metaphysical ideas. Each song is a chapter in a narrative arc that flips heaven and hell on their heads and throws the listener into an existential voyage of mind and memory.
“You’ve got this guide who seems angelic at first, but turns out to be this parasitic force,” Sam said. “The whole thing is like a spiritual sci-fi thriller set to tech-metal.”
The album art—once again crafted by the legendary Peter Mohrbacher—visually captures the vastness of this sonic world, tying Xenotaph to FALLUJAH’s past while boldly stepping forward.
🎸 Sam’s Journey to the Fold
For fans curious about Sam’s path to joining FALLUJAH, his story is one of hustle, creativity, and a passion for pushing boundaries. He’s no stranger to the tech-death scene, having carved his name through projects like INHALE EXISTENCE, as well as his own solo work that blends cinematic ambience with sheer shred power.
💥 Live Shows and What’s Next
With Xenotaph out June 13th and the band eyeing up more tour dates, FALLUJAH is ready to take their interstellar chaos on the road.
🔥 Final Thoughts
With Xenotaph, FALLUJAH has delivered one of the most daring and dynamic records in modern metal—and with Sam Mooradian now in the mix, they’ve got a guitarist who not only shreds with surgical precision but brings a fresh artistic voice to the band’s already-epic vision.
Whether you’re here for the prog, the brutal, or the blissfully ambient, Xenotaph has something to melt your brain and stir your soul.
🧠 FALLUJAH – Xenotaph 🎧due out June 13th from Nuclear Blast Records. Pre-order Xenotaph: https://fallujah.bfan.link/xenotaph
