SpiritWorld

The West Coast’s contribution to hardcore punk is undeniable. That tradition of aggression, passion, and scrappy melodicism continues with The Barbarians Of California, an engaging new manifestation of iconoclastic spirit and true bombast. Born from the shared passion of Aaron Bruno (AWOLNATION) and his longtime engineer Eric Stenman – who cut his teeth in the same Sacramento community that eventually launched diverse and disparate acts like Deftones, Far, Will Haven, Team Sleep, Hella, Dance Gavin Dance, Death Grips, and Trash Talk – the spirit of the underground and the personal catharsis delivered through metallic hardcore never left either of them. So, when Aaron learned that Eric crafted a batch of throwback bangers combining impassioned angst with modern sensibilities, he wanted in immediately. The Barbarians of California was born. In 2024, the band released their debut album, And Now I’m Just Gnashing My Teeth, and celebrated with a high-energy show at the iconic Troubadour in Los Angeles, cementing their place in the hardcore scene’s next chapter. Since then, they’ve continued to build momentum with headline shows across LA, a summer 2025 arena tour with Deftones and other festival appearances that brought their explosive live presence to a wider audience. Dropping two new singles in 2025 including a collaboration with Keith Buckley (Every Time I Die/Many Eyes), The Barbarians Of California are gearing up in 2026 for the release of their sophomore album, MEGATONS

With country in his soul and metal in his veins, Folsom had a yearning for the power of the riff. Folsom and his gang first assaulted Vegas Elks Lodges in 2017 on a mission to brand country music with a manic singalong energy cultivated over years involved in the local hardcore scene. “Dwight Yoakum probably meant as much to me growing up as Black Flag or Slayer did,” says Stu. On, Helldorado, the third installment of SPIRITWORLD’s deathwestern trifecta, chief hombre Stu Folsom takes the listener deeper into a world where the hot desert sun beats down on his singular vision of the American West as a gateway to hell. “It’s a different album than the past two,” says Folsom, of the thematic and sonic journey that began with the Las Vegas band’s 2020’s Pagan Rhythms LP and continued with 2022’s Deathwestern. Now, the story rides on in a cloud of dust and a spray of blood with his latest offering. Helldorado blasts the Mojave-born bloodlust and stomping, tomahawk riffs SPIRITWORLD won their brutal, horrific vision of the old west with while riding straight into macabre Americana.

SPIRITWORLD live, is where the rubber meets the road for Stu Folsom and crew. Taking the stage in embroidered, rhinestone-ed jackets and Stetson hats, the energized fivesome is literally Elvis’ Wrecking Crew from Hell. Helldorado will also be a turning point for SPIRITWORLD when Stu Folsom and Co. take the stage. “If you go see a rippin rockabilly band or a really good honky tonk band, maybe for the encore or maybe most of the way through the set the band will strip it down and get on a barstool,” says Stu. “I’d like to take those sorts of dynamics. Just making it more impactful Maybe the big epic production of something like Ghost where the intensity goes down. Maybe some pedal steel and some singer-songwriter storytelling from this world I’ve created.” One thing’s for sure, SPIRITWORLD is back with an album that is as much Sergio Leon as it is Slayer. When asked to sum up where it’s all going, Stu Folsom steps back, considers the question and answers plainly. “Straight to hell, my friend. Straight to hell.