Exclusive Interview: Getting Spooky with Rocky Gray

by Seth Metoyer, Heaven’s Metal Magazine,

Rocky Gray is a multifaceted musician, composer, producer, and writer known for his contributions to bands spanning multiple genres, including Evanescence, Living Sacrifice, and Soul Embraced. Gray first gained widespread recognition as the drummer for Evanescence during their breakthrough Fallen era, contributing to some of the band’s most iconic tracks and winning two Grammy Awards in 2004. Before Evanescence, Gray was already a recognized figure in the metal scene as a guitarist for Living Sacrifice, a pioneering Christian metal band whose influence resonates within the extreme music community. Living Sacrifice is one of my favorite bands, and Gray’s other project, Soul Embraced, has been a major influence on my own music with Pulpit Vomit and Mangled Carpenter. Like many, I became a fan of Evanescence with Fallen, and I still have a huge appreciation for both Fallen and The Open Door.

Gray’s talents extend beyond music; he has also made significant strides as a film composer and producer, specializing in horror. His scoring work spans independent horror films, lending an eerie and intense atmosphere that has become his signature style. Gray has even ventured into scoring for video games, bringing an immersive quality that enhances the gaming experience. In recent years, he’s added film production to his resume, further exploring the horror genre and deepening his creative footprint in independent cinema. I recently had the honor of collaborating with Rocky on the CD layout artwork for his Killing Floor 2 score, and as a horror movie composer and producer myself, we’ve developed a kinship over the past several years that I’ve enjoyed greatly.

With a career that crosses mainstream rock, underground metal, and the shadowed hallways of horror film and game scoring, Rocky Gray’s creative journey is anything but conventional. As a drummer, he helped take Evanescence’s Fallen to global success, yet he’s also spent decades pushing the boundaries of heavy music with his guitar work in Living Sacrifice and Soul Embraced. Gray’s more recent ventures reveal a fascination with the darker side of storytelling—whether through spine-chilling scores or behind-the-scenes work as a horror film producer. Today, he remains a restless creative force, capturing the raw intensity of metal and horror alike.

With such a dynamic career spanning metal, mainstream rock, and the darker depths of horror, Rocky Gray continues to redefine what it means to be a true multi-genre artist. I caught up with Gray to dive into his journey, influences, and what keeps him pushing creative boundaries.

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Heaven’s Metal Magazine Interview with Rocky Gray, by Seth Metoyer

HM: Living Sacrifice has been such a cornerstone in metal. When you think back on your time with them, what were some of the defining moments that shaped you as a musician?

RG: Just joining the band made me a better player. Living Sacrifice was already known for their intricate riffs and relentless sound, so it pushed me to step up my skills. I think it just set a standard for the type of music I wanted to play and how I wanted to challenge myself moving forward.

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HM: From Evanescence’s Fallen era to now, how do you feel your musical style has evolved? Do you think it would surprise your fans from back in the day?

RG: I’m not sure I have evolved, haha. I am kinda still that guy who just loves playing. I guess the only real evolution is that I’ve learned more about production and technical elements, but my heart is still the same when it comes to making music.

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HM: You’ve been composing music for horror films for years. What about horror resonates with you as a composer, and how do you capture that atmosphere without falling into genre clichés?

RG: Honestly, I am sure I do fall into genre clichés at times, but horror just gives me a way to explore sounds and feelings that aren’t bound by typical music structure. It’s freeing to let a scene dictate a sound rather than a beat or riff. There’s always room to try new things without worrying too much about following any musical “rules.”

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HM: Your game soundtrack work has an immersive quality. How different is your approach to scoring for games versus films, and do you find one more creatively challenging than the other?

RG: They both have their challenges. One is not more challenging than the other; they are just different. In games, you have to think of how the player will experience the music, possibly looping over and over, so you want to avoid fatigue in that sense. Films are more about building tension in real-time and sometimes capturing a single scene’s emotion, so I get to really zone in on that one moment.

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HM: As a multi-instrumentalist and composer, how do you decide what “sound” or “vibe” fits best with a new project? Do you let the project dictate the style, or do you bring your personal stamp to it from the start?

RG: I let the project dictate where I go with the music. My job is to give the project what it needs, so I usually try to fit the vibe it’s looking for and see where it takes me. But, of course, there’s always a bit of myself that will find its way in naturally.

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HM: You’ve covered a lot of musical ground, from mainstream success to underground heavy music. Is there a side of the industry you prefer, or do they each bring something unique that keeps you coming back?

RG: Not really. It’s all creative, and I love being part of both worlds. There’s something rewarding about being able to contribute to music on multiple levels and reach different types of audiences. Each project feels like it offers something new.

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HM: Fans know you as someone with a foot in both the sacred and the sinister. How does faith shape your approach to making music and horror films, especially considering the themes often present in horror?

RG: It doesn’t really come into play when I’m working on music or film. My faith is personal and stays with me, but I don’t consciously try to blend it into the art. I’m just creating what feels right for the project and letting it be what it is.

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HM: What’s something fans might be surprised to learn about your creative process? Any non-musical influences that have really shaped your sound or approach?

RG: Some may be surprised that even artists like H.R. Giger and filmmakers like David Lynch influence my approach. Their ability to make things feel so otherworldly and unsettling is inspiring. That feeling of discomfort or surrealism is something I love bringing into music or film, even in subtle ways.

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As Rocky Gray continues to create and push the boundaries of multiple genres, his dedication to both music and storytelling remains clear. From metal to horror scores, and from blockbuster releases to independent films, Gray’s work has shown a versatility and depth that few can match. With a foot in both the divine and the dark, he’s proved that art can transcend categories and resonate with audiences from all walks of life. We look forward to seeing where his journey takes him next, as he continues to bring his unique sound and vision to life.

For more on Rocky Gray’s latest projects and releases, visit his official website here.

Watch the amazing full set of Living Sacrifice from Furnace Fest 2023 in 4k:

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Got heavy music news or album review requests? Contact Seth at heavensmetalseth@gmail.com.

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