BAND SPOTLIGHT | What thou Will

When the “about” section of a band’s Facebook page says, “A malicious onslaught of diabolical debauchery and brutal blasphemy!!!!!” you know they mean business. What thou Will, a Springfield-based metal band that “combines traditional and nontraditional elements of death, thrash, melodic and black metal to create a unique brand of metal,” began in 2004 as the sole “death/extreme” metal band in town. By 2006 they solidified the lineup of Ryan Santarelli (vocals), Alex Chastain (guitar), Keith Tinsley (guitar), Mike Zoth (bass) and Buddy Jackson (drums). The metal scene grew with the band, but finding compatible venues became more and more difficult. WtW began the Brutality Fest in 2009 to promote and share their musical vision to the world. After various venue changes Fest No. 5 is again in Riverton and also features Compelled to Destroy from the Collinsville/Troy area, Eminent Slaughter and Øde Vinter from Champaign and local metal staples Tradition of Torture. WtW’s latest recording Annihilate to Desecrate is complete and soon will be available to complement 2010’s Diabolical Debauchery.