Heriot: How Brutal Honesty Drives the Band Forward

In this episode of The Heavy Metal Therapist, I sat down with Julian from Heriot, one of the hardest-hitting bands in the UK heavy scene. You’ve probably seen them on festival stages or ripping through underground venues, but what you might not see is the amount of pure effort that goes into staying consistent in a chaotic industry.

This wasn’t a conversation about gimmicks or hype. It was a raw, down-to-earth look at what it really takes to push a heavy band forward while keeping your head on straight.

Building the Band Brick by Brick

Julian didn’t sugarcoat the journey. Heriot didn’t explode overnight, and nothing came easy. Every bit of momentum has come from consistent grind, learning through failure, and not waiting around for handouts. The band has been through lineup changes, stylistic shifts, and plenty of uphill battles, but that’s what forged their identity.

They built something real through relentless graft, not shortcuts.

Touring Without Losing Yourself

We talked a lot about the mental side of life on the road. Touring can be a dream and a nightmare at the same time. You wake up not knowing where you are, living on adrenaline, caffeine, and whatever food you can grab before load-in.

Julian shared how easy it is to lose yourself in the cycle if you’re not careful. Without boundaries and proper recovery time, burnout creeps in fast. It’s not weakness to admit that the grind takes a toll - it’s human.

Why Their Music Doesn’t Explain Itself

One of the things I respect most about Heriot is that they don’t overexplain their lyrics or art. Julian said their goal isn’t to hand people answers. It’s to create space for feeling something real.

That decision creates freedom. It allows listeners to bring their own struggles, rage, grief, and resilience to the music. When a band gives you room to feel without forcing meaning down your throat, that’s where connection really happens.

For the Artists Coming Up Behind Them

Julian had clear, grounded advice for anyone trying to make something in the heavy music world. Don’t expect it to be easy. Don’t expect applause before you’ve put in the reps. And definitely don’t wait for someone else to care more than you do.

You’ve got to love the process. You’ve got to hold your own weight before anyone else is going to back you.

That kind of realism is refreshing. There’s no fluff in Heriot’s work ethic, and it shows in how tight and focused their sound has become.

Therapist’s Reflection

What really struck me in this interview was the emotional maturity behind Julian’s words. In a scene that often glorifies chaos, Heriot stands out for embracing discipline and honesty. They’re not pretending everything is fine. They’re not putting on some exaggerated persona. They’re just real people making intensely heavy music and putting their mental health on the line every time they step on stage.

For anyone trying to build something while carrying mental weight, there’s a lot to learn from that posture.