“You’re always here, you’re all I hear.”
Welcome to In Conversation, our interview column where we pick the brains of artists on the cutting edge of music. As concealer. gears up to announcing their debut album, This Room Could Be Heaven, Jack caught up with Evan, Jon, and Joe from the band to discuss the writing process, changes in sound, and the band’s overall position within the scene. Looking to make an impact, This Room Could Be Heaven has the potential to catapult the band to the forefront of the scene. Here’s what the band had to say about the writing process, working with modern-day icons, and the wider scene.
Editor’s note – this interview took place in December of 2025. Since this point, the album has been announced, and pre-orders are currently live.
For those who don’t know Concealer, can you give us an introduction?
Jon: We started about two years ago, primarily playing in the Orlando, Florida area. We did our first tour earlier this year and have released an EP and a double single in the past year. Now, we’re working on our full-length album.
The EP and double single were well-received. How did that transition into the album writing process?
Jon: Writing the album was very different. For the EP, most of the songs were written before we even had our first practice as a band. With the album, we wanted to make it more collaborative, with everyone contributing ideas, rather than just a few of us writing the songs.
How did you approach the writing process? Was it more collaborative?
Joe: It was a mix. Sometimes Jonathan would send us a full song, and we’d play it as it is. Other times, we’d create ideas together, building bits and pieces. The funny thing is, when I first joined the band, I suggested we should do an album, and everyone went along with it!
Jon: Yeah, Joe said it, so we did it.
You’ve had a few lineup changes. How does the band stand now?
Evan: The current lineup is me, Jon, Joe, Justin on drums, and Tristan doing vocals. Joe’s been with us for almost the whole time, but now he’s officially part of the band which is nice.
Can you share more about the upcoming first single?
Evan: The first single is “And the Sunlight Spoke,” coming out right before our Texas run in January. We felt it had a cohesive sound with a pop-structured side, making it accessible while still offering a glimpse into the rest of the album.
You’ve been playing it live for a little while already, right?
Evan: Yeah, we’ve been playing it for a while now, along with “A Quiet Ending.” We’ve also played “Color Slowly Fading” a few times, mostly on the latest tour.
No official album announcement yet?
Evan: No, we’re holding off for now. There are some delays, especially with vinyl production. We didn’t want to announce a release date until we’re sure everything is set. The second single will give us more time to build toward the full album.
What was the writing process like for the album? Did you set out to create an album from the start?
Jon: We wrote every weekend for about six months, meeting up at our drummer’s house. Some nights we’d write from 4 PM to 5 AM. Tristan was particularly focused on making sure the demos sounded the best they could, which made a big difference in the final product.
The sound on this album feels different compared to your previous material. Was this a conscious shift?
Joe: We definitely leaned into more metalcore influences. I kept pestering Jonathan to write more riffs like “Killswitch Engage”. Eventually, it all came together, though we definitely explored a more melodic side as well.
Jon: We just wanted to experiment and go in different directions.
The album has a lot more atmosphere, especially with the ambient sections. How did that come about?
Evan: A lot of that came from me. We focused on building an overarching tone for the album, drawing from records we admire that have a unified aesthetic. We spent a lot of time figuring out how to make each song flow while still feeling distinct.
Jon: A lot of the writing was experimental. We’d often start with a small part of a song and end up diving into new directions. It was all about creating an atmosphere.
Joe: One night, we were joking around at Taco Bell about adding harsh noise, and that idea ended up influencing the sound.
The vocals also have a lot more range now, with more lows and variations. Was that part of the plan?
Evan: It was a natural progression from Tristan’s live performances. He really worked on expanding his vocal range, especially the lows, thanks to inspiration from Jeff from Bloodbather. We also started double-tracking the highs and lows together to add more depth.
Jon: When I heard “II” with the new vocals, I was shocked. Tristan’s always written most of the lyrics and vocals, and his ability to adapt really blew me away.
Do Tristan’s vocals come in after the instrumentals, or is he involved during the writing of the music?
Jon: Tristan is very involved. He contributes to both the lyrics and the instrumentals, though most of the time he focuses more on the vocal parts. Occasionally, we help out with specific songs, but the majority of it comes from him.
Joe: Yeah, Tristan does about 85-90% of the vocals and contributes a lot to the instrumentals too.
You’ve worked closely with John Howard on this album. What was his role in the production?
Evan: John Howard recorded, mixed, and mastered the album. We recorded at his studio over several weekends. He was also really hands-on with the details, helping to refine the sound and make it more cohesive.
Jon: He’d push us when needed, telling us which ideas worked and which didn’t. His input made a big difference.
Evan: John is also a neuroscientist, which gives him a unique perspective on music. He’s always thinking about how the brain processes sound, which brought a fascinating dimension to the way we crafted the album.
You mentioned working with John Howard, who has a scientific approach to music. How did that influence your work?
Jon: John is a neuroscientist, so he understands how the brain processes sound. That definitely added a unique angle to the whole recording process. His approach helped us craft something that isn’t just about what sounds good, but what will have the right psychological impact on the listener.
You mentioned the album has a more polished tone than your previous work. Was that a conscious choice?
Evan: Definitely. When we recorded the double single with John, we felt it was a step up from the raw EP sound. We wanted the album to sound more refined, so we referenced certain records and worked closely with John to figure out the best way to execute it. There were tough discussions, but in the end, John really nailed it.
How are you feeling about the album’s potential? Are you thinking this could be your breakthrough moment?
Evan: It’s something we talk about daily. We’re definitely hopeful and excited to get it out there.
Jon: We’ve been sitting on it for so long, it’s hard to gauge how people will react. But we’re hopeful and definitely excited about the response so far.
How has the live reception been for the new tracks?
Joe: “A Quiet Ending” has been getting a great response. It’s a mosher’s song, people don’t need to know it, they just throw down. “Claymore” will probably get that same reaction when it’s out there live.
Jon: Yeah, once people hear ‘Claymore,’ even if they’ve never heard of us, they’re going to get into it.
Florida’s music scene has been booming lately. How do you feel about the local competition?
Evan: It’s competitive but in a good way. A lot of great bands in Orlando and Florida in general, and we’re all supporting each other. It’s like everyone is lifting each other up.”
Jon: Exactly. No one’s cutthroat. We help each other get on shows and support the younger bands. It’s a very humble and collaborative scene.
You’ve worked closely with Jeff from Equinox Booking. What’s that like?
Evan: He’s the man. We’re playing a show he booked soon, and he’s the only guy we work with for shows in South Florida. Jeff’s been a huge support, especially for new bands trying to get their foot in the door.
Jon: He’s been killing it with Fleshwater and Legion. Shows are always packed, and Jeff really makes sure smaller bands get the exposure they need.
Are you working with a new label for this album?
Evan: We’re working with Ephyra now. We connected with them after Josh from Armageddon [Records] helped us out. Josh wasn’t going to be involved with this release, but he helped us find the right fit. Ephyra is a great label, and we’re stoked to be working with them.
Jon: They’ve been doing a lot of great things recently, so it’s exciting to be a part of that.
Were you actively looking for a new label, or was it more of a suggestion?
Evan: It was a suggestion from Josh, who thought Ephyra might be more aligned with our audience. We reached out, and things just clicked.
Is there anything you’d like to shout out or mention before we wrap up?
Jon: We’re just excited to release the album. We feel like there’s something for everyone on this record, hardcore fans, metalcore kids, even screamo fans. It’s a good mix without feeling like it’s all been done before.
this room could be heaven releases on the 31st of March via Zegema Beach Records and Ephyra, and is available for pre-order via both retailers.