A Dirty Dozen with JEREMY SOSVILLE from SANHEDRIN – March 2025

Photo credit: Stephen Afasano

According to a recent press release: “Today, New York heavy metal trio SANHEDRIN presents their latest single, “Let’s Spill Some Blood.” The track comes in advance of the band’s Heat Lightning full-length, set for release Friday, March 14th on Metal Blade Records! SANHEDRIN has spent the last decade at the forefront of the American heavy metal scene blending traditional metal and hard rock sounds with a fresh modern energy and perspective. With 2022’s critically lauded Lights On full-length, the band had created their most complete work to date. With their followup, Heat Lightning, the band delivers a diverse collection of songs that wholly captures their wide array of influences with an elevated level of production.” We get guitarist Jeremy to discuss new music, influences, and more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

HEAT LIGHTNING is the culmination of a band being together for 10 years and documenting all that we have learned about ourselves in that time. It is also our most aggressive and crisp sounding record to date. There is in fact a hidden nugget on the album. There is a sound effect we use right before the first verse in “Blind Wolf” that we ripped straight from the intro to our 2015 demo.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

I grew up around guitar playing thanks to having a father who also plays. So it was certainly an accessible thing. I don’t know of a specific moment when I knew it was what I wanted to do, as I don’t remember a time in my memory where I wanted to do anything else. I have been obsessed with music for as long as I can remember can remember.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

I suppose the first band I got into that my parents did not like was Metallica. I was struck by their power, their seriousness and their integrity. Whatever you think of their career, they have always done things their own way. Seeing the video for “One” as a young kid is a musical memory that will always stick with me. It was the realization that there was more music out there besides what the radio was feeding us.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

With so many great songwriters out there, it’s not an easy thing to land on one. Let’s say Bryan Adams just to make it interesting. His early records are killer but people don’t realize he also co-wrote one of the heaviest KISS songs ever recorded. Check the credits for “War Machine” if you don’t believe me. I think it could be cool to work with someone that versatile.

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour?  What do you like to do to unwind?

I like to go hiking, kayaking and other outdoor activities. Then Adirondack Mountains are not far from where I live and I like to go spend time in the woods when the weather permits.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

We play a blend of hard rock and heavy metal rooted in a classic sound but with a fresh and contemporary vibe. I don’t read a lot of reviews so I can’t answer the second part of your question.

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

These days, we live pretty far apart so when we are together it’s mostly to jam. Nate likes to cook if we’re in Brooklyn, while I man the smoker if they’re up north visiting me. Nate picks the wine, I pick out the beers and Erica brings the reefer. Being the only guitarist in the band, I suppose it would be me that would have to break out the guitar.

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

I worked at a guitar store in Manhattan years ago and Paul Stanley came in with his son to look at some guitars. I literally felt light headed in his presence but had no idea what I could say to him that he hasn’t heard a million times. So I said nothing.

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

The best part of being a musician is creating songs and bonding with other bands you meet on your journey. If I couldn’t be a musician, I’d want to be a recording engineer full time so I could help other musicians document their own art.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

I feel like over ten years there is not a question I haven’t been asked. I do get tired of being asked if we would ever consider adding a second guitarist, as though what I’m doing is somehow inadequate. I happen to think it’s not…

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

Not really. I find myself with a very good lot in life at this moment so everything that has happened before now had to happen to get me here. I have too much to be grateful for to dwell on things I would change.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

Wow. I’m going through about 10 records in my head right now trying to pick one. I’ll say Ride the Lightning. That album is such a jump in musicality and maturity from its predecessor and I would find it interesting to see how that happened in real time.

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Category: Interviews