Connecticut-based metal outfit 6FIVE6 have quickly gained a reputation as a rising sonic powerhouse well outside of their regional base since their 2020 foundation. Known for their hard-hitting, cohesive signature sound that builds on the foundations laid by metal legends from Slayer and Slipknot to Exodus, Korn, As I Lay Dying and beyond, 6FIVE6’s diverse and loyal following has continued to grow across a host of gigs at local institutions to date. Keeping momentum at an all-time high, the band is slated to release the follow-up EP to ‘Selector’ this summer alongside a slew of tour dates and other live performances across the country.
Interviewer: How did the band first come together?
6FIVE6: “The band initially started way back in 2020 right before lockdown. It was essentially pieced together from a combination of bands we were in; Magnets For Maniacs (CT), Slapknutz (CT Slipknot Cover). During that time, it was the only project I was truly able to share with my friend / bassist Rich Villalobos & our former guitarist John that wasn’t a complete joke. For context, Slapknutz was a two piece “band” at the time with myself & John, that was just meant to be a joke.”
Interviewer: Where did the band name come from?
6FIVE6: “6FIVE6, both the name & spelling, was the product of our former vocalist Jay & guitarist John’s less than stellar band names they bounced off of us. They threw multiple different name ideas at us for a while until 656 showed up. Compared to other names that were brought up at the time, this one stuck out to us & we immediately ran with it. Rich altered the spelling to where only the 6’s would be numbers and ‘FIVE’ was spelled out.”
Interviewer: What themes naturally appear in your music?
6FIVE6: “A lot of our music derives from actual experiences that we’ve had. Many songs discuss misery and/or feelings of despair that we’ve endured. We try to pull from our real life situations more than anything, as a means to connect with people on a personal level. Collectively, we like to avoid the typical metal cliches of satanism or horror fantasy.”
Interviewer: How would you describe your sound to someone who’s never heard you before?
6FIVE6: “Our sound is somewhere between Slipknot & As I Lay Dying with moments of Korn & Slayer. The song structure of AILD, riffs & drumming of Slipknot, Fieldy on bass & a Slayer esque guitar tone.”
Interviewer: What bands or artists shaped your music the most?
6FIVE6: “Slipknot most definitely shaped us. This band is essentially the original music of Slapknutz in a way & the Knot will always have an undeniable influence on our sound forever. Although everyone has their own influences, Slipknot is the single most important band that made us who we are sound wise.“
Interviewer: What makes your band different from others in your scene?
6FIVE6: “We consciously go out of our way to not be a stereotypical band. As much as we’re influenced by both hardcore & metalcore, our CT scene is flooded with bands of those styles now. Although they all kick ass, we try to steer clear of following in that direction. I feel the fact we’re more in line of a Slipknot / As I Lay Dying (nu metal / metalcore) which we’re not hearing much of at the moment.“
Interviewer: What kind of energy do you try to bring onstage?
6FIVE6: “Growing up, I’ve been infatuated with live bands who obliterate the stage every show they play, most notably Exodus & Slipknot. Our mission in both 6FIVE6 & Slapknutz is to bring unbridled fury & power live. If my neck is not killing me the next day, I did not play hard enough!”
Interviewer: What keeps you motivated creatively?
6FIVE6: “It’s as simple as the love of music! Hearing a killer riff or a new band always ignites that fire in me to grab a guitar & riff out!“
Interviewer: What’s one thing you’ve learned from being in a band?
6FIVE6: “Being in a band is 1000x more difficult & stressful than you’d think. As a kid, I figured being in a band was relatively easy & relaxing since my heroes always made it seem that way. Being in a variety of bands over the years, I continue to see how stressful / difficult it is unfortunately. More specifically, it’s incredibly difficult, stressful & demanding when you’re the band leader or the sole person for all needs. Thick skin is definitely needed.”
Interviewer: What’s next for the band?
6FIVE6: “Summer is just firing up & we’re ready to kick ass at a couple festivals & larger shows, most notably opening for Summer Slaughter in Worcester, MA with Hatebreed, Bleeding Through & others! We’re also ready to drop our next EP extremely soon!”
Interviewer: What do you want new listeners to remember after hearing your music?
6FIVE6: “For new listeners, it’s always our goal to leave a lasting impact with our energy. I know I’m biased to myself but there’s a certain spirit & energy we embody in our material that we want people to carry with them everywhere, hopefully to one of our shows! “
Upcoming Tour Dates
June 21 – Valoria – From Me To You – EP Release Tour Branford, CT
June 27 – Mind Blown Festival 2026 Glens Falls, NY
July 5 – Palladium Worcester, MA, Hatebreed: SUMMER SLAUGHTER TOUR 2026