Mental issues rarely manifest themselves in a visible way to others. In fact, rarely do they “make sense” to an outsider’s perspective, even. How often, for instance, have we all been shocked and surprised when something tragic happens with a public figure because of something related to depression? Even outside of public figures as such, and in other, not art-related professions, in these days of social media exposure, everyone seems even happier and satisfied all the time than usual. No matter how the outside looks, however, a lot of things might be going on. with someone.

So it’s important to be honest. To speak out, to share your experiences, so that others might relate and realise they’re not alone, they’re not weird and they’re not broken. That was exactly the starting point for this very honest and very raw conversation with Mlny Parsonz, the amazing frontwoman for Royal Thunder. After two high-profile shows at the prestigious Roadburn Festival, which seemed to highlight the brilliance of their comeback – in every way - record ‘Rebuilding The Mountain’, you would imagine spirits to be high among all band members for a while. In the case of Mlny, half of the crucial core of the band alongside guitarist Josh Weaver, not everything was okay.

Expectations, self-worth, dealing with your own shortcomings. We all feel this, and sometimes it’s hard to see the light with all these shadows dancing around us. So what follows is, in Mel’s own words, “an honest interview about imposter syndrome and self worth and self deprecation and finding hope and healing after a severe personal, emotional beat down.” The bassist and singer, who already participated on a couple of The Devil’s Mouth’s features like the Ten Rounds or when we did our 100th episode specials, told us a few weeks ago she did “really want to open up about humility and change and change with time and age in music,” so we naturally gave her all the space and time she needed to do so.

Let’s listen to her.