EPK – Trauma – Left Inside (single) (2026)
Publicist – Jon Asher – jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
“Left Inside represents a significant step forward for Mutual Trauma, both musically and lyrically. The song explores the lasting effects of abuse and betrayal while emphasizing resilience and the determination to move forward. It also reflects the band’s continued evolution, combining crushing heaviness, memorable melodies, layered electronic elements, and dynamic songwriting into what we feel is our strongest release to date. Previous singles “Dead Dreams” and “Die Alone” helped establish the band’s sound, while “Left Inside” marks the next step in that evolution.” – Brandon Reynolds – Lead Vocals – Mutual Trauma
For fans of Spiritbox, Counterparts, Knocked Loose, Polaris, Soilwork
Facebook.com/MutualTrauma | Youtube.com/@MutualTrauma | Instagram.com/mutualtrauma
Band: Mutual Trauma
Single Title: Left Inside
Length: 4:14
Release Date: June 12, 2026
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: DistroKid
Genre: Metalcore/Modern Metal
Location of Band: Victoria, BC, Canada
SINGLE RECORDING CREDITS:
• All songs performed by: Mutual Trauma
• All songs written by: Combination of Trustin Bruyere (guitars), Michael Gignac (bass), Chris Heretic (drums clean vocals), and Brandon Reynolds (Screams / lead vocals)
• Produced by: Trustin Bruyere, Michael Gignac, Derek Mattin, Matt Thomas
• Mixed by: Matt Thomas
• Mastered by: Matt Thomas
• Album Artwork by: Trustin Bruyere, modifications by Damian Donald
• Canadian Content (MAPL)
RECORDING AND LIVE LINEUP:
Michael Gignac – Bass Guitar
Chris Heretic – Drums, Clean Vocals
Brandon Reynolds – Screams / Lead Vocals
Trustin Bruyere – Lead Guitar
Damian Donald – Rhythm Guitar
====================================================
About Single Artwork:
The album cover is pretty simple. It depicts the silhouette of a hand reaching out from a dark place, grasping in the light, but there’s nothing there to grasp. We felt it fit pretty well with the single, which is about abuse. – Michael Gignac – Bass
About The Single (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):
Lyrically, “Left Inside” explores the lasting effects of abuse and betrayal. Rather than focusing solely on the pain itself, the song is also about refusing to let those experiences define you. Even when the scars remain, there is strength in choosing to move forward instead of being consumed by the past. – Brandon Reynolds – Lead Vocals
From a musical perspective, I’d describe Left Inside as a pretty energetic song, despite the darker subject matter. I think that this gives a feeling of resilience and defiance, rather than acceptance and despair. Even without saying so, it feels to the listener like, though the abuse may have occurred and the negative consequences continue to be felt, we can refuse to be defined by it, and we can rise above it. We will not allow the abuser to take everything, and we can prosper in defiance.
The main riff has a strong beat to it begging for people to headbang, while the verses are chunky and pummeling. We opted for melodic singing, done by Chris, for the choruses on this song, with Brandon punching in a few growls to keep up the aggression. After a brief dreamlike respite, the song kicks back in for the 3rd chorus, which climaxes with all hell breaking loose in the second half, with Brandon’s screams, Chris’ singing, some relentless kick drums, and almost black metal-y fast chord strumming all happening at once before an epic octave-based groovy riff closes us out.
We put a lot of time and effort into this track, and I think it shows. – Michael Gignac – Bass
====================================================
BAND STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS:
1. The phrase/name “Mutual Trauma” was first coined after Trustin and Damian survived the Hot Ones hot wing challenge together. What started as an inside joke eventually became the band’s name. Over time, though, the name has taken on a deeper meaning. Everyone carries different struggles and experiences, and just as shared challenges can bring people together, so can music. We hope our songs create that same sense of connection by exploring emotions and experiences that listeners can relate to.
2. The song Echoes, which will be the closer for the upcoming EP, is the song that convinced Mike to join as the bass player despite knowing dick all about modern metal at the time
3. During a show at the Cobalt in Vancouver, Mike ripped a massive hole in the crotch of his prized cyberpunky pants and opted to play the next 2 shows of the tour wearing a very un-metal baby blue cabana set that happened to have shorts that were small enough that they showed more of his hairy, untanned, upper legs than most people would ever choose to see.
4. Chris unknowingly played our very first live set with a slice of pizza tucked into the cargo pocket of his shorts. None of us realized it until after the show. Please join us in a moment of silence for the slice.
====================================================
Born from the ashes of past projects and fueled by a refusal to stop creating, Mutual Trauma is a modern metal force emerging from Victoria, BC. Built by Chris Heretic (drums/clean vocals) and Trustin, the band quickly expanded with Brandon Reynolds (lead vocals) and Michael Gignac (bass), both formerly of Reaver, alongside Damian Donald (rhythm guitar). Their sound blends metalcore, melodic death metal, djent, and electronic textures, shaped by influences like Invent Animate, Soilwork, and In Flames.
Mutual Trauma’s music explores real emotional experiences, abuse, betrayal, resilience, and growth, anchored by Brandon’s introspective lyrics and the band’s dynamic, collaborative writing process. Their latest single, “Left Inside,” marks a major step forward, combining crushing riffs, atmospheric layers, and a powerful message of defiance.
Onstage, the band delivers high‑energy, cyberpunk‑infused performances that stand apart in the local scene. With a new EP in development, Mutual Trauma continues to evolve while staying true to their modern, emotionally driven sound.
Band Lineup:
Michael Gignac – Bass Guitar
Chris Heretic – Drums, Clean Vocals
Brandon Reynolds – Screams / Lead Vocals
Trustin Bruyere – Lead Guitar
Damian Donald – Rhythm Guitar
DISCOGRAPHY:
June 12, 2026 – Left Inside – Single
June 19, 2025 – Die Alone – Single
March 18, 2025 – Dead Dreams – Single
LIST OF BANDS YOU HAVE SHARED STAGE WITH:
No Living Witness, Blackthrone Ascension, Arrow in the Quiver, Our Last Crusade, Antler, All was Lost, Utility Provider, Under the Mountain, Krypteia, Dead after Dark, Yegg, Thirteen Goats, Torrefy
LIST OF TOURS AND FESTIVALS YOU HAVE PERFORMED ON
JUN 2025 – Arrow in the Quiver Polarity LP Release Shows – Nanaimo/Victoria, BC
AUG 2025 – Mosh the Rock metal festival, Sooke BC
NOV 2025 – No Living Witness/Blackthrone Ascension Tour – Vancouver/Nanaimo/Victoria, BC
ashermediarelations.com 