January 7th, 2023 | 
USA | Band: Sagen | Genre: Death Metal/Deathcore | Album: Roots of Proctor
- Proctor’s Ledge
- Flood Gates
- Crux
- Gallows Hill
- One of Us
- In Oaths They Conjure
- Bishop
- Pressed to Death
- Winter of 1692
- Burial
Bandcamp: https://sagenmetal.bandcamp.com/album/roots-of-proctor
Sagen ( USA )
Sagen is a dynamic extreme metal project originating from Jacksonville, North Carolina. Since their formation, they have become known for a highly conceptual and narrative-driven approach to music, blending the technicality of Death Metal with the crushing production and vocal variety of Deathcore.
Band Overview
- Origin: Jacksonville, North Carolina, USA
- Formed: 2020 (rebranded from the solo project Ryparian)
- Genre: Death Metal / Deathcore / Progressive Metal
- Lyrical Themes: Historical tragedies, folklore, and sci-fi/interstellar conflict.
History & Evolution
The band’s roots lie in a solo project called Ryparian, founded by guitarist Stephen Hegarty, which released the album Tides of Succession in 2016. Seeking a full-band dynamic, Hegarty recruited local musicians to transform the project into Sagen in 2020.
Sagen’s philosophy centers on the idea that each album should tell a cohesive, standalone story. Their style is a “wall of sound” that incorporates groove, technical riffs, and aggressive, multi-layered vocals. Following their 2021 album Mammoth (which focused on prehistoric tribal themes), the band shifted their gaze toward dark American history.
Featured Album: Roots of Proctor
Released on January 7, 2023, Roots of Proctor is a concept album centered on the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. Specifically, it draws inspiration from the tragic story of John Proctor, a central figure who was accused and executed for witchcraft.
Tracklist:
- Proctor’s Ledge (Intro)
- Flood Gates
- Crux
- Gallows Hill
- One of Us
- In Oaths They Conjure
- Bishop
- Pressed to Death
- Winter of 1692
- Burial
Musical Style of the Album:
Critics have noted that while the production and vocal techniques (including pig squeals and deep growls) lean toward Deathcore, the riff construction is heavily influenced by technical Death Metal acts like Revocation. The album uses atmospheric acoustic interludes to contrast with “headbang-able” grooves, creating a bleak, historical atmosphere.
Current Lineup (as of the release)
- Ryan Vail: Vocals
- Stephen Hegarty: Guitars
- Jordan Brown: Guitars
- Henry Koster: Bass
- Derek Kinney: Drums
Looking Forward (2024–2026)
Following the success of Roots of Proctor, Sagen moved from historical horror to science fiction. In late 2024 and throughout 2025, they began teasing their next project, “Whalefall,” which explores an interstellar conflict involving an alien race called the Ithradi. They also recently announced that a book compiling the narratives from their albums is in development.