In the midst of a global pandemic, I had the chance to catch up with Paul Lierman, drummer and lyricist for the Indianapolis-based metal band The Wise Man’s Fear. Known for their rich storytelling, thematic albums, and fantasy-inspired sound—often referred to as “fantasycore”—Paul opened up about the band’s journey, their recent album Valley of Kings, and what it’s like to build a metal trilogy in today’s music world.
A Pandemic, A Release, and A Vision
Despite the chaos of 2020, The Wise Man’s Fear dropped their latest album, Valley of Kings, in May. The record, years in the making, is the final installment of a trilogy that began back in 2014.
“We’re super excited,” Paul said. “It took about three years to finish. We were a bit worried people might’ve forgotten about us, but the response to the first single was overwhelmingly positive. It really reassured us.”
The name Valley of Kings wasn’t chosen lightly. “I had this mental image of the final scene of the story and worked backward from there,” he explained. “There’s also inspiration from the Egyptian Valley of the Kings. That somber, mysterious atmosphere really resonated with us.”
Fantasycore Roots and the Indianapolis Scene
The band proudly calls themselves a fantasycore group—a label that captures their fusion of melodic metalcore and high-fantasy storytelling. “It’s just easier than saying ‘modern melodic metalcore with fantastical lyrics,’” Paul laughed.
As for their local scene, Paul pointed to a handful of standout bands like Exit Wounds, Torn Confidence, and Glass Hands. While Indianapolis isn’t known as a major music hub, he said it’s been a great place to grow and experiment. “It leans more toward pop and hardcore, but there are good bands here. Still, we look forward to playing outside the city.”
From Facebook Messages to Sharptone Records
Their signing story with Sharptone Records is a wild one. “The owner of Nuclear Blast messaged us on Facebook one day. We thought it was a scam at first!” Paul laughed. “But he connected us with Sean at Sharptone, and soon after, we were on the roster.”
Now they’re labelmates with some of the scene’s biggest names—We Came As Romans, Crystal Lake, Currents. “It’s surreal. We’ve listened to these bands for years. To be part of that family is really special.”
Inspiration, Instrumentals, and Side Projects
Fans of The Wise Man’s Fear have probably noticed the band releases instrumental versions of their albums—a nod to something they themselves enjoy. “We’ve done it for our first two records, and we’ll eventually do it for Valley of Kings too,” said Paul. “It’s just something we like seeing from other bands.”
Paul’s musical journey began with a drum kit in high school. “I started on an electronic kit—so I wouldn’t annoy the whole house—and taught myself from YouTube,” he said. He also played trumpet in school and is now learning guitar.
As a lyricist, he draws inspiration from conceptual records like Neverbloom by Make Them Suffer. “It changed my perception of what music could do. It’s just beautiful lyrically and thematically.” Another big influence? Saosin. “Their self-titled record was the first album I ever bought.”
Music, Opinions, and Media Consumption
We touched on a few broader topics, too—like the role of artists in politics. “I don’t mind if artists express opinions, even if I disagree. But I do believe people should be informed before speaking on complex issues,” Paul said.
When it comes to reviews and recommendations, Paul leans more on personal suggestions than star ratings. “If a friend recommends a movie or album, I’m more likely to check it out. For food especially, I trust friends over online reviews.”
A Few Firsts and a Priceless Collectible
We ended the conversation with a bit of music nostalgia. Paul’s first album purchase? Saosin’s self-titled. First band shirt? Of Mice & Men, from Warped Tour. And his most prized collectible? A pair of signed drumsticks from Tim Madden of Make Them Suffer, given to him after a show in Columbus.
“He was just such a cool guy. I looked up to him a lot, and the fact that he just gave them to me for hanging out—that memory stuck with me.”
Final Thoughts
With the music industry slowly returning to live shows and tours, Paul is hopeful for the future. “Our new album Valley of Kings is out now. We’ve got three music videos up on the Sharptone Records YouTube channel. Keep an eye on our socials—there’s more coming soon.”
If The Wise Man’s Fear has flown under your radar, now’s the perfect time to dive into their fantasy-driven world. Whether you're into concept albums, melodic metalcore, or just a good story, this band is worth your ears.
Stay heavy. Support the underground. Long live metal.
Want more? Follow The Wise Man’s Fear on [Facebook/Spotify] and catch them live this summer.
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