We caught up with Danny Perry, frontman of Miami-based metal band Ornimental, to talk about their new music, orchestral influences, breakout success, and their deep-rooted connection to their hometown. From collaborating with the Emmy-winning Miami-Dade Film Orchestra to surviving their metaphorical Red Road, Danny shares it all.
MetalgodZradiO: Red Road taps into themes of inner power, chaos, and resistance. What inspired those lyrics?
Danny Perry: It’s really about not letting anything stop you from chasing your dreams. We’re from a real road called Red Road—it felt like a metaphor, paved in blood, sweat, and tears.
This song is a voice for people to keep going. Once you decide not to quit, you're already halfway there.
MetalgodZradiO: How did working with the Emmy-winning Miami-Dade Film Orchestra shape your sound?
Danny Perry: It was amazing. We played everything from Halo to Zelda to anime music. I ended up winning three awards with them. My mom’s a classical musician, so I grew up on Tchaikovsky, Chopin, Bach, and Beethoven.
That influence flows into Ornimental's music—just listen to Love Thy Enemy, Calls to the Sky, or Mortality. You’ll hear orchestration rooted in classical phrasing.
MetalgodZradiO: You’ve shared the stage with bands like Children of Bodom and Overkill. How did that shape Red, White, and Wrath?
Danny Perry: Huge shout out to Alexi—rest in peace. Playing with those bands taught us ambition and energy. We learned to approach every track like a headliner—no filler. Every song has to hit hard.
MetalgodZradiO: In Cage was your breakout single. What was it like following that up?
Danny Perry: In Cage is our Cowboys from Hell. It brought in a new crowd who really understood what we’re about—individuality and celebrating who you are.
If you’re new to our music, start with In Cage. That’s us, fully.
MetalgodZradiO: How do you stay true to your Miami roots while gaining international attention?
Danny Perry: Miami is about diversity. That’s what we wanted to show through songs like Love Miami. It reflects who we are and the blend of styles that define the Miami music scene.
MetalgodZradiO: Many of your lyrics speak to rebellion and perseverance. How do you see heavy music today?
Danny Perry: Social media helped push a new wave of music. People are tired of recycled sounds. Gen Z, Gen Alpha—even some millennials—they want something raw and real.
Bands like Knocked Loose are killing it. They're keeping metal fresh and empowering.
MetalgodZradiO: What’s your go-to rig for those cinematic tones?
Danny Perry: All EVH amps—studio and live. I run everything through a Neural DSP Quad Cortex, which has all my amp settings loaded in. My go-to guitars are a Gibson Flying V, an EVH Wolfgang, and a couple of Schechters.
For orchestra stuff, it’s the Wolfgang + Quad Cortex. For Ornimental shows, I still use the same core setup, just dialed in for metal.
MetalgodZradiO: If your band had to survive the real-life Red Road, who’s lasting the longest—and who’s looking for Wi-Fi?
Danny Perry: (Laughs) Everyone might beat me—but I wrote the song, so I get bragging rights. Let’s say Peter survives. I’ll be the one searching for signal... but I wrote the road.
MetalgodZradiO: What’s left this year for the band?
Danny Perry: We’re writing new singles, and we have a big show coming up on September 20th at the Brass Mug in Tampa, Florida.
We’re building toward a new album—title still TBD—but Red Road will be the opening track. It’s gonna light the album on fire.
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