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.