Interview Under Fire Podcast · Interview Under Fire

S.18 E.19 - Interview with Volumes

January 9, 2026·23 min·1 clip

Volumes vocalists Michael Barr and Mike Terry discuss their 15-year journey and the imminent release of their fifth album, Mirror Touch.

1. Volumes vocalists Michael Barr and Mike Terry join Interview Under Fire to discuss Mirror Touch, the band's fifth album on Fearless Records. 2. Michael Barr is a founding member of Volumes; Mike Terry joined in 2016, making Mirror Touch the first album he has appeared on across the full band lifecycle. 3. The episode's core discussion covers 15 years of the band's history, the creative evolution that produced Mirror Touch, and the origin of the dual-vocalist structure. 4. Sonny describes Volumes as having 167-plus million US streams, critical praise from Kerrang, and consistently sold-out shows across a career spanning five full-length albums. 5. Michael Barr describes the band's early signing as having 'a really shitty experience' — common for young bands — that taught them early to be careful about business relationships. 6. The live energy of Hatebreed is cited by Mike Terry without hesitation as the most impactful live performance he has ever seen, describing the shows as 'nonstop and super dangerous.' 7. Michael Barr cites touring with the Chariot — and watching Josh and Steve perform — as the moment that made him pivot his own stage presence; Jason from Fever 333 is also cited as unpredictably inspiring. 8. For Mirror Touch, Michael describes deliberately trying not to be over-conceptualized for the first time — adding a fraction of 'not caring' to their typically self-critical process — and finding it produced results better than expected. 9. The dual-vocalist structure traces back to founding member Gus and a shared obsession with Set Your Goals and Despised Icon, framed as a forced experiment that almost fell apart due to ego in early years before becoming the band's defining characteristic. 10. Michael says Volumes will always be a dual-vocalist band: 'I don't think volumes would ever be a band with one singer — it's just part of the fabric.' 11. Mike Terry notes the practical upside of two vocalists: neither has to sing every part, preserving physical stamina across a full set. 12. Producer Daniel Bronstein and guitarist Rod Hammer are credited by name for the production on Mirror Touch; Sonny describes not having to adjust EQ levels on first listen. 13. The lyrics of Mirror Touch include a tongue-in-cheek song called 'Soap' that draws on past experiences with substance struggles — Michael describes the band's approach as taking vulnerability from difficult periods and fashioning it into something light and 'devilish' rather than depressive. 14. Both vocalists name 'Suffer On' as their current favorite track, though Michael hedges that his answer may change by the next day. 15. Sonny describes Mirror Touch as a tight 30-minute record blending polyrhythmic heaviness, atmospheric textures, metalcore grit, and the groove-driven swagger that defines the Volumes catalog. 16. When asked what advice they would give their 2009 selves, Michael says give yourself grace and stop being so hard on yourself; Mike says simply take it easy and enjoy the present. 17. The conversation is warm and fan-driven — Sonny describes Volumes as a bucket-list interview and says music literally saved his life. 18. The episode is recorded close to the album release date, described as 'the calm before the storm,' with tours and promotional obligations ramping up imminently. 19. This episode is best for longtime Volumes fans and metalcore listeners who want to understand the creative and personal context behind Mirror Touch before or after listening to the record. 20. Listeners wanting technical deep-dives into production or detailed track-by-track breakdowns will find the conversation more personal and philosophical than technical.

As heard by us

A loose, fan-forward check-in on Volumes' new chapter and the writing mindset behind Mirror Touch.

This episode offers a loose, fan-forward check-in with Volumes' Michael Barr and Mike Terry, centered on Mirror Touch, the momentum since Happier, and the feeling of a band that is 15 years and five records deep.

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Why you'd press play

Hear both Volumes vocalists talk Mirror Touch and the band's year-end moment with no extra gloss.

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