Subsanity LV: Thrash Born Under Neon Skies

Subsanity LV: Thrash Born Under Neon Skies

Las Vegas isn’t known for nurturing young metal bands — if anything, the city’s glittering surface hides a drought of venues, opportunities, and community. But every once in a while, a band claws its way out of the dust with enough conviction to make people pay attention. Subsanity LV — the trio of Octavius Corrales, Tommy Gunn, and Mike Petrov — are doing exactly that.

Fresh off their first DIY tour, which took them from tiny stages where the crowd was practically breathing on them to the legendary Whisky a Go Go with Raven and Slackjaw, Subsanity LV are learning fast, playing hard, and refusing to let geography define their destiny.

We caught up with the band in Los Angeles to talk about their origins, their chaotic first tour, the Vegas scene, and the songs that are shaping their debut record.

We’re here with the trio known as Subsanity. Introduce yourselves and tell me what you do in the band.
Octavius Corrales: I’m Octavius. I’m the lead singer and lead guitar player.

Tommy Gunn: I’m Tommy Gunn. I play bass and do backing vocals.

Mike Petrov: I’m Mike Petrov, and I’m the drummer.

So where did you all meet, and how did the band come together?
Octavius: It started at my high school, West Tech. I played school assemblies with a drummer named Isaiah King, and we wanted to enter Battle of the Bands. We didn’t make it the first year. The second year, Isaiah moved to Canada for college, so the lineup changed.

Luckily, Mike also went to school with me, so I asked him to join on drums. Around that time, I met Tommy through a mutual friend from middle school who was in the local music scene. With the three of us, we entered Henderson’s Battle of the Bands 2024 — and we won first place.

That’s really where Subsanity started. Now we’re here in California doing our first tour.

Before Subsanity, what other bands or projects were you involved with?
Mike: I was in a pop‑punk band called Atom on Strike with two friends from middle school. But I always wanted to do metal drumming, so when Octavius wanted to start something heavier, I was all in.

Tommy: I’ve been involved in a few projects before and during Subsanity. I love exploring different sides of music, but Subsanity has been the best place for me to express myself freely.

Octavius: Subsanity is the only musical project I’ve ever done.

What’s the metal scene like in Las Vegas, and how do you fit in?
Octavius: The metal scene in Vegas is… strange. Like the desert itself, there’s a drought. It’s hard for metal bands to fit in. Our goal is to make music people can vibe to and have fun with, even if metal is our main genre.

Tommy: There’s also a lack of venues because of noise and entertainment restrictions. I think those laws hold the scene back. We need more places to play.

You played a tiny stage at Three Clubs — people were literally right in your face. What was that like?
Octavius: Humbling. We walked in and saw the big stage and got excited. Then the promoter showed us our actual stage — basically a coffee table. But we decided to kick ass anyway, and it ended up being one of the most fun sets we’ve ever played.

Tommy: Small stages are fun. There’s a challenge to figuring out how to move and perform. And it’s easier to interact with the crowd when they’re right there.

Mike: Everyone was inches away. We played “Blackened” by Metallica, and people were headbanging, filming, shouting. After the song, people were yelling, “Dude, that kicked ass!” It felt like a conversation with the audience.

Then you played the legendary Whisky a Go Go with Raven. What was that experience like?
Octavius: That was our biggest show so far. Seeing the crowd packed in like sardines — that was wild. We were proud of that moment. And getting to play with Slackjaw and Raven, bands we look up to, meant a lot.

Mike: Slackjaw was the band I was most excited about. Their singer started as a YouTuber, and I’ve been watching him since I was ten. Seeing him in person was surreal. I hope they heard our set — I think we played really well.

For people who missed those shows, what can someone expect from a live Subsanity performance?
Octavius: High energy. Our main goal is to make sure the audience has fun. We take our music seriously, but we want people to be playful, cheerful, happy.

Tommy: Really tight musicians.

Mike: And kick‑ass solos from Octavius. Some of the best guitar playing I’ve ever seen. Plus solid songwriting — there’s always a part you can headbang to. And killer showmanship from Tommy.

Tommy: Biggest thing I’ll say is: if you love us, we love you more. Whatever energy you give us, we give back harder. Seeing even one person lose their mind during our set makes the whole show worth it.

You have a song called Two Faced. What inspired it?
Octavius: It’s about someone you think is your friend, but once you get to know them, you realize they’re fake behind your back. It hurts — but you persevere.

Another song is The Crucible. Tell me about that one.
Tommy: When I was a junior in high school, I had a friend who introduced me to heavier thrash bands — Death, Slayer, Testament, Destruction. We shared an English class and read The Crucible. I got inspired to write lyrics based on the play, but with a heavy, twisted metal edge.

Years later, I found those lyrics in my notes and built a full song around them. Octavius and Mike helped structure it and give it the cojones it needed. Now it’s a staple in our live sets.

Your tour is almost over. What’s next for Subsanity?
Octavius: When we get back to Vegas, we’re going to work heavily on our first record. It should’ve come out long ago, but we’re pushing hard now. I also want us to leave a bigger imprint on the Vegas scene.

Mike: We have a show with Rob Lacey, our producer. It’s a feedback show, so I’m hoping it helps us build connections in Vegas. And I’m excited about the album — it’s sounding super good.

Tommy: After this tour, I want to finish our debut record and push it out by playing more shows and touring the rest of America. I want to go east, explore more of California, and let the whole world know we’re out to kick their ass.

Octavius: Everyone’s ass will be kicked. Words from Octavius.

In Conclusion

Subsanity LV are young, hungry, and learning fast — the kind of band that turns mistakes into momentum and tiny stages into unforgettable nights. Their first tour may have kicked their asses, but it also proved something important: they belong out here.

With a debut record on the horizon and a fire to expand beyond the desert, Subsanity LV are carving out their place one show at a time. If their energy onstage is any indication, Vegas won’t be able to contain them for long.

(Interview and Additional Photos by Ken Morton – Photos by Karyn Burleigh of Rock Edge Photography)

Subsanity LV on Instagram