Black heavy metal band Unlocking the Truth ready for stardom

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Photo courtesy of Unlocking the Truth
Heavy metal isn’t the typical genre of music played in Black households, but Alec Atkins, Malcolm Brickhouse and Jarad Dawkins of the rock group Unlocking the Truth have a different perspective. Let’s just say Kanye West and Jay Z weren’t on their iPod playlists growing up. The trio of 14-year-olds is proud to bring diversity to heavy metal and it seems they have the fan base to prove they have chosen the right path.
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Photo courtesy of Unlocking the Truth

Unlocking the Truth is the youngest group ever to perform on the main stage at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. The group has also performed at the Afropunk Festival, SXSW, and was the youngest band to play at the 2014 Vans Warped Tour. The trio also has opened concerts for Guns N’ Roses, Motorhead, Queens of the Stone Age, and Living Colour. They have even been featured on the “Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon,” “GMA,” “The View” and “The Colbert Report.”


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Photo courtesy of Unlocking the Truth

The group has released BREAKING A MONSTER, a groundbreaking documentary that centers on their breakout year, and follows the members as experience stardom and hardship in the industry.


Malcolm was the spokesperson for the group for the interview.

How do you balance your education with performing and touring?
At first, it was easy because we were still in middle school. Now I go to a college prep high school and I have a lot of homework. I just have to make sure I do it first. If we have to go on the road, I bring my laptop and textbooks, because my work is posted online.


Who do you look up to in the industry in your genre?
I will always look up to Disturbed because they inspired us to start our band. I like SlipKnot, Living Colour (they are like family), System of a Down, and I also like Lil Uzi Vert. He is a rapper. I like the melodies of his songs.

What’s your career goal? Is the band a hobby or a true passion?
My goal is to make Unlocking The Truth one of the best metal bands and I also want to become a producer; writing and composing for and with other artists. I took Pro Tools 101 over the summer and I can take the next class next summer. I have mini-studio in my basement where I record my own songs and create beats and record songs for my other friends.

Being in this band was never a hobby. When I first saw Disturbed live, I knew back then that I wanted to start a band and become a musician. And after recording with Johnny K, I knew I wanted to become a producer too. I love writing and composing. I love performing. I just love creating music. I spend most of my time creating and recording my songs.

How do you handle groupies?
I don’t think we have any groupies but we have met some very nice people and some very nice fans.

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