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Together from the Void: Heavy Metal, Community and Catharsis with Kyle Hebner
Rise. Renew. Reconnect. Welcome back to From the Ashes!
This week, I’m absolutely stoked to introduce you to my friend Kyle Hebner—drummer of the metal band Mourn the Light and an all-around delightfully honest human being. Just like Dylan Gowan from a few episodes back, Kyle and I met during our heavy metal travels through Japan last December, and I knew immediately that he’d be an incredible guest for this show.
We dive deep into the ethos of metal—why it resonates with outcasts, the unspoken rules of mosh pits, and how the genre serves as a space for emotional catharsis. We explore the parallels between heavy metal and religious communities (yes, really), the raw power of music to process grief and loss, and even the cultural aesthetics that have shaped the genre over time.
If you love deep dives and spicy takes, this is an episode for you. And don’t miss the end—Kyle adds some extra reflections that, if you’re paying attention, will definitely keep you on your toes.
Key Moments
Valerie and Kyle talk about how they met during the Lords of the Trident and Seven Spires tour in Japan, and what it was like traveling with a group of metalheads.
Kyle draws parallels between metal culture and religious communities—rituals, congregation, and the deep sense of belonging.
A discussion on metal’s history of rebellion, its punk influences, and why anti-authority messages are deeply embedded in the genre.
The surprising role of Rob Halford (Judas Priest) in shaping metal’s leather-and-studs look and how underground subcultures influenced metal fashion.
A breakdown of moshing culture, safety rules, and the Wall of Death phenomenon in thrash metal shows.
How heavy metal helps people navigate grief, featuring stories from Mourn the Light and other bands that channel personal loss into music.
Kyle’s post-interview voice note explaining the real roots of metal’s anti-religion stance—not just rebellion, but a response to hypocrisy and societal contradictions.
Kyle shares his personal favorite metal albums and invites listeners to explore the depth of the genre.
About Our Guest
Kyle Hebner was born and raised in Northern Michigan. Now residing in Southeastern Connecticut, he is the drummer for Heavy Metal band Mourn the Light and has been a card-carrying member of the heavy metal community since, approximately, 1999. In addition to Mourn the Light, Kyle has played in a few other bands throughout his life, mainly Ouch! Me Arse, an experimental punk band during his high school years, Ice Giant, a melodic death metal band from Boston MA, and Age of Embers, a Power Metal Band from New Haven, CT.
As being in a metal band, currently, is not exactly paying the bills, Kyle has found gainful full-time employment as an Electrical Engineer where he spends a lot of time in a lab fixing things that other people have broken. This may sound like a flex, but it really doesn't feel like it, on the day-to-day.
In what spare time he has, Kyle likes to travel the world, attend Heavy Metal festivals, but also enjoys sitting on his couch playing video games with his cat Bruce Kittenson on his lap.
Links
The intro to this episode features the song "False Prophecies" by Mourn the Light.
About the Host:
Valerie Hwang Beck is a holistic wellness coach, personal growth mentor, and board-certified Ayurvedic Practitioner. As the founder of Intrepid Wellness and creator of the year-long mentorship program Club Phoenix, Valerie specializes in guiding individuals through life’s challenges, empowering them to emerge stronger, more resilient, and purpose-driven. Through From the Ashes, Valerie shares dynamic conversations that ignite hope, healing, and transformation.
Join the Conversation:
Have a question, feedback, or insight from today’s episode? Leave me a voicemail on my SpeakPipe page: https://www.speakpipe.com/intrepidval, or drop me a line at [email protected].
Connect with Me:
📸 Instagram: @intrepidwellness.val
🎥 YouTube: @intrepidwellness562
💻 Website: www.intrepidwellness.life
📧 Sign up for my email list: Join Here
Loving the Show?
Please leave a review and share this episode with your friends. Subscribe and stay tuned for more episodes of From the Ashes, where every story ignites hope and healing. Thanks for listening!
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By Valerie Hwang BeckRise. Renew. Reconnect. Welcome back to From the Ashes!
This week, I’m absolutely stoked to introduce you to my friend Kyle Hebner—drummer of the metal band Mourn the Light and an all-around delightfully honest human being. Just like Dylan Gowan from a few episodes back, Kyle and I met during our heavy metal travels through Japan last December, and I knew immediately that he’d be an incredible guest for this show.
We dive deep into the ethos of metal—why it resonates with outcasts, the unspoken rules of mosh pits, and how the genre serves as a space for emotional catharsis. We explore the parallels between heavy metal and religious communities (yes, really), the raw power of music to process grief and loss, and even the cultural aesthetics that have shaped the genre over time.
If you love deep dives and spicy takes, this is an episode for you. And don’t miss the end—Kyle adds some extra reflections that, if you’re paying attention, will definitely keep you on your toes.
Key Moments
Valerie and Kyle talk about how they met during the Lords of the Trident and Seven Spires tour in Japan, and what it was like traveling with a group of metalheads.
Kyle draws parallels between metal culture and religious communities—rituals, congregation, and the deep sense of belonging.
A discussion on metal’s history of rebellion, its punk influences, and why anti-authority messages are deeply embedded in the genre.
The surprising role of Rob Halford (Judas Priest) in shaping metal’s leather-and-studs look and how underground subcultures influenced metal fashion.
A breakdown of moshing culture, safety rules, and the Wall of Death phenomenon in thrash metal shows.
How heavy metal helps people navigate grief, featuring stories from Mourn the Light and other bands that channel personal loss into music.
Kyle’s post-interview voice note explaining the real roots of metal’s anti-religion stance—not just rebellion, but a response to hypocrisy and societal contradictions.
Kyle shares his personal favorite metal albums and invites listeners to explore the depth of the genre.
About Our Guest
Kyle Hebner was born and raised in Northern Michigan. Now residing in Southeastern Connecticut, he is the drummer for Heavy Metal band Mourn the Light and has been a card-carrying member of the heavy metal community since, approximately, 1999. In addition to Mourn the Light, Kyle has played in a few other bands throughout his life, mainly Ouch! Me Arse, an experimental punk band during his high school years, Ice Giant, a melodic death metal band from Boston MA, and Age of Embers, a Power Metal Band from New Haven, CT.
As being in a metal band, currently, is not exactly paying the bills, Kyle has found gainful full-time employment as an Electrical Engineer where he spends a lot of time in a lab fixing things that other people have broken. This may sound like a flex, but it really doesn't feel like it, on the day-to-day.
In what spare time he has, Kyle likes to travel the world, attend Heavy Metal festivals, but also enjoys sitting on his couch playing video games with his cat Bruce Kittenson on his lap.
Links
The intro to this episode features the song "False Prophecies" by Mourn the Light.
About the Host:
Valerie Hwang Beck is a holistic wellness coach, personal growth mentor, and board-certified Ayurvedic Practitioner. As the founder of Intrepid Wellness and creator of the year-long mentorship program Club Phoenix, Valerie specializes in guiding individuals through life’s challenges, empowering them to emerge stronger, more resilient, and purpose-driven. Through From the Ashes, Valerie shares dynamic conversations that ignite hope, healing, and transformation.
Join the Conversation:
Have a question, feedback, or insight from today’s episode? Leave me a voicemail on my SpeakPipe page: https://www.speakpipe.com/intrepidval, or drop me a line at [email protected].
Connect with Me:
📸 Instagram: @intrepidwellness.val
🎥 YouTube: @intrepidwellness562
💻 Website: www.intrepidwellness.life
📧 Sign up for my email list: Join Here
Loving the Show?
Please leave a review and share this episode with your friends. Subscribe and stay tuned for more episodes of From the Ashes, where every story ignites hope and healing. Thanks for listening!