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Bastardane Unveils Mothers Tongue Video, Showcasing Castor Hetfields New Direction
On June 13 2026, Los‑Angeles metal outfit Bastardane dropped the official video for its single “Mother’s Tongue,” a visual statement that dovetails with the band’s ongoing promotion of its sophomore album, Catatonic Symphony. Directed by Calum Palmer, the clip arrives at a time when the trio is solidifying a new vocal arrangement and asserting a distinct identity separate from the shadow of its members’ famous lineage.
The track itself is a product of an impressive roster of talent. Frontman Joseph Duplantier of Gojira produced the song, while Dan Joeright captured the performances at Gatos Trail Recording Studio in Yucca Valley, California. Mixing duties were handled by Jamie Uertz at Duplantier’s Silver Cord Studio in Queens, and the final polish came from Gavin Lurssen at Lurssen Mastering in Los Angeles. The result is a sonically dense piece that balances aggressive riffs with layered vocal harmonies.
Bastardane’s current lineup—drummer and backing‑vocalist Castor Hetfield, bassist‑lead vocalist Luca Badan, and guitarist Ethan Sirotzki—has evolved since the band’s debut. Their first full‑length, Is This Rage?, dropped in 2022, followed by Catatonic Symphony in 2024. That same year, founding vocalist Jake Dallas Benn exited the group, prompting Hetfield and Badan to share lead‑vocal duties. The shift has reshaped the band’s sonic palette and reinforced its commitment to collaborative creativity.
Hetfield has addressed the weight of his family name in public forums. In an interview with the Savannah Morning News, he explained the double‑edged nature of the association: “All of us are our father’s sons, mine just happens to be very successful in the industry that we’re in. It’s not bothersome, but it is a little annoying when people try to compare us, because obviously we’re our own people and he’s his own person. We’re making our own kind of music. Online, when you search our band, my dad’s face is all over the Internet and it’s a little strange for me.” The comment underscores the band’s desire to carve its own niche while acknowledging the unavoidable legacy that follows.
The phenomenon of metal offspring forging independent careers is not unique to Bastardane. Lars Ulrich’s sons perform together in Taipei Houston, and Robert Trujillo’s son Tye plays bass for OTTTO and Suicidal Tendencies. These examples illustrate how family ties continue to influence the scene, even as new artists pursue distinct creative directions.
From a production standpoint, the collaboration with Duplantier and the choice of studios signal Bastardane’s ambition for high‑fidelity sound. Duplantier’s experience with Gojira’s atmospheric, technical style informs the track’s complex layering, while Lurssen’s mastering expertise ensures the final product meets modern loudness and clarity benchmarks. The result is a sonic profile that feels both polished and visceral.
Visually, Palmer’s direction keeps the video stark and intense, mirroring the song’s aggressive tone. The imagery foregrounds the trio’s tight musicianship, avoiding overt references to the band’s heritage. Instead, it showcases the layered vocal arrangements that have become a hallmark of Catatonic Symphony.
Industry observers note that the release aligns with Bastardane’s broader promotional strategy. The band has announced a series of live performances across the United States in the coming months, though specific dates remain unconfirmed. The video’s debut is expected to boost streaming activity on platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music, where “Mother’s Tongue” already surpassed one million streams in its first week.
In sum, Bastardane’s new video for “Mother’s Tongue” marks a pivotal moment in the band’s evolution. By partnering with high‑profile producers, redefining vocal responsibilities, and openly discussing legacy, the group is both rooted in metal tradition and actively forging its own path. The next phase will likely involve further touring and additional singles from Catatonic Symphony, as fans and industry analysts watch to see how Bastardane balances heritage with ambition in the months ahead.
The track itself is a product of an impressive roster of talent. Frontman Joseph Duplantier of Gojira produced the song, while Dan Joeright captured the performances at Gatos Trail Recording Studio in Yucca Valley, California. Mixing duties were handled by Jamie Uertz at Duplantier’s Silver Cord Studio in Queens, and the final polish came from Gavin Lurssen at Lurssen Mastering in Los Angeles. The result is a sonically dense piece that balances aggressive riffs with layered vocal harmonies.
Bastardane’s current lineup—drummer and backing‑vocalist Castor Hetfield, bassist‑lead vocalist Luca Badan, and guitarist Ethan Sirotzki—has evolved since the band’s debut. Their first full‑length, Is This Rage?, dropped in 2022, followed by Catatonic Symphony in 2024. That same year, founding vocalist Jake Dallas Benn exited the group, prompting Hetfield and Badan to share lead‑vocal duties. The shift has reshaped the band’s sonic palette and reinforced its commitment to collaborative creativity.
Hetfield has addressed the weight of his family name in public forums. In an interview with the Savannah Morning News, he explained the double‑edged nature of the association: “All of us are our father’s sons, mine just happens to be very successful in the industry that we’re in. It’s not bothersome, but it is a little annoying when people try to compare us, because obviously we’re our own people and he’s his own person. We’re making our own kind of music. Online, when you search our band, my dad’s face is all over the Internet and it’s a little strange for me.” The comment underscores the band’s desire to carve its own niche while acknowledging the unavoidable legacy that follows.
The phenomenon of metal offspring forging independent careers is not unique to Bastardane. Lars Ulrich’s sons perform together in Taipei Houston, and Robert Trujillo’s son Tye plays bass for OTTTO and Suicidal Tendencies. These examples illustrate how family ties continue to influence the scene, even as new artists pursue distinct creative directions.
From a production standpoint, the collaboration with Duplantier and the choice of studios signal Bastardane’s ambition for high‑fidelity sound. Duplantier’s experience with Gojira’s atmospheric, technical style informs the track’s complex layering, while Lurssen’s mastering expertise ensures the final product meets modern loudness and clarity benchmarks. The result is a sonic profile that feels both polished and visceral.
Visually, Palmer’s direction keeps the video stark and intense, mirroring the song’s aggressive tone. The imagery foregrounds the trio’s tight musicianship, avoiding overt references to the band’s heritage. Instead, it showcases the layered vocal arrangements that have become a hallmark of Catatonic Symphony.
Industry observers note that the release aligns with Bastardane’s broader promotional strategy. The band has announced a series of live performances across the United States in the coming months, though specific dates remain unconfirmed. The video’s debut is expected to boost streaming activity on platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music, where “Mother’s Tongue” already surpassed one million streams in its first week.
In sum, Bastardane’s new video for “Mother’s Tongue” marks a pivotal moment in the band’s evolution. By partnering with high‑profile producers, redefining vocal responsibilities, and openly discussing legacy, the group is both rooted in metal tradition and actively forging its own path. The next phase will likely involve further touring and additional singles from Catatonic Symphony, as fans and industry analysts watch to see how Bastardane balances heritage with ambition in the months ahead.
