Today’s Ask The Artist spotlight lands in New Jersey, where hard rock/metal outfit WHO ON EARTH are raising hell once again. The band has been steadily building momentum through relentless touring and riff-driven releases, and now they’re back with a new single, “Vigilance,” a fiery preview of their next full-length album expected later this year.
Fronted by vocalist Coosh and powered by bassist Pete Rizzi, guitarists Johnny James Barone and Jimmy Kocha, and drummer Howie Fallon, the band blends classic heavy influences — think BLACK SABBATH, IRON MAIDEN, METALLICA, ALICE IN CHAINS, and TOOL — into a modern, streetwise rock sound forged in the clubs of the New York tri-state area.
Before we dive into the new track, we asked Pete a question about an award ceremony that metalheads traditionally love to complain about.
The Question
“If the Grammy nominations were entirely in your hands, which bands would you put forward for Best Rock Performance and Best Metal Performance in 2025 — and what makes them worthy in your eyes?”
Pete Rizzi answers:
“Ok, so metal performance, I would have selected… GOJIRA. They deserve it. The song is great, and the band is one of the most unique and talented acts to come out in the last 20 years!
For Rock performance, I would have personally given the award to PEARL JAM. 30 plus years later they are still at the top of their game. The song and the album were great. Andrew Watt did a great job giving the band and their sound a nice kick in the ass.”
WHO ON EARTH – “Vigilance”
WHO ON EARTH’s newest single “Vigilance” arrives swinging like a brick through a storefront window. Built on sharp, driving riffs and pounding rhythms, the track channels classic heavy rock muscle while delivering a message rooted firmly in modern frustration.
According to bassist Pete Rizzi, the song was written as both a warning and a call for unity, inspired by the growing division across the United States and the widening gap between everyday people and the powerful elite. The lyrics carry a defiant tone — a rallying cry straight from the streets of Trenton, New Jersey.
Musically, “Vigilance” showcases the band’s heavy, narrative-driven approach: thick guitar work, a punchy rhythm section, and a chorus built to hit hard in a live setting.
The track follows the band’s 2025 EP Smoke & Mirrors and serves as an early glimpse of what WHO ON EARTH have brewing for their upcoming album. Fans will also get a chance to hear the new material live as the band hits the road this spring supporting FOZZY on a run of U.S. dates.
With their mix of classic metal grit, modern energy and a blue-collar attitude, WHO ON EARTH continue pushing forward — loud, unapologetic and very much awake.
⚡ Stay vigilant. The next chapter is coming.
WHO ON EARTH Tour Dates w/FOZZY:
May 8 – Charlotte, NC – Amos’ Southend
May 9 – Waynesboro, VA – The Foundry
May 12 – Philadelphia, PA – Underground Arts
May 13 – Harrisburg, PA – Capitall City Music Hall
May 15 – St. Charles, IL – Arcada Theatre
May 16 – Flint, MI – The Machine Shop
Follow the band’s BandCamp: https://whoonearthus.bandcamp.com/
