Live on Metal Devastation Radio – The Zach Moonshine Show
Cody Satterwhite, founder of Dark Sails Entertainment, joined the show to discuss the label’s mission, upcoming releases, studio details, and plans for the Tennessee Metal Devastation Music Fest 2025.
🎧 Label Mission & Origins
Cody and co-founder Kellen started Dark Sails after years of playing in metal and hardcore bands together. Their goal? Help underground bands succeed in a modern music landscape.
“We remember how hard it was to get music to market… we just want to help other bands.”
“Some bands don’t need help, they just want to work with us — and that’s great too.”
Dark Sails focuses on high-quality production, label support, and expanding band visibility through touring, merch, and strategic releases.
🔥 Releases & Artists
The label is gearing up to drop music from several heavy-hitters:
Septarian – 3 new songs and a full-length (tracked at Dark Sails’ studio)
First One Dies – new material incoming
Leafblower – debut EP coming early August
Subdivisions – new release dropping mid-September
Violence System – returning to the studio for their next EP
“The new Leafblower record… it’s top notch and the recording is excellent.”
They’re also planning a 15-track compilation CD for release at the Tennessee fest, featuring music from across their roster.
🎛️ Dark Sails Studio Gear & Approach
Dark Sails operates their own professional recording facility in Norcross, GA, with an impressive arsenal:
SSL Origin board for drums
Full DI + real mic’d amp tracking (no reliance on profiling or Kempers)
30–40 guitar heads, 20+ cabs — "a guitar player’s dream come true"
“There’s something about a tube amp moving air that you just can’t beat.”
“Everything we do is about delivering modern, clean, and powerful recordings.”
🎤 Violence System & Live Scene
Cody hyped the return of Violence System:
“They’re symphonic deathcore meets death metal… it’s hard to pigeonhole. It’s killer.”
He also praised their legendary wall of death at last year’s fest:
“That [ __ ] was crazy, man.”
📦 Dark Sails Summer Showcase Tour
In 2025, the label launched the Dark Sails Summer Showcase Tour, covering 10+ weekends across various markets with rotating lineups:
“It’s all about helping our bands break into new markets.”
🏟 On Tennessee Metal Devastation Fest 2025
Cody believes the festival has outgrown its current home in Jackson, TN:
“I think this is the last year at that venue. You’re going to outgrow it.”
Plans are brewing to move to a bigger location or even expand to a two-day event. Cody praised the festival's energy, community vibe, and food:
“That donut guy at the farmer’s market — amazing!”
🗣 Final Thoughts
“Support your local bands. Support independent music. Support what Zach is doing — he’s helping a lot of people.”
Cody and the Dark Sails crew will return to Tennessee Metal Devastation Music Fest 2025, armed with merch, a label comp CD, and a whole lot of power.
Check out the full episode at Mixcloud
https://www.mixcloud.com/thezachmoonshineshow/septarian-dark-sails-take-over-live-on-the-zach-moonshine-show/
Get tickets to the fest here:
https://www.hubcityevents.com/events/tennessee-metal-devastation-music-fest-2025-10-11-2025
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