At its core, Under Exile is a powerful voice in the Native American movement, representing the Navajo Nation with pride and carving out space for Native American perspectives in the heavy music world. They’ve steadily built a reputation that extends far beyond the “rez metal” label often placed on Native bands. Rather than being defined by a single scene or identity, they’ve become known for their dynamic songwriting, technical precision, and emotionally charged performances. These qualities resonate with metal fans everywhere. Their cultural background informs their perspective, but it doesn’t confine their sound.
Under Exile released their self-titled album, Under Exile, in September 2025. featuring 11 tracks, including their single from the previous year, “Meira”. The album was recorded with producer Erik Jensen and showcases their most polished, dynamic, and emotionally resonant material yet.
Under Exile wrapped up the year as a featured artist on SiriusXM Ian Christe’s Bloody Roots Show Playlist “ROOTS of Native American Metal 2025” for the week of 11/29.
Under Exile launches “Ephemera” – the first single from their upcoming EP. Under Exile explains, “‘Ephemera’ is a dark, immersive piece that is rooted in a liminal-space narrative. The song captures the unease of existing between who we were, who we pretend to be online, and the nothingness that waits in between. At its core, the song confronts the psychological weight of consumerism, digital worship, and existential erosion. The opening imagery of a god on a screen and a prophet rotting within synthetic skin sets the stage for a world where meaning has been replaced by manufactured identity. This is reinforced through the idea of preaching dreams of decay, a commentary on how modern culture sells deterioration as aspiration. It’s not just a critique but a mirror held to the systems that reward burnout, self-distortion, and the glamorization of collapse. The whispering goddess reflects the relentless pull of social media algorithms, a voice that condemns silence as sin and demands constant performance. Just like the digital idols she represents, she can never be truly found. This creates the song’s center: where static, silence, and fading consciousness symbolize the disappearance of genuine identity in a hyper-connected world. Sonically, the song is a fusion of crushing heaviness, atmospheric tension, and lyrical depth. It shows a band not defined by where they come from, but by the message of what they have to say and unafraid to dissect the spiritual and cultural decay woven into modern existence.”
UNDER EXILE is:
Ryland Benally – guitar
Rumeel Jim – guitar
Wyatt Billie – drums
Franklin Yazzie – vocals
Trevor Martin – bass
Follow UNDER EXILE:
https://www.facebook.com/UnderExileNM
https://www.instagram.com/underexile_
https://www.youtube.com/@underexile2729
https://underexile.bigcartel.com
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