In the 118th episode of the Metal Maniacs Podcast, hosts Jay Ingersoll and Modd sit down with one of the most explosive new names in Michigan hardcore—Tunnel of Love (a.k.a. T.O.L.). Featuring our great friend and occasional co-host Jeremy McClary on guitar, this conversation dives deep into the band’s inception, their raw and destructive sound, and their brand-new full-length cassette Quest for Destruction, out now on Setterwind Records.

Joining us are:

Brett Dierolf – Vocals

Erik Crawford – Drums

Zach Leipham – Bass

Ramon Sliguero – Guitar

Jeremy McClary – Guitar (also producer of the new record)

We trace the band’s beginnings back to Muskegon, MI, where Tunnel of Love formed in 2022 as an offshoot of Prison Suicide. With the early involvement of guitarist Jon Barefoot (Bitter Truth), and later the addition of Ramon Sliguero, the group carved out their sonic identity—what they unapologetically describe as “hardcore violence.” This means blistering fast riffs, stomping grooves, and power-violence chaos that shifts from Youth of Today-style drive into Infest-style blast beat destruction.

Topics Covered in This Episode:

The Name: Why “Tunnel of Love”? (Hint: there’s an ICP-related twist)

Origins: How the band came together, and how the lineup solidified with Jeremy and Ramon.

Extreme Metal Roots: What got each member into hardcore, punk, and extreme metal.

Writing Process: How T.O.L. develops riffs, song structures, and when they decide to add solos.

Production & Gear: The recording process behind Quest for Destruction, Jeremy’s role as producer, and a breakdown of their tones, tunings, and setups.

Live Shows: Their best, worst, and most memorable gigs—plus what makes a hardcore show truly unforgettable.

Future Plans: New material already in the works, upcoming Midwest weekenders, and more events on the horizon for 2025.

The Records

Demo (2022): A blistering 3-song, 2-minute introduction to T.O.L. that set the tone for their mission.

Quest for Destruction (2025): 11 tracks, 13 minutes, and zero compromise. From the groovy-grindy Boneyard to the two-step thrash punch of Swollen Tongue, to collabs with Antonio Marquez (SPINE) and Dominic Hart (Sissy Boys) on Creepdown—this record is a relentless showcase of hardcore at its most unfiltered.

Tunnel of Love isn’t just a band—they’re a statement of intent in the Midwest hardcore scene. Fast, furious, and unrelenting, they’re already cementing themselves as a force to watch.

Whether you’re a diehard fan of hardcore punk, metal, grind, or just discovering this new wave of chaos, this episode is a must-listen.

👉 Hit play and hear the full conversation with Tunnel of Love, only on the Metal Maniacs Podcast.

Follow Tunnel of Love:

Bandcamp: https://setterwindrecords.bandcamp.com/album/quest-for-destruction

No Echo Spotlight: Tunnel of Love Feature-https://www.noecho.net/band-spotlights/tunnel-of-love-hardcore-band

Follow Metal Maniacs Podcast:

#Hardcore #MetalManiacsPodcast #TunnelOfLove #QuestForDestruction #HardcorePunk #PowerViolence #MichiganHardcore #SetterwindRecords