With over a decade behind them, Landmvrks have been making their rise through the modern metalcore ranks. In listening to their latest album, The Darkest Place I’ve Ever Been, it’s not hard to see why. The combination of a myriad of influences, both metallic and non-metallic, in addition to a steady supply of both viscerally heavy and soaringly melodic moments that stick with the listener, make for a rather ear-opening listen. We reached out to lead guitarist Nicolas Exposito to get his thoughts on the new album, their recent US tour, the connection between audio and video presentation, and even band hobbies outside of music.
Dead Rhetoric: You recently finished up a tour with Imminence in the US. How do you feel it went? Do you feel you learned anything in particular from this tour?
Nicolas Exposito: It went really well, intense but rewarding. We’ve played the US twice before. The energy from the crowds, night after night, was insane. The whole vibe on the road was super positive. We did a lot of exploring, checked out places we’d never been before and discovered some new spots to eat and grab coffee. That kind of stuff’s super important for us outside of the shows, it keeps the vibes high and makes for great band memories! We didn’t learn anything crazy specific, but it really reinforced how important it is to take time for yourself and stay active on tour to actually enjoy the experience!
Dead Rhetoric: The Darkest Place I’ve Ever Been is your latest album. What are you particularly proud of accomplishing with this release?
Exposito: Honestly, the whole thing. It’s our most personal and ambitious record to date. From the songwriting to the concept, the visuals, and the production — we poured our souls into it. It was hard to make, emotionally and physically, but that’s what makes it so real. We’re proud we went all in without compromise.
Dead Rhetoric: Could you discuss the video for “Sulfur/Sombre 16” and its connection to “Creature?”
Exposito: These music videos represent, in a symbolic and imaginative way, the different stages of trauma.
First, there’s the trauma itself, which refers to an experience lived as deeply upsetting—this is represented by Flo’s encounter with the creature, which symbolizes fear and anger.
Then comes denial, a defense mechanism where the mind unconsciously refuses to accept a reality that feels unbearable—often replacing or supporting it with hallucinations. This is shown through Flo’s hallucinations.
Next is splitting, a mechanism where someone creates a rigid separation between two parts of themselves or of reality, usually as a way to shield themselves from pain or inner conflict. This is portrayed by the coexistence of two worlds: the real one and the nightmarish one.
Finally, there’s subjectivation—the moment when you stop seeing your story, your fears, or your anger as something external, and instead integrate them into your identity. Flo comes to understand that the creature is a part of him. And instead of fighting it, he embraces it, he embodies it… he becomes the creature.
“Creature” mainly deals with those themes. But in “Sulfur”, we also explore the idea that mental health struggles never affect just one person—they ripple outward, often without the person realizing it. Loved ones try to help—that’s shown by the band members searching for Flo. But sometimes, they take on those emotional burdens themselves—represented by each band member being touched by the creature and beginning their own transformation.
When someone close to you is suffering, it can lead to emotional withdrawal, social disconnection, even a kind of shared isolation. The others also end up cut off from the world, whether through solidarity or emotional exhaustion—symbolized by the band members wandering alone in the surreal desert.
Dead Rhetoric: How important is it to you that the videos have a cinematic feel to them to match the music?
Exposito: Very. For this album we wanted to be visual storytellers — the music is just one piece of the puzzle. The videos let us expand on the emotions and themes we explore in the songs. That cinematic touch helps people connect on another level, and gives more depth to the world we’re building with each release.
Dead Rhetoric: How do you feel that LANDMVRKS have evolved your sound from the start of the band?
Exposito: A lot. We started more traditionally metalcore, but we’ve always had the instinct to mix genres. Now, we’re more confident with that — bringing in rap, electronic sounds, and other elements without overthinking it. The evolution feels natural. We’ve matured, but we’ve kept the energy and raw emotion.
Dead Rhetoric: What efforts do you make to ensure that the rap elements are incorporated into the band effectively?
Exposito: The key is honesty. Flo doesn’t rap because it’s trendy — it’s in his DNA. He has a solo hip-hop project, so when it happens in our songs, it’s always instinctive. We don’t force it. If it fits the song, the emotion, the rhythm — then it stays.
Dead Rhetoric: In that same regard, what’s important to you about breakdowns and their placement in the music?
Exposito: Breakdowns are a huge part of our identity. But we don’t just throw them in for the sake of it — they have to serve the song. It’s about tension and release. The right breakdown at the right time can hit like a punch in the face or feel like an emotional collapse. That’s the power of it.
Dead Rhetoric: What do you feel are the most important elements that make up LANDMVRKS’ sound?
Exposito: Intensity and contrast. Whether it’s heavy or melodic, emotional or violent — it always comes from a real place. Flo’s voice is a big part of that — his range, his dynamics. But also the blend of genres: rap, hardcore, punk, metalcore. It’s all those pieces crashing together with purpose.
Dead Rhetoric: What are you most proud of accomplishing with LANDMVRKS to date? Do you have a big goal the band has yet to achieve?
Exposito: There are a few proud moments — headlining the Olympia in Paris, playing Hellfest’s main stage, and building everything from the ground up. But we’re not done. One of our biggest goals is to keep growing internationally — more countries, bigger crowds, and just continuing to push what we can do artistically.
Dead Rhetoric: What are some things that you enjoy doing outside of the band for a hobby?
Exposito: We’re pretty different in the band — Nico’s big into tennis and riding motorcycles, Flo is into manga and video games, Rudy loves cooking and riding motorcycles too, Paul collects old VHS tapes, and Kevin customizes clothes and does embroidery. Touring is intense, so these hobbies help us reset when we’re home.
Dead Rhetoric: What’s planned for the rest of this year for LANDMVRKS?
Exposito: 2025 is stacked. We’re touring more than ever — Europe, the US, Australia, and a ton of festivals. We’re also working on expanding the visual universe of The Darkest Place I’ve Ever Been, and maybe even a few surprises by the end of the year. We want to keep pushing the concept further and connect with as many people as possible.