Despiona
Despiona | |
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Salt Lake City, UT, USA |
| Genres | Djent, metalcore, deathcore, progressive metalcore |
| Years active | 2024–present |
| Labels | Sawshark Records, Yumeno Records (2024-2025) |
| Associated acts | Behold Here's Poison |
| Website | https://www.despionaslc.com |
| Members | Dade Thomson, Tanner Tholl, Casio Robinson, Brayden Dey |
| Past members | Kayden Gauger, Sawyer Gauger, Brigham Johnson, Diego Viveros |
Despiona is an American heavy metalcore band formed in Salt Lake City, UT, in 2024. The band was originally formed by bassist & vocalist Tanner Tholl, guitarists Kayden and Sawyer Gauger, and vocalist Devon Cobb. The band's sound merges a strong old-school 2000’s deathcore style with modern metalcore, djent, and progressive elements. They released their debut EP Malice in June 2025.
Formation
The band was originally formed in Evanston, Wyoming by Tholl under the name “Behold Here's Poison”. The group released three albums under that name before rebranding and finding their place in the Salt Lake City metal scene. The name "Despiona" came from an accidental misspelling of the Greek goddess Despoina.
The group’s debut EP “Malice” was mixed, mastered, and produced by Pablo Viveros (ex-Chelsea Grin) at Elevate Studios in Salt Lake City, UT. It was released through Yumeno Records on June 12, 2025.
Lineup Changes
The band started out as a five-piece with Brigham Johnson on bass. Johnson later left the band after playing one show.
Guitarists Kayden and Sawyer Gauger parted ways with the band in August 2025 after a tour cancellation and the band announced via Instagram that they will be on a hiatus while searching for new members.
In 2026, the band announced their new lineup, keeping Tholl on drums while adding Casio Robinson on bass, Brayden Dey on guitar, and Dade Thomson on vocals.
