Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Sorensen.
Hi Ryan, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My infatuation with music started as a child. Hanging out in my dad’s garage as he and his friends worked on muscle cars to the tune of Metallica, Pantera, Ozzy Osbourne, Testament, King Diamond, Megadeth, Stone Temple Pilots and much more. The passion and admiration for bands would only grow as I got older – and at 17 I was gifted a Stratocaster copy from a friend and started to learn guitar.
Over the course of the next 6 years I would put my first cover band together and learn to sing and play Metallica, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and other heavy metal staples. I worked full time and attended junior college as I continuously refined my chops and live stage presence.
Eventually, the desire to create original music took over and at the age of 22 I simultaneously started a career in the chemical manufacturing industry and my heavy metal band, Backlash, with bandmate Vaughan Reed.
From 2014 on, Vaughan and I have made Backlash our main motivation outside of the jobs that paid our bills and fed our Gear Acquisition Syndrome. Together, with our rotating lineup of bass players and drummers, we played small shows, Fall festivals, Halloween parties, graduation parties, cancer charity events, biker bars and any gig that would have us.
In 2017 we found the missing pieces in Bass player Tyler Smith and Drummer/Producer/engineer Shawn Johnson. We set forth with the goal of writing and recording what would become our Debut Album “Colossus” and playing “REAL” shows opening for Touring metal and rock acts, primarily at The Forge in Joliet, IL.
We released “Colossus” in the spring of 2021 independently after the COVID pandemic with the silent motivation to make sure we would be at the TOP of our live game. As venues started hosting events again, we were fortunate enough to open for bands like Warbringer, Cavalera Conspiracy, and the Three Tremors among others, to great receptions from the audience.
We moved forward with plans to play our first national festival that culminated in us beating out 104 other bands for a slot at the 2022 Michigan Metal Fest. We wrote and recorded our single “False Flag” to commemorate our achievement and debuted it live on the festival stage.
Afterwards, I set out with a specific set of goals to accomplish over time and slowly, saw them all realized. In 2023 we shot our first music video with esteemed Chicago Photographer and Director Ed Kost and facilitated a special vinyl release for our first album.
We had the honor of playing Chicago numerous times at both Livewire Lounge and the Main Stage at Reggies Rock Club – playing with acts such as Exciter, Hatriot, Wraith etc. and in 2024 we were asked to play Milwaukee Metal Fest at The Rave/Eagles Ballroom with an extremely generous 6pm bar stage slot. Heathen, Havok and Macabre would play directly after us in that order. There had never been a more satisfying and fulfilling day in my life. After slight appraisal from respected managers and artists, like festival owner Jamey Jasta, I set forth with renewed vigor.
This would mark the beginning of writing our second full length record, “For the Throne”. As we wrote and collected ideas for songs we opened for Dark Funeral, Udo Dirkschneider of Accept and shared the stage with new friends Misfire – all at The Forge.
On June 17, 2025 I launched the band’s merchandise shop and completed the first of 2 final goals. On June 19th, 2026 – one day after my 35th birthday, we finished tracking for “For the Throne”, Completing my list.
As I write this on July 3rd, 2026, I can’t help but feel an immense sense of pride and respect in myself and bandmates. I know we have an incredible Heavy Metal record to share with the world on bigger stages and opportunities.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Life is never a smooth road. November of 2021 was an incredibly difficult time for me as my personal life collapsed and my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer again. I took the opportunity to turn all of that anger, sadness and frustration and used it to fuel my focus. I rededicated myself to fitness, lifting weights and training to be the best I could be. I started taking guitar and theory lessons from a very well renowned jazz/classical player named Freddie Franken, and I spent more time than ever with my parents and family.
We have spent thousands of dollars of our own money on the band with the knowledge that we will most likely never see a fraction of it back. This is what we love and what we do – turning it into a business has not been an easy task.
I attended NAMM 2025 in Anaheim California as an artist representing Grzenia Guitars and had the time of my life. Every guitar player Dreams of NAMM, BUT like my grandfather and Michigan Metal Fest, there can be no good without the bad. On March 12th, 2025 I had a stroke that paralyzed my left arm and slurred my speech for about 2 hours. The rest of 2025 was spent at cardiologist and neurologist appointments, hoping to find what had caused my stroke – as I had zero precursors for it and in Decemeber of 2026 I underwent heart surgery to close a PFO in my heart.
Life has humbled me many times and life has given me many reasons to quit.
Remember, I worked and still work 12 hour swing shift in a chemical plant as I have done all of this for the past 12.5 years. There is no substitute for American grit, determination and self reliance. No matter what happens, I am proud of what my bandmates and I have accomplished.
I hope my story helps others to press on.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I play guitar, sing lead and am a songwriter for the heavy metal band Backlash. We specialize in writing music that increases testosterone and max bench press. I think I may be best known for trying to be James Hetfield in my younger years. I’m most proud of my family, my bandmates, and the years of hard work and grinding dedication to my craft with zero hope of financial or commercial success. Whats sets me apart from others is that I’m too dumb to quit.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
You can find me on all social media platforms @banokleez. Check out all of our music, merchandise, shows and info at ffm.bio/backlash
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.backlashlive.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backlash_legion?igsh=MXN3MTgxYmdsMHN0dA==
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/backlash15
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@backlashyt?si=HYL8dqkQrAF9bg7Z
- Other: https://Ffm.bio/backlash
