It’s hard to believe how far into 2026 we already are, and given the onslaught of upcoming new releases the rest of the year I know it isn’t going to slow down soon. So before we prep for any of that, I think this is a great time to revisit something that will undoubtedly put a little fire in your Friday morning. Back in May, Pennsylvania mathcore/grind outfit Orphan Donor dropped their new EP Ailments through Zegema Beach Records. And it is… wildly abrasive, while packaged in a nice, efficient sub-20-minute runtime. Perfect! And better yet, to help us learn a bit more about this project and release, Jared Stimpfl (drums) stepped in for this latest Profile. You know the drill from here. Take a jump, and give this a (quick) listen and a (quick) read. You’ll be ready to attack the rest of the day from there. Enjoy!

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How and when did you first get into playing music, or metal more specifically, and how did your band get its start? Any pushback from family/those close to you?

Always loved metal growing up. Metallica was really the first thing I heard and more specifically “One” was the first time I heard double bass and I couldn’t believe it. After my dad passed when I was 13, my mom immediately bought me a drum kit. Played in bands before OD inception but it became a thing after Oktober Skyline broke up and was just a sort of a playground of figuring out the recording process.

How would you describe your band and what you play to someone who is completely in the dark?

Basically its controlled chaos, and has a melodic sense of dread with a bunch of sadness laced throughout. It’s always been an outlet for the hole left behind to try and fill. So basically trauma laced screamo/hardcore.

Is there anything about your latest album or about your band that no one will find in any interview or review that you care to divulge?

I mean at this point, we do it for fun and for therapy. Nothing out of the ordinary. We’re getting older and life has increased with responsibility, so this has always been the anchor to my more creative side of being a human. I still write and record all the music myself and film what I play to teach the other members. This is the first release TJ had some creative input to add some pepper to my tracks, more so on the opening track “Ailments” which he wrote all together.

Any funny stories from playing shows / tours / festivals, etc?

Seemsville Hotel 2002 in Northampton PA. Oktober Skyline played the Seemsville Hotel in my hometown and ex-Turmoil band called Kiss of Death opened up the show with feedback and one of the patrons who was underage and drunk as hell started swinging elbows, broke a buddy’s nose and then proceeded to rip down the grid work on the drop ceiling, whole thing came down, fights broke out, cops were called and the place was shut down. Core memory.

What do you see as some of the great things happening in and around the metal scene (yours or just in general) and what are some of the worst things happening right now?

In the Lehigh Valley more so there have been a few local skate shops in the area that have been hosting more shows and more hardcore shows that a lot of heads are coming out too and it’s been pretty cool thing to witness more alternative type venues popping back up again cuz that’s all that I used to play… basements and grimy warehouses. But still very cool to see still the scene is still alive around here.

Most folks have passions for a cause or causes that are close to them. What, if any, are some of the most important issues (social/political/humorous/etc.) for you / your band and how do you insert those issues into your music?

I mean the resounding FUCK ICE and War for sure. But we don’t really join in the identity politics spear publicly. I don’t lace politics with our music.

Do you have day jobs or hobbies you want to share?

I’m a residential painter by trade and mostly do mastering and some studio drum work while recording a few bands a year. We all have jobs/families/bunch of stuff goin on.

What advice do you have for music critics and outlets out there? How can we all better serve the genre in the eyes of a hard-working musician?

You guys are doing great you should pat yourself on the back for bringing any eyes to anything worthwhile in the sea of mediocrity and AI driven slop.

Any specific long term goal(s) in mind?

Just riff until we can’t.

When you’re not obsessing over your own material, what are some of your favorite albums to listen to currently?

Portrayal of Guilt, anything Great Falls related, MARE, Ed Gein, Radiohead, Shipping News.

What is the near future outlook for you or your band? Any specific events on the horizon that the masses should be aware of?

Just play cool shows and put out increasingly more uncomfortable listening experiences. I’d love to take OD to Roadburn. I got to witness it in 2019 with Secret Cutter and I’d love to feel the magic again.

Summarize your band in one word.

FUKT, Traumatic.

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