Crunchyroll News published an interview with Eric Stenman on August 21, 2026, covering The Barbarians of California. The producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist presents MEGATONS as the band’s second album, with its release announced for the same day.
MEGATONS reconnects with the band’s hardcore past
Stenman discusses creating the record with Aaron Bruno, drawing on hardcore punk and metal influences. The two musicians met in 1998, when Bruno was playing in a hardcore band.
After several years in AWOLNATION’s alternative scene, they returned to those roots. Stenman describes the shift as a natural evolution, while noting that Bruno worked simultaneously on albums by AWOLNATION and The Barbarians of California.
That arrangement gave Bruno greater creative freedom in the studio. It also underlines the connection between The Phantom Five, AWOLNATION’s latest album mentioned in the interview, and And Now I’m Just Gnashing My Teeth, the Barbarians’ first album.
The official Crunchyroll News interview details this musical journey and Stenman’s answers.
Anime and Japanese culture enter family life
Stenman also describes the place of anime and Japanese culture in his family. He has a 12-year-old son and a 9-year-old daughter, both of whom have long been interested in Japan.
His son, in particular, grew up with Godzilla and Ultraman. During the 2026 spring break, the family traveled to Tokyo and Kyoto, visiting manga shops and looking for Gachapon locations.
Stenman chooses programs according to his children’s ages and maturity. His account links heavy music, Japanese animation and family activities without presenting them as separate interests: the connection extends from what they watch to the places they visit.
The official cover image accompanies this musical portrait. The links between music, animation and pop culture also connect with our latest news, the news section and our gaming articles.
The musicians behind the project
The Barbarians of California brings together several members of AWOLNATION and Under the Influence of Giants. The interview therefore places MEGATONS within both Stenman and Bruno’s hardcore history and their broader alternative-music work.
Sources
- crunchyroll.com: Official Crunchyroll News URL: https://crunchyroll.com/news/interviews/2026/8/21/the-barbarians-of-california-interview — title “The Barbarians of California on Returning to Roots and Anime Family Time,” date
- a.storyblok.com: Official cover artwork for The Barbarians of California: /files/uploads/2026/08/the-barbarians-of-california-megatons-anime.jpg.
