Do you recall the moment when a remarkable American Idol contestant took the stage to perform iconic nu-metal classics alongside Carrie Underwood during his audition just a few weeks back? This unique blend of rock and metal on a mainstream platform was an exhilarating surprise for fans of the genre.

His audacious audition featured an energetic rendition of Korn’s “Freak on a Leash,” followed by a captivating duet of Drowning Pool’s “Bodies” with Underwood. This impressive showcase earned him a coveted golden ticket, propelling him to Hollywood. It’s a rare delight to see passionate metalheads represented on such a widely viewed competitive stage, and we couldn’t have been more thrilled.

Insite shared with Loudwire in an exclusive interview that he initially had no plans to audition for American Idol. However, when a casting director unexpectedly reached out to him, he decided to take a leap of faith. “After navigating through several Zoom auditions and interviews, I finally received the green light to audition for the judges,” he recalled, highlighting the unexpected journey that led him to this moment.

His passion for metal music ignited at the young age of 12 when he first encountered Slipknot’s “Psychosocial” on a randomized YouTube playlist. The moment was transformative, and hearing Alice In Chains‘ “Man in the Box” further solidified his deep-seated love for heavy music, marking the beginning of a lifelong devotion.

Understanding the risks involved, Insite recognized that bringing rock and metal to Idol was a bold decision, which understandably made him feel nervous during his audition. Therefore, he was completely taken aback when all three judges—Underwood, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan—gave him an enthusiastic “yes.”

Insite’s Memorable Audition Performance on ‘American Idol’

Unfortunately, Insite faced elimination from the competition after delivering a stirring performance of Alice In Chains‘ “Rooster” during the Hollywood round. He speculated that the producers may have manipulated his performance to align with the traditional American Idol mold, which he felt he did not fit into.

“They made me cut the song short. I was only allowed to perform half of the verse, half of the pre-chorus, and half of the chorus,” Insite explained, revealing the frustrations of his truncated performance.

“While many of the other contestants had performances lasting around two to three minutes, mine was drastically shortened to a mere 60 to 90 seconds, with only about 20 to 30 seconds actually aired… I believe that by making my Hollywood week performance appear subpar, it was an easy way for them to eliminate me without portraying my audition as a gimmick,” he stated, articulating his concerns about the editing process.

If given the opportunity to relive the experience, Insite expressed that he would still choose to sing “Rooster,” as it remains one of his all-time favorite tracks by Alice In Chains. He mentioned that the band’s cherished ballad, “Jar of Flies,” particularly the song “Nutshell,” was a close second choice for the Hollywood round.

Moreover, he felt a strong confidence in his ability to deliver a powerful rendition of “Rooster.” “I’ve performed and practiced ‘Rooster’ more times than I can count. There are even videos on my social media showcasing my renditions, and they sound fantastic,” he affirmed, demonstrating his commitment and skill.

Insite’s Performance of ‘Rooster’ on ‘American Idol’

READ MORE: The 8 Most Controversial TV Performances in Rock + Metal

Ultimately, Insite harbors no bitterness regarding his experience on American Idol. Instead, he views advancing to the second round as a significant personal achievement.

“Being the first contestant in all seasons to earn a golden ticket performing this style of music feels monumental to me,” he noted, reflecting on the pride he feels about representing heavy music on such a platform.

His time on the show has undoubtedly placed him on the radar of heavy music enthusiasts worldwide. Recently, he released his debut single, “Breakaway,” which is now available across all major streaming platforms.

“American Idol really missed out,” a fan commented on one of his social media posts, illustrating the support he has garnered from audiences.

Check out the track below and experience his unique sound.

Insite’s New Single: ‘Breakaway’

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