Fridays are always inspiring for music fans with new tunes and full releases dropping. This past Friday, I was inspired when two incredible women in active rock landed in my inbox—on one song. The new Eva Under Fire release drops July 10. It’s called Villainous with a title track delivers a double vocal assault. The collaboration formed by Eva frontwoman Amanda Lyberg joined by metal goddess Maria Brink from In This Moment.
Eva Under Fire is the epitome of a hardworking heavy rock band with major success within reach.
The group was formed in 2015 by Amanda Lyberg and Rob Lyberg. Their presence in active rock—along with collaborations with Ice Nine Kills, Funeral Portrait, and others —set a foundation. Add in their roll-up-your-sleeves, get-it-done work ethic and the output has become one of my favorite new bands of the past decade.
I have a great deal of respect for Lyberg (a.k.a. Eva Firebrand), who brings a superpower to her role as the band’s vocalist. She truly puts the “fire” in Eva Under Fire with her vision and voice.
Her “Eva” alter ego was born at the merch booth more than a decade ago while meeting fans and navigating growing notoriety. However, this record is more Amanda and less “Eva.”
Amanda comes from a unique place as an artist and writer. She’s also a licensed therapist who has spent years unpacking the lives of those around her. Now, it’s her turn with the band’s deeply personal upcoming release.
I caught up with Lyberg this past week for a conversation. We discussed the meaning behind Villainous, leaving the “Eva” alter ego behind, and how 2026 is shaping up to be a banner year for her band. With a new album, a massive tour with metal superstars Five Finger Death Punch, and renewed energy in the months ahead.
*Editor’s Note: Answers have been edited for clarity and length.*
Terrie Carr – We’re here during Women’s History Month. When I heard that you were doing interviews, I had to line up an interview before the month concluded. It’s incredible to have you on at the beginning of what I think will be such an amazing year and run for you. This is going to be your year.
Amanda Lyberg – Thank you so much for having me here, friend. I truly appreciate it. All of the positivity is what we’ve been needing, right? We are coming off a really long writing cycle. To get this busy this quickly, I feel like something is happening this year.
TC – You’ve got a new record coming on July 10 called Villainous. I get the impression that it’s going to be heavier and darker from what I’ve heard so far. I love the journey on this record because a lot of different people contributed to making it. So, it feels like there’s going to be some unpredictability.
Talk to me about putting this record together and making it a mission that’s a little different from your past experiences.
AL – The whole concept revolves around the world-building we’re doing behind Villainous as an album. Villainous as a single is a lot of self-discovery. It’s a story about self-empowerment and taps into all the different emotions you experience when you go through hard times.
You change things, and process them differently because of what you’ve been through. You experience new information. So, it takes you through a journey.
All of these songs, in my brain, are locations of self-discovery. Each song is its own conversation about what that particular moment felt like. There’s a lot of hurt, heartbreak, and ferocity. That’s where Villainous comes in.
What a cool thing to talk about during Women’s History Month. I think a lot of women could use this kind of self-empowerment message. As humans and people, we are not built to live in a box.
The human experience is so much more complex than what people think—“Well, it’s this way or it’s that way.” No. Depending on the circumstance, it could be a million different ways. But as soon as something happens and someone changes to say, “I’ve got to have healthy boundaries, and I’ve got to do something different because I’m looking out for myself.” The person on the other side quickly says you’re the problem.
“You’re no longer serving what I need,” right? So, Villainous is basically saying, “You can call me a villain all you want. It doesn’t mean I am one. If that’s what you want me to be, that’s who I am.”
TC – You and Maria [Brink] on this new album. Wow. She’s a G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Time) who has traveled many years and paths. She’s worked through different management and record labels, with people always trying to put her in different boxes. She said this is my lane, and this is what I’m doing. It’s not always easy to say that as an artist.
AL – The grind is real, especially as a woman in any business. There are career women out there who want their vision to be heard. I think Maria [Brink] is very much about that. The vision and the artistry behind it are amazing, and I had to compliment her on that.
The last time we did a show together was at Soaring Eagle Casino. She told me my voice was so unique, but also was my vision and world I build around myself. I loved that we got a chance to be on a track together—especially this one. It meant everything to me.
TC – When’s your “baby being born?” I talk to artists all the time about this. It’s like a baby being born. Then once it arrives, there’s almost a sense of sadness. Because of all the buildup, especially with a record you’re so proud of.
As people start discovering the tracks, you’re not just jumping in a van and doing one-offs. You’re heading out on a major tour with Five Finger Death Punch. That long tour starts in July and runs through November.
So, who calls you? When do you find out this is the next step in building this record?
AL – You’re right. The whole van situation—we have a 12-passenger van. That’s what we were used to. And we’ve been writing for so long. Doing stuff from my bedroom doesn’t feel real. We’re a band that loves playing live, so we need that component. It does get exhausting. It’s expensive to be out there, and there are a lot of hang-ups. It’s a grind.
We were feeling a little discouraged because it had been such a long process to get here. I was celebrating a friend’s birthday—our sound guy’s birthday—in Las Vegas. We didn’t know what was coming next.
We were trying to stay encouraged and focused, but it’s tough when you don’t know what’s next.
I was standing in line because my key card wasn’t working. Then I got the call that we landed the Five Finger Death Punch tour and I started crying. This is the level we’ve been working toward, hoping for, and grinding for—for years.
To get on amphitheater stages with one of the biggest bands in hard rock and heavy metal—are you kidding me? I get to play my hometown amphitheater, where I attended my first concert ever.
What a feeling. It was crazy. I was in tears.
For more on my conversation with Amanda Lyberg, check out my Carr Stereo Podcast on YouTube.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.
