Paws, Pets & Metal isMetal Insider’s ongoing column on bands with pets, discovering who watches them on the road, and more. Get to know more about these metal furbabies. We caught up with Denver’s Voidatlas, who closed out 2025 with their new EP, Descending. Vocalist Trent Heddings shared his pet household and how they’re subjected to listening to metal daily.
Tell us more about your pet(s) and their names?
In total I’ve got 3 cats and 5 parrots. Cat #1 is Piper, a chubby dilute calico who loves cheese and long naps on the couch. Then there’s Shira, a loud Point Lynx Siamese who purrs the more you annoy her. Alma is the baby of the trio, a fluffy dilute calico that doesn’t know how to sit still. My parrots are named Ziggy, Agnes, Gertrude, Ingrid, and Eugene. They’re all cute and dumb. Eugene is my special little guy though, he gives kisses and plays peak-a-boo.
Have you ever taken your pet on tour?
I have yet to go on a proper tour, so no. I would take Piper though, she loves long car rides and would sunbathe on the dash. I’d take Agnes as well, she’s got potential as a back up vocalist.
Who looked after your pet while on the road?
Piper is usually left in charge since she’s the oldest. (Nah but we actually have animal expert friends to help)
What was your pet’s favorite song or album?
Piper: Anything by Lizzo Shira: AOL dial-up tones Alma: Ain’t Gunna Break My Stride – Mathew Wilder Ziggy: Don’t Touch Me – Busta Rhymes Agnes: Screaming – Loathe Gertrude & Ingrid: Wii Menu Background Music Eugene: Never Gunna Give You Up – Rick Astley
How did you introduce your pet to metal?
They’re subjected to it daily, usually if I’m practicing guitar or blasting music while cleaning the house. They’re not the biggest fans, but they tolerate it well.
What animal charity means most to you?
A nonprofit I’m very fond of is an avian sanctuary called The Gabriel Foundation here in Colorado. They house and care for birds of all types, and my fiancee and I have had the pleasure of adopting from there multiple times.
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