In a new interview with The Growl Podcast, former DEICIDE guitarist Jack Owen reflected on what it was like sharing a band with frontman Glen Benton, admitting the relationship was strained from the start.

“It was tough,” Owen said, explaining that the two were simply incompatible. Describing himself as an introvert focused solely on writing and moving on to the next record, Owen suggested Benton thrived on drama, making their working dynamic unsustainable. While he maintained strong relationships with drummer Steve Asheim, guitarist Kevin Quirion, and former members Eric and Brian Hoffman, Owen said Benton was the lone exception.

Owen also addressed comments from Benton claiming he didn’t know who Owen was, brushing them off by describing his own low-key lifestyle centered on music, animal rescue, and sports. He agreed with the host that some people are “drama driven,” pointing to the Florida death metal scene as being rife with rivalries and unnecessary conflict, even among bands that could have easily toured together.

Reflecting on his exit from DEICIDE, Owen said tensions peaked when Asheim altered Owen’s new material to secure writing credits, with Benton backing the changes. Frustrated, Owen walked out of rehearsal and effectively severed ties, later being informed he was out of the band.

Owen praised Kevin Quirion as a highly motivated collaborator and highlighted their strong co-writing chemistry on In The Minds of Evil (2013), his final album with DEICIDE.

A founding member of CANNIBAL CORPSE, Owen joined DEICIDE in 2004 and appeared on four studio albums before departing in 2013. Asheim later offered a different account, saying the band chose to rewrite the album and Owen simply left without returning. In 2017, Owen joined SIX FEET UNDER alongside former CANNIBAL CORPSE bandmate Chris Barnes.