Guitarist Malcolm Brickhouse, bassist Alec Atkins, and drummer Jarad Dawkins make up the Brooklyn-based metal band called Unlocking the Truth. This year, the band has played Coachella, SXSW and this year’s Warped Tour, which isn’t bad considering their first gigs were on the streets of New York City’s Times Square. After a couple years of hard work, the band sealed a deal with Sony which could potentially earn them $1.7 million. The kicker? Brickhouse and Atkins are 13 years old, while Dawkins is only 12.

I, on the other hand, am 30 years old, and all of a sudden regret all of my life decisions.

Grammy-winning drummer Steve Jordan (famous for his work with Eric Clapton, Stevie Wonder and many others) discovered the group when they were playing in Manhattan’s Washington Square Park, and he has since taken an active hand in their career. According to Consequence of Sound, the deal secures $60,000 up-front for the boys on their first LP, with a possible $350,000 advance on their second. If Sony goes all the way with the six-record contract, the band could net upwards of $1.7 million.

Jordan’s involvement led to shows all over the country, including an opening slot for Guns ‘N’ Roses in Vegas, their current spot on the Vans Warped Tour, a gig with Queens of the Stone Age next weekend, and not only an appearance at Coachella, but set time on the festival’s Main Stage.

“What started out as play dates went to Times Square and now this,” said Dawkins’ mother, Tabatha, to NY Daily News. “It’s been one great thing after another.”

The tweens cite Metallica, Slipknot, Disturbed and Living Colour as some of their influences, and you can definitely hear it when they play. Here’s the band’s last performance in Times Square in June of last year. Watch it while questioning the direction of your own life and mulling over how a bunch of 13-year-olds are way cooler than you will ever be.

Thanks to ERN for the link!