And Now The Band

EP360 Zack Simmons on Acid Bath Reunion, Goatwhore, and Extreme Metal Drumming

Tom sits down with Zack Simmons of Acid Bath, Goatwhore, and Bringers of Disease for a deep discussion about the long-awaited Acid Bath reunion, preparing to perform iconic material, touring realities, drum influences, and life in extreme music. Zack talks about first discovering Acid Bath as a teenager in the early 2000s and the surreal experience of eventually joining a band he grew up admiring. He discusses working closely with Sammy Duet to revive the material, the pressure of honoring the original songs, and the intense rehearsal process leading up to the reunion shows. The conversation also explores Zack’s work with Goatwhore and Bringers of Disease, balancing multiple projects, and how touring schedules impact longevity for heavy bands. Zack shares stories about filling in for High on Fire, performing in Athens, Greece, and the physical demands of playing back-to-back drum sets in extreme metal environments. Tom and Zack also discuss: * Black Sabbath and Motörhead influences * Ozzy-era Sabbath and classic heavy music foundations * Dave Lombardo, Tommy Aldridge, and Mickey Dee * Tour burnout and maintaining momentum * Blast beats versus groove-oriented drumming * The evolution of modern touring culture * Southern rock influences and underground metal history If you enjoy conversations about sludge metal, doom metal, death metal drumming, underground touring culture, and the legacy of Acid Bath, this episode delivers a detailed look into one of heavy music’s most respected modern drummers.

EP359: Amos Rifkin of Insomniac & Deceased on Touring, Festivals & Underground Metal

In EP359, Tom speaks with Amos Rifkin of Insomniac and Deceased about life in the underground heavy music scene, balancing multiple bands, festival touring, and the realities of working as both a musician and booking agent. Amos discusses the differences between performing with psychedelic doom band Insomniac and death/thrash legends Deceased, along with the physical and mental preparation required for each project. The conversation also explores recent touring experiences with Howling Giant, festival appearances across North America and Europe, and the logistical challenges of modern touring and visa processing. Additional topics include underground music community building, aging in heavy music culture, Atlanta’s music scene, touring economics, and the importance of creating meaningful experiences for fans at concerts and festivals. Featured discussion topics: • Touring with Insomniac and Howling Giant • Playing drums for Deceased • Booking underground metal tours • European festivals and international touring • Underground music industry challenges • Metal community and fan culture • Psychedelic doom and death metal performance styles Recommended for fans of doom metal, death metal, psychedelic rock, underground touring culture, and in-depth heavy music conversations.

EP358: Amplifier on The Inevitability of Disillusionment, Grief, PostFest & Concept Albums

In EP358, Tom speaks with Paul and Si from Amplifier about their upcoming album The Inevitability of Disillusionment and the deeply emotional themes that shaped the record. The conversation explores grief, remembrance, emotional vulnerability in songwriting, and the band’s commitment to creating immersive albums meant to be experienced from beginning to end. Si discusses the layered production approach behind tracks like “Remembrance” and “Dissent,” while Paul explains the importance of emotional honesty over technical perfection. Additional discussion includes PostFest, touring plans, live performance flow, concept albums, vinyl release ideas, and the continued resurgence of physical music formats among younger listeners. The band also reveals plans for future music inspired by the five stages of grief. Topics include: • Amplifier’s new album The Inevitability of Disillusionment • Progressive rock and atmospheric songwriting • Grief and emotional storytelling in music • PostFest and live performances • Vinyl records, CDs, and cassette culture • Concept albums and seamless album flow • The influence of classic front-to-back listening experiences Recommended for fans of progressive rock, post-rock, atmospheric metal, and emotionally immersive heavy music.

EP357: Hamish Glencross of Godthrymm on Projections, Doom Metal, My Dying Bride & Vinyl Culture

In EP357, Tom speaks with Hamish Glencross of Godthrymm about the band’s upcoming album Projections and the evolution of their crushing doom metal sound. Hamish discusses songwriting, riff construction, layered harmonies, and how Projections completes a thematic trilogy for the band. The conversation also explores Hamish’s history with My Dying Bride and Solstice, the importance of vinyl and physical media, streaming culture, touring, and the enduring power of full-length albums in heavy music. Additional discussion includes underground metal recommendations, memorable live shows, introducing younger generations to metal, and how bands continue building audiences decades after release. Recommended for fans of doom metal, sludge metal, death doom, vinyl collecting, and underground heavy music culture. Featured topics: • Godthrymm – Projections • Doom metal songwriting • My Dying Bride history • Vinyl records & album artwork • Streaming and modern music consumption • Underground metal recommendations • Live performance philosophy Follow and subscribe for more in-depth heavy music interviews.

EP356 From Noise to Country: Steve Austin’s New Musical Journey

Tom sits down with Steve Austin of Today Is the Day to discuss his new outlaw country-inspired solo album “Marked Cards and Loaded Dice,” songwriting authenticity, life in rural Maine, and the emotional experiences that shaped the record. Steve reflects on growing up listening to classic country artists like George Jones and Willie Nelson before discovering heavier music through AC/DC’s “Back in Black.” The conversation explores how those early influences resurfaced in a deeply personal album blending traditional country instrumentation with cinematic songwriting and raw emotional honesty. The episode also dives into Steve’s songwriting process, the importance of human connection through music, and how difficult life experiences inspired some of the album’s most powerful moments. Steve discusses writing “The Rain Keeps Coming Down” during a period marked by family loss and the emotional aftermath of the COVID era. Additional topics include: * Outlaw country and classic country influences * Today Is the Day history and evolution * Songwriting during grief and hardship * Living off-grid in Maine * Heating costs and rural living realities * Filming at Acadia National Park * Upcoming tours with Napalm Death, Eyehategod, and Pentagram * Authenticity in underground music culture * Young fans discovering heavy music Steve also shares details about upcoming live performances, future videos, and his collaboration with filmmaker Zev Deans. If you enjoy outlaw country, underground metal, noise rock, sludge metal, and artist deep dives, subscribe for more long-form conversations with independent musicians and heavy music legends. #SteveAustin #TodayIsTheDay #OutlawCountry #HeavyMusicPodcast #CountryMusic #NoiseRock #UndergroundMusic