And Now The Band

EP321 EP321 From Punk to Post-Rock: Nico of Aphea on Albums, Atmosphere & Artistic Evolution

In Episode 321 of And Now The Band, host Tom Robbins is joined by Nico (Nikolaos) of Aphea for a thoughtful conversation centered on post-rock, artistic evolution, and the importance of albums as complete narratives. Despite early audio technical difficulties, the conversation quickly settles into a deep discussion of Aphea’s origins and creative direction. Nico explains how Aphea emerged after the dissolution of his previous punk rock band during COVID, marking a shift away from extroverted, party-driven music toward introspective, atmospheric post-rock. Their debut album, “Ego and Archetype,” released in December 2024, reflects this transition—favoring mood, patience, and emotional weight over immediacy. Tom and Nico explore the value of album-focused storytelling, pushing back against playlist culture and single-driven consumption. Nico shares how moving from drummer to guitar-focused composer reshaped his creative mindset, and how Aphea’s writing process begins with rehearsal-space demos before being refined in his home studio. Both agree that albums with intention and flow create deeper listener connections than isolated tracks. The episode also examines artistic evolution, referencing bands like Metallica, Deftones, and Anathema as examples of artists who changed dramatically without losing their identity. Nico discusses early ideas for Aphea’s second album, which may feature fewer guitar layers, analog synthesizers, and influences drawn from 1970s and 1980s experimental electronic music. A broader discussion unfolds around post-rock authenticity, where Nico emphasizes that Aphea aims to create a personal and honest musical statement rather than replicate genre templates. Influences such as Mogwai, Explosions in the Sky, Mono, and Caspian are acknowledged, while maintaining that Aphea’s music is shaped by lived experience rather than imitation. Tom and Nico also reflect on the post-rock live experience, highlighting its lack of rigid audience expectations compared to metal and hardcore shows. They celebrate the genre’s openness—where interpretation, movement, and emotional response are entirely personal. The episode closes with a candid look at the state of underground music, including declining physical sales, aging concert demographics in Europe, and the importance of supporting artists through Bandcamp, vinyl purchases, and live attendance. Nico discusses Aphea’s self-released 180-gram vinyl, noting that fewer than 20 copies remain, and reiterates the band’s philosophy of prioritizing music quality over excessive merchandising. This episode is essential listening for fans of post-rock, album-driven artists, and musicians navigating creative reinvention. Key Takeaways * Post-rock allows for deeply personal, unstructured expression * Albums remain the strongest medium for storytelling and connection * Artistic evolution is necessary for longevity * Authenticity matters more than genre imitation * Underground scenes depend on direct listener support * Vinyl and Bandcamp remain vital tools for independent artists #Aphea #PostRock #AndNowTheBand #PostRockPodcast #UndergroundMusic #AlbumFocused #IndependentArtists #AtmosphericMusic

EP320 From School Project to Serious Contender: Unburier on Growth, EPs & the Future

In Episode 320 of And Now The Band, host Tom Robbins is joined by Ben and Stan of UK-based death metal band Unburier for an in-depth conversation about the band’s evolution, creative discipline, and long-term vision. Formed in 2018 and releasing their first music in 2022, Unburier’s momentum truly accelerated once the right lineup and shared mindset locked into place. Ben and Stan break down how lineup changes shaped the band’s identity, why collaboration over ego is central to their process, and how each member contributes to songwriting with the goal of serving the song—not individual technique. The discussion dives deep into Unburier’s collaborative writing workflow, from Ben and Blake’s initial instrumental foundations to full-band refinement, consensus-based decision making, and Stan’s unconventional bass-first-late approach. They also explore the balance between technical death metal precision and memorable songwriting, emphasizing hooks, live impact, and emotional weight over empty virtuosity. Ben and Stan discuss the creation of their latest EP “As Time Awaits,” the lessons learned from remote writing and production, and how EPs function as modern-day demo statements rather than final destinations. While the band initially planned a full-length album, they explain why EPs have allowed them to experiment, sharpen their sound, and build momentum ahead of a proper debut LP. The conversation also touches on live performance goals, standout shows with bands like Crypta, Evile, Psychoptic, and Mithras, upcoming UK dates including a London release show, and long-term ambitions of eventually touring the United States. Throughout the episode, Unburier makes one thing clear: patience, cohesion, and shared vision matter more than rushing releases. This episode is essential listening for fans of modern death metal, underground band development, and artists focused on longevity over hype.

EP319 Post Fest Gets Bigger: Matt McCray Announces Preface Pre-Show & Festival Vision

In Episode 319 of And Now The Band, host Tom Robbins is joined by Matt McCray of Idlestar Productions for the first official announcement of the Preface Pre-Show for Post Fest—a new event designed to expand the festival experience while staying rooted in the values that made Post Fest special from the start. Matt and Tom dive into the power of music as a unifying force, discussing how festivals like Post Fest create shared experiences that transcend generations, genres, and backgrounds. The conversation explores the origins of the Preface pre-show, why it matters, and how it adds depth and narrative to the broader Post Fest weekend. They also discuss the challenges of growth versus preservation, emphasizing the importance of maintaining authenticity, affordability, and community as festivals evolve. Matt highlights the intentional curation behind the lineup, focusing on emerging and underground bands, thematic storytelling, and the role local venues play in sustaining healthy music ecosystems. This episode underscores why supporting local artists, promoters, and venues is essential, and how festivals can remain inclusive while still growing in scale and ambition. At its core, the conversation centers on friendship, shared passion, and the anticipation that drives live music culture forward. Whether you’re a Post Fest regular, a festival organizer, or a fan of underground and post-heavy music, this episode offers valuable insight into how community-driven festivals are built—and protected. #PostFest #PrefacePreShow #IdlestarProductions #MattMcCray #MusicCommunity #UndergroundMusic #MusicFestival #AndNowTheBand #LiveMusicCulture

EP318 Exhumed’s Matt Harvey Breaks Down Red Asphalt, Touring & Modern Death Metal

In Episode 318 of And Now The Band, host Tom sits down with Matt Harvey, guitarist and vocalist of Exhumed, to discuss the band’s upcoming album Red Asphalt, out February 20th via Relapse Records.Matt dives deep into the concept behind Red Asphalt, a record built around road-related horror, mechanical violence, and the deadly realities of life on the highway. The album features ten tracks including “Unsafe at Any Speed,” “Red Asphalt,” “Shovelhead,” “Iron Graveyard,” “Crawling from the Wreckage,” “Signal 30,” and “Symphorophilia,” forming one of Exhumed’s most focused and cinematic releases to date.The conversation explores Matt’s creative philosophy, including the importance of chasing ideas even if they don’t always work, and how working across multiple projects helps keep his songwriting sharp and avoids burnout. Matt explains how the initial spark for Red Asphalt came during a long drive home from Australia, and why the album’s concept justified its place in Exhumed’s extensive discography.Tom and Matt also discuss the band’s upcoming tour, where Exhumed plans to play over half of the new album live, while still honoring fan-favorite tracks. Matt shares his thoughts on modern music production, expressing a preference for raw, authentic, unpolished recordings over overly processed or AI-generated music, and why live shows remain irreplaceable in extreme metal.This episode is essential listening for fans of death metal, grindcore, Relapse Records artists, and anyone interested in album concepts, touring realities, and creative longevity in heavy music.#MattHarvey#Exhumed#RedAsphalt#DeathMetal#ExtremeMetal#RelapseRecords#MetalPodcast#AndNowTheBand#Grindcore#heavymusic Matt Harvey Exhumed, Exhumed Red Asphalt, death metal podcast, Relapse Records interview, extreme metal album discussion, Exhumed interview, grindcore death metal, metal touring podcast, concept albums metal

EP317 Kyle Thomas (Exhorder) on Brutal Self Critique, Vocal Longevity & Metal’s Evolution

In Episode 317 of And Now The Band, host Tom sits down with Kyle Thomas, legendary vocalist of Exhorder, for a wide-ranging conversation on songwriting integrity, vocal longevity, and the evolution of heavy music culture. Kyle breaks down his songwriting philosophy, emphasizing brutal self-critique, honesty, and cutting anything that doesn’t genuinely excite him. He discusses how this mindset applies not only to music, but also to parenting, creativity, and personal growth—focusing on doing your best without unhealthy comparison. The conversation dives deep into Kyle’s musical background, including his early choral training and how it shaped his vocal control, endurance, and technique. Kyle also shares practical insights on vocal care, avoiding damage, maintaining health on the road, and sustaining a long career in extreme music. Tom and Kyle also discuss Exhorder’s upcoming tour, the excitement of returning to familiar cities while exploring new territories, and the importance of diverse mixed-genre bills featuring bands like Ringworm, Phobia, and others. Kyle reflects on his early acceptance within the punk and hardcore scenes, and how today’s metal audience is more open than ever to genre crossover. The episode closes with a thoughtful discussion on how metal culture has evolved, Kyle’s journey from strict metal purist to embracing a wider range of music, and why staying authentic ultimately attracts the right audience. If you’re interested in thrash metal history, vocal technique, touring life, songwriting discipline, or the legacy of Exhorder, this episode delivers insight straight from one of heavy music’s most respected voices. #KyleThomas #Exhorder #ThrashMetal #HeavyMetalPodcast #MetalPodcast #ExtremeMetal #VocalTechnique #Songwriting #MetalHistory #HardcorePunk #AndNowTheBand