And Now The Band

Pains was out on tour with UK based Conjurer, Sadness and Snooze. While on tour, they made a stop in Louisville, Ky at Portal, this is where I caught them. This was my introduction to them.

It was a killer set and a killer night of music.Alex was kind enough to take a few minutes and chat with me in between bands (and part of one of the bands sets, which we ended quickly to get in and watch).

Pains in an Illinois based band that crushes the live setting.

Watch the chat.

Catch the band(s) live.

Pains has another tour coming up, though I won't say anything about it yet

Tom welcomes Joseph E. Martinez of Junius for an in-depth conversation about the band's upcoming album Sotera, their appearance at Post. Festival, the challenges of songwriting, and maintaining artistic integrity in today's music industry.
Joseph discusses how Sotera became the heaviest album in Junius' catalog, explaining how a clearly defined concept shaped the music and pushed the band into darker and heavier territory. He shares insights into his songwriting process, vocal development, and the constant revisions that occur before recording.
The discussion explores Junius' deliberate approach to album creation, the importance of creative boundaries, and why some songs—no matter how much he loves them—must be left behind if they don't fit the larger vision. Joseph also explains why the band often takes longer between releases and how they balance artistic quality with the realities of modern music production.
Additional topics include:
Performing at Post. Festival
Playing nearly the entire Sotera album live
The resurgence of shoegaze and alternative music
Touring Europe and growing an international audience
Recording at Henson Recording Studios
Memorable encounters with Chris Cornell
Touring with Enslaved
The financial realities of modern musicians
Artistic integrity versus commercial pressures
Deftones, Mastodon, Spotlights, and influential modern bands
Joseph also reflects on some of the most meaningful moments of his career and offers a candid perspective on creativity, success, and what it means to build a sustainable artistic life in today's music landscape.

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.

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.

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.