And Now The Band

Jeff Wilson of Deeper Graves and Chrome Waves joins Tom for a deep dive into writing albums with intention, balancing multiple bands, and surviving today’s underground music economy.
Jeff breaks down the creative split between projects — the late 80s/early 90s doom influence behind Deeper Graves versus the guitar-and-synth driven textures of Chrome Waves — and why he curates full albums as complete journeys, not playlists of singles.
They talk about:
• crafting cohesive records and track flow
• repurposing old material into new releases
• why shorter releases and singles reduce burnout
• the financial risk of pressing vinyl in today’s market
• touring challenges post-pandemic
• booking struggles for underground bands
• upcoming releases and festival appearances
Jeff also shares stories from two decades on the road, seeing legends like Sonic Youth and The Cure, plus his upcoming performance at Post.Festival.
If you’re into doom metal, post-black, post-punk, shoegaze, or album-focused heavy music, this episode is a masterclass in staying creative without chasing trends.
🎧 Listen now for an honest look at modern independent music life — writing smarter, touring selectively, and building sustainable projects.

#DeeperGraves
#ChromeWaves
#DoomMetal
#PostBlackMetal
#PostPunk
#Shoegaze
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#PostFest
#AndNowTheBand

Christian from Necrofier joins Tom to break down the band’s ambitious new album Transcend Into Oblivion — their first record designed as a three-act, cohesive listening experience rather than a singles-driven release.

They dive deep into album structure, artistic authenticity in the streaming era, and why Necrofier prioritizes full-album storytelling over chasing algorithms.

Christian explains how the band writes in the studio first and then reimagines songs for the stage, creating unpredictable, high-energy live performances that feel different every night. He also talks about performing as a transformed persona on stage, selective tour planning, upcoming U.S. and European dates, and sharing bills with legends like Acid Bath.

If you care about:
• album-oriented black metal
• authentic underground music culture
• live performance energy vs studio perfection
• smart tour strategy for heavy bands
• how modern streaming changed metal

This episode pulls back the curtain on how a serious extreme metal band actually builds records and careers in 2026.
Listen now and discover why Necrofier is focused on craft, cohesion, and connection — not singles and shortcuts.
#Necrofier
#BlackMetal
#ExtremeMetal
#MetalPodcast
#UndergroundMetal
#AcidBath
#AlbumReview
#HeavyMusic
#MetalInterview
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Tom is joined by Vince from Warside to dive deep into the band’s highly anticipated full-length album Cognitive Extinction, set for release on April 17, 2026 via Gruesome Records.
In this episode, Vince breaks down the band’s intense new direction — a rawer, more direct death metal sound driven by an evolved lineup and shaped by themes of mental breakdown, technological overload, and cultural decline. The first single “Synthetic Abyss” offers a glimpse into the album’s brutal yet thoughtful approach.
They also discuss the band’s evolution since forming in 2018, the challenges of building a global team, and how touring with underground metal titans like Vader and Vomitory sharpened their performance and songwriting. Along the way, they share insights about balancing life, music, and the thrill of going international — including an upcoming tour in Japan.
Whether you’re into heavy riffs, death metal storytelling, or the behind-the-scenes grind of international touring, this episode delivers a compelling look at one of France’s most relentless modern metal acts.

#Warside
#CognitiveExtinction
#DeathMetal
#GruesomeRecords
#MetalPodcast
#FrenchMetal
#MetalInterview
#UndergroundMetal
#HeavyMusic

Morgan Riley of Blackwater Drowning joins Tom on And Now The Band to break down the band’s upcoming album Obscure Sorrows, out February 27 via Blood Blast Distribution and Bleeding Art Collective.
Morgan dives into the band’s new collaborative songwriting approach, adding orchestration and atmosphere to create their most expansive and emotionally heavy record yet. They also talk about balancing metal life with a full-time IT career, preparing vocals for tour, and the realities of being a working musician in today’s scene.
The conversation covers:
• The making of Obscure Sorrows
• Upcoming U.S. tour dates with Butcher Babies, Filth, and Infected Rain
• How bands lose money by missing royalties
• Vocal warmups and performance prep
• Growing up around theater and discovering heavy music through The Matrix Reloaded
• Favorite tour memories with Jinjer and Crypta
• Why full albums still matter in the streaming era
If you’re into modern metal, underground touring bands, and honest conversations about how musicians actually make it work, this episode is for you.
Subscribe for weekly interviews with heavy music artists from around the world.
#BlackwaterDrowning
#MorganRiley
#ObscureSorrows
#ButcherBabies
#MetalPodcast
#HeavyMetal
#WomenInMetal
#TourLife
#UndergroundMetal
#NewMetal
#BandInterview
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Tom sits down with Johnny Zilch of Stacked Deck and Useless by Design for one of the most personal and resilient conversations yet — covering lifelong musicianship, health battles, and why creating music never stops.Johnny opens up about living with multiple sclerosis, how it’s impacted everyday things like night driving, and the physical challenges he’s faced over the years. After surviving cancer, a stroke, and MS, he’s had to retrain his hands multiple times just to keep playing guitar — but quitting was never an option.Music, for Johnny, isn’t a hobby. It’s survival.The two trace Johnny’s journey from rebellious teenage guitarist to his early days with SmashBandits, through today’s projects Stacked Deck, Useless by Design, and other rotating collaborations. Whether it’s rehearsals, writing sessions, or local shows, he stays busy purely for the love of playing and connecting with people — not chasing trends or algorithms.They also get into the realities of modern DIY music:QR-code releases, digital distribution through Ditto, streaming platforms, and building audiences independently. The conversation turns reflective as they discuss aging, generational differences, and how constant social media has changed how younger scenes connect compared to the old days of flyers, word-of-mouth, and local shows.There’s also a deeply human moment as both share stories about losing beloved pets and navigating serious family health scares — reminders that life outside the stage hits just as hard.Through everything, Johnny’s mindset stays simple:Keep writing. Keep playing. Keep showing up.Because music is what keeps him going.Living and performing with multiple sclerosisSurvived cancer and stroke; retrained his hands to keep playingProjects include Stacked Deck and Useless by DesignDIY releases using QR codes and digital distributionTech background helps manage music independentlyFocused on local Michigan shows and scene collaborationAdvocates for band partnerships and show-swapping to grow crowdsHonest discussion on aging, family, pets, and life perspectiveMusic as therapy, expression, and purpose#JohnnyZilch#StackedDeck#UselessByDesign#DIYMusic#MichiganMusic#HeavyMusic#AndNowTheBand#IndependentArtists#MusicLife