And Now The Band

Tom sits down with Malevolence of Illusion of Fate to talk about the band’s upcoming EP “Exsanguination,” scheduled for release January 8, 2027, the evolution of their sound, and his continuing development as a drummer.
“Exsanguination” takes Illusion of Fate into heavier and more intense territory, with Malevolence explaining how the band has continued pushing their songwriting while already nearing completion of their next full-length album. He discusses his favorite tracks on the EP, including “Umbra,” while pointing to the closing track “Solus” as potentially the heaviest and strongest song on the release.
The conversation also explores Malevolence’s musical journey from classic rock and punk into death metal, including the discovery of bands such as The Black Dahlia Murder and how those influences changed the direction of his playing.
Malevolence talks about joining Illusion of Fate around 2021 after meeting Hayden through his previous project Dusk Eternal, and how the band has evolved since then. The addition of guitarist Isaac brought new harmonies and melodic elements to the band's sound, while the shared musical tastes of the members have helped Illusion of Fate develop a more cohesive direction.
Tom and Malevolence also discuss the band's approach to releasing music. Some of the songs on “Exsanguination” didn't fit the concept of the upcoming full-length album, allowing the band to experiment with different ideas on the EP. They compare that approach with Extinction A.D.'s strategy of releasing singles approximately every six weeks while discussing why full-length concept albums remain important to Illusion of Fate.
The discussion turns to physical media, including the possibility of releasing the EP on a 7-inch vinyl, matching artwork and color schemes, and potential future tape and vinyl opportunities.
Malevolence also discusses his recent addition to Narcotic Wasteland, including the audition process, the amount of practice required to earn his place in the band, and the challenge of playing alongside highly accomplished musicians. He explains how touring and consistent practice have helped him improve while continuing to push himself with increasingly complex drum parts.
The interview also gets into the physical demands of drumming, repetitive-motion injuries, adjusting technique and drum setups for different styles of music, and the importance of continuing to develop as a musician.
Malevolence also recommends several bands for Tom to check out, including Summoner's Circle, Narcotic Wasteland, and Carrion.
Topics Covered: Illusion of Fate • Exsanguination • Malevolence • Death Metal • Extreme Metal • Drumming • Narcotic Wasteland • The Black Dahlia Murder • Dusk Eternal • Umbra • Solus • 7-Inch Vinyl • Physical Media • Independent Metal • Songwriting • Touring • Metal Drumming
And Now The Band — EP399
Featuring: Malevolence — Illusion of Fate
EP: Exsanguination
Release Date: January 8, 2027
Genres: Death Metal / Extreme Metal / Heavy Music
#IllusionOfFate #Malevolence #Exsanguination #AndNowTheBand #DeathMetal #ExtremeMetal #MetalDrummer #NarcoticWasteland #BlackDahliaMurder #DuskEternal #HeavyMusic #UndergroundMetal #IndependentMetal #MetalPodcast #MusicPodcast #Drumming #DeathMetalDrums #VinylRecords #7InchVinyl #PhysicalMedia

Tom sits down with Molly “The Supreme” of Omenbringer to talk about the band's recent tour, their ambitious second album, DIY metal, classic heavy-metal influences, and their goal of building something much bigger than a traditional underground band.
Formed in 2022, Omenbringer features The Supreme on vocals, Corey Klein on lead guitar, Spooky on guitar, Cody Hatt on drums, and Caitlin Jourdeau on bass. The band is currently raising money through a Kickstarter campaign for their second album, with a goal of $25,000 or more to cover recording, mixing, artwork and touring.
Molly explains why Omenbringer has chosen a DIY approach rather than signing with a major label. By working directly with their fans—the Coven—the band can maintain ownership of the music while giving supporters an opportunity to become part of the album's creation.
The new record has been roughly two years in the making and is designed as an immersive concept album about laying siege to an evil witch's castle. Omenbringer is going for a massive, epic sound inspired by classic heavy metal, particularly Black Sabbath, while incorporating unusual production elements and hidden details throughout the record.
Molly describes the band's obsession with creating unique sounds, including using chains as percussion, voiceover work to create sounds like a dragon, and carefully placing sounds throughout the album so listeners can discover something new with every listen.
The band also discusses their decision to re-record the drum tracks in pursuit of the classic heavy-metal sound they hear in their heads. The album is intentionally constructed as something to experience repeatedly, with references to classical literature, art and music hidden throughout the songs and artwork.
Tom and Molly also discuss Omenbringer's recent tour, including shows in Nashville, Memphis and Louisville, with the band especially appreciating their appearance at Metal Monday. They compare the band's first and second tours and explain why finding musicians who are a strong musical match can make a huge difference on the road.
Molly talks openly about making a major personal change as well—leaving a 14-year corporate career to focus on Omenbringer, the new album and the band's future. The transition came alongside a divorce and a period of major personal change, all of which fed into the band's music, including the song “Snakes.”
The conversation also explores “Thick Darkness,” including how some songs were written in the middle of the night and how the band developed the title track into an exactly 8-minute, 40-second piece. Molly describes Omenbringer's creative structure as more hierarchical than democratic, with The Supreme acting as the creative captain while trusting the other musicians to execute the larger vision.
And the vision is enormous.
Molly wants Omenbringer to become a legacy band—Sabbath meets KISS—with dreams of playing major venues such as the Sphere in Las Vegas and eventually creating their own large-scale events.
The episode also gets into Omenbringer's mission to make metal shows more welcoming and representative, with an emphasis on bringing women, queer people and people of color into spaces that have historically been less inclusive.
From touring and DIY recording to classic metal, concept albums, hidden references, personal transformation and the future of live music, EP398 is a conversation about what happens when an artist decides to stop waiting for permission and build the band they've always wanted.

And Now The Band — EP398
Featuring: Molly “The Supreme” of Omenbringer
Album: Thick Darkness
Genre: Heavy Metal / Classic Metal / Underground Metal
#Omenbringer #ThickDarkness #MollyTheSupreme #AndNowTheBand #HeavyMetal #ClassicMetal #BlackSabbath #DIYMetal #MetalKickstarter #UndergroundMetal #NashvilleMetal #LouisvilleMetal #MetalMonday #LouisvilleMusic #IndependentMusic #ConceptAlbum #HeavyMusic #MetalPodcast #MusicPodcast #WomenInMetal #LiveMusic

Tom sits down with Zachary Kerr of Anagnorisis to discuss the deeply personal story behind the band's new record, Caregriever, and how years of caregiving, loss, grief and emotional processing shaped the music.
Kerr opens up about caring for his father-in-law through Parkinson's and dementia, describing the emotional strain, closeness and complicated grief that comes with long-term caregiving. For Zachary, writing Caregriever became a way to process thoughts and feelings that were difficult to say out loud while also giving his wife's experience a voice.
The conversation explores how music can become a form of emotional processing, particularly when the subject matter comes directly from lived experience. Anagnorisis has always drawn from pain, depression and anger, but Kerr explains how the band's hiatus ultimately created the space needed for this new record to exist.
Caregriever also represents an evolution in the band's sound. Kerr discusses expanding beyond Anagnorisis' established approach with new textures, arrangements and synth-wave elements, while allowing the songs to develop instinctively rather than beginning with a predetermined plan.
The songwriting process started almost from scratch after a friend encouraged Kerr to begin writing again. Early guitar ideas eventually developed into songs with contributions from Zach, Josh and Cody, transforming the original demos into the finished Anagnorisis material.
Kerr also discusses the emotional weight of “Choke”, a song connected to a traumatic personal experience, and the challenge of eventually performing autobiographical material live. The band is returning to the stage with a renewed sense of purpose, including their first West Coast appearance, while navigating the realities of touring and adult responsibilities.
Tom and Zachary also revisit Peripeteia, an earlier Anagnorisis album with its own personal origins, and discuss the importance of writing from genuine experience rather than simply trying to create the darkness or aggression expected from a particular genre.
The conversation eventually turns toward Louisville's metal and hardcore community, including Kerr's feelings about being less present in the local scene during years devoted to caregiving. They discuss the strength of the current underground, younger musicians bringing new energy to the scene, and why audiences should show up early and support the bands opening the show.
Kerr also talks about the process of finally releasing Care Griever, the band's label and imprint arrangements, and plans for vinyl, CD and cassette editions. The physical release, mastering and vinyl pressing are all part of a larger effort to give the record the presentation it deserves.
Ultimately, EP397 is a conversation about grief, caregiving, family, authenticity, music and finding a way back to the stage. Caregriever isn't simply an album about difficult experiences—it is the result of living through them and finding a creative way to process what remains.
Topics Covered:
Anagnorisis • Zachary Kerr • Caregriever • Peripeteia • Caregiving • Grief • Parkinson's • Dementia • Emotional Processing • Songwriting • Experimental Metal • Synth-Wave • Louisville Metal • Louisville Hardcore • Underground Music • Live Music • Touring • Vinyl • CD • Cassette • Independent Music
And Now The Band — EP397
Featuring: Zachary Kerr of Anagnorisis
Album: Caregriever
Genre: Extreme / Experimental Metal
#Anagnorisis #CareGriever #ZacharyKerr #AndNowTheBand #ExtremeMetal #ExperimentalMetal #BlackMetal #HeavyMusic #UndergroundMetal #LouisvilleMetal #LouisvilleHardcore #LouisvilleMusic #Caregiving #Grief #Songwriting #MetalPodcast #MusicPodcast #VinylRecords #IndependentMusic #Peripeteia #LiveMusic

Tom sits down with Barley of Rebreather to talk about the band's new album, the long process of developing the songs, the emotional side of songwriting, and the nearly three-decade journey of one of Youngstown, Ohio's underground heavy bands.
Rebreather's new album took roughly a year to complete. The band initially recorded six songs at Mind Rocket Studio with Josh Roman, stepped away to work on other material, and eventually returned to finish the remaining four songs while reconstructing and refining some of the original recordings.
A major part of the conversation focuses on how playing songs live before recording them helped Rebreather develop the material. Barley explains how arrangements changed over time and how the band carefully constructed the album's sequencing and flow—including incorporating elements of their live performances, such as the feedback that opens the record.
Tom talks about how much he enjoys the album and why the finished record feels like a complete journey rather than simply a collection of songs.
The new Rebreather album is scheduled for release October 30, with a limited vinyl edition available at Emissions Festival.
Barley also discusses some of the album's more personal material. “Anxious Attachments” explores fears of separation that reach back to childhood while also reflecting Barley's present-day concerns about aging parents and their health. The conversation turns toward the therapeutic side of music and how being in a band with close friends creates a supportive environment where musicians can process stress, emotion and difficult experiences.
Tom and Barley also go back through Rebreather's history, including the band's formation in 1998 with Jake, Jeremy and Chad. After periods of inactivity caused by members moving and the realities of adult life, Rebreather eventually returned with Steve Wishnewski on bass and Gardner on drums.
The band recently played Ripple Fest Texas, with Barley describing the experience—including performing in brutal 98-degree heat—as incredibly rewarding. They also discuss sharing the bill with Lake Lake, seeing Mike Callahan of Disengage join Hermano onstage with John Garcia, and the importance of festivals that bring different parts of the heavy music community together.
For the new album, Aqualamb Records brought in Andrew Schneider to mix, giving Rebreather a new experience in the studio and another perspective on their sound.
The conversation also looks ahead. Rebreather is planning a spring tour, along with local appearances during the winter, with hopes of eventually putting together week-long tours in the spring and fall. Tom and Barley also talk about the possibility of future shows in Louisville, reflecting on past performances including a sold-out show with Weedeater at Metal Monday.
The episode closes with a discussion of the Youngstown and Akron underground scenes and recommendations for bands including Fear of D., Daggers, Papers, Lake Lake, Radian, Fistula and Monsters.
Topics Covered:
Rebreather • Barley • New Rebreather Album • Youngstown Ohio Music • Heavy Music • Ripple Fest Texas • Emissions Festival • Andrew Schneider • Aqualam Records • Mind Rocket Studio • Josh Roman • Songwriting • Album Production • Vinyl Records • Underground Music • Doom • Sludge • Heavy Rock • Touring • Metal Monday • Louisville Music
And Now The Band — EP396
Featuring: Barley of Rebreather
Album: New Rebreather Album — October 30 Release
Label: Aqualam Records
Genre: Heavy / Underground Rock / Sludge
#Rebreather #Barley #AndNowTheBand #HeavyMusic #Sludge #Doom #DoomMetal #HeavyRock #UndergroundMusic #YoungstownMusic #RippleFest #EmissionsFestival #AqualamRecords #AndrewSchneider #VinylRecords #IndependentMusic #MetalMonday #LouisvilleMusic #MusicPodcast #MetalPodcast

Greg discusses his latest musical projects and the evolution of Voidward, including his desire to create extreme metal built around wall-to-wall double-kick drumming, blast beats and unapologetically fast playing. For Greg, the music represents reaching a point where he can simply play the way he wants without feeling restricted by conventional expectations.
The conversation also explores Nobility and Death, Greg's ongoing series of extreme-metal releases. He describes the latest material as an “Extreme Metal Fantasia,” combining elements of black metal, death metal, progressive experimentation, clean vocals and increasingly unconventional arrangements. Tom and Greg even get into the free-jazz-like ideas appearing toward the end of some of the material and how Greg uses repeating riffs as frameworks for the musicians to improvise around.
Greg also talks about his interest in reimagining jazz standards through a grindy extreme-metal approach, potentially taking material such as “Autumn Leaves” into completely different musical territory.
The discussion moves through the underground music community, including Doomsday Prophet, Legalize Lex, Holler at Doom and Hufferfest, along with the challenges of coordinating recording projects around touring and band members' schedules. With drummer Noah currently in Perth, Australia until December, Voidward's next recording plans may not happen until January.
Tom and Greg also discuss the unique atmosphere of Holler at Doom, a camping and music event in the woods, as well as the unpredictable moments that can happen when musicians take the stage.
Another major topic is how bands should release music in the modern era. Greg reveals that the band has approximately a double album's worth of material, including the possibility of a four-song cycle. Tom and Greg discuss the growing popularity of singles and shorter release cycles while comparing today's music landscape with the era of classic full-length albums.
Technology has also changed the way musicians create and distribute music. The conversation explores how modern recording technology has removed many traditional gatekeepers and allowed artists to choose between singles, EPs, full-length albums and other formats based on what works for their music.
Tom and Greg dive deep into vinyl and physical media, including the ritual of listening to records and the different ways people connect with music. Tom discusses his own record collection of roughly 1,200 albums, while Greg explains why he has intentionally tried not to let collecting get out of control. Their conversation touches on artists and recordings including Sun Ra, Chopin and Pig Destroyer.
The episode also gets into the business side of being an independent heavy band. Tom and Greg brainstorm unconventional merchandise ideas and discuss how creative merch can become another part of a band's identity. For Voidward, they talk about merchandise that fits the band's progressive psychedelic stoner-metal aesthetic and the potential for custom dugouts through Tokmage.
Ultimately, EP395 is about the freedom to experiment—whether that means extreme metal, jazz interpreted through grind, extended improvisation, unusual release strategies, vinyl collecting or creative merchandise.
Topics Covered:
Voidward • Greg Sheriff • Extreme Metal • Death Metal • Black Metal • Progressive Metal • Double Kick • Blast Beats • Improvisation • Nobility and Death • Jazz Meets Grind • Underground Metal • Holler at Doom • Hufferfest • Legalize Lex • Vinyl Records • Physical Media • Independent Music • Band Merchandise • Psychedelic Stoner Metal • Music Technology
And Now The Band — EP395
Featuring: Greg Sheriff / Voidward
Genres: Extreme Metal / Progressive Metal / Psychedelic Stoner Metal / Experimental Music
#UndergroundMetal #HollerAtDoom #Hufferfest #LegalizeLex #VinylRecords #PhysicalMedia #IndependentMusic #HeavyMusic #MetalPodcast #MusicPodcast