And Now The Band

Tom sits down with AJ of Sarcoma to discuss the band's new album, the evolution of their sound, the Ecuadorian metal scene, and why staying true to their cultural identity is just as important as creating heavy music.
Tom and AJ discuss some of the band's influences, including Sepultura, Cannibal Corpse and Gojira, and explains how Sepultura helped demonstrate the importance of incorporating local culture and identity into heavy music. He also talks about the influence of Igor Cavalera on his own powerful, straightforward approach to drumming.
Sarcoma's new material represents a shift from the band's earlier death metal approach, moving beyond the traditional influences of bands like Suffocation and Cannibal Corpse. AJ explains how the band focused on serving the songs rather than showing off technical ability, incorporating different textures, including gothic and math-oriented elements, while maintaining the intensity and adrenaline that drive their music.
The songwriting process was deliberate. The band cut filler, carefully selected riffs, and focused on creating an album that stays engaging from beginning to end. AJ explains why the newer material is more enjoyable to play while still delivering the heaviness listeners expect.
One of the most interesting parts of the conversation is Sarcoma's decision to write and perform in Spanish rather than English. AJ explains why using their native language felt more authentic and helped establish an identity that wasn't simply built around copying their influences. The discussion also touches on Brazilian bands like KCO and Worst and how artists can make their own cultural backgrounds part of their musical identity.
Tom and AJ also dig into the changing metal scene in Ecuador, the challenges facing local venues, and the younger generation of bands bringing fresh ideas and different sounds into the scene.
Looking beyond Ecuador, Sarcoma wants to expand its reach through touring in the United States and Mexico. AJ discusses the band's recording process, working in their home studio, and the possibilities of building connections that could help bring the band to new audiences.
This episode gets into death metal, cultural identity, musical originality, songwriting without ego, and the importance of creating something that genuinely represents where you come from.
Topics Covered: Sarcoma • AJ • Ecuadorian Metal • Death Metal • Spanish-Language Metal • Sepultura • Igor Cavalera • Cannibal Corpse • Gojira • Suffocation • Songwriting • Musical Evolution • Ecuador Metal Scene • Latin American Metal • Touring • United States • Mexico • Independent Metal
And Now The Band — EP401
Featuring: AJ — Sarcoma
Genres: Death Metal / Extreme Metal / Experimental Influences
#Sarcoma #AJ #AndNowTheBand #EcuadorianMetal #EcuadorMetal #DeathMetal #ExtremeMetal #LatinAmericanMetal #SpanishMetal #Sepultura #IgorCavalera #CannibalCorpse #Gojira #Suffocation #UndergroundMetal #HeavyMusic #MetalInterview #MetalPodcast #IndependentMetal #MetalDrumming

Tom sits down with Chaney Crabb of Entheos to discuss the band's latest album, “Empty on the Inside,” the freedom to evolve beyond technical expectations, and the creative process behind one of the most personally meaningful records of their career.
With “Empty on the Inside,” Entheos takes a different approach from some of their previous material, putting emotion, atmosphere and artistic expression ahead of expectations tied to technical metal. Chaney talks about the initial nerves surrounding such a potentially polarizing release, the response from longtime listeners, and the personal connections people have made with the music.
The conversation explores why Entheos never wanted to be confined to one particular genre and the importance of allowing a band to grow naturally. Chaney discusses artists like Fleetwood Mac and Deftones as examples of musicians who have continued evolving rather than recreating the same record throughout their careers.
Chaney also talks about the chemistry within the current Entheos lineup, including the addition of Michael and Scott. She explains how the new members became part of the band's creative family while respecting the foundation she and Naveen had already established. That sense of connection extends beyond the stage, creating a collaborative environment both on tour and at home in Nashville.
One of the biggest parts of the discussion centers on the album's production and Chaney's relationship with producer Mark Lewis. After spending approximately a year and a half working together, Mark became much more than an outside producer. Chaney describes how his perspective, experience and friendship helped the band bring out the emotional and visceral qualities of the material, particularly in her vocal performances.
Chaney also shares her personal connection to the finished album, discussing the emotional impact of songs like “The Earth Will Move” and the rare feeling of being able to listen to a finished record as a fan rather than immediately thinking about what could be improved.
Looking ahead, Entheos has plenty on the calendar, including a January direct-support tour with Tesseract and a major European tour planned for the end of next year.
This is a conversation about artistic freedom, musical evolution, collaboration, creative trust and the importance of making music that means something beyond technical ability.
Topics Covered: Entheos • Chaney Crabb • Empty on the Inside • Artistic Evolution • Technical Metal • Progressive Metal • Mark Lewis • The Earth Will Move • Songwriting • Album Production • Nashville Music Scene • Tesseract • European Touring • Heavy Music
And Now The Band — EP400
Featuring: Chaney Crabb — Entheos
Album: Empty on the Inside Label: Metal Blade
Genres: Progressive Metal / Technical Metal / Extreme Metal
#Entheos #ChaneyCrabb #EmptyOnTheInside #AndNowTheBand #ProgressiveMetal #TechnicalMetal #ExtremeMetal #MarkLewis #TheEarthWillMove #Tesseract #MetalInterview #MetalPodcast #HeavyMusic #WomenInMetal #MetalVocals #Songwriting #AlbumProduction #UndergroundMetal

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