NOTHING: Confronting Decay And Chasing the Uncomfortable

NOTHING: Confronting Decay And Chasing the Uncomfortable

Author: HEAVY Magazine February 25, 2026 Duration: 18:47
Interview by Angela Croudace
In conversation with Dominic (Nicky) Palermo, the driving force behind Nothing, it’s clear that A Short History of Decay isn’t just another chapter for the long-running shoegaze outfit, it’s a reckoning. Described as their most emotionally direct release to date, the record finds Palermo shedding vagueness in favour of brutal self-examination.
“I just had to look at myself in the mirror a little bit more,” he admits. Time away from the relentless album-tour cycle forced reflection on family, identity and the distractions that once kept deeper truths at bay. The result is a body of work that feels less like therapy and more like confrontation.
Borrowing its title from Romanian philosopher Emil Cioran’s book of the same name, the album also draws inspiration from William H. Gass’s novel The Tunnel, literature steeped in guilt, introspection and uncomfortable honesty. Palermo also carried a stark line from ancient philosopher Anaxagoras with him throughout recording: “The descent to hell is the same from every place.” It became a kind of thesis statement, there's no holding back with this record.
Sonically, singles like Toothless Coal push into industrial territory, reflecting a band no longer trying to fit neatly into any box. After 15 years, Nothing still thrives in that tension; not heavy enough for some, not soft enough for others.
And for Australian fans? Palermo hints there’s a strong chance we’ll see Nothing return this year — perhaps even for a festival slot. If this turns out to be true, you heard it here first! Fingers crossed.


Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

Dive straight into the raw, unfiltered conversations happening behind the amplifiers and drum kits. HEAVY Music Interviews, straight from the team at HEAVY Magazine, pulls you backstage and into the green room for genuine talks with the most compelling voices in rock, punk, metal, and the wider heavy music landscape. This isn't about polished press releases; it's where artists open up about the craft of a crushing riff, the stories behind an iconic album, and the realities of life on the road. Each episode delivers a new perspective, whether it's a legendary frontman reflecting on decades of noise or a breakthrough band explaining their explosive sound. You'll hear the passion and personality that fuels the music, directly from the musicians creating it. For anyone who lives for the energy of a heavy track and wants to know the people behind it, this podcast serves as a regular, essential connection. Tune in for authentic discussions that go far beyond the surface, keeping you directly plugged into the heart of the scene.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 1000

HEAVY Music Interviews
Podcast Episodes
Unlocking The Secrets Of The KNOTFEST MUSEUM With CAELIN MEREDITH [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:27
Interview by Kris PetersOne of the lesser known wonders of the travelling Knotfest music extravaganza is the Knotfest Museum.An extension of the music program, the Knotfest Museum is more than a distraction tacked on as…
Bringing The Funk With JAY WEINBERG From INFECTIOUS GROOVES [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:16
Interview by Kris PetersOn the eve of their Australian tour, Infectious Grooves pulled one final punch when they announced former Slipknot drummer Jay Weinberg into a band that already includes Mike Muir, Dean Pleasants…
Fire And Brimstone With DAN From ANCIENT REMAINS [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:18
Interview by Kris PetersBrisbane metal outfit Ancient Remains understand the ethos of more is better, consistently churning out new material in an attempt to engage with as many people as possible.Their most recent effor…
Blast From The Past With ZAKK WYLDE From PANTERA [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:22
Interview by Kris PetersPhoto credit Jeffrey Graham PhotographyKnotfest Australia 2024 is less than a week away, and despite boasting bands of the calibre of Lamb Of God, Disturbed, Halestorm, Skindred and more, the band…
Averting A Crisis With MATT O'KEEFE From THE GREAT ESCAPE [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:48
Interview by Kris PetersLet's face it, coming up with something fresh and unique when it comes to music and the music world is almost impossible these days. With more music at our disposal than ever before meaning a mult…
Echoes Of The Future With MAT ROBINS From CICADASTONE [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:12
Interview by Kris PetersRising from the ashes of the grunge era, Melbourne rock outfit Cicadastone have spent just over ten years refining their sound amid a musical revolution that saw their style of music shunned from…
Bleeding For Your Art With LIL LOTUS [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:44
Interview by Kris PetersLA based alternative artist Lil Lotus recently unleashed his second album Nosebleeder via Epitaph Records, building on the promise shown on his debut effort ERRØR BØY.Nosebleeder sees Lotus collab…
Bringing The Thunder With JOE HOTTINGER From HALESTORM [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:20
Interview by Kris PetersHalestorm took the world by storm towards the end of 2022 with the release of their fifth studio album, Back From The Dead.A rock album in every sense of the word, Back From The Dead drew a fresh…
Arterial Spray With BILL STEER From CARCASS [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:15
Interview by Nev Pearce from the Everblack PodcastFor over three decades the name Carcass has been synonymous with death metal.The band - who are credited for inventing gore/grind and creating the template for melodic de…