The Acacia Strain guitarist Devin Shidaker is our guest this week. We discuss releasing two albums in one year and the choice to surprise-release It Comes In Waves, why they need to take chances to keep their sound fresh instead of repeating past formats that worked, how streams are more important to the band than actual album sales, and the honor system with fans who buy physical copies. We also talk about current events exhaustion, the backlash against peers in hardcore and metal when they say something ignorant on social media, the current unfriend me atmosphere of people with different opinions, how his girlfriend testing positive for Covid-19 changed his view of current news programming, all the recent headlines involving System of a Down drummer John Dolmayan, and how difficult it will be to change the culture of police in America. Petar, Brandon, and Jozalyn discuss the recent episode of The MetalSucks Quarantinecast with Iced Earth's Jon Schaffer, the need for people to be "right" without facts, how speculation can become facts to people these days, and why everyone needs to see White Men Can’t Jump. Songs: The Acacia Strain - "Solace and Serenity," "Seeing God (Featuring Aaron Heard from Jesus Piece)," Imperial Triumphant - “Rotted Futures” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices