In this episode of the Books of Some Substance podcast, Nick is joined by Dylan Desmond of the Seattle doom metal band Bell Witch for an in-depth discussion of Leo Tolstoy’s The Death of Ivan Ilyich. Listen in as we discuss what exactly Desmond connects with in Tolstoy’s writing, how this short novel was remarkably ahead of its time in documenting the emptiness of a materialist life, and how unique of a conundrum death is to us all.

Grab some Tolstoy and/or some Bell Witch (Stygian Bough Volume I, their new collaboration record with Aerial Ruin is out now on Profound Lore Records) and get ready for the comfortable pain of the slow burn.

What’s that you say? Didn’t read Steinbeck in high school? Well then welcome to the safe space of Cannery Row, where one is not judged by achievements or accolades, but by the innate goodness found deep within.

Ahhhh, just kidding, this one’s more about having a rollickin’ good time gettin’ into fights with fishermen, getting thrown into (and buying your way out of) jail, and sharing a snort here and there of the best kind of liquor known to man: free.

Join Nick, Nathan, and David as they discuss the joys of this classic romp — as well as its overwhelming sadness and loneliness — and try to figure out just where or when in American history this might have occurred. At the very least, you’ll leave with some of the warmth to be found in the things that make us human and/or some weird ass gastronomical ideas.