Doomed Confessionary: Nick Kossor (Gozer)

Photo credit: Jim Wertman

Gozer deals in gritty, modern desert and stoner rock/metal with a penchant for bulldozer riffs and hooks you can hang a ten gallon hat on. Hailing from Albany, New York, the quartet self-released their debut album »The Far Realm« in 2023 to widespread acclaim and landed the #29 spot on the vaunted Doom Charts. Formed in 2019, Gozer consists of Jackson Tollerton (lead vocals), Nick Kossor (guitar), Sean Murphy (bass, vocals), and Nick Masucci (drums).

Taking cues from genre lynchpins Hermano, Dozer, Queens Of The Stone Age, and the like, Gozer deliver their own extra-crunchy spin on the classic stoner and desert sound. The riffs are mountainous, the bass is quaking, the drums are airtight, and the vocals soar and growl as the band weaves stories of destruction, fury, and death amid undeniable grooves.

A thread of criminally catchy rhythms runs throughout their music, easily tying the knot between roaring brutality one minute and anthemic, fist-pumping melody the next. Gozer are in full command of their craft, and are just getting started.

Can you please say a few words about your band?
We’re Gozer! A 4-piece stoner metal band from Albany, New York. Our sound is a mixture of classic stoner rock (The Sword, Kyuss) and contemporary metalcore (Erra, Beartooth). We are heavily influenced by fantasy, sci-fi, Dungeons & Dragons, and all things medieval/wizard like. Each band member puts their on flavor in the music, and we hope that listeners can appreciate a sound that is familiar for the genre without being repetitive or predictable. Our values are:
1) keep making music
2) keep connecting with our scene, genre, and community
3) stay humble, hungry, and appreciative.

What was the biggest challenge for the band?
Deciding if light beer or dark beer is better. Jokes aside, we face the same challenges as every other band at our level: scheduling, budget, trying to break through and level up while balancing a 9-5 job and family life. Truth be told, this process is fun and it is a privilege. We’re grateful for any opportunity to share our art, music, and vision with anyone willing to listen.

What can you be most proud of so far?
We’re most proud of our journey and timeline. This project started ~ 2016 and wasn’t even a full band yet. Gozer was Nick Kossor (guitar) and Sean Murphy (bass) writing and contributing original tunes for various podcasts and films (Follow The Dead and Botched: A D&D Podcast). Our first gig out was ~2020 right before Covid-19 hit. Wherever our timeline ends, we will all be able to look back on the body of work and be proud of it. Plenty of cool moments like opening for Queensryche, starting our own music festival (Joint Jam), releasing an album under a label (upcoming), meeting tons of cool people in the different places we play. It really is all a privilege and we will never take it for granted.

What was your biggest regret?
Not betting on PSV Eindhoven in their 2025 Champions League match against Real Madrid. Honestly, we have no regrets. Sure it sounds kind of lame, but every mistake, every sub-optimal performance, every poor decision is an opportunity for learning/growth.

Photo credit: @xsweetsnapsphotographyx

What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
Our most memorable concert as of now was getting to open for Queensrÿche at Alive At Five in Albany, New York. Looking out from on stage to thousands or rock/metal fans is forever imprinted in our memories. We’re working hard to recreate similar moments at other concerts! The best parts weren’t just from our performance. The weeks leading up to the performance were memorable as well. We had every moment, every note, every movement so well rehearsed that it was part of the band’s collective DNA. Being able to collaborate as a band and as musicians united on a common goal was a really cool experience…it was also very contagious and motivating.

What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
The biggest surprise is always how much good music there is out there. The heavy underground scene is thriving and new cool bands continue to pop up.

What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Elder, Green Lung, Greenleaf, The Well, Howling Giant, Faerie Ring, Insomniac, High Desert Queen, Mama Doom…we could go on for days but that’s what we’re currently listening to.

What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
Never. Stop.

What are your guilty pleasures?
Nick Kossor: Judo and video games. Nick competed at 4 World Championships in judo. Game titles: Elden Ring, Resident Evil, and Fortnite.

Sean Murphy: BJJ, running.

Nick Masucci: Dungeons and Dragons.

Jackson Tollerton : Dungeons and Dragons.

Can you say something more about the current music scene in Upstate New York?
The 518 music scene is going through a renaissance. There are 3 local music awards to be obtained, multiple venues, and a wide variety of talent. Everything from black metal – reggae – folk – to hip hop. The 518 scene is rich and deep with music. Shout out to Unsigned 518 Podcast, Radio Radio X, WABY, Empire Live, WEXT, Mirth Films, WEQX, No One You Know Presents, and The Jive Hive. There are plenty more that weren’t listed that are actively helping the scene thrive.

Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
• October 10th at Putnam Place in Saratoga, New York, we’re hosting the first annual Joint Jam music festival with Howling Giant, Faerie Ring, and Insomniac.
• October 21st we’re playing the same venue as All Them Witches in Albany, NY. They’re playing Empire Live upstairs and we’re playing Empire Underground downstairs opening for He Is Legend…Hope we get the chance to meet All Them Witches!
• November 20th we’re hitting up Harlow’s Pub in Peterborough, New Hampshire with our pals in Hobowizard.
• We’re working on a December show in Brooklyn, New York.

Best place to keep updated on our upcoming shows is our Instagram page.

What are your plans for the future as a band?
We have various short term and long term goals. We want to focus heavily on expanding our gig radius and live reach. Beyond that, we’ll continue to make music and connect with as many people as we can. Long term goal is a European tour.

How can people best support your band?
Grab a beer and hang with us! Check out our music, share your thoughts on our music, come to a show, share your thoughts on our show. If you like it, cool! If you don’t like it, respect.

Do you have any message for your listeners?
If we have any listeners out there… THANK YOU! WE LOOK FORWARD TO HANGING OUT!

Links:
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp | Spotify | YouTube

Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well