Doomed Confessionary: Zakk Gowing (Gozer The Traveller)
Gozer The Traveller is a four-piece stoner metal band from Armagh, Northern Ireland. Combining thick sludgy riffs with hooky blues rock gusto, all wrapped up in a down to earth attitude.
The band has released their debut album »The Space Between« on June 12th, 2025. Available now on all major streaming platforms. Engineered and produced by James Wilson. Mastered by Zakk Gowing.
Gozer The Traveller are Ben Sinton (vocals), Zakk Gowing (guitar, backing vocals), Simon Thornbury (bass, vocals) and Stewart McCord (drums).
Can you please say a few words about your band?
We’re Gozer the Traveller, a stoner rock/metal band from Northern Ireland. We like heavy riffs, trippy ambience and good hooks.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
Overcoming group and individual procrastination. Rehearsals and gigging is like a holiday for most of us. A break from our full-time jobs etc. So actually putting in effort and dedicating time to the music was something we had to discipline ourselves over. We’re now much better at it though, so long May it continue.
What can you be most proud of so far?
Our debut album »The Space Between« and the launch show we did for it. It was an amazing night. We had a brilliant turn out for it and the opening band Swandive did a fantastic job getting the crowd going.
What was your biggest regret?
Probably not gigging as much as we could have. But you know how it is, thing’s get in the way.
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
It’d be between our album launch and the last time we played in the Voodoo Bar in Belfast. Those were great gigs.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
The amount of young bands playing music we grew up with tbh. You’ve got bands with members ranging from 13-20 playing nu metal, thrash, death metal and even some grunge bands. It’s great to see such diversity in the heavier music scene, especially locally.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Sargeist – »Let The Devil In«, Yob – »The Great Cessation« and Cynic – »Traced In Air«.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
“Play each show like it’ll be your last.” That really stuck with me.
What are your guilty pleasures?
I don’t really have any guilty pleasures, but Creed and Anime count I suppose?
Can you say something more about the current music scene in Northern Ireland?
The music scene has recovered a lot since the pandemic ended. While the amount of gigs isn’t as high as it used to be, the number of bands and venues hosting live music has almost returned to its former glory.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
The Diamond Rock Bar in Ballymena.
What are your plans for the future as a band?
Write more songs, release more music, play more gigs.
How can people best support your band?
Listen to our music and spread the word! And perhaps purchasing our music on Bandcamp, we’ll have other merch available on it before so that would really help us out.
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Live deliciously my dudes.
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well