Opeth are an amazing band, no doubt, and I think they deserve all the credit they're given. I just wish more people would give us a chance too, I think in most cases people should have enough space on their iPod and in their heads to be able to fit in ND music as well as Opeth and others. Besides we're so damned different from them (though I know there's some basic similarities) I don't see why we get disregarded as we do. I think location does make some difference, sure, but I dunno how much better it'd be for us if we said we were from Sweden lol. I think it's just that other bands were more fortunate with some of the breaks they got over the years, getting on labels earlier on who really pushed them, getting on good tours that gave them alot of exposure, etc.....just being the right band in the right place at the right time will do wonders. All in all we're very grateful for the support and experiences we've been lucky enough to have. While there's lots of things we've wished we could do, and realise that there's lots of people out there who've never even had the chance to hear ND (as you mentioned), we've also been able to tour and play to some fantastic crowds and experience things we'd always dreamed about. So while we have a tendency now and then to be regretful of some of the hardships and bad luck we've experienced, believe me when I say we're extremely grateful and thankful for the good stuff that's come our way over the years. We hope it continues!
As for the podcasts, hopefully with episode six we'll have more of the band there, and Sasha is coming into town next week for a bunch of rehearsals so hopefully we can finally get a podcast episode done with all five members, for once!