![[Heavy News] CONTRARIAN's George Kollias and Jim Tasikas Back in the Studio!](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1741069079808-Q56LZV9TTLJM11C6UF5J/kolliasdrumming.jpeg)
[Heavy News] CONTRARIAN's George Kollias and Jim Tasikas Back in the Studio!
Rochester (NY)/ Athens (GR): from the #heavynews desk we have word George Kollias (drumming legend of Nile fame) hasn't let the Euro-circuit conclusion allow for laurel-resting. Nope, he's right back in the studios in Greece for prog-death-metal project Contrarian w/ guitarist Jim Tasikas. The pair are laying tracks under the guise of George Bokos of Athens' Grindhouse Studios! The latest LP comes courtesy of Willowtip Records.
![[Heavy News] CABAL Release New Single 'Redemption Denied' + New Album EVERYTHING ROTS Out On March 21st](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1741055931114-TSZ0NAW3ZVJC9ZJ31EVR/cabalcover.png)
[Heavy News] CABAL Release New Single 'Redemption Denied' + New Album EVERYTHING ROTS Out On March 21st
ISC Heavy News: As the release of their new album Everything Rots approaches CABAL unless another ferocious slice of deathcore with the new single 'Redemption Denied'. The new album Everything Rots will be released on March 21st via Nuclear Blast Records. In spring 2025 CABAL will support CALIBAN on their "Back From Hell Tour". Check link for single, preorders, tour dates and more!
![[Heavy News] Italian Death-Doom Trio DEAD CHASM Release Title-Track Single + Preorders for ‘Spectral Tyranny’ LP.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1740999594409-9GJ99UXKMD6NSLHSWET8/deadchasmprofile.png)
[Heavy News] Italian Death-Doom Trio DEAD CHASM Release Title-Track Single + Preorders for ‘Spectral Tyranny’ LP.
From the Heavy News desk - New Transcending Obscurity Records signing Dead Chasm from Italy deliver a short but highly potent slice of dark, doomy death metal that they have been perfecting since their debut. They’re unleashing they next LP Spectral Tyranny in May 2025 - check the link for title-track single video, artist bio, album preorder link, band/label links and more!
![[Review] Blackened Dred - ‘Satan Is The Law’ LP.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1740904974170-DMVDE2MU344E0I77T3JD/bdbandphoto.jpg)
[Review] Blackened Dred - ‘Satan Is The Law’ LP.
Not all of Canberra is as authoritative and complacent as stereotypes may have you believe. Nay, not if Blackened Dred and their blackened-thrash/trad-metal rocking debut Satan Is The Law have anything to say about it! Check out our latest review by Brady, who explores this deliciously evil (and fun) homage to everything from NWOBHM and punk to classic rock. See also for full album stream, artist links and ticket links for tour dates with Abigail and Stalker!
![[Review] Abduction - ‘Existentialismus’ LP.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1740894229366-GV3F20EFG61HTPDX9WQB/abductionbandphoto.jpg)
[Review] Abduction - ‘Existentialismus’ LP.
The UK has been gaining increasing notoriety of late when it comes to black metal, and albums such as Abduction’s Existentialismus provide solid examples of why attention should be paid. Follow ISC staffer Dean through a philosophical and comprehensive review of this equally heady and mind-bending 6-track LP via the link. Also included are artist links, music videos and more! Courtesy of Candlelight Records.
![[Heavy News] GRAVE INFESTATION Stream New Track - ‘Living Inhumation’ From ‘Carnage Gathers’ LP.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1740397829374-XRPNYT4XITOKV5B5ULJ5/Grave+Infestation+pic.jpg)
[Heavy News] GRAVE INFESTATION Stream New Track - ‘Living Inhumation’ From ‘Carnage Gathers’ LP.
Quebecois death-metallers Grave Infestation have hurled a gnarly, nasty slice of rotten death metal at us from the cool regions of Canada. With upcoming LP Carnage Gathers dropping 28th Feb, they’ve provided a gore-soaked link to latest single ‘Living Inhumation’. You can check the link for album preorder links, streaming links, album/artist bio, tracklist etc. Bloodstained, filthy death-metal, old-school style.
![[Heavy News] HANGMAN’S CHAIR New Album 'SADDICTION’ Out Now + Release New Visualizer For 'Healed?](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1740392968314-ZH4RQTO0XAQQODG4BVM9/hangmancover.jpg)
[Heavy News] HANGMAN’S CHAIR New Album 'SADDICTION’ Out Now + Release New Visualizer For 'Healed?
Having delved into the doomier end of the rock spectrum for over 20 years, Parisian outfit Hangman’s Chair are next on the Music Mondays Heavy News segment with release of visualiser music clip for ‘Healed?’. The single derives from upcoming LP Saddiction. See link for full details, stream/preorder links, album/artist bio and more! Merci!
![[Heavy News] GHOST BATH Announce New Album ROSE THORN NECKLACE Out On May 9TH May + Release Music Video For Title Track](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1740379298979-FZO88ZZ4ZWAXP2DCIG9H/ghostbathband.png)
[Heavy News] GHOST BATH Announce New Album ROSE THORN NECKLACE Out On May 9TH May + Release Music Video For Title Track
One-man wanderer above the sea of depressive/atmospheric black metal, solo artist Dennis Mikula (Nameless) of Ghost Bath has returned with news of a new LP in Rose Thorn Necklace, which drops 9th May 2025, via Nuclear Blast. You can check out the full details, track-list, latest single/music clip premiere, album order links and much more via our Heavy News article, for #MusicMondays at ISC.
![[Heavy News] MACHINE HEAD Monumental 11th Album UNATØNED Out April 25th + Release Music Video For First Single 'UNBØUND'](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1739945488031-E7GJVVGL90AVYYKOW814/machineheadcover.png)
[Heavy News] MACHINE HEAD Monumental 11th Album UNATØNED Out April 25th + Release Music Video For First Single 'UNBØUND'
Bay Area metal veterans Machine Head, one of the most omnipresent bands in the heavy collective consciousness, are back with 11th LP UNATØNED, dropping April 25th! Nothing’s been spared on their official press release for it either - there’s everything here from stream and music clip for title track as first single, a whole smorgasbord of physical/digital media pre-order options, statements from the band themselves and heaps more! Machine Farkin’ Head, mate!
![[Heavy News] Announcing Araz Salek's electrifying new album, ‘Peripheries of Nahavand’.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1739960326363-NBCFVZSQ2IXMLQ4WRO20/araz2.jpg)
[Heavy News] Announcing Araz Salek's electrifying new album, ‘Peripheries of Nahavand’.
Branching out to an even wider musical diaspora than earlier in the week, today we have something quite special! Presenting Tehran-born and now Toronto-based ensemble leader and accomplished tar player, Araz Salek. Araz brings forth skilled and multiplicitous ensemble-lead/tar genius in latest single ‘Goshāyesh 11’ off his upcoming debut LP Peripheries of Nahavand for Australian-based world-music label, Worlds Within Worlds, on April 25th.
![[Heavy News] Polish Death Metal Duo, DORMANT ORDEAL, to Release Tooth and Nail on Willowtip in April!](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1739771812411-F013H17ORTZA2GG20R2F/rsz_1dormantordeal-1.jpg)
[Heavy News] Polish Death Metal Duo, DORMANT ORDEAL, to Release Tooth and Nail on Willowtip in April!
Krakow-based Polish are our first cab off the rank for a busy #MusicMondays segment, with lots of Heavy News to come! This stellar duo in Maciej Nieścioruk (guitars) and Maciej Proficz (vocals) have completed recording of their upcoming harsh, expansive and gritty LP Tooth and Nail in April, via Willowtip. Check the link for album/artist bio, singles links, album pre-order and more! Death, doom and much cool nastiness abounds.
![[Review] - Newest ISC Staffer Dean Explores Saor’s ‘Amidst The Ruins’ LP.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1739365977272-M0VPLIP1ECN9KWQZLAIV/saorphoto1.jpg)
[Review] - Newest ISC Staffer Dean Explores Saor’s ‘Amidst The Ruins’ LP.
On mutual agreement, latest staffer Dean and myself have agreed to let the words speak for themselves for his formal addition to the Inner-Strength Check Podcast canon. And what beautiful, evocative words they are indeed! Check the link for our newest staffers’ resplendent coverage of atmospheric folk/black metal act Saor’s latest LP, Amidst The Ruins. You can also find album order links, multiple recent singles, full album streams and much more. Another fantastic staff introductory piece, the first of many!
![[Heavy News] LORDI take fans on a nostalgic trip with lyric video for new single 'Retropolis'](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1739154394146-ZXX5GSXMZ1MJFF29T4OG/lordibandcover.jpg)
[Heavy News] LORDI take fans on a nostalgic trip with lyric video for new single 'Retropolis'
Finland’s Lordi have been bringing the glammed-up horror-themed heavy metal and hard to international audiences for decades now. From the Heavy News desk for Music Mondays here at ISC comes the anthemic single ‘Retropolis’, inspired by 80’s pop culture. Check out the post for link to single, full-album stream/order link re: upcoming LP Limited Deadition, album details/bio, artist bio/socials links and more!
![ISC Podcast, Ep. 34: [INTERVIEW] with OBSCURA frontman/Guitarist STEFFEN KUMMERER.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1739010770230-8V6YDC94R5ZH9JJSYD6I/obscurabandpic.jpg)
ISC Podcast, Ep. 34: [INTERVIEW] with OBSCURA frontman/Guitarist STEFFEN KUMMERER.
Originally posted on our now-defunct old website, dead as a doornail as of NYE 2024 (RIP) - check the link for both video and audio-only podcast formats re: Brady’s interview with Steffen Kummerer, frontman/guitarist of German progressive/technical death metal juggernaughts Obscura! Recorded on 22nd Dec ‘24, it’s an interesting exploration into the writing and process behind latest LP A Sonication, with additional artist/album bio, order links and much more within!
![[Music Mondays] Mon 3rd Feb, 2025.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1738581277133-7RTXWS4SVZEU50VZVOZ2/427135807_7654838114540460_8045244545557484009_n.jpg)
[Music Mondays] Mon 3rd Feb, 2025.
This week’s Music Monday contains more than you shake a stick at! Multiple recent Heavy News items - album releases! Recent Riffs (articles)! Reviews and more! Plus a whole swathe of updates from the equally-busy Musolegion community - more album reviews, gig reviews and several packed Musolegion Recommends pieces exploring bands from Iceland, Japan and Central Asia! Dig in, music-lovers.
![ISC Podcast Ep. 33: [INTERVIEW] w/ ROBERT ERIKsSON, Drummer of Sweden’s THE HELLACOPTERS.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1738414509042-Y091QM06C17X67PJU9IS/hellacopterscover.jpg)
ISC Podcast Ep. 33: [INTERVIEW] w/ ROBERT ERIKsSON, Drummer of Sweden’s THE HELLACOPTERS.
Another music-scene veteran with many years of industry experience under his belt in Robert Erikkson! Robert is the long-term mainstay drummer of Swedish hard-rock institution The Hellacopters. We caught up on Tue 28th Jan just prior to release of their infectious, hooky and fun latest LP Overdriver, available as of the 31st. Check out the full interview plus artist bio, album order links, latest singles and more! Rock on, Svenska style.
![[Heavy News] Sludge-Soaked UK Rockers SLUNG Announce Debut Album, New Single + UK Tour.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1737702527411-Y13CWERSF6WPA6ICQXUG/Slung3.jpg)
[Heavy News] Sludge-Soaked UK Rockers SLUNG Announce Debut Album, New Single + UK Tour.
From the Heavy News desk here at ISC. Australian label Art as Catharsis bring you a whole bunch of details on UK sludge-rockers Slung re: upcoming LP In Ways. Check the link for music video, Soundcloud stream link and mp3 direct-download link for latest single ‘Laughter’. UK followers, you can also get the skinny on all the tour dates as well! For fans of: Mastodon, Kylesa, QOTSA, Red Fang.
![[Heavy News] GATES TO HELL Announces New Album DEATH COMES TO ALL Out March 21st + New Single, 'Next To Bleed', Streaming Now + Available As 7-Inch Vinyl](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1737350790114-99VQK0865MBYA209V9AW/image007.jpg)
[Heavy News] GATES TO HELL Announces New Album DEATH COMES TO ALL Out March 21st + New Single, 'Next To Bleed', Streaming Now + Available As 7-Inch Vinyl
The ground quakes, the surface fractures, and a colossal force rises from the abyss: GATES TO HELL have returned to deliver their undeniable truth—Death Comes to All. The Louisville natives charge onto the heavy music scene with their second full-length which will be released March 21st via Nuclear Blast Records. Check the link for initial single ‘First to Bleed’, preorder links, exclusive merch opportunities and more!