![[ALBUM REVIEW] THORNHILL - ‘BODIES’ LP. ](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1743674857885-VGRV3BJ95E9WWOKN5JDA/THORNHILL-BODIES-3000X3000.jpg)
[ALBUM REVIEW] THORNHILL - ‘BODIES’ LP.
If you missed Thornhill’s recent Bodies album preview shows and can’t wait to hear the LP, here is your chance to familiarise yourself with this first-class metalcore creation, the night before its official release.
![[GIG REVIEW]: GHOSTSMOKER + Supports @ The Bendigo Hotel, 29.03.25.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1743590066945-0ZAAM6895AYSBIOAY2U8/DSCF2051.jpg)
[GIG REVIEW]: GHOSTSMOKER + Supports @ The Bendigo Hotel, 29.03.25.
Brutal Truth once titled an album titled Extreme Conditions Demand Extreme Responses. I couldn’t think of a more fitting analogue to Dean’s review! Leviathan Gigs Demand Leviathan Content, and this here review is stacked floor to ceiling with the finest detail regarding Ghostsmoker’s devastating headliner show on Sat 29th March @ The Bendigo Hotel, Melbourne. No expense has been spared for supports Bentham’s Head, Mammon’s Throne or AGLO, either! [Featured Image Credit: Rajesh Kotian aka Raj of Blackened Lights Photography].
![[Riff] Eulogy for Vizier](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1742915115046-3QVKSKYERV60T6FIMSIM/vizier.jpg)
[Riff] Eulogy for Vizier
Ever one to be promoting the local talents of the underground music scene, particularly in Melbourne, resident post-rock/drumming expert Hamza provides us a funny, sentimental and sincere send-off to local institution Vizier, who unfortunately called it quits in 2019. There’s also reflections on the Melbourne post-rock scene, links to Vizier’s legacy, gig footage and more. Check it out!
![[Interview] with MARK PALFREYMAN of Melbourne’s ALARUM.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1736152351338-UIL5DK5Q6Y8D3EZI84AM/alarum2-1.jpg)
[Interview] with MARK PALFREYMAN of Melbourne’s ALARUM.
Featured Image: IG: @samuel_phillips_photography. Ah, Alarum. A band decades into a career of constant innovation, but always anchored to a frantic and colourful blend of jazz-fusion, prog and death metal. I caught up once more with bassist/vocalist Mark Palfreyman to talk everything ranging from recording process/response/background of latest LP Recontinue to longevity, touring, the local scene, inspiration and more!
![[Album Review] SANDS - Sands](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1742042662148-XJKV7GVOTIPRQCOGJLA5/a0763238959_10.jpg)
[Album Review] SANDS - Sands
Our esteemed writer Hamza has once more delved into the post-rock/metal depths of the Melbourne underground, and reached for aural pearls. This time, he’s fished up the self-titled act by Australian progressive math-rock/sludge act SANDS, examining the treasures contained within their self-titled LP. You can find artist Bandcamp/LP order and socials links within as well - dive in!
![[Review] Alarum - ‘Recontinue’ LP](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1740110589583-74KEZY88JG1SNXISJ8BP/481070267_1216400333699347_180761954938397027_n.jpg)
[Review] Alarum - ‘Recontinue’ LP
Featured Image/Footer Image Credit: Wilkography. One thing you can certainly tell with reviews is when a musician reviews them! Hamza’s breakdown of Alarum reaches similar intricacy and depth to that of the band themselves on progressive death-metal/jazz-fusion opus Recontinue, which dropped in 2024 to high critical acclaim. Check the full review which is, like the band, both heady and passionate! Plus artist/album order links, clips, and more.
![[Heavy News] Australian doom outfit Ghostsmoker drop sludge-ridden new single ‘Elogium’.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1739178618771-GP77IX6D3PLLWRR3MHMN/ghostsmoker+band.jpg)
[Heavy News] Australian doom outfit Ghostsmoker drop sludge-ridden new single ‘Elogium’.
The hypnotic hypnotic dirge and dense atmosphere of ‘ Elogium’ shows why they are one of the finest sludge and doom bands in Australia today. The Melbourne-based doom-peddlers have crawled up from abyssal depths to spew forth a fine pile of well-crafted gristle. Yes, that’s possible. Don’t believe me? Click the link to listen to the stream direct, stream/download new single, check Melb/Syd tour dates and pre-order Inertia Cult, which drops March 21st, via Art as Catharsis records.
![[Podcast] A CONTENT-CHALLENGER Has Appeared! Please Welcome Newest ISC Team Member - Spiro ‘The Hype Guy’!](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1737869823177-TP60EYGJTJJ0QKSR9W1Q/449489258_1601451417368496_1316748943146880322_n.jpg)
[Podcast] A CONTENT-CHALLENGER Has Appeared! Please Welcome Newest ISC Team Member - Spiro ‘The Hype Guy’!
Please give a warm and heartfelt welcome to the fourth addition to this humble podcast/blog/streaming platform at Inner-Strength Check, in SPIRO, aka THE HYPE GUY! As you’ll see in the post, that warrants Caps Lock. Check out his various energetic content-happenings and a primer on his recent projects, including a very important drive for the currently-struggling JamPot Studios on the Sunshine Coast. Welcome, mate!
[Archive] Interview with MARK PALFREYMAN of Australian Prog-Metal Institution ALARUM.
Archival post, picked from the carcass of our dearly-departed old website (RIP). This warrants sharing again; a fantastic Q & A with Mark Palfreyman, bassist/vocalist of Australian progressive metal legends Alarum in April 2023. They’ve since released a new full-length in Recontinue. Check the article for links to that and more!
![[Archive Review] - Alarum - Circle's End - (03.11.2022)](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1735713576242-VEB5RHNF23ID3FJPRCEE/alarum.jpg)
![[Interview]: Aaron Osborne of AGLO (Melbourne Death-Doom) - 23.04.23.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1735710610595-YSOBGU03VR3BKBPONGLK/aglo-.jpg)
[Interview]: Aaron Osborne of AGLO (Melbourne Death-Doom) - 23.04.23.
Archival interview with Melbourne-based purveyor of one-man sludge/death-doom act AGLO, originally posted on the now-defunct innerstrengthcheck.com in 2023.