![[Podcast] Ep. 43: [Interview] with KELLY SHAEFER of Florida (US) Death-Metal Gods ATHEIST.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1744875038508-EVQ7Q73SKG0G5NF9U6L8/4_3Y5A9158-1-%5B4-5-IG%5D.jpg)
[Podcast] Ep. 43: [Interview] with KELLY SHAEFER of Florida (US) Death-Metal Gods ATHEIST.
As host of this humble podcast/blog, I am incredibly humbled and awed beyond measure for this opportunity! See the link for an extensive, fun and thought-provoking interview with Kelly Shaefer of US death-metal godfathers Atheist, ahead of their upcoming first-ever Australian tour, care of YourMateBookings.com. You’ll also be able to access tickets, tour info, artist bio, additional album info, album/merch order links and more!
![[Podcast] Ep. 40: [Interview] with SCOTT KENNEDY, Vocalist of UK’s BLEED FROM WITHIN.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1743762054651-AZHHWAD0P5R4UMD06WEG/Podcast+Ep.+40+%5BInterview%5D+with+Scott+Kennedy.png)
[Podcast] Ep. 40: [Interview] with SCOTT KENNEDY, Vocalist of UK’s BLEED FROM WITHIN.
Episode 40 of the Inner-Strength Check Podcast is here! This week, host Brady interviews Scott Kennedy, vocalist of Glasgow’s fast-rising modern metal wrecking-crew Bleed From Within. With Zenith officially releasing as of the 4th April, we discuss the albums’ recording/songwriting process, plus BFW’s history, recent and upcoming tours and more! Check link for video version, audio-only version plus single music videos, artist and album order links and more!
![[Podcast] Interview with DARREN ‘DAZ’ BROOKES of UK Death Metal Godfathers BENEDICTION.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1743163261970-75X362ERO37HUH7ESVOO/ISC+Podcast+Ep.+39+Interview+with+DARREN+BROOKES+of.png)
[Podcast] Interview with DARREN ‘DAZ’ BROOKES of UK Death Metal Godfathers BENEDICTION.
What a venerable honour for this late end of a Friday evening. Tonight, I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to discuss upcoming LP Ravages of Empires (and so, so much more) with UK death metal godfathers Benediction’s guitarist and one of two founding members - Darren Brookes! A band that is hugely influential for much of the music we post here, as well as many bands I/we know and love. Great interview, plus the blog post also contains album order links, single music videos and more!
![[Heavy News] 2nd LP ‘Erasure Of Color’ From Boston Prog/Death Metallers AVERSED Out Now!](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1742726512659-W3KMG4JTUS6KQTXMVBUV/aversed.jpg)
[Heavy News] 2nd LP ‘Erasure Of Color’ From Boston Prog/Death Metallers AVERSED Out Now!
Heavy News: Having sourced a full line-up, Boston-based progressive death-metal unit Aversed have launched back onto the metal scene with 2nd LP Erasure of Color. Check the link for album order link, artist bio/links, latest single 'Lucid Decapition’ and more!
![[Heavy News] MALEVOLENCE Announce New Album WHERE ONLY THE TRUTH IS SPOKEN + Release Music Video For 'If It's All The Same To You'.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1742356431661-LU4WQFZZ479WHCGAVV8R/malevolencecover.jpg)
[Heavy News] MALEVOLENCE Announce New Album WHERE ONLY THE TRUTH IS SPOKEN + Release Music Video For 'If It's All The Same To You'.
[Heavy News, 19.03.25]: Steel City beatdown-lords Malevolence have only gone from strength to strength recently. To prove their mettle, you can check out both details, pre-order/pre-save links etc for Where Only The Truth is Spoken LP, music video/stream links for singles ‘If It’s All The Same To You’ & ‘Trenches’ - and even go catch them live [recommended!] during their massive Australian national tour. Ticket links inside!
![[Heavy News] SLEEP TOKEN Ascends : Announces New LP ‘EVEN IN ARCADIA’ + New Offering ‘EMERGENCE’.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1742192364967-U1IKKKIZGDAP19ZNY6T3/sleeptokenimage1.jpg)
[Heavy News] SLEEP TOKEN Ascends : Announces New LP ‘EVEN IN ARCADIA’ + New Offering ‘EMERGENCE’.
[ Heavy News / Music Monday ]: Sleep Token returns with Even In Arcadia, their fourth offering and first under RCA Records / Sony Music Australia, set to release on May 9th, shortly followed by their Saturday headline slot at Download Festival, on June 13th. Check out the link for album preorder, ‘Emergence’ single streaming/,music video link, track list, artist/album details and more!
![[Podcast] Ep. 37: Interview with Jeff Sahyoun of LETLIVE. Ahead of 2025 Australian Tour!](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1741828791993-QJSHOV98OVLMO0YAVL1Z/letlive.jpg)
[Podcast] Ep. 37: Interview with Jeff Sahyoun of LETLIVE. Ahead of 2025 Australian Tour!
What an incredible opportunity this morning, to have a chance to speak with Jeff Sahyoung, guitarist of the seemingly-undefeatable post-harcore/soul-punk heroes letlive.! Check out the link for video interview/audio-only streams plus tour dates, ticket links and more. You do not want to miss this gig, Australia - these guys know how to put on an energetic and impassioned live show, and we have our chance to respond in kind!
![[Heavy News] Trans-Atlantic Metal Project GREY MOUNTAIN Release Debut Album!](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1741512520770-GKTX4PU55MC5SPAKX67N/Grey+Mountain+Band.jpg)
[Heavy News] Trans-Atlantic Metal Project GREY MOUNTAIN Release Debut Album!
Heavy News: New Trans-Atlantic Metal Project GREY MOUNTAIN (feat. members of Monsterworks, Bull Elephant, Construct of Lethe, Black Harvest) have released their self-titled debut album via Eat Lead and Die Music! The album is available digitally on Bandcamp (including 24-bit full dynamic range vinyl master in side A/B format) and at new platform Ampwall. Check link for preorder, full album stream and more.
![[Heavy News] Finnish Old-School Death-Metallers MESSIAH PARATROOPS Release Second Single + Music Video 'Out of Reality' From Upcoming Debut LP!](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1741228185619-P3SOJB2CQG3MR6C0XSHC/MESSIAH+PARATROOPS%281%29.jpg)
[Heavy News] Finnish Old-School Death-Metallers MESSIAH PARATROOPS Release Second Single + Music Video 'Out of Reality' From Upcoming Debut LP!
1989 - that’s 35 years. Thirty-five years in the making, through a number of lineup changes, significant periods of hiatus. And finally, with a sigh of relief I’m sure, old-school death metal outfit Messiah Paratroops bring you the release of second single and music video for ‘Out of Reality’, ahead of long-time-coming LP Legions of Tomorrow on April 4th, 2025, via Inverse Records. Check link for preorder, single, tracklist, artist statement/bio/links and more!
![[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] New York Supergroup FLESHsPOIL Announce Latest LP ‘THE BEGINNING OF THE END’ For 28.03.25.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1740395439435-X645LCZO7F0IBD4ZLLT6/fleshspoilcover.jpg)
[Heavy News] New York Supergroup FLESHsPOIL Announce Latest LP ‘THE BEGINNING OF THE END’ For 28.03.25.
Comprising membership of several mainstream and underground heroes in the US death metal scene, Troy (NY)-based trio Fleshpoil have announced a fierce blackened death metal debut in The Beginning And The End. The album features guests and contributions ranging from Arsis, Rwake and many more! Link contains details, as well as album preorder, Bandcamp profile etc.
![[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.
![[Album Review] Lacuna Coil - ‘Sleepless Empire’ LP.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1740124900956-STT5KJRWPP2WGU4E7LQQ/lacunacoilcoverphoto.png)
[Album Review] Lacuna Coil - ‘Sleepless Empire’ LP.
Italy’s longstanding melodic-metal success story continues via Lacuna Coil and their latest LP, Sleepless Empire, which released on February 14th via Century Media. Dean gives the album a thorough track-by-track rundown, and it’s a good’un! Check the link for full review plus links to artist socials/official website, album order link plus latest single videos, live footage and more!
![[ARCHIVE/Review] Opeth - 'The Last Will and Testament', 03.12.24.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1740029489507-5H6LCYYNE8MX2F4T6USP/image-34.png)
[ARCHIVE/Review] Opeth - 'The Last Will and Testament', 03.12.24.
Originally posted to our sadly, as of NYE 2024, unexpectedly now dead/defunct old website (RIP), I’ve exhumed a fantastic review of The Last Will and Testament Swedish progressive death metal titans Opeth, crafted by fellow ISC staffer Hamza early Dec 2024. Check the link for full review, links to tracks/artist commentary, plus a few little nice extras around the upcoming tour. Also, listen to Sliknita. My man Hamza can write and drum.
![[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] MESHUGGAH Announce ‘Immutable - The Indelible Edition’ LP, Unveil Music Video for ‘Ligature Marks’](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1739510149510-G7E4Y3IWMC7Y1PI4UYN5/meshuggahcover.jpg)
[Heavy News] MESHUGGAH Announce ‘Immutable - The Indelible Edition’ LP, Unveil Music Video for ‘Ligature Marks’
Meshuggah. An ever-dependable, technical and progressive metal powerhouse, who’ve endured genre-trends and rejected tradition for decades now. They’ve just released a work-up/bonus-features-packed Indelible Edition of previous LP The Immutable, with digipak, vinyl and other versions available. Check the link for order details, album bio and link to music clip for reworked single in ‘Ligature Marks’. Hail to the Kings.
![[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!
![[Review] Into The Void - ‘Dysphoria’ LP.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1739351410654-SZ47G56Z2U2WOC3Y0YU6/dypshoriaalbumcover.jpg)
[Review] Into The Void - ‘Dysphoria’ LP.
Introducing our first piece of fresh content from new addition to the Inner-Strength Check team in Spiro (a.k.a The Hype Guy)! For his first piece, Spiro has elected to provide a great review of the 2024 album Dysphoria, by Michigan-based alternative-rock/nu-grunge outfit Into The Void. Check the link for the full review, album and singles links and more. As well, we’ve re-included an important appeal Spiro recent put out in support of Jampot Studios. Many thanks for an awesome review!
![[Podcast] Ep. 35: Interview with BRETT CAMPBELL of PALLBEARER.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1739267843987-9CMOZ8BKRXK0XSNUAGNI/pallbearercover.jpg)
[Podcast] Ep. 35: Interview with BRETT CAMPBELL of PALLBEARER.
Renowned doom metal merchants PALLBEARER make their return to Australia in March 2025 for an electrifying tour promising to deliver their signature blend of haunting melodies and crushing riffs. Joining them on all dates will be special guests UK doom metal titans CONAN. I was fortunate enough to catch up with vocalist/guitarist Brett Campbell earlier today. Check the link for full video interview, Spotify/alternative podcast platform audio-only versions, ticket links, tour dates and more!