![[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.
![[ALBUM REVIEW] FANALO - SELF -TITLED LP.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1740646983937-K63XSCBA0NZZXBNR09ZK/FANALO+LP.jpg)
[ALBUM REVIEW] FANALO - SELF -TITLED LP.
From Bumblefoot's European lead guitarist comes Frenchman Fanalo's bold new foray into progressive rock with genre-spanning sounds. This self-produced solo album takes the listener on a journey through three instrumental tracks reminiscent of his Plug-In days and seven vocal-driven collaborative tracks.
![[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.
![[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.
![[Review] Mandroid of Krypton - ‘Cosmic Sarcophagus’ LP.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1739873472907-0E3PMKI53YHP12Q6YFCN/459037345_26577216451922124_4403489910850976326_n.jpg)
[Review] Mandroid of Krypton - ‘Cosmic Sarcophagus’ LP.
One of many, many reviews on my backlog as podcast/blog host, stymied by an unfortunate demise of our old website on NYE 2024. Nevertheless, check out the full review of Cosmic Sarcophagus, an LP released Nov 2024 by Swiss progressive thrashers Mandroid of Krypton! It’s an expansive and ambitious effort, and worth a listen. Check link for the full review plus full album stream, artist links and more! Bring a spacesuit for this one.
![[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!
![[Archive Review] Nest - ‘Metempsychosis’ LP.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1739088176031-QYB02RWBLAQEI35X0N0A/a2700887671_10.jpg)
[Archive Review] Nest - ‘Metempsychosis’ LP.
This post has been through the wringer! Originally posted to Overdrive Music Magazine in 2019 (many thanks to Sebastian for permission to repost) in my time as Senior Contributor, it then made it onto our old blog in December ‘24 - right as our previous website met its’ demise. This is one well worth revisiting, however, as Nest’s bludgeoning LP Metempsychosis is an abrasive, expansive sludge/death metal bruiser that clearly stood the test of time.
![[Archive] Review: Alithia - 'The Moon Has Fallen' LP.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1737193935694-DM1FU0SP7ZTRKMFD62M2/the-moon-has-falled.jpg)
[Archive] Review: Alithia - 'The Moon Has Fallen' LP.
Note: This review was originally posted on our now-defunct website (RIP), authored by fellow ISC contributor Hamza in 2024. Hamza provides a fantastic analysis of Melbourne-based progressive/post-rockers Alithia by way of The Moon Has Fallen LP. Check the link for the full review, album stream and more.
![[Archive] Review of Februus’ 2024 LP, ‘Surveillance Orgy’.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1737173636159-X60N9UPHS7FXEHGKGVXA/451603.jpg)
[Archive] Review of Februus’ 2024 LP, ‘Surveillance Orgy’.
Another archival review painfully extracted from the carcass of our old website (RIP). In this review, Hamza tackles something a little more on the heavier end of his metal-listening wheelhouse in progressive death metallers Februus and their 2024 album, Surveillance Orgy. The album is out now on Transcending Obscurity Records; check link for album stream, Bandcamp links and more!
![[Archive] Review of Rat Lord’s 2024 LP, ‘Blazed In The Northern Sky’.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1737172689757-BMYGZVYYSCD0XRT40BF6/ratlordcover.jpeg)
[Archive] Review of Rat Lord’s 2024 LP, ‘Blazed In The Northern Sky’.
Another review exhumed from the archival corpse of our sadly now-defunct old website (RIP), check here for review and associated links for Norwegian crust-grinders Rat Lord and their brutish, fast and fun LP, Blazed In The Northern Sky. It’s quick, nasty, fun and full of snark. Well worth revisiting in 2025.
![[Archive] Review of Hypergiant’s 2017 LP, ‘Father Sky’.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1737169965548-3HM57PAPK1DGN1INAFGE/a0290488524_10.jpg)
[Archive] Review of Hypergiant’s 2017 LP, ‘Father Sky’.
Originally posted on Overdrive Music Magazine in 2017 (now-defunct, RIP) and later posted to our also-now-defunct prior website (double-RIP), this is an archival review of progressive Australian post-metallers Hypergiant’s 2017 LP, Father Sky. It still holds up today, and this holds a special place for myself as the first official music-journo album review I ever wrote. Check the link for album Bandcamp links!
![[ARCHIVE - REVIEW]: Phobia - ‘Generation Coward’ LP.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1737169012702-4GB94O99UMG0SOUJXQNV/a1264083175_10.jpg)
[ARCHIVE - REVIEW]: Phobia - ‘Generation Coward’ LP.
Another archival review from the carcass of our old and now-dead website (RIP). This is a review of Orange County, US grindcore nutters Phobia’s blistering Generation Coward LP. A caustic take on the cowardice of flamewars and online avarice, it’s an album still well worth checking out!
![[Archive / Riffs]: RIP Dreare, or have a nice hiatus; here’s a very late, very loose review of "Foregone".](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1737167988285-DULOGQKNBOQKP5CSAJ3U/dreare-foregone.jpg)
[Archive / Riffs]: RIP Dreare, or have a nice hiatus; here’s a very late, very loose review of "Foregone".
Originally posted on our now-defunct old website (RIP), authored by the venerable Hamza in what I, as your host, feel is one of his best pieces! (They’re all great BTW). Check the link for a review and retrospective of both the album Forgone as well as general musings of related band,Dreare. Some great post-rock word-smithing here; do check it out.
![[Archive] Ep. 19: (Review) Afterbirth -'In But Not Of' LP](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1736843863631-FUUM86QJEP8CWUHAD7DI/afterbirth_coverjpg.jpg)
[Archive] Ep. 19: (Review) Afterbirth -'In But Not Of' LP
(Archival Post - originally posted to our now-defunct (RIP) prior website on November 6th, 2023). Check the link for podcast links (Spotify, Youtube and more!) to check out our audio and written review of Afterbirth’s incredible comeback LP, ‘In But Not Of’. A stellar death metal album, and one that breaks boundaries.
![[Review] Daufødt - ‘Glitter’LP.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1736743641516-6YRA8AJ0PKYWQJWRZEZ3/Daufodt_web.jpg)
[Review] Daufødt - ‘Glitter’LP.
Our first NEW album review for the new website! (RIP old site). I could very easily label this as my punk, hardcore or noise-rock AOTY for 202 - if it were any of these things in isolation, or even together. Norway’s Daufodt released this stellar, catchy and raw skilful cacophony in September 2024 via Fysisk Format. Glitter is glamorous, but only via the sticky, raw, neon shades of decidedly-Nordic punk. Well worth the belated review. Check link for review and artist/label links and more.
![[Album Review] –Devin Townsend –'PowerNerd' LP](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1736070362653-DZ27UM29FPNXW2WGP9EE/DT+Powernerd+JPG.jpg)
[Album Review] –Devin Townsend –'PowerNerd' LP
A repost from our sadly-dead-as-of-NYE-2024 old website. RIP. In this article, Mal discusses his thoughts on Devin Townsend’s rockin’ 2024 opus PowerNerd. As a new listener, Mal offers a fresh-eared perspective to the latest from the mad scientist of prog metal.
![[Review:] Nadir - Extinction Rituals LP (03.05.23)](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1736077534374-RIVLMWR7NQCWLHERW924/nadir1.jpg)
[Review:] Nadir - Extinction Rituals LP (03.05.23)
And another in the line-up of our archival posts, extracted from the data retrieved from our sadly now-defunct corpse of an old site (RIP isc.com NYE 2024). This represents one of the earliest album reviews conducted by site owner Brady in Nadir’s excellent black-thrash/metallic-hardcore bruiser of an LP, Extinction Rituals. Links to artist profiles to grab the now-released album within. Check it out!