![[Review] TRIA PRIMA - ‘Three Primes of Alchemy’ EP](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1744537676910-R5DJ3MYY38SGAE78CMVP/triaprimaband2.jpg)
[Review] TRIA PRIMA - ‘Three Primes of Alchemy’ EP
The lost arts of alchemy foretold the ability to meld metal, matter, elements and more in a carefully-prepared concoction. We can say much the same of Ukraine’s Tria Prima, whose Three Primes of Alchemy EP is combed over by fellow ISC staffer and honestly-probably-a-wizard-IRL, Dean. Check out the review, with further artist/album links available as well! Slava Ukraini.
![[Review] Drudkh - ‘Shadow Play’ LP.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1744445473350-1XVJDCWUYG089UY2MTQP/p5k9tajoj0qe1.jpeg)
[Review] Drudkh - ‘Shadow Play’ LP.
Ukrainian atmospheric black metal veterans Drudkh offer their latest musical outing to the world, Shadow Play, released on March 21st via label Season of Mist. Check out ISC staffer Dean’s comprehensive review of this sojourn into their latest darkly aesthetic offering, as well as full-album and single streams, artist/label/album order links and more.
![[Archive Review] Brian Campeau - ‘Old Dog, New Tricks’ LP (19.07.18)](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1744095660954-S8PS8WG9AR1IL2YY1MXF/From+The+Vault+%231+Brian+Campeau+-+Old+Dogs%2C+New+Tricks+LP.png)
[Archive Review] Brian Campeau - ‘Old Dog, New Tricks’ LP (19.07.18)
Reposted from the sadly now-defunct Overdrive Music Magazine, with permission from owner Sebastian Graham. Check out ISC staffer Hamza’s prior review from 2018 of an interesting fork from our usual - Australian folk/indie acoustic singer-songwriter Brian Campeau’s 2018 LP Old Dogs, New Tricks! Link also contains artist/label socials, as well as a little intro preamble from your host, Brady. More treasures from the vault to be posted across 2025! Thanks again to label Art as Catharsis.
![[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].
![[Review] INDUSTRIAL PUKE - ‘Alive To No Avail’ LP.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1743413681046-6Q6K4T8KOP2WNZUFZJZD/726014.jpg)
[Review] INDUSTRIAL PUKE - ‘Alive To No Avail’ LP.
What a timely little slice of Swedish death metal/crust/hardcore from Industrial Puke, eh? Having recently covered Svenska crust/d-beat on the Musolegion blog, these mind-readers provide an up-to-date addition to the crust-canon with the relentless, fun LP in Alive To No Avail. Check the link for full album review, single/album stream links, artist/label details and more! Get your grime on.
![[Album Review] SPOILED - ‘Collapse’ LP.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1742101987442-QK4J8RTZ8WKGCKHJMZ8O/spoiledband.jpg)
[Album Review] SPOILED - ‘Collapse’ LP.
Tearing out of the blocks like a drunken cop-chase on a scooter through the intersections and alleyways of Rome, Italian crossover-thrash unit Spoiled deliver a decidedly Americanised and fun blend of punk, hardcore and retro-revival thrash. And it’s as fun as it is snark-riddled and bruising. Check out the link for our review of latest LP Collapse, full album stream, artist media/links 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] NOTHING - ‘The Self-Repair Manifesto’ LP.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1742019191534-01KRQKK7T0WOK8GKV92D/nothing+band+photo.png)
[Review] NOTHING - ‘The Self-Repair Manifesto’ LP.
Never deny the crushing, expansive sonic potential of a three-piece. Perfectly exemplary of this, Melbourne’s progressive/ brutal death-metal purveyors NOTHING are set to release their debut LP The Self-Repair Manifesto on March 26th. Ahead of time, ISC writer Dean has provided an in-depth, track-by-track analysis of this local extreme outfits’ savage experimentation. Check the link for the review, album preorder links, artist website/socials, LP singles and more!
![[Gig Review] PALLBEARER Feat: CONAN/MAMMON’s THRONE/ GHOSTSMOKER @ Max Watt’s Melbourne, 12.03.25.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1741928810504-R6I6LTRFNLI21IB7LAQN/Conan+-+Max+Watts+120325-19.jpg)
[Gig Review] PALLBEARER Feat: CONAN/MAMMON’s THRONE/ GHOSTSMOKER @ Max Watt’s Melbourne, 12.03.25.
What an Earth-shattering night. A true spectacle of the full aural gamut available via the trade of doom mercantile trade, Brady and photographer Richie Black were lucky enough to witness a cosmic, tectonic performance at Max Watt’s, Melbourne (AU) on Wed, 12th March. Check the link for stellar photography, reviews of the full performance by Ghostsmoker, Mammon’s Throne, Conan and Pallbearer, as well as all related artist links, tour info and more!
![[Archive - Review] of Mobile Hut's MÖRK BORG RPG Supplement, 'The Choir'.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1741345195904-WOE13IM19GSIMZWLO6H4/ad_4nxeax57xpc14vbuqts7xfg7571-xqrqc8dezzw0u7yy09scigyklqxvtjmxusre9o40zzowjwidajwqt0rgb7xjliq7kmiauw6hc_ogc1hd7mhskxr7mxjalzd9cvn4py73nm0pa.png)
[Archive - Review] of Mobile Hut's MÖRK BORG RPG Supplement, 'The Choir'.
Originally posted to our old website the day before it crashed and died (on NYE 2024 - RIP). As part of our ongoing Tabletop RPG coverage, resident artist and RPG design expert Elodie explores a 3rd-party supplement for the infamously metal-AF Mork Borg RPG - specifically, The Choir. Created by Evelyn Moreau on behalf of Mobile Hut Games, it’s yet another addition to a fantastic OSR titles’ community canon!
![[Podcast] Froth and Fury 2024 Review: All-In-One/Omnibus Edition!](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1741322638255-J8IGK1KHVPBH4BDQH5FN/458314957_821529990096799_6768939003107938271_n.png)
[Podcast] Froth and Fury 2024 Review: All-In-One/Omnibus Edition!
Get on board the Froth and Fury Omnibus, because we’ve finally resurrected this handy all-in-one multi-post collection of our extensive gig coverage/info/interviews and more for the blast that was last years’ festival - all in one convenient, accessible link! From here you’ll be able to access primers/info, our interviews with Lumen Ad Mortem and Sundowner, as well as mine and Mal’s MASSIVE two-part blog/podcast episode coverage of the whole festival!
![[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.
![[Review] Homeward, a Zinequest solo RPG](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1740396149266-UZUU0EZCVQAG9AY0FLGY/IMG_4641.JPG)
[Review] Homeward, a Zinequest solo RPG
This week, resident dork Élodie finally tries the dorkiest hobby of all, solo roleplaying. Read on to find out how her chosen game, Homeward by Robert Jamison, holds up. Peep the link for the review, as well as links to Jamison’s Kickstarter!
![[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.