Brady Irwin 5/3/25 Brady Irwin 5/3/25

[Riff] On Mangini-Era Dream Theater

Brady Irwin 4/3/25 Brady Irwin 4/3/25

[Archive/Podcast]: #BehindScreenandSpeaker2024 - A Primer/Explainer For A Whole Bunch-a C O N T E N T. [27.12.24]

Originally posted to our prior and, as of NYE 2024, now suddenly/sadly defunct old site (RIP). This is a primer/introduction to a year-in-review/sporadic round-up series dubbed Behind Screen and Speaker. This series aims to corral a number of our Riffs (articles) into retrospective and prospective thoughts alike into an omnibus style series. Music, hobbies, riffs, art, gaming, TV, shows, it’ll all be here!

Brady Irwin 4/3/25 Brady Irwin 4/3/25

[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.

Brady Irwin 4/3/25 Brady Irwin 4/3/25

[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!

Brady Irwin 3/3/25 Brady Irwin 3/3/25

[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!

Brady Irwin 2/3/25 Brady Irwin 2/3/25

[ARCHIVE - #MusicMonday 24.12.24] Musiikkimaanantai Ja Tekninen Tiistai: Krampus/Saatana Perkele Edition.

This one was originally posted on Christmas Eve 2024, right before our old site suffered an unexpected, untimely death on NYE (RIP). For this Music Monday segment (and in the context of Christmas at the time) I decided to go full Krampus and do a Suomilainen special! There’s a whole slew of Finnish punk, hardcore, death metal, black metal from across the decades. Dedicated to our Finnish members From The Legion. Sataana Perkele!

Brady Irwin 2/3/25 Brady Irwin 2/3/25

[ARCHIVE - Riffs] #TabletopThursdays 19.12.24 - Feature Article: 'A Love Letter to The GMPC'

Originally posted on our sadly as-of-NYE-2024-now-defunct old website (RIP), we’re lucky enough to have access to the old site back-end and thus can repost another Elodie-derived Tabletop Thursdays classic in ‘A Love Letter to The GMPC’. Check out our resident RPG-design whiz’s thoughts on NPC’s walking alongside dungeonmasters right here!

Brady Irwin 2/3/25 Brady Irwin 2/3/25

[ARCHIVE - Undoing Ruin] Moshing Happily Under Radioactive Ash: An ADHD-Focused Look At 2024 From Me.

One of my more acerbic and honest/critical self-reflective pieces (as well as just plain lengthy), this is an honest neurodivergent-peer review of 2024, originally posted to our prior now-dead website (RIP) late last year. I pull no punches here (and content warning - discussions of mental health, anxiety, depression etc) about the impact living with ADHD had on me last year, my whole life, and some frustrations with stereotypes. It’s not all bad, though - I discuss many positives about being ND, too!

Brady Irwin 2/3/25 Brady Irwin 2/3/25

[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!

Brady Irwin 2/3/25 Brady Irwin 2/3/25

[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.

Mal Keecher 27/2/25 Mal Keecher 27/2/25

[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.

Brady Irwin 25/2/25 Brady Irwin 25/2/25

[From The Legion] Wed 26th Feb.

It’s been a hot minute since I’ve provided everyone a From The Legion update regarding the passionate music community I’m thankful to be a part of, as both an admin and a member. This one’s stacked, though! Check out the post for links and discussion related to the Sweden and Estonia editions of MusoLegion Recommends, as well as two reviews from our team!