[Riff] It’s been far, far too long since I just sat in the writers’ chair to produce something more free-form, as a thought-piece. Thus, the current article. For an answer to how Swallow The Sun and indeed melodic death-doom metal relate to a Porcupine Tree single, societal discourse, mental health and the beach somehow tie together - read on. Ticket links for tonight’s show in Melbourne, too!

[Podcast] Ep. 66 sees myself joining Nicolai Busse from Denmark’s incredible post-black/alternative metal outfit MØL to discuss the bold new album Dreamcrush (out 30th Jan via Nuclear Blast), songwriting, influences and more. Check the link for interview (video/audio-only versions) plus ‘Young’ music video, album details, artist links and more!

[Dicey News] goes Heavy News for Tabletop Thursdays here at ISC! The brutally grimdark TTRPG MÖRK BORG has always garnered a lot of very-metal 3rd-party supplements given the vibe and setting - now, three Nuclear Blast signees join MB creator Johan Nor in the ultimate marriage of death, metal and tabletop via a new actual-play series!

[Podcast] Second interview to hit the ISC airwaves/Youtube/blog for the evening, we have talented vocal destroyer Tim Richmond (aka ‘Mothlord’) joining us for an in-depth discussion about MUNT’s latest album, their upcoming tour, the local scene, plus plenty of great insights into metal vocal technique and vocalist experience. Show notes include new singles, artist links, upcoming tour info and more!

[Podcast] Episode 64: Here on the ISC Podcast, I was lucky enough to have a fun, funny and candid chat with none other than Jahred Gomes, vocalist of nu-metal mainstays (hed) P.E.! Check out the link for video/audio versions of the interview, plus full details, ticket links and more for upcoming Feb Australian Tour with fellow veterans Nonpoint.

[Album Review]: See here for the latest stellar effort from independent Louisville, Kentucky US bruisers Redivider in the Sounds of Malice LP. Our own Hamza Siddiqi has provided a fantastic analysis of the album, plus we’ve also included artist media/streaming/social links for further headbangability!

[Gig Reviews] - Batushka with Support Germ @ Corner Hotel, Richmond, Melbourne (AU), Fri 16th January 2026.

[Album Review]: Sick Sad World (France) - Deuil LP, released 1st October, 2025. Check out ISC author Hamza Siddiqi’s analysis of the latest effort from French underground post-metal crew Sick Sad World, as well as artist links, single streams/music video and more. Riffin’ hard and slow, internationally.

Our first guest-written article comes to you via none other than Melburnian local and RPG/skirmish game-designer Jason ‘The Bruce’ Grubb of international tabletop/wargaming podcast Getting Tabled. Check out the link to explore the process behind his upcoming Road Rash meets Mad Max product, titled Entropy City.

[Heavy News] US technical death metal juggernaughts Origin are shoring up arms ahead of their first ballistic extreme metal salvo in Australia since 2024! Check out the link for tickets, tour info, artist links, media and more. Get your brutality on.