![[Music Monday, 9th March 2026]: HEALTH (US), BATTLE BEAST (FIN) & THE HALO EFFECT (SWE).](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1773045717590-BIYNZKVCJG3Z0CO4S3PR/510630866_9788911344564812_5605674887359270816_n.jpg)
[Music Monday, 9th March 2026]: HEALTH (US), BATTLE BEAST (FIN) & THE HALO EFFECT (SWE).
Hello and welcome back to another Heavy News drop for Mon 9th March, 2026! Hop in and we’ll go hear the latest from US industrial-alt-pop act HEALTH, Finnish grandiosity-merchants Battle Beast and Swedish all-star prog/melodeath act The Halo Effect.
![[#Tabletopthursdays’nt, 06.03.26] Kickstarter News + ISC Staff Explore An ITCH.IO Bundle.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1772788624143-RX1SR0XP549CT9UM9T7O/eebiome.png)
[#Tabletopthursdays’nt, 06.03.26] Kickstarter News + ISC Staff Explore An ITCH.IO Bundle.
[Tabletop]: Well, might be a day out but better late than never, eh? In this weeks’ Tabletop Thursday(‘snt, seeing as its’ Friday here), we bring Dicey News tidings regarding recently-Kickstarted campaign for Meow Wolf/Exalted Funeral’s Tavers RPG. Meanwhile, Elodie and Brady scope out a few choice indie-RPG treats from a very stacked itch.io bundle!
![[Gig Review]: BEHEMOTH with NIDHOGG @ Forum Melbourne (AU), 21.03.25.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1772533128771-9NFQ9OPDDBJI5HTSYZFW/Behemoth+-+The+Forum+210226-35.jpg)
[Gig Review]: BEHEMOTH with NIDHOGG @ Forum Melbourne (AU), 21.03.25.
[Gig Review] Behemoth Chant of The Eastern Lands: Australian Tour 2026 with Nidhogg @ Forum Melbourne, 21st Feb 2026.
See within for gig review, photography, artist links &more - photo gallery [Gallery of Brewicide] incoming, too!
![[Podcast]: Ep. 69 - [Interview] with JOSHUA MIDDLETON of SYLOSIS (UK).](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1772442339521-PJIOZTLD8DOMGAERKHPU/image.jpeg)
[Podcast]: Ep. 69 - [Interview] with JOSHUA MIDDLETON of SYLOSIS (UK).
[Podcast[: Joshua Middleton, vocalist and guitarist of UK modern metal heavyweights Sylosis, returns to ISC Podcast once more to discuss latest LP The New Flesh (released Feb 20th, 2026 via Nuclear Blast Records). See within for video/audio-only interviews, album order links, artist links and more.
![[ALBUM REVIEW] STORY OF THE YEAR- 'A.R.S.O.N'.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1772256133143-CNB3QG339VJD2AJH8KGI/SOTY+ARSON+JPG.jpg)
[ALBUM REVIEW] STORY OF THE YEAR- 'A.R.S.O.N'.
Story Of The Year once again return to form with their seventh studio album A.R.S.O.N via SharpTone Records, officially released February 13, 2026. Read on for a track by track review.
![[Gig Review]: YOB & Supports @ Max Watt’s Melbourne (AU), 19.02.26.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1772074381741-74JNYDF3RLAO6TZ7MXL7/YOB+-+Max+Watts+190226-1.jpg)
[Gig Review]: YOB & Supports @ Max Watt’s Melbourne (AU), 19.02.26.
[Gig Review]: YOB with Mountain Wizard Death Cult & ISUA @ Max Watt’s Melbourne, Thu 19th Feb. See within for full review, gig photography, artist links and more. A massive night of sludge, stoner, doom and post-metal, with thanks to Richie Black Photography and United Front Touring.
![[Gallery of Brewicide XVII:] YOB + Supports @ Max Watt’s Melbourne (AU), Sat 21st Feb 2026.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1771990024798-FXMMFCBJYX178VZC6S1U/YOB+-+Max+Watts+190226-24.jpg)
[Gallery of Brewicide XVII:] YOB + Supports @ Max Watt’s Melbourne (AU), Sat 21st Feb 2026.
[Gallery of Brewicide] YOB (USA) with Supports Mountain Wizard Death Cult & ISUA (AU) @ Max Watt’s Melbourne. See within for additional gig photography (courtesy of Richie Black Photography) and footage, artist links and more. Full gig review available soon here on the blog!
![[Podcast] Ep. 68: [Co-Interview] ‘Deadlifts & Death Me(n)tal’ w/ ELISSA JEWELL, Part I.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1771899442848-O6CWE7TX5AOO5R5L1QXL/6e19bad7-ff46-4a18-a3ef-ff71fe0a96ae.jfif)
[Podcast] Ep. 68: [Co-Interview] ‘Deadlifts & Death Me(n)tal’ w/ ELISSA JEWELL, Part I.
[Podcast] Episode 68 sees prior guest of the show Elissa Jewell (owner/operator, Deadlifts and Death Metal) join myself for a unique opportunity - a co-hosted inter-professional series where our social work/mental health and coaching/fitness worlds collide for an in-depth chat on mental health, fitness, the music scene, neurodivergence, planning, motivation and more!
![[Podcast] #MusicMondays/Heavy News: Inner-Strength Check Radio, 16.02.25.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1771243596165-403QMEV2AO8J1CTZDKL7/Inner-Strength+Check+Radio+%23MusicMonday%2C+Feb+16th+2026..png)
[Podcast] #MusicMondays/Heavy News: Inner-Strength Check Radio, 16.02.25.
There’s honestly way too much going on in the latest edition of Inner-Strength Check Radio, so I’m not even going to pretend it’ll fit into a neat little excerpt! Just get in here and enjoy an hours’ worth of underground heavy music, get the scoop on some recent Heavy News/tour announcements, and check out more albums and tours than you shake a stick at. G’arn. Hop in.
![[Album Review] FORCEFED HORSEHEAD/SHAVING THE WEREWOLF (Split EP) + AGENBITE MISERY (LP).](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1771219570540-UCGJJFY196UFAJHBZNUY/doublereviewheader.png)
[Album Review] FORCEFED HORSEHEAD/SHAVING THE WEREWOLF (Split EP) + AGENBITE MISERY (LP).
[Album Review]: This week for Music Mondays at ISC, your podcast host Brady is treating you to a written-review double-dip. See within for reviews of Norwegian grindpunk/mathcore split-EP From Horrid To Worse by Forcefed Horsehead/Shaving The Werewolf, and full-length experimental horror Remorse of Conscience by New Hampshire trio Agenbite Misery. Get your freaky-Monday on.
![[Podcast] Ep. 67: [Interview] with DICK VALENTINE of ELECTRIC SIX (US).](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1770974284253-O4NXPZ3RSTZSEQLPZX81/Ep+67+%5BInterview%5D+with+DICK+VALENTINE.png)
[Podcast] Ep. 67: [Interview] with DICK VALENTINE of ELECTRIC SIX (US).
[Podcast] For Episode 67 of the Inner-Strength Podcast, host Brady was joined by none other than Dick Valentine, funtime front-man of party-punk disco-metallers Electric Six! They’re set to hit Australian shores next month for their Greatest Hits tour - see within for video/audio-only interview versions, plus all the details you need for upcoming shows! Boogey on.
![[Riff] Stop The Slop in 2026 - With Tabletop.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1770899086168-FONKWAF5R19AN6VX0FZI/566215932_24976454125347281_3562350823156090136_n.jpg)
[Riff] Stop The Slop in 2026 - With Tabletop.
[Riff] For Tabletop Thursday here at ISC, something a little different from our usual run of RPG news. Instead, I’d like to put forth something of a thesis/action-statement about the utility of the hobby in this, The Overly AI-Slop-Infested Year Of Our Tabletop Lord 2026.
![[Gallery of Brewicide XVI]: DAYSEND + Supports, ‘Revisiting Severance’ @ Leadbeater Hotel, Melbourne (AU) 07.07.26.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1770790761190-PHYUVJAVRW0V7L85CE9C/Daysend+-+The+Leadbeater+Hotel+070226-35.jpg)
[Gallery of Brewicide XVI]: DAYSEND + Supports, ‘Revisiting Severance’ @ Leadbeater Hotel, Melbourne (AU) 07.07.26.
[Gallery of Brewicide]: Oh, you thought our gig review coverage was a monster? Well, Richie Black Photography and ISC’s Brady both have a treat instore - see within for even more photography and additional footage from Daysend’s ‘Revisiting Severance’ tour show @ Leadbeater Hotel, 7th Feb, also featuring HOOF, Hybrid Nightmares and Emperor Moth. Up the Aussie horns!
![[Gig Review]: (HED) P.E + Supports, 'STILL BROKE' Tour @ MAX WATTS MELBOURNE (AU) 8.02.26.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1770788227501-UIQX6AOV84U05M5DPUHH/hed+pe+clear+shot.jpg)
[Gig Review]: (HED) P.E + Supports, 'STILL BROKE' Tour @ MAX WATTS MELBOURNE (AU) 8.02.26.
Hed PE returned to Australia to play their breakout album ’Broke’ in its entirety, with supports from Florida’s Nonpoint and Melbourne’s Verona Lights.
![[Gig Review]: DAYSEND + Supports, ‘Revisiting Severance’ @ Leadbeater Hotel, Melbourne (AU) 07.02.26.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1770640064338-ABJYCMMF0PJ2GRWOQU0A/Daysend+-+The+Leadbeater+Hotel+070226-47.jpg)
[Gig Review]: DAYSEND + Supports, ‘Revisiting Severance’ @ Leadbeater Hotel, Melbourne (AU) 07.02.26.
[Gig Reviews] A monster gig deserves a monster review! See within for our coverage of Daysend’s ‘Revisiting Severance’ 2026 Australian tour on the Melbourne leg @ Leadbeater Hotel, Sat 7th Feb, with supports Emperor Moth, HOOF & Hybrid Nightmares. With thanks to Richie Black Photography and Your Mate Bookings!
![[Gallery of Brewicide XV]: ABBATH DOOM OCCULTA + Supports - Melb 30.01.26 & FROTH & FURY (SA) 31.01.26.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1770292808164-8WIFNPRVTUODXF8J6TTA/Abbath+Doom+Occulta-+The+Croxton+Bandroom+300126-25.jpg)
[Gallery of Brewicide XV]: ABBATH DOOM OCCULTA + Supports - Melb 30.01.26 & FROTH & FURY (SA) 31.01.26.
[Gallery of Brewicide XV]: ABBATH DOOM OCCULTA ‘Return to The Raven Realms’ Tour, 30.01.26 @ Croxton Bandroom, Melb (AU), with supports WEREWOLVES & BASTARDIZER. Also included is footage from Abbath’s Froth and Fury Fest 2026 set, via the ISC Youtube Channel.
![[Gig Review]: ABBATH DOOM OCCULTA ‘Return to The Raven Realms’ Tour, 30.01.26 @ Croxton Bandroom, Melb (AU).](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1770209916024-L0WKJNM1O6MJDGP0S12N/Abbath+Doom+Occulta-+The+Croxton+Bandroom+300126-10.jpg)
[Gig Review]: ABBATH DOOM OCCULTA ‘Return to The Raven Realms’ Tour, 30.01.26 @ Croxton Bandroom, Melb (AU).
[Gig Review] Abbath Doom Occulta ‘Return To The Raven Realms’ Tour, with supports Werewolves (AU) and Bastardizer (AU). Fly high on Blashrykh’s blessed black wings and soar through this infernal review of Abbath’s headliner set @ Croxton Bandroom, Melbourne from the 30th Jan - brought to you by evocative writer Dean Underhill, fantastic lensman Richie Black Photography and metal-touring heroes SWD Presents!
![[Gallery of Brewicide XIV]: ‘Celebrating LOU REED, THE VELVET UNDERGROUND & NICO’, 30.01.26 @ 170 Russell, Melbourne (AU).](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1770183420180-T87OPFCHUZSGZ4JUMQLF/Lou+Reed-41.jpg)
[Gallery of Brewicide XIV]: ‘Celebrating LOU REED, THE VELVET UNDERGROUND & NICO’, 30.01.26 @ 170 Russell, Melbourne (AU).
[Gallery of Brewicide] Intrepid gig photographer and music fan Kaza Black took to the photo-pit at 170 Russell in Melbourne last Friday to capture some fantastic imagery from the supergroup tribute ‘Celebrating Lou Reed, The Velvet Underground and Nico’. See within for fantastic shots plus Lou Reed media and artist links.
![[Gig Review]: SWALLOW THE SUN (FIN) & Supports, 25.01.26 @ Corner Hotel, Richmond (AU).](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1769584381683-KNA83NYXOU4JUGAT3O2T/20260125_223018.jpg)
[Gig Review]: SWALLOW THE SUN (FIN) & Supports, 25.01.26 @ Corner Hotel, Richmond (AU).
[Gig Reviews] Finland’s Swallow the Sun introduce their iconic and unique melodic death-doom brand to Australian shores for the first time. For full review of the Melbourne leg @ Corner Hotel, Richmond on 25th Jan, inc. supports Neomantra, The Eternal and Mammon’s Throne plus artist/media links, read on.
![[Riff] Swallowing The Sun, Not Complaints.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1769317898646-7S70D9C2VAYAWBGHCLAL/4207084d-6d58-42e3-9df5-1b5c31be8273.jpg)
[Riff] Swallowing The Sun, Not Complaints.
[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!