![[Gallery] of Brewicide V: ATHEIST + Supports @ Leadbeater Hotel, Melb (AU) 08.06.2025.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1749556271062-QARXHE9VX9NX7EKPYOJT/16.jpg)
[Gallery] of Brewicide V: ATHEIST + Supports @ Leadbeater Hotel, Melb (AU) 08.06.2025.
As if one gig review stacked with enough quality snaps from Atheist’s performance on Sun 8th June was enough. Nor some great shots of supports Anoxia, Vexation and Alarum. Hell no, man. Not when we’ve got talented band/crowd-snapper Jason Vidic of Vidic Images on the case! See within for additional crisp snaps from a truly chaotic, mind-bending evening. Plus artist links and more!
![[Gig Review] ATHEIST + Supports, Leadbeater Hotel (Melb, AU), 08.06.25.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1749481348294-L9LKWPNDY9XSLNQRGBCG/27.jpg)
[Gig Review] ATHEIST + Supports, Leadbeater Hotel (Melb, AU), 08.06.25.
How many words/which words can be used to describe a night of musical perfection? A night 35+ years in the making, featuring one of the most important and influential bands in extreme metal via Atheist? Supported by Australian death-metal legends Alarum, Vexation and Anoxia?! No idea, but for the best-guess attempt & some stellar images by Jason Vidic (of Vidic Images), check out our gig review.
![[Gig Review] ALPHA WOLF (AUS) /MALEVOLENCE (UK), The Wool Exchange (Geelong, AU) 29.05.2025.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1748574026974-HILUCQQ48AV91GH4LJ7R/499731828_1029957405907952_4880345621613435170_n.jpg)
[Gig Review] ALPHA WOLF (AUS) /MALEVOLENCE (UK), The Wool Exchange (Geelong, AU) 29.05.2025.
I was NOT expecting many, many things when I took on a regional show from destroyalllines to write up Alpha Wolf’s blitzkrieg-tour of Australia alongside beloved UK ‘core-titans Malevolence. Supported by no less than two knockouts in Zuko and Melting. A gig so fun, frenetic, manic, loveable and earnest that I went pretty damn hard in that direction, too.
![[Podcast] [Interview] with CHRIS & DAIF of STALKER (NZ) + Brutefest 2025 Photo Gallery!](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1748353410352-SQVFX7WSC7NKEM1BEDXH/Stalker+-+Brutefest+2025-9.jpg)
[Podcast] [Interview] with CHRIS & DAIF of STALKER (NZ) + Brutefest 2025 Photo Gallery!
DUDE. This post right here is absolutely STACKED! I was fortunate enough to finally wrangle an interview with legends Daif and Chris from New Zealand legendary speed-metal maniacs, Stalker! Check the link not only for the full video/audio-only interview (a very, very fun and heartfelt chat from these Kiwi legends) but also a whole bunch of additional Brutefest 2025 photo/footage alongside those posted for our recent review of said gig.
![[Gig Review] RAGNAROK FESTIVAL (20th Anniversary), Lichtenfels (GER), 24.04 -26.04.2025.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1748241649376-VTPYPXRJE48OAACGS5BK/ragnarok.png)
[Gig Review] RAGNAROK FESTIVAL (20th Anniversary), Lichtenfels (GER), 24.04 -26.04.2025.
Fellow ISC staffer and metal-maniac, Dean Underhill, was asked to enjoy some respite on his sojourn to Europe from Australia. Turns out, Dean’s interpretation of respite is sending in a gargantuan recollection of his experiences at Ragnarok Festival 2025, i.e. the 20th anniversary of this glorious and esteemed Euro-fest! Review includes, damn, nearly the entire lineup - artist links and live footage also included!
![[Review] BRUTEFEST 2025 @ The Tote Hotel, Melbourne (AU), 17.05.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1747729637246-RNRKHQTNPROJWMK6SSTZ/Stalker+-+Brutefest+2025-36.jpg)
[Review] BRUTEFEST 2025 @ The Tote Hotel, Melbourne (AU), 17.05.
Brutal Truth have an album titled Extreme Conditions Demand Extreme Responses, yeah? Well, extremely-stacked extreme-metal lineups demand extreme reviews!
Check here for our written/photographic coverage of Brutefest 2025 at The Tote in Collingwood, Melbourne (AU) 17.05, feat: Burnout, Mortuary Sickness, Black Jesus, Sufferance, Resistance, Vexation, Choof, Pizza Death and co-headliners Abigail (JP) & Stalker (NZ)!
![[GIG REVIEW] From The Archive: DIRECT UNDERGROUND FEST, Max Watt’s Melb (AU) 07.09.2019.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1746433797817-EV52PXEC9PW1EW3XH8FS/darkfuneral.png)
[GIG REVIEW] From The Archive: DIRECT UNDERGROUND FEST, Max Watt’s Melb (AU) 07.09.2019.
First of several Music Mondays articles for this week is a prior review exhumed from the Overdrive Music Magazine archive (many thanks to Seb Graham for consent to do so)! It also appeared on our own now-defunct website, but it’s back again! Necromancy! Speaking of, check out Brady’s review of Direct Underground Fest 2019 - feat. Dark Funeral, Immolation, Reaper, Abramelin and Christ Dismembered. Blastbeats are eternal.
![[GALLERY] Of Brewicide II: Metal United Down Under @ The Bendigo Hotel (MELB, AU) 26.04.25.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1746276699185-9V7ZXVELPKX2Y53BH7X7/Gallery+of+Brewicide.png)
[GALLERY] Of Brewicide II: Metal United Down Under @ The Bendigo Hotel (MELB, AU) 26.04.25.
Need a distraction from election shenanigans tonight? Avert your eyes from there for a moment and enjoy the second addition to our Gallery of Brewicide gig-photography/footage series on the blog! This time, we’re joined again by Richie Black Photography. Enjoy the quality shots from Metal United Down Under at The Bendigo Hotel, Melbourne, 26th April , as well as artist links for the bands - Alarum, Vexation, Monoliyth Kuntsquad and Kniver!
![[Gig Review] NERVOSA & Supports @ Northcote Social Club, Melbourne, 19.04.2025.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1745495168713-BNP4RWCSGUFHT5HWO2SZ/Nervosa+-+The+Northcote+Social+Club+190425-36.jpg)
[Gig Review] NERVOSA & Supports @ Northcote Social Club, Melbourne, 19.04.2025.
‘Girls Rock’, huh? Nah, man. If Saturday’s outright devastation of the Northcote Social Club Melbourne by Brazilian death-thrashers Nervosa (with breakneck local supports Resistance and Mason) is anything to go by - girls THRASH. Check out our review and photography coverage of a truly blistering, fun and frantic night of riffs via the link.
![[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].
![[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!
![[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!
![[GIG REVIEW] In Hearts Wake + Ocean Sleeper + Reliqa + Inertia@Chelsea Heights Hotel 21.02.25](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1740311594457-7AFNAE4VBZA4T2H1UTOY/Lead+image.jpg)
[GIG REVIEW] In Hearts Wake + Ocean Sleeper + Reliqa + Inertia@Chelsea Heights Hotel 21.02.25
Playing a raucously riveting set, In Hearts Wake performed to an uplifted and gratified Chelsea Heights audience, reiterating to fans that they represent the epitome of when hard work meets talent.
We were also honoured with the addition of top- tier supports Ocean Sleeper, Reliqa and Inertia.
![[GIG REVIEW] SYLOSIS + ANGELMAKER @ MAX WATTS, MELBOURNE 14.02.25](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1739699213387-11JZRMBDDQBOYI3MVCME/JV+Josh+Middleton+and+bassist+Sylosis.jpg)
[GIG REVIEW] SYLOSIS + ANGELMAKER @ MAX WATTS, MELBOURNE 14.02.25
Returning for some outright decimation of Australia’s capitals for the first time since 2013, progressive modern thrash metal titans Sylosis demonstrated to Melbourne’s eager audiences that not one iota of energy or musical talent has atrophied since. On Valentine’s Day, to boot! Check the link for gig review written by Mal, as well as recants of Angelmaker’s crushing set, plus stellar, crisp pics courtesy of Jason Vidic (Vidic Images)!
![[Gig Review] ENFORCER @ The Leadbeater Hotel, Melbourne 25.01.25.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1737969903782-LTJ9L6VK9H41K3HBL7QD/Enforcer+-+Leadbeater+Hotel+250125-28.png)
[Gig Review] ENFORCER @ The Leadbeater Hotel, Melbourne 25.01.25.
What an honour! Our first local review as an official outlet in Melbourne, and it could’ve been a better pick to kick things off in that respect. Sweden’s Enforcer blazed The Leadbeater Hotel in Richmond last night with a level of NWOBHM/trad/speed-metal and classic rock bombast that was transcendent, skilled and heartfelt! Read on for full the review, including sets by support acts Burnout, Aardvark and Livewire, gig footage, pics and more!
![[Archive] ISC Podcast Ep. 28: FROTH AND FURY FESTIVAL REVIEW PT 2 (Frothie-A-Deux).](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1737600222528-ODXUBU8GOTEVZJJJ274C/image-67.png)
[Archive] ISC Podcast Ep. 28: FROTH AND FURY FESTIVAL REVIEW PT 2 (Frothie-A-Deux).
[Originally posted via our old website which suffered an unexpected and untimely death on NYE 2024, RIP]. Check in for Part 2 of Brady and Mal’s extensive coverage of the HUGE event that was Froth and Fury in Adelaide, SA, November 2024. Within this post is the full two-part narrated podcast version, as well as an analysis of vendors, events and setlists from: Thornhill, Brand of Sacrifice, Organectomy, These New South Whales, Psycroptic, Day of Contempt, Fear Factory, Northlane, Bodyjar, Thy Art Is Murder and Pestilence!
![[Archive] ISC Pod EP. 28 (Part 1): Review of FROTH AND FURY FEST, Sat 9th Nov 2024 - A Day of Metal & Mayhem.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1737436311029-A1AK2X1WIG3J3DY0XEDV/458314957_821529990096799_6768939003107938271_n.png)
[Archive] ISC Pod EP. 28 (Part 1): Review of FROTH AND FURY FEST, Sat 9th Nov 2024 - A Day of Metal & Mayhem.
See here for Part 1 of Brady and Mal’s MASSIVE coverage of 2024’s Froth and Fury Festival in Adelaide, South Australia last November. We cover a swathe of detail raging from site and venue to the first half of our gig reviews from the day - Bifurcation, Sundowner, Signals, Lumen ad Mortem, Pizza Death, FANGZ, Future Static, Great American Ghost, Hands Like Houses and Dharma. Plus some of the wrestling and medieval fighting events (you heard right), cool vendors and more!
![[Archive/Riffs] Beer Factory, A.K.A. InnerStrengthCheck is Off to Froth!](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1737606951570-JMSJ8BFZYLUUWDRVAYIM/458314957_821529990096799_6768939003107938271_n.png)
[Archive/Riffs] Beer Factory, A.K.A. InnerStrengthCheck is Off to Froth!
Originally posted to our sadly dead-and-gone-unexpectedly old site (RIP 31.12.24), this is nonetheless still worth a read. It’s a pre-festival primer which includes a whole wealth of background on Adelaide itself, promoter/organiser Jason North, the venue/grounds, Indigenous Title of the First Nation of Kaurna Meyetta on which the grounds were situated, as well as a whole raft of additional context and info related to the festival itself. Our huge, extensive two-person review of Froth and Fury 2024 is available on the site and our podcast!
![[Archive - Gig Review] CONAN + BELL WITCH, Max Watt's Melbourne, 08.11.2018](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1737196099289-Z3VX5TL0N2071BWLAQHU/conancover.jpg)
[Archive - Gig Review] CONAN + BELL WITCH, Max Watt's Melbourne, 08.11.2018
This was originally published on the now-defunct Overdrive Music Magazine during my time as Senior Contributor, whereby I attended this fantastic gig and reported back thoughts on the Melbourne leg of the 2018 Conan/Bell Witch tour. Thanks to Sebastian for permission to repost in both cases. Check out this retrospective from a great night - can you believe 2018 was that long ago already?!
Gig Review, Pt. 2: – The New Dead Festival XII, 15.04.23 @ Lion Arts, Adelaide.
Originally posted on our sadly as-of-NYE-2024-dead-AF previous website. RIP. This is Part 2 of the also-sadly-defunct New Dead Festival in Adelaide, Australia on the 15th of April in 2023. Check our site for Pt. 1. Bands reviewed here: Disentomb, Butcher ABC, Misery, Denouncement Pyre, Hexis, Altars, Alarum, KILAT, Remission and Flaming Wreckage.