![[Podcast] Ep. 48: Interview With ERIC PETERSON, Guitarist of US OG Thrashers TESTAMENT.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1749427182327-6998ML0SAR5TJESTFCU3/Testament.jpg)
[Podcast] Ep. 48: Interview With ERIC PETERSON, Guitarist of US OG Thrashers TESTAMENT.
Kicking off Music Mondays in style, we were joined this morning by none other than Eric Peterson, longstanding member and guitarist of thrash-metal titans Testament! With the Australian tour kicking off in just a couple of weeks, we discussed Eric’s thoughts on heading to our sunburnt land again, plus a whole lot more. Ticket links and other tour info also contained within. Thrash on!
![[Podcast] Ep. 47: Interview with BRANDON SALLER, Vocalist of US Metalcore Titans ATREYU.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1748478568189-ZA1LQLNZ078BPXW5L3FN/download+%2811%29.png)
[Podcast] Ep. 47: Interview with BRANDON SALLER, Vocalist of US Metalcore Titans ATREYU.
Break out the eyeliner, ill-fitting jeans and stretch up for the mosh - Atreyu are headed back to Australia in July for a jam-packed tour alongside fellow metalcore giants Memphis May Fire! I spoke with Brandon Saller around all things Atreyu this morning - the upcoming tour/recent shows, thoughts and reflections on both band and The Curse around the 20th-anniversary LP tour, and much more! Peep the link for podcast interview plus all the tour info you’ll need. Best get in quick, though!
![[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.
![[PODCAST] Ep: 45: Interview with DAVE CHAVARRI, Drummer of US Nu-Metal Legends ILL NIÑO.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1747880163983-VR1C83LDOXQDAM1G4W42/Ep.+45+%5BInterview%5D+with+DAVE+CHAVARRI+of+ILL+NINO.png)
[PODCAST] Ep: 45: Interview with DAVE CHAVARRI, Drummer of US Nu-Metal Legends ILL NIÑO.
With an Australian tour creeping up quicker than you'd think, alongside first-time Australia-enjoyers ADEMA, we caught up with drummer and longest-serving member of Latin-influenced nu-meta legends Ill Nino, Dave Chavarri! Check the link for video/audio-only interview links, tour dates, ticket links and more! Get your bounce on, this one’s finna groove hard.
![[PODCAST] EP. 44: Interview #2 w/ BJORN ‘SPEED’ STRID of THE NIGHT FLIGHT OrCHESTRA/SOILWORK!](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1747219370492-UO12UQBXM0RE9XQJHTS0/download+%285%29.png)
[PODCAST] EP. 44: Interview #2 w/ BJORN ‘SPEED’ STRID of THE NIGHT FLIGHT OrCHESTRA/SOILWORK!
Welcome aboard, passengers! Yet again, Australian-touring-enjoyer and enigmatic frontman of both Soilwork and The Night Flight Orchestra, Sweden’s Bjorn ‘Speed’ Strid, joined ISC for the second time this evening. We discussed past and recent/upcoming tours (such as the Australian tour happening VERY soon!), the experience of fronting both bands in a live setting, TNFO influences and much more! Check the link for full tour info as well as video and podcast interview links.
![[Tabletop Thursday/Interview] with Solo RPG/Wargame Designer IVAN SORENSEN of NORDIC WEASEL GAMES.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1746101555738-1NDRGTM7J33APN0B7SEJ/5leaguesart1.png)
[Tabletop Thursday/Interview] with Solo RPG/Wargame Designer IVAN SORENSEN of NORDIC WEASEL GAMES.
A massive, massive honour, to interview one of my favourite independent solo/co-op RPG/wargame designers in the industry. Ivan Sorensen of Nordic Weasel Games is a tireless, prolific, creative and engaged publisher, with too many fantastic titles under the belt to name in an excerpt. Check out the link for our discussion on game design, music, mechanics, community and more!
![[Podcast] Ep. 43: [Interview] with KELLY SHAEFER of Florida (US) Death-Metal Gods ATHEIST.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1744875038508-EVQ7Q73SKG0G5NF9U6L8/4_3Y5A9158-1-%5B4-5-IG%5D.jpg)
[Podcast] Ep. 43: [Interview] with KELLY SHAEFER of Florida (US) Death-Metal Gods ATHEIST.
As host of this humble podcast/blog, I am incredibly humbled and awed beyond measure for this opportunity! See the link for an extensive, fun and thought-provoking interview with Kelly Shaefer of US death-metal godfathers Atheist, ahead of their upcoming first-ever Australian tour, care of YourMateBookings.com. You’ll also be able to access tickets, tour info, artist bio, additional album info, album/merch order links and more!
![[Podcast] EP. 42: Interview with NAMELESS, a.k.a. DENNIS MIKULA of GHOST BATH.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1744606324746-KD2QQR7FYWCP9Z9ST498/490419555_1194344442094526_1069534723043154103_n.jpg)
[Podcast] EP. 42: Interview with NAMELESS, a.k.a. DENNIS MIKULA of GHOST BATH.
Atmospheric black metal (aka blackgaze, post-black metal) has experienced rapid growth - to the point of oversaturation. One artist who retains a strongly unique musical aesthetic is, of course Nameless (aka Dennis Mikula) of US black metal unit Ghost Bath. See link for Youtube video interview, audio-only version, recent singles, artist/album preorder links, an extensive artist release statement and more!
Featured Image: via Ghost Bath’s official Facebook profile.
![[Podcast] Ep. 41: [Interview] with ALEX TAYLOR, Vocalist of UK Metalcore Bruisers MALEVOLENCE.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1743774539831-NJMFEDJQ47LVZH7UYSN8/Podcast+Ep.+41+%5BInterview%5D+with+ALEX+TAYLOR+of+MALEVOLENCE..png)
[Podcast] Ep. 41: [Interview] with ALEX TAYLOR, Vocalist of UK Metalcore Bruisers MALEVOLENCE.
Rounding out a trio of UK heavy-music interviews for the past week is Alex Taylor, enigmatic and passionate vocalist for UK's fast-rising metalcore bruisers Malevolence. We had a wide-reaching conversation, covering everything from the process of writing and recording for upcoming LP Where Only The Truth is Spoken (including recording in the infamous Studio 606, owned by Dave Grohl!) up to touring, the UK metal scene's recent string of successes, the upcoming Australian tour and much more!
![[Podcast] Ep. 40: [Interview] with SCOTT KENNEDY, Vocalist of UK’s BLEED FROM WITHIN.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1743762054651-AZHHWAD0P5R4UMD06WEG/Podcast+Ep.+40+%5BInterview%5D+with+Scott+Kennedy.png)
[Podcast] Ep. 40: [Interview] with SCOTT KENNEDY, Vocalist of UK’s BLEED FROM WITHIN.
Episode 40 of the Inner-Strength Check Podcast is here! This week, host Brady interviews Scott Kennedy, vocalist of Glasgow’s fast-rising modern metal wrecking-crew Bleed From Within. With Zenith officially releasing as of the 4th April, we discuss the albums’ recording/songwriting process, plus BFW’s history, recent and upcoming tours and more! Check link for video version, audio-only version plus single music videos, artist and album order links and more!
![[Podcast] Interview with DARREN ‘DAZ’ BROOKES of UK Death Metal Godfathers BENEDICTION.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1743163261970-75X362ERO37HUH7ESVOO/ISC+Podcast+Ep.+39+Interview+with+DARREN+BROOKES+of.png)
[Podcast] Interview with DARREN ‘DAZ’ BROOKES of UK Death Metal Godfathers BENEDICTION.
What a venerable honour for this late end of a Friday evening. Tonight, I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to discuss upcoming LP Ravages of Empires (and so, so much more) with UK death metal godfathers Benediction’s guitarist and one of two founding members - Darren Brookes! A band that is hugely influential for much of the music we post here, as well as many bands I/we know and love. Great interview, plus the blog post also contains album order links, single music videos and more!
![[Interview] with MARK PALFREYMAN of Melbourne’s ALARUM.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1736152351338-UIL5DK5Q6Y8D3EZI84AM/alarum2-1.jpg)
[Interview] with MARK PALFREYMAN of Melbourne’s ALARUM.
Featured Image: IG: @samuel_phillips_photography. Ah, Alarum. A band decades into a career of constant innovation, but always anchored to a frantic and colourful blend of jazz-fusion, prog and death metal. I caught up once more with bassist/vocalist Mark Palfreyman to talk everything ranging from recording process/response/background of latest LP Recontinue to longevity, touring, the local scene, inspiration and more!
![[Podcast] Ep. 38: Interview with DAN MACHUCA, a.k.a. Dan The Game Master.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1742369671267-GLG5MEFTROAJRDBM1FI8/danpic.jpg)
[Podcast] Ep. 38: Interview with DAN MACHUCA, a.k.a. Dan The Game Master.
Local educator, TTRPG game master, game therapist and all-around good freaking bloke Dan Machuca (aka Dan The Game Master) has the distinct honour of being our first industry professional interviewed in video/audio format! In this episode, Dan and I discuss his efforts merging hobby passion with education via his rules-lite/accessible TTRPG, regular game sessions for at-risk youth in Melbourne, his teaching work, men’s mental health, favourite RPG systems, work-life balance, and more!
![[Podcast] Ep. 37: Interview with Jeff Sahyoun of LETLIVE. Ahead of 2025 Australian Tour!](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1741828791993-QJSHOV98OVLMO0YAVL1Z/letlive.jpg)
[Podcast] Ep. 37: Interview with Jeff Sahyoun of LETLIVE. Ahead of 2025 Australian Tour!
What an incredible opportunity this morning, to have a chance to speak with Jeff Sahyoung, guitarist of the seemingly-undefeatable post-harcore/soul-punk heroes letlive.! Check out the link for video interview/audio-only streams plus tour dates, ticket links and more. You do not want to miss this gig, Australia - these guys know how to put on an energetic and impassioned live show, and we have our chance to respond in kind!
![[Podcast] Ep. 36: Interview with Nathan Brunning & Ben Astbury of Melbourne's GHOSTSMOKER.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1741597379678-SJVH8DY4Q307PYS2W5FB/ghostsmokerband2.jpg)
[Podcast] Ep. 36: Interview with Nathan Brunning & Ben Astbury of Melbourne's GHOSTSMOKER.
Another fantastic interview in the chamber! Nathan (Vocals/Lyrics) and Ben (Guitars) of fast-rising acclaimed Melburnian doom/sludge unit Ghostsmoker are set to unleash devastation on the metal masses with the upcoming release of the brutal Inertia Cult LP, via Art as Catharsis. Check the link for: video interview, podcast audio-only version, tour dates, singles links, album preorder links, artist/label links and more!
![[Podcast] Ep. 35: Interview with BRETT CAMPBELL of PALLBEARER.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1739267843987-9CMOZ8BKRXK0XSNUAGNI/pallbearercover.jpg)
[Podcast] Ep. 35: Interview with BRETT CAMPBELL of PALLBEARER.
Renowned doom metal merchants PALLBEARER make their return to Australia in March 2025 for an electrifying tour promising to deliver their signature blend of haunting melodies and crushing riffs. Joining them on all dates will be special guests UK doom metal titans CONAN. I was fortunate enough to catch up with vocalist/guitarist Brett Campbell earlier today. Check the link for full video interview, Spotify/alternative podcast platform audio-only versions, ticket links, tour dates and more!
![ISC Podcast, Ep. 34: [INTERVIEW] with OBSCURA frontman/Guitarist STEFFEN KUMMERER.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1739010770230-8V6YDC94R5ZH9JJSYD6I/obscurabandpic.jpg)
ISC Podcast, Ep. 34: [INTERVIEW] with OBSCURA frontman/Guitarist STEFFEN KUMMERER.
Originally posted on our now-defunct old website, dead as a doornail as of NYE 2024 (RIP) - check the link for both video and audio-only podcast formats re: Brady’s interview with Steffen Kummerer, frontman/guitarist of German progressive/technical death metal juggernaughts Obscura! Recorded on 22nd Dec ‘24, it’s an interesting exploration into the writing and process behind latest LP A Sonication, with additional artist/album bio, order links and much more within!
![[Interview]: with Tabletop Designer, Steve Dee](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1738660506102-DEVWWJU7JVFM3J9VZMA8/Kickstarter_banner.png)
[Interview]: with Tabletop Designer, Steve Dee
Steve Dee is one of Australia’s most prolific tabletop designers. I probed him about his upcoming Kickstarter project, The Worldwell, and his philosophies on design.
![ISC Podcast Ep. 33: [INTERVIEW] w/ ROBERT ERIKsSON, Drummer of Sweden’s THE HELLACOPTERS.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1738414509042-Y091QM06C17X67PJU9IS/hellacopterscover.jpg)
ISC Podcast Ep. 33: [INTERVIEW] w/ ROBERT ERIKsSON, Drummer of Sweden’s THE HELLACOPTERS.
Another music-scene veteran with many years of industry experience under his belt in Robert Erikkson! Robert is the long-term mainstay drummer of Swedish hard-rock institution The Hellacopters. We caught up on Tue 28th Jan just prior to release of their infectious, hooky and fun latest LP Overdriver, available as of the 31st. Check out the full interview plus artist bio, album order links, latest singles and more! Rock on, Svenska style.
![[Archive] Interview with AARON TUCK of Black Metallers LUMEN AD MORTEM.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1739080389492-88WXR2185K96UDW5IW73/image-38.png)
[Archive] Interview with AARON TUCK of Black Metallers LUMEN AD MORTEM.
Pic Credit: Jai from @crannkmedia. Originally posted on our sadly now-defunct old website (RIP) in November 2024, ahead of their imposing presence/our review of same @ Froth And Fury Festival - here’s a Q&A interview with indominable frontman Aaron Tuck of South Australian black metal all-stars Lumen Ad Mortem! It’s a great chat and worth revisiting. Go check out their stuff, fantastic live too - can confirm.