![[Podcast] Ep. 54: [Interview] w/ IAN AHLES & WILL TOWNE of AHLES (AU).](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1753770350172-CTODRF3QZGXKSFZNGTMO/ISC+Podcast%2C+Ep.+54.png)
[Podcast] Ep. 54: [Interview] w/ IAN AHLES & WILL TOWNE of AHLES (AU).
For Music Mondays at ISC, yesterday evening I caught up with the talented and humble duo in Ian Ahles (Vocals/Guitar/Lute) & Will Towne (Guitars) of up-and-coming Brisbane-based progressive metal unit Ahles (AU)! Check out the link for video and audio-only versions, links to latest artist media/socials links, further album/artist details and more. Raise an Ahle in celebration!
![[Podcast] Ep. 53: [Interview] with TOMI KOUVISAARI & JAN RECHBERGER of AMORPHIS (FIN).](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1753424523208-9QS1SUYW5WLWI7IHUGWL/ISC+Podcast%2C+Ep.+53+%5BInterview%5D+with.png)
[Podcast] Ep. 53: [Interview] with TOMI KOUVISAARI & JAN RECHBERGER of AMORPHIS (FIN).
In our third podcast interview for this week, your host Brady was recently joined by two great dudes in Tomi Kouvisaari (Guitars) & Jan Rechberger of influential metallers Amorphis! We discuss latest album Borderland, touring and much more. See link for video/audio-only versions plus album preorder/info, artist bio/links, latest music videos ‘Bones’/’Light & Shadow’ and more!
![[Podcast] Ep. 52: [Interview] with ISAIAH MITCHELL of EARTHLESS (USA).](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1753181976092-I0FPKX2U448HRELFT4V1/ISC+Ep.+52+%5BInterview%5D+with+ISAIAH.png)
[Podcast] Ep. 52: [Interview] with ISAIAH MITCHELL of EARTHLESS (USA).
I was joined this morning by Isaiah Mitchell, chill dude & guitarist of influential US heavy-psych unit Earthless whilst he was on a summer's eve walk. We discuss touring, improvisation, our First Nations cultures and much more. Check out the link for video and podcast versions of the interview, as well as the official press release for the upcoming September Australian tour!
![[Podcast] ATTN Bands/ISC Community: A Notice Regarding Interviews; + Featured Tracks.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1753103933192-V9MNZDS1X4704KOU9OF5/459181808_3869752553253383_6831116994898498466_n.jpg)
[Podcast] ATTN Bands/ISC Community: A Notice Regarding Interviews; + Featured Tracks.
Just a brief-ish announcement regarding our process with prioritising interviews, a discussion about our podcasting platforms in general, a bit of a fun idea I have for featuring artists on our podcast episodes, as well as some extra bits and bobs.
![[PODCAST] Ep. 51: [Interview] w/ ANDI DERIS, Vocalist of HELLOWEEN.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1752917876003-7LWFNTDUD7QMQHPJ9M8A/helloweenbandpic.png)
[PODCAST] Ep. 51: [Interview] w/ ANDI DERIS, Vocalist of HELLOWEEN.
One of three (yes, three!) powerful vocalists for the enigmatic, long-enduring and influential power/speed metal band Helloween, Andi Deris was kind enough to join us on the podcast to discuss upcoming album Giants & Monsters, discuss his experiences with the band and music industry at large, and more! Link also contains album preorder link, music video links, artist links and more. Get your pumpkin on!
![[PODCAST] 50th Episode Special: [Interview] w/ DAN CATANIA of HEADBANGERS AUSTRALIA.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1751711277336-DOQL4NL6QW0JWEV4DK2N/ISC+Podcast+-50th+Episode+Special%21+%5BInterview%5D+w+DAN+CATANIA+of.png)
[PODCAST] 50th Episode Special: [Interview] w/ DAN CATANIA of HEADBANGERS AUSTRALIA.
A massive milestone for Inner-Strength Check Podcast! After nearly five years of operating, we’ve reached our 50th-episode milestone. See link for a very relevant conversation for the occasion, with Dan Catania, metalhead, entrepeneur, musician and head of rising Australian music-industry force Headbangers Australia. Thank you, everyone, for supporting us to the big 5-0!
WELCOME TO COUNTRY From The Inner-Strength Check Team.
Formal Welcome To Country, from the Inner-Strength Check Team.
Featured Image: via the Watharoung Aboriginal Co-Operative.
Truth to Power. Pay The Rent, Close The Gap.
![[Podcast] Ep. 49: [Interview] w/ JOEY SCOTT & JAMES TAYLOR of Sydney Death-Metal Crew ANOXIA.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1750072910987-Z5ALZ6UH973Z0LTO003G/125057422_803975720170677_6124749243162250705_n.jpg)
[Podcast] Ep. 49: [Interview] w/ JOEY SCOTT & JAMES TAYLOR of Sydney Death-Metal Crew ANOXIA.
Accelerating through the tiers of the Australian/Sydney extreme metal scene faster than a cheetah with a chili pepper wedged up its’ backside, are old-school/technical death metallers Anoxia. I caught Joey Scott (Vocals) and James Taylor (Bass) for a comprehensive chat around their recent tour with Atheist, thoughts on making it in the current music-industry climate, songwriting, future plans and more - including an upcoming tour with Krisiun! Do we have the links and info for that too?! Yeah, baby!
![[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] Inner-Strength Check Content Update, May 2025.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1748782232322-JPFA2B828TX8XBJ2BZDQ/6tt7cbea6rpa1.png)
[Podcast] Inner-Strength Check Content Update, May 2025.
It’s been an absolutely bonkers month here at Inner-Strength Check - lots and lots of content! I’ve herded all said content-cats together in one handy compendium-post: gig reviews, album reviews, interviews, podcast episodes, news, covers, music/gaming/tabletop-related content, photo galleries and more!
![[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.
![[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!
![[Review] TRIA PRIMA - ‘Three Primes of Alchemy’ EP](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1744537676910-R5DJ3MYY38SGAE78CMVP/triaprimaband2.jpg)
[Review] TRIA PRIMA - ‘Three Primes of Alchemy’ EP
The lost arts of alchemy foretold the ability to meld metal, matter, elements and more in a carefully-prepared concoction. We can say much the same of Ukraine’s Tria Prima, whose Three Primes of Alchemy EP is combed over by fellow ISC staffer and honestly-probably-a-wizard-IRL, Dean. Check out the review, with further artist/album links available as well! Slava Ukraini.
![[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!
![[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!