[Podcast] ISC Podcast & Blog - The 2025 Compendium.

BlogPodcast
Written By Brady Irwin

Foreword: THE BOTS CAN’T KILL ARTISTIC SPIRIT.

Those of you who’ve followed Inner-Strength Check Podcast/Blog for a while now will be aware that we came back from the death of our prior website of 4 years smack-bang on New Year’s Eve .Heck, it literally happened around the time I’m writing this post (around 6pm). A final traumatic cherry on what was a heavily difficult and challenging year for myself and many others, it was one hell of a solid kick in the content-teeth.

Through an agonising and annoyingly manual process, I was able to repost the entirety of our prior sites’ blog posts. One by one, paragraph by paragraph, image by image. All up this took about two months straight and really was an exercise in insanity.

Why, though? Why, particular when we’re in the late-stage capitalism epoch where making a decent living off content-creation is a much harder, more competitive and less fruitful grind than in say, the 2010s? Heap on top of that the fact that I run this site for free and out of pocket, working with a gracious crew of volunteer contributors?

Couple of reasons.

One, as a passion project and likely full-blown hyperfixation of its’ own, Inner-Strength Check has given me consistency, creativity, autonomy and control through 2025. Without going into too much personal drama, let’s just say the latter two were sharply rug-pulled out from under me in late 2024 - across multiple life-domains.

Secondly (and most important) - as chronically lacking in self-esteem I may in some areas, I’ve full confidence myself and the team have worked hard to bring a LOT of diverse, fantastic content to our audience this year. With new additions to the team, building our existing networks and taking as many opportunities as they arose, ISC has seen its’ biggest year yet. Big indeed for a humble podcast/blog run by one volunteer, for a team of volunteers.

But please - don’t take this as some executive guru spin-bullshit, some vapid attempt to swindle you down the garden path for an adjacent product etc. Merely me speaking from the heart about ISC, as something at times a source of stress but primarily one of inspiration, creativity, community and wellbeing.

We’re not going to dethrone Blabbermouth, Gameranx, ING or RPG.net anytime soon. Nor is that our intention. I have no qualms about us occupying a relatively smaller corner of the Internet - that’s fine and by design.

Whilst looking a lot more buckled and off-rails than salesman-as-technologist Sam Altman and Co would have you believe, the explosion of AI in the 2020’s has continued unabated through the year, too. Slop short-form reels/videos on all social media apps, Youtube etc; ‘faceless’ Youtubers churning out endless reams of minced-up past works via GPT prompts to DALL-E images (with Elevenlabs voicing at times now passing Uncanny Valley tests, it seems). Et cetera, et cetera.

OpenAI et al might be shovelling dogmatism about the omnipotent ‘utility’ of artificial intelligence into an increasingly adoptive and mistrustful knowledge-work ecosystem, to the chagrin of a level-headed majority not pilled on agentic this, efficiency that. Sure. The Habsburg AI effect sees a very real and present risk to not just misinformation/inaccuracy at the point of prompting, but also longer-term degradation of the information superhighway. Absolutely.

Creative industries (and industry in general) have reacted to this explosion in repurposing-without-permission-en-masse on a spectrum ranging from ‘vehement denial/disinterest’ through to ‘earth-shattering, apocalyptic despair’. I’m not one to downplay the jugular-slashing prompted by neoliberal capitalism wielding it’s laziest and most convenient Shiny New Thing - far too many real livelihoods are either at stake or in ruin for that - but I’m also not one to engage in AI-pocalypse rhetoric just yet.

Save that for when the Pip Boy starts pinging Gieger counter readings off the charts. That or, I don’t know, being chased by a liquidified robot with knife-hands and you ain’t got a convenient truck full of liquid nitrogen on hand. SkyNet. Stuff like that.


For those feeling a high degree of anxiety and existential threat about AI… you’re not wrong. It is a real threat and looks set to destabilise our current very broken model of how we engage with labour, economics and the environment, sure. Who knows? Perhaps it’ll act as an impetus for us to reconsider the silly, inequitable and stressful way we define what makes work and access to resources.

Utopian theorycrafting notwithstanding, if you’re genuinely despondent around all this stuff, or just want some entertaining and well-researched content, I highly recommend you check out some great journalistic coverage on the matter. Particularly Cory Doctorow’s works but also the Better Offline podcast, newsletter etc. Ed Zitron is doing the Lord’s work - not just in being passionate and acerbic with his tech-journalism critiques, but also espousing his love of tech and retaining our humanity in the information age.

Peep the rest of the podcast at your leisure, but I’ve added a particularly relevant mini-sode monologue from Zitron down below.

So, why the sudden pivot into A Whole Thing about AI?

Worry not - I’m nearly done.

Putting aside that it goes absolutely without saying that you can’t get around the stuff, neither as a hobbyist, writer, musician, alive human being etc - this whole farcical AI-quatic ceremony represents value to you, via us. Real content from real people. It’s like the organic food craze a while back in that there’s a very real appetite for the organic, the homegrown, the person-centered.

I can’t promise any good chances if I were to hypothetically take on the AI industry single-handedly. What I can promise is that this year, our small corner of the internet has put out inherently human and (hopefully) quality content from a whole variety of domains.

If we’re nothing but a near-insignificant bulwark in an ocean of slop, then I get to leave 2025 gladly. If we’re just a few passionate people doing our part, then we’re happy to hopefully continue providing you entertainment, sincerity and most importantly FUN for as long as we can.

 

Thank YOU!

Thank you to everyone who supported us this year, to our readers, network contacts in various creative industries, podcast interviewees, bands/creators we’ve discussed, interviewed, reviewed etc. I for one am too neurodivergent, oppositional-defiant and stubborn to sit idly by and witness the potential death of art here and now.

A HUGE thank you to the Inner-Strength Check team too - Elodie, Hamza, Mal, Luna, Dean, As-Yet-Person-Whose-Name-We-Havent-Revealed. An equally huge thank-you to folks in our orbit, like our gig photographer buddies (Richie Black, Jason Vidic, Dan McKay etc) Spiro and the Musolegion team, John Howarth and others who’ve either directly contributed to on-site content themselves, or facilitated that happening. There’s been many pinch-yourself opportunities that arose for ISC in 2025, far beyond what I ever initially could’ve expected for the project. On behalf of and alongside my team - thanks for your support and comraderie.

Regarding the threats towards creativity, as we charge into 2026 - AI-slop, the cost of living crisis, etc - you can also do many great things to help support those working in the industries in which your passions, interests and hobbies are based.

Support your local bands/promoters/venues, your indie-RPG publishers (cough got one right here on the site ELODIE cough), solo/small-team game devs, artists and the wide web of staff, volunteers, fans and contributors to the creative world.

It goes without saying that I/we are supremely grateful and humbled for your attention and engagement here this year - all of this is for you, after all. Both of those are finite resources, and I’m immensely thankful for the whole ISC community!

But hey, also? Give yourself a big pat on the back, friend.

You’ve soldiered on through yet another one of my novel-length ramblings (hopefully) unscathed, you’re still physically here, alive, right now. Despite whatever 2025 threw at you. Assuming your year’s been anything like the statistically average person’s, then you’ve been through it and deserve some fun, rest, relaxation and reprieve.

Kudos, stay gold.

You’ve got this. We’ve got this.

See below for an exhaustive and comprehensive list of our various reviews, articles, interviews, podcast episodes and other various media/content from 2025. Y’know, the stuff you actually came here for. I’ll be back at you next year to ramble on about cool stuff and how it benefited me, and can benefit you.

As Always,

Peace, Love and Grindcore - Brady/The Inner-Strength Check Team.

(p.s.: We’re not funded for by anything but my own bank account. No sponsorships nor paid advertisements, which is something I aim to continue as a trend in 2026. Keeping the lights on isn’t cheap, though, so if you do feel like supporting our site hosting, research costs etc (or just ensuring caffeinated Brady, ergo a better-led team), we also have a Ko-Fi profile set up. Any amount helps and is completely your choice, but I thank any donors in advance. :))

ISC in 2025:

Welcome to Country

a) MUSIC

Gig Reviews:

(Click/tap above for relevant ISC Category)

From our Gallery of Brewicide #11: Opeth/Caligula’s Horse @ Palais Theatre Melb (AU) photo-gallery.

Picture courtesy of the one and only Richie Black Photography.

 
 

My most-listened-to albums of December 2025, according to Lastfm data (created using Topsters)

 

New Album Reviews - 2025:

Devin Townsend - Powernerd (Writer: Mal Keecher)

Daufødt - Glitter.

Saor - Amongst The Ruins (Author: Dean Underhill)

Mandroid of Kryptikon - Cosmic Sarcophagus

Alarum - Recontinue

Lacuna Coil - Sleepless Empire (Author: Dean Underhill)

Fanalo - Fanalo (Author: Mal Keecher)

Abduction - Existentialisms (Author: Dean Underhill)

Blackened Dred - Satan Is The Law

Nothing - The Self-Repair Manifesto (Author: Dean Underhill)

Sands - Sands (Author: Hamza Siddiqi)

Spoiled - Collapse

Industrial Puke - Alive To No Avail

Drudkh - Shadow Play (Author: Dean Underhill)

Thornhill - Bodies (Author: Mal Keecher)

Tria Prima - Three Primes Of Alchemy EP (Author: Dean Underhill)

Machine Head - Unatøned

Standover - When A Clenched Fist Is No Longer An Option

Rise Against - Ricochet (Author: Mal Keecher)

Bruxist -Bruxist

Condition Critical - Degeneration Chamber

The Band Kamino - Neveralways (Author: Mal Keecher)

All Time Low - Everyone’s Talking! (Author: Mal Keecher)

Senna: Stranger To Love (Author: Mal Keecher)

(Behind Screen and Speaker) - April Mini-Review Round-Robin’ feat Slung (UK), Felgrave (Norway), Tigerleech (France), Ancestral Sin (Netherlands) and Vyr Muk (Ukraine)

Thornhill - Bodies (Author: Mal Keecher)

 

Gig Reviews - 2025:

Credit: Richie Black Photography - taken as part of our review coverage of Earthless’ Melbourne show on their 2025 Australian Tour (see below for link).

Enforcer @ Leadbeater Hotel, Richmond (Melb, AU) 25.01.25

Pallbearer Feat: Conan/Mammon’s Throne/ Ghostsmoker @ Max Watt’s Melbourne, 12.03.25.

Ghostsmoker & Supports @ The Bendigo Hotel, 29.03.25 (Author: Dean Underhill)

Nervosa & Supports @ Northcote Social Club (Melbourne, AU) 19.04.2025

Brutefest @ The Tote, Melbourne (AU) 17.05.2025

‘Ragnarok Festival 20th Anniversary’, Lichtenfels (Germany), 24-26.05.25 (Author: Dean Underhill)

Alpha Wolf (AU) & Malevolence (UK) @ The Woolshed Geelong (AU), 29.05.25

Atheist & Supports @ Leadbeater Hotel, Melb (AU) 08.06.2025

Church of Crow Doom Festival III @ Chiesa Di San Giuseppe (Italy) 02.05.2025 - Part I (Both parts authored by Dean Underhill)

Church of Crow Festival - Part II

Testament & Hidden Intent, Northcote Theatre, Melb (AU) 21.06.2025

Atreyu w/ Memphis May Fire & Future Static @ Northcote Theatre, 12.07.2025 (Author: Mal Keecher)

The Dillinger Escape Plan @ Northcote Theatre, 13.08.2025

Letlive & Stepson @ Max Watt’s Melbourne, 07.09.25 (Author: Mal Keecher)

Earthless w/ Step Mother & Grimm Rhythm, Melbourne (AU) 13.09.25

My Dying Bride w/ Mammon’s Throne @ Northcote Theatre, Melbourne 17.09.25 (Author: Dean Underhill)

Stoned Jesus ‘XY Anniversary & Australian Tour’ @ Leadbeater Hotel, Melb (AU) 04.10.2025

The Ghost Inside/Bleed From Within w/ Day of Contempt @ The Forum Melbourne, 23.10.25 (Author: Mal Keecher)

Possessed 'Seven Churches 40th Anniversary Tour’, Melb (AU) 31.10.2025

Onslaught ‘ Power From Hell: 40th Anniversary Tour’ @ The Corner, Melb (AU) 22.11.2025




Gallery of Brewicide

(Gig/Event Photo Galleries):

Credit: Richie Black Photography, taken from the below Gallery of Brewicide @ Max Watt’s Melbourne


Ep. 33: Interview with Robert Eriksson of The Hellacopters (Sweden), 28.01.25

Ep. 34: Interview with Steffen Kummerer of Obscura (Germany), 07.02.25

Ep. 35: Interview with Brett Campbell of Pallbearer (UK).

Ep. 36: Interview with Nathan Brunning and Ben Astbury of Ghostsmoker (AU), 10.03.25

Ep. 37: Interview with Jeff Sahyoun of letlive (US), 13.03.25

(Text-Based/Non-Podcast): Interview with Mark Palfreyman of Alarum (AU), 20.03.25

Ep. 39: Interview with Darren ‘Daz’ Brookes of Benediction (UK), 28.03.25

Ep. 40: Interview with Scott Kennedy of Bleed From Within (UK), 04/04.25

Ep. 41: Interview with Alex Taylor of Malevolence (UK), 05.04.25

Ep. 42: Interview with Nameless (aka Dennis Mikula) of Ghost Bath, 14.04.25

Ep. 43: Interview with Kelly Shaefer of Atheist (US), 17.04.25

Ep. 44: Interview with Bjorn ‘Speed’ Strid of Soilwork (Sweden), 22.05.25

Ep. 45: Interview with Dave Chavarri of Ill Nino (US), 22.05.2025

Ep. 46: Interview with Daif & Chris of Stalker (NZ), 27.05.25

Ep. 47: Interview Brandon Saller of Atreyu (US), 29.05.25

Ep. 48: Interview with Eric Peterson of Testament (US), 09.06.25

Ep. 49: Interview with Joey Scott & James Taylor of Sydney’s Anoxia (AU), 16.06.25

50th Episode Special: Interview with Dan Catania of Headbangers Australia, 05.07.25

Ep. 51: Interview with Andy Deris of Helloween (Germany), 19.07.25

Ep. 52: Interview with Isaiah Mitchell of Earthless (US), 22.07.25

Ep. 53: [Interview] with Tomi Kouvisaari & Jan Rechberger of Amorphis (FIN), 25.07.25

Ep. 54: Interview with Ian Ahles and Will Towne of Ahles (AU), 29.07.2025

Ep. 55: Interview with Simon Calabrese of Daysend (AU), 08.08.25

Ep. 56: Interview with Paula and Nik of Melbourne’s Kuntsquad (AU), 26.08.25

Ep. 57: Interview with Nick Holmes of Paradise Lost (UK), 26.08.25

Ep. 58: Interview with Chuck Billy of Testament (US), 30.09.25

Ep. 59: Interview with Jeff Becerra of Possessed (US), 13.10.25

Ep. 60: Interview with Noah See of Conjurer (UK), 20.10.25

Ep. 61: Interview with Eric Jarrin of Despised Icon (Canada), 24.10.25

Ep. 62: Interview with Mille Petrozza of Kreator (Germany), 17.12.25

Ep. 63: Interview with Ben Green of Grimlock and Gypsy Road (AU), 22.12.25

Inner-Strength Check Radio: Pilot Broadcoast, 27.11.2025.

 

b) TABLETOP

Dicey News

Gaming/Hobby/Tabletop news articles from across the year (click above for link to article Category).

 
 
 

C) Gaming:

Riffs:

‘Three (Gauss) Prime Tech-Death Picks’, 03.06.25

‘Goreframe: AKA Big Mumma Hildryn’s Tech-Tunes For Killin’ Techrot To’, 07.05.2025

‘Gamertag Team: Brady and Elodie Explore Beastieball and Vein’, 11.12.25





D) MISC/OTHER:

‘My Time with Lord of The Rings or, Why I Struggle With Tolkein’, 17.03.2025 (Author: Hamza Siddiqi)

‘Apples and Ovormorphs, a.k.a. Alien: Earth Part I (The Good Stuff)’



There’s plenty more I may have missed, and whole Categories not included (such as Lore and Heavy News) - be sure to poke around! I’ll certainly be coming back to comb over the site once more.

Stay tuned, as both myself and my team have a LOT in the works for you all.

Have a wonderful night, and all the best for 2026.

inner-strength check - links:

 
 
Brady Irwin
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