![[Album Reviews]: A ‘Straya-Double - CIRCLE OF BLOOD & BATTLEGRAVE (AU).](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1776169063393-3M7MF3L0FS7D7B7L1DQG/%5BAlbum+Reviews%5D+Banner.png)
[Album Reviews]: A ‘Straya-Double - CIRCLE OF BLOOD & BATTLEGRAVE (AU).
[Album Review] ‘A Straya Double’: Circle of Blood (AU) - In Praise of Darkness & Battlegrave (AU) - Enslavement. Check the link for full-album reviews for both beastly Australian extreme-metal releases, artist/label links, album/single streams and more. Oi! Oi! Oi!
![[Gig Review] MALIGNANT AURA (AU) ‘Where All Of Worth Comes To Wither’ LP Launch @ Bendigo Hotel (Melb, AU), 04.04.26.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1775742010972-TQZZPKTAHHD6QP7H1IAN/DSC04079.jpg)
[Gig Review] MALIGNANT AURA (AU) ‘Where All Of Worth Comes To Wither’ LP Launch @ Bendigo Hotel (Melb, AU), 04.04.26.
[Gig Review] MALIGNANT AURA (Brisbane, AU) Where All Comes To Wither LP Launch @ Bendigo Hotel (Melb, AU), 04.04.26. Featuring supports Gravepeeler, Thrall & Carcinoid (Melbourne, AU). See within for full gig review, album stream, artist links and more.
![[Gallery of Brewicide XXII]: MALIGNANT AURA (AU) ‘Where All Comes To Wither’ LP Launch @ Bendigo Hotel (Melb, AU) 04.04.26.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1775558278060-0O0AZKX2AB57GP6UAN6E/DSC04171.jpg)
[Gallery of Brewicide XXII]: MALIGNANT AURA (AU) ‘Where All Comes To Wither’ LP Launch @ Bendigo Hotel (Melb, AU) 04.04.26.
[Gallery of Brewicide XXII]: Malignant Aura (Brisbane, AU): Where All Comes To Wither LP Launch @ The Bendigo Hotel, Collingwood (Melbourne, AU), Sat 4th April 2026.
See within for photos from headliners MA + supports Gravepeeler, Thrall & Carcinoid (Melbourne, AU), LP stream/artist links, gig footage and more. Photography: @noisebleed.x (Ofir Gee - Noise Bleed).
![[Heavy News] Aussie Tour Updates: THE AMENTA (AU) & VADER (POL).](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1775103633288-3HHICK3WR09J6LIFNCZG/vadertheamenta.png)
[Heavy News] Aussie Tour Updates: THE AMENTA (AU) & VADER (POL).
[Heavy News, 2nd April 2026}: I’d say “Stop The Press!”, but we aren’t affiliated with Boomer MSM. Stop your scrollin’ if you’ve considered attending either the upcoming Ulcerate (NZ)/The Amenta (AU) double-header tour, and/or Vader (POL)’s recently rescheduled Australian Tour. We’ve got news, links and more for you local gig goers!
![[Podcast] Ep. 70: [Interview] w/ FERDI HANDOJO of VANTA (AU) + ‘Perpetual Selection’ [Album Review].](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1774687980154-GGZFRCUIHLMA2JZRI5N3/vantaband.jpg)
[Podcast] Ep. 70: [Interview] w/ FERDI HANDOJO of VANTA (AU) + ‘Perpetual Selection’ [Album Review].
A double-feature special for you all tonight! Presenting both the Inner-Strength Check Podcast’s 70th episode via our [Interview] with Ferdi Handojo, drummer of Perth-based melodic/tech-death outfit Vanta…. AND a bonus [Album Review] of their debut full-length LP Perpetual Selection! With thanks for both to Ferdi, Vanta and Glenn ‘Dysie’ Dyson of Cult Etiquette PR.
![[Gig Review]: DETHFEST 2026 @ Corner Hotel, Melbourne (AU) 08/03/26.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1774263347022-M5UFY97EJQXWN4UVQS0E/Allegaeon+-+The+Corner+Hotel+080326-6.jpg)
[Gig Review]: DETHFEST 2026 @ Corner Hotel, Melbourne (AU) 08/03/26.
[Gig Review] Dethfest 2026 @ Corner Hotel, Richmond (Melbourne, AU) 08.03.26, featuring: Voidfall, Hybrid Nightmares, Anoxia, Carcinoid, Abramelin, Disentomb, Golgothan Remains, and Allegaeon. See inside for full review, artist links and photos courtesy of Richie Black Photography! Big ups to Your Mate Bookings for organising a fun-filled death metal day.
![[Podcast] Ep. 65: [Interview] with TIM RICHMOND of Melbourne Blackened-Grinders MUNT (AU).](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1768912751482-9999MGNKS85E6IZQ8OV5/muntbandphoto.jpg)
[Podcast] Ep. 65: [Interview] with TIM RICHMOND of Melbourne Blackened-Grinders MUNT (AU).
[Podcast] Second interview to hit the ISC airwaves/Youtube/blog for the evening, we have talented vocal destroyer Tim Richmond (aka ‘Mothlord’) joining us for an in-depth discussion about MUNT’s latest album, their upcoming tour, the local scene, plus plenty of great insights into metal vocal technique and vocalist experience. Show notes include new singles, artist links, upcoming tour info and more!
![[Riff] 05.12.26: Fire Up The Barbie, Mate! - An Aussie 2025 Heavy Music Feature.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1767684859738-CUW1BHLHOTUC3HC4P2FQ/25AussieAlbumsCover.png)
[Riff] 05.12.26: Fire Up The Barbie, Mate! - An Aussie 2025 Heavy Music Feature.
[Riff]: As part of our Behind Screen and Speaker 2025 retrospective/2026 prospectus series, I dive into a bunch of fantastic cuts of prime Aussie heavy-music beef. See within for the full list, album links, music videos and more, plus some additions from the Musolegion community!
![[Gallery of Brewcide XIII]: CRYPTOPSY (US) & Supports @ Croxton Bandroom, Melb (AU) 20.12.25.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1766997374834-LP837XU8V8FSVD97N0RD/_NDS2065.jpg)
[Gallery of Brewcide XIII]: CRYPTOPSY (US) & Supports @ Croxton Bandroom, Melb (AU) 20.12.25.
[Gallery of Brewicide XIII]: Welcome once more, to our celebration of live music and photographic talent! See within for gig footage, Dan McKay’s incredible photography, artist links and more for: Cryptopsy (CA) and supports Writhing (AU) and Munt (AU) @ Croxton Bandroom, 20.12.25 for the ‘All So Vile’ 2025 Australian Tour.
![[Heavy News] MUNT (AU): ‘A Duel Of Fractures’ Video Released, Latest LP ‘The World Is Not Yours’ Out Now.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1764564564210-2WTH2G2LOKC9SCQAZJSX/muntband.jpg)
[Heavy News] MUNT (AU): ‘A Duel Of Fractures’ Video Released, Latest LP ‘The World Is Not Yours’ Out Now.
[Heavy News] We’re kicking off this weeks’ Music Monday by supporting the local scene! Check out the furious new single ‘A Duel Of Fractures’ by Melburnian blackened death-grinders Munt, from the savage newly-released debut LP The World Is Not Yours. This ain’t your mates’ Northcote bedroom indie project - this is globe-shattering stuff!
![[Review] BRUXIST - Self-Titled LP.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1754304102969-V3R54P1Q173U416RCJZJ/548669.jpg)
[Review] BRUXIST - Self-Titled LP.
It’s been a minute between album reviews from your podcast host, and I’m glad I settled on this pick! Comprised of several Aussie underground veterans, Bruxist brings you a cleverly devilish mix of crust, d-beat, Swedish buzzsaw/riffage and even a healthy drop of Norwegian blackened darkness. Read on for full review, and be sure to support the latest self-titled LP via links, courtesy of Gutter Prince Cabal.
![[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!
![[Review] NOTHING - ‘The Self-Repair Manifesto’ LP.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1742019191534-01KRQKK7T0WOK8GKV92D/nothing+band+photo.png)
[Review] NOTHING - ‘The Self-Repair Manifesto’ LP.
Never deny the crushing, expansive sonic potential of a three-piece. Perfectly exemplary of this, Melbourne’s progressive/ brutal death-metal purveyors NOTHING are set to release their debut LP The Self-Repair Manifesto on March 26th. Ahead of time, ISC writer Dean has provided an in-depth, track-by-track analysis of this local extreme outfits’ savage experimentation. Check the link for the review, album preorder links, artist website/socials, LP singles and more!
![[Review] Alarum - ‘Recontinue’ LP](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1740110589583-74KEZY88JG1SNXISJ8BP/481070267_1216400333699347_180761954938397027_n.jpg)
[Review] Alarum - ‘Recontinue’ LP
Featured Image/Footer Image Credit: Wilkography. One thing you can certainly tell with reviews is when a musician reviews them! Hamza’s breakdown of Alarum reaches similar intricacy and depth to that of the band themselves on progressive death-metal/jazz-fusion opus Recontinue, which dropped in 2024 to high critical acclaim. Check the full review which is, like the band, both heady and passionate! Plus artist/album order links, clips, and more.
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.
![[Gig Review, Pt 1] – The New Dead Festival XII, 15.04.23 @ Lion Arts, Adelaide.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1735990880505-OQVGET9LUG7MXGUSFIYF/butcherabc2.jpg)
[Gig Review, Pt 1] – The New Dead Festival XII, 15.04.23 @ Lion Arts, Adelaide.
Part 1 of our two-part festival coverage of the New Dead Festival in Adelaide, 2023. (RIP New Dead, and RIP our old website - thanks WP). Features reviews of: R U N, Black Lava, Lumen ad Mortem, Battlegrave, Vexation, Remission, Writhing, Ashen, Hell Machine, Bifurcated, Apocalyptic Annihilation and I Choose Violence. Just one half of a full day of relentless metal mayhem!
ISC Blog (Archive): Interview With Michael Boakes of I CHOOSE VIOLENCE, 07.04.23.
Originally posted on our now-dead prior website, this is an archival repost from the bones of our prior platform. An interview with Michael Boakes, vocalist of Australian heavyweights I Choose Violence, ahead of the also now-dead New Dead. RIP New Dead Fest, we miss you. <3
![[Archive Review] - Kurushimi, Return 3:Death EP (12.11.2022).](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1735797734694-3W2KPBFP59P3C0E6D4QT/a2738616382_10.jpg)
[Archive Review] - Kurushimi, Return 3:Death EP (12.11.2022).
Archival Review - originally posted on the now-defunct InsertReviewHere.com music journalism blog, then later reposted on the (sadly also now-defunct!) previous InnerStrengthCheck website. Review of Australian avant-garde metallers Kurushimi’s 2022 chaotic EP release in Return 3: Death.
![[Archive Review] - Alarum - Circle's End - (03.11.2022)](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1735713576242-VEB5RHNF23ID3FJPRCEE/alarum.jpg)
Archive Review: LIFE/LIMB - Emergent LP (07.12.2022).
Archive review of LIFE/LIMB’s blistering-Australian-sun full-length Teratoma. This was originally posted to now-defunct music journalism online outlet Insert Review Here, then my own sadly-also-goner ISC.com. Support the Aussie Scene, RIP LIFE/LIMB.