![[Gallery] of Brewicide XXV, Part II: BRUTEFEST 2026 @ Tote Hotel, Melbourne, AU, 25.04.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1777707112849-1ZFD7ZA9Q7SADWKOQGJQ/%5BGallery+of+Brewicide+XXV%5D+Brutefest+2026+Gallery+%5BPart+I%5D+featuring+RATLORDMUNITIONS+VIRULENT+INVOCATION+MONOLIYTH+%40richie_black_photography.png)
[Gallery] of Brewicide XXV, Part II: BRUTEFEST 2026 @ Tote Hotel, Melbourne, AU, 25.04.
[Gallery of Brewicide XXV, Part II]: Brutefest 2026 @ Tote Hotel, Melbourne (AU). All images courtesy of Richie Black Photography, event organised by Brutefest/Your Mate Bookings. Featured: MUNT, Circle of Blood, Harlott, Desecrator, Destruktor (AU) and headliners Warbringer (US)! TOTAL WAR!
![[Gallery] of Brewicide XXV, Part I: BRUTEFEST 2026 @ Tote Hotel, Melb (AU) 25.04.26.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1777638276442-TWZMKOTCRRAWBOIBH5VV/%5BGallery+of+Brewicide+XXV%5D+Brutefest+Gallery%2C+Part+I.png)
[Gallery] of Brewicide XXV, Part I: BRUTEFEST 2026 @ Tote Hotel, Melb (AU) 25.04.26.
[Gallery of Brewicide XXV, Part I]: Brutefest 2026 @ The Tote Hotel, Collingwood, AU 25.04. Our biggest Gallery of Brewicide yet folks - so big I had to split it in half! See within for generous-as-hell amounts of photography (courtesy of Richie Black) + lots of gig footage, artist links and more.
![[Heavy News] CRYSTAL LAKE (JP) Announce PK from PROMPTS (JP) As Guest Vocalist for Upcoming OF MICE & MEN (US) Tour.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1777615408754-5A67RRFJFA13S7HEBJBI/crystallakenew.jpg)
[Heavy News] CRYSTAL LAKE (JP) Announce PK from PROMPTS (JP) As Guest Vocalist for Upcoming OF MICE & MEN (US) Tour.
[Heavy News]: Crystal Lake (JP) Announce PK from Prompts (JP) As Guest Vocalist for Upcoming Of Mice & Men (US) Tour. See within for full Q & A from the band, as well as relevant links related to the upcoming tour.
![[Gallery] Of Brewicide XXIV: MEMPHIS MAY FIRE/BLESSTHEFALL (US) @ Northcote Theatre, Melb (AU) 25.04.26.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1777291520231-KTFFZDH308RU9RDLHB4T/MMF12.jpg)
[Gallery] Of Brewicide XXIV: MEMPHIS MAY FIRE/BLESSTHEFALL (US) @ Northcote Theatre, Melb (AU) 25.04.26.
[Gallery] of Brewicide XXIV: Memphis May Fire / blessthefall (US) with Sienna Skies (AU) at Northcote Theatre Melbourne, 24th April 2026. All photography courtesy of the talented Callum Thomas @callum.tpg - huge thanks to ThePhoenix.AU for having us on for some ‘core fun!
![[Heavy News]: AUGUST BURNS RED Announce ‘Season of Surrender’ 2026 Australian/NZ Tour.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1776315820186-NVDDNVUO6F4Q4QJH2M5V/augustburnsredbandphoto.jpg)
[Heavy News]: AUGUST BURNS RED Announce ‘Season of Surrender’ 2026 Australian/NZ Tour.
[Heavy News]: August Burns Red (US) announce Season Of Surrender Tour Australia & New Zealand 2026 With Special Guests Bloom & I Promised The World (USA), care of destroyalllines. See within for tour dates, ticket links and additional artist media/links. It’s breakdown-time.
![[Album Review]: IMMOLATION (US) - ‘Descent’.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1775816443580-VVYQOF103GIY7RF24LNF/immolationdescentalbumcover.jpg)
[Album Review]: IMMOLATION (US) - ‘Descent’.
[Album Review]: Immolation (US) - Descent, releasing today, Fri 10th April 2026 via Nuclear Blast Records. See within for album review, artist links and additional media such as latest single ‘Attrition’. Another landmark instalment in death metals’ twisted canon, Descent is not one to be missed for extreme metal fiends!
![[HEAVY NEWS]: HAWTHORNE HEIGHTS (US) ‘If Only You Were Lonely’ 20th Anniversary Tour W/ ARMOR FOR SLEEP (US).](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1775715239815-R41LS5512OE6FN0C5UDZ/Hawthorne+Heights+2026+band+pic.jpg)
[HEAVY NEWS]: HAWTHORNE HEIGHTS (US) ‘If Only You Were Lonely’ 20th Anniversary Tour W/ ARMOR FOR SLEEP (US).
Rejoice fellow emo's! Beloved emo rock favourites Hawthorne Heights are coming back to Australia this April to play five cities in six days, joined by legendary rockers Armor For Sleep (US).
![[Heavy News]: LOATHE (UK) Announce Headliner Australian Tour w/ Special Guests STATIC DRESS (UK).](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1775614599730-CITD8320MY31OHQPUV7H/LOATHE.jfif)
[Heavy News]: LOATHE (UK) Announce Headliner Australian Tour w/ Special Guests STATIC DRESS (UK).
The amazing Loathe (UK) will be touring across Australia this May, with special guests Static Dress (UK).
![[Album Review]: GRAUFAR - ‘Via Necropolis’ LP.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1775533532692-GO6LTJBHE6978FDKR44L/vianecropolis.jpg)
[Album Review]: GRAUFAR - ‘Via Necropolis’ LP.
[Album Review] Graufar (Austria) - Via Necropolis, released independently via the artist 20th March, 2026. Words by Dean Underhill. See within for a review of some ripping Austrian blackened death-metal, as well as single/album streaming links, artist links and more. Dean’s verdict: 8/10 Undead Strudels.
![[Gallery of Brewicide XX/Review]: BLACK CROWES (US) @ Forum Melbourne (AU), 02.04.26.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1775277286681-J65XFNZBXJTRWJ379DLI/Black+Crowes_Forum-17.jpg)
[Gallery of Brewicide XX/Review]: BLACK CROWES (US) @ Forum Melbourne (AU), 02.04.26.
[Gallery of Brewicide XX]: The couple that slays together, stays together. Which is exactly why in addition to some fantastic photography by Kaza Black, Richie Black has paired up to review the occasion! That occasion specifically being The Black Crowes’ 2026 Australian Tour @ Forum Melbourne, Fri 3rd April, supported by Perth rock-and-rollers The Southern River Band.
![[Heavy News]: DESPISED ICON (CA), DEAD SLEEP (SWE) & PLINI (AU).](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1775018159228-M3DZ4CHK2SMAE8PJ0952/Heavy+News+01.04.26+-+cover.png)
[Heavy News]: DESPISED ICON (CA), DEAD SLEEP (SWE) & PLINI (AU).
Today’s serving of Heavy News comes with a piping hot tray of award-winning Canadian deathcore (via Despised Icon), rapturous Swedish thrash with Dead Sleep’s latest single + album reveal, and an all-Australian dessert with Plini’s delectable new single/upcoming album. Bon appetit!
![[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.
![[Podcast]: Ep. 69 - [Interview] with JOSHUA MIDDLETON of SYLOSIS (UK).](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1772442339521-PJIOZTLD8DOMGAERKHPU/image.jpeg)
[Podcast]: Ep. 69 - [Interview] with JOSHUA MIDDLETON of SYLOSIS (UK).
[Podcast[: Joshua Middleton, vocalist and guitarist of UK modern metal heavyweights Sylosis, returns to ISC Podcast once more to discuss latest LP The New Flesh (released Feb 20th, 2026 via Nuclear Blast Records). See within for video/audio-only interviews, album order links, artist links and more.
![[Gig Review]: YOB & Supports @ Max Watt’s Melbourne (AU), 19.02.26.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1772074381741-74JNYDF3RLAO6TZ7MXL7/YOB+-+Max+Watts+190226-1.jpg)
[Gig Review]: YOB & Supports @ Max Watt’s Melbourne (AU), 19.02.26.
[Gig Review]: YOB with Mountain Wizard Death Cult & ISUA @ Max Watt’s Melbourne, Thu 19th Feb. See within for full review, gig photography, artist links and more. A massive night of sludge, stoner, doom and post-metal, with thanks to Richie Black Photography and United Front Touring.
![[Podcast] Ep. 67: [Interview] with DICK VALENTINE of ELECTRIC SIX (US).](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1770974284253-O4NXPZ3RSTZSEQLPZX81/Ep+67+%5BInterview%5D+with+DICK+VALENTINE.png)
[Podcast] Ep. 67: [Interview] with DICK VALENTINE of ELECTRIC SIX (US).
[Podcast] For Episode 67 of the Inner-Strength Podcast, host Brady was joined by none other than Dick Valentine, funtime front-man of party-punk disco-metallers Electric Six! They’re set to hit Australian shores next month for their Greatest Hits tour - see within for video/audio-only interview versions, plus all the details you need for upcoming shows! Boogey on.
![[ISC Podcast] Ep. 64: [Interview] with JAHRED GOMES of (hed) P.E. (US).](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1768888209270-04I8JWVKGZH7T3B75EJN/ISC+Podcast+Ep+64.png)
[ISC Podcast] Ep. 64: [Interview] with JAHRED GOMES of (hed) P.E. (US).
[Podcast] Episode 64: Here on the ISC Podcast, I was lucky enough to have a fun, funny and candid chat with none other than Jahred Gomes, vocalist of nu-metal mainstays (hed) P.E.! Check out the link for video/audio versions of the interview, plus full details, ticket links and more for upcoming Feb Australian Tour with fellow veterans Nonpoint.
![[Album Review]: REDIVIDER (US) - ‘Sounds of Malice’ LP.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1768882285306-X5J5OKLY981AIRW2PELS/616939.jpg)
[Album Review]: REDIVIDER (US) - ‘Sounds of Malice’ LP.
[Album Review]: See here for the latest stellar effort from independent Louisville, Kentucky US bruisers Redivider in the Sounds of Malice LP. Our own Hamza Siddiqi has provided a fantastic analysis of the album, plus we’ve also included artist media/streaming/social links for further headbangability!
![[Gig Review]: BATUSHKA (POL) Feat. GERM (AU) @ Corner Hotel, Melbourne (AU), 16.01.2026.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1768827836983-J5MCIDK184QQ373EFWWW/Batushka+-+The+Corner+Hotel+160126-36.jpg)
[Gig Review]: BATUSHKA (POL) Feat. GERM (AU) @ Corner Hotel, Melbourne (AU), 16.01.2026.
[Gig Reviews] - Batushka with Support Germ @ Corner Hotel, Richmond, Melbourne (AU), Fri 16th January 2026.
![[Album Review]: SICK SAD WORLD (France) - ‘Deuil’ LP.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1768713590131-D2672VO5F2ZSJKB3IAWQ/sicksadworldband.jpg)
[Album Review]: SICK SAD WORLD (France) - ‘Deuil’ LP.
[Album Review]: Sick Sad World (France) - Deuil LP, released 1st October, 2025. Check out ISC author Hamza Siddiqi’s analysis of the latest effort from French underground post-metal crew Sick Sad World, as well as artist links, single streams/music video and more. Riffin’ hard and slow, internationally.
![[Album Review]: HEALTH - ‘Conflict DLC’ LP.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1768273784660-9SHCAXRIKAG33IHCF5KR/MAIN+PRESS+SHOT+HEALTH0624.jpg)
[Album Review]: HEALTH - ‘Conflict DLC’ LP.
[Album Review]: LA-based industrial metal/alt-pop trio HEALTH delivered a real shocker for me in December 2025 - in a good way, with 6th release CONFLICT DLC landing in my Top 25 Albums of the Year. Find out why in the full review, which also includes links to the artist and additional media. Get your metalhead boogey on.