![[Podcast] Ep. 57: [Interview] with NICK HOLMES of PARADISE LOST (UK).](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1756204146536-3Y57GH7LUEUD56NCM060/ISC+Podcast+Ep.+57+%5BInterview%5D+with+NICK+HOLMES%2C+of.png)
[Podcast] Ep. 57: [Interview] with NICK HOLMES of PARADISE LOST (UK).
[ISC Podcast] Far from the stereotypes you might associate with a nickname like, well, Old Nick, our latest vocalist-interviewee Nick Holmes was candid, mirthful and excited in our midnight chat (very goth-coded, I know) ahead of Paradise Lost's 17th (!) studio opus Ascension. Due for release on September 19th via Nuclear Blast Records, we caught up with Nick to discuss said album, but also branch out into directions ranging from the practical (touring, songwriting, etc) all the way through to the existential.
![[Heavy News] DESPISED ICON Reveal New Album SHADOW WORK, Release Music Video For New Single 'Over My Dead Body'](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1754910917272-UA39NGJT2LSULIJ86IGL/image006.jpg)
[Heavy News] DESPISED ICON Reveal New Album SHADOW WORK, Release Music Video For New Single 'Over My Dead Body'
Heavy News/ Music Monday, 11.08.25: Oh hell yeah dude, I am all about this! Montreal-based deathcore mainstays Despised Icon are back in the saddle with their first album in six years with Shadow Work, via Nuclear Blast. Check the link for crushing new music video for ‘Over My Dead Body’ feat. Matt Honeycutt of Kublai Khan TX, album info, preorder/artist links and more!
![[Podcast] Ep. 55: [Interview] w/ SIMON CALABRESE of DAYSEND, Ahead of The ‘Revisiting Severance’ Tour.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1754648730758-3R5S5O46CYU96J94BK2C/506299817_1698104971141568_2423234398434764849_n.jpg)
[Podcast] Ep. 55: [Interview] w/ SIMON CALABRESE of DAYSEND, Ahead of The ‘Revisiting Severance’ Tour.
A massive privilege and honour to have frontman Simon Calabrese of influential Australian melodic death metal legends Daysend, ahead of their upcoming national tour revisiting the massively-acclaimed album Severance. We discuss Simon's thoughts on said tour, stepping back into the band for the first time in 19 years and more! Video/podcast interview link, tour info and ticket/RSVP links contained within - get on it!
![[Heavy News] THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN: Australia Braces For The Arrival Of The Greatest Live Band On The Planet!](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1754043757408-NZZRDYO77OKJQB6EH9ZZ/dillingerband.jpg)
[Heavy News] THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN: Australia Braces For The Arrival Of The Greatest Live Band On The Planet!
This ain’t your average promo-piece - and why should it be when such a once-in-a-lifetime run of shows from the briefly-reformed The Dillinger Escape Plan is at stake? Check out a fantastic Q and A with John Howarth on behalf of ThePhoenix.au, plus links to tickets etc - grab those if you haven’t already, BTW! This one cannot be missed!
![[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. 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] 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!
![[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] 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] 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!
![[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.
![[Review] Drudkh - ‘Shadow Play’ LP.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1744445473350-1XVJDCWUYG089UY2MTQP/p5k9tajoj0qe1.jpeg)
[Review] Drudkh - ‘Shadow Play’ LP.
Ukrainian atmospheric black metal veterans Drudkh offer their latest musical outing to the world, Shadow Play, released on March 21st via label Season of Mist. Check out ISC staffer Dean’s comprehensive review of this sojourn into their latest darkly aesthetic offering, as well as full-album and single streams, artist/label/album order links and more.
![[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. 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!
![[Heavy News] Trans-Atlantic Metal Project GREY MOUNTAIN Release Debut Album!](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1741512520770-GKTX4PU55MC5SPAKX67N/Grey+Mountain+Band.jpg)
[Heavy News] Trans-Atlantic Metal Project GREY MOUNTAIN Release Debut Album!
Heavy News: New Trans-Atlantic Metal Project GREY MOUNTAIN (feat. members of Monsterworks, Bull Elephant, Construct of Lethe, Black Harvest) have released their self-titled debut album via Eat Lead and Die Music! The album is available digitally on Bandcamp (including 24-bit full dynamic range vinyl master in side A/B format) and at new platform Ampwall. Check link for preorder, full album stream and more.