![[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] 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!
![[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] [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. 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. 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.
![[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. 37: Interview with Jeff Sahyoun of LETLIVE. Ahead of 2025 Australian Tour!](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1741828791993-QJSHOV98OVLMO0YAVL1Z/letlive.jpg)
[Podcast] Ep. 37: Interview with Jeff Sahyoun of LETLIVE. Ahead of 2025 Australian Tour!
What an incredible opportunity this morning, to have a chance to speak with Jeff Sahyoung, guitarist of the seemingly-undefeatable post-harcore/soul-punk heroes letlive.! Check out the link for video interview/audio-only streams plus tour dates, ticket links and more. You do not want to miss this gig, Australia - these guys know how to put on an energetic and impassioned live show, and we have our chance to respond in kind!
![ISC Podcast Ep. 33: [INTERVIEW] w/ ROBERT ERIKsSON, Drummer of Sweden’s THE HELLACOPTERS.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1738414509042-Y091QM06C17X67PJU9IS/hellacopterscover.jpg)
ISC Podcast Ep. 33: [INTERVIEW] w/ ROBERT ERIKsSON, Drummer of Sweden’s THE HELLACOPTERS.
Another music-scene veteran with many years of industry experience under his belt in Robert Erikkson! Robert is the long-term mainstay drummer of Swedish hard-rock institution The Hellacopters. We caught up on Tue 28th Jan just prior to release of their infectious, hooky and fun latest LP Overdriver, available as of the 31st. Check out the full interview plus artist bio, album order links, latest singles and more! Rock on, Svenska style.
![[Archive] Interview with AARON TUCK of Black Metallers LUMEN AD MORTEM.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1739080389492-88WXR2185K96UDW5IW73/image-38.png)
[Archive] Interview with AARON TUCK of Black Metallers LUMEN AD MORTEM.
Pic Credit: Jai from @crannkmedia. Originally posted on our sadly now-defunct old website (RIP) in November 2024, ahead of their imposing presence/our review of same @ Froth And Fury Festival - here’s a Q&A interview with indominable frontman Aaron Tuck of South Australian black metal all-stars Lumen Ad Mortem! It’s a great chat and worth revisiting. Go check out their stuff, fantastic live too - can confirm.
![[Archive] Interview With OPETH’s MARTIN MENDEZ + Australian/NZ 2025 Tour Details.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1737534970321-ZWJZODG02GL6Z7D57841/image-34.png)
[Archive] Interview With OPETH’s MARTIN MENDEZ + Australian/NZ 2025 Tour Details.
Originally posted to our prior website, which died an unexpected and sudden death on 31.12.24 (RIP), we have revived a seminal interview from late ‘24 with Martin Mendez, long-term bassist for Sweden’s progressive-metal titans Opeth. Check the post for video interview, as well as full details (ticket links, bio, artist links, The Last Will and Testament order links etc) of their upcoming November 2025 Australian/NZ tour!
![[Archive] Interview with OLOF WIKSTRAND of Sweden’s ENFORCER + Australian Tour Details.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1737520812639-U43J3B80ZKQQ5WVCID3A/472871823_1144203967066725_9209872957837145904_n.jpg)
[Archive] Interview with OLOF WIKSTRAND of Sweden’s ENFORCER + Australian Tour Details.
AUSTRALIA! Are you ready to rock out in your finest leathers and gauntlets? You should be, ‘cause Swedish heavy/true-metallers Enforcer are on our shores and are about to show Newcastle the Steel! Check the link for my video interview with Olof Wikstrand, frontman/guitarist, which was originally posted on our website that unfortunately went down on 31.12.24. It’s too late, however - peep the link and get the scoop on tickets, artist links, new singles and more!
![[Archive] ISC Podcast Ep. 23 - Interview with MATT PIKE and COADY WILLIS of HIGH ON Fire.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1737090938587-X6UUV84JGSLJSQYJ5NQN/image.png)
[Archive] ISC Podcast Ep. 23 - Interview with MATT PIKE and COADY WILLIS of HIGH ON Fire.
Note: This is an archival repost, brought back to life from the bones of our sadly now-defunct prior website (RIP). Iconic U.S. rock band, High on Fire, released their newest LP, Cometh the Storm, on April 19 ‘24 via MNRK Heavy. I was fortunate to be able to interview both Matt Pike and Coady Willis of the band! We discuss Coady's arrival into the band, the songwriting, band dynamics as a power-trio and of course both international touring and the recording process.
![[Archive] ISC Podcast Ep 22.: Interview with ANDREW CRAIGHAN, Guitarist of MY DYING BRIDE.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1737011005975-6677WFNSCGAYMXSK0KHY/mdb.jpg)
[Archive] ISC Podcast Ep 22.: Interview with ANDREW CRAIGHAN, Guitarist of MY DYING BRIDE.
Note: This is an archival repost, originally posted to our now-defunct prior website (RIP old site 22.03.2024, sniff). Check the link for our March 2024 interview with Andrew Craighan, guitarist for perennial UK doom veterans My Dying Bride. We discuss the 2024-released LP among many other topics pertaining to musicianship and sustaining a career in the industry. It’s a sincere, earnest and fun conversation. Thanks again to Andrew and MDB!
Relevant podcast links and additional album/artist info also contained within this post.