![[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!
![[Album Reviews]: CRYPTIC SHIFT (UK) & CONVERGE (US).](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1776077019713-UQV80ZLO05KTDG0ER0JI/doublealbumcoverphoto.png)
[Album Reviews]: CRYPTIC SHIFT (UK) & CONVERGE (US).
For Music Monday, 13th April, we have two [Album Reviews]: CRYPTIC SHIFT (UK) - Overspace & Supertime & CONVERGE (US) - Love Is Not Enough. See within for full-album reviews, official full-album streaming links, artist/label links and more.
![[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!
![[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.
![[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.
![[ALBUM REVIEW] STORY OF THE YEAR- 'A.R.S.O.N'.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1772256133143-CNB3QG339VJD2AJH8KGI/SOTY+ARSON+JPG.jpg)
[ALBUM REVIEW] STORY OF THE YEAR- 'A.R.S.O.N'.
Story Of The Year once again return to form with their seventh studio album A.R.S.O.N via SharpTone Records, officially released February 13, 2026. Read on for a track by track review.
![[Album Review] FORCEFED HORSEHEAD/SHAVING THE WEREWOLF (Split EP) + AGENBITE MISERY (LP).](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1771219570540-UCGJJFY196UFAJHBZNUY/doublereviewheader.png)
[Album Review] FORCEFED HORSEHEAD/SHAVING THE WEREWOLF (Split EP) + AGENBITE MISERY (LP).
[Album Review]: This week for Music Mondays at ISC, your podcast host Brady is treating you to a written-review double-dip. See within for reviews of Norwegian grindpunk/mathcore split-EP From Horrid To Worse by Forcefed Horsehead/Shaving The Werewolf, and full-length experimental horror Remorse of Conscience by New Hampshire trio Agenbite Misery. Get your freaky-Monday on.
![[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!
![[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.
![[Review] DEADWOOD (CA) - ‘Rituals Of A Dying Light’ EP.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1767781802974-G646UNRFER3O5C4VECA5/deadwood.jpg)
[Review] DEADWOOD (CA) - ‘Rituals Of A Dying Light’ EP.
[EP Review] For our first music release review of the year, we have a snappy, narky, bludgeoning and fun EP from the tundra-coated wilds of Canada, with Deadwood’s latest EP Rituals of A Dying Light, which drops worldwide on Jan 7th via Innerstrength Records. Check the link for EP review, music videos, EP preorder, artist links and more, buddy!
![[ALBUM REVIEW] ALL TIME LOW – ‘EVERYONE’S TALKING!’ LP.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1760589885569-U83UE5HU6V9ZNQ9AHIU3/Everyones+Talking+Final+copy.jpg)
[ALBUM REVIEW] ALL TIME LOW – ‘EVERYONE’S TALKING!’ LP.
All Time Low release their tenth album, titled Everyone’s Talking! And indeed we are, with a lot of positive things to say about this brilliant LP.
![[ALBUM REVIEW] THE BAND CAMINO - ‘NEVERALWAYS’ LP.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1757060143795-7BY44YWDEIWC5UI7SKIP/NeverAlways_OfficialArtwork.jpg)
[ALBUM REVIEW] THE BAND CAMINO - ‘NEVERALWAYS’ LP.
The Band Camino’s 2025 album 'Neveralways' is a compelling blend of introspective lyricism and vibrant indie rock energy.
![[Review] CONDITION CRITICAL (US) - ‘Degeneration Chamber’ LP.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1756727114789-G3WTTOT9PZRUBSQZZD2C/conditioncritical.jpeg)
[Review] CONDITION CRITICAL (US) - ‘Degeneration Chamber’ LP.
[Album Review: Condition Critical - Degeneration Chamber]. Nope, not even inclement weather, power outages or a dead first draft can keep this thrasher down! See here for latest review from ISC host Brady, exploring a ripping, technical affair via these independent New Jersey modern-thrash upstarts. One for the thrashers and mosh-fiends, Degeneration Chamber drops Sept 5th, 2025.
![[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.
![[REVIEW] RISE AGAINST – ‘RICOCHET’ LP.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1753607276427-I1W8CUFI0V8XA7SCO05Z/RiseAgainst_Ricochet_Digital+Cover.jpg)
[REVIEW] RISE AGAINST – ‘RICOCHET’ LP.
Rise Against unleash a barrage of musical artillery that mostly hits the mark on their tenth album in 25 years, 'Ricochet'.
![[REVIEW] STANDOVER (NZ) - ‘…When A Clenched Fist Is No Longer An Option’ LP.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1750217029840-N0IZ2R9ST4GG7IJXL4O5/475770143_593864023804155_607402825164242248_n.jpg)
[REVIEW] STANDOVER (NZ) - ‘…When A Clenched Fist Is No Longer An Option’ LP.
I’m physically exhaling with relief, as a pseudo-intellectual, pretentious dude (aka, every metalhead, ever). Taking a break from endless pontification and metaphor-heavy meandering BS, I’m smacked upside the jaw by some stress-tested, tried-and-true metallic hardcore in the classic late-90’s/early-aughts vein by New Zealand’s Standover and latest bruiser ‘…when a clenched fist is no longer an option’. I’m all for musically being smacked upside the head with good ‘core. Let’s go.
![[ALBUM REVIEW] SENNA - 'STRANGER TO LOVE'](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1747917197889-10PTZMPNC53VQDDKSV8Q/Senna+Stranger+To+Love+Hi+Res.jpg)
[ALBUM REVIEW] SENNA - 'STRANGER TO LOVE'
Edgy hard-rock meets progressive post-hardcore band Senna unveil their ambitious debut album titled Stranger To Love, released 23 May 2025 via Sharptone Records. Creatively crafted by these Mannheim, Germany natives, this LP has a refreshingly dynamic sound,
![[RIFFS] #BehindScreenandSpeaker April 2025: Album Mini-Review Round-Robin.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1746531257633-RPVFHIIZ6AT42MDHIB0C/f3lbgufwual41.png)
[RIFFS] #BehindScreenandSpeaker April 2025: Album Mini-Review Round-Robin.
I do what I want over here at ISC. That’s the beauty of running your own blog and podcast. With that freedom of thought in action, rather than simply pump out a listicle, I decided to give some lesser-known bands from around the globe a slew of mini-reviews in this Riff (article). Featuring April releases from: Slung (UK, power-pop/psych-rock), Felgrave (Norway, avant-garde blackened death-doom), Tigerleech (France, noise-rock/hardcore/stoner), Ancestral Sin (Netherlands, crossover/hxc/deathgrind) and Vyr Muk (Ukraine, dungeon-synth/dark ambient/blackened death metal)!
![[REVIEW] MACHINE HEAD - ‘UNATØNED’ LP.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1746349356885-29627CIH7I53OBORL89V/image003.jpg)
[REVIEW] MACHINE HEAD - ‘UNATØNED’ LP.
Time for our latest album review here at Inner-Strength Check! Today, we take a detour from Australian election shenanigans to bring something decidedly less chaotic/painful to your sensory organs. Pod host Brady provides thoughts on Machine Head’s 11th studio opus, UNATØNED, released April 25th via Nuclear Blast Records. Check link for review plus single streaming, album order, artist/label links and more!