![[Riffs] Forgive me Mikael, for I have sinned](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1736066553513-RCPZ9101EFV2DYGTA6OV/ezgif-6-17ddfb98a6+JPG.jpg)
[Riffs] Forgive me Mikael, for I have sinned
Originally posted on our prior website which experienced an untimely death on NYE 2024 (RIP). Our main-man Hamza shared some pre-release repentance and excitement ahead Opeth’s latest full-length release The Last Will and Testament. Which, coincidentally he also reviewed and posted in 2024 on said old site. That will be uploaded soon, but for now, here’s some nostalgic album pre-release stoke for Sweden’s finest.
![[Riffs] Design Diary: My Experience With Experience](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1736062920835-TPD4V3F2COF1OXGHOU3O/searching+classical+art.jpg)
[Riffs] Design Diary: My Experience With Experience
Countless games have impressed me with their systems for gaining EXP. What follows is a series of moments that influenced me as a GM and designer. I’ll end by sharing a system of my own that synthesises these experiences.
![[Review:] Nadir - Extinction Rituals LP (03.05.23)](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1736077534374-RIVLMWR7NQCWLHERW924/nadir1.jpg)
[Review:] Nadir - Extinction Rituals LP (03.05.23)
And another in the line-up of our archival posts, extracted from the data retrieved from our sadly now-defunct corpse of an old site (RIP isc.com NYE 2024). This represents one of the earliest album reviews conducted by site owner Brady in Nadir’s excellent black-thrash/metallic-hardcore bruiser of an LP, Extinction Rituals. Links to artist profiles to grab the now-released album within. Check it out!
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 Podcast, ep. 08: The Stoked Series (Tabletop Edition) - 25.03.23
Originally posted on our sadly as-of-NYE-2024-dead-AF previous website. RIP. Episode 8 from March 2023 explores tabletop titles I was gearing up for at the time including, but not limited to: Monty Python’s Cocurricular Mediaeval Reenactment Programme, Mutant Year Zero, Wicked Ones/Undead Awakening, Warsurge, Mothership RPG, Battletech: Mercenaries , as well as the Ennies Nominations for 2023’s Awards.
![ISC Archive Post [11.04.23]: Interview with Modern Thrashers REMISSION.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1735896775755-1YYH5X69JVJDZO9C916P/remission.jpg)
ISC Archive Post [11.04.23]: Interview with Modern Thrashers REMISSION.
And the archive-repost choo-choo train continues! This time, it’s our pre New Dead Festival Q and A interview with members of the West Australian thrash metal band, Remission.
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
![ISC Podcast Ep. 08 - (Prelude to ‘The Stoked Series’). [11.03.2023]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1735880899753-S534LA4T5CNLF7EDW77F/stoked-synonyms-2.png)
ISC Podcast Ep. 08 - (Prelude to ‘The Stoked Series’). [11.03.2023]
Yet another of our archival posts, this one was a primer/precursor to ‘The Stoked Series’. In this article, I discussed some pretty open and honest challenges around living with ADHD (Inattentive-Type) and some common mental health comorbidities. It’s ultimately positive though, and focuses on the return of hedonia and stokedness.
ISC Podcast Ep. 7: Review of IHSAHN’s ‘The Fascination Street Sessions’ LP, 06.03.2023
Originally posted on our old website, which unfortunately has met an untimely end (thanks, WordPress!). RIP. This episode is a brief one, naturally so when reviewing a short but powerful EP in Fascination Street Sessions by progressive black metal maestro Ihsahn. Original post date: March 6th, 2023.
![ISC Podcast Ep. 6 - The March Not-An-Update Anti-Update (Update). [05/03/2023].](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1735876691453-ZNM7WL2LGUJB70E67X19/471763041_923331563237204_4558893098269910696_n.jpg)
ISC Podcast Ep. 6 - The March Not-An-Update Anti-Update (Update). [05/03/2023].
Originally posted on our sadly now-in-ruins previous website (RIP) back in 2023. In honesty, it’s an interesting piece with some varied thoughts around content-creation and creativity, but it’s overall a pretty impassioned diatribe. If that sounds up your alley, dig in. If not, we’ve got a heap more episodes being copied and reposted from the carcass of ISC.com (RIP)!
ISC Podcast Ep. 05 - ISC Trajectory for 2023. (27.12.2022)
Originally posted on our old website, which unfortunately has met an untimely end (thanks, WordPress!). To quote directly - ‘A culture fed unrelenting standards imposed by some strange continued need to propagate the pre-pandemic model of life under neoliberal austerity. Plot twist - that isn't working, and I'm fed up.’ Link to rant contained inside!
ISC Podcast Ep. 04 - The Great (Sigh of) Resignation.
This is an archival repost of Episode 4: ‘The Great Sigh of Resignation’ of the Inner-Strength Check Podcast. Available on Spotify, Youtube and all other streaming platforms. Rest in Peace innerstrengthcheck.com, you will be missed.
First #TabletopThursday post for 2025 - Tabletop Goals, ISC Content, etc.
Our first new post for the year, and our first #TabletopThursdays segment at that! In today’s edition, Elodie and myself explore out game-master goals for 2025. Additionally, we provide a bit of scoop on several acclaimed wishlist to-play titles in Knave, Mothership, Old School Essentials, Starforged, Five Leagues From The Borderlands and more!
![[ISC Update] A Warm Welcome to Our Newest Team Member, Elodie!](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1740478266773-AI384FGW0Z4QN8MGYPK2/7e0696b6-2c45-4443-bf14-b41c19d3f852.jpg)
[ISC Update] A Warm Welcome to Our Newest Team Member, Elodie!
Originally posted on our old and unfortunately now-suddenly-dead-as-of-NYE-2024 website (RIP), this here’s an introduction for our 3rd addition to the Inner-Strength Check team in Elodie! See the link for background, artist details, some of her visual art and tabletop RPG portfolio, links to projects and more!
![[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] - Hidden Intent: Dead End Destiny. (03/11/2022).](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67738900deaf1a5f243892aa/1735794615555-VKVDO87O6R8IKFVR3O4W/a2793573206_16.jpg)
[Archive Review] - Hidden Intent: Dead End Destiny. (03/11/2022).
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 thrashers Hidden Intent’s opus Dead End Destiny.
![[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.