LINK:

https://www.innerstrengthcheckpodcast.com/blog/interview-with-swedens-rock-steady-drummer-robert-erikkson-of-the-hellacopters.

Another music-scene veteran with many years of industry experience under his belt is Robert Eriksson. A long-term mainstay of Swedish hard-rock institution The Hellacopters, Robert joined me online for a catch-up on Tue 28th Jan just prior to release of their infectious, hooky and fun latest LP Overdriver, available as of the 31st.

It's a fun discussion encompassing both musical process with the instrument, the experience of resurgent success after a hiatus, and much more. Recent hook-laden number '(I Don't Wanna Be) Just a Memory' rounds out the episode - enjoy the ear-worms!

The accompanying blog post includes a swathe of additional Hellacopters goodies too - album order links, additional artist press release/bio/links and much more. Keep in touch via site and our socials to get the scoop.

Have fun and rock out!

As Always,

Peace, Love and Grindcore xoxo - Brady.

It's a two-fer!

Hey, my ADHD and smartphone-infested brain knows as well as any of you guys how reading blog articles can feel like a chore at times.

That's why not only have I, your humble host, decided to record said reviews, I've also injected a fair bit of fun into the mix so as to not just be a dry-run read of the website reviews.

TIMESTAMPS:

[0:32] This one's for Lindon. You're welcome, bro <3 //

[2:30] Featured Track - 'Born With Sewn Shut Eyes', by Awful Noise (Bandcamp link here). //

[5:28] Speaking of awful - my terrible Svenska accent and even more butchered apology in said language! (Featuring Mac The Swedish Plumber. Thanks Rob.)//

[6:00] Feral - To Usurp The Thrones LP Review.//

[6:26] RANDOM GRATUITOUS SIMPSONS REFERENCE! OMG, SO ORIGINAL IN 2024!.//

[9:26] Your narrator apparently has a mild cerebral aneurysm.//

[11:55] When The Drums Are So Nice, You Say It Twice.//

[14:55] Review Outro - A Street Fighter Challenger Appears!//

[15:11] RVVKVS - Antithesis of Prosperity LP Review.//

[16:38] C-3PO butts in to take a swipe at my pseudo-intellectual pretentiousness. Thanks, Threepio.//

[17:40] Oh, you thought the Swedish impersonation was bad? Oh, cuzzy...//

[20:33] Narrator Does Dad Joke, Crickets Ensue.//

[21:58] 'ThAt's WhAt ShE SaiD'//

[22:21] Outro + Important Message From The Imperial Security Bureau.

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Links to written blog versions, containing all relevant artist links, profiles, more info on the albums as well as reviews in question:

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https://www.innerstrengthcheckpodcast.com/blog/archive-isc-podcast-ep-32-feral-to-usurp-the-thrones-amp-rvvkvs-antithesis-of-prosperity-lp-reviews

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Both albums absolutely slay. Take my word for it.

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As always - Peace, Love and Grindcore xoxo - Brady.

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www.innerstrengthcheck.com

Many thanks once again to my friend Luna for sharing wonderful insights and prose about the Dark Souls lore and fandom!

Also featuring a brief content roadmap/update prior to the interview proper.

Link to Blog Post:

Shoutouts:

Music - intro courtesy of Minus Life

Episode Tracks courtesy of Incompetech and Phat Phrog Studios.

If you'd like to be interviewed via video or even, as per today, message, to discuss a lore deep-dive or speak your passions about a subject you're interested in - get in touch!

As always - Peace, Love, and Grindcore. <3

Blog: www.innerstrengthcheck.com

Facebook Page

Instagram

Youtube Channel

Twitch

Podcast - Spotify Link

Note: ISC Podcast is also available on: Our Youtube Podcast Page, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, GoodPods, iHeartRadio, PocketCasts and RadioPublic.

Today's episode is a narrated audio-drama version of the Xenomorph examination written piece, available at the link below:

https://innerstrengthcheck.com/2024/09/15/ep-27-dissecting-the-perfect-organism-an-examination-of-xenomorph-xx-121-part-1/

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Prior to the narrated segment, we also have a Content Roadmap and Blog Update, detailing some of the many upcoming pieces and features ahead for the InnerStrengthCheck.com podcast/blog.

-

If you'd prefer to skip all that, refer to the timestamps below:

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[0:00] Intro/Artist Spotlight

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[2:48] Bog Monster - 'Succession'

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[8:28] Acknowledgement/Welcome to Country

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[9:42] InnerStrengthCheck - Blog Update + Content Roadmap

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DISSECTING THE PERFECT ORGANISM:

[19:05] Series Introduction, Background, Lore/Fandom Discussion

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[26:35] Disclaimers For Nerds: A Preamble On Lore + Caveats

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[32:50] Intro

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[35:12] Xenomorph XX-121 - Taxonomy and Classification

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[38:48] Nomenclature - Unofficial/Origins

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[41:30] Nomenclature - Scientific

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PART 2: ORIGINS:

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[43:58] Origins of The Species.

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[46:15] Chemical Agent AO-3959X.91-15, AKA 'The Black Goo'

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[49:15] Origin/Purpose of Agent AO

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[51:02] Course of Infection with Chemical Agent and Medical Prognosis in Humans

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[53:25] Dr. Sean Fifield of USCSS Prometheus - Case Study Zero

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[1:00:07] Dr Rafe Milburn of USCSS Prometheus

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[1:01:48] Infection Stage I: 'Vitiate'

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[1:02:43] Infection Stage II: 'Ague/Febrile'

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[1:03:49] Infection Stage III: 'Lusus/Freak'

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[1:05:47] Final Infectious Stage - IV: 'Terminal'

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[1:08:22] Outro/Conclusion

(See below for tour dates, artist links and more for Diploid, as well as relevant information regarding today's featured artist Mortuary Sickness from Geelong, Victoria (AU)).

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Known for their uncompromising blend of hardcore punk, noise, industrial, grindcore and post-metal, Diploid have carved out a niche in the underground scene with their cathartic soundscapes and thought-provoking lyrics which often have a personal yet universally relatable bent.

Recently returning from a triumphant European tour, Diploid have been their usual thang. That 'thang' being, of course, setting stages ablaze with their electrifying performances, captivating audiences with their dynamic stage presence and ferocious musical prowess!

Garnering critical acclaim for their latest studio efforts, the band is gearing up to unleash new EP 'Mantra' not too soon after the debut of the caustic single ' offering a tantalizing glimpse into their evolving sonic landscape.

Not content to rest on their laurels, Diploid is also preparing to drop a highly anticipated EP later this year, promising a visceral sonic journey that pushes the boundaries of heavy music. Fans can expect a bold exploration of themes ranging from personal introspection to societal commentary, all delivered with the band's trademark intensity.

Embarking on a blistering East Coast tour across Australia, they're set to ignite stages from Melbourne to Brisbane and everywhere in between.

This tour promises to be a must-see event for fans of experimental and cathartic music, showcasing Diploid's unwavering commitment to pushing the envelope and leaving audiences breathless.

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Peace, Love, and Grindcore. xo

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Artist Links:

Linktree (Bandcamp, Socials, Upcoming Tours Etc)

Facebook

Instagram

Bandcamp

(note - check out the Innerstrengthcheck.com website for full details of the upcoming Australian East Coast tour in support of Mantra, as well as multiple other fantastic bills. Congrats on the support slot with Full of Hell/Thou BTW guys!)

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Mantra EP:

- Cassette (courtesy of Life.Lair.Regret Records)

- 'Denial Defensive' Interview/Track Premiere + Link To Vinyl Preorder (courtesy of DIY Conspiracy, and Dutch Label Rope or Guillotine respectively)

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Credits - Featured Artist: Mortuary Sickness (Geelong, AU)

- Bandcamp + Album Link for Latest LP What Lies Beyond.

- Facebook

- Instagram

Want to feature a new single or upcoming release on the show? Be sure to let us know at [email protected].

We're always happy to provide promotional material, album/EP reviews and interviews. Don't be shy, we support the scene!

Link to Written Blog Post:

https://innerstrengthcheck.com/2024/03/29/episode-21-from-2023-to-2024-a-review-of-just-about-everything-pt-i/

Content Warning - This article contains discussions about sensitive topics including mental health/mental illness, disability and discourse around socioeconomic disadvantage.

Please be mindful in engaging with this as you read this article.

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8 months in the making, and overcoming numerous personal and other barriers, I'm finally ready to release what is my most comprehensive podcast episode yet.

When I mention it as a review of 'everything', it can sound hyperbolic. And to an extent, it is.

This is a VERY important episode for me, as it's one where I firmly believe it is applicable and relatable to all of you. Every single one.

I get pretty animated during this episode, but it's only because I feel deeply compelled to speak truth to power, to vocalise things I feel we're all struggling with from our homes, to our online lives, and to the workplace and in the community, as humans trying to just. get. by.

In this episode, I discuss:

- Some candid and personal observations about what I feel is a massive elephant in the room only really being skirted around and avoided in social discourse, news media and everyday life re: the global readjustment from the shock of post-pandemic 'normality',

- Many of the large-scale and systemic barriers and challenges we collectively face, particularly with respect to Big Tech/social media, late-stage capitalism and the pandemic of burnout, the languishing and widespread strain on service delivery in almost every sector, etc.

- Definitions of burnout as an occupational and more generalised psychological phenomenon, widespread data from the WHO globally and multiple Australia-specific policy/research findings about how seriously impacted our workforce, labour pool, emerging students and workers is/are. As well, how these are more specifically affected by certain sectors, as well as the influence of age demographic, gender, etc.

-Impacts of the cost of living crisis,

- Recommendations given by specific governing and independent bodies about the state of mental health and social services in Australia as of 2023/2024 (and asking how/why these have gone largely unaddressed), etc.

There's a lot to unpack in this episode. A lot of sources, a lot of articles, a lot of statistics.

I've included visual depictions and infographics over at the written post if that helps your frame some of these numbers.

Overall, I believe my message is clear.

Let's stop putting our heads in the sand and playing happy families, now. Let's address core issues in our culture, our nation, global society, and let's do it soon.

Thankfully, the next long-form episode will be targeting specific ways we can and have done just that.

It's tough out there this year, I know. Take care of you, your loved ones and your community.

Peace, love and grindcore. xo

https://youtu.be/hAKxa0EORD0

https://innerstrengthcheck.com/2024/05/30/ep-25-interview-with-tony-foresta-vocalist-of-municipal-waste/

CREDITS:

- Big thanks to John Howarth (a.k.a. The One-Man Army - Nuclear Blast AU/NZ and Sharptone Records) for providing the opportunity for this interview to occur. You're a legend, dude!

- Massive ups to Troubadour Presents for facilitating the upcoming Australian thrash devastation!

- Opening Theme: Courtesy of Minus Life (AUS). Check them out at minuslife.bandcamp.com.

It's my privilege to introduce the effervescent vocalist/guitarist Serena Cherry of burgeoning UK heavy heroes SVALBARD, ahead of their upcoming tours in Japan, Australia and beyond.