Inner-Strength Check Podcast

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EPISODE CHAPTERS & TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Segment 1: Intro Welcome to Tabletop Radio/ Smashing the Perfectionist Tax Code

02:20 - Segment 2: [Dicey News]: Australian Tabletop Crowdfunding (Storybrewers, Ghostfire Gaming, Chaosium), The Extreme-Metal OSR Pipeline (Exalted Funeral & Hollow Press) & The Psychology of 'Dark Art'

07:04 - Segment 3: Biopsychosocial Deep-Dive: Dyscalculia, Maths Anxiety Behind the GM Screen

15:27 - Segment 4: Textbook Trap & Right-Brain Tactile GMing

21:16 - Segment 5: Tabletop Radio Music Block Intro — Psychedelic Doom & Post-Metal

21:41 - [ISC Radio] Häxmästaren (Sweden) — 'Skuggor; (from Skuggor Del 1 EP, Majestic Mountain Records)

25:33 - [Heavy News] Heilung March 2027 Australian Tour w/ Lilith Max

26:21 - [ISC Radio] Could Seed (France) — "Pangea" (from Terminal LP, Klonosphere Records) & Episode 88 Outro

FEATURED IN [DICEY NEWS] & TABLETOP SEGMENTS:

• Storybrewers Roleplaying (Sydney, AUS — Good Society, Fight With Spirit, Littlebox RPGs)

• Ghostfire Gaming (AUS — Grim Hollow Transformed, Dungeons of Drakkenheim, Aberration Oblivion's Embrace

•Chaosium Inc. https://www.chaosium.com/

• Free League Publishing (Forbidden Lands: The Raven's Purge, Coriolis: The Great Dark, Dragonbane)

• Catalyst Game Labs (BattleTech: Aces)

• Exalted Funeral (Dolmenwood, Old-School Essentials, Ultraviolet Grasslands, Mausritter: Junk City)

• Hollow Press (Plastiboo's Vermis I & II, Godhusk: Rebirth, Cave Evil)

• Featured Episode Artwork by Élodie Orlando (Into The Weird Blue Yonder): https://intotheweirdblueyonder.wordpress.com/ | https://elodieorlando.itch.io/

• Game Therapy Network Australia: https://gametherapy.com.au/

FEATURED MUSIC & [HEAVY NEWS] ON ISC RADIO:

• Häxmästaren (Gothenburg, Sweden) — 'Skuggor' from Skuggor Del 1 EP (Out 2 Nov 2026 via Majestic Mountain Records): https://haxmastaren.bandcamp.com

• Could Seed (France) — "Pangea" from Terminal LP (Out now via Klonosphere Records): https://linktr.ee/couldseed | http://www.klonosphere.com

• [Heavy News] HEILUNG (DNK) March 2027 Australia & New Zealand Tour w/ Lilith Max (via Destroy All Lines): https://www.destroyalllines.com/tours/heilung-2027

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

As sole podcaster on the ISC Team, I've been held up a little lately due to life circumstances. Nevertheless, we are back! First in a cavalcade of recent interviewees is Nagash, the multi-instrumentalist performing bass and vocals for The Kovenant.

We caught up with Nagash ahead of their recent Australian tour (Gig Review also incoming soon for the Melbourne leg!) to discuss bringing the iconic Nexus Polaris album to Australia, in full, whilst also discussing their stylistic shifts, thoughts on touring her.

Biggest of thanks to Nagash and also Dysie and Co of Soundworks Touring for facilitating both the current chat, and our upcoming live coverage of the Melbourne show back on Fri Sept 18th, 2026!

BONUS: ISC Radio, Featured Artists (Note: Wrong Date On Tracklist Image, oops!):

PETROSA (ITA): ‘Viper’ (Roadburn Chronicles LP out now, via Octopus Rising),

SLAUGHTERCULT (USA): ‘Menstrual Marinade’ (Devoured by Perversion LP out now, via Vicious Instinct Records),

SARCOMA (ECU): ‘Sucio Carbón’ (Ponzoña out now, via Valley Of The Death),

SUBMASQ (ISR): ‘Monument’ (Spirit Animal LP releasing 18th Sept via Willowtip Records), and

ONLY ECHOES (US): ‘Steps Ahead of Drowning’ (Born Adrift available now via Independent Release).

Peace, Love and Grindcore - Brady (Podcast/Patreon Guy).

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

(See below for info on this episode's ISC Radio segment. Featured Artists: Gravecrawler (Sweden), Iapetus (USA), To The Grave (Australia) and SUBMASQ (Israel)).

Spearheading a resurgence both in their own flag-bearing and the greater doom-metal scene in general of late, Swedish veterans CANDLEMASS are set to bring their epic doom bell-tolls clanging across Australia in September - check out this episode's show notes via the ISC Blog below for tour details/ticket links etc!

Gracing us on the podcast with doomly regality was a very chipper and humble Johan Länquist. A man with a plan and one heck of an iconic vocal prowess onstage to boot! We talk everything from thoughts and aims for the upcoming Australian tour through Your Mate Bookings, recent and past Aussie tour experiences, longevity as a band and regaining momentum decades into their career.

See the Inner-Strength Check Blog for Heavy News releases for the Featured Artists below, as well as this episode's show-notes, at:

www.innerstrengthcheckpodcast.com/blog

Peace, Love and Grindcore - Brady, ISC.

ᕕ(⌐■_■)ᕗ ♪♬ ISC RADIO - Fri 14th August, 2026:

GRAVECRAWLER (SWE): ‘Contagion’ (Nidus LP out now, via Independent Release)

IAPETUS (USA): ‘Red Giant’ (The Mother Void LP to release Oct 16th via Willowtip Records)

TO THE GRAVE (AUS): ‘Torture Porn’ (Liberation Front to release Oct 2nd via BLKIIBLK), and

SUBMASQ (ISR): ‘Monument’ (Spirit Animal LP releasing 18th Sept via Willowtip Records)

All rights reserved by the artists.

(See Blog for Show Notes inc. album + merch order/stream/music video links, artist info, links and more!)

ISC - LINKS:

www.innerstrengthcheckpodcast.com/blog

facebook.com/innerstrengthcheck

IG: @innerstrengthcheck_

patreon.com/innerstrengthcheck

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Gearing up for a massive co-headliner tour with jazzy progressive death metal unit RIVERS OF NIHIL (UK) next week across Australia. Here to chat recently on the Inner-Strength Check Podcast with me was none other than JASON PEPPIAT, 20+-year frontman and vocalist for these hardworking death-metal Devils. Having caught a listen to 'The Pulse of Annihilation' prior to release, we discuss Jason's thoughts on/experiences with recording the album, lyrics and songwriting as well as touring generally/domestically, plus what he's looking forward to for the upcoming tour.

Check out the show notes, available soon over at:

www.innerstrengthcheckpodcast.com/blog

These include further Heavy News features, links to media/tours/merch and more for our featured artists on this episode's ISC Radio: ZVINDIYAR (Bahrain), PSYCROPTIC (Australia), NINTH REALM (US) & MINDVILE (Spain/US). All tracks featured have been endorsed for airplay. See show notes for invidual release details, order links, additional singles etc. Peace, Love and Grindcore, Brady.

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

Doomin' across the world for decades now, Greg McIntosh of the iconic gothic/doom-metal outfit PARADISE LOST are one of the UK's finest veteran exports.

Greg's also an introspective thinker and thus we had a lot to discuss from touring internationally, songwriting and influences, to much broader themes around music and life in general. Many thanks to Greg and Nuclear Blast Australia for facilitating an interesting discussion! Tickets are still onsale for the 2026 Australian Tour, kicking off in October.

Check the blog for show notes where you'll be able to order tickets, double-check tour/venue dates mentioned in the episode and more. Stick around afterwards as we're featuring four tracks from across the heavy-globe for another edition of Inner-Strength Check Radio: ANTRHAX (US), MELECHESH (INTL), ANNIHILUS MUNDI (US) & CORROSION OF CONFORMITY (US)!

Time-Stamps:

0:00 - Intro & Interview with Greg McIntosh

27:47 - Inner-Strength Check Radio Intro @AnthraxBandOfficial [Heavy News]/Featured Track - 'The Edge of Perfection'

38:23 - [Heavy News]/Featured Track: @melechesh (US) - 'Raptors of Anzu'

46:53 - [Heavy News]/Featured Track: ANNIHILUS MUNDI (US) - 'Absolute Terror', and

56:09 - [Heavy News]/Featured Track: CORROSION OF CONFORMITY (US) - 'Baad Man'

Refer to the accompanying show notes on our blog for each artist above re: album/EP order links, additional music videos/additional artist media, artist/label links, etc at:

https://www.innerstrengthcheckpodcast.com/blog

As Always,

Peace, Love and Grindcore - Brady.

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

It's not often we get to interview frontmen from not one but two bands co-headlining massive Australian tours, but here we are! Today on Inner-Strength Check Podcast, I'm joined by the one and only iconic Dani Filth of seminal UK extreme-metal institution CRADLE OF FILTH. A band who virtually need no introduction, they're a household name for a reason. With a grandiose, savage and blistering live show, they're hitting the airport to bundle in with DEVILDRIVER (US) for a tour that starts Thursday, 14th July in Brisbane!

Thanks once again to Dani and Nuclear Blast for facilitating a cool chat - love the decor in your gaming room, mate!

Show notes, including tour details, ticket link, additional Cradle media & links PLUS similar details for the artists featured in the episode (see below), all available at:

www.innerstrengthcheckpodcast.com/blog

Don't sleep on the Cradle/Devildriver tickets - word is they're filling up!

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As Always,

Peace, Love and Grindcore - Brady.

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FEATURED ARTISTS:

1. VULGAR MEPHITIS (US) - 'Martyr' From the upcoming Dust LP - 11.09.26 (via Willowtip Records)

2. VAEOVON (NZ - apologies for typo in title-text on vid!) - 'Death Proclamation' from Spiritual Nullification LP - 20.04.26 (Gutter Prince Cabal)

3. GOLD SPIRE (SWE) - 'Steps Into Shadow' From: Steps Into Shadow LP - 19.06.26 (Awakening Records), and

4. UR ZIRKEL (GER) - 'Niebo' From: In Silbernen Sprachen LP - 09.10.26 (Independent)

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

You know what they say - if it ain't broke, don't fix it! Here with another instalment of their timeless brand of buzzsaw-laden old-school death metal assault, are Borisz Sarafugyinov and Bastian Herzog of German death-dealers FLESHCRAWL.

With latest LP 'Epitome of Carnage' hacking heads and taking names across streaming platforms and stages, we discuss the bands' organic studio and live performance processes, songwriting, changes in the extreme metal scene over time and more.

Included in today's podcast episode is a raft of extra goodies - not only have we got full details, singles and other media regarding 'Epitome of Carnage', we also have additional artist info, press releases, media links and more for FUMING MOUTH, DATURA LODGE, THE NOCTAMBULANT and SALLOW MOTH from the US, as well as Chilean rippers... RIPPER! Thanks for taking the time to listen to our podcast. Every bit of engagement and listenership is truly appreciated.

Full episode details available at:

www.innerstrengthcheckpodcast.com/blog.

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FEATURED ARTISTS:

Fuming Mouth (Massachusetts, USA) - ‘Cheat Death’, the first track from the upcoming LP The Ringing Bell (Out July 17th via Triple B Records). Track provided with thanks to Fuming Mouth & Secret Service PR.

The Noctambulant (Jacksonville, USA) - ‘Bring The Sorrow’, 2nd track from the upcoming LP Revival (Out Sept 18th via Terminus Hate Records). Track provided with thanks to The Noctambulant & C-Squared Music.

Datura Lodge (New Jersey, USA) - ‘Mummy’ from upcoming LP Datura Lodge (Out Oct 2nd via ARQUEN Records). Sallow Moth (Dallas, USA) - ‘Distended in Panglacial Advent’, 2nd track from the upcoming LP Hydrophilous Brood (Out 24th July via Willowtip Records).

Track provided with thanks to Sallow Moth & Viral Propaganda PR. Ripper (Chile) - ‘Towards Rebirth’, title-track from upcoming LP Towards Rebirth (Out July 24th via Dark Descent Records). Track Provided with thanks to Ripper & Clawhammer PR.

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

Another very lucky honour and privilege here at Inner-Strength Check Podcast! As the man fronting Coal Chamber and, later on and to date, Devildriver, vocalist Dez Fafara has been around the block a few times.

That also includes our block, and having seen the 'Driver a fair few times (as well as a lucky CC slot at Soundwave one time), he's definitely a frontman who knows how to work an audience. We discuss returning to Australia, the upcoming album release, the imminent tour alongside the UK's Cradle of Filth and more.

BONUS: Inner-Strength Check Radio! All tracks featured on the episode have accompanying album-order, artist links, music video/album/single streaming links and more.

Check all of that as well as ticket links and info for the upcoming DD/CC Australian tour at:

www.innerstrengthcheckpodcast.com/blog

This episode's featured tracks are:

1. 'Soldier of Fortune' from French heavy/speed-metallers IRON SLAUGHT. New album Metallic Torment is out July 10th via Gates of Hell Records.

2. 'No Blade of Grass' by Tasmania's own tech-death veterans PSYCROPTIC. New album 'The Pulse of Annihilation' releases July 17th via Metal Blade Records.

3. 'Necropolitan Line' by stoner-rock crew GREEN LUNG (UK) - a tribute to the Necropolitan Line in London, from upcoming LP Necropolitan, releasing 11th September, 2026 via Nuclear Blast Records.

4. 'Pyre' from CONTROL THE SUN (AUS), a brand-spankin' new progressive rock/metal act from Western Australia.

5. 'Repulsion', title-track from the Swedish thrash-metallers DEAD SLEEP's EP, Repulsion (Released Independently, Fri 26th June 2026).

As Always,

Peace, Love and Grindcore - Brady.

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

17 years - can you believe it?! Seventeen years since my gob was last smacked around pretty firmly by these metalcore/post-hardcore heroes in Poison The Well.

And now, the Hardcore Gods have seen it fit for Australia to be blessed with poisoned drinking devices once more.

Almost two decades later, guitarist and all-around riff-creation maestro Ryan Primarch graciously joins me at the end of a long run of interviews after a VERY convenient power outage on my end prior, to discuss: the Japanese PtW tour and crowd response to newer material, thoughts on touring Australia, re-entering the touring circuit after a long period of semi-hiatus, and more.

Check out the podcast episode show notes also detailing local support additions across the Australian tour, ticket links, additional media and more goodies for poisoning wells, at:

www.innerstrengthcheckpodcast.com/blog.

Video version of the interview also available via the above show notes at our Youtube Channel, simply search @innerstrengthcheck!

Also included are three Featured Tracks which have been approved by artists/label for airplay. See show notes for additional album order links, artist details and more for:

TORNADO LOBSTER KILLER (Milan, Italy): ‘Rhya’ from the upcoming LP, Lobsteria

MANEATING ORCHID (Bangalore, India): ‘Binary Contagion’ from latest LP Cold Logic, released Fri 5th June, via Subcontinental Records, and

APOSTLE (Atlanta, US): ‘Exiting The God Hologram’, from the LP A Split In The Infinite Noumenon, released Fri 5th June, via Terminus Hate City.

As Always,

Peace, Love and Grindcore - Brady.

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

Now this is one that makes my punk-rock heart sing!

A very privileged opportunity to chat with Bill Stevenson, drummer from a band that were hugely formative in my heavy/alternative/punk-rock journey, and likely yours too - The Descendents!

Going one better, we're also discussing an upcoming tour where they'll be playing a full onslaught of landmark 90's punk LP Everything Sucks and more, as part of the 'Run Down Under' Australian/New Zealand tour which kicks off in two days - right near my place down at Barwon Heads Hotel! We'll catch you guys both at this date and the Forum show on the 5th in Melbourne. Come say hi, we don't bite. Most of the time.

Bill and I also discuss said tour, thoughts about returning to Australia, longevity with touring, playing different sized venues and a bunch more. Bill's a charismatic guy and the punk youthful energy is palpable to this day!

Full details on the upcoming tour including ticket links, tour dates, etc, available shortly alongside the video interview at:

www.innerstrengthcheckpodcast.com/blog.

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BONUS!

Given my spiel at the end of the interview about really wanting to obtain more independent/underground punk-rock, today's Featured Artist is hardcore-punk criminal quarter US Bastards. Details of the upcoming release also included in our show notes - their upcoming LP Negligent Discharge is due for release on June 19th, 2026.

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As Always,

Peace, Love and Grindcore - Brady.