Inner-Strength Check Podcast

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What a legendary opportunity this was for one little grindcore-goblinoid such as me. Joining me on the Inner-Strength Check Podcast to talk touring, musicianship, EXHUMED, LEFT TO DIE (US) and the upcoming tour (including shows with none other than the mighty ORIGIN (US)!) is none other than grind-star vocalist/guitarist MATT HARVEY!

Matt's a chilled dude behind the mic, but that's because he's bringing decades of veterancy from the likes of Exhumed, Gruesome and Left To Die, among many other experiences. There's absolutely nothing like an Exhumed show, so don't disappoint Matt, the Exhumed lads... or the Doctor.

Ticket links and tour info available via the associated show notes for Episode 78 at:

www.innerstrengthcheckpodcast.com/blog.

As Always,

Peace, Love and Grindcore (Not Just A Slogan This Time Either),

Brady

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Being too bloody good at his job and therefore stuck with myself admist all the other journos on the podcast earlier this week, was vocalist Johannes Eckerstrom of the uniquely out-there Scandinavian metal-troupe Avatar.

Despite being parked up in a cosy hotel bed, Johannes was fully engaged, banter dialled to 'Full Sweden', and looking hugely forward to a return to our shores in August. From the man himself, as part of our discussion about their recent successful overseas leg of the tour cycle, he/they have been receiving universally positive live responses to recent whacky LP Don’t Go In The Forest.

They're known for a bombastic show, which we also discuss, but methinks the bands' unhinged musical/performative arc will translate well to Aus/NZ shores.

Check out the show notes for ticket links, tour info, additional artist media, links and more at:

www.innerstrengthcheckpodcast.com/blog/

Big Thanks to 'The One Man Army' John Howarth & ThePhoenix.AU for facilitating this chat and what is surely set to be an out-there tour.

Peace, Love And Clowncore, Brady.

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GOPHER is part party-metal, part grindcore, part slam, part hardcore two-piece from Australia & unlike anything you’ve heard before! Grab your durries, pack a bowl, nab your passed-out roomies' nangs and get ready to rock on down to an undisclosed beach-location with myself and NED SMELLY.

We have a good old yarn about the project, influences, plans for the live front in future and more. From the mouths of these two nutters comes the bands' bio: Originally hailing from Fanny Barks, UK, and forming in 1790, after having arrived on the first fleet to what was known back then as The British Colony of New South Wales, these two rotting, stinking, bubbling corpses that are GOPHER, have wasted no time piecing together their astonishing, must hear debut album ‘Tunnel Buddies’, set for release on May 1st.

You can check out the full show notes including recent singles 'Tunnel Buddies' and 'Party In The Sky', LP order links, additional artist media and more at:

www.innerstrengthcheckpodcast.com/blog

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GOPHER - LINKS:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/gopheramassage

Instagram: Instagram: @gopheramasage

Youtube: YouTube.com/@gopheramassage

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As Always,

Peace, Love and (Party)-Grindcore - Brady.

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Part I - [Interview]: There's no brakes on the tour announcement train, and time, tide and progressive tech-death wait for no man. A man who knows all about this is Kyle Schaefer, vocalist of US progressive tech-death legends Fallujah.

With the recent successful release of the fantastic LP Xenotaph, they're bringing themselves Down Under/to NZ later this year with German tech-prog-death giants Obscura + Australian death-dealers Ashen and Anoxia.

Kyle's a chill dude (with a WAY better streamer setup than Yours Truly, TBH!) and gave his thoughts on Shredfest, Xenotaph, live gear setup, international touring and a heap more. Check out the show notes (available soon at:

www.innerstrengthpodcast.com/blog) for latest singles, Shredfest tour info/ticket links and more.

Part II: [ISC Radio] Monday 18th May, 2026:

NOTE: Be sure to check out the show notes via the above link for additional artist media/bios/pre-release/purchase links/artist links etc, for each featured track.

(24:32): Introduction/Post-Interview - More info on the upcoming Shredfest tour as per the official press release (tour dates, etc). Plus some thoughts from on the bands!

(31:53) - Featured Track: ORCHA MELCHA (US) - 'Idols & Gods' (Trad/Progressive Metal) + Album Info

(36:37) Heavy News: ANTHRAX (US) Announce New Album ‘Cursum Perficio’ Out 18th September + Release First Single 'It’s For The Kids'

(41:03) - Featured Track: DITHEIST (US) - 'Evil To Live' (Death Metal) + Album Info

(49:28) 'He he ha he he he he-he, heh heh ha heh heh heh-heh, He he ha he he he hehe, and then another heh heh he-he heh'

(49:36) Heavy News: Canadian Thrashers W.M.D. To Release Against All Warnings on June 5 (52:45) Androids want more life...

(52:57) Featured Track: ANTIMOZDEBEAST (US) - 'Corridor Of Admiration' (HEADPHONE WARNING, fr!)

(1:01:28) Outro + Featured Track: AETERE (France) - 'Cilice' Thanks to John Howarth, Kyle Schaefer, Clawhammer PR, C-Squared Music and Dallas Does PR for helping facilitate the interview and our featured tracks!

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US metalcore giants Of Mice & Men have forged a hugely successful reputation both musically and, especially, their raucous live performances.

On both sides of the barrier! We almost missed the boat on this one, but were thankfully able to grab a last-minute interview with Aaron Pauley (Vocals) and Valentino 'Tino' Artega (Drums) to get their thoughts around returning alongside Japanese up-and-comers Crystal Lake.

Check out the accompanying show notes, including additional singles/artist media, tour information, ticket links and more at:

www.innerstrengthcheckpodcast.com/blog

Peace, Love, Mice and Moshes - Brady.

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(Note: This podcast episode originally featured on our old website, innerstrengthcheck.com, which suffered an unexpected and untimely demise right on New Year's Eve 2024! The episodes and their video counterparts are still available via the usual links/channels - check the show notes below for more details).

Welcome to Inner-Strength Check, a podcast at the confluence of mental health, hobbies, leisure, society and community. For today's episode, I decided to give you all a bit of an honest peek behind the GM screen and detail my own mental health recovery/neurodiversity trajectory over time, up to the present day. I felt it important not only to set the tone for the mental health side of things, but for you get a more honest and raw appraisal of your show host. Coming up next will be Behind The Screen, which is parallel to this episode but will be more involved with discussing how my hobbies and leisure have formed, changed and persist from the past to the present day. From there, we'll expand out much more broadly to look at gaming, mental health and the like on a community and systemic level. Please do get in touch if you're interested in coming on board as a guest, co-host or even just to game together! Cheers, Brady.

LINKS:

Episode 1 - Show Notes:

https://www.innerstrengthcheckpodcast.com/blog/episode-1-inside-the-computer Facebook:

facebook.com/innerstrengthcheck

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/innerstrengthcheck

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@innerstrengthcheck -

Cover Art Credit: Greg Dunn. Website: https://www.gregadunn.com

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What an incredible opportunity!

I've been a massive Warbringer fan ever since the release of their first album, War Without End back in 2008. Missing their previous Australian tour has felt like an egregious insult to my thrasher spirit.

Imagine my excitement for us not only getting the privilege to review their upcoming set at Brutefest 2026 in Melbourne, but also chat to frontman/vocalist John Kevill! We go deep on this one, as the band did on killer 2025 LP Wrath and Ruin. Technocracy, sociology, touring, lyrics, mental health, thoughts about touring both Australia and SE Asia, the current state of modern thrash... it's all in there, and more!

Check out the show notes at:

www.innerstrengthcheckpodcast.com/blog

Show notes include singles/additional media, artist links, ticket links, Wrath and Ruin album bio and dates/info for both the Australian and Asian 2026 tours.

The bands' first date kicks off tomorrow night in Bangkok, Thailand.

HUGE thanks to John/the Warbringer crew, Marco Barbieri from Salem Rose/M-Theory Audio and Anthony Blayney from Brutefest/Your Mate Bookings for facilitating a dream modern-thrash interview! Peace and Love Through Superior Firepower - Brady.

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Easter, Schmeaster.

Just 'cause it's Easter Monday, don't think for a second that us metalhead apostates are lifting that foot off the gas! Speaking of, irrespective of everything happening to fuel prices and the whole Strait of Hormuz can't slow down Immolation - neither can time.

After 37 years in the business, they've been breaking grounds that the modern extreme-metal scene are only just catching up to now. Here to talk about latest album Descent, songwriting, musicianship, death metal longevity, changes in the DM scene/production/touring and more is longstanding guitarist and riff-wizard Bob Vigna.

You can check out media including latest Descent album singles/other artist media, the bands' official statement, links and more alongside the episode show notes at:

www.innerstrengthcheckpodcast.com/blog

Peace, Love and Holy Ascendant Brutal Death Metal - Brady.

'Descent' releases via Nuclear Blast Records on Friday, April 10th 2026.

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I was recently joined by Bård Torstensen, guitarist and longstanding member of seminal Swedish/Norwegion rap-rock pioneers Clawfinger to discuss recently-released comeback album Before We All Die - their first in almost two decades since 2007's Life Will Kill You. It's a solid comeback and a funky bop for sure!

As you'll find out from Bård (and giving the album a spin, it's out now on all streaming platforms via Nuclear Blast Records!), the titular and lyrical accuracy of that album title, the lyrical themes and the like are as timeless as their riffing style and steadfast adherence to their own sound, irrespective of trends, time and the like. 18 years on,

Bård has plenty of reflections to give about the band, touring, gear, recording and more, so be sure to check out the full chat!

Included in the Show Notes for Episode 71 we also have additional album bio, artist statement, links, 'Big Brother' single music video, album order/save links and more, up soon at:

www.innerstrengthcheckpodcast.com/blog.

Peace, Love and Rap-Rockin' The New Kids - Brady.

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'Perpetual Selection' has dropped on an unwitting international stage, and it's a fierce, technical and melodic slice of well-produced Australian death metal.

Just prior to the albums' release (March 13th, 2026, via independent release), I spoke to the bands' talented drummer, Ferdi Handojo, regarding the album (production, songwriting, influences, etc) as well as thoughts on both the Western Australian and broader metal scenes.

Stay tuned for show notes on the blog tonight as we're doing something a little different this time - reviewing the aforementioned album in full! Video version, multiple single music video links, artist links and more also available with the accompanying post over at:

www.innerstrengthcheckpodcast.com/blog

Huge thanks to Ferdi, the Vanta trio and Glenn 'Dysie' Dyson of Cult Etiquette PR for facilitating both our interview and album review.

Solid debut effort, lads!