Inner-Strength Check Podcast

You've cat to be kitten me. 

No, for real - how. How?!

As your humble podcast host, I'm astounded that such an opportunity as this could arise, and am grateful beyond measure for today's conversation.

Longest-standing member of easily one of the most influential bands in all of extreme metal, particularly with regards to the modern death metal scene, Kelly Shaefer is a man of almost intimidating importance as both a songwriter and vocalist.

Thankfully, as you'll clearly see through our fun, engaging but also thorough conversation, musical infamy hasn't tainted his sincerity. Kelly remains down-to-earth, candid and highly passionate about both Atheist and its' legacy but also speaks with candor, attention to detail and authority.

NOTE: Due to us having such an engaged chat (and my hyperfocus-blinkers being on), we were cut off by the Zoom Paywall-Gods. Thankfully, we were able to regroup! There's an intermission around 38:40 for about 4-5 minutes before we continue. In that time, I drop some big news about the podcast! 

More news on that to come on our website, as well as a wealth of music/arts/lifestyle/mental health content. 

Enjoy. I know I did! 

Peace, Love and Floridian Jazz-Blasting xoxo - Brady. 

Nameless (aka Dennis Mikula) of US atmospheric black metal lords Ghost Bath took some time out of our respectively busy schedules last week, to have a chat over the ol' Internet-machine.

--In this interview, we discuss recent and upcoming tours, utilising musicianship and songwriting as a mental health coping strategy, the production/songwriting process regarding upcoming album 'Rose Thorn Necklace' (out May 9th, 2025 via Nuclear Blast Records), and much more. --Thanks again to Nuclear Blast for facilitating this opportunity, as well of course to Dennis for taking the time to converse! --Head over to the blog post for this episode, where you'll also find links to recently released singles, album pre-order/pre-save links, artist/label links, additional statements and information regarding Rose Thorn Necklace and more.--LINK: www.innerstrengthcheckpodcast.com/blog--Peace, Love, Melancholy and Howling Over Blastbeats - Brady.

Rounding out a trio of UK heavy-music interviews for the past week is Alex Taylor, enigmatic and passionate vocalist for UK's fast-rising metalcore bruisers Malevolence.

We had a wide-reaching conversation, covering everything from the process of writing and recording for upcoming LP Where Only The Truth is Spoken (including recording in the infamous Studio 606, owned by Dave Grohl!) up to touring, the UK metal scene's recent string of successes, the upcoming Australian tour, international touring and much more.

Keep a lookout for the upcoming blog post which will contain links to this version of the podcast interview, audio-only links across our streaming platforms, plus LP single music video for 'If It's All The Same To You', Australian May 2025 tour dates and tickets, artist links and more!

LINK:

www.innerstrengthcheckpodcast.com/blog.

Earlier this week, vocalist Scott Kennedy and I caught up via Zoom to discuss the latest happenings in the Bleed From Within camp. With the release of latest LP Zenith, the Glaswegian modern metal outfit have been gearing up for release with release of recent singles 'God Complex', 'A Hope In Hell' and 'In Place of Your Halo'. We had a great chat about the bands' recent ascension through the metal collective conscious, songwriting and recording, touring, the UK/Scottish metal scene, upcoming tour dates and special performances and more! Many thanks to Scott for taking the time out of some very recent fatherhood to have a chat from across the pond. Be sure to check out our blog as we'll have this episode embedded with the podcast audio-only version, clips for the aforementioned new singles, album pre-save/preorder, artist/label links and much more! LINK: www.innerstrengthcheckpodcast.comFB: facebook.com/innerstrengthcheckIG: @innerstrengthcheck_ Twitch: twitch.tv/innerstrengthcheckBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/innerstrengthcheck.bsky.socialPeace, Love and Glaswegian Riffing xoxo - Brady.

What an absolute privilege and an honour!

Tonight, I caught up with Darren Brookes, permanent mainstay of UK death metal pioneers Benediction. Formed in 1989 and responsible for no small part in forming the UK/European and indeed global extreme metal scene we see today, it's truly a privilege to have had a chat with Daz, who is full of candor, sincerity and humour.

A man still stoked to be plying his trade on the axe after multiple decades! In the interview, we discuss longevity as a band, staying true to their roots, achieving new successes 35+ years into their career, the recording/production/songwriting process behind Ravages of Empires and more.

Stay tuned for the blog post and/or head to www.innerstrengthcheckpodcast.com, as the accompanying blog post show notes contain artist bio/statement, album details, singles links, preorder links for upcoming LP Ravage of Empires (out April 4th) and more!

Congratulations to Dan Machuca for being our very first video/podcast interview guest within the realm of all things tabletop, hobbies, gaming and mental health! Dan and I met through the medium of tabletop roleplaying games, like the big nerds are are, a few years back. From there we've been professionally networked as part of the Game Therapy Australia movement, spearheaded by Game Therapist Michael Thorburn (also a fellow nerd - Hi Michael!). Dan brings plenty of insight, thought and fun to the discussion, which ranges everywhere from his teaching work with migrant youth where English is a second language, through to a weekly tabletop gaming therapeutic group for neurodivergent children/adolescents in Footscray and even his own published title, T.O.T.S. available on itch.io. Accessibility and modifying tabletop RPG systems to reduce cognitive, language and other barriers is an ongoing part of Dan's work, as is promoting mental health and wellbeing. We discuss this with respect to the psychosocial benefits seen (and measured) in his own group, plus also discuss initiatives for men's mental health via his direct experience with the Men's Table social-support initiative. We also have a chat about Dan's favourite systems, of which Savage Worlds is a big'un, GMing with ADHD ourselves, and lots more! Stay tuned for the blog post which will have additional show notes, links and more. DAN THE GAME MASTER - LINKS: Blog: https://danthegmmelb.game.blogFacebook:   / danthegamemaster  FEATURED ARTIST: Vermilion Sun - 'Dragon Lady'. Fun, funky rock-and-roll from across the pond! You can check out the accompanying music video for 'Dragon Lady' here:    • Vermilion Sun - "Dragon Lady".   (psst - want your track featured on an episode of our vlog/podcast? Email us at [email protected]. We also conduct artist interviews, industry professional interviews, promote press releases, provide gig and album reviews, TTRPG/gaming product reviews and more!).

This is an interview to be treasured, for sure! Jeff and I caught up earlier this morning for a wonderful discussion around the bands' eminent tour of Australia in September this year.

Full of gratitude and passion for a return to such an opportunity, Jeff walks us through the experience of reforming, the incredible amounts of associated stoke and much more. For full details on this insanely energetic (and, as per the interview, immensely motivated) bands' can't-miss tour of Australia, you can find ticket links, tour dates, further statements from the artist, relevant letlive. links and more, over at: //https://www.innerstrengthcheckpodcast.com/blog/podcast-ep-37-interview-with-jeff-sahyoun-of-letlive-ahead-of-2025-australian-tour//. Peace, Love and Soulful Hardcore - Brady.

Another fantastic interview in the chamber! Nathan (Vocals/Lyrics) and Ben (Guitars) of fast-rising acclaimed Melburnian doom/sludge unit Ghostsmoker are set to unleash devastation on the metal masses with the upcoming release of the brutal Inertia Cult LP. I was fortunate enough to get an opportunity to speak with both band members around a whole range of topics - from the album's recording, production and songwriting process, exploring the cathartic benefits of doom metal in working through the challenges of grief and loss, to the upcoming album launch, support set for Pallbearer and Conan in Melbourne this Wednesday + a whole heap more! Very insightful chat, great guys. Much enjoyed our time together. You can stream latest single 'Elogium' from the new album, read further details around both single/LP and find band links right here: https://www.innerstrengthcheckpodcast.com/blog/heavy-news-australian-doom-outfit-ghostsmoker-drop-sludge-ridden-new-single-elogiumPreorder Inertia Cult via Ghostsmoker's Bandcamp: https://ghostsmokerau.bandcamp.com/album/inertia-cult-2And if you like what you've heard from these guys, be sure to check out the incredible roster of Art as Catharsis, of which GS share a space alongside many high-quality Australian experimental/alternative/heavy acts. Link: https://www.artascatharsis.comAnd finally, keep up with our website @ innerstrengthcheckpodcast.com, where we'll have the scoop on the whole shebang via our Heavy News/Music Monday sections on the blog! Peace, Love and Unrelenting Blackened Doom xoxo - Brady.

Renowned doom metal merchantsPALLBEARER make their return to Australia in March 2025 for an electrifying tour promising to deliver their signature blend of haunting melodies and crushing riffs. Joining them on all dates will be special guests UK doom metal titansCONAN.//I was fortunate enough to catch up with vocalist/guitarist Brett Campbell earlier today. It was both thought-provoking and fun, weaving through themes such as songwriting, musicianship, their current touring cycle, thoughts on the upcoming tour with Conan, stylistic and thematic changes across albums and much more! Link to blog post HERE:https://www.innerstrengthcheckpodcast.com/blog/podcast-ep-35-interview-with-brett-campbell-of-pallbearer.

Contains: this audio-only interview, as well as full video version on Youtube, additional artist/album bio details, ticket links, tour dates and much more! As well - check our range of music/gaming/tabletop reviews, interviews, opinion pieces, album reviews and so much more, over atwww.innerstrengthcheckpodcast.com!

Note: This is an audio version of a pre-existing video interview from Dec 22nd 2024 withSteffen Kummerer, which you can viewright here on our Youtube Channel. As well, we've got an accompanying blog post containing both interview versions, artist bio/album release statement, full details of upcoming LPA Sonication and much more! //www.innerstrengthcheckpodcast.com/blog.//

A great conversation with Steffen, covering a wide swathe of topics from latest album, touring, lineup changes, lyrical/musical inspirations and more. Peep the new LP!