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[ #heavynews / #musicmondays 18.05]: @sanguisugaboggband (US) Add New Show with @peelingfleshok (US) At @staygoldmelbourne ; Melbourne Tour Begins On June 12. Organised by: @destroyalllines Tour Info Courtesy of: destroyalllines/ @maricmediaaus LINK: /blog/musicmondays-tour-announcements-pt-i-sanguisugabogg-us-killswitch-engage-ussylosis-uk First in what will be a frankly-ridiculous onslaught of tour news/coverage from us here at Inner-Strength Check today - US gore-purveyors #Sanguisugabogg and mates #Peelingflesh bring their fetid slamming carnage back Down Under. Tickets are selling so fast that the entire tour's drying up AND they've added a second show! Get the hell in there, Melbourne fans - see above for ticket links, artist links/media, tour info and more. Be quick - this one's going lightning-fast and, having seen the 'Bogg myself, am completely unsurprised why! @gutless.aus also round out this bill to make it a triplicate dose of gory death metal mayhem. Onya lads! Peace, Love and Grindcore xoxo - Brady. #heavynews #musicnews #australiantour2026 #sanguisugabogg #peelingflesh #destroyalllines #maricmedia #peelingflesh #gutless #getinquick #secondshow #staygold #melbournegigs

Real Talk: Whilst (thankfully) I think my actual #mentalhealth is doing 'reasonably okay' (GP and psychologist not pictured, laughing in background) - i am in absolute #audhd #executivedysfunction hell. Real bad. BUT! Good thing one of my two perpetually-warring braincells is autistic, and that MF is out here hyper-systemising all afternoon! Well, until the Vyvanse craps out. SO. What to expect from a VERY packed week: 1. A frankly ridiculous amount of #tourannouncements (blame the bands, not me, heh), 2. Three interviews: a) Kyle Schaefer, vocalist of US tech-death prog-legends @fallujahsf plus bonus ISC Radio tracks, b) An interview with the mysterious 'Ned Smelly' of party-hard Aus extreme-metallers @gopheramassage , c) A cool mutual music-industry opportunity: with Corrine Westbrook (a huge helper of ours via @dallasdoespr ) for her upcoming psychological horror debut novel #TheHollowOne, releasing 26th May, 3. Our first Patreon-exclusive full-length (available *only* onsite to Members) with a 50% preview - 'Existence is P-AI-n' - likely our most #NSFW podcast episode to date (what a wild ride researching THAT has been), 4. Blog: Part II of #Kenshi gameplay inspired narrative series 'The Wrath of Narko' (with Bonus Patreon Content!). Time permitting, I aim to have bonus content and behind-the-scenes for all these for our Riff-Nerds, as well as some extras for those signed up at Patreon as free members too. It's a big week, I don't have the spoons, but I persist. Looking forward to scorched-earthing your notifications. Peace, Love and Neurodivergicore - Brady. #podcastupdate #blogupdate #upcomingcontent #patreonexclusives #podcastepisodes #musicnews #somuchhappening #herewego #audhd #adhd #autism #hashtags #hashbrowns #hashshashin #lofigames

(Image Credit: Reddit/Imgur user Dadoknez - links in article) [Lore]: 'The Wrath of Narko, Pt. I: Out On A Limb'. (Content Warning! Written depictions of gore/graphic violence.) LINK: /blog/lore-the-wrath-of-narko-pt-i-get-beaked Presenting the prelude chapter for an ongoing creative-writing exercise I've been cooking on for some time, alongside a massive, hundreds-hrs long epic playthrough of hit swordpunk/RTS/RPG/everything-title Kenshi (created by indie developers @lofigames ). Kenshi is a brutal, oppressive, expansive and mysterious setting, combining elements of retrotech, sci-fi, feudal-era Japan, horror/body horror and more. There's such a richness to both the background lore and the emergent sandbox gameplay that, as I near two *thousand* hours played (eep), I thought it'd be cool to introduce some fiction inspired by the run itself. Check out Pt I and the introduction via link above. Whilst I'll be making the entire series public, Patreon Riff-Nerds will get exclusives to some additional behind-the-scenes content, lore-dives not on our blog, and more. Peace, Love and Grindcore Amongst The Beak Things - Brady. #kenshi #creativewriting #fanfic #lofigames #videogamelore #worldbuilding #shortstory #thewrathofnarko #beakthings #fanart #pcgaming

Since FB and IG don't actually talk to each other, I thought I'd reshare a FB post from @pwdaustralia and add some lived-experience thoughts, as this is important. As a creativity/mental health focused blog/podcast, I can *guarantee* you that chronic illness and physical/intellectual/psychiatric/other disability is more represented in the ISC community than would seem. The Federal Government is touting budget cost-savings by, instead of streamlining and fixing the woeful faux-free-market playground they left largely improperly tended, by slashing disability services to look good for a Budget/election cycle. No. That's not how this works. That's not why we all agreed to invest in a social *insurer*. Insurance is investment, it's putting money into social capital now, to avoid a constellation of higher expense later. You, the taxpayer, will be fronting that cost. Emergency care, mental health services and admissions, housing and homelessness, family violence, increased hospital visits. You name it, whether you're a bleeding heart or not - you're footing the bill too. I myself am piecing my life back together, reconciling with the fact that, despite 37 years of high-masking, high-camouflaging and being highly educated, am also living with disability/ies that have severely impacted my life on all fronts. You'd never guess that from talking to me face-value (despite my ADHD gasbagging/autistic lack of read-the-room). Yeah, it's called 'invisible' disability Consider taking a few seconds to sign a petition that *will* have tangible, real-world impact. Oh and if you're going to start with any 'keep your politics out of muh' - there's the door, go scroll some videos of mecha-Trump or whatever. The rest of you - thanks for supporting vulnerable Australians inc. myself, and very likely someone you know. LINK to e-petition (if you can scroll endless reams of nonsense AI-slop here, you can take 30 seconds to click a couple of boxes): https://buff.ly/bGJfmrH (If you'd prefer to go direct - it's listed as 'EN9864 - Protect access to reasonable and necessary supports under the NDIS' online). #NDIS #ndisadvocacy #disabilityadvocacy #parliamentarypetition

[#Podcast/ #BlogUpdate]: '100% Human/Organic Podcast & Patreon Update, Wed May 13th 2026'. LINK: /blog/podcast-100-humanorganic-isc-podcast-amp-patreon-update-wed-13th-may-2026 @patreon paid-tier Riff-Nerds - you guys have this article out now directly on-site, and you're strongly encouraged to comment on the post/in our dedicated chat if you've any ideas! For the rest of you - see within for a slight adjustment to the next #bonusepisode, currently going through last draft and audio production. I'll be exploring the wild world of #artificialintelligence, particularly AI's increased interfacing with mental health, and the rise of #AIpsychosis and #AIcompanions. I've done a fair bit of gonzo journalism on this one, and it's taken me to some interesting (and in some cases, VERY twisted and NSFW/NSFL) places. See within for the update, a reflective editorial, general community-wide update from me to all our ISC folks, plus Patreon links and other goodies. Riff-Nerds! You're also going to get some exclusive written preview content for something else I'm working on. Lucky you - no one else gets to find out exactly what it is 'til it drops. Have a squiz later, and have your say too! Featured Cool-Folks: 1. Today's ADHD Writing-Helper: 'Labyrinth Constellation' (2014) by @artificial_brain_band (stream +artist links within), 2. The ballsiest no-sycophancy tech journalist this side of Keeping The Bastards Honest - Mr. @edzitron of the fantastic (and funny) tech-critical podcast #BetterOffline. Featured Image: Screenshot from video game title #Kenshi, developed by @lofigames (yes, this is VERY much shadowing some related creative content. Patrons will find out later tonight all about it! But only them... ;) ) Peace, Love and Clanker-Core - Brady. #upcomingcontent #blogupdate #podcastupdate #communityupdate #techandsociety #podcastepisodes #Patreoncommunity #stoptheslop #noclankers

**Please give a HUGE welcome to our newest ISC staff contributor, Sammy O'Flynn ( @oflynnsamuel )! Great review, dude!** [#GigReview: @ulcerateofficial (Auckland, NZ) 'Absolved in Perdition: MMXXVI Australasian Tour with @the_amenta + @muntofficial Fri 8th May 2026 @ @maxwattsvenue Melbourne]. LINK: /blog/gig-review-ulcerate-nz-w-the-amenta-amp-munt-au-max-watts-melbourne-au Organised By: @soundworks_touring_australia / @direct_touring Words: Sammy O'Flynn @oflynnsamuel Images: Jason Vidic (@vidic_images ) This gig review could NOT have come at a better time. As the bloke handling the back-end and socials operations, I'm out here basically publicly crashing out with frustration at the sea of low-effort slop infesting our feeds. What better antithesis to all the LLM dross, then, than our very first contribution from our newest party member, Sammy! Typically, I'll do a standalone post to introduce a new member - Sammy's work is strewn throughout our own blog, though, as you'll see via the pre-review intro spiel. As for the review itself? Man. Sammy. Absolutely baller first gig review effort my friend! And don't even get me started on Jase's fantastic, crisp imagery. The world might be burning up in GPU-hoarded hell for also-ran reels, but you've got my assurance this snappy review of #Ulcerate 's bludgeoning, dissonant set has been organically captured by these two, same with the 'Occasus' LP playthrough with original #TheAmenta vocalist Mark Bevan + Melbourne's most blackened grinders @muntofficial . Plenty of ISC and artist links strewn throughout this one, so have a dig and enjoy the read. Shoutouts to Dysie and Co from #soundworkstouring, #DirectTouring staff, #MaxWatts staff, artists and crew for helping facilitate our review. Peace, Love & Cutting The Throats of AI-Slop Gods - Brady/Sammy/Jason. #gigreview #ulcerateaustraliantour #australasiantour #newstaffmember #welcome #absolvedinperdition #melbournegigs #australiantour2026 #theamenta #soundworkstouring #directtouring

ULCERATE - Shot for: @innerstrengthcheck_ Venue: @maxwattsvenue - @ulcerateofficial #nzmetal #livemusic #metalmusic #tamroncreates #sonyalphaanz

MUNT - Shot for: @innerstrengthcheck_ Venue: @maxwattsvenue - @muntofficial #aussiemetal #melbournemusic #concertphotography #tamroncreates #sonyalphaanz

[ #gigreview: @ofmiceandmen with @crystallake777 & @patient67band @ @170.russell , Melbourne (AU)]. Words/Images/Footage: @mystikalmemories (Mal Keecher) Organised By: @thephoenix.au LINK: /blog/gig-review-of-mice-and-men-w-crystal-lake-jp-170-russell-080526 OHKAY! Let's try this again, unmedicated ADHD editor-brain! See above for Mal Keecher's fantastic review of a ripping triplicate metalcore meltdown. So proud of my boy for going in the pit :') I had one of what seems to multiple recent brain-farts and apologetically have to announce we weren't able to get our photographer in on this time. GOOD news? Mal's included his own photography and a bunch of footage hosted on our site/in-review. Said footage will be out on our socials and Youtube channel shortly. Cheers to: Mal for the great words/images/footrage/being my external brain when frontal-lobe management went to lunch; artists for a great performance/scene kids for not making my writing staff a statistic /#ThePhoenixAU for organising another fantastic tour, #170Russell for putting up with a buncha rowdy scene-kids by the sounds. Peace, Love and Beseeching The Hardcore-Kid Pit-Shamans - Brady/Mal. #ofmiceandmen #ofmiceandmen #crystallake #patientsixtyseven #170russell #melbournegigs #australiantour2026 #metalcoregigs #metalcore #australianmetalcore #japanesemetalcore #americanmetalcore #blameitonmyADHDbaby

[#GigReview Part 2: @brutefest 2026 ft. @desecrator_aus , @destruktorofficial & @warbringermusic ]. Words: Brady Irwin Photography: @richie_black_photography Organised By: @yourmatebookings Doctor's Appointment For The Gaping Hole In My Foot After This Gig: 10am today, lol LINK: /blog/gig-review-part-ii-brutefest-2026-the-tote-hotel-melbourne-au-2504 FINALLY! My apologies for the full review taking so long to get out and in multiple parts, folks, but justice to some modern thrash-metal gods *and* such a jam-packed lineup deserve an appropriate response. See within for the final few sets of the night from Brutefest, with a bit more of a narrative flair for the headliners seeing as that pit was one hell of a goddamned meat-grinder. HUGE shoutouts to my thrash heroes Warbringer for coming over, to all the support acts (you all slayed), Your Mate Bookings and Tote Hotel - as well as you rowdy lot who were in attendance. Peace, Love and Living Weapons - Brady. #gigreview #melbournegigs #festivalreview #brutefest #brutefest2026 #warbringer #destruktor #desecrator #thrashmetal #deathmetal #metalgigreview #yourmatebookings #richieblackphotography #thetotehotel

[#GigReview: @brutefest 2026, Part I @ @thetotehotel Collingwood, Melbourne (AU) 25.04]. Organised by: Brutefest/ @yourmatebookings Words: Brady Irwin Images: @richie_black_photography (reminder, we have just posted up two huge photo/footage galleries on the blog, links inside/just behind this post on our socials!). LINK: /blog/gig-review-brutefest-2026-tote-hotel-melbourne-au-2504 WELL THEN! It's been over a week and I'm only just finalising Parts I & II of our huge Gig Review coverage of a monster metal/heavy-music endurathon at #thetote weekend before last. No expense spared on the details, so much so that Part II (incoming VERY soon) needed extra space. See within for reviews of sets from: @ratlordsewerpunk / @_munitions_ / @virulent_invocation / @monoliyth_official / @anoxia_death / @circleofblood / @harlottofficial as well as some general musings on setting, atmosphere, and why no one should ever, EVER do #Brutefest with a hangover (just don't). Apologies to our stakeholders for a bit of lateness in getting this out, but as you'll all see - there is MUCH to discuss from the night. Peace, Love and Grindcore (Melbourne Edition) - Brady/Richie. #gigreview #melbournegigs #festivalreview #metalfestival #brutefest2026 #richieblackphotography #yourmatebookings #thetotehotel #melbournemetal #australianmetal

Waited a long time to see @rottensoundgrind live and boy howdy did our Suomi grindcore legends not disappoint! Brutal set, I was pretty much transfixed on that inhuman monster on the kit 🤣 thanks @grindheadproductions and @leadbeaterhotel for a great show- lets bring them back again soon. #rottensound #rottensoundaustraliantour #leadbeaterhotel #grindcore #grindheadproductions