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Grand Magus - Iron Will

2010-04-30T12:50:00.003-04:00

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Tracklisting: 1. Like the Oar Strikes the Water
2. Fear is the Key
3. Hövding
4. Iron Will
5. Silver Into Steel
6. Shadow Knows
7. Self-Deceiver
8. Beyond Good and Evil
9. I am the North

Sweden’s Grand Magus might just be the most metal band ever. I know most of you who just read that sentence aren’t familiar with Grand Magus and must think I have just uttered blasphemy. However, I guarantee you that one listen through the band’s latest album, Iron Will, will change your mind and have you bowing before their brand of infectious groove.

The rest of the album continues much in the same fashion as the first song. The pagan imagery and an atmosphere of anticipation and excitement are captivating. It’s hard to not listen to any of these songs to their fruition. 0:44 in “Self-Deceiver” is awe inspiring with its lyrics (“Bow down! Submit! Wishes granted! This is what you seek, self-deceiver!”) and the guitar riffs that chug along give the whole thing a ritual feel, which in a way is whole reason for this album. Iron Will feels like the soundtrack to a pagan celebration involving virgin sacrifice, Merlin, and a whole lot of demons.

A word needs to be said about vocalist JB. His powerful voice carries the songs through their snaking course. His range is also something to revel in. The high note he hits in the beginning of “Silver into Steel” (which has one of the catchiest chorus’ I’ve ever heard) is extremely pleasing to hear and fits the mood of the song like a glove. I know that seems like an odd way to describe it, but when you listen to the track and hear how perfectly everything fits together a shiver runs down your spine. Another note should be made on the production for Iron Will. The album sounds damn near perfect. The drums have a heavy, rumbling resonance to them which give the impression of war drums. The guitars, bass, and vocals are all mixed very well also.

Iron Will is one of those rare albums that you don’t want to end. Every song on here is full of memorable parts that will have you singing them to yourself for weeks after you’ve heard the songs. The chorus on “I Am the North” sums up the feel of this album with its call to arms; “The Wolf will rise! The end of lies! Corruption dies! Free forever!” As far as I’m concerned, whenever I think of metal, my mind will immediately jump to Grand Magus and their swansong, Iron Will.

A couple of notes about the new format

2010-04-27T11:19:00.002-04:00

I have recently decided to make several changes to Siege Music. First and foremost, it will no longer be a straight download site. Rather it will serve as a place for me to practice my creative writing while also sharing awesome bands with the Internet at large. Therefore, I will be writing 6-700 word reviews and uploading only two or three songs for you to get a taste of the music.

I am also providing external links to either learn more about the band, go to their myspace, or purchase the album from a respected online retailer. A quick note about the links, blogger.com has a strange quirk where some links have the preface www.blogger.com/ before the actual link. Simply remove that bit and the link will work fine. I should have the intricacies of this new style down pat in a few short weeks.

Also, several of the posts I will make will be related to several writing classes I am taking at university (the introduction to death metal post being one of them). So for you regulars, don't be alarmed; I'm simply branching out.

Thanks for reading this and enjoy the music,

--Siege

Krisiun - Southern Storm

2010-04-27T11:01:00.013-04:00

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Tracklisting: 1. Slaying Steel

2. Sentenced Morning

3. Twisting Sights

4. Minotaur

5. Combustion Inferno

6. Massacre Under the Sun

7. Bleeding Offers

8. Refuse/Resist (Sepultura cover)

9. Origin of Terror

10. Contradictions of Decay

11. Sons of Pest

12. Black Wind

13. Whore of Unlight

Brazil’s Krisiun are death metal legends. With a career that spans nearly 16 years the three brothers have made a name for themselves playing intense, no frills death metal with more blasting than a strip mine and melodies as twisted as the logic of universal healthcare proponents (ba-zing!). The group hasn’t been without their missteps however. 2006’s AssassiNation was largely regarded as an uninspired foray into monotonous blast beats and boring leads. Southern Storm, on the other hand, sees the trio at the top of their game with one of the best releases in an already watershed year for extreme metal.

From the first 10 seconds of “Slaying Steel” you get a feel for the ground covered on the album (here’s a hint; it’s littered with axes, armor and corpses). The often atonal riffs snake around pulsating drums in a sound that can be rather unsettling upon the first few casual listens, yet with repeated jam sessions it almost becomes catchy. Few parts are truly melodic, but with the unconventional, warped song structures don’t be surprised if you find it hard to forget these songs. Southern Storm also harnesses the power of surprise like few albums I’ve ever heard. Tracks like “Minotaur”, “Contradictions of Decay”, and “Combustion Inferno” have extremely creative guitar riffs that will have you scrambling to press rewind. Spiraling arpeggios, lightening fast palm mutes, and furious solos are just a few of the tricks up Krisiun’s sleeve that will not leave you disappointed.

The vocals of Alex Camargo are vicious and add to the already overwhelming force bearing down on you. His low growl is completely monotone throughout the album with no clean singing or high screams to be found, but those aspects are certainly not missed in Krisiun’s war march of a record. There are few frontman who convey the primal power that Carmargo is able to get across (Augury frontman Patrick Loisel comes to mind) and Southern Storm is worth a few spins if for no other reason than to hear the ferocity of songs such as “Whore of the Unlight”. The lyrics are pretty hit or miss, which is to be expected from groups who don’t speak English as a first language, but as is the case with most death metal, the vocals are more a means of rhythmic reinforcement than a vehicle for any profound meditations.

The drumming is outstanding with Max Kolesne delivering the performance of his career. The man could give a clinic on how to play blast beats with authority. From the sounds of “Sentenced Morning” I find it hard to believe he can perform a full concert set with just one drum kit. The violence unleashed on his skins is truly magnificent and stands as an example of how to accentuate the music with percussion. The production on Southern Storm lends itself perfectly to the bass heavy drum work. With a good pair of headphones and a dark room it’s almost possible to feel your body vibrate in time with each kick (which is a lot of vibrations).

One of the few downsides of this record is also a boon of sorts. All the songs (with the exception of the short acoustic interlude, “Black Wind”) follow the same pattern of brutality, Camargo’s roaring, brutality, solo, and more brutality. While many un-indoctrinated listeners might find this methodology tiresome, those with a more discerning ear will appreciate the fine tuned approach Krisiun took with Southern Storm. There is something to be said for consistency, and with their 7th full length, Krisiun proves why they’re still one of the top death metal acts in the world. Every song has its own identity and each one has multiple sections that are hard to forget, whether it be the raging, feverish solo in “Sons of Pest”, the foreboding, sinister intro to “Contradictions of Decay”, or the mind-melting conclusion of “Massacre Under the Sun”.

Southern Storm is the kind of record that people will either praise endlessly or scorn excessively. With its relentless pace and dizzying array of riffs and vocal patterns, Krisiun’s latest offering will be talked about for years to come. Having jammed this record at least 3 times a day since I first heard it several weeks ago, I can safely say that I have yet to grow remotely tired of it. In a musical landscape overflowing with breakdowns, girl pants, and pig squeals it’s refreshing to hear an old school outfit release such a monstrous, memorable album. If more bands wrote records like Southern Storm the scene would be a better, brighter, and much more brutal place.

Adversary - Singularity

2010-04-27T10:55:00.007-04:00

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Tracklisting: 1. Hedonist

2. The Grand Mistake

3. Singularity

4. In Vino Veritas

5. Manifest Humanity

6. By Apathy Undone

7. Ashes Of Faith

8. Dying Art

9. The Romance Of Lies

10. Wisdom In Regret

When I first heard that Adversary was from Manassas, VA, my interest was peaked for all the wrong reasons. You see, I live 10 minutes outside of Manassas and over the years have been to countless shows in and around the area. Most of these shows involved heavy volumes of girl pants, pig squeals, and spin kicks; all things guaranteed to ensure eternal auditory (and probably personal) damnation in my eyes. So for the past 6 years, I’ve regarded Manassas as a cultural wasteland, devoid of any talent or riff that didn’t rely on open string strumming. This in mind, it is little wonder that my first instinct was to write off the group’s first record, Singularity, as nothing more than another derivative deathcore record. Well… it’s not. In fact, with the exception of Blacklisted, I’ve never been so wrong about a band before. After listening to this record for the better part of a month, I’m convinced that Singularity is everything that is right with the modern American metal scene, and then some.

Adversary’s sound is most broadly described as melodic death metal. The trouble with such abstracts in the case of albums like this one is that they are woefully oversimplified. It’s been quite awhile since the metal community has heard something like the sonic smorgasbord called Singularity. Infectious melodic riffing compel you to hum their songs all day long and the pummeling rhythm section keeps all four of my limbs flailing along in a never ending quest to master the air drums.

What makes Singularity really rise above its peers is the occasional curve ball the innovative Virginians throw at your expectations. The instrumental “Ashes of Faith” contains both an impressive (if somewhat overindulgent) extended guitar solo followed by a cathartic build up using two cellos to lay the foundation for the approaching crescendo. Several of the tracks make heavy use of pentatonic scales. “Wisdom in Regret” and “Hedonist” both demonstrate the thick southern sound and mountains of groove added to an otherwise thoroughly European metal album. Also, the fourth song, “In Vino Veritas”, stands out from the other jams on the first listen. It’s the best song on the disc if for no other reason than the hammer-on riff that captivates you from beginning chorus right to the closing guitar squeal. This is the kind of song that gets put on play lists and mix CDs for years to come.

Perhaps the most remarkable part of an already noteworthy introduction is to be found in the vocal department. Singer William Clapp adds enormous depth to Adversary’s sound with his powerful and varied delivery. Boasting both a vicious, snarling rasp and a dynamic, emotive clean register, Clapp’s voice is a force to be reckoned with. The interplay between the two sung extremes is very reminiscent of metalcore favorite, At All Cost. Both bands use the vocals as audio cues for verse/chorus transitions and to great effect. Singularity is rife with memorable choruses courtesy of Clapp. The lyrics are hit or miss, but you’ll have so much fun singing along it’s hard to care what nonsense you’re saying.

Catchy riffs and heavy groove are key components to success, and Adversary is flush with both. However, few albums are perfect and Singularity doesn’t quite meet this illustrious standard. For instance, after “Manifest Humanity” the rest of the songs don’t establish their identity as strongly as the front five. Production values also could use some adjusting. The bassist is M.I.A. on the record as near as I can tell. This is yet another example of a really good album that could have been truly great with some audio tweaking.

Adversary has unleashed a monster of a debut album. The songs are well crafted, they rarely lose your attention, and gems like “In Vino Veritas” and “The Grand Mistake” will ensure that this disc gets plenty of play time. It’s refreshing to hear a young, talented metal band playing a uniquely Americanized style of European melodeath. Modern metal scene take notice; no longer will cookie cutter replicas of Slaughter of the Soul be enough to sell records. Gone are the days of bloated breakdowns wasting half the track. Monotone growling and slightly off key singing will satisfy the masses no more. The Singularity has been calculated, and it’s massively heavy.

Melechesh

2010-04-27T10:45:00.007-04:00

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Tracklisting: 1. Of Mercury and Mercury
2. Secrets of the Ancient Sphynxology
3. Annunaki's Golden Throne
4. Apkallu Counsel
5. Tablets of Fate
6. Triangular Tattvic Fire
7. The Arrival Ritual
8. Incendium Between Mirage and Time
9. Purifier of the Stars
10. Caravans to Ur

The last place you’d expect to find a black metal band would be Jerusalem. After all, the history of the genre is littered with anti-Semitism. Yet, that’s exactly where one of the best kept secrets in black metal makes their home. Melechesh are wholly a black metal band but instead of limiting themselves to the tacky, Satan worshiping image of their northern brethren, this Jerusalem quintet incorporate Sumerian and Middle Eastern sounds and themes into their music. It makes for an entertaining and unique listening experience, which you won’t hear anywhere else.

The biggest reason that you won’t hear an album like this again is the recent departure of this record’s drummer, Proscriptor. The man is a metal drumming god, with springs for feet and jackhammers for hands. His drum fills are enough to make the best death drummers jealous; when coupled with band leader Ashmedi’s banshee shrieks and Moloch’s entrancing guitar riffs, the result is an unholy black metal spell. Proscriptor is especially adept at consistent blasting. “Annunaki’s Golden Throne” makes my limbs tired just listening to him try to break his drum set with mechanical precision.

Vocalist Ashmedi sounds like a malicious desert shaman trying to summon evil jinn. The shrieks of demonic glee that he lets loose on “Secrets of the Ancient Sphynxology” are truly malefic in all the right ways. His lyrics are impressive, detailing battles among the ancient Persian gods and tales of corrupt Egyptian sorcerers. However, typical most black metal fair, understanding most of what he says is next to impossible. The delivery is what’s most important, and in that respect, Ashmedi’s performance on Sphynx is phenomenal. His venomous rasp is among the most memorable aspects of the album, next only to Proscriptor’s drumming.

I didn’t mean to give the impression that the guitar riffs on Sphynx are bad. Quite the contrary, the unholy chords Moloch strings together are perfect for Melechesh’s sound. Listen to “Apkallu Counsel” and you’ll have to look around to ensure you’re not caught in some sorcerous desert twister. The groove and solo that close out “Of Mercury and Mercury” gets my vote for best black metal song ending ever. The best thing about Moloch’s writing style is that it sounds Middle Eastern without over doing it. The tremolo picking and scratchy guitar sound keep this album firmly rooted in black metal, but the use of some Middle Eastern scales and beats gives Sphynx a fresh and interesting sound.

Melechesh are among the more accessible black metal bands because of their comparatively unique approach to the genre. The hefty doses of infectious melody and Proscriptor’s status cementing performance on the drums raise Sphynx above the crowd of imitators and wannabes. There will be other albums by this band. There will be other bands that have the same influences as Melechesh. There will not be another Sphynx.

Ahab - Call of the Wretched Sea

2010-04-27T10:35:00.006-04:00

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Tracklisting: 1. Below The Sun
2. The Pacific
3. Old Thunder
4. Of the Monstrous Pictures of Whales
5. The Sermon
6. The Hunt
7. Ahab's Oath

Funeral doom. The very name conjures nightmarish images of tombs and bleak graveyards. That is exactly the ethos of a relatively small sub genre of death metal, which when listened to at the right times, can be among the most powerfully emotional music out there. Ponderous rhythms, guttural bellowing, haunting atmospheres, and crawling tempos define much of the sound of funeral doom, and yet there is a certain ineffable quality that few bands capture well. Ahab is one of the few doom metal bands that knows exactly what they are doing. Their 2006 record, The Call of the Wretched Sea, was a killer app in a genre sorely lacking in a quality quantity. Ahab’s ability to aurally transpose Melville’s Moby-Dick into a 70 minute record of abyssal despair and haunting beauty is truly remarkable. Yes, you read that correctly. Henry Melville’s seminal album, Moby-Dick, turned into a funeral doom album. A really good funeral doom album, in fact.

First, a disclaimer; this particular genre of death metal is among the least accessible out there. Albums are usually over an hour long and often only contain two or three tracks. The pace of most songs is sluggish at best and most tend to repeat the same passage for minutes at a time. The vocals are almost exclusively monotone guttural growling and guitar solos are nowhere to be found. However, there is something special about funeral doom and Ahab in particular. The atmosphere created by such bleak music is truly frightening. For instance, in “The Pacific” the song begins with solitary drum hits, each one spaced out by a second or two. The effect it creates is one of disorientation and excitement. The anticipation for what’s to come fuels a great deal of the musical tension on The Call of the Wretched Sea. “Old Thunder” uses the same device to great effect; the vocal break around the two minute mark is skull crushingly heavy and leaves you salivating for the next passage.

Like all good long-form songwriters, guitarists Daniel Droste and Chris Hector use climatic build ups to get the most out of this slow tempo genre. The 2 minute synth intro to the album is a perfect example of this technique. Swirling sea winds and a faint, distorted clavichord lull the listener into a false sense of calm that is jarringly interrupted by the White Whale itself. Years after I first played “Below the Sun” to friends, they still remember the unexpected transition from a disquieting peace to pure sonic madness. That’s the effect Ahab has on people; the music is unlike anything they’ve ever heard before and it’s hard to forget.

The Call of the Wretched Sea is a long album and Ahab keeps things interesting with a very consistent interplay of melodic, calm passages that are violently interspersed by squalls and storms of torturous brutality. For example, “Of Monstrous Pictures of Whales” is a short, instrumental set up for the Moby-Dick inspired rant and rage, “The Sermon”. The song contains the best riffs on the album, as well as some tradition verse song structure. Anyone looking to listen to Ahab for the first time should listen to “The Sermon” first.

As I stated earlier, funeral doom is not for everyone. Actually, it’s not even for most people. Odds are only one in twenty people who listen to this will go out and buy this CD. But that in a strange way is what makes this music so special: it takes a different sort of appreciation to enjoy such bleak and oppressive music. Few funeral doom albums are worth veneration, but The Call of the Wretched Sea unequivocally belongs in that category.

Kronos - Colossal Titan Strife

2010-04-27T10:15:00.007-04:00

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Track Listing:
1. Mythological Bloodbath
2. Colossal Titan Strife
3. Opplomak
4. Submission
5. With Eaque Sword
6. Aeturnum Pharaos Curse
7. Haterealm
8. Monumental Carnage
9. Phaeton
10. Kronos
11. Infernal Worms Fields

Every so often an album is released that completely changes your expectations of what to expect from metal. Colossal Titan Strife is that album. This French quartet has unleashed an ogre on the music world and its ravaging eardrums wherever it is heard. Kronos is that rare combination of pure technical ability, creative riffing, and monstrous vocals that sets them apart from the legions of brutal death metal bands. I almost hesitate to use that adjective to describe them however. This is not to say that Kronos aren’t brutal. Vocalist Christophe Gérardin has one of the most vicious growls I’ve ever heard: he sounds like a freight train of pure hate barreling towards you with no hope of escape. No, the reason brutal is such an improper adjective for Kronos’ music is that the word is woefully misleading. The group’s second full length is everything an extreme metal record should be, not just orbit altering heavy. Colossal Titan Strife might just be the perfect death metal album.

Things get started with a short ‘skit’ track. Amid sounds of lightening and decapitation the theme of Greek gods at war with each other starts to become clear. The title track of the album immediately follows and it’s a doozy. Gérardin’s roaring guttural vocals tear through you as the buzz saw riffs run roughshod over your senses. It’s a non-stop experience in sheer aural might. Kronos is also very capable of settling into some massive grooves. Around the forty-five second mark in “Colossal Titan Strife” you might find your body reflexively swaying to the insidiously catchy guitar fills.

Midway through the record, Kronos really begins to hit their musical stride. Tracks like “With Eaque Sword”, “Haterealm”, and “Aeturnum Pharaos Curse” are instant death metal classics. With their infectious riffing, ravenous rhythms, and jaw dropping tempo changes, the middle of Colossal Titan Strife really showcases Kronos at the top of their songwriting game. Each song is chocked full of memorable passages, drum fills, and of course, guitar solos. Guitarist Richard Chuat is a wizard on the axe and his finger fury animates every song with a different feel. Whether it’s the Egyptian theme in “Aeturnum Pharaos Curse” or war march of “Monumental Carnage”, Chuat captures your attention with his clever, contagious shredding.

In order to truly pull of their sound, Kronos need a solid rhythm section backing up the front end. Fortunately, Europe does not seem to have a shortage of awesome death metal drummers. Mike Sako on drums and Tom Viel on bass round out this French metal machine. Their undulating patterns and the lightening fast feet of Sako will drive these tunes right into your long term memory. Sako regularly hits speeds of 270 beats per minute (that’s fast kids), putting on a speed clinic during the entire album: especially in blast heavy tracks like “Phaeton” and “Submission”.

Kronos play a very tight, technical, and melodic style of death metal. If they had a less brutal vocalist, they’d have a wider fan base. This kind of intensity is not for everyone, but if you can look past what you don’t enjoy of the vocals, there is much to be found in the music itself. If you’re already a fan of metal and haven’t heard Kronos yet, then you are in for a treat. The guitar riffs are really something special on Colossal Titan Strife; don’t be surprised if you develop a craving for Kronos after limited exposure.

Information on Death Metal for beginners

2010-04-27T10:10:00.004-04:00

A Brief History of Metal

Metal is a style of music can trace its roots back to the 1960’s and the various psychedelic and blues rock bands of the time. Through figurehead acts such as Iron Maiden and Judas Priest heavy metal, as it came to be known, spread its message of speed, power, and sonic force throughout the world. Later on, various offshoots of the main trunk took root among the public: Black Sabbath, Mötley Crüe, Metallica, Pantera, and others took the premise of heavy metal and added their own twist. Fast forward to the mid 1980’s and a new sub genre of the now worldwide phenomenon is gaining ground. Death metal, the twisted, malformed, and slightly crazy cousin of heavy metal was learning how to walk, growing at a remarkable pace. Possessed, Death, Obituary, Slaughter, Master, Autopsy, all played a hand in defining the composing characteristics and sonic brutality of the genre. At the turn of the decade, the Swedish death metal scene was beginning to coalesce. Powerhouse acts Nihilist and At the Gates released demos that would change the face of death metal. Gone was the extreme violence and atonal dissonance of many American acts and in its stead was harmonic, melodic guitar riffs and mechanically precise drumming; the hallmark of much European metal today.

As the 90’s progressed the once burgeoning commercial interest in death metal began to wane. The public’s infatuation with the intense and novel sound of death acts was short lived. However, this neglect by the public proved a boon for the true artists, as death metal underwent a radical transformation. The amount of influences that went into the songs began to diversify and the quality of both production and musicianship grew exponentially. The documentation of death metal’s past is the subject of many books and countless websites. Few styles of music have such informed and rigid fans. You’ll find many an internet message board where banal arguments over whether or not this band is melodic black thrash or post-black deathcore are commonplace. Such over classification is rather pointless but it illustrates an important point: this stuff really matters to people.

Therefore I have taken it upon myself to provide the uninitiated with a helpful guide to make sense of what you are listening to. Keep in mind that these genre’ descriptions are as general as I can make them. One of the hallmarks of a great metal band is the ability to seamlessly incorporate many different styles into their sound. So use this as a starting point, but don’t think of it as an end all be all list of subgenre qualifications. For ease of understanding I discuss 5 of the most popular subgenres of death metal.

A Cursory Overview of Dominant Sub-Genres

Black Metal

Black metal is an aesthetically challenging music style. Muddled, murky recording quality, fast paced scratchy guitar riffs, high pitched screamed vocals that are barely heard and never understood, and pounding drum beats are fairly standard in black metal songs. Originating in cold northlands of Scandinavia, black metal’s ethos arose out of disaffection for the perceived overly Christian influence in traditionally Norse lands. The music’s anti-Christian message wasn’t always a cry for action as much as a social protest. Now that’s not to say there weren’t violent black metal bands. Groups such as Burzum, Darkthrone, and Mayhem were sought in connection with a series of church burnings throughout Norway. Generally an abrasive and uncomfortable listen, inventive black metal bands are hard to come by. The style itself imposes a great deal of artistic limits, but the few bands that push the boundaries are worth listening to.

Check out: Darkthrone - Under a Funeral Moon, Bathory - Blood. Fire. Death. , Melechesh - Sphynx Immortal - Pure Holocaust, Woods of Ypres - Against the Seasons EP, Emperor - Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk, Mayhem - De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas

Death Metal

Death metal is instantly recognizable to both the trained and unfamiliar ear. Its guttural vocals, down tuned guitars, and merciless rhythms force attention from the listener. Death metal got its start in basement clubs with groups of 14 year old kids who liked punk but thought it wasn’t heavy enough. So they dropped their guitars down a few octaves, vomited scenes of death and destruction into microphones, and invented a new kind of heavy. Over time this basic format has mutated into a multitude of different interpretations, but there is still a healthy demand for old school death metal.

Check out: Morbid Angel - Altars of Madness, Death - Leprosy, Suffocation - Despise the Sun EP, Decapitated - Nihility, Immolation - Close of a World Below, Kronos - Colossal Titan Strife

Melodic Death Metal

Originating in Sweden, melodic death metal is essentially the same thing as death metal except there is an added emphasis on harmony. Eschewing the normal atonal chord progressions that are the hallmark of most death metal acts, melodic death groups add another layer of beauty and melodic composition to their songs. While some acts go even further with large acoustic passages and sung vocals, a great deal simply make their riffs more memorable and catchy with this melodic flavor.

Check out: In Flames - Colony, Dark Tranquility - The Gallery, At the Gates - Slaughter of the Soul, The Black Dahlia Murder - Unhallowed, Wintersun - Wintersun, Arsis - A Celebration of Guilt

Doom Metal

Following in the footsteps of many early blues bands, doom metal is a very melancholy and expansive subgenre. Including everything from the heavy metal oriented Grand Magus to the abyssal moaning of My Dying Bride; doom metal has been constantly evolving since the early days of Black Sabbath. Most doom bands have slow, trudging riffs and very negative, morbid lyrics and imagery. Depending on the desired level of ‘brutality’ doom bands can use either sung, expressive vocals or guttural roars of pain to encapsulate the emotions the band is trying to portray. Doom metal is not for everyone, but for those who’ve dealt with loss and pain, the mournful atmosphere that doom metal creates is comforting.

Check out: My Dying Bride - The Dreadful Hours, Candlemass - Nightfall, Sleep - Holy Mountain, Ahab - The Call of the Wretched Sea, Grief - Dismal, Grand Magus - Iron Will

Metalcore

Also referred to as hardcore metal, metalcore borrows heavily from hardcore drum patterns and lyrical themes. The metal/hardcore crossover style began in the late 1980’s with bands such as Integrity and Nuclear Assault combining the speed and political ideology of punk and hardcore with precision metal riffing. The genre evolved over time incorporating both European and Southern American influences. The style is a hodgepodge of similarly sounding bands with many disparate sounds and ability levels.

Check out: Dead to Fall - Villainy & Virtue, Zao - Where Blood and Fire Bring Rest, Converge - Jane Doe Everytime I Die - Hot Damn!, As I Lay Dying - Frail Words Collapse, Darkest Hour - Hidden Hands of a Sadist Nation

Here are some words that get used frequently when discussing metal bands:

Blast beat - a repeated, sixteenth-note figure played at a very fast tempo, and divided uniformly among the kick drum, snare and ride, crash or hi-hat cymbal

Drum fill - a short, often complex flurry of drum notes that serves as a transition during major movements in a song.

Groove - an extended period of time in which a repetitive naturally rhythm guitar riff is played. It is often accompanied by drums in a similar pattern.

Guttural - deep, bellowing screamed or growled vocal. Associated with doom and death metal.

The Cast of Cheers - Chariot

2010-04-07T21:42:00.004-04:00

Wonderful name, great tunes. Angular, bouncy, and downright danceable, The Cast of Cheers' début effort is a great listen. Think of a less trendy Foals, with a lump of Adebisi Shank and the odd pinch of Battles. It's addictive, after the ten tracks I always just want to run it on repeat and get the next fix. As a local one for me here in Ireland, I may be biased, but this is a solid release. Great flow throughout the album and just the right length - as opening track "Goose" proclaims, "You-you-will-will-love-love-love-it".

1. Goose
2. I am Lion
3. Tip the Can
4. Auricom
5. Derp
6. Strangers
7. Tigerfox
8. Autoshottie
9. Deceptapunk
10. Glitter

http://www.mediafire.com/?zin4wy0zvdv

But since it's free anyway, may as well direct you to this also
http://thecastofcheers.bandcamp.com

Forefather - Steadfast

2010-03-15T17:33:00.004-04:00

Forefather are a British metal band that revel in their Saxon ancestry. The lyrics toe the line between pride and bigotry, but the music is all that you should care about anyway. Pounding rhythms that drip with pagan influence drive the tunes forward, but the real shine comes from the lead guitar work. Tight, aggressive, and wholly catchy. Theodish Belief is my pick for best track. For fans of Kalmah, Norther, Wintersun.

1. Brunanburh

2. Cween Of The Mark

3. Theodish Belief

4. Hallowed Halls

5. Steadfast

6. Three Great Ships

7. Eostre

8. Fire From The Sky

9. Mellowing Of The Mains

10. Wolfhead's Tree

11.Miri It Is

http://www.sendspace.com/file/b704rs

Capharnaum - Fractured

2010-03-15T17:31:00.005-04:00

Blistering, abrasive death metal courtesy of Jason Suecof and Matt Heafy (before Trivium became a shitshow). Truly top notch technical stuff here. Check out the title track and The Scourge Trial for a taste of whats to come.

1.Ingrained

2. Fractured

3. Perpetuate Catatonia

4. Machines

5. Icons Of Malice

6. Reins Of Humanity

7. The Scourge Trial

8. Refusal

http://www.sendspace.com/file/cwj3gq

Propagandhi - Supporting Caste

2010-02-12T01:07:00.003-05:00

Propagandhi have grown up a lot since their inception, and their latest album is absolutely incredible. This album really reached through the genre barrier to me. I do like a couple like minded bands, but on Supporting Caste Propagandhi created the perfect mix of Hardcore Punk, Thrash, and Rock influences, and put vocals over it that are surprisingly mature when compared to their rebellious past, but still touch on edgy topics and refuse to compromise their views. They've just grown into incredible songwriters, and their lyrics have become more justifiable. Still pro-feminism, pro-gay rights, and pro-vegetarian, anti-fascism, but for this record they've abandoned the "Fuck Religion [x1000]" verses and replaced them with creative wordplay that illustrates their points a little more. Wow. Will you listen to me? I hardly ever talk about vocals and lyrics, but the vocal performance on this album just blows my mind, and the album is put together better than anything comparable that I have heard. Don't pass this up.

http://www.mediafire.com/?5jijdm3kzun

1. Night Letters
2. Supporting Caste
3. Tertium Non Datur
4. Dear Coaches Corner
5. This is Your Life
6. Human(e) Meat
7. Potemkin City Limits
8. The Funeral Procession
9. Without Love
10. Incalcuable Effects
11. The Bangers Embrace
12. Last Will & Testament

Zebulon Pike - Intransience

2009-10-08T14:19:00.003-04:00

Expansive, elaborate, and at times ferocious, Zebulon Pike have created a record that is sure to interest fans of sludge/stoner metal with a taste for the beautiful. Compositions continually breathe and churn forward through motifs, and likenesses to conventional stoner gods like Electric Wizard pass by sparingly. Also well-varied for a three track instrumental release, Zebulon Pike aren't afraid of mixing it up in any sense of the phrase. A puzzle of short jazzy breaks, post-rock-esque moments, sparing use of electronic elements and the usual down-tempo'd segments; Zebulon Pike keep things relatively fresh while still coherent. Meanwhile, the production is fit to allow all of the dynamics to cut through properly and the bass is prevalent in the mix. This is the third release from this band, but I'd say it's the best place to start.

1. Mirrors of Blessed Miracles
2. Star-Ocean
3. The Avian Magi

http://www.mediafire.com/?minfwdetivm

Funebrarum - Beneath The Columns Of Abandoned Gods

2009-04-22T12:38:00.005-04:00

Powerful, churning death metal with a massive old-school streak. There is only 5 tracks and with a run time of over 30 minutes, each one is crammed with brutish riffing. I have this tagged as doom in part because of the cavernous production, but mainly for the sluggish tempo characterizing many of the chorus's. A couple members are also in Jersey based Abazagorath. Not that the two have anything in common, but it's an indicator of the 7.5/10 quality of the album. Solid death metal, nothing revolutionary.

1. Tombs Of Sleeping Darkness
2. Adoration Of Abscessed Cadavers
3. Miasma Of Pestilence
4. Dormant Hallucination
5. Depths Of Misery

http://www.sendspace.com/file/rgbzgo

Sage Francis - Personal Journals

2009-04-22T12:09:00.004-04:00

I can't believe I haven't posted any Sage Francis before. A white guy from Rhode Island decided to rap about his personal life as form of therapy and lyrical inspiration. The result is an album full of razor wit, brutal honesty, clever wordplay, and memorable beats (courtesy of Joe Beats, among others). As he describes himself, "Sage Francis. Anti-socialite. Secret Admirer. Student Loaner. Continental Drifter. Professional Bootlegger. Spin Doctor. Self Referentialist. Road Runner. Personal Journalist." First half of the record is stronger than the second, and the raw feeling of songs of like "Eviction Notice" can be a bit uncomfortable for people accustomed to pop rap, but anyone who can appreciate well written lyrics with loads of clever lines and expressive delivery will love the first 6 songs immensely.

1. Crack Pipes.

2. Different

3. Personal Journalist

4. Inherited Scars

5. Climb Trees

6. Broken Wings

7. The Strange Famous Mullet Remover

8. Smoke And Mirrors

9. Message Sent

10. Eviction Notice

11. Pitchers Of Silence

12. Specialist

13. Hopeless

14. Kill Ya' Momz

15. Black Sweatshirt

16. Cup Of Tea

17. My Name Is Strange

18. Runaways

http://www.sendspace.com/file/yepp2s

Oblomov - Mighty Cosmic Dances

2009-04-22T11:59:00.004-04:00

One of the stranger black metal albums I've heard in awhile, but much like Portal, I became quickly acclimated to the strangeness of everything. The sense of dread and finality created by the music fits well with the theme of the album. Massive planets and galaxies careening through space and time, ancient races shaping the cosmos with forbidden magicks; the universe in all its infinite and inhospitable vastness. Sounds intriguing, yes?

Into The R.O.
2. Mentality Failure
3. Redefinition Of The Past
4. Lost Between Emotions
5. Starsend
6. 1 Of The 4
7. Nostalgic Idealization
8. Dreamworks
9. Out Of The R.O.

http://www.sendspace.com/file/00yxc5

Wintersun - Wintersun

2009-04-22T11:53:00.003-04:00

Members of Ensiferum, Norther, Imperanon, and Rotten Sound make up the melodeath/power metal chimera, Wintersun. Words can no describe how entrancing this disc becomes. It's hard not to picture yourself hurtling across the frozen tundra while listening to "Battle Against Time". The guitars rip, the vocals are sufficiently raspy, and Kai Hahto's drumming is godly. There is no reason to not have this.

1. Beyond The Dark Sun

2. Winter Madness

3. Sleeping Stars

4. Battle Against Time

5. Death And The Healing

6. Starchild

7. Beautiful Death

8. Sadness And Hate

http://www.sendspace.com/file/3j8ekz

Do Make Say Think - You, You're A History In Rust

2009-04-16T03:56:00.023-04:00

Not too much to say about this one. Do Make Say Think are well established in the post-rock scene. This album is pretty awesome. "The Universe!" is a favorite of mine.

1. Bound To Be That Way
2. A With Living
3. The Universe!
4. A Tender History In Rust
5. Herstory Of Glory
6. You, You're Awesome
7. Executioner Blues
8. In Mind

http://www.sendspace.com/file/lefxnv

Naglfar - Sheol

2009-04-16T03:56:00.021-04:00

Sheol was one of the first black metal albums I've ever heard. It was the angriest thing I had ever heard at that time. Second half is a little weaker than the first, but I still enjoy this ablum a good deal. The lyrics for "I Am Vengeance" are awesome enough to post in their entirety:

"Humanity what have you ever done for me?

Denounced and cursed since my birth for I am not like thee

A proud descendant of the ancient seed

Driven forth by the screams of my enemies

I am the plague that shall grace you with an early grave

Exterminate - bring you all into damnation

In an orgasmic rush of pain

I mark my coming in crimson strays

Fools! I shall rid myself from the thorns pierced in my side

The weak laments of your wounded shall be my crown

Anointed in their tears... sweet as wine are they

A waste of flesh is the only thing you are to me

The time has come to destroy your simple entitles

A filthy pack of liars and thieves

Crawling in the stench of your own self-deceit

I am the predator and you are all mine to claim

Hunt you down unto the point of extinction

A genocidal warmachine

Wreaking chaos upon those who dare to challenge me

I am vengeance incarnate,

your futile world I shall desecrate

I bear the mark of all demons like an aura that drips of venom

I am the bringer of the final war

Your god lies dead in his own shit and gore

Rest assure that all of you will die

You insolent fools shall breath no more

Hatred burns within my veins towards your wretched kind

I spread my creed of suffering

in this bloodbath so divine

I shall cleanse the earth from the worms of the human breed

Revel in the blood of my sworn enemies

Grind their bones into the dust... bloodlust!

Humanity what have you ever done for me?

Denounced and cursed since my birth for I am not like thee

A proud descendant of the ancient seed

Driven forth by the screams of my enemies

I am the plague that shall grace you with an early grave

Exterminate - brought you all into damnation

A genocidal warmachine

Grinding down all of you who dared to challenge me

Hatred burns within my veins towards your wretched kind

I spread my creed of suffering in this bloodbath so divine

No mercy is shown for the weak in this blood-drenched fatal spell

Tear the flesh off from their limbs and send their souls to hell"

1. I Am Vengeance

2. Black God Aftermath

3. Wrath of the Fallen

4. Abysmal Descent

5. Devoured By Naglfar

6. Of Gorgons Spawned Through Witchcraft

7. Unleash Hell

8. Force of Pandemonium

9. The Infernal Ceremony

http://www.sendspace.com/file/dfh1tt

Inked In Blood - Awakening Vesuvius EP

2009-04-16T03:56:00.020-04:00

Strike First records had a collection of metalcore/hardcore bands that were truly awesome. In Due Time, Anam Cara, Bloodlined Calligraphy, and others all got their start on Facedown's supposed "B" squad. Inked In Blood's first EP stands out as my favorite to come out of this label. Listen to "Where The Enemy Sleeps". Sick stuff.

1. Dead Men Rule Nothing
2. The Cosmos In A Box
3. Moments And Possibilities
4. Where The Enemy Sleeps
5. The New Empiricism

http://www.sendspace.com/file/a9onr7

Conducting From The Grave - Trials Of The Forsaken EP

2009-04-16T03:56:00.009-04:00

Technical, catchy, and full of memorable riffs. Fantastic disc from this California band. They recently reformed and released a full length with a couple of re-records from this album, but they simply can't compare to the original. If you don't love this EP after hearing the first 2 tracks, then listen to the other four. They all rule.

1. Improper Burial
2. Eternally Gutted
3. The Skies Are Blackened, Not By Clouds But Insects
4. A Never Ending Search For Closure
5. In Times Of Wars And Worries
6. When Two Blood Types Coalesce

http://www.sendspace.com/file/k6luui

The Red Death - External Frames Of Reference

2009-03-23T15:59:00.017-04:00

I first heard "Aftertaste Of The Emaciated" during the summer of '05 and it made a massive impression on me. This is one of the few albums that I listen to all the way through nearly every time I put it on. Every song is unique and contains several memorable riffs, fills, and even breakdowns. The Red Death took a step back with their latest effort, Godmakers, but they got it oh so right with External Frames Of Reference. Give this a shot. You won't be disappointed.

1. Frames Of Reference
2. Consciousness Decay
3. Twilight Of The Idols
4. Silent Machines
5. From The Height Of A Thousand Years
6. Before An Empty Throne
7. The Final Sphere
8. Afterstaste Of The Emaciated
9. Synchronized Worlds
10. Instrumental

http://www.sendspace.com/file/hjvt6u

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=JITVHE1V

Skeletonwitch - Beyond The Permafrost

2009-03-23T15:59:00.016-04:00

This band should need little introduction, seeing as how they've been gaining popularity and momentum in leaps and bounds over the past couple of years. The first three tracks on Beyond The Permafrost are standouts and will keep you coming back for more.

1. Upon Wings Of Black
2. Beyond the Permafrost
3. Baptized In Flames
4. Sacrifice For The Slaughtergod
5. Vengeance Will Be Mine
6. Limb From Limb
7. Cast Into The Open Sea
8. Fire From The Sky
9. Soul Thrashing Black Sorcery
10. Remains Of The Defeated
11. Feast Upon Flesh
12. Within My Blood

http://www.sendspace.com/file/eaw7eh

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=N9ALEMG1

Obscura - Cosmogenesis

2009-03-23T15:59:00.015-04:00

Germany's Obscura have a bright future. Featuring ex members of Necrophagist and Pestilence, Cosmogenesis is a brilliant and challenging album.

1. Anticosmic Overload
2. Choir Of Spirits
3. Universe Momentum
4. Incarnated
5. Orbital Elements
6. Desolate Spheres
7. Infinite Rotation
8. Noosphere
9. Cosmogenesis
10. Centric Flow

http://www.sendspace.com/file/ldcqot

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=29CA307C

Darkestrah - Epos

2009-03-23T15:59:00.014-04:00

Folkish black metal in the vein of Bergtatt era Ulver.

1. Epos

http://www.sendspace.com/file/5xuoxw
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=SOM2JYUA

As Eden Burns - The Great Celestial Delusion

2009-03-23T15:59:00.013-04:00

Highly anticipated full length from one of the most exciting bands on Willowtip's roster. Super precise, melodic, and vicious death metal.

1. The Great Celestial Delusion
2. Endless Rebirth
3. Enemy
4. Ever Again
5. Conceptual Decay
6. Guilds
7. The Golden Age
8. Lost Counsel And Untimely Doom

http://www.sendspace.com/file/vy798t

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=UGIG46BY

Reflux - The Illusion Of Democracy

2009-03-04T13:22:00.005-05:00

Tasteful, technical metalcore with a melodic edge. Tosin Abasi can shred. Hard.

1. Above The Pyramid And The Eye

2. Thoughts Dictate Reality

3. An Ode To The Evolution Of Human Consciousness

4. The Sudden Realization...

5. ...Of What You Were Missing

6. -=[x]=-

7. Single File To Bliss

8. There's No Sunlight In My Cubicle

9. The Keats Persona

10. 1984-2004

11. Modern Day Babylon

http://www.sendspace.com/file/zaq2yh

AFI - Sing The Sorrow

2009-03-04T13:09:00.009-05:00

Depression, melancholy, and despair are good friends to lead singer Davey Havok, and his eloquent prose syncs up beautifully with the rest of the band's melodic/gothic rock sound. Sing The Sorrow is both catchy and dark in all the right ways. It's not exactly an unknown album, but enough people haven't heard this for it to warrant a posting.

1. Miseria Cantare: The Beginning
2. The Leaving Song, Pt. II
3. Bleed Black
4. Silver And Cold
5. Dancing Through Sunday
6. Girl's Not Grey
7. Death Of Seasons
8. The Great Disappointment
9. Paper Airplanes (Makeshift Wings)
10. This Celluloid Dream
11. The Leaving Song
12. ...But Home Is Nowhere

http://www.sendspace.com/file/e10g1g

Book Of Black Earth - Horoskopus

2009-02-16T09:01:00.008-05:00

Death metal with a crunch and covered in grime. For fans of mid paced dm with sludge influences

1. 2160
2. Death Of The Sun
3. Total Control
4. Horoskripture
5. Cult Of Dagon
6. Funeral Of Peace
7. God Of War
8. The Darkest Age
9. From Heaven
10. The Great Year
11. Christ Pathogen

http://www.sendspace.com/file/h0j5j1

Hacksaw To The Throat - Wastelands

2009-02-16T07:47:00.029-05:00

Hacksaw To The Throat is not the greatest band name I've ever heard. In fact, I'd go so far as to say it's pretty much the worst. But as the tags indicate, stupid name or not, these guys can write some intriguing music. As luck would have it, the band broke up shortly after Wastelands was released. Oh well.

1. Breaking Point
2. Wastelands
3. Divide By Zero
4. The Descent
5. Erebus
6. Obsidian Sun
7. Cascading Down
8. Destroying The Vile Red Falcon
9. Whisper Perfect Lies

http://www.sendspace.com/file/ijz8z0

Ne Obliviscaris - The Aurora Veil demo

2009-02-16T07:47:00.028-05:00

It's rare that true innovation is heard within the aggravatingly repetitive world of black metal. Melbourne based Ne Obliviscaris happen to be one of the envelope pushers in an otherwise stagnate genre. Somewhere between the blast beats, violin, guttural screams, and acoustic guitar noodling it hits you, this band is awesome. This demo is only 3 tracks but with a total playing time of 33 minutes, there is more song to sink your teeth into. Metal-archives.com has the band still listed as active, so hopefully there will be more epic tunes in the future. In the meantime, get acquainted with one of the most engaging demos of the past few years.

1. Tapestry Of The Starless Abstract
2. Forget Not
3. As Icicles Fall

http://www.sendspace.com/file/zaw4b2

Hour Of Penance - The Vile Conception

2009-02-16T07:47:00.026-05:00

Brutal death metal from Italy. Fans of Origin and most of Unique Leader's roster will enjoy this.

1. Misconception
2. Liturgy Of Deceivers
3. Hideously Conceived
4. Drowned In The Abyss Of Ignorance
5. Absence Of Truth
6. Slavery In A Deaf Decay
7. The Holy Betrayal
8. From Hate To Suffering
9. Conjuration Sworn
10. Hierarchy Of The Fools

http://www.sendspace.com/file/mwc2wo

Earth - The Bees Made Honey In The Lion's Skull

2009-02-16T07:47:00.022-05:00

Earth. Apt name for a band that takes 24 hours to play a riff. Exaggeration? Perhaps, but I'm not kidding about how good this album is. I had it on loop for 3 hours while studying for a Macro exam. I got a 96 on the test. Coincidence? I think not.

1. Omens And Portents I: The Driver
2. Rise To Glory
3. Miami Morning Coming Down II (Shine)
4. Engine Of Ruin
5. Omens And Portents II: Carrion Crow
6. Hung From The Moon
7. The Bees Made Honey In The Lion's Skull

http://www.sendspace.com/file/7if6ne

Azathoth - Azathoth EP

2009-02-16T07:43:00.005-05:00

I can't believe I went almost 1 and a half years without hearing this monster of an EP from Fresno, CA based Azathoth. Lovecraft inspired prose is rasped over a rapid blend of symphonic keyboard motifs outlined with vicious death metal riffing. The intro and outro tracks contain some beautiful piano arrangements that serve as a nice shell for the madness within. "In Darkest Dreams" floored me when I first heard it. Try it for yourself.

1. Intro
2. In Darkest Dreams
3. Alhazred
4. The Lament Configuration
5. Amaranth
6. Outro

http://www.megaupload.com/de/?d=B71RUR53

Neuraxis - The Thin Line Between

2009-02-08T10:08:00.005-05:00

Latest album from technical/melodic death metal masters. New vocalist Alex Leblanc does an admirable job filling the nearly irreplaceable shoes of Ian Campbell. Luc Lemay guests on the title track. If that doesn't peak your interest than how about this; "Deviation Occurs" contains THE heaviest groove of 2008. <--- Fact.

1. Darkness Prevails

2. Wicked

3. Versus

4. Deviation Occurs

5. The Thin Line Between

6. Dreaming The End

7. Standing Despite...

8. Oracle

9. Phoenix

10. The All And The Nothing

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=7OCI2HWE

Jurassic 5 - Power In Numbers

2009-02-08T09:38:00.022-05:00

It's Jurassic 5. That is all you need to know.

Oh, and track 6 was the intro song to Tony Hawk's Underground. Nice, huh?

1. This Is
2. Freedom
3. If You Only Knew
4. Break
5. React
6. A Day At The Races
7. Remember His Name
8. What's Golden
9. Thin Line
10. After School Special
11. High Fidelity
12. Sum Of Us
13. DDT
14. One Of Them
15. Hey
16. I Am Somebody
17. Acetate Prophets

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=F6Q8VQKC

Between The Buried And Me - The Silent Circus

2009-02-08T09:38:00.019-05:00

I've been listening to BTBAM a lot recently and figured I post a classic. The Silent Circus contains glimpses of the band's future in the ending of "Mordecai" and the lull in "Ad A Dglgmut" as well as showcasing some of Paul Waggoner's most aggressive riffing yet. Plus, "The Need For Repetition" contains the infamous "MAWN LAND" around the 11:20 mark as a bonus track.

1. Lost Perfection: A) Coulrophobia
2. Lost Perfection: B) Anablephobia
3. Camilla Rhodes
4. Mordecai
5. Reaction
6. Shevanel Take 2
7. Ad A Dglgmut
8. Destructo Spin
9. Aesthetic
10. The Need For Repetition

http://www.sendspace.com/file/weivfx

Origin - Informis Infinitas Inhumanitas

2009-02-08T09:38:00.014-05:00

Second full length from this awesome band. "Portal" is immediately what comes to mind when I think of death metal. You probably have this already, but I'm posting it anyways. III is mandatory listening for those who enjoy blasturbation.

1. Larvae Of The Lie
2. Inhuman
3. Awaken The Suffering
4. Perversion Of Hate
5. Portal
6. Meat For The Beast
7. Mental Torment
8. Insurrection
9. Implosion Of Eternity

http://www.sendspace.com/file/uy9ity

Origin - Antithesis

2009-02-08T09:37:00.007-05:00

Origin has long been at the forefront of brutal, technical, and destructive metal and guys from Kansas have never been more crushing than on Antithesis.

*CAUTION*

"Wrath Of Vishnu" has been known to shred the listener's asshole

1. The Aftermath
2. Algorithm
3. Consuming Misery
4. Wrath of Vishnu
5. Finite
6. The Appalling
7. Void
8. Ubiquitous
9. The Beyond Within
10. Antithesis

http://www.sendspace.com/file/flec5u

C!ties - EP

2009-01-11T20:34:00.005-05:00

Yeah yeah, self promotion, whatever. This is my band's ep. We're trying to do something relatively different here, so hopefully it's worth checking out. I'm also not sure how to label our stuff, seeing as we wrote it, but it's instrumental rock really, with snippets of electronica around the place. You could say post-rock, but it's a lot more upbeat and loud, with quite some riffage in parts. I would mention bands that we could be compared to, but the thing is those bands are much better, so it'd be a bad idea.

Or maybe I was being too modest there... I'll end by saying that we are most definitely the greatest band in existence, and you should definitely download this.

01. 4+1=5
02. 15728
03. Dive Dive Dive!
04. !
05. Satellites
06. SuperMassiveBlckHls.rmx

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=BHLNXTN5

Sickening Horror - When Landscapes Bled Backwards

2008-12-08T22:41:00.019-05:00

Twisted and sinister technical death metal comparable to Obscura era Gorguts.

1. Descending The Mind's Abyss
2. An Eerie Aspect of Us... Drowning
3. The Cold Funeral
4. The Perfect Disease
5. Imprisoned In Apocalypse
6. Forsake My Bleeding
7. Dark One Surreality
8. Virus Detected
9. Filming Our Graves
10. Embrace The Abstract
11. All Perceived Nothing
12. When Landscapes Bled Backwards

http://www.sendspace.com/file/sdquc8

Tunturia - Maps

2008-12-08T22:41:00.018-05:00

High quality post-rock. Plenty of spacey guitar work and electronic flourishes to be found on Maps. Melodies vary between atmospheric twinkling and exciting, catchy hooks More post-rock bands need to make music like this Canadian group's debut full length.

1. Panic Attack
2. Echoes Of The Unmoved
3. Silence Is Consent
4. Cast Shadows On Clouds
5. October 4, 1957
6. Satellites
7. Tunturia
8. These Are The Words
9. Robots Building Robots
10. Lost In The Hidden Forest

http://www.sendspace.com/file/0itlfu

Woods Of Ypres - Against The Seasons: Cold Winter Songs From The Dead Summer Heat

2008-12-08T22:41:00.017-05:00

Brilliant 5 song demo that was rereleased in 2005 by Krakenhaus Records. Memorable, engrossing, and powerful are all apt adjectives for first release from Woods of Ypres.

1. Intro: The Shams Of Optimism
2. Crossing The 45th Parallel
3. The Sea Of Immeasurable Loss
4. A Meeting Place And Time
5. Awaiting the Inevitable

http://www.sendspace.com/file/dryqgr

Dark Tranquillity - Damage Done

2008-12-08T21:29:00.017-05:00

A band that should need no introduction. An album that rates among their best. I count myself lucky every time I hear this that even though In Flames began their fall from grace with 2002's Reroute to Remain, Dark Tranquillity continuously proved themselves as the torchbearers of Gothenburg metal. By the way, Metal-Archives has the track listing with #'s 11 and 12 switched. The order below is what's written in the booklet.

1. Final Resistance

2. Hours Passed In Exile

3. Monochromatic Stains

4. Single Part Of Two

5. The Treason Wall

6. Format C: For Cortex

7. Damage Done

8. Cathode Ray Sunshine

9. The Enemy

10. I, Deception

11. Ex Nihilo

12. White Noise / Black Silence

http://www.sendspace.com/file/g492n5

Red Sparowes - At The Soundless Dawn

2008-12-08T21:29:00.015-05:00

Red Sparowes may be one of those bands that hipster kids jock, and their song titles might reek of pretentiousness, but that doesn't mean they can't write a fantastic debut album. This is one of my favorite post-rock records ever and I think everyone should hear the first two tracks before they die. Featuring former members of Isis, Neurosis, and Made Out Of Babies.

1. Alone And Unaware, The Landscape Was Transformed In Front Of Our Eyes
2. Buildings Began To Stretch Wide Across The Sky, And The Air Filled With A Reddish Glow
3. The Soundless Dawn Came Alive As Cities Began To Mark The Horizon
4. Mechanical Sounds Cascaded Through The City Walls And Everyone Reveled In TheirIgnorance
5. A Brief Moment Of Clarity Broke Through The Deafening Hum, But It Was Too Late
6. Our Happiest Days Slowly Began To Turn Into Dust
7. The Sixth Extinction Crept Up Slowly, Like Sunlight Through The Shutters As We Looked Back In Regret

http://www.sendspace.com/file/izqny2

Adebisi Shank - This is the Album of a Band Called Adebisi Shank

2008-11-16T19:03:00.003-05:00

This is a short review of the album of a band called Adebisi Shank.

This is the tracklisting of the album of a band called Adebisi Shank:
1. YouMe
2. DOTR
3. Colin Skehan
4. Shunk
5. Mini Rockers
6. Agassi Shank
7. I Answer to "Doc"
8. Snakehips

This is the download link of the album of a band called Adebisi Shank:
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=MZNLFYTB

Adebisi Shank - The EP of a Band Called Adebisi Shank

2008-11-13T14:56:00.006-05:00

This is a short review of the EP of a band called Adebisi Shank.

This is the tracklisting of the EP of a band called Adebisi Shank:

1. Horse
2. Jump Cut
3. You Shouldn't Be In White
4. Caddyshank

This is the download link of the EP of a band called Adebisi Shank:
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=DD45X1TV

MC Esoteric - Egoclapper

2008-11-12T16:27:00.015-05:00

The MC's first solo album released through his own label, Fly Casual Records, Egoclapper features both rhymes and beats by the Boston based rapper. While Esoteric (who also goes by the name The Esoteridactyl, which is probably the coolest name in hip-hop) is best known for his collaborations with Jedi Mind Tricks, Egoclapper shows the full extent of the MC's talent. Clever wordplay coupled with elaborate beats (sometimes combining 4-5 samples at once) makes for a fantastic addition to any music library.

1. Egoclapper
2. Watch The Pro
3. Warlords
4. Mind On Fire
5. Tranquilizer
6. Typhoons In Japan
7. Street Stigma
8. Incredible Hulk Rap
9. Ego Empire
10. Zombie Combat
11. Really Fly
12. Boston Garden Rap
13. Eso's Father Finds The Chosen Ones
14. Frank Miller Tank Killer
15. First Of A New Breed
16. Spidey Jail Break

http://www.sendspace.com/file/09nip3

Wolverine - The Window Purpse

2008-11-12T16:27:00.011-05:00

This Swedish metal band has enough groove to get your head banging and plenty of progressively minded moments to stimulate your braincells. "Towards Loss" is a musical tour de force, showcasing Wolverine's formidable talents. Fans of Green Carnation and Opeth should defenitely give this a shot.

1. End
2. My Room
3. His Cold Touch Pt. 1
4. His Cold Touch Pt. 2
5. Leaving Yesterday
6. Towards Loss
7. The Storm Inside
8. Coma
9. Release
10. Post Life

http://www.sendspace.com/file/oadrbf

Inspectah Deck - Uncontrolled Substance

2008-11-12T16:26:00.019-05:00

After many months of constantly listening to Uncontrolled Substance and the GZA's Liquid Swords, I still can't decide who is the absolute best Wu-Tang rapper. While the title still remains to be determined, Inspectah Deck's first album earns him a mountain of votes. Tracks like "9th Chamber" and "The Grand Prix" are unforgettable verses benefit from the RZA's trademark production. Demonstrating a mastery of complex metaphors and wordplay (a personal favorite line being: My style's so underground, I write rhymes on fossils), Uncontrollable Substance is a absolute must have for any serious fan of East Coast rap.

1. Intro
2. Movas & Shakers
3. 9th Chamber
4. Uncontrolled Substance
5. Femme Fatale
6. The Gran Prix
7. Forget Me Not
8. Longevity
9. Word On The Street
10. Elevation
11. Lovin' You
12. Trouble Man
13. R.E.C. Room
14. Friction
15. Hyperdermix
16. Show N Prove
17. The Cause

http://www.sendspace.com/file/s71ojf

As Eden Burns - The Great Celestial Delusion promo

2008-11-12T16:26:00.015-05:00

One of the Willowtip's more recent signings, As Eden Burns are a classic example of melodic death metal done right. Their potent combination of razor sharp riffing, catchy melodies, and a mixture of both high rasps and low growls has me anxiously awaiting the full length (also due to be named The Great Celestial Delusion) which as best as I can tell is supposed to be released some time soon. In the meanwhile, spin this promo a couple of times. It rules.

1. Ever Again
2. The Great Celestial Delusion

http://www.sendspace.com/file/xqava3

Cynic - Traced In Air

2008-09-21T16:34:00.007-04:00

The wait is finally over. The new Cynic album has arrived and it's amazing. Decidedly not a death metal record, the Floridian quintet's newest is a triumphant return to the pinnicle of technical, emotive, and passionate music. Listen to this.

1. Nunc Fluens
2. The Space for This
3. Evolutionary Sleeper
4. Integral Birth
5. The Unknown Guest
6. Adam's Murmur
7. King Of Those Who Know
8. Nunc Stans

http://www.sendspace.com/file/2c5qdo

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?jnmjzgwzjmw

October Falls - The Streams Of The End EP

2008-09-20T15:05:00.003-04:00

If I didn't know any better I'd say this is Bergtatt round 2. If you're a fan of Ulver around that era, than you will love this record. For those not familiar, it's folkish black metal. Good stuff.

1. Shores Of Fire
2. White Northern Soils
3. Funeral Pyres
4. The Streams Of The End

http://www.sendspace.com/file/izsns8

Portal - Outre’

2008-09-20T14:52:00.004-04:00

Super dense, twisted, and terrifying "death metal". I put death metal in quotes because it technically qualifies, but Outre’ is so much more. Beware of listening to this alone in the dark. You might just lose your mind and start worshiping the Old Ones.

1. Moil
2. Abysmill
3. Heirships
4. Omnipotent Crawling Chaos
5. Black Houses
6. Outre
7. 13 Globes
8. Sourlows

http://www.sendspace.com/file/vt8xpm

Monolithe - Monolithe I

2008-09-20T14:47:00.007-04:00

Monolithe are a funeral doom at heart but they also maintain a stronger sense of harmony than most bands of their ilk. This isn't to say that they won't cave your chest in with monolithic (har har) riffs that take nearly a minute and a half to cycle through. Monolithe are one of the better bands in the genre and listening should be mandatory.

1. Monolithe I

http://www.sendspace.com/file/bykb9c

Gojira - The Way Of All Flesh

2008-09-15T08:44:00.004-04:00

New album from these French goliaths. The vocals are a bit different (more raspy) but the music is more of the same precise, groovy jams that we all know and love. And if you don't know and love, well then this is as good a place as any to start.

1. Oroborus
2. Toxic Garbage Island
3. A Sight To Behold
4. Yama's Messengers
5. The Silver Cord
6. All The Tears
7. Adoration For None
8. The Art Of Dying
9. Esoteric Surgery
10. Vacuity
11. Wolf Down The Earth
12. The Way Of All Flesh

http://www.sendspace.com/file/vxke9n

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=MZ75TVXS

Burst - Origo

2008-09-08T00:07:00.005-04:00

Burst's 4th full length is also their most realized. With complex polyrhythms, haunting ambiance, and vicious riffing, Origo showcases a band at the height of their formidible talents. This comes highly reccommended.

1. Where The Wave Broke
2. Sever
3. The Immateria
4. Slave Emotion
5. Flight's End
6. Homebound
7. It Comes Into View
8. Stormwielder
9. Mercy Liberation

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=8JS6WJCM

Burst - Prey On Life

2008-09-08T00:02:00.005-04:00

It's hard to not know who Burst are. They've taken the metal scene by storm with their unique brand of metalcore mixed with progressive metal tendancies. Check this out if you like to think while listening to tunes.

1. Undoing (Prey On Life)
2. Iris
3. Sculpt The Lives
4. Rain
5. The Foe Sublime
6. Fourth Sun
7. Crystal Asunder
8. Vortex
9. Monument
10. Visionary
11. Epidemic

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=PZ34E5N0

Deathspell Omega - Fas - Ite, Maledicti, In Ignem Aeternum

2008-09-03T19:33:00.003-04:00

Ultra dense and sonically oppressing, Deathspell Omega have crafted a masterwork in Fas. The feeling of dread and despair that permeates the album can very well carry over to real life, so don't listen in the daytime or when you're feeling especially chipper, because one listen through "The Shrine Of Mad Laughter" will turn you into Jack Torrance. The name of the album is Latin for "By divine law, go, you cursed, into the eternal fire!", which is not only incredibly badass, but it forshadows the lyrical content. The description of Lucifer's fall from grace is rife with poetic language and interesting philosophical propositions making Deathspell Omega's Fas perhaps the first nerdy black metal album...hmmm

1. Obombration
2. The Shrine Of Mad Laughter
3. Bread of Bitterness
4. The Repellent Scars of Abandon and Election
5. A Chore for the Lost
6. Obombration

http://www.sendspace.com/file/460k8k

This Is Hell - This Is Hell EP

2008-09-03T19:24:00.011-04:00

All of the demo's talent with better production a re-record of the best song off the demo and 5 more tracks that rule just as hard as the demo

1. Dead Salutes
2. Heaven Sent, Hell Bound
3. Diamond Lanterns
4. Moving Targets
5. Ad Infinitum
6. When Death Closes Your Eyes

http://www.sendspace.com/file/1y78vt

This Is Hell - demo

2008-09-03T18:59:00.010-04:00

Long Island's hardcore upstarts This Is Hell released one of the best demos this scene has ever heard. Angry, caustic, melodic, and to the point, the level of passion displayed on this demo was close to overwhelming. As far as hardcore songs go: these 4 jams > 97% of hardcore. Get into it.

1. Wreck Your Life
2. Heaven Sent, Hell Bound
3. Double Grave
4. Dearest Midge

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?somzg1fqlpn

Goratory - Rice On Suede

2008-08-07T21:16:00.004-04:00

Don't let the song titles fool you, this is brutal death metal at its finest. Goratory has really made a name for themselves in the death metal scene. They have released three albums and have toured Japan and Europe. They have recently reformed as members were parts of/are current members of bands such as Arsis, Despised Icon, Burn In Silence and Sexcrement. Expect a new release on Grindethic Records in 2009!

1. Anally Injected Death Sperm (A.I.D.S.)
2. Rice On Suede
3. 8 Seconds Of Fury
4. Headie Mung Festizzeo
5. Whose Spine Is It Anyway?
6. Fuckhole
7. Hang 'em And Bang 'em
8. Your Mutha's A Lazy Eyed Chow Bearing Slut, But I Fucked Her Anyway
9. Mutilate Remodified

http://www.mediafire.com/?dy0k7cfu0t4

The Dillinger Escape Plan - The Dillinger Escape Plan

2008-07-29T21:28:00.004-04:00

Everything good that I have to say about this band you probably already know so I won't bother going on a fan-boy rant. This is their first EP from 1997, You can tell it's the same band but very "dumbed" down from their other material. Worth a listen and the live tracks are awesome. Good for people who have trouble getting into later material

1. Proceed With Caution
2. I Love Secret Agents
3. Monticello
4. Cleopatra's Sling
5. Caffeine
6. Three For Flinching (Revenge Of The Porno Clowns)
7. Sugar Coated Sour (Live)
8. Abe The Cop (Live)
9. The Running Board (Live)

http://www.mediafire.com/?czl7dixwamd

Justice - †

2008-07-23T10:26:00.004-04:00

These guys are really taking off. At first they seemed like a Daft Punk clone, a French DJ duo that play similar music, but they became so much more. Check it out.

1. Genesis
2. Let There Be Light
3. D.A.N.C.E.
4. Newjack
5. Phantom
6. Phantom Pt. II
7. Valentine
8. Tthhee Ppaarrttyy
9. DVNO
10. Stress
11. Waters of Nazareth
12. One Minute to Midnight

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=5JC69GWF

El Ten Eleven - These Promises Are Being Videotaped

2008-07-23T09:56:00.004-04:00

What? More of these guys? Yeah, well this new album has just been released, and I think I'm addicted. With their first album, they were very post rock. Then there was a bit of a switch to "Every Direction is North", which I uploaded a while ago. That particular album was a lot more upbeat. Less about atmospheres and more about dancing. And now, they've refined that sound. It's being called "Kraftwerk In The Sky" due to the jump from post rock to more danceable stuff, but of course, they still having one man playing all the riffs on the fly. This album is a nice little package, although a little short. Nice abstract Radiohead cover though.

1. Jumping Frenchmen of Maine
2. I Like Van Halen Because My Sister Says They Are Cool
3. Fat Gym Riot
4. Adam and Nathan Totally Kick Ass
5. K10
6. Paranoid Android
7. Chino
8. Numb Tooth

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=8WHWRYA7

Facedown Records 2004 Sampler

2008-07-14T15:20:00.005-04:00

This is one of the best compilations/samplers of all time and it played a major role in my formative metal/hardcore years. I found this in my closet a few weeks ago and listened to some of these songs for the first time in 3 years. Awesome. So many classic tracks from great bands like Comeback Kid, Trauma, xLooking Forwardx, Anam Cara, etc. Some of these groups got shitty over time, but in 2004 Facedown was the place to be.

1. Jesus Wept - Sick City
2. Inked In Blood - Where The Enemy Sleeps
3. Ten 33 - Stop Looking
4. Brutal Fight - Falling Away
5. Once For All - For Whats Worth
6. Winter Solstice - Malice In Wonderland
7. The Deal - Richard Bachman
8. A Love For Enemies - Broken Pledge
9. Blessed By A Broken Heart - Another Day, Another War
10. Hit The Deck - Heads You Lose
11. Nodes Of Ranvier - Don't Blink (Or We May Miss It)
12. Bloody Sunday - The Curse
13. Symphony In Peril - Portrait
14. Clear Convictions - Firme
15. In Due Time - Back To Basics
16. Foreknown - No Guns, No Roses, Just Axl
17. Blood Of The Martyr - Where It All Began
18. Seventh Star - Dead End
19. Hanover Saints - Masquerade
20. Trauma - Wake Up Before You Die
21. xLooking Forwardx - Copout
22. Sinai Beach - Candice
23. Anam Cara - Words Cut Through
24. Immortal Souls - Everwinter
25. Bloodlined Calligraphy - Trying To Collect Child Support From Ghost Dad
26. Comeback Kid - All In A Year

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=U505YL9W

maudlin of the Well - Leaving Your Body Map

2008-07-09T16:18:00.004-04:00

Toby Driver's Pre-Kayo Dot band, maudlin of the Well, put out an extremely quality release entitled "Leaving Your Body Map." Although very similar to Kayo Dot, I feel that motW has more musical direction and is more pleasing to the ear. A multitude of instruments that are scarce in this style of music (flute, clarinet, cello etc.) make mutliple apperances throught this release. This is the second of the sister CD's that were released. The other half, "bath", I feel lacks the feel of this album but is still worth the listen if you enjoy this.

1. Stones of October's Sobbing
2. Gleam In Ranks
3. Bizarre Flowers / A Violent Mist
4. (Interlude 3)
5. A Curve That To An Angle Turn'd
6. Sleep is a Curse
7. Riseth He, The Numberless 1
8. Riseth He, The Numberless 2
9. (Interlude 4)
10. Monstrously Low Tide

http://www.mediafire.com/?31lb14dtvyq

Cynic - Promo 2008

2008-07-09T15:53:00.003-04:00

This is the new Cynic promo. It’s awesome.

1. Integral Birth
2. Adam’s Murmur
3. Evolutionary Sleeper (live)

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=4E0JSJW9

Aghast - A Wolf In The Kingdom Of Heaven

2008-07-02T11:00:00.004-04:00

Aghast are a 5 peice from London/Hertfordshire, UK. Nick Plews, Christiaan Verheij Van-Wijk and James Anson attended college together but parted ways to pursue futher education. Reuniting in 2007 they were joined by Daniel Henderson and Ryan Moore on bass and guitar respectively and took it upon themselves to produce the energetic, groove-ladden; visceral metal that they wanted to hear and throw their head about to... Call them what you will, Aghast do just that.

^ that is what they wrote and asked me to post. My take on this record: it's a solid 7.5 out of ten. Interesting guitar work, a Suffocation/Meshuggah kinda vibe, and an opening quote by Christopher Walken guarantee's Aghast at least a few spins. Check it out.

1. Forced To Kneel
2. Assume The Position
3. Chum
4. Mind Atrophy

hrrp://www.megaupload.com/?d=VPQD82SR

Feedle - Leave Now for Adventure

2008-05-29T04:39:00.006-04:00

The elusive ex-65daysofstatic anti-musician has a full length. And it's good. Glitchy, but not overbearing. Sprawling, but not boring. It has everything you need, in just the right places. But beware, the title of the last track is strangely apt. Who knows if he'll ever release an album again, so check this one out!

1. Song for Dogs
2. Cold Pause Strings
3. Burn the Fields
4. Everything Slow
5. The Way Things Turned Out
6. This Troubles All Dust
7. Song for Cats
8. Home
9. Go Home! Revolving Piano
10. Man Vs The Hallucinations
11. Go Home Revolving
12. I May Not Come This Way Again

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=4Y77EGCC

Dakota/Dakota - Shoot In The Dark

2008-05-26T11:31:00.006-04:00

Dakota/Dakota were basically Russian Circles before they became Russian Circles. This album provides a great mix of the technical and the relaxing, with regards to post-rock. It succeeds in fusing elements of more experimental bands like Hella and Don Cab with more soothing atmospheres created by bands like Caspian or Red Sparowes. A few nice twists as well, for example the track "Bruises Are Buttons Of Pain" uses only acoustic guitar, which helps vary things up a bit.

1. Hamburger Help Us
2. I Hope To God I'm Not A Sheep
3. Indian Givers, Cowboy Takers
4. Don't Pee In My Bed And Tell Me That It's Raining
5. Bruises Are Buttons Of Pain
6. No Matter How Hard I Try... I Never Remember The Alamo
7. Getting Angry Is The Worst Way To Prove You're Not Drunk
8. Can I Write Something On Your Face?
9. Just Because You Can't See My Invisible Forcefield Doesn't Mean It's Not There
10. Square Meals At Round Tables

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=RK3KKFVA

Focus - Moving Waves

2008-05-24T19:11:00.004-04:00

Completely awesome classic rock. High levels of musicianship, songwriting, and creativity make Moving Waves one of the best records of the 70's.

1. Hocus Pocus
2. Le Clochard
3. Janis
4. Moving Waves
5. Focus II
6. Eruption

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=SBA4DLUN

El Ten Eleven - Every Direction Is North

2008-05-24T09:59:00.009-04:00

When listening to this album, it's easy to forget how many band members there are. Four? Five? Ten? Eleven? Actually, two would be much closer to the mark. A drummer that makes use of both acoustic and electronic drums, and a guitarist that uses a guitar/bass doubleneck and a lot of loop pedals. But yet they manage to create a very full sound, instrumental, but quite upbeat post-rock, with a bit of an indie feel to it. Definitely one to check out. Also, I definitely want to see these guys live, just to see how they actually manage to pull it off.

Video for "Hot Cakes"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFCRMonf7lI

1. 3 Plus 4
2. Every Direction Is North
3. Hot Cakes
4. Estrel
5. Music for Staring at Ceilings
6. Keep
7. Dax Pierson
8. Living on Credit Blues
9. The 49th Day
10. Bye Annie, Bye Joe, Bye Michael, Bye Jake

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=YBDVSRC9

Orgone - The Goliath

2008-05-22T22:15:00.004-04:00

The name speaks for itself, this is indeed a Goliath of an Album. Orgone has truly created their own style with their debut CD. The style is very reminiscent of a more technical BTBAM mixed with the dissonant black metal riffage style of Deathspell Omega. In the track "Vomited Hyacinths (First Act Of Beauty)" They explore even to the style of Neurosis and have one of the best ways of ending a extreme metal CD that I've ever heard. They're are touring in June and recording their second album in July, also expect a weekend in New England in the fall if I have my way.

http://www.myspace.com/orgoneus

1. Lessons Of Mesopotamia (Century Of Filth)
2. The Goliath (Drained Trough Of Resistance)
3. The Levitating Chandelier
4. Bamboo Cannons (Loaded With Dust)
5. Vowelic Drone
6. Vomited Hyacinths (First Act Of Beauty)

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=DZ9A2AEK

Mourning Beloveth - The Sullen Sulcus

2008-05-09T20:11:00.006-04:00

Mourning Beloveth are one of the original funeral doom bands. I got into them recently and am kicking myself for not doing so earlier. Great lyrics, the oppressing heaviness, and glacial speed are all there with some fast blasts and clean vocals thrown in for good measure. Enjoy/kill yourself!

1. The Words That Crawled
2. It Almost Looked Human
3. The Insolent Caul
4. Narcissistic Funeral
5. My Sullen Sulcus
6. Anger's Steaming Arrows

http://www.sendspace.com/file/1pt36v

Buried Inside - Suspect Symmetry

2008-05-09T20:04:00.003-04:00

Oh how I love metalcore drenched in hate and vitriol. Buried Inside's second full length is a prelude of what would be showcased on Chronoclast; equal parts math and passion.

1. Prologue
2. Racking The Skulls Of American Golgatha
3. Clockwork (Birth Of The Chronophile)
4. Progress Is Dead & Death Is Progress
5. The Fallacy Of Wildlife Conservation
6. Kroc Of Shit
7. Terrortourismology
8. Epilogue

http://www.sendspace.com/file/ibnqwl

Opeth - Watershed

2008-05-09T20:03:00.006-04:00

Opeth. The very name causes some metalheads to cream their jeans and others to rant on message boards on how much Michael sold out and why Opeth will never be the band they once were. I tell the latter to fuck off and the former to cool down. Watershed is a solid album, not Opeth's best, but still very worthy of praise. This is one I'm going to buy when it hits stores. But that's not for another 3 weeks or so.

1. Coil
2. Heir Apparent
3. Burden
4. Porcelain Heart
5. Hex Omega
6. The Lotus Eater
7. Hessian Peel

http://www.sendspace.com/file/c43nwp

I Shalt Become - Wanderings

2008-05-05T01:22:00.004-04:00

Morbid, depressing black metal from the enigmatic S. Holliman. Solid one-man act along the lines of early Burzum and Graveland. Tons of tremolo leads, scary atmosphere, and very jagged screams. Unsettling and entertaining at the same time, Wanderings is definitely worth checking out for those with a penchant for low fi production and lyrics draped with self-loathing and misanthropy.

1. Intro
2. Fragments
3. The Funeral Rain
4. Winter Lights
5. Paintings In A Gallery
6. Labyrinthe
7. Thorns
8. Insects
9. Her Demons
10. A Once Great Man
11. Outro

http://www.sendspace.com/file/py8cza

Arghoslent - Hornets Of The Pogrom

2008-05-04T20:42:00.005-04:00

The latest album from everyone's favorite racist thrash group. New singer, better than the last one. The riffs are strong on this disc; plenty to get your head banging and cross burning. Enjoy (but not in the inner city).

1. In Coffles They Were Lead

2. Swill Of The Knaves

3. Manacled Freightage

4. The Nubian Archer

5. Dog And Broom

6. Oracle Of The Malefic Rhizome

7. Hornets Of The Pogrom

8. The Grenadier

http://www.sendspace.com/file/0astec

Cue - Wedding Song

2008-02-12T15:59:00.000-05:00

This is the sound of spring, of sunshine spilling over open fields, of children splashing in the melting snow, of birds chirping to herald the new season.

1. (Every Wing Hits at Once)
2. Wedding Song for Living Things and Dead Things
3. Can You See My Skeleton?
4. Capture the Flag
5. YROKROLSUKKDN2002
6. The Last Good Year of My Life
7. Forests of Pencil Pierced Children
8. Fleur de Lis

http://www.badongo.com/file/7761402

The Mercury Program - From The Vapor Of Gasoline

2008-01-31T18:41:00.000-05:00

Soothing, lush, and emotional post-rock. The Mercury Program incorporate jazzy atmospheres with downtrodden, yet hopeful rhythm to construct some very intriguing and relaxing jams. Great to study, smoke, sleep to.

1. The Sea Is In Here
2. Re-inventing A Challenge For Machines
3. Leaving Capitol City For Good
4. Nazca Lines Of Peru
5. Every Particle Of The Atmosphere
6. From The Vapor Of Gasoline
7. Fastest Way Through The South
8. Down On Your Old Lung
9. The Vortex East
10. Highways Like Veins

http://www.mediafire.com/?3pk2vjnnw2a

Evoken - Antithesis Of Light

2008-01-31T18:37:00.000-05:00

Every once in awhile an album comes along that is so heavy, so dark, and so depressing that you have to be careful about when and where you listen to it. Here's a hint, don't spin this at night, by yourself, or while you're depressed. You might just be Evoken's latest casualty.

1. Intro

2. In Solitary Ruin

3. Accursed Premonition

4. The Mournful Refusal
5. Pavor Nocturnus

6. Antithesis Of Light
7. The Last Of Vitality

http://www.mediafire.com/?fwjm4t93z0m

Terminally Your Aborted Ghost - Suicide As Self Expression

2008-01-28T18:29:00.000-05:00

"How many people here have had an abortion?"
"How many people here have had an abortion through a straw?"
"How many people here have had an abortion through a CRAAZZZYYYY straw?!?"

I saw this band at their first show in two years on Friday and they sure did kick my ass. A very off the wall release for a Brutal Death/Grind type band. New album in 2008 and tour this April, check their myspace for dates!

1. Innumerical Bonds
2. Hung Through A Coat Hanger
3. Abortion Through A Straw
4. Prescribing The Fractured Form
5. Open Concave Chest Wounds
6. Suicide As Self Expression

http://www.mediafire.com/?1f91dlkxyll

Isis & Aerogramme - In The Fishtank 14 EP

2008-01-28T16:36:00.001-05:00

Konkurrent Records has really outdone themselves with the In The Fishtank series. They give a select artist/artists 2 days of studio time to create whatever they please. For the 14th edition of this series they chose for California based Isis and Scottish based Aerogramme to collaborate. The "Isis" sound is clearly overpowering in these 3 tracks, but they seemed to be watered down by the Aerogramme sound which adds great balance to this release.

1. Low Tide
2. Delial
3. Stolen

http://www.sendspace.com/file/b3zdv7

Of Truth And Stories - Prologue EP

2008-01-27T19:32:00.000-05:00

I'll be the first to admit the vocals aren't the best I've ever heard. They threw me for a loop the first time I heard this record. They're rather nasally all things considered, but upon repeated listens they grow on you. Besides, the high quality musicianship will make you quickly forget any reservations you might have. "That Guy" is the only weak link on an otherwise stellar debut, but just skip it. I do.

1. The Game
2. Nightmares/Reality
3. That Guy
4. Take Me Back
5. Better Day
6. Carnivale (State Of Mind)

http://www.mediafire.com/?9cijswyv4cb

The Lord Weird Slough Feg - Traveller

2008-01-27T19:27:00.000-05:00

You need this album. The riffs dominate you, the hooks ensnare you, the lyrics captivate you, and the concept excites you. Wonderful disc from this veteran power metal band. Power metal is almost a misnomer for Slough Feg, but you can download it for yourself to find out. I mean, it's free, what do you have to lose?

1. The Spinward Marches
2. High Passage/Low Passage
3. Asteroid Belts
4. Professor`s Theme
5. Vargr Moon
6. Vargr Theme/Confrontation (Genetic Prophesy)
7. Baltech's Lament
8. Gene-ocide
9. Curse Of Humaniti
10. The Final Gambit
11. The Spinward Marches (Return)
12. Addendum Galactus

http://www.mediafire.com/?1lkmtx59dct

United Future Organization - 3rd Perspective

2008-01-27T19:24:00.001-05:00

Spy soundtracks, trip-hop beats, jazzy saxophones, French lyrics, exotic percussion. Do I need to say more?

1. His Name Is...
2. The Planet Plan
3. Friends (We'll Be)
4. Spy's Spice (Mon Espionne)
5. Fool's Paradise
6. Waltz (Le Serpent Rouge)
7. Picaresque Eye
8. Nica's Dream
9. Cosmic Gypsy
10. Dice For A Chance
11. The Moving Shadows

http://www.mediafire.com/?2xfi0ba7aqu

Kiuas - The Spirit Of Ukko

2008-01-27T19:07:00.000-05:00

What would happen if a power metal band decided to incorporate most of metal's sub-genres and somehow made it kick intense amounts of ass? You'd get Kiuas. These Finns have crafted an incredibly entertaining album. Full of fist pumping chorus', lightening fast riffing, blast beats, thrashy vocals that occasionally dip into death growls and soaring falsetto, and some of the best lyrics I've heard from a power metal group in a very long time. These guys come very recommended. Get it.

1. The Spirit Of Ukko
2. On Winds Of Death We Ride
3. No More Sleep For Me
4. Warrior Soul
5. Until We Reach The Shore
6. Across The Snows
7. Thorns Of A Black Rose
8. And The North Star Cried
9. Winter In June

http://www.mediafire.com/?7n1yj2lbfed

GZA - Liquid Swords

2007-11-28T23:47:00.000-05:00

The best of all the Wu-Tang Clan's solo albums, Liquid Swords is as gangster as it fucking gets.

Yo, the fiends ain't comin fast enough
There is no cut that's pure enough
I can't fold, I need gold, I re-up and reload
Product must be sold to you

1. Liquid Swords
2. Duel Of The Iron Mic
3. Living In The World Today
4. Swordsmen
5. Coldworld
6. Labels
7. 4th Chamber
8. Shadowboxing
9. Killah Hills 10304
10. Investigative Reports
11. Gold
12. I Gotcha Back
13. B.I.B.L.E. (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth)

http://www.mediafire.com/?b0z9j4jnejz

Flies Are Spies From Hell - Mountain Language EP

2007-11-28T23:38:00.000-05:00

Post-rock is an interesting genre. It has its strong points (lush melodies, cathartic buildups) and its downsides (the latest Isis album for example). Flies Are Spies From Hell do nothing wrong with their debut EP. Piano figures in strongly, creating a tension in the music that is answered by clever guitar lines and creative drumming. I really hope this group releases a full length soon because I would be all over it like (insert cliche white on rice analogy here).

1. Mountain Language

2. King Sly

3. Next Hour

http://www.mediafire.com/?dejqn0lidzm

Decapitated - Nihility

2007-11-28T23:33:00.000-05:00

This album has too much groove for me to handle. Technical, tasteful, pounding death metal at its best.

1. Perfect Dehumanisation

2. Eternity Too Short

3. Mother War

4. Nihility

5. Names

6. Spheres Of Madness

7. Babylon's Pride

8. Symmetry Of Zero

http://www.mediafire.com/?dfxb2mvtnlm

65daysofstatic - One Time For All Time

2007-11-28T23:22:00.000-05:00

A band that should need no introduction, 65daysofstatic create sonic bliss. Their seamless blend of post-rock soundscapes and electronic flourishes both captivate your ears and please the senses. If you can't tell by now, I love this band and in my opinion (see: correct opinion) this is their best work ("Drove Through Ghosts To Get Here" is absolutely haunting). Brilliant band, brilliant album. Brilliant? Yes.

1. Drove Through Ghosts To Get Here

2. Await Rescue

3. 23kid

4. Welcome To The Times

5. Mean Low Water

6. Climbing On Roofs (The Desperate Edit)

7. The Big Afraid

8. 65 Doesn't Understand You

9. Radio Protector

http://www.mediafire.com/?929mtizudgm

Hjarnidaudi - Pain.Noise.March

2007-11-13T18:16:00.000-05:00

Monolithic doom. Breathtaking in scope, execution, and concept. Listening to the whole thing in one go is a hefty achievement, but well worth it. Contains elements of funeral doom and drone as well making the album ponderous and mighty. Highly recommended.

1. Pain

2. Noise

3, March

http://www.mediafire.com/?6uwj2qw5zsm

Cephalic Carnage - Halls Of Amenti

2007-11-13T18:11:00.001-05:00

Part one of a planned trilogy exploring Cephalic Carnage's more doomy/droney side. Completely quality stuff. Lenzig can not only growl with the best of them, but his singing voice is superb. Light up a spliff and pop this 20 minute opus in, it'll be the best decision you made since opening my homepage.

1. Halls Of Amenti

http://www.mediafire.com/?6uyqedzz9dj

Watchmaker - Erased From The Memory Of Mankind

2007-11-10T14:14:00.001-05:00

I'm just going to quote myself talking about this album on various message boards:

"The sonic holocaust. This band is a virulent plague on mankind."

"Watchmaker is what the Hutus listened to while killing the Tutsis."

"That album is too angry/brutal/misanthropic to not include a warning label."

1. Dawn of Indifference / Nuked To Ashes
2. Oncrushing Advance

3. Conquering A Dead Planet
4. Irrevocable Change
5. Scaffold Of Deception
6. Gunpoint Stoicism
7. Bonepile Of False Assumptions
8. Relentless Post Mortem Killing
9. Therapeutic Dirt Nap
10. Mourning Breath
11. Failing Upwards
12. Infidelity's Eyestabbing Unease
13. Swept From All Existence
14. Lice Crawling Humanity
15. Inescapable Melancholy
16. Visiting Plague / Blood Freezing Violence

http://www.sendspace.com/file/kwbldb

Lilitu - The Delores Lesion

2007-11-08T23:10:00.000-05:00

It's hard to accurately pin down this album. It has elements of metalcore and melodic death metal; even some blues and thrash thrown in for good measure. All I know if this is a hidden gem. Tremendously underrated. Anyone who likes catchy, well-written, melodic tunes should grab this immediately.

1. Only The End Of The World Again
2. Even The Vultures Have Moved On (A Tragic Love Story)
3. The Delores Lesion
4. Ether
5. Follow Through
6. Desolation Breeds
7. Dark-Haired Girl
8. Fragments Of My Reflection

http://www.mediafire.com/?fgmnss1bdym

Thorazine - Seed The Black Sky

2007-11-08T23:04:00.001-05:00

Deathgrind at it's finest. Perfect soundtrack for all your genocide excursions.

1. C.L.A.B.T. (Cunt Like A Bear Trap)

2. The Pride

3. Rapid Desecration

4. Wall Of Corpses

5. Fuck Sanity

6. Flatline

7. Into The Light

8. Untitled

9. Untitled

http://www.mediafire.com/?tzg0jijyz1d

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=6CCL61FP

Suidakra - Emprise To Avalon

2007-11-08T22:59:00.001-05:00

Blind Guardian meets In Flames. Rollicking tunes talking about King Arthur and all sorts of other medieval/Saxon legends. Darkane Times is about as close as any of us will get to charging into battle against the Celtic insurgents. Highly recommended.

1. Darkane Times

2.Dinas Emrys

3. Pendragon's Fall

4. The High King

5. The Spoils Of Annwn

6. The Quest

7. And The Giants Dance

8. Song Of The Graves

9. Still The Pipes Are Calling

http://www.mediafire.com/?fjdqzejm3ds

Catacombs - In The Depths Of R'lyeh

2007-11-08T22:50:00.001-05:00

So heavy your bones turn to dust as you listen. One man project of earth shattering funeral doom. All the speed of a magma flow. Glorious!

1. In The Depths Of R'lyeh

2. Dead Dripping City

3. At The Edge Of The Abyss

4. Where No Light Hath Shone... (But For That Of The Moon)

5. Fallen Into Shadow

6. Awakening Of The World's Doom (Reprise)

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=GD9ZFCVP

Buried At Sea - Ghosts EP

2007-11-04T15:33:00.001-05:00

Seemingly overnight, Buried At Sea reunited and recorded this AMAZING little EP. This is easily in the top 5 sludge records of all time. I can't say enough good things about this. Perfect atmosphere, perfect crescendos, perfect riffs, vocals, etc. etc. TOO GOOD.

1. Ghosts

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=UP7MMPZW