New Site!

Yo.

Got a new home.

Head over to Clocked In...Punched Out

It's being headed up by me and Jason from SonicCorpseGlide and LeftHandPathos.

Do it. Add us to your pages. Tell yer moms.

No One Here Is Asking Radio - Episode 1

A decidedly NON metal mix for my first run at this finetune.com thing.

Not sure if I'll do another one or not, but I'm intrigued by the idea. Basically, you can make playlists with a minimum of 45 songs and can pull from a fairly thorough (by online standards) database of music. Interestingly, things not available on services like Rhapsody and iTunes ARE in here.

In any event, you can make as many of these playlists as you like. And the best part...listeners can skip songs they don't want to hear.

Check it out and please leave a comment on your thoughts...

Video of The Day - The Crown

No, I'm not dead. And neither is the blog. By a LONG shot. Just been super fucking busy with work. Hopefully things will chill out and I can post at the more typical 2-3 times a week.

In the meantime, check this great video from a great band. The Crown were a perfect slice of 90s melodic death metal. Yeah, I know...that shit is tired as fuck now. But watch this video and remember when it wasn't.

Too good to not share...

(more music coming soon...promise)

Insomnium - Above The Weeping World (Candlelight, 2006)

I love this time of year for musical discoveries. Everyone is publishing their "Best Of 2006" lists, publications are printing their retrospective issues, and in general, it's just a great time to catch up on releases you might have missed.

File Insomnium's latest, Above The Weeping World, squarely in that category.

Having seen it show up on more than one Best Of list, and seeing it was on Candlelight, I was a bit intrigued and then totally blown away when I was finally able to hear this monster of a release.

Don't be alarmed when you hear the term "melodic death" used when people talk about this record. While it's certainly apt, this isn't another metal band with tremolo riffing and a cookie monster vocalist over dueling lead guitars. Instead, it's a complex, mature statement of what melodic death metal should be.

There's plenty of engaging leads and incredible hooks, but there's also an unexpected sense of street smarts to this album. I don't want to say there's a hardcore influence, cause really...there isn't. But there is a little something...back-alley about this record. On the same hand, it's actually rather metropolitan in it's approach. Which would seemingly be at odds with one another, but somehow works. It's an odd amalgam that stays with you long after the music stops.


DOWNLOAD: "Mortal Share" MP3
RHAPSODY STREAM: "The Killjoy" (stream only)

(NOTE: You do NOT have to sign in or have an account with Rhapsody to hear the stream. Just download their plug-in when prompted and you will be good to go from there moving forward. It will play in a pop-up window.)

AMAZING Finnish music guide

Dude...this shit is crazy.

The amazing people who run the Finnish zine Isten put together a 20th century guide to Finnish metal and hard rock. Talk about COMPLETE.

Check it out here. It's WELL worth a read.

Best of 2006

So I originally posted this before the holiday break since I wanted to have it up ASAP. But now I've got cover art and I wanted to post links to a song from each artist...but fuck it. I'm too lazy.


The Top Rung
(My top three of the year, alphabetical)


Agalloch - Ashes Against The Grain (The End)
Sadness, power, emotion and sheer brutality gets doled out in equal measures in Agalloch's third full-length release. Who knew that the land of the hippies, Portland, OR could produce the best metal/post-metal/gray-metal album of the year. The aesthetic, atmosphere, and imagery that this album produces is just phenomenal, but the whole time never losing it's impactful, intense front edge. It will beat you, redeem you, and leave you wondering what just happened. A friend of mine said this record conjures imagery of Roman catacombs, and I couldn't agree more.


And This Army - FOE (self-released)
Mill Basin's chosen sons came out of nowhere (musically and geographically) to set me firmly on my ass with their debut release. It's one part spacey drone, one part sludgy noise rock, and one part introspective songcraft. That is to say, it's everything music is missing right now: a band with balls and brains and a total dislocation of "scene" nonsense and posturing. And they've got SONGS, not just noise!! Think Swervedriver on a Neurosis/Godflesh/Chokebore bender. No really...I mean it. I'm telling you...And This Army will make some of the most important music of our time. Just watch. Dense space awaits.


Mew - And The Glass Handed Kites (Columbia)
Where to even begin with this one. Both live and on record, Mew devastated me. Absolutely crushed expectations, and always delivered on every level. When you want heavy, it's heavy. When you want heady, it's heady. When you want oddball meandering, it's got oddball meandering. It's art while maintaining a strict sense of artistic detachment. You hear their music, not their ideas, which is the wonderful thing about this record. Not to say the aesthetic whole of Mew isn't something I could expound upon for hours, but with music both this intelligent and this immediate...why bother?

The Others
(The other albums that kept my head nodding this year, alphabetical)


Aereogramme - Seclusion (Sonic Unyon) / In The Fishtank 14 (Konkurrent)
Aereogramme gets two spots 'cause...well...they're Scottish and they eat gross things and it's not my fault they put out two amazing releases this year when most bands couldn't help stinking it up just once in '06. Seclusion sees our boys doing their thing....quiet and loud...and then REALLY loud. The songwriting keeps getting better and the flow across this brief mini-album is impeccable. Such a smart band. In The Fishtank 14 is a continuation of the brilliant series of releases which throws two bands in the studio together for a spontaneous recording session. Aereogramme was paired with ISIS to amazing affect. The combined bands' most brooding work yet.


Ahab - The Call of The Wretched Sea (Napalm)
I know I know...Mastodon. Everyone says that when they see the art and the name and everything. And maybe if Mastodon popped a bottle of valium instead of sucking balls on that new record, it might have sounded like this. Well, no it wouldn't...cause Ahab sound like Ocean and not at all Mastodon and Ahab write 14 minute long songs about whales and shit. No joke. It's better then I'm making it sound. Really.


Built To Spill - You In Reverse (Warner Bros.)
I've got to admit...and this isn't easy...but I didn't LOVE the last BTS record Ancient Melodies of The Future. It had moments, sure...but for the most part, pretty forgettable. This new album, though...good fucking gravy. Opening up with a 9 minute epic rocker of fucking guitar goodness, YIR is a platform for Doug to remind everyone "oh yeah, I'm really good at this guitar shit." Not that it's noodly...I mean, I don't know that Doug CAN be noodly...which makes it all the more impressive that he can make a 9 minute song ROCK for 9 minutes without getting retarded. Taste. If nothing else, Doug Martsch is a man of taste. And beards. And guitars...don't forget guitars.


The Daysleepers - The Soft Attack EP (Rain Delay Music)
I'm a fucking sucker for this shit. Put enough reverb, echo, and "swirling" guitars in there and there's a good chance I'll bite. Thankfully, The Daysleepers don't. Bite, that is. Instead, they sound like The Cure on a Slowdive kick...or maybe like if The Cocteau Twins grew a pair. Basically, they sound like the band I would have shit my pants over in 1997, but now just really really like.


Death Breath - Stinking Up The Night (Relapse)
Death metal album of the year. Done. Next.


Demiricous - One (Metal Blade)
I have a theory. It's an interesting theory. Anyone who LIKED the new Slayer record this year just didn't listen to the Demiricous record. I mean, COME ON!! That Slayer record sucked so much balls, and this record was so so so good and would totally satisfy a Slayer fix. I hope to christ someone is working on a Demiricous/Wolf tour called "Since Slayer Sucks Now, We're Waving The Flag of Beer Metal in 2007" Tour.


Drive By Truckers - A Blessing & A Curse (New West)
People like to use terms like "whiskey soaked" or "dust bowl ballads" or "Exile on Main St" when describing alt-country bands (or whatever the fuck this shit is nowadays...alt-country? Americana? American gothic? Appalachian Disco Folk? Whatever). In any event, think less whiskey and more bathtub meth when it comes to these guys.


Enslaved - RUUN (Candlelight)
Whenever people say "Aw man...Blackmetal is dumb...it all sounds the same." Play them some Enslaved. ANY Enslaved. Seriously, these guys rule so much it makes me want to become a viking.


Heartless Bastards - All This Time (Fat Possum)
I say this every time I put a female-fronted band in my "Best Of"...I'm just not much for female fronted bands. I don't know why...just very few of them connect with me. But there's always a few that DO, and this was one. Erika Wennerstrom's voice is just plain rad, with this taffy like quality to it and her band is so fucking solid behind her it's unreal. Whether balls out rockers, or piano driven dirges...they keep their Americana-tinged indie rock exactly that...rocking. (And yes, I would refuse to listen to this record on pure principle based on this review as well. Man...this one just SUCKED.)


Heavens - Patent Pending (Epitaph)
Guilty pleasure of the year? Heavens is Matt Skiba from Alkaline Trio and that dude from F-Minus. Most importantly (to me), it's Matt Skiba from Alkaline Trio. To me, Alkaline Trio were the really dark little brother of all that is right about pop-punk. And when I say pop-punk, I mean The Descendents, Agent Orange, SNFU, etc...none of this Blink 182, Offspring, Simple Plan bullshit. So when I heard Matt was doing a "new wave" project, I was both intrigued and worried. After all, I don't really want to hear yet ANOTHER band doing Interpol. But instead, it was a nice set of rocking little pop songs (albeit dark) set to the tone of The Cure, etc etc. But all the while they maintain their own identity (one only need listen to the title track to hear ATrio ALL over the place). And it's got some of Matt's most over the top lyrics yet. "blood falls from the sky like acid rain" is just one gem.


Helltrain - Route 666 (Jimmy Franks Recording Co.)
This one shouldn't even be on here. I mean, in all honesty...there's not much originality or redeeming factors in play here. It's pretty typically Swedish punk-metal with a heavy emphasis on the keyboards. A lot like that band Nine, actually. But the cover art is terrible, the name is cliche, and the album title is atrocious. I won't even mention that the fucktard from BLOODHOUND GANG owns this record label. But fuck me if I couldn't stop listening to the damn thing...


Ignite - Our Darkest Days (Abacus)
Realizing they should stick to melodic, blistering hardcore as opposed to...say...whatever the fuck that TVT record was a few years back, Ignite took it back to basics and wrote the best Samiam record I've heard in years. And I love Samiam. (and yeah, the TVT record had moments...but generally, it was balls.)


ISIS - In The Absence of Truth (Ipecac)
In a lot of ways, you can blame ISIS for all these faux-metal bands that play 14 minute long songs that are really boring but hipster kids listen to in-between sessions of Mogwai and Sigur Ros. And that's OK. Cause for every tired genre, there's one band that continually steps it up and keeps it interesting. For long, mostly instrumental, "metal for people who don't listen to metal", ISIS is that band.


Jesu - Silver EP (Hydrahead)
Ah Justin...you never disappoint. Jesu took the ideas hinted at on their debut and then blew down any expectation you might have had. Departing from the strict drones of the debut and adding elements of melody and...vocals! Yes, vocals! And they fit the music SO perfectly. The waves of drone wash over you with subtle melodic twists and turns with Justin's words so gracefully placed here and there...never detracting...never the focus...just another piece of the sonic pie. The new album comes out in early 07. It will blow minds. Just wait.


Killing Joke - Hosannas From The Basement of Hell (Cooking Vinyl)
I hope I rock as hard as Jaz Coleman when I'm his age. Dude makes the comeback record of the...EVER a couple of years ago with their self-titled release and follows it up with a set of songs that are just as killer. Gone are the "questionable" (but still lovable) moments from their "Eighties" past. Instead, they're back to being tribal, angry, and as acerbic as ever. Besides...how many genres have YOU invented?


Ludicra - Fex Urbis Lex Orbis (Alternative Tentacles)
San Francisco's mighty Ludicra return with what appeared to be a brief, five song offering. But then you realize they really spread their wings on this one and stretched those five songs to 40 minutes of the most brilliant blackened, moody, and female fronted metal out there. Given this new direction they're venturing in, I could absolutely see them touring with Agalloch. A boy can dream...


Morrissey - Ringleader of The Tormentors (Attack)
Admittedly, the guy could probably release anything and I would hail it. But he really did deliver a strong album and a worthy follow up to You Are The Quarry, his strongest release in year's. With ROTR, we find Moz back to his classic ways and illustrating a newfound confidence he seems to have found in midlife. Oh good gravy...Morrissey is middle-aged!


Nachtmystium - Instinct: Decay (Southern Lord/Battle Kommand)
I know...you're all "Fuck! I was gonna call MY band Nachtmystium." But that aside, this is an excellent example of what happens when you inject a little fresh air and technicality into black metal. Still maintaining a great sense of "grimm" atmosphere and "kvlt" aesthetic, Nachtmystium ALSO realize that every record doesn't need to sound like Darkthrone b-sides or an Immortal tribute band. The songs breathe...explore...and still rip. I think these guys are from San Francisco. What THE FUCK is going on in SF that all the good BM bands are from there? Must be all the pent up backlash against hippies. Man...I hate hippies...


Nine Black Alps - Everything Is (Interscope)
Read the entry for Helltrain again. Just substitute "typical British band ripping off American grunge" for "Swedish punk-metal" and, well...yeah....


Placebo - Meds (Astralwerks)
Another band that can do very little wrong in my book. Twelve years into their career, and making some of their most urgent music yet. I'm not going to get into too much detail on this one, only because I firmly believe this is a band you either love or hate. No one's going to come around to Placebo late, you know? But for me...they do the trick nicely.


Slough Feg - Atavism (Cruz Del Sur)
This wasn't a new release this year...hell, I don't even think it came out last year. But it fucking rules, so I'm putting it on here. ZERO irony, ZERO shtick, 100% real, TRUE metal. These guys aren't afraid to quote Celtic influence and wear their influences on their sleeves. The day I see some hipster dickpig wearing a Slough Feg shirt is the day said hipster dickpig will have one angry, skinny dude chasing him. It's just nice to hear stuff that isn't so self-conscious. And oddly, vocally, the singer reminds me of Roger Waters for some reason.


Sonic Youth - Rather Ripped (Interscope)
This was the first Sonic Youth record I've liked in a long time. You know what they sound like.


Starflyer 59 - My Island (Tooth & Nail)
It wouldn't be a year if we didn't get a new SF59 record. And up to this point, Jason primarily released two kinds of records...the spacey, noisy ones like he started off doing, or the poppy ones like he'd been doing of late (though he'll still do the shoegazey noisy stuff from time to time lately). That said, this record really sounds like the first time that he's managed to bridge the gap between those two worlds. Not since Fashion Focus has an SF59 album sounded this balanced. A great songwriter shackled with the Tooth & Nail baggage...ah well.


Starkweather - Croatoan (Candlelight)
I am still at a loss for how to describe a record as hulking, steaming, brooding, and just plain difficult as this album. Because...in all honesty...it is a fucked up, dark, and weird record. Just check it out.


Stolen Babies - There Be Squabbles Ahead (The End)
This record really surprised me...not least of all because a) it's a female singer, b) the words "carnivalesque" can be used to describe it and usually that's a big no-no for my what-the-fuck meter, and c) it just didn't LOOK like something I'd dig. But then I thought a) it's on The End, b) it's on The End, and c) it's on The End. And The End don't fuck around. Yes, it is sort of carnivalesque...and yes, the carnivalness extends into their live show...but how can a chick playing an accordion and screaming her head off for a vaudeville-metal band NOT be amazing? Wait...don't answer that. Just trust me. They rule.


Viarosa - Where The Killers Run (Pronoia)
These aren't so much murder ballads as death ballads. Haunting, "Appalachian goth" (man I hate this shit), etc etc record. It isn't country, but it isn't rock or folk either. But it is some seriously dark, wicked stuff. A definite Nick Cave mystique to it. Sort of like if 16 Horsepower wasn't so boring.


Vreid - Pitch Black Brigade (Candlelight)
If long, instrumental, post-metal hit its saturation point this year, go ahead and toss "death n roll" or whatever the fuck in there with it. Man...that shit is TIRED. Yeah, dude...I like Entombed too. I get it. But thankfully Vreid got the memo and instead made a fucking GREAT blackened rock record. They're like the bar band from Mos Eisley Cantina in Star Wars if the Cantina was in hell instead of Mos Eisley and the movie was Cannibal Holocaust instead of Star Wars. I do love me some Star Wars though.


Wolf - The Black Flame (Prosthetic)
YARRR!!!! In all honesty, I could leave this review at "YAAAAR!!!!" and it would accurately surmise this album. One foot in hell, one foot in the gutter, and all fucking metal. Think Mercyful Fate...think Priest...think Maiden...then beat em all up and kick em to the curb and shotgun a beer. That's Wolf. (Di'Anno's Maiden is the best Maiden, FYI)

Six By Seven - Artists, Canibals, Poets, Thieves (Saturday Night Sunday Morning, 2005)

Another band's whose American fanbase is practically nonexistent (which is totally unforgivable).

Much like Swervedriver, or the most rocking moments of Catherine Wheel, Six By Seven picked up on the aesthetic of bands like Jesus & Mary Chain and injected a much more noisy take on it. Unafraid to experiment with electronic augmentations to their songs, this too would become a staple of their sound. But unlike most bands who try to incorporate electronic elements into rock n roll, Six By Seven makes it work stunningly.

The band's history has been far from easy, and even longtime fans have a hard time keeping track of who's gone and who's still in the band. It's certainly been a roller coaster existence of record labels, members, and even various touring members. Today, they release records on their own label (Saturday Night Sunday Morning), tour when and with whom they feel like, and have built up a rabid (if small) fanbase while doing it.

When you boil it down...they make great noise. With over nine full-lengths and at least as many singles and EPs, it's a great band to just dive into as the wealth of material is deep and it all offers slightly different variations on phenomenal theme, while never sounding stale or irrelevant.

The songs below are from their '05 release, Artists, Cannibals, Poets, Thieves and is a great example of where this band is today (even thought they've since recorded two additional full-lengths. Did I mention they're very prolific?)


DOWNLOAD: "Nowhere To Go But Home" MP3
DOWNLOAD: "Let's Throw Mud At The Wall" MP3

RHAPSODY STREAM: "Nowhere To Go But Home"
RHAPSODY STREAM:"Let's Throw Mud At The Wall"

(NOTE: You do NOT have to sign in or have an account with Rhapsody to hear the stream. Just download their plug-in when prompted and you will be good to go from there moving forward. It will play in a pop-up window.)

Video of The Day - This is why most metalcore totally sucks nuts...

And no, those aren't the real lyrics. They're mocking this pooptarded band. (someone I sent this to thought those were the lyrics, so just wanted to clarify)

Taint - The Ruin Of Nova Roma (Rise Above, 2005)

With the almighty "Best of 2006" post just around the corner, I've been slack ass on the updates. Sorry.

But hey, who said all the good band names were taken? I mean, come on...TAINT!!

First off, I'm very shocked that a band with a sound like this is Welsh. For whatever reason, I can't think of too many UK bands that operate in this aesthetic. I also can't think of any other Rise Above bands in this niche at all. Capricorns might be the closest, and even that's a STREEEETCH.

Not since the days of Iron Monkey and Fudge Tunnel have I heard a band from the land of bad food bring it this hard. (speaking of Fudge Tunnel, it's also worth mentioning that none other then the main man behind FT, Alex Newport, mixed The Ruin Of Nova Roma.)

So yeah, in short, this is some seriously dynamic noise metal. One part dirgey-sludge that would make AmRep proud, one part post-metal ala Neurosis, and one part Chicago skronk ala Jesus Lizard.

Taint's "ace in the hole" (I couldn't resist), is the vocal skills of lead singer JimBob. Managing to keep it gruff and gritty, but still swing with the song and offer melodic twists at the same time, he gives the songs an element and depth often totally missing in band's of this ilk.

Interestingly, this is the band's fifth or so release, with their debut dating back to 97. How does a band this good go unnoticed THAT long??


DOWNLOAD: "Poison Pen Attack!" MP3
RHAPSODY STREAM: "Drunken Marksman"

(NOTE: You do NOT have to sign in or have an account with Rhapsody to hear the stream. Just download their plug-in when prompted and you will be good to go from there moving forward. It will play in a pop-up window.)

Hair and Skin Trading Co. - Over Valence (Beggars Banquet, 1993)

For whatever reason, I haven't been feeling particularly metal the last week or so. Been in much more of a noise/space/shoegaze/post-rock mood. And the metal I have been listening to has been pretty much primarily ambient black metal. Call it a rut...a funk...whatever. (Oddly: also been listening to a lot of The Gits)

Anyways...this mood DID get me to revisit some records I hadn't listened to in a very long time, one of which was Hair and Skin Trading Co.'s 1993 masterpiece, Over Valence.

Formed from the remnants of British space-rockers Loop, HASTC occupied an interesting void of existence nestled somewhere between Sonic Youth's propulsive tonalities and something akin to the aesthetic being employed by bands like Slowdive or even God Machine.

Whether it be their willingness to drive a rhythmic idea into the ground ("On Again Off Again") or their ability to juxtapose a playful drum beat with a powerful solo ("Loa"), they certainly knew how to get an idea across. And all the while they operated under this reserved umbrella of atmosphere and mood that just really brought it all home.

After three records together (Over Valence being the 2nd), the band would dissolve. Members went on to work in the band Main, but I never found their output to be a great interest. It was all atmosphere....no songs. But the good news is that you can pick up the HASTC catalog on Amazon for under $10. Total. For all three records. No joke. I guess used, out-of-print, random 90s shoegaze isn't selling so hot this holiday season.


DOWNLOAD: "On Again Off Again" MP3
DOWNLOAD: "Loa" MP3

(I'm also including Rhapsody player links to these songs below. You don't need to download the songs or sign in to Rhapsody to listen...it will open a separate window and will play the song. Let me know if this does/does not work for you. Really. Please?)

Listen to "On Again Off Again"

Listen to "Loa"

Just a test...

Trying out a new way of posting songs...

It's a link to a pop-up window player (powered by Rhapsody).

Is this appealing to anyone? Do you think it sucks? Let me know in the comments.


Listen: Blut Aus Nord's "MoRT (Part III)" (in a pop up window)

Clown Alley - Circus of Chaos re-issue (Southern Lord, 2006)

Aw yeah...1986 crossover. (And a full year before DRI would make the term infamous)

Mentions of Clown Alley rarely get past the who's-who section of people involved with the band. So to quickly summarize: this was released and produced by Mark Deutrom (who also plays guitar in the band). Mark also produced and released the first couple of Melvins records and the first Neurosis album, in addition to later joining the Melvins on bass at one point. Additionally, Circle of Chaos also counted Lori Black on bass, who too would go on to offer 4-string duty to the mighty Melvins. And last but not least, you've got David Duran (of New Mexico's Jerry's Kidz) on vocals and Justin Clayton on drums.

Family trees aside, this is a phenomenal album. Even if it had no connections to The Melvins and none of the inherent curiosity that will bring people to this record, it should be on the top of anyone's list with even a mild interest in mid to late 80s crossover thrash punk.

The guitars bite and buzz in just the right proportions, the tempos are generally quick (with the occasional intro or other such diversion which typically gives way to a killer solo or blistering passage), and the vocals are delivered with just the right amount of ferocious disinterest matched to an almost Jello Biafra (but less "nyah") timbre.

And yeah...it totally sounds like something recorded and released in 1986, but that's the point! It makes me want to grab my Lance Mountain (or maybe Mike McGill) deck and get crazy in the pool. Pipeline here I come!

This is the first time this gem has been pressed on CD (and generally the first time it's been widely available PERIOD), so get this shit ASAP from the good people at Southern Lord. It's even got some live cuts and other bonus goodies. Don't blow it!


DOWNLOAD: Pet Of A Pig MP3
DOWNLOAD: In The Cartoon MP3

Video Of The Day - Dan Sartain

I am semi-obsessed with the new Dan Sartain record. Part reverb-drenched troubadour, part end-of-the-road talisman, part Morrissey (in a weird way) rockabilly bar man....it just works.

From the new record, the song "Replacement Man"

Across Tundras - Dark Songs of The Prarie (Crucial Blast, 2006)

I finally got my hands on the debut full-length from Denver's Across Tundras, and I'm very happy to say it lives up to the sneak preview their live tracks (demos?) previewed almost a year ago on myspace. (never did get around to that EP...)

Also ironic they should choose a name like "Across Tundras" when they're one of the few bands in this genre actually instilling a warm sound.

As I said back in February, "Imagine if you can, Neurosis joining Neil Young on stage for the craziest rendition of "Cortez The Killer" imaginable. No, really. I'm serious."

I still stand by that. They impart a real earthiness into their sound (but not Earth-iness, if you get what I'm saying). Furthermore, there's an organic, at times acoustic, presence not typically utilized by bands of this ilk. All in all, it manages to shed some new light on what's beginning to be a semi-stale genre.


DOWNLOAD: "Ode To George Part 1 & 2" MP3
DOWNLOAD: "Aura Lea, Maid of Golden Hair" MP3