Saint Vitus - Born Too Late

From a time when cocaine ruined good hard rock music comes St. Vitus' 3rd album, Born Too Late. 1987 brought us timeless "classics" such as Whitesnake's self titled record, Motley Crue's Girls Girls Girls, and the infamous Appetite for Destruction, debut record for the iconic five piece known as Guns and Roses... It would be another four years before Nirvana's Nevermind would blow these proto-hipsters off the musical radar. Out with coke, in with heroin. At least junkies make better music. I digress. My point is, with this clusterfuck of bad music going around like a used rig, infecting all exposed to it, this record was completely overlooked. Sticking to the sticky-icky, St. Vitus provide that doom and gloom that was lost in an era of tight pants, powdered drugs, and mascara. Three albums in, and with a new singer (Wino), they bring the raw, warm riff channeled directly from Black Sabbath's first three records, with a little bit of punk rock ferocity thrown in the mix. Their songs of alcohol and depression run through your mind like the rush of emotion you have when you find out something terrible has happened. Someone, or something has died. Maybe your soul. Who knows. This record isn't without its humor, though. Just listen to the last verse of Thirsty and Miserable, and try not to smile. Load a bowl. And fuck hair metal. Period.

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Witchcraft - Firewood

Here's another new millennium group to pay more than just a subtle homage to the 70s. This time in the styles of Scorpions, Pentagram, High Tide, and of course, Black Sabbath. Firewood is Witchcraft's second release. There's not much more I can say other than this is a great record and I think everyone should give it a spin.

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Amesoeurs - Ruines Humaines

This is the first (and only) EP from France's Amesoeurs. My buddy Danny introduced me to this band (and this style) a little over a year and a half ago and I must say, I'm impressed at where some types of blackmetal are going these days. Epic metal brutality infused with industrial and pop elements, with interesting time signatures and effects... The term "shoegaze" is thrown around for this type of music, but what does that even mean? They use a lot of effects? That's all I can gather from what I've heard called shoegaze in the past. This is definitely new and unique. They've got a second release, a self titled LP, that tops off their discography. I'll put that up sometime soon.

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Motorhead - On Parole

Not everyone was that impressed with Motorhead's first record, On Parole. Especially the record execs that considered it unmarketable at the time of its release. And why wouldn't they? There really wasn't much music that was this raw and aggressive in 1975. Proto-punk, post hard rock, heavy as fuck power ballads about sex toys, speed, and jail. Who the fuck wouldn't, in hindsight, consider this one of the most important records of the 70's? Motorhead are, notoriously, one of the loudest bands, ever. This record started that legacy.

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Coven - Witchcraft Destroys Minds and Reaps Souls

Hippie as fuck, psychedelic god hating rock music. Jinx Dawson's amazing voice draws you closer and closer to the dark side on this gem from the late 60's. Have you ever sat through a black mass? Well, there's one on this record if you want that experience. Hailing Satan never felt so good!!!

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Sin Remedio - Border Hoppin' Hardcore

Los Angeles' very own spanish hardcore crust band, Sin Remedio, deliver the goods on their debut full length, Border Hoppin' Hardcore. Blending equal parts crust, hardcore, 80s anarcho, and powerful latino rhythms and vocals set this band apart from the rest of the Los Angeles DIY punk outfits. Very unique and inspiring. I hope ya feel the same!!!

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Broken/Half - Rise Up And Spit In The Face Of The Beast

Fuck shit up!

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Refused - Songs To Fan The Flames Of Discontent

Refused's 2nd album. Pretty rockin' and a far departure from their first, This Just Might Be The Truth. The song structures, timing, and rapid fire delivery of brutality and riffs set the stage for a sound that redefined Swedish hardcore for their their third release, The Shape Of Punk To Come (a masterpiece, btw). Definitely a must.

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And just fer the hell of it, here's their first record. Their sound isn't as developed as their successors, and it's much more "hardcore" than their later releases, but it's a treat nonetheless.



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Even Wizards Need To Sleep

Yep, puttin' the good ole blog to rest for a while. Moving. No internet after today. See you all after a while...

- David

Submission Hold - Sackcloth And Ashes (The Ostritch Dies On Monday)

Another epic work of art from Canadian anarcho punks, Submission Hold. If you're familiar with their work, you know what to expect. If you aren't yet familiar, I suggest you listen to Progress (As If Survival Mattered or Waiting For Another Monkey To Throw The First Brick first, since this album relies heavily on the foundation those two albums previously created. Excellent.

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Queens Of The Stone Age - S/T

An interesting take on stoner rock and alternative music. Very creative. Musically, very heavy. Vocally, very light and easy on the ears. Its hard rock with stoner licks, basically, and it delivers the goods (meaning that it goes well with that dubsack you've been hiding in your sock, hippie!). Mexicola is by far my favorite track, but the entire album is quite an experience. Not a band I'd suggest keeping up with. I'd stick to their first two splits and LPs. This one especially.

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Grief - Come To Grief

Really, one of the heaviest sludge records in existence. Brutal. Tragic. Might blow your subwoofer. Or your mind.

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Crucifix - Dehumanization

From dehumanization, to arms production,
For the benefit of the nation, or its destruction,
Power is power, it's the law of the land,
Those who live for death, would die by their own hands.
Life is no ordeal, if you can come to terms,
Reject the system, which dictates the norm,
From dehumanization, to arms production,
For the benefit of the nation, or its destruction,
It's your choice: PEACE or ANNIHILATION!

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Buzzov-en - At A Loss

One of the most depressing sludge bands, ever. At A Loss is Buzzov-en's 3rd album. There's a hilarious E.L.O. cover of "Don't Bring Me Down", but other than that, they don't seem to have much of a sense of humor about anything. Members went on to form Weedeater and Bongzilla.

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Melvins - Bullhead

Their third album, Bullhead, I honestly think is just as heavy and great as Ozma. Ozma being the classic, this album I feel is a bit overlooked. Like Ozma, Lori Black, Shirley Temple's daughter, slams the thick strings in this classic Melvins lineup. Drone band Boris got their name from a song on this record. Excellent for fans of early sludge metal and grunge (i know you hate that word.).

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High On Fire - The Art Of Self Defense

Debut LP by Ex-Sleep guitarist Matt Pike's band, High On Fire. The Art Of Self Defense is a far departure from the Dopesmoker era of Sleep. Instead, it attacks with a unique and "brutal" approach to the stoner riff when compared to other metal bands of the late 90s (metal was pretty much reduced to maximum suckage by then, with nu-metal being the style of the time. aren't we glad that's over???). Definitely a must for any Sleep fans - although the rhythm section of High On Fire is nowhere near as epic as that of Sleep. A great album, nonetheless.

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Yaphet Kotto - The Killer Was In The Government Blankets

This is the first record from Yaphet Kotto. Very emotive, melodic, and punk as fuck. If you were at all into "Syncopated, Synthetic Laments For Love", you'll love this record!!!

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Chumbawamba - Revolution

I get knocked down! I can't get enough of this 7''. Crass-style anarcho punk with a bit of a disco rhythm you can dance to (This sound will be further elaborated on in their later releases. This isn't a dance epic, so don't expect it to be). 4 tracks of youthful and passionate punk rock to rock your socks with. Take a risk. I know you hate that one song of theirs, but give this a chance and you'll see what I mean.

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Limp Wrist - Discography

Queer-core, straightedge hardcore boys bringing you the finest in sweat your ass off danceable hardcore!! If you ever get the chance to see them live (they rarely play), you're in for the time of your life!!! So, slap on them short shorts and that low cut v-neck tee and crank this shit as loud as humanly possible. Piss off your homophobic neighbors by hardcore dancing in their front yard!!!

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Alliaceous - S/T LP & Demo

Pop punk frommeth the family of Contravene. Super catchy, way too cute, and fun fun fun!!! Like Contravene, this band has been on hiatus for a very long time. This is their self-titled LP and their demo - both share much of the same playlist, except the demo has a super goofy cover of Freight Train by Elizabeth Cotten. Yep. Up the porch punx!!!

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