.Nema

.Nema hailed from Detroit circa late '90s and laid down these blistering tracks over the course of a few different releases. What we have left is an epitaph of an extremely underrated band that culled from a myriad of different influences without really sounding like any of them. It's sometimes black metal, sometimes hardcore, sometimes anarcho-punk and sometimes crust and although the production is a bit muddied I really wouldn't have it any other way. The song writing is top notch and the overall vibe on this album is just dark as fuck.

.Nema

Skepticism

Skepticism's Stormcrowfleet is the perfect companion piece to the Thergothon album I posted earlier on this blog. Both bands hail from the mighty Finland and offer different takes on the funeral doom genre. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that funeral doom begins and ends with these albums. There...I said it. Get this now.

Doom

Big Bud

Here we have a GREAT drum n' bass record. I don't spin a lot of this stuff but this record in particular was a nightly ritual for me in the summer of 1999. Don't let the genre scare you off though. Listening to this is a hypnotic, mellow affair and definitely worth the time of the casual dnb listener. This one's on the more ambient side of things which is one of the main reasons I think it works so well.

Infinity + Infinity

The Chameleons

This is another album I usually listen to in the fall. I have no idea why this band isn't more well known. The Chameleons were a post-punk outfit from the UK in the '80s and this was their first LP. There is a somber and melancholy tone throughout the music in these songs that is only bolstered by the singing of Mark Burgess who is hands down one of my favorite lyricists and singers. Be advised that the music is not just your standard post-punk fare. These songs are haunting and will stay with you for days, even weeks. In the mid '90s I had seen a L.A. punk wearing a huge back patch for this very album and it caught my eye so I sought it out. I remember the first time I listened to this album. I turned it on expecting to hear some fast UK punk and when I didn't I turned it off abruptly. I later heard them mentioned in the same sentence as Joy Division which caused me to go back and revisit the album as JD are one of my top 3 favorite bands. Luckily for me they didn't sound like them either... The Chameleons are much, much different and stand firmly on their own merits. The song 'Second Skin' is almost deserving of its own post. Coupled with the rest of the brilliance on this album, this one's a no brainer.

Script of the Bridge

Merciless

This one comes just in time for Halloween and October. Merciless were from Sweden and played a relentless brand of black thrash with snarling, raspy vocals reminiscent of some sort of tortured werewolf. The guitars on this album spit venom and coincide perfectly with the frantic pace of the drumming. By the time you reach the end of this record be sure to check in the mirror for any long hairs, sharp teeth or yellow about the eyes. This record has a mean bite.

The Awakening

Fifth Angel

Fifth Angel dropped one of the best U.S. power metal albums ever in 1986. This self-titled debut was instrumental in putting Seattle heavy metal on the map. This is perfectly executed musicianship and I can't say enough about the lead guitar work here. It's really remarkable and never, ever gets dull. These guys rely heavily on the melody and that's a good thing trust me! I've mentioned these guys on the blog before and here is their first album in all its glory. If this is wrong, I don't ever want to be right.

Business as Usual

EPMD are from New York. If you've always wondered what the fuck those letters stand for it's: Erick and Parrish Making Dollars. To me it stands for more than that. EPMD were rap music's best kept secret imho and they put bucket hats on the map back in 1986. The group blazed their own path alongside contemporaries like Tribe, De La and Public Enemy without sounding like any of them. The slang they coined over the course of their early career is astounding and Erick's lisp only added to the charm they displayed on each of the first 3 records. I can't help but smile when listening to this album and I definitely feel it's their strongest effort. If you don't like this all I have are 3 words for you: Get the Bozack!

EPMD

Adrian

No, those aren't giant cucumber slices noob. They are spider eggs and you'd better steer clear before you catch a fatal dose of the white death delivered in a speed metal cocktail headed straight to your nervous system. Adrian hailed from Germany and dropped this particular jewel in 1987. Something about this reminds me of Crom's Steel for an Age - I think it's the singer's delivery. This is a great companion piece to that album now that I think about it although the production on One Step Into the Uncertain is clearly better. The songwriting here is superb and the tracks never get dull at all even on the 6+ minute ones. The dual lead guitars create some memorable melodies and this is a perfect example of classy '80s Euro metal.

Get Some

Demo Hammer

Demolition Hammer were from New York and released this thrashing monster in 1992. The first two songs on this album are like blunt force trauma to the head and really serve as the killing shots. The rest of this album consists of the band dragging your carcass through a gauntlet of hell's fiercest minions literally stomping you into a bloody pulp with their warhorses. You're so far gone at that point that it doesn't even really matter though.

EoV

Thergothon

Finland. Funeral. Doom.

Here

Asmodeus

This is a very cool album and the first release by this band coming in 1992. Asmodeus lay down some serious progressive thrash on this one. If you are a fan of Czech music you can't pass this up. I love the use of other instruments they incorporate here and it really feels as if they wanted an element of traditional Czech music to shine through, which it does and does quite well. Don't get it twisted though, when the thrash hits it hits hard. They make the one mistake of doing a Czech thrashterpiece of Jingle Bells but thank god it comes on the last track. The rest of the album makes this completely forgivable. Hope you dig it...

Download

Not Fragile

Not Fragile is a German speed metal band who wrote some really catchy songs in the late '80s. This release was recorded in 1989 but didn't see the light of day until 1992 when it was released in Japan but they included extra tracks from a different release. I'm presenting these files as it was meant to be heard on the original album (11 tracks total). If you like speed metal don't hesitate to grab this one. The lyrics are of the 'high plains wielding a sword while trying not to die in a fire-fight on a horse' variety. The pace is pretty non-stop on this and even when the bust into their chessiest song 'Welcome You the Crowd' they still manage to sound sincere. Anyways without further ado...

One Way to Glory

Cianide

Cianide is one of America's best kept underground secrets. When I first heard these guys I would have put money on them being from Europe somewhere but they're from my hometown of Chicago and here they put on a well executed display of death/doom that really just beats the listener's head in. This is chock full of win. There are some great mid-paced riffs in here and Cianide speeds it up at just the right moments. The lead guitarist Scott Carroll really throws into some unique work over the double bass here and this is by far my favorite Cianide release.

A Descent Into Hell

Vacant Grave

Here you have another Missouri thrash act who released this full length LP in 1990. Vacant Grave are a zombie thrasher's wetdream. They play pretty straightforward thrash with harsh vocals, gang vocals and even guttural vocals in certain parts. The production on this is not the best but they play well enough to make you forgive them for it. I don't feel like writing anything else. One look at the artwork and you can decide if this is for you or not.

Life or Death

Negazione

If you are a fan of hardcore and you haven't heard this record prepare to be blown away. If you have heard this then I suggest you listen to it again. Negazione were instrumental in putting Italian hardcore on the map. This is hands down one of my favorite albums and imo it helped set the blueprint for most '90s hardcore bands. This LP pretty much defines the genre and was released in 1986. Enjoy it.

Lo Spirito Continua

Breathless

Breathless hailed from Belgium and after releasing this album in 1985 you can bet your ass they scored their share of local trim and downed their share of local beers. Well...one can only hope. They sure didn't garner any international attention for this effort. What you have here is a classic case of barroom speed metal with moustache rock sensibility. Can you dig it man? The vocalist is a tad too much at time and does his best low-rent King Diamond impersonation but somehow it all works in the end. Certain songs are better than others but as a whole this album is pretty cool. I haven't seen this one up too many places.

Breathless

Subterraneo

This is another one of Spain's hidden gems. Subterraneo were around in the mid '80s and pulled influences from the NWOBHM scene though imo they have a little post-punk sound mixed throughout especially in the slower passages. The guitar work on this is really memorable, catchy stuff and I find myself humming these tunes a lot. The singer does a great job and doesn't go overboard at all. The lyrics are in Spanish if that matters to you. Anyway here it is - heavy metal from Spain done the right way. I could play this one every day and not get tired of it. Hope you get a chance to DL and enjoy.

Toledo

Dragon

Sorry for not posting in a while. I've really let life get in the way of this blog haha. I've been having problems with what to post lately and having the feeling that nothing is really worthy of your time. Which is silly but there you have it. Sometimes I get in a musical rut. Let me start this off by saying this album is DEFINITELY worth your time. Dragon were from Poland and they play a great brand of Eastern Bloc thrash. The lyrics are in their native tongue and if you are a true music lover this won't matter to you one bit. They play with conviction and always seem to change things up enough to keep it interesting. That's a big understatement but whatever... This is one of my favorite albums and at times it rides the line of power-thrash, leaning heavily on the thrash side and not too technical for its own good. The mix on this is perfect and you can decipher all of the instruments. Both drums and guitars sound warm and great. Sprinkle in a few acoustic passages and throaty screams and your recipe is success.

Horda Goga

Riot

There aren't enough superlatives to describe the way I feel about this album. This is the best power/speed metal album ever created. Riot have been around since the '70s with differing lineups but in my opinion this is their definitive release. The guitar solos on this album rival the best Iron Maiden solos. The vocalist is almost as good as Halford. It has relentless pace, the production is stellar and the song-writing is top notch. If there was a genre called Reebok Core these guys would be the poster children. These songs are so good they will infect your everyday life. How can you deny that cover art, huh?

Thundersteel

Coldsteel

I think this album is fun as hell. Coldsteel were out of New York and were an interesting sounding act, incorporating thrash and funk, maintaining an early '90s vibe with an old school '80s approach. They even incorporate some horns on this and combined with the warm drum tones and good songwriting I bust this one out fairly often. They weren't the most original act and at times I can't shake the vibe that I'm listening to a band that listened to way to much Faith No More but if you take it for what it is I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Download

Universe

This is the self-titled album by Sweden's Universe and it's a pretty snazzy effort if you ask me. These guys did their thing well and they did it with a certain air of sophistication. What's their 'thing' you ask? Basically it's Swedish rock and roll with great hooks, memorable lead guitar work, background keyboards and English lyrics in a heavy Euro accent. Who knows? Maybe that's not your thing. It sure as hell is mine though...

Download

Aggression

I tend to like albums that stray away from polished sounding production. The Full Treatment is anything but polished. These Canadians played their thrash filthy, sloppy and loud, straying far into crossover territory. What they left in their wake is a cesspool of toxic waste and endless riffs. Take a look inside and try not to fall in.

Aggression

Holy Moses

Holy Fucking Moses. Do you like thrash? Download this immediately. The record is punishing, the guitars are razor-like, the production is perfect, the female fronted vocals will put most acts to shame, the pace is relentless, and the riffs...the fucking riffs. There is a certain level of insanity that the band reaches on this album. You have to hear it to believe it. The vocals are just the icing on the layer cake. Finished With the Dogs may be the most overlooked thrash album to come out of the '80s. Lace up those hi top Reeboks!!!

Get Some

Cities

Here's a nice little chunk of US Heavy Metal straight from 1986. Once your ears are graced with the initial guitar licks of album opener "Stop the Race" you will be hard pressed not to play this over and over. These guys were successful in creating their own sound and not having to rip off other, more well known acts. There is an eerie vibe on Annihilation Absolute especially in the lyrics and this is best listened to on full blast. It's thrashy at times but this is more traditional heavy metal that just plain rips. I'm not sure why these guys didn't get more attention but perhaps it was just a case of the mediocre band name.

Enjoy

Pure Blood Doom

Maybe you've heard of Demigod? If not, you are depriving yourself of one of death metal's finest offerings. Adramelech was comprised of a few Demigod members and of course, hailed from the mighty Finland. I don't know what they have in the tap water up there but this band definitely drank their fair share of it. This doesn't sound like Demigod's album. Doesn't matter. This album kills in its own way and it definitely deserves more praise. It's not the be-all-end-all of death metal. It's not too technically complex for its own good. It's not even the most brutal piece of music I've ever heard. Like I said...doesn't matter. Pure Blood Doom was released in 1999 and has kind of an early '90s throwback sound to it. This stuff is mid-paced, memorable and well performed. Sometimes that's all I really need in my death metal.

Get Some

Trojan

Trojan was a NWOBHM band though their sound definitely had more speed metal leanings than most of their UK contemporaries. The cover reeks of D&D metal which will be a selling point to some and warning sign to others. Don't be fooled though. This stuff kicks ass and probably isn't what you expect whichever side of that fence you may find yourself on. What you can expect from Chasing the Storm is a barrage of dueling lead guitars and melodic choruses that will make you wonder what would've happened had these guys gone on to bigger things. God knows the talent was definitely there right alongside the feathered hair and leopard shirts.

Get It

Heaven is for Sale

Wardance came a little late onto the thrash scene and released this album in 1990. Their sound harkens back to earlier '80s thrash and in my opinion has a real UK anarcho-punk feel to it, which is kind of weird since they are from Germany. The lead guitar work is very memorable on this and the female vocalist flat out rules laying down some great harmonies in her uniquely hoarse style. It gets melodic in parts mainly because they aren't afraid to slow it down. There's one or two tracks I could do without, especially the cover song (but that's just me). The good stuff on this album more than makes up for its few shortcomings.

Wardance

Psychopath

This is the only album by Psychopath who hailed from the state of Missouri. What they left us with is an underground classic. I haven't seen this posted on other blogs yet and I'm proud to be posting it on this one. These guys play early death/thrash with sci-fi themed lyrics that kick much ass and if you were to imagine a thrashier, more technical version of Dream Death you wouldn't be too far off. They use just enough melody on this album to make it stand apart in a saturated genre, even incorporating an instrumental track. Making the Transition is essential listening.

Here

Herpes

This is uncompromising caveman grind from the country of Columbia. Medellin isn't so much of an album as it is a collection of emotion spanning about 13 minutes. The vocals consist of shouted grunts that at times seem to altogether drown out the primitive drumming and blistering guitar. This is relentless stuff and if you're not paying attention you may miss some of the riff work. I promise you it's definitely in there. Oh yeah, that emotion I was referring to probably has something to do with Herpes crushing the skulls of their enemies with rocks. That's a long 13 minutes...

Here

Concrete Sox

Concrete Sox hailed from the UK in the mid-'80s and to this day there are legions of crust bands trying to replicate the sound that these guys captured on their first album entitled Your Turn Next. The album starts off with female singing over a music sample from the movie Suspiria scored by the mighty Goblin. There are a few moments of female singing peppered throughout the album that seem to add to its overall atmosphere. Some may say these moments are out of place but personally I think they are just brilliant. Did I mention the riffs? Concrete Sox cough up some great ones here and really show how great of a anarcho-crossover band they were blending punk, hardcore and thrash just effortlessly. If you dug the Toxic Waste post I started off this blog with you will love this shit. Get it.

Your Turn Next

Ploughers of Land and Sea

There are a lot of sludge bands out there. Some do it better than others. Houston's Bowel is one such band. They released this EP in 2006 and really just seemed to scratch the surface of what they are capable of. I eagerly anticipated a full length which never seemed to surface. Fast forward to 2009 and after checking their myspace the other day I notice a new song up. This is pretty exciting news because these guys are really, really good. This EP contains 4 tracks and clocks in at just about 27 minutes. Bowel creates a palpable tension on this album, knowing when to slow it down to a slug like crawl and when to hit on all cylinders with a vice-like grip on the senses. The dual vocal attack and pinch harmonics used here only spice things up for the better.

Bowel

Don't Cheer Me Up

Something about the title and cover art on this album strikes me as very odd. It fits the music perfectly though. Aftermath offer up a nice slab of power-thrash here and although some of the songs meander around and overstay their welcome at times, the end result is pretty satisfactory albeit a little strange. The bass playing is really outstanding on this record. I find myself playing this album over and over again without really being able to pinpoint a reason why other than Aftermath just changing it up enough to keep me coming back for more. I feel that they were onto something here and just came up a little short. It sure does make for a fun listen though.

Aftermath

Necrodeath

This is Satanic Italian Anti-Thrash. La fine.

Into the Macabre

Chateaux

Not only does this record have some of the best cover art I've seen but it features a great vocal performance from Steve Grimmett who also manned the pipes in Grim Reaper among other UK acts. Chateaux was a band that just belted out badass garage jams, really blurring the line between NWOBHM and psych. The lyrics are pretty repetitive in parts but on a whole this album is truly an inspired and unique listening experience which calls to mind every band that made me stand up and take notice because they weren't afraid to leave it all on the stage.

Here

Contropotere

Sometimes albums come along with an overpowering sense of atmosphere. Nessuna Speranza, Nessuna Paura is one such album. Contropotere was an Italian hardcore punk band active from the mid '80s to mid '90s. This is their first LP which translates to No Hope, No Fear and it sounds as if the ghosts of Italian crust punks came down out of the Apennine Mountains to play anarcho-punk for a bunch of villagers in the dead of night. They incorporate a variety of instruments besides electric guitar and drums to capture the sound on this album and it works perfectly. I revisit this one a ton. Hope you like it.

Here

Indestroy

Indestroy is one of the best zombie thrash bands to come out of the '80s. This album features the same singer from Ironchrist (another very good thrash band) and the lyrics penned on this one really stand out as some of the best in the genre. This starts off with the great one-two punch of "The Gate" and "U.S.S.A." - two relentless and perfect thrash songs. The album only has about 2 mediocre tracks and I say mediocre because they are just a little slower than the rest. This is stuff to blast in your Iroc Camaro on a summer night while trolling for some easy prey at your local Dairy Queen as you headbang yourself into a frenzied madman.

Here

World

Well here it is. The entire World discography. I've seen this posted one other place but this deserves so much more attention. World were a Japanese noisecore band that released a handful of splits plus 1 EP all of which are contained below. Each of the 7 tracks contain one release so the songs are packed together without proper titles. This is pure bliss - often imitated but never duplicated. Drums. Microphones. Vox. Noise.

Enjoy

Coma Void

Stormking Twilight is an album that's hard to categorize. This is the only release by Portland's Coma Void and it's a doozy. It's sometimes death metal, sometimes stoner rock, sometimes sludge. What it is constantly is pure metal with buzzing guitars that seem to soar over the chaos of the double bass and seething vocals. These guys aren't afraid of throwing acoustic passages or clean'er' vocals in the mix either. Coma Void sounds like NO ONE else I can assure you of that. If you've never heard of these guys do yourself a favor and check them out. I haven't seen this posted on any other blog and it's really a shame. With song titles like "Opal Hill Mining Disaster of 1911", "Cave Gimp" and "Crab Witch Head" you can't really go wrong. Oh yeah the last track is not really 20 minutes. Wait for it...wait for it...

Here

Target: Earth

Power Metal. You either love it or you hate it. Screamer's Target Earth is one of my favorite power metal albums and it features one of the more unique vocalists in the genre. I'm not going to lie, the vocals put me off to this initially but after one or two listens the music keep me wanting to come back to this album. Now the vocals are my favorite part and they coincide perfectly with the epic brand of heavy metal laid down on this LP. If you can get down with the mighty Fates Warning, Oliver Magnum and Crimson Glory don't hesitate to discover this hidden gem.

Screamer

From This Day Forward

Obliveon were a progressive thrash outfit from Canada who really sounded as if they holed up in a bunker for a year and listened to nothing but early Death records and tons of Alder fronted Fates Warning records. This is a good thing.


Obliveon

Pacemaker

If you don't like France or speed metal I suggest you skip this. Pacemaker's only release was this 5 song demo in 1985. I can't find any more information on them besides that. Quality is shit, vocals are shaky at best, guitar solos are awesome and the song writing is very good. What's not to like? It's a pity they never did anything else cause they definitely had some talent. Beware! French power metal vocals inside!

Ici

Death in Action

This is a totally underrated classic from German punk thrashers Death in Action. If you like crossover, these guys are right up your alley. The vocals are scathing and go perfectly with the face ripping guitar tone on this release. Don't sleep on this one! The song "Brain Damage" is worth the price of admission alone. This is miles better than most of the exhumed mediocre '80s thrash I see out there. Bang your fucking head punks!

Toxic Waste

Glacier

"If metal is your medicine
We'll give you a dose
You'll never be the same!
Your eardrums will shatter
But it doesn't matter
You'll never feel the pain!"
This 5 song EP by Portland's Glacier may very well be the best example of U.S. traditional metal in existence. I know you are about to furiously pound away a comment citing Fifth Angel, Liege Lord, Crimson Glory, Manowar or Manilla Road and you may very well have a legitimate gripe but I implore you to give these guys a try. Each song is completely distinct and memorable enough to have you humming one of them in the shower a few days from now wondering why you're hoisting your loofa stick like a gleaming broadsword.

Get It

Seaweed

I grew up a skateboarder as did many in the late '80s early '90s. The soundtrack to my life back then were bands like Minor Threat, Op Ivy, Fugazi, Jawbreaker and others. One album in particular that defined the entire era for me was Seaweed's Weak released by Sub Pop in 1991. Few albums actually transport me directly back to my past like this one does. They played grunge influence pop punk and really knew how to write a chorus. I miss skating a lot but I'm glad I can come back to bands like this and pick up some sweet nostalgia. Thank you Seaweed.

Weak

Neutralized

I'm not too sure why other blogs don't gush all over this album. Is it the album cover? Regardless, this is one of my favorite heavy metal albums ever. Talon were from Germany and had two other releases after this masterpiece that weren't anywhere near as good. Neutralized was released in 1984 and I find it interesting to note that this album wasn't really influenced by NWOBHM. In fact they don't incorporate that sound at all. Talon sticks to more traditional heavy metal and creates a polished sound that is distinctly their own showcasing some of the most memorable guitar work and song writing I've ever heard. I revisit this one again and again. I hope you like it as much as I do.

Here

Order from Chaos

If the music on this album took the form of a alien planet it would be LV-426. This is blackened death metal that incorporates druid like space chants and eerie sound-effects at just the right times to keep you guessing. What's that you say? You like death metal guitar solos? So does Bill Paxton.

Grab It

NWOBHM

Wolf isn't a band that most people bring up when discussing NWOBHM. This album is almost perfect from beginning to end and there is a haunting vibe to the whole thing that is really drawn out when the band makes use of the keyboard and belts out tunes about highway riders and the devil. When listening to this I can't help but imagine myself wandering a foggy English moor after sunset on the tail end of a 12 hour pub crawl only to stumble upon a bar where these guys are playing to a half empty room. Best show ever.

Edge of the World

Mekong Delta

Mekong Delta is not only a riverbed in Vietnam but a progressive thrash band from Germany. This release is one of the weirdest thrash records I've heard and if you can't get down with clean metal vocals you might as well skip it. Your loss though. This stuff is undeniably remarkable and when the album gets going I really lose myself in all of its twists and turns. They are a technical band, but they don't overdo it. I've heard the Voivod comparisons but that ceases to go any farther than the fact that both bands play thrash and write songs that have sci-fi elements.

Riffs

Fight to Survive

I noticed today that the metal archives website doesn't have a page for the mighty White Lion. How this is possible I really have no idea because their debut album Fight to Survive is a probably the best example of glam metal done correctly that I've ever heard. Yes, I did shudder as I typed that. The band had label difficulty early in their career which perhaps lead to this release being the overlooked gem that it is. Vito Bratta really shines on guitar and Danish vocalist Mike Tramp pens some of the catchiest hooks I've ever heard come out of the '80s. Is it cheesy? In a word...yes. But I happen to like cheese a lot.

Here

Black Mass of Absu

Many black metal bands attempt to convey evil and fall flat on their corpse painted faces. This may not be what you think of when the term 'black metal' is used, but make no mistake about it...this is unholy ritual filth at its finest.

Essential