Merzbow/Shora - Switching Rethorics split [2002]

So this is one of the more interesting splits you're likely to hear in the near future. If you have any knowledge of noise whatsoever you're almost certain to know of the crazy Masami Akita, otherwise known as Merzbow. On the other side of this split is the Swiss band Shora, who despite having turned to wishy-washy post-rock on their most recent album Malval actually play a decent brand of angular, chaotic hardcore in the vein of mid-era Converge here (and I believe this is the only release in which they actually use vocals). The two styles juxtapose surprisingly well (the Merzbow side is in his post-millenium style - I'd name a release but there's so fucking many). Seriously, both acts are very impressive here. Go for it.

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Code - Discography [2002-2011]

Since I heard their stunning second full-length, Resplendent Grotesque in 2009, Code has been one of my favourite bands. From that album's incredible mixture of decidedly progressive black metal with pop (yes, you read correctly) influence, without ever sounding cheesy, to their demo and debut and the decidedly more depressive approach there. Although part of that will always be due to ex-vocalist (since 2010) Kvohst's outstanding vocals, the musicality is such that it rivals the classics of the black metal genre and those of their other influences in terms of sheer quality. Every song is a stunner.

N.B. I've also included Seasonal Code's Aortian Dialectus here, which is a collection of demos released under the Seasonal Code moniker and a few unreleased tracks from the Resplendent Grotesque sessions.

If I haven't given you enough enticement to now go and get the lot, you are hopeless.

Neurotransmissions: Amplified Thought Chemistry demo [2002]
Nouveau Gloaming [2005]
Resplendent Grotesque [2009]
Seasonal Code - Aortian Dialectus [2011]

Merzbow - Fantail [2002]

Time to present you the two slightly lighter Merzbow works that I know (and like).

Fantail is a harsh noise work built on melodic guitar, songs usually start slow and then build up to noisy noise (some more than others). For those who dislike harsh noise and those who dislike Merzbow's harsher works like Pulse Demon, Tombo and stuff can get a pretty good starting point here. (also Clouds and Waterfall are two awesome awesome songs).

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Lock Up - Hate Breeds Suffering [2002]

Lock Up is a grind supergroup, at the time of this release featuring Tomas Lindberg (At The Gates amongst others), Jesse Pintado (Brujeria, Napalm Death, Terrorizer) (R.I.P.), Shane Embury (don't ask), and Nick Barker (Brujeria, Cradle Of Filth, Dimmu Borgir). This is a fucking masterpiece of death/grind - one that was not matched by their previous, Pleasures Pave Sewers, or their new one, Necropolis Transparent (although both are excellent in their own right). Bile, riffs, and catchy (almost) vocal lines seethe through this piece. I thoroughly recommend it. And when have I ever let you down, faithful reader?

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POST #600: My Chemical Romance - I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love [2002]

'PAH!', you may say, 'My Chemical Toilet fucking SUCK!'. That's a popular opinion, and I'm not going to challenge anyone who holds it. I love this album, though; it's one of the albums which got me into rock music and thus music in general. It's not a deep, 200 minute prog rock triple concept album, nor is it a 7-minute long grindcore demo (attempting to polarize our audience here...). It's simply a damn fine pop album - it has strong elements of punk, and is probably the sort of music that the term 'popcore' originally meant. The likes of 'Our Lady Of Sorrows' and its aggression contrast well with songs like 'Early Sunsets Over Monroeville' and 'Demolition Lovers' and their brooding balladry. If you've judged My Chem on the virtues of 'I'm Not Okay' and whatever that fucking nananana song is, that's fine, but I strongly advise you give this album a shot, particularly if you like pop-punk or screamo. This album is special to me, hence my choice of it for the blog's 600th post.

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Avril Lavigne - Let Go [2002]

If you didn't know it already, this should pretty much tell you - I am a massive, raging false (if you thought the answer was homo, I hate to disappoint you, but you're wrong). Thing is, this is pop done well - Lavigne spawned dozens of female copycats in her wake, but she takes influence herself from soul and pop-punk, and adds her trademark Canadian voice to it.

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Anaal Nathrakh - Total Fucking Necro [2002]

This is a compilation of Anaal Nathrakh's three demos (Anaal Nathrakh, Total Fucking Necro and We Will Fucking Kill You), and although the production is a bit impenetrable at times, it is a sign of things that were to come. It also includes a spectacular cover of 'De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas'.

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The Vanishing - In The Bat Haus EP [2002]

This is a little known EP, and it's quite good, although it wouldn't quite fit into my 'quality' band. Although the horror film cliche artwork suggests that this will be heavily gothic, the goth elements tend to take a backstage role to a pervading punk sensibility, if I remember correctly (on this EP at least).

Similar artists: (N/A, I know next to nothing about goth)

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Porcupine Tree - In Absentia [2002]

You may have noticed I've missed out the album between this and "Stupid Dream" ("Lightbulb Sun", released 2000). That's because this album follows on musically from "Stupid Dream", and also because I didn't enjoy "Lightbulb Sun" as much as these other two.

"In Absentia", then. Beginning with the hard-hitting "Blackest Eyes", this album weaves its way through many different moods and emotions, without becoming jarring throughout. Overall this is a great album that I'm sure you'll be coming back to often.

M4a, ~320 kbps (VBR)

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(n.b. I've just written six of these in a row - can you tell?)

Deathspell Omega - Inquisitors Of Satan [2002]

Although later in their career, Deathspell Omega would produce some of the most boundary-stretching, and indeed best black metal of recent times, this is far more standard black metal fare. Not that it's not a good album, it's just not up to the lofty heights of their later career.

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Rush - Vapor Trails [2002]

After the tragic events of drummer Neil Peart's life in the late '90s, many thought the hugely successful rock band Rush were no more. But when they released "Vapor Trails" in 2002, it was clear that Rush were back. And heavier than ever.

Although somewhat marred by lacklustre mixing (apparently a remixed edition is in the works), this album contains 13 extremely solid tracks which brilliantly showcase Geddy, Alex and Neil's individual talents, as well as their power as a group. Particular favourites of mine are the title track and "The Stars Look Down".

However if it's more classic Rush you're after, be sure to check out 2112.

128 kbps

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Agoraphobic Nosebleed - Frozen Corpse Stuffed With Dope [2002]

Agoraphobic Nosebleed, along with all of Scott Hull's projects, are batshit insane. This debut of theirs is some of the most manical, aggressive drum-machine grindcore you will ever hear. 38 songs in 33 minutes - FUCK YES.

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Vomitor - Bleeding The Priest [2002]

Vomitor are one of the best underground metal bands of the recent years; this is their debut, and it is truly a cracking piece of necro black/death/thrash metal. They do produce some brilliant stuff down under.

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Code - Neurotransmissions: Amplified Thought Chemistry demo [2002]

Code are one of my favourite bands, and this, their debut demo, is a sign of things to come. Coming for from the DSBM end of the spectrum than the experimental edge of their later releases, this is a great demo and a release which I treasure highly.

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