Rotten Sound - Exit [2005]

Since the end of Nasum (reunion tours don't count), Rotten Sound have been the frontrunning band in pure grindcore. This, for me, is their finest moment - a masterclass in raw fury - it is practically unrelenting from start to finish, but not in a way that makes it a chore to listen to. Already a modern-era classic, Exit is one of the few albums longer than five minutes that isn't annoying to listen to twice in a row. Seriously, there is little more to say - if you have more than a passing interest in all things grindcore, and you haven't yet heard this, then it is an absolute must for you to listen to it.

~265 kbps VBR

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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]

Re-upload: ACxDC - He Had It Coming [2005]

Again, something a bit different to the already standard metal fare. Personally, I'm a huge fan of music that is raw and punky, so powerviolence naturally appeals to me. Unfortunately only releasing this before splitting up, ACxDC (Anti Christ Demon Core) are great.

Re-upload notes: Ought to be viewed in its context as one of the first posts here. Also, ACxDC have reunited. Look forward to more material from them, hopefully this year.

128 kbps

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Moss/Wolfmangler - Protected By The Ejaculation Of Wolves split [2005]

N.B. The artwork here is either side, one on top of the other.

So. You say you like extreme music. So. You say you like music which has extremities in pace, either fast or slow. This is a test of that. Moss' side is perhaps a little more conventional, with one droney doom track and one track of noise (which is the best track of the split). Wolfmangler, on the other hand, are another band who have very divisive opinions formed on them across the whole scene. They play a form of drone/funeral doom that's quite unusual, in that it's nearly entirely acoustic. Naturally (no pun intended), this has people who love it (like myself), and those who think it's just gimmicky bollocks. It has my seal of approval.

128 kbps

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Fuck Off And Die! - No Peace. No Love. No Whores. No God. [2005]

I'd say that the presence of a Blasphemy cover on this, the Lithuanian band's debut album, was telling, but it isn't really. Although one can draw parallels between this and the Canadian bestial black metal masters, they don't exist to that great a degree - this is far more influenced by thrash metal, and is altogether more 'fun'. Well, as fun as songs with names like 'I Hate Homosexual Metalheads' can be.

N.B. The final track on this is incorrectly tagged - it should be 'Better Alone Than With You'.

~195 kbps VBR

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Biolich- The Space Between Home and Today EP(2005)

Hey everyone, back to share one of my all time favorite EP's from a short lived but unbelievable band. Biolich were an American Metal band who are basically genre-less: at their most basic, Biolich played an insane mix of Demilich, Wormed and Between the Buried and Me that was loaded to bursting with technical riffs, complex time signatures and inhuman vocals that are as close to the legendary vocals of Antti Boman as you can get.

Some of the sections in these songs sound a lot like Demilich, with spacey and awkward sounding progressions that would have felt right at home on Nespithe. But this is far from a worship band: really beyond the vocals and occasional Demilich like riff, the bands really don't sound that much alike. And the band often head into complex Jazzy slams and even some clean singing sections. There is a techcore element to Biolich: a few breakdowns here and there. If you are a completely closed minded Metal fan who refuses to acknowledge the anything with any breakdowns(sucks to not listen to Suffocation I imagine), then you will probably hate this amazing EP. If you can look past 2 breakdowns scattered throughout 6 songs, then you MUST listen to this. One of the finest pieces of Extreme Metal I have ever heard.

320 kbps

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ミドリ(Midori) - First(Heart) [2005]

Getting pretty tired of posting Metal, so I thought I would change things up and post something that not a lot of people are familiar with.

ミドリ(Translating to Midori) was a very strange, very intense Jazz/Crust Punk/Noise Rock/J-Pop band from Osaka Japan that released a handful of kick ass albums over a short lifespan. In truth, I have never heard anything quite like Midori before and never have since.

The piano takes the place of the electric guitar as the lead instrument in the band, and for a good portion of the songs there is no electric guitar at all. The piano and drums are completely insane: fast, furious and aggressive, they perfectly blend Punk attitude with Jazz precision and technicality. The bass work is low and heavy, and often replaces the guitar altogether in some songs.

The vocals of the diminutive Mariko Goto will make or break this album for most. Mariko shifts from toneless, off-key singing, yelping, squeaking, moaning and vicious Grindcore growls dozens of times in some songs, and while I adore Markio and her vocal talents, some will be turned off. She basically has no vocal talent, but her emotional depth and range more than make up for her vocal range. This is one pissed off, creepy sounding 90 pound Japanese girl in a school girl outfit.

And that is one of my favorite things about ミドリ: their sense of humor. They openly mock Japanese culture and its many contradictions, particularly the Japanese fascination with underage girls.

First(Heart) is a solid intro to the band, although Second(Heart) is by far the bands strongest release(I will post it tomorrow).

Fans of strange, unique music and Punk Rock should give ミドリ a chance. I am still glad that I did.

Mediafire(re-uped with all tracks)

1349 - Hellfire [2005]

Although 1349 are far from being my favourite band, this is as good an example of hyperblasting black metal as you're likely to hear. Opener 'I Am Abomination' is also a semi-famous festival song. The term 'norsecore' is bandied about, but it's one I refuse to use.

~220 kbps VBR

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Sunn O))) - Black One [2005]

Sunn O))) are one of those bands that are more commonly loved or hated than people being indifferent to. I will say, I have to be in a certain mood to enjoy them, but when I do, I enjoy it one hell of a lot. Aside from the collab with Boris, this is probably my favourite work of theirs. Great stuff.

320 kbps

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Clutch - Blast Tyrant [2004]

I think the thing I like about Clutch is that they're a man's band, and acknowledge that in everything they do. Just listening to the hard, bluesy riffs of this album (full title: "Blast Tyrant's Atlas Of The Invisible World Including Illustrations of Strange Beasts and Phantoms") makes me feel like I could grow a humongous beard at any moment.

The stoned, bluesy, "I'M A MAN AND I EAT BEARS" sound of the album is perfectly complemented by frontman Neil Fallon's throaty singing on tracks like "Mercury" and "Cypress Grove". This album is simply great fun all the way through, and I definitely recommend it.

Mp3, 256 kbps

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Dream Theater - Octavarium [2005]

This is what I believe to be Dream Theater's 3rd 'essential' album (the other two being "Images & Words" and "Scenes From A Memory", available on this blog).

I say this because "Octavarium" was the band's last good good album (with the previous two being not as interesting and the post two being somewhat stagnated). From the haunting drums at the start of "The Root Of All Evil" to the intensity of "Never Enough", this album is simply a whirlwind, start to finish (ignoring the out-of-place ballad "The Answer Lies Within"). But of course, we're here for the title track. The 24-minute, multi-part epic which plays out not only as one big homage to prog rock, but as a homage to the band itself. The theme of cycles is big on this album, so it's appropriate that the album goes out on the same note it came in on. If you liked the other two DT albums posted here (or if you've never heard them - this was my first DT album), give it a download.

Mp3, 128 kbps

Link taken down. Comment to see a reupload!

The Axis Of Perdition - Deleted Scenes From The Transition Hospital [2005]

Middlesborough residents The Axis Of Perdition's music is about as dirty as their streets. Heavily industrial, this oddity within black metal is also clearly influenced by modern French orthodox black metal. This, however, actually is scary under the right circumstances.

256 kbps

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Deathspell Omega - Kénôse EP [2005]

Back when I first heard this, it scared me shitless. That said, I was still used to listening to all manner of -core mediocrity, and this didn't really seem to be music to me. A wonderful piece of modern black metal, even if it doesn't chill you to the bone.

224 kbps

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Martyrdod – In Extremis [2005]

This is raw Swedish hardcore with a blackened edge. There's not much else to say really, this is just a great album full of intense riffs lathered in blackened leads. I recommend this to any fan of hardcore, crust or d-beat, and the hints of black metal make this some interesting music.

160 kbps

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Taake - Hordalands Doedskvad [2005]

To be honest, I haven't listened to enough Taake to form a fully informed opinion on this album, but it came as a request, and from what I have heard, it's a good solid piece of modern Norwegian BM, and well above average.

192 kbps

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Modern Life Is War - Witness [2005]

Modern Life Is War are the band that got me into melodic hardcore, and also the band that I always turn to for the genre after realising how shit most of it is. This is incredibly emotional, particularly by way of the vocals. Essential.

~220 kbps VBR

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Code - Nouveau Gloaming [2005]

This is Code's debut album, and bloody hell, it's good. It features different versions of a few tracks from the demo, and a few new songs ('Cotton Optic' is a standout'). I love this album, and nearly every metal fan I've played it to has too. Get it.

320 kbps

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Darkspace - Dark Space II [2005]

Limited to 500 copies, but unlimited online files, Darkspace's second full-length is an avant-garde take on black metal, like a cross between Deathspell Omega and Blut Aus Nord's 'MoRT'. Comprising of 3 long tracks, this is not a listen for the faint-hearted.

320 kbps

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