Candiria: 300 Percent Density

When this album came out, rap metal was dead, tech/core... whatever wasn't even a trend. This album was revolutionary. The musicianship was uncanny. It's like Fusion for the 21st Century. I remember running into the dudes from Animosity and hearing them jizz over this album. I finally got to see them open for Clutch on their Pure Rock Fury Tour (2001?). It was so good, little Leo Miller was tearing up the pit with a fucked up right hand, cast and all. Kenneth Schalk will kick your ass at the drums... 'Signs of Discontent' is the JAM!

You Want IT

Melvins vs. Killdozer: Covers Showdown

Perhaps a little known fact, maybe not: the Melvins and Killdozer have extensive experience playing covers. While the Melvins have sprinkled cover tunes throughout their albums, Killdozer went as far as releasing an entire album of covers, For Ladies Only. Went it comes to covering other people's music the Melvins and Killdozer probably do it the best. Below is a link to a Killdozer/Melvins covers mix tape.

Melvins vs. Killdozer Track List:
Love Canal (Melvins/Flipper)
Conquistador (Killdozer/Procol Harum)
Hush (Killdozer/Deep Purple)
Return of the Spiders (Melvins/Alice Cooper)
American Pie (Killdozer/Dan McLean)
Sweet Home Alabama (Killdozer/Lynyrd Skynyrd)
God of Thunder (Melvins/Kiss)
Youth of America (Melvins/Wipers)
Lexicon Devil (Melvins/The Germs)
Run Through the Jungle (Killzdozer/ Creedence Clearwater Revival)

Kowabunga

Ovens: Live At Kimo's

This was recored at the Church of Flipper concert in 2010 (with Dutch Crunch, Milbrae Brothers and Flood). If you love the Ovens, you'll love this. Pretty good sound quality and I believe there's a cover or two in their set. Now go buy their albums!

HERE

Owl: Shredding in the Family

Add Owl to Clint's list of band (He also plays in Genesis Climber, Hazard's Cure, Acts of Sedition and probably many more, he's a busy guy). Owl is metal's version of a family band. Consisting of Clint and his two younger brothers, you'd think these guys were from the early 80s. Think of early Iron Maiden, but stoned in a garage.

YOU WANT THIS

The Atomic Bitchwax: Power Trio Done Right

New Jersey's The Atomic Bitchwax are probably my favorite power trio. Sure, there are many trios out there that exude in power, but TAB harken back to the term's purest form. If these guess were playing 40 years ago, heads would explode. Ed Mundell and Hendrix would have a guitar fight of epic proportions. These guys aren't necessarily paying homage to the rock gods of yore, they reappropriate classic sounds for modern times . When I listen to these guys all I can think of is that "they got it right." These guys did their homework. Original guitarist Ed Mundell and replacement Finn Ryan deserve more props for their axe work and drummers Bob Pantella and (original drummer) Keith Ackerman posses a power and finess only seen by John Bonham and Mitch Mitchell. They should be right up there with the rock gods. I highly recommend picking up their first, self titled, album.

Enough ass kissing, here's a mix of jams by he mighty Bitchwax.

HERE

Earth: Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light 1

It's been a little bit since the last Earth opus was bestowed upon us. The Bees Made Honey Out Of the Lion's Skull continued the bands challenging of what it means to be drone. You could not deny that album's power. Dylan Carlson's latest effort, Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light 1 continues Earth's journey into their drone 2.0. This album is very much the next phase in the bands 'new sound'.
Where the previous three albums were drawn out day dreaming soundscapes, this new album is a bit up tempo, for an Earth album. In previous albums, Adrienne Davies' drumming has provided more accents than a constant pulse. It's the drums that provide the 'faster' feel to this album. It actual sounds like someone playing the drums than someone coming to conscious once in a while. It makes the music feel more alive than someone nodding off. Carlson's guitar work sounds less like someone noodling around and more cohesive. 'Father Midnight' goes the extra mile and adds a swing feel and even a sense of danger. The addition of Lori Goldston on the cello also provides gritty and dark textures that fills in the back end nicely throughout the album. The last song, and title track, suggests that this could be part one of two, or more albums or songs. Who knows? It would seem that that '1' in the title would suggest the intention to continue where this album left off. Haven't they been kind of doing that with this batch of albums? Who knows? Who cares. I'm enjoying each chapter thus far.
Overall, this album shouldn't surprise those familiar with the band. It isn't anything drastically new, which isn't to say it's bad, it's great. If you're a fan of Earth's past few albums, this would appear to be the next logical step: adding new layers. By the band's standards they've dug deeper, expanded on their sound. In some ways I feel like this album is their sound finally realized.

here's a link to the opening track, 'Old Black', being preformed live.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFryEj8wXLc&feature=related

Peter Steele: One Year Later

This month marks one year since Peter Steele died. He was the singer for Brooklyn's Type O Negative. I (regretfully) didn't start listening to the band until their last album, Dead Aagain. After a brief back peddle through the band's catalogue I immediately fell in love with the band, and especially Steele's lyrics and sense of humor. I remember going to a friend's house the night he passed, really bummed out. My friend thought someone close to me had died. His words and humor hit close to home and incited a lot of thought within. Safe to say, he left an impression on me, and I'm not the only one. I won't say more because it's worth exploring. Below is a mix commemorating the Grim Green Giant's death.


Remembering Peter Steele:
Dark Side of the Womb
I Don't Wanna Be Me
Less Than Zero
Prelude to Agony
Halloween in Heaven
Everything Dies
We Hate Everyone
Christian Woman (live w/ Black Sabbath intro)


Here you go