Burzum - Filosofem

Burzum is a Norwegian black metal project by Varg Virkernes that started in 1991. Burzum, along with Darkthrone, are perhaps some of the most influential bands in the Norwegian black metal scene. There is a lot of controversy with Varg Virkernes, which you can read about here, because it's a very long ordeal. Filosofem was Burzum's last album before he made before he went to jail in 1993, however, the album was released in1996. The album is black metal with a lot of experimentation with minimalism, repetition and ambiance. It was intentionally recorded as poorly as possible, with the guitars being played out of a stereo instead of an amp and the vocals being recorded through headphones. The guitars are fuzzy and distorted and the growling vocals are raw and noisy. Everything about this album is near perfection. The shortest song on the album is around seven minutes long, but I didn't once catch myself wanting to skip to the next song. Best songs are "Dunkelheit" and "Jesus' Tod", but every song on the album is great. If you've never heard of Burzum, you need to give this a listen. Plus "Burzum" means "Darkness" in the black language of Sauron, and that's fucking awesome. As a note, this is the German version of the album, there is no difference except the song names.

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Death Evocation - S/T

Death Evocation is a relatively new thrash band from the U.K., and they are a kick to the fucking teeth. It feels like Sacrilege gone to the next level, if that was even possible. Speedy female vocals rip over searing guitar riffs, with some destructive solos. While it is a shorter 7" at only three songs, they manage to impress the hell out of me. To my knowledge, this is Death Evocation's first release and they are definitely on my watch list for this year, and I eagerly await whatever demons they can raise on their next release. Hopefully they don't go the way of Sacrilege (looking at you "Turn Back the Trilobite"). Each song is awesome, but "Relentless" sets their whole feel for me. All I can say is listen to this, you won't be disappointed.

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Fall of Efrafa - Elil

Fall of Efrafa is a post hardcore band from the UK. They started out in 2005 and ended in 2009. This particular album is the second album in a trilogy entitled "Warren of Snares" which is based upon Richard Adams’ Watership Down. The whole idea of having the trilogy works out pretty fucking awesome, because every album continues along a story where the last album left off, and this isn't just splitting one album to make money, each segment of the trilogy can easily be it's own album. The album, Elil, is the best of the three. It's a slower paced beast, but is by no means tame. It starts you out on a slow intro and the suspense is absolutely ridiculous, and it builds up into brutal d beat sections. There manages to be so many awesome aspects to this album and having an entire LP that consists of three twenty minute songs is an impressive feat on it's own. Vocals are chanted and bellowed, and the rhythms of guitars and bass change so much, it's hard to describe in one word. This is an album you should listen to all the way through if you can manage, because just listening to a few minutes of it really isn't doing it justice considering it was made to be one full experience. Definitely worth a listen, I know you have time. This album is simply breathtaking.

Entire "Warren of Snares"

Owsla: Download

Elil: Download

Inlé: Download

Radiohead - Amnesiac

For those who do not know, Radiohead is an alternative rock band from England. They are known to be experimental and all of their albums have a different feel, so it is hard to describe them as a single sound. This particular album is more along the electronic side. Thom Yorke's vocals are clean and erie, usually singing in the higher register. Every song on this album is vastly different from the others, but the ones that stand out to me are "Knives Out" and "Pyramid Song". Radiohead is one of my favorite bands, and it was almost impossible to choose what album to put up. I plan on posting up "Hail to the Thief" within the next few weeks.

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Part 1 - Pictures of Pain

Part one is a band from Britain which may or may not have been fronted by Rudimentary Peni's Nick Blinko. The sound is very similar to Rudimentary Peni, except it leans more towards goth than Peni did. Guitars are heavily distorted with high end fuzz and the bass is prominent and lo-fi. Lyrics are chanted, and the whole album as a whole has an awesome dark feel to it. Standout songs are "Possed" and "Black Mass". The artwork is pretty damn good too.

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Ripper - Into Oblivion

Ripper is a d-beat rock'n'roll band from Portland, Oregon. They recently were in Philly and put on one hell of a show. This album is their first 12" I believe, and was put out in 2011. The best way to describe them is a hardcore d-beat band injected with Motorhead. The singing is more towards the motorhead side, with heavy distorted bass, and some blistering guitar solos. This album is sick, and I await the next one in high anticipation. Best songs on the album are "Razor's Edge" and "Hellnation".

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Martyrdöd - S/T

This is my favorite Martyrdöd album by far and definitely on my top albums of all time. Blistering crust with black metal elements make this album an absolutely ridiculous listen. Vocals are high, guitars are noisy with tons of dissonant and dark progressions. The whole album bursts with energy and power. If you like crust, metal, or anything in between, this is an album you have to listen to. Every song on the album is solid, but "Tyst Minut" stands out the most and really defines their sound. I've been waiting for a North American tour for far too long.

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