Terrorizer - World Downfall (1989, U.S.) Grindcore\Death Metal

Extreme metal is an extraordinarily difficult sub-genre to excel at, there are thousands upon thousands of artists that are all pretty much barking up the same tree and trying to get the same sound and trying to reach the same goal.

There are only a handful though that do it right and actually reach that goal and obviously this release is one of them up there on the pinnacle. The ultimate test of grind for me is how memorable it is, I can probably remember at least half of these songs off the top of my head (one or 2 is a decent grind album for me). The riffs are amazing, the drums are fast and accurate, the structure is tight, efficient and to the point, the vocals are manly. I don't really think I can fault it for what it is, it's pretty much perfect (early) grind.

Track List:

After World Obliteration	3:28
Storm Of Stress	1:28
Fear Napalm	3:01
Human Prey	2:08
Corporation Pull-In	2:21
Strategic Warheads	1:38
Condemned System	1:22
Resurrection	2:58
Enslaved By Propaganda	2:14
Need To Live	1:17
Ripped To Shreds	2:52
Injustice	1:28
Whirlwind Struggle	2:15
Infestation	1:55
Dead Shall Rise	3:05
World Downfall	2:34

Download Here: (Terrorizer - World Downfall, 192kbps)

King Crimson - Red (1974, U.K.) Progressive Rock

"This was released when!?" King Crimson had always been ahead of the curve what with popularising/inventing prog and all and Red continues with the Fripp genius in what is truly a timeless classic. I thinkwhat makes this one seems so modern is that it doesn't sound like it was even influenced by anything around at the time. I think it almost sounds kinda 90's on the title track and it's doppleganger with the heavy riffs and dark melodies. Beefy riffage, catchy choruses, tech drums (Bill Bruford!) - get it, it conjures up some strange images and emotions.

Track List:

1		Red	6:20
2		Fallen Angel	6:00
3		One More Red Nightmare	7:07
4		Providence	8:08
5		Starless	12:18

Download Here: (King Crimson - Red, V0)

Laika - Sounds of the Satellites (1997, U.K.) Trip Hop

This is one of those albums that came completely out of nowhere for me, I didn't know what trip-hop was and still don't really, all I know is this album came into my possession somehow and that it's amazing. Some of the deepest thickest electronic chillout textures I've heard are on this record, turns out one of the members is a shoegaze producer that worked on Loveless so you can see where the layering ideals are coming from. In between the warm blanket of layers lie sexy female vocals and even sexier beats and now I'm totally sold on this entire genre.

I don't know why this band didn't break the mainstream, this is some serious next level shit.

Track List:

1		Prairie Dog	4:56
2		Breather	7:16
3		Out Of Sight And Snowblind	5:27
4		Almost Sleeping	6:54
5		Starry Night	3:19
6		Bedbugs	5:52
7		Martinis On The Moon	1:43
8		Poor Gal	3:08
9		Blood + Bones (Moody Mix)	4:37
10		Shut Off / Curl Up	5:35
11		Spooky Rhodes	6:17
12		Dirty Feet + Giggles	21:46

Download Here: (Laika - Sounds of the Satellites, v0)

Archaia - Archaia (1977, France) Psych

French prog and psych always seems to me to have quite a unique, dark and brooding atmosphere and Archaia are probably some of the finest conveyors of this bleak aesthetic. Influenced by Magma and it's various offshoots these guys carved out their own path with a totally weird and original sound. It didn't really dawn on me without being pointed out but there aren't actually any drums on this recording, it's just basic percussion. This totally makes sense and the dripping, lethargic stonerscapes full of flange bass, spaceship synth and tin fuzz guitar pretty much channel what it's like to be a guy sitting in a corner tripping balls.

This is a keeper, important note: trying to fall asleep to this record is not recommended, track 2 will scare the shit out of you and make you think some strange alarm is going off (this happened to me obviously).


TrackListing:

1. Soleil noir (4:35)
2. L'Arche des Mutations (9:35)
3. Sur les Traces du Vieux Roy (5:03)
4. La Roue (2:34)
5. Le Festin du Lion Vert (4:45)
6. Massa Confusa (3:21)
7. Le Grand Secret (4:21)
8. Vol du Phenix (3:58)
Bonus Tracks:
9. Armaggedon (4:23)
10. Robots dans le Formol (4:13)
11. Chronos (3:23)

Total time: 00:50:11

Download Here: (Archaia - s/t, v0)