Realm Unseen-The Origin

Self-Release/Independent
2015

Released on June 30th, "The Origin" is the 7-track debut EP from (self-dubbed) "groove metal" band Realm Unseen. The band, which is based in Islamabad, Pakistan and boasts influences as diverse as KoRn, Tool, Cannibal Corpse, Pantera, Yngwie Malmsteen, Led Zeppelin, and Pink Floyd(!), is every bit as odd and disturbing as the above art-work suggests with the lead vocals of Mohammad Ahsan Khan of particular interest. Opening weirdly-enough by way of a Art Bell clip, "The Origin" is available for free by heading here, but please be aware of what you are getting yourself into before hitting that download button! Musically-speaking these guys are all over the place with "The Origin" making that "groove metal" tag seem a little  limited and short-sighted. Whatever the case it is free and seeing as normality is (at best) an illusion (and something that I can't in all good conscience condone!) this 7-track EP makes for a unique listening experience especially in this colorless world of cookie cutter metal bands and their paint-by-the-numbers recordings.

Miserable Failure-Hope

Kaotoxin
2014

French act Miserable Failure, who (I assume) took their name as a means of describing my pathetic attempt at a love life, are offering up their latest EP "Hope" as a free digital download right here: http://listen.kaotoxin.com/album/hope. Or at least until May 6th, 2014 after which point it will be available for next to nothing on all digital platforms. That's neither here nor there though when it comes right down to the (gnarly) outlook and approach that this extreme metal act takes on "Hope". Charismatically lead by "vocalist" Bleu (Demonically-possessed much or have you just been garaging with broken bits of metal and glass? Either way you had me in your clutches from the very moment you appeared on "The blueprints of self-disgust" my friend/fiend!), and having (previously) drawn comparisons to Agoraphobic Nosebleed (Which is more then fair I reckon even if Miserable Failure comes across as a bit more, in a good way, mean and ugly!), the band (the aforementioned Bleu, guitarist/vocalist Rom "Maldito" Sanchez, bassist Mélanie Sugin and drummer Elvis Jagger Abdul Jabbar) crush down four tracks of (blood red and deliciously juicy) raw grind in less then four minutes on "Hope"! If digital downloads are not your thing and you just HAVE to have a physical copy of  this short & sweet grindcore release for yourself, which I wouldn't blame you for wanting as this nasty little bastard does the old "in and out" as good as any other (If not actually better I'd likely argue!) then be sure to connect with the band members themselves at their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/msrblflr. There will be a limited number of CDR and Tape editions of  the excellent "Hope" floating around. As to when that will happen and how many will be issued? Hell if I know! That's why I'm leaving it up to you to head over to the group's Facebook page and inquire for yourself!

Wild Bitch-Streets Of Danger

Self-Release/Independent
2012

Is it time to let you in on a little secret? OK, it's the world's worst kept secret, seeing as I've been pretty open to the fact that I follow other music blogs, but yeah, I get ideas (as far as potential review material goes) from other sites. As such this one's not so much a review as it is a suggestion. There's little sense in writing my own review of this sweet album as the one at Sleaze Roxx is spot on! You can read it below, but here's what matters most: It's simply splendid heavy metal and, more importantly, it's a name your own price digital download! You can't beat that combo can you?
http://www.sleazeroxx.com/bands/wildbitch/streetsofdanger.shtml



http://wildbitch1.bandcamp.com/album/streets-of-danger

The Approach and The Execution-"Hymn Of Victory" (Single)

 

Self-Release/Independent
2013

It's hard to fathom, but it's been 2 years already since Cleveland's The Approach and The Execution last released new music. That's 2, yes 2,  L-O-N-G years for fans to have to wait to for new material, but now, with this new single and new line-up in place, this Cleveland 5-piece are marching back into battle with the appropriately named new track "Hymn Of Victory". Since we last heard The Approach and The Execution on tape they've lost a few members, vocalist/Jeremy Richard, keyboardist/vocalists Julie Peterson and drummer Riley Kovac have all excited the group, but they've gained the services of guitarist/vocalist Sam Wilson and drummer Gabe Dickey. All in all it's more then an equal trade. With "Hymn Of Victory" it's more of the same for this Cleveland band. In other words the group's new single is epic power metal by way of melodic death metal and metalcore. While the keyboards that were present on "The Blood March" are somewhat missed, as well as Julie Peterson's lovely vocals, it's more of an adjustment hearing guitarist/vocalist Mike Notte take over for vocalist/guitarist Jeremy. As Jeremy was an extremely capable and charismatic lead man he will obviously be missed. That said, Mike Notte has managed to take the reins quite nicely as evident by this new single. Available as a free download (link below), "Hymn Of Victory" will be just one of the band's 4 new tracks that Clevelanders will get to hear when the band rolls into Peabody's Down Under on Saturday, May 18th. Take it from me the band, who will be playing with Ruled by Reason, Midnight Buford, Black Valor, Vicious Delicious, Beat to Quarters   , always put on a killer show so this one is not to be missed! You can find out more about the band at their Facebook page below and be sure to check out their new single as they are hoping to get 1,000 downloads before Sunday, May 11th!
  

https://www.facebook.com/TheApproachandTheExecution

http://theapproachandtheexecution.bandcamp.com/

Free Metal Monday: Aleph Null-Belladonna

Self-Released/Independent
2013

This is the second EP by Germany's Aleph Null since they were formed in 2012. The last one, "Dale", was released in 2012. It was well-received and, judging by those reviews, the style here is more of the same: Psychedelically inclined doom/sludge/stoner rock. It's some fine stuff. And it's free! Click below!

http://alephnull.bandcamp.com/

Total Fucking Destruction-Monsters

Handshake Inc/Grindcore Karaoke
2013

2-tracks (1:25 and 2:00) of grindcore. Not much more to it then that. On the opening track, "Monsters",  you get guest vocals by Rodney Anonymous (Dead Milkmen) while "Is Your Love A Rainbow" finds the band channeling Funkadelic for this groove-laden blast of grind! It's a free digital download so there isn't much fault to find with this 2-track EP.

www.facebook.com/tfdgrind 

Cardinals Pride-Priorities

Self-Release/Independent
2012

Fancy some free melodic hardcore/metalcore? How about some good melodic hardcore/metalcore? Yes you say? Then here's the 4-track EP, "Priorities",  from Quebec's 6-piece band Cardinals Pride. Yes, they really are a six-piece band. I stumbled across this one this morning and found that it's simply too good to keep to myself. Sure, you do get some clean verses harsh metalcore vocals that may (or may not based on your personal tastes) be played out, but when it's backed up with quality melodic hardcore mixed with heavy metal guitars how can you possibly complain? Especially when it's free!



http://cardinalspride.bandcamp.com/

The Axis Of The Underground Vol.2 Compilation Album

Axes Of Metal

2012

Now, I love compilation albums in general, but I especially love ones that offer the listener a little bit of everything. With "Axis Of The Underground Vol.2", from the fine folks at Axis Of Metal, you are treated to a little bit of this and a little bit of that. Featuring emerging artists, that play everything from traditional heavy metal to progressive metal to doom metal, the latest compilation from Axis Of Metal is a very cool thing. What's even cooler then the huge variety on display here is the fact that Axis Of Metal is offering this compilation for free! No matter what kind of metal you are into there is something for you. With 27 tracks in all, this free download is packed full of variety and features some real gems. Don't just take my word for it though. Be sure to check it out for yourself at the link below.

FREE DOWNLOAD - http://axisofmetal.bandcamp.com/album/the-axis-of-the-underground-vol-2

Axis Of The Underground Vol.2 Tracklisting:
1. Obduracy – Virtue And Vice
2. Razorwyre – Knights of Fire
3. Wings Denied – Clockwork
4. Desultor – Black Monday
5. Monsterworks – Freewill
6. Rusted Brain – Caught In The Fire
7. Scythia – Sailor’s Accolade
8. Symptom – Into the Scalding Spring
9. Eryn Non Dae – Hidden Lotus
10. Lich King – In The End, Devastation
11. Cultfinder – Archangel Burial
12. Derelict – Shackles Of Indoctrination
13. Infiltrator – Crush The False
14. Mares Of Thrace – The Gallwasp
15. Cryptopsy – Damned Draft Dodgers
16. Entropy – Encryption
17. Auroch – From Forgotten Worlds
18. Fatality – Thrash Fuck Eat Sleep
19. Gypsy Chief Goliath – St. Covens Tavern
20. Adrenechrome – Titans Fall
21. Invective – Systemic
22. Dire Omen – Deserving Of Ash
23. Mortor – Under the Flag
24. Bushwhacker – Forest Lord
25. Abstract Violence – S.N.M.
26. Seprevation – Sea of Thoughts
27. Luna Azure – Meadows Of Spring

XUL-Malignance

Self-Release
2012

As I am trying to clean out my inbox some, as there are yet again promos piling up, I thought I'd toss out some of the free downloads I routinely get. The first one for today is from Canada's XUL. Blackened metal is the name of the game on "Malignance" so if you're a fan of bands like Behemoth, Dissection and Immortal then this should be right up your alley. This 8-track album was released earlier this year and the band is reportedly working on a new EP as we speak.


FREE DOWNLOAD at the following link here. (http://xulmetal.bandcamp.com/album/malignance)

Rotorvator-The Blues

Sangue Disken
2012


The last time I "experienced" Rotorvator, as you don't so much listen to this quirky act as you do experience it like a weird trip of the mind, it was March of 2012. At that time I had worked my way through their 3-track "Heaven" EP which, while odd even by the standards of really odd things I hear weekly through promos, ended up being something I could connect with on a certain level. "The Blues" is pretty much the same thing in that it's nothing you'd expect to hear, or even suspect you might expect to hear, and yet it does resonate on some level with me. To be clear this could fall into the category of black metal-or at least the vocals, dark and scratchy, could as the music is more or less experimental noise/doom/post-rock whatever. This 4-track release, which is free for the taking at the link below, would be one long string of collected bits and pieces of soulful misery if not for track number two. With the surprising addition of Italian folksinger Comanecit (A most welcomed guest on the haunting "Who Is Earl?") "The Blues" is broken up somewhat. With her calming style, Comanecit does not so much change the mood of this dreary EP as she does embrace the misery. She channels it into a slowly dying, tortured and tormented spirit that is restless for the cold comfort of eternal rest. In her hands the nightmare is all the more real on "Who Is Earl?". This blissfully perverse number, in the way in which is welcomes you in seductively like a spider patiently waiting on her web for the evening's nourishment, was written by Comanecit and is the EP's highlight. The number, which she cradles like a dying loved, is nothing short of enchanting in a melancholy way. One can only hope that the partnership forged between Rotorvator and Comanecit is not a one-off deal


http://sanguedisken.bandcamp.com/album/the-blues

The Freeloader Free Download Comp Vol 1

Shit Starter Records
2012

Are you dreading the holidays already? Are you like I am and already your tired of the same old boring Christmas music being played everywhere you go? Instead of the listening to song after song of public domain holiday songs why not spice things up at the next family gathering or office party with a little punk? That's right boys and girls-punk. I've got to say that I love the mission statement of Shit Starter Records:

"We are a record label dedicated to LP, 7", Cassette, and Download Cards. We dig good songs and We want to put you out. If you are on tour from time to time, are good people with goals,and you make good music. We have the necessities to back it up. D.I.Y
Punk, Pop, Hip Hop, Rock, Metal, Alt-Whatever. Free Yo Mind Sucka!". Quite nice. As far as this compilation goes we get this little nugget of information: 

"Remember the mid 90's super cheap punk comps that had 30 songs and every band was great... You know! Punk Sucks, Punk Bites I & II, Punk O Rama, Fat Music... And they were all cheap!
Well it's 2012 and now people love to download their music. There's so much new stuff out there and it's hard to find some of the really great bands floating around in between the mass amounts of 'Same Ol' Shit' on here. So we have done the work for you,putting together a comp of some of the best bands in DIY today, for a cheap price... FREE!"

This 37-track compilation (yes, 37 tracks!) is just plain fun. Old-school punk on a shoe-string budget. It makes me feel like I'm 14 and care-free again. Yeah! Check out the link below for more information of this cool compilation. While it is a "name your price" download, if you can, why not toss a few coins into the fountain to help out independent record labels? Like Mom and Pop record stores they are a dying breed and need our help to stay alive. Now, if you don't mind I need to find where I put my old skateboard and Ramones t-shirt. Punk up the volume my friends...punk it up!











http://shitstarterrecords.bandcamp.com/album/freeloader-comp-vol-1

Palace of Worms/Mastery

Flenser Records
2012

In my eyes it is always better to give then to receive. With that in mind I present this free download from the fine folks over at Flenser Records. This 5-track split features two of San Francisco's best solo black metal bands. Palace of Worms offers 4-tracks of glorious, blackened filth while Mastery's lone track, the 8-minute plus "Egregorian Synapse", is black metal by way of crusty hardcore noise-rock. You can't go wrong with either act. The download link is presented below. You can also order this on cassette (remember those?) at their store here: store.





























http://theflenser.bandcamp.com/album/palace-of-worms-mastery