Jellyroll RockheadsYeah... I hate doing those best of whatever year lists; i can never remember what came out that year or not. The end of the decade has, however, let me realize how many awesome records came out in the last ten years. fuck putting them in order, and whittling it down to 10 or even 50, I'm no good at that. Just be happy they are alphabetized by artist.
Many of these records are basically what made me who I am today. I tried to keep it at one album per artist, though I think there is 1 or 2 exceptions to that rule. Oh yeah I also chose to leave out collections and reissues, only stuff that has been recorded between 2000 and 2009. enjoy.
Against Me! - Reinventing Axl Rose
This record really helped energize a whole scene into being creative and energetic again. Say what you want about them now, but this record is still fresh and fun and uplifting to me every time I put it on. When this came out they sounded like they could take over the world, but few people actually expected them too...who knew they'd be playing at huge venues like Giants Stadium? Anthems for kids who didn't realize they needed them.
Agoraphobic Nosebleed - Altered States Of America
Everything they did up to this point was mindblowing for me, pretty much the most extreme music I had ever heard (except for noise, but then again that isn't music! wakka wakka wakka). Then they put this album out. I didn't even know what to think, and by the time I had an inkling of what was going on, I was already 45 tracks into the album! This is another case of a bands newer output isn't that spectacular, and honestly this record isn't that good compared to other noisecore albums I've heard since, but the idea that they would do a noisecore album like this especially when they were as popular as they were at the time was awesome. Kind of like whatInsect Warfare did this year. Any band that chooses to alienate their fanbase is a band I can get behind.
Amdi Petersens Arme - Blod Ser Mere Virkeligt Ud Da Film
This 7" probably fell under the radar for a lot of people (just like a bunch of other things on this list as you'll find out) but seriously do yourself a favor and get a copy of it. I'm pretty sure Havoc still has it in print, and it'll be cheap I'm sure. What it is is pretty standard 80's styled hardcore punk, but the songs are all so damn catchy and played with so much heart that it's hard to ignore. I unfortunately missed this bands one US tour, but friends of mine who saw them said it was awe-inspiring. I believe they did one more 7" and then broke up, but this is the one to get. I put it on a tape so I could listen to it in my car, which I did. Over and over and over.
Andrew W.K. - I Get Wet
Basically the most fun record of all time. I can't even tell you how many parties I've been to where this album was put on and a circle pit irrupted! well at least 3 that I can think of, but I'm sure there was more. Not only that, this never has let me down in terms of putting me in a good mood if I'm having a shit day in some capacity. I remember when this first came out he got a lot of flak for calling himself party metal, but what's funny now is, after all these years AWK has a lot of respect in many music circles and I may even consider him hipster approved, non-ironically. It's really strange.
Arab on Radar - Yahweh or the Highway
This is one of those albums that you kind of forget about, but every time you go back to it, it blows you away. Total outsider punk rock, that confuses and scares even some of the most open minded. I'm pretty sure some of these guys went on to form The Chinese Stars, but they could never touch the craziness that AOR create. It's like this record is going to fall to pieces at any moment, and yet they can keep things together.With wild yelling/whining vocals, all spilling out nonsense...i love it. I'm really sad I never got to see them live.
Ascend - Ample Fire Within
This record is an example of what needed to happen. Sunn O))) is good and all, but really they need a bit more musicality to their sound. Ascend is exactly what needed to happen in that regard (but so is Monoliths and Dimensions, more on that later). The super slow riffs and awesome guitar tone are there, but the addition of the organ really sets this album over the top, I might even say it's better than anything Sunn O))) had done up until that point. Always a satisfying listen, now they just need to play some damn shows, which I'm sure will never happen.
Asschapel - Fire And Destruction
One of the dumbest band names ever, but one of the sweetest crust/metal albums I've ever heard. Total nonstop fast metal with crazed vocal destruction. Bands like this always seem to come from Virginia/Carolinas/Georgia area for some reason, I guess they really get angry with having nothing to do, so they get really pissed and make amazing crust records. Works for me. I definitely bought this just for the hilarity of the name (a practice I've done way to much and wasted so much cash because I rarely get lucky like i did here) and couldn't believe what I as hearing. Track down a copy of this and be blown away.
Atom & His Package - Hair:Debatable
This was recorded live in Philadelphia on my birthday I believe (or maybe the day after) and I was actually gonna go to this as a present to myself, but skipped out because I went down there for the first Pointlessfest like a week before at the same venue. Anyway, this is a live recording of Atom's last show ever, and it's nonstop fun the whole way through. I had the pleasure of seeming him (them?) twice and really felt his records never did him justice compared to seeing him live. This record really captures his energy well, and plays like a best of of his material. After I heard this for the first time I totally wish I went to the show. Oh well. Life somehow went on.
Balance Of Terror - A Better Tomorrow
I had the pleasure of seeing these guys twice during their short existence, and seriously they were sick. Raging fast dark hardcore but not really crust, just pissed off and wanted the world to know about it. I believe they did a split 7" with Straight to Hell, and that's it. Good luck finding either of these records anymore, but if you can track down a copy, I suggest getting them. I made a tape of this the summer it came out and listened to it all the time, it really was a soundtrack to that summer and fueled many commutes to school in which I was late for a test or something, always got me there on time.
Baroness - Red Album
An album that I couldn't stop listening to during a time when I didn't want to listen to anything new more than once. This really was an album that made me believe in music again, with its catchy as fuck songs, while still being gruff and crusty. I saw them live a few weeks ago and was kind of disappointed, but this album still excites, and never ceases to get my head banging and singing along.
Bastard Noise - Rogue Astronaut
Probably the most fully realized BN album I've ever heard. I mean most of their stuff I had heard prior was a lot of analog oscillator abuse, which is nowhere near a bad thing by the way, but this one had a lot of structure to it. Like the fourth track had a constant low-end throb, almost making the track DANCEABLE. Then the harshness came in and the crazy vocals. Also the most memorable BN album I've heard to date. I can't wait to hear the new split with Endless blockade where they bring bass and drums back into the mix!
The Black Hand - Pulling Your Strings
In between sludgy crust band Ire and before current hardcore darlings Cursed, existed this short lived Canadian band. Rock influenced crust which bands like Disfear and Coliseum love to play but sooo much better than either of them and severeal years before they were even a band. I saw them twice mistakingly at ABC No Rio the same year, and both times they blew al the bands they played with away, which was no small feat considering they were playing with Kill Your Idols, Born Dead Icons, Zegota, and a few others that I can't remember. This was their first of two releases and this is an EP. 4 of the best tracks you will ever hear, I've probably listened to this 200 times in my life and it never ever gets old. Their second release was a full length, and while it's still awesome, it comes nowhere to the sickness that is this release. I suggest you track this down.
Bone Awl - Meaningless Leaning Mess
Ever since I got into heavy music I always wanted to start a black metal band that was influenced by hardcore or vice versa. I never heard any bands that sounded like it (until I did some more research into black metal). Then I heard Bone Awl. They sound exactly like I was imagining in my head for all those years. This was the first release I got by them, and to this day its still my favorite. It perfectly captures their sound and energy. Ancient black metal roots played with a old school hardcore feeling.... perfect. To bad when i finally got to see them this summer it kind of blew. Maybe it had to do with the fact that they were playing in Connecticut, but still. At least this record is still amazing.
Bongzilla - Gateway
Heaviest band ever and the worst band name ever. I had bought stash when I was in high school, and I never really got it, then Gateway came out and I didn't bother with it. I dragged my heels on it for years and then finally just got myself a copy. It's so fucking heavy I can't even handle it! The riffs are so good they make you want to bang your face so hard and start a fire from the friction caused by your head moving air molecules around so much. or something. I don't care about lyrics or anything, because they are kind of stupid, but that doesn't matter. riffs. RIFFS. RIFFS!
Boris - Pink
Most of Boris' albums are great, so I tried to narrow it down to one album (and one collaboration...see the next entry), and Pink is it. It has elements from all their previous works included here, they spacey psychedelia, heavy as fuck guitar drones, and the straight rockers. I saw them play at an American Legion Hall that had no stage during their first US tour for this album. I stood right in front of Wata. They played Farewell and went right into Pink just like on the album. Everyone exploded! it was so fucking good.
Boris with Merzbow - Rock Dream
Such an amazing recording. I couldn't even imagine what it must have been like to see this live, but the energy captured here is so great, it had to be included on this list. The set list is like a best of Boris, but with Merzbow jamming away adding a whole new level to the songs. Incredible.
Burning Star Core - Challenger
This record is full of spacey trance like noises and never ceases to amaze me with every listen. Epic in sound and totally freeform in structure (or at least it feels that way), you'll trance off then get hit in the face with a harsh skree that comes out of nowhere, but it all makes sense. I wish I had a story to go along with this record, but I only got this a few months ago.
Charm city Suicides - The Worst
Another under the radar release. I saw these guys play with my friends band at a teen center in Connecticut fucking forever ago. They were wild, sloppy as fuck, and downright pretty awful in the best way possible. The singer ran around and caused a ruckus. It was fun as hell, but they didn't have any releases at the time/i didn't have any money on me so I kind of forgot about them. Flash forward like 5 years later and Youth Attack puts out this CD. I buy it and I'm floored with the awesome garage punk sounds coming at me. I don't know if this is a collection or an album or EP, it's 10 tracks long and way to short. I don't have anything else by them, and I don't know if anything else exists, but I want it if does. Really sweet.
Circle Takes the Square - As The Roots Undo
This is one of those bands I got into way to late. I got this album like 3 years after it came out, and from what I understand they had been broken up for some time, and I'm ashamed of tardiness with them. THis album never stops impressing me with it's epic songs, while still being stripped down and simple, with just enough memorable catchy parts. Another milestone punk album that came out in the last ten years that not nearly enough people have heard.
Coffins - Buried Death
Fucking shit this band is awesome. I have a whole bunch of their records that are just chock full of mid-paced old school death metal. Most new bands that try to make this kind of music, they fail terribly and use modern production techniques and they just sound awful, but Coffins has got it right. This is my favorite record of theirs that I own, and I can't stop listening to it. I had the pleasure of seeing them on their last US tour for $6 at ABC No Rio with The Endless Blockade and A.S.R.A. what an awesome show. I can't wait to see them again at Maryland Deathfest this year.
Converge - Jane Doe
Seriously what needs to be said about this album, if there is anything that hasn't been said it certainly won't come from me. You've all heard this, and you all know how amazing it is. Not only does it make this list, it makes my all time top ten. Every time I put this on I am blown away. I think it was a solid year after it came out that I listened to this album at least once a day, if not several times a day. And it's not like Converge has declined in quality either, I have throughly enjoyed everything they've done after this album; Axe To Fall is excellent. But nothing will ever top this album.
Jason Crumer - Ottoman Black
He is probably my new favorite noise artist, and this is probably my favorite noise album of the last 10 years, and I was given it for FREE! The only reason I ever got this was because I was shopping at Hospital Productions and I must have dropped like $100 that day. The owner thought I might enjoy this album so he threw it in for me. This album has it all...to quote Homer Simpson, "terrifying lows, dizzying highs, creamy middles..." This album is the epitome of building up tension. When the harsh walls of noise finally interrupt the horrible sounds created by Mr. Crumer, it's a sweet relief. The sound of a human being beaten is something I could have nightmares about. Everyone who enjoys challenging sounds must hear this album once.
dälek -Absence
It's not very often you can use the adjective "crushing" when describing a hip-hop album, but that's exactly what this album is. I had the chance to see these guys twice in my life, both times they were opening for Isis. Both times I was crushed by them. Not only are the lyrics and rapping excellent (i'm not much of a hip-hip guy. I like the big artists and some wierd stuff and that's about it, so this is gonna read like it should, like a white dude wrote it) it's the beats that set this album apart from any other album I bought in the last 10 years (except for other Dalek albums). Noise and feedback are sampled and looped along with upright bass and drum samples to create violent, dark, and evil sounding beats, and really set the tone for the not-so-upbeat political lyrics. This is a fucking amazing album start to finish. I loved playing it for kids I went to school with that were hopeful hip-hop producers (i went to school for music production) and they were terrified by it.
Daughters - Canada Songs
Though they inspired a metric fuck ton of shitty, lame ass poser bands, this album still crushes all of them like the little pussy asses that they truly are like a proverbial school bully kicking the crap out of the lame kids that pose off of them. Or something. This album is just right, really short, and is over before it gets annoying. The frantic guitar parts are wild and short enough to go with the fucking heavy breakdowns. That is probably the only time I'll praise any band for using heavy breakdowns in the last 5 years by the way. Everyone bitched about them changing their sound with Hell Songs, but I loved it. But Canada Songs still kills me, and will kill everyone who can see past the lame fame base of this band too.
Deerhoof - Milkman
This is a band I always heard my to-cool-for-school friends talking about, and one day I decided to pick up a copy of it, figuring it wouldn't hurt. I fell in love with. I guess it's the strange guitar tones that play oddly catchy riffs in the first few songs that really hook me in, then the odd vocal melodies are what really seal the deal for me. It's another one of those albums that I don't listen to for like 6 months, but put it on and always enjoy myself.
dev/null - Lazer Thrash
I got heavily into electronic music in the last 4 years, namely IDM and breakcore. It's been like a whole new world for me, tracking down every single artist that is recommended to me, totally unbiased, unlike the hardcore scene that I've become so sadly jaded with over the last few years, I haven't even been going to shows lately. Anyway, I somehow got turned onto Dev/Null, honestly I think I did a Google search for Nikudorei and somehow ended up at his Myspace page, but I heard some tracks and was blown away. I purchased all his records on the spot. This album is a insanely intricate piece of electronic music, fast and manic, while still having a excellent beat for you to (ugh) groove to. He describes his sound as the intensity of grindcore without the human error of a human and the accuracy of computers. Works for me. Excellent album.
Eagles of Death Metal - Peace Love Death Metal
There was a summer were I only felt like listening to this album. It reminds me of trips to the Jersey Shore and working in the mall. Nearly every track on here is excellent. Total stripped down rock, before they were anything but a side project of Queens of the Stone Age. Fucking catchy as hell. The album after this was good, but this one is unfuckingtouchable.
Earth - Hibernaculum
The last 3 Earth albums have all been spectacular. Morose trudges through what feels like a dusty shell of a country. The perfectly guitar tone and just a hint of reverb always sends chills down my spine, and this album is my favorite of the last 3. I saw them play 3 songs in October and all it did was leave me craving more.
The Epoxies - Stop The Future
I'll leave my secret crush on Roxy Epoxy out of this, it doesn't really need mentioning because this record totally stands on it own. Extra fun punk rock with really solid songs, and an amazing synth heavy sound. I got to see them once before they broke up and they had an amazing show. Good times, great oldies.
Exclaim - Critical Exploder
Most people probably only know this band from their split with Jellyroll Rockheads (whose Wake Up, Music I left out because its a collection) but this album is a fucking scorcher. Old school hardcore like the DC masters Void etc, but recorded on what sounds like a boom box giving it an ultra lo-fi brutal sound. Then kick up the energy to modern Japanese standards and you might have an idea about the sound of this blown out mind fuck of a hardcore gem.
Framtid - Under The Ashes
Fucking psycho Japanese d-beat crasher crust! Think Disclose but ten times heavier. I'm sick of writing these fucking things. blah blah blah. memories.
From Ashes Rise - Nightmares
I love getting free shit. From working at a college radio station and the store I worked at I accumulated a ton of CDs that I never had to pay for. It's even better when the radio station gets a CD from a band you've been listening to for a long time and fucking adore. It's definitely the best when that new CD is a fucking killer album, probably the best thing they ever recorded. That's the case here. I loved this album so much I went out and bought it on vinyl even though I had it on CD. Total ripping heavy hardcore like Tragedy and shit. They shared a member, but I always that FAR was heavier. They played at the first show I ever went to at ABC No Rio and I had never heard of them before. I was so blown away by them, I had never heard anything like it. My exposure to punk was The Unseen and old California bands and thats about it; I was mostly into NYHC and that sort of crap. It changed my life. Then this album came out and still kills me every time.
Gehenna - Negotium Perambulans In Tenebris
I can't get over how pissed off these guys sound on this record. It really comes across well. Apparently live it's the same situation. A friend of mine recommended these guys to me and I will forever be grateful. I'm really pumped to see they are still around and still violent as ever. Maybe one day I'll get to see them live.
Genghis Tron - Cloak Of Love
Most people hated everything after this came out, which I totally disagree with. I love the new album (haven't checked out any of the remix LPs however), but this one is just classic. It's so manic I can't help but love it. Most of the garbage that these guys inspired is just plain terrible, but that can be said about a lot of bands. Think about how many terrible rock bands are out their that say their main influence is The Who...I don't blame The Who for these bands, just those bands for being in existence. Or something. Anyway. The way this album goes from soft and soothing IDM to psycho guitar wankery into a killer breakdown is so good. I love the vocals too. These guys do kind of suck live however, but I'll still enjoy their music.
Geronimo - Geronimo
I got this album recently, and it's so fucking killer that it needs to be on this list. When I listen to this album I think of krautrock bands like Kraftwerk and Can but played nowadays with a hardcore punk attitude. the homemade oscillators of Nelson of Bastard Noise probably has a lot to do with that, but the spacey slow building epics and throbbing bass blows my mind. Thank you Reaching. for turning me on to these guys!
Godspeed You! Black Emperor! - Yanqui U.X.O.
One of my biggest regrets in life is not going with my friend to see these guys on what turned out to be their last tour. It's very unfortunate. I was so upset about that I couldn't even listen to them for years, and I put off getting this album. I finally bought it about 6 months ago, and it's as breathtaking as I expected. The best part about this band is the drummer. He builds up every song perfectly, and just when the release comes in he ties everything together in a total orgasm of musical delight. there aren't many artists that can make me feel that good, but this album is one of of those things, God dammit i should have went to that show.
Gogol Bordello - Gypsy Punks Underdog World Strike
I got into this band like 3 months before they blew up, and for once I understood it. These songs are so fucking catchy it's criminal. Some of the fiddle parts get stuck in your head for days and days and days, and all you want to do is listen to it again. The album that came out after this one can't touch this, and the older stuff that I've heard is kinda weak to. This might one of those once in a lifetime albums, but shit, it's really incredible.
Gordon Solie Motherfuckers - Powerbomb Anthems Vol. 1
One of the top ten best records that 625 ever put out, hands down. There was a point when I was trying to get every thing 625 released but there is just to fucking much, so I gave up. But I bought this gem before I was trying that anyway. I actually bought this before I had heard Nine Shocks Terror. I just liked the wrestling themes, and the sweet album title, plus I'm a sucker for 10 inches. Anyway, this is killer fast Japanese styled thrash, with manic high pitched vocals. And they love wrestling, and anyone who knows me, I'm an indie wrestling mutant and wrestling themed hardcore bands are a favorite little subgenre of mine. This is another record I put on a tape so i could listen to while I drove places and it still makes me go crazy and want to circle pit violently when I hear it.
Halo - Guatarri (From The West Flows Grey Ash And Pestilence)
This is an album that I never really understood why Relapse put it out, but I'm so glad they did, because I never would have heard this band otherwise. It's noisy as fuck doom/sludge made by a duo of a bassist and drummer. It reminds me, and most other people, of Swans and Godflesh. pretty good comparisons. But seriously this album is a huge inspiration for me and the stuff I do in Wicked King Wicker, and I never even really realized this fact until recently. Fucking listen to this shit. srsly.
High on Fire - Surrounded By Thieves
After writing this it's funny for me to find out how many of these albums I got for free from somewhere or I had never heard the artist before getting the album. This album is both. My brother got this album for me for my birthday one year after he told a friend of his about my music tastes and he recommended it. This is one of the catchiest and heaviest albums I have ever heard. It never gets old to me. The last two albums have been okay, but this album is untouchable comparatively. Its also really sad that I never heard of Sleep before hearing of these guys, but I'm glad this album opened the door for me.
Inepsy - Rock' N' Roll Babylon
Killer hardcore punk rock from Canada. Every time I was supposed to see this band they had trouble getting into the USA for some reason. Bullshit I say, I guess the border patrol is afraid of charged hair or something. THis record is great though, Motorhead influenced d-beat, which always puts a smile on my face.
Infest - No Man's Slave
Yeah I know the majority of this record was recorded in the 90's, but it wasn't finished until the aughts and didn't come out until 2002, so there. And let me say its killer. This was the first thing I've ever heard by Infest, and honestly I haven't heard much else by them (i know, i know), but this blows my mind every time with its speed and intensity. I remember buying this on my birthday at a record store in CT. I dropped all of my birthday money that day, and it was awesome because it was all records.
Isis - Oceanic
This is just one of those records that is perfect in every way. Every instrument down to individual drums are mixed perfectly, the songs are perfectly written. I can't find anything to hate about this album. From the opening tracks downstroked guitar parts to the female vocals later on in the album, it barely gives you time to breathe. I can listen to this in any situation, from sad times to glad times, it always hits the spot. Some of my favorite memories are attached to driving somewhere with friends with this album blasting. Different friends, different events, but always happiness.
Jucifer - If Thine Enemy Hunger
The sludgy two opening tracks on here are all you need to hook me. Slow as fuck heavy as fuck and awesome female vocals. Then you have a bunch of other well written rock/metal songs all delivered by a two piece band. Awesome. This album impressed me so much it made me go and get most of their back catalogue. While I feel none of their other albums can even touch this one, they are all excellent. I got to see them last summer and it was an experience. They played at this tiny bar in CT that has a capacity of like 100 people and they still set up their wall of (I counted 17) amps. They blew me away and I'm sure the 20 other people that were there too. One of my favorite records ever.
Khanate - Khanate
One of the heaviest, most evil sounding records ever. Alan Dubin's vocals are high pitched shrieks that seriously can scare the crap out of people, especially me. Waves of slow as fuck riffs come at 1 BPM with sheets of feedback filling in the space. Another band I never got to see live and it kills me every time I think about it.
Kid606 - Kill Sound Before Sound Kills You
I heavily got into electronic music a few years ago, and this was one of the first albums I bought on recommendation from a few people on various message boards. This is still one of my top five electronic albums I have and probably top 25 records ever. The beats are so catchy and fast and fun I wanna just masturbate to the sounds all day...or something like that. I'm going slightly insane from writing these stupid things.
Killing Joke - Killing Joke (2003)
Another CD I got for free and totally love. This was the first time I ever heard Killing Joke, and it's a monster of an album for someone to be introduced to...or something. The vocals are definitely the best part, they are so gruff and heavy, and the constant plodding drums really give this a mechanical feel. So great.
Kylesa - Kylesa
Kylesa's current releases are great, and the addition of a second drummer is really awesome, but this first full length is pretty much the best thing they ever did. I believe what happened is there was a dude in the band who wrote the majority of this album, then he killed himself (or died of something else) and they recorded the album after that. The emotions of a band who lost a key member really comes across on here. This album is sludgy and crusty though I would think if sludge touched something crusty it would make the crusty thing sludgy to after absorbing the sludge. I've seen Kylesa so many times live opening for tons of bands, but my favorite performance was when they played at Trash American Style in Danbury CT, which was my favorite record store ever. That summer there were so many shows there, I can't even remember who half the bands were.
Last Days of Humanity - Putrefaction In Progress
Basically this is the most insane record I own. It's 42 tracks long, and its a blur of gore-grind noise with super pitch shifted vocals and super downtuned guitars that sound like they are just getting hit rocks really fast because there is no discernible riffs. I normally hate gore-grind but this record is so fucking crazy I can't help but love it. Some of you might know the youtube video of Bert and Ernie playing along with the last track of this album. Fucking brutal.
Leviathan - The Tenth Sub Level Of Suicide
To me, when this came out, it kind of opened the gates for other USBM bands to get started (or for more dudes in there basements to start one man bands). A few months after this came out I heard of all the big bands now, it's just kind of weird. Anyway, this album is killer, it has so much going on. Killer cold riffs, depressing slow parts, brutal fast parts, psychotic vocals. Brilliant. When this came out it was toted as "the future of black metal." I actually agree with that statement.
Lightning Bolt - Hypermagic Mountain
Pretty much everything these guys have done is golden, but this is definitely the best of the bunch. the bass tones on here are so fucking heavy it's ridiculous, and Brian Chippendale's drumming is mind blowing. The grooves these guys create get stuck in your head for days and make you go crazy from all the blood in your body going to your boner.
Limp Wrist - Limp Wrist
I've listened to this record so many times I've worn the grooves out on my copy. There was a point where every time I would listen to records I would put this on at least twice. I really love the booklet that comes with this too. Probably my favorite hardcore record ever recorded. EVER. To bad they suck live. And nothing else they've done is nearly as close to being as good as this.
M.I.A. - Kala
I'm sure you are thinking this is pretty out of place on this list. You are definitely right, but I love this album. The beats and vocals are just so goddamn hypnotizing. I love it. This sounds like what music of the future always sounds like in sci-fi movies. Well it does to me at least. Shut up.
Malveillance - Just Fuck Off
Say what you want about this guys politics, but this album is killer. It's the only thing I've heard by him, but its a perfect blend of D-beat and Black metal. Another band that I've wanted to hear for so long then I pick this up and I'm perfectly satisfied. Killer.
Massgrav/Widespread Bloodshed - Pick Your Queen split
Basically this is the fastest record I've ever heard. Two insanely fast Swedish hardcore bands blaze through like 800 (actually like 15) songs on one little record. Sweet cover too.
Merzbow - Frog
One of MA's first digital albums and its a doozy. 4 huge blasts of white noise from the master. There is some rudimentary beats in there and sounds of frogs chirping as well. One of my favorite Merzbow albums and definitely the best thing he's done in the last ten years, which is kind of sad because he's had probably 100 releases in the last decade and this came out in 2001.
Modern Life Is War - Witness
If this band had any other vocalist no one would have gave a shit about them. The power behind that dudes voice gave them their sound. Otherwise they were a midpaced hardcore band that had some pretty good songs. This was my favorite album by them. I saw them on their last tour and they seemed like they couldn't give a shit about being there.
Municipal Waste - Waste Em All
These guys are a household name for metalheads now, and I couldn't be happier. I haven't heard their most recent album yet, but my favorite is still this one, their humble beginning. It's raw as fuck and twice as fast and it has their most killer material on it. Another top 20 record of all time.
Nachtmystium - Instinct:Decay
I really thought after this album came out that these guys were gonna be like the next Dimmu Borgir or something, just not shitty. I was wrong, but this record is still the pinnacle of their greatness so far IMO. Its killer raw black metal with spacey psychedelic guitar parts and evil vocals. My favorite time seeing them was when they opened for Sunn O))) at an American Legion hall and while they were playing the PA caught fire literally in front of my face. Fun show.
Neurosis & Jarboe - Neurosis & Jarboe
Fuck... I'm sick of doing this. THis record really came out of nowhere and is a bit of a sleeper, most people have never heard it. To me, it's one of those records that always affects me deeply in a way. Jarboe's vocals are so haunting and evil, and the music is so dark and heavy it really sets a mood well. Again I didn't go see this lineup when I had the opportunity and i feel like a huge tool because of it.
Nikudorei - Genital Torture
My favorite noisecore album ever. So insane. There are freeform noise tracks and then there are the short noisecore blasts with vocals drums and electronics. So killer, It reminds me of Gore Beyond Necropsy without any guitars.
1905 - Voice
Two of my friends bands played with these guys in Boston one night, and I was at the show...I had never heard them before, but by the end of the set I was in love, not just with the music, but the singer. I was making plans on how i could have a long distance relationship with her somehow. God i'm a loser. Anyway, I loved the music so much I went and saw them the next week at ABC No Rio. So amazing. passionate hardcore, with melodic guitar and vocal parts. I thought I might have grown out of liking this album, but I put it on again recently and it still blows my mind. Love it.
No Hope For the Kids - No Hope For The Kids
A band that features member of Amdi Petersens Arme. While not as awesome as that band, these guys are still really awesome. They play similar midpaced old school hardcore but their songs are much more anthemic, which is pretty sweet. I saw them play 3 days in a row at Pointless Fest 2006 and they didn't bring any records with them and I had never heard them before so I had to track it down later for myself. It was so awesome to see them that much and they had so much energy each night. great album.
NOISM - ±
If you took Genghis Tron's first EP and mixed it with Agoraphobic Nosebleed, Braindrill, and Venetian Snares you might be close to figuring out the sound of this album. I bought it to try it the last time I bought a bunch of stuff from Crucial Blast and seriously this album makes my head explode. Super fast intricate drum beats with super fast fucked death metal guitar parts. That's it. This Japanese duo needs to be heard by more people. Also; cocks.
Off Minor - Heat Death Of The Universe
Of all the bands that featured members of Saetia, Off Minor was definitely the best one. In fact Off Minor is ten times better than Saetia, hands down. This record is a perfect example why I think that. Fucking crazy time signatures, crazy guitar parts, awesome vocals, all without sounding cheesy and prog-rock like. All delivered by a three piece too! Also one of the most intense live bands I've seen even on their admittedly off nights they blew most bands out of the water.
OM - Variations On A Theme
Most heavy, yet most hypnotic record ever. Put this on and loose yourself for almost an hour of bass and drums, chanted vocals and nothing else. You already know this is members of Sleep, and out of the post-Sleep bands, these guys are heads above the rest. I haven't listened to God Is Good yet, but everything else they've done is perfect, so the already have more good records than High On Fire.
Orchid - Dance Tonight! Revolution Tomorrow!
Okay so I don't like this as much as Chaos Is Me, but that didn't come out in the aughts. This did, and its still one of the best "true" screamo records ever. These songs are unrelenting until the final chords of "The Cat Turned To Smoke" Which still puts chills up my spine. The vocals are insane screams, its crazy to think that guy went on to sing in Panthers. I got to see Orchid once, during their final tour in NYC and it was something that was so amazing I can't even put it into words. Oh yeah the with Combatwoundedveteran and Atom And His Package. What a weird show.
Origin - Echoes Of Decimation
I'm not a big fan of death metal, I mean I like it and all, but I don't really listen to that much of it. Mostly because it all sounds the same to me, and it really gets boring and repetitive to me a lot. That being said, this album is fucking insane. Some of the most exhaustive drumming I've ever heard on any record period. And crazy guitar work. I get dizzy listening to this. so awesome.
pg. 99 - document #8
This band is everything that I love in screamo/hardcore. Heavy as fuck, crazy fast parts, weird droning parts, 8 band members, good fucking songs. I got the pleasure of seeing them once, at a show that had an infamous pillow fight mosh that turned into nude moshing, for once I was not involved. This record is the best thing they did.
Pig Destroyer - Prowler In The Yard
Pig Destroyer is like baby's first grind band nowadays, even though they don't even play grind anymore. Their last album sucked ass, and the one before that was pretty mediocre. This album however, is so excellent it doesn't matter how lame they are now. Fast short songs, and slow heavy ones, with manic vocals and very well written lyrics. I used to got to every PD show I could. Now I don't even bother watching them if they are playing at a show I'm at (like when they played with Eyehategod in Oct). And Scott Hull has a stupid hand tattoo.
Prurient - And Still Wanting
One of my favorite discoveries in the last two years has been Prurient. I've gotten a fuck ton of his albums but this one is definitely the best. Harsh but droning, repetitive, almost catchy noise, with tortured vocals and deep heavy synth. Such a satisfying record, every time I listen to it it gets better, and thats hard for me to say nowadays, because I've become such a jaded fuck and never give anything a second chance anymore.
Realicide - Resisting The Viral Self
These guys are another recent discovery for me, and they are mind blowing. Basically if Atari Teenage Riot had the politics of Crass and they like fucked noise parts mixed in you'd get Realicide. I got to open up for them at my old college a few months ago with my noise project Wolverine Carcass (shameless plug) and they were even better live than their records. So intense, and they were only preforming for like 15 people. Nice dudes as well. This record is one of their most recent full lengths and everyone should own a copy now. right now.
Regurgitate - Carnivorous Erection
Obviously I bought this because the cover was to ridiculous to not buy it. Plus I thought their songs on one of the Relapse comps I had were sick. So I bought this and was blown away, at the time I had never heard anything like this. Heavy crusty grind with low pitched shifted vocals and songs about poop and midgets. I was the happiest 19 year old on the planet!
Revenge - Triumph.Genocide.Antichrist
Such an insane record. The first record that I knew of that i think kinda started the whole war black metal subgenre, though I'm sure I'll get so much crap for saying that from you BM cocks out there. Anyway, this is totally chaotic black metal, with super heavy bass and manic drumming and wild pitch shifted vocals. All the songs are about hating Christ in some form, which is cool with me. This also got me into collecting pretty much everything I can get my hands on that Nuclear War Now puts out, though it does help that most of their releases are excellent.
Rudimentary Peni - Archaic
This band is a perfect example of how to ager properly, i.e. don't suck even after being around for like 20 years. This EP is so heavy they sound like a new band. The riffs are just so perfectly written, abstract but simple at the same time.
Shellac - 1000 Hurts
Every time I hear Prayer to God, I can't help but get sucked in and listen to the whole album. Its just so damn good. Really strange songs that are delivered with razor thing but still heavy guitars and wierd vocals all with a minimal amount of sounds. Everything is right where it should be. Which makes sense since there are two incredible recording engineers in this band.
The Spits - The Spits
This band is like a mix of the Ramones and Devo, and ten times more fun than both IMO. The opening track on this album is so damn catchy it'll make you want to rip off your ears with pleasure. penis.
Stalaggh
This is the one time I make an exception for this band because their entire recorded output is like 10 songs total then they broke up. This is some of the most intense fucked up black noise every put to tape. It's mostly improvised featuring vocals from actual mental patients just screaming their asses off, which is very unsettling. the rest of the sounds are drones, skree and some percussion. As evil as music can get.
Street Trash - Street Trash
I got this just to try them, it's normally a 7" but my version is a sweet one sided 12" with a silk screened b-side. anyway, i'm not to fond of their other releases, but this one is amazing. It perfectly captures a band at its most intense, and in Street Trash's case, they sound like a really heavy Bad Brains. Maybe even faster than the first Bad Brains full length. so incredible. I don't know another person who has heard of these guys though. maybe someone can give me more info on them other than the fact that they have an LP and 7" other than this.
Sunn O))) - Monoliths And Dimensions
This is really Sunn O)))s best record hands down. The Sunn O))) riffs are amazing sounding and the addition of horns and choruses are spectacular. They suck live however. more words. filler. I don't want to write anymore. This is where I begin to phone it in, not like anyone is still reading.
Sutcliffe Jügend - This Is The Truth
Evil fucking music. Noise, feedback, crazy vocals about murder.
The Sword - Age Of Winters
Sweet riffs bro.
Tear It Up - Nothing To Nothing
One of the best hardcore records of the last ten years, dooy.
Tjolgtjar - Midnight Mindtrip
Fucked up black metal with a strong southern influence. Makes Nachtmystium look like pansies. The Revered can do no wrong.
Torche - Torche
Heavy and loud with soft vocals or something. Saw with Boris.
Total Fury - 13 Songs
Killer Japcore that sounds like its from DC in the 80's, insane live.
Toxic Holocaust - Evil Never Dies
Best record from this guy and everything after isn't as good. Killer thrash revival.
Tragedy - Vengence
Probably the best record of the last ten years. So catchy and well written. Best live band ever.
Twodeadsluts Onegoodfuck - Twodeadslutsonegoodfuck
More evil power electronics. Scary live.
Venetian Snares - Rossz Csillag Alatt Született
The record that got me into electronic music and breakcore. Insane intricate dance music with Hungarian classical. incredible. My other favorite record on the last ten years. Never gets old. Went to see him live once but he was going on to late.
Vital Remains - Dechristianize
Best death metal album ever. and I don't like death metal. They can't pull this off live however.
Weakling - Dead As Dreams
Sweet long trance inducing black metal from members of The Fucking Champs. I paid way to much for this only to find out a repressing was coming out.
White Mice - Blassstphlegmeice
Super heavy and noisy as fuck. Awesome costumes. Insane live.
John Wiese - Black Magic Pond
Lots of noise recorded on a tour. Intense. Crooked face.
Wold - Screech Owl
The coldest of cold black metal that is really noisy and kvlt.
World Burns to Death - Sucking The Missle Cock
Sweet D-beat with awesome vocals. like a mixture of Scandinavian and Japanese hardcore all rolled into one texas band.
Xanopticon - Liminal Space
Beyond Intricate breakcore. amazing.
Xasthur - Telepathic With The Deceased
Suicidal black metal from Mom's basement.
Zombi - Cosmos
Horror movie soundtracks. Epic.
There I'm done. Sorry for the last twenty or so, I just got really lazy, and I'm sure no one really cares anyway. Though most of my favorite records were in there. Oh well.
Many of these records are basically what made me who I am today. I tried to keep it at one album per artist, though I think there is 1 or 2 exceptions to that rule. Oh yeah I also chose to leave out collections and reissues, only stuff that has been recorded between 2000 and 2009. enjoy.
Against Me! - Reinventing Axl Rose
This record really helped energize a whole scene into being creative and energetic again. Say what you want about them now, but this record is still fresh and fun and uplifting to me every time I put it on. When this came out they sounded like they could take over the world, but few people actually expected them too...who knew they'd be playing at huge venues like Giants Stadium? Anthems for kids who didn't realize they needed them.
Agoraphobic Nosebleed - Altered States Of America
Everything they did up to this point was mindblowing for me, pretty much the most extreme music I had ever heard (except for noise, but then again that isn't music! wakka wakka wakka). Then they put this album out. I didn't even know what to think, and by the time I had an inkling of what was going on, I was already 45 tracks into the album! This is another case of a bands newer output isn't that spectacular, and honestly this record isn't that good compared to other noisecore albums I've heard since, but the idea that they would do a noisecore album like this especially when they were as popular as they were at the time was awesome. Kind of like whatInsect Warfare did this year. Any band that chooses to alienate their fanbase is a band I can get behind.
Amdi Petersens Arme - Blod Ser Mere Virkeligt Ud Da Film
This 7" probably fell under the radar for a lot of people (just like a bunch of other things on this list as you'll find out) but seriously do yourself a favor and get a copy of it. I'm pretty sure Havoc still has it in print, and it'll be cheap I'm sure. What it is is pretty standard 80's styled hardcore punk, but the songs are all so damn catchy and played with so much heart that it's hard to ignore. I unfortunately missed this bands one US tour, but friends of mine who saw them said it was awe-inspiring. I believe they did one more 7" and then broke up, but this is the one to get. I put it on a tape so I could listen to it in my car, which I did. Over and over and over.
Andrew W.K. - I Get Wet
Basically the most fun record of all time. I can't even tell you how many parties I've been to where this album was put on and a circle pit irrupted! well at least 3 that I can think of, but I'm sure there was more. Not only that, this never has let me down in terms of putting me in a good mood if I'm having a shit day in some capacity. I remember when this first came out he got a lot of flak for calling himself party metal, but what's funny now is, after all these years AWK has a lot of respect in many music circles and I may even consider him hipster approved, non-ironically. It's really strange.
Arab on Radar - Yahweh or the Highway
This is one of those albums that you kind of forget about, but every time you go back to it, it blows you away. Total outsider punk rock, that confuses and scares even some of the most open minded. I'm pretty sure some of these guys went on to form The Chinese Stars, but they could never touch the craziness that AOR create. It's like this record is going to fall to pieces at any moment, and yet they can keep things together.With wild yelling/whining vocals, all spilling out nonsense...i love it. I'm really sad I never got to see them live.
Ascend - Ample Fire Within
This record is an example of what needed to happen. Sunn O))) is good and all, but really they need a bit more musicality to their sound. Ascend is exactly what needed to happen in that regard (but so is Monoliths and Dimensions, more on that later). The super slow riffs and awesome guitar tone are there, but the addition of the organ really sets this album over the top, I might even say it's better than anything Sunn O))) had done up until that point. Always a satisfying listen, now they just need to play some damn shows, which I'm sure will never happen.
Asschapel - Fire And Destruction
One of the dumbest band names ever, but one of the sweetest crust/metal albums I've ever heard. Total nonstop fast metal with crazed vocal destruction. Bands like this always seem to come from Virginia/Carolinas/Georgia area for some reason, I guess they really get angry with having nothing to do, so they get really pissed and make amazing crust records. Works for me. I definitely bought this just for the hilarity of the name (a practice I've done way to much and wasted so much cash because I rarely get lucky like i did here) and couldn't believe what I as hearing. Track down a copy of this and be blown away.
Atom & His Package - Hair:Debatable
This was recorded live in Philadelphia on my birthday I believe (or maybe the day after) and I was actually gonna go to this as a present to myself, but skipped out because I went down there for the first Pointlessfest like a week before at the same venue. Anyway, this is a live recording of Atom's last show ever, and it's nonstop fun the whole way through. I had the pleasure of seeming him (them?) twice and really felt his records never did him justice compared to seeing him live. This record really captures his energy well, and plays like a best of of his material. After I heard this for the first time I totally wish I went to the show. Oh well. Life somehow went on.
Balance Of Terror - A Better Tomorrow
I had the pleasure of seeing these guys twice during their short existence, and seriously they were sick. Raging fast dark hardcore but not really crust, just pissed off and wanted the world to know about it. I believe they did a split 7" with Straight to Hell, and that's it. Good luck finding either of these records anymore, but if you can track down a copy, I suggest getting them. I made a tape of this the summer it came out and listened to it all the time, it really was a soundtrack to that summer and fueled many commutes to school in which I was late for a test or something, always got me there on time.
Baroness - Red Album
An album that I couldn't stop listening to during a time when I didn't want to listen to anything new more than once. This really was an album that made me believe in music again, with its catchy as fuck songs, while still being gruff and crusty. I saw them live a few weeks ago and was kind of disappointed, but this album still excites, and never ceases to get my head banging and singing along.
Bastard Noise - Rogue Astronaut
Probably the most fully realized BN album I've ever heard. I mean most of their stuff I had heard prior was a lot of analog oscillator abuse, which is nowhere near a bad thing by the way, but this one had a lot of structure to it. Like the fourth track had a constant low-end throb, almost making the track DANCEABLE. Then the harshness came in and the crazy vocals. Also the most memorable BN album I've heard to date. I can't wait to hear the new split with Endless blockade where they bring bass and drums back into the mix!
The Black Hand - Pulling Your Strings
In between sludgy crust band Ire and before current hardcore darlings Cursed, existed this short lived Canadian band. Rock influenced crust which bands like Disfear and Coliseum love to play but sooo much better than either of them and severeal years before they were even a band. I saw them twice mistakingly at ABC No Rio the same year, and both times they blew al the bands they played with away, which was no small feat considering they were playing with Kill Your Idols, Born Dead Icons, Zegota, and a few others that I can't remember. This was their first of two releases and this is an EP. 4 of the best tracks you will ever hear, I've probably listened to this 200 times in my life and it never ever gets old. Their second release was a full length, and while it's still awesome, it comes nowhere to the sickness that is this release. I suggest you track this down.
Bone Awl - Meaningless Leaning Mess
Ever since I got into heavy music I always wanted to start a black metal band that was influenced by hardcore or vice versa. I never heard any bands that sounded like it (until I did some more research into black metal). Then I heard Bone Awl. They sound exactly like I was imagining in my head for all those years. This was the first release I got by them, and to this day its still my favorite. It perfectly captures their sound and energy. Ancient black metal roots played with a old school hardcore feeling.... perfect. To bad when i finally got to see them this summer it kind of blew. Maybe it had to do with the fact that they were playing in Connecticut, but still. At least this record is still amazing.
Bongzilla - Gateway
Heaviest band ever and the worst band name ever. I had bought stash when I was in high school, and I never really got it, then Gateway came out and I didn't bother with it. I dragged my heels on it for years and then finally just got myself a copy. It's so fucking heavy I can't even handle it! The riffs are so good they make you want to bang your face so hard and start a fire from the friction caused by your head moving air molecules around so much. or something. I don't care about lyrics or anything, because they are kind of stupid, but that doesn't matter. riffs. RIFFS. RIFFS!
Boris - Pink
Most of Boris' albums are great, so I tried to narrow it down to one album (and one collaboration...see the next entry), and Pink is it. It has elements from all their previous works included here, they spacey psychedelia, heavy as fuck guitar drones, and the straight rockers. I saw them play at an American Legion Hall that had no stage during their first US tour for this album. I stood right in front of Wata. They played Farewell and went right into Pink just like on the album. Everyone exploded! it was so fucking good.
Boris with Merzbow - Rock Dream
Such an amazing recording. I couldn't even imagine what it must have been like to see this live, but the energy captured here is so great, it had to be included on this list. The set list is like a best of Boris, but with Merzbow jamming away adding a whole new level to the songs. Incredible.
Burning Star Core - Challenger
This record is full of spacey trance like noises and never ceases to amaze me with every listen. Epic in sound and totally freeform in structure (or at least it feels that way), you'll trance off then get hit in the face with a harsh skree that comes out of nowhere, but it all makes sense. I wish I had a story to go along with this record, but I only got this a few months ago.
Charm city Suicides - The Worst
Another under the radar release. I saw these guys play with my friends band at a teen center in Connecticut fucking forever ago. They were wild, sloppy as fuck, and downright pretty awful in the best way possible. The singer ran around and caused a ruckus. It was fun as hell, but they didn't have any releases at the time/i didn't have any money on me so I kind of forgot about them. Flash forward like 5 years later and Youth Attack puts out this CD. I buy it and I'm floored with the awesome garage punk sounds coming at me. I don't know if this is a collection or an album or EP, it's 10 tracks long and way to short. I don't have anything else by them, and I don't know if anything else exists, but I want it if does. Really sweet.
Circle Takes the Square - As The Roots Undo
This is one of those bands I got into way to late. I got this album like 3 years after it came out, and from what I understand they had been broken up for some time, and I'm ashamed of tardiness with them. THis album never stops impressing me with it's epic songs, while still being stripped down and simple, with just enough memorable catchy parts. Another milestone punk album that came out in the last ten years that not nearly enough people have heard.
Coffins - Buried Death
Fucking shit this band is awesome. I have a whole bunch of their records that are just chock full of mid-paced old school death metal. Most new bands that try to make this kind of music, they fail terribly and use modern production techniques and they just sound awful, but Coffins has got it right. This is my favorite record of theirs that I own, and I can't stop listening to it. I had the pleasure of seeing them on their last US tour for $6 at ABC No Rio with The Endless Blockade and A.S.R.A. what an awesome show. I can't wait to see them again at Maryland Deathfest this year.
Converge - Jane Doe
Seriously what needs to be said about this album, if there is anything that hasn't been said it certainly won't come from me. You've all heard this, and you all know how amazing it is. Not only does it make this list, it makes my all time top ten. Every time I put this on I am blown away. I think it was a solid year after it came out that I listened to this album at least once a day, if not several times a day. And it's not like Converge has declined in quality either, I have throughly enjoyed everything they've done after this album; Axe To Fall is excellent. But nothing will ever top this album.
Jason Crumer - Ottoman Black
He is probably my new favorite noise artist, and this is probably my favorite noise album of the last 10 years, and I was given it for FREE! The only reason I ever got this was because I was shopping at Hospital Productions and I must have dropped like $100 that day. The owner thought I might enjoy this album so he threw it in for me. This album has it all...to quote Homer Simpson, "terrifying lows, dizzying highs, creamy middles..." This album is the epitome of building up tension. When the harsh walls of noise finally interrupt the horrible sounds created by Mr. Crumer, it's a sweet relief. The sound of a human being beaten is something I could have nightmares about. Everyone who enjoys challenging sounds must hear this album once.
dälek -Absence
It's not very often you can use the adjective "crushing" when describing a hip-hop album, but that's exactly what this album is. I had the chance to see these guys twice in my life, both times they were opening for Isis. Both times I was crushed by them. Not only are the lyrics and rapping excellent (i'm not much of a hip-hip guy. I like the big artists and some wierd stuff and that's about it, so this is gonna read like it should, like a white dude wrote it) it's the beats that set this album apart from any other album I bought in the last 10 years (except for other Dalek albums). Noise and feedback are sampled and looped along with upright bass and drum samples to create violent, dark, and evil sounding beats, and really set the tone for the not-so-upbeat political lyrics. This is a fucking amazing album start to finish. I loved playing it for kids I went to school with that were hopeful hip-hop producers (i went to school for music production) and they were terrified by it.
Daughters - Canada Songs
Though they inspired a metric fuck ton of shitty, lame ass poser bands, this album still crushes all of them like the little pussy asses that they truly are like a proverbial school bully kicking the crap out of the lame kids that pose off of them. Or something. This album is just right, really short, and is over before it gets annoying. The frantic guitar parts are wild and short enough to go with the fucking heavy breakdowns. That is probably the only time I'll praise any band for using heavy breakdowns in the last 5 years by the way. Everyone bitched about them changing their sound with Hell Songs, but I loved it. But Canada Songs still kills me, and will kill everyone who can see past the lame fame base of this band too.
Deerhoof - Milkman
This is a band I always heard my to-cool-for-school friends talking about, and one day I decided to pick up a copy of it, figuring it wouldn't hurt. I fell in love with. I guess it's the strange guitar tones that play oddly catchy riffs in the first few songs that really hook me in, then the odd vocal melodies are what really seal the deal for me. It's another one of those albums that I don't listen to for like 6 months, but put it on and always enjoy myself.
dev/null - Lazer Thrash
I got heavily into electronic music in the last 4 years, namely IDM and breakcore. It's been like a whole new world for me, tracking down every single artist that is recommended to me, totally unbiased, unlike the hardcore scene that I've become so sadly jaded with over the last few years, I haven't even been going to shows lately. Anyway, I somehow got turned onto Dev/Null, honestly I think I did a Google search for Nikudorei and somehow ended up at his Myspace page, but I heard some tracks and was blown away. I purchased all his records on the spot. This album is a insanely intricate piece of electronic music, fast and manic, while still having a excellent beat for you to (ugh) groove to. He describes his sound as the intensity of grindcore without the human error of a human and the accuracy of computers. Works for me. Excellent album.
Eagles of Death Metal - Peace Love Death Metal
There was a summer were I only felt like listening to this album. It reminds me of trips to the Jersey Shore and working in the mall. Nearly every track on here is excellent. Total stripped down rock, before they were anything but a side project of Queens of the Stone Age. Fucking catchy as hell. The album after this was good, but this one is unfuckingtouchable.
Earth - Hibernaculum
The last 3 Earth albums have all been spectacular. Morose trudges through what feels like a dusty shell of a country. The perfectly guitar tone and just a hint of reverb always sends chills down my spine, and this album is my favorite of the last 3. I saw them play 3 songs in October and all it did was leave me craving more.
The Epoxies - Stop The Future
I'll leave my secret crush on Roxy Epoxy out of this, it doesn't really need mentioning because this record totally stands on it own. Extra fun punk rock with really solid songs, and an amazing synth heavy sound. I got to see them once before they broke up and they had an amazing show. Good times, great oldies.
Exclaim - Critical Exploder
Most people probably only know this band from their split with Jellyroll Rockheads (whose Wake Up, Music I left out because its a collection) but this album is a fucking scorcher. Old school hardcore like the DC masters Void etc, but recorded on what sounds like a boom box giving it an ultra lo-fi brutal sound. Then kick up the energy to modern Japanese standards and you might have an idea about the sound of this blown out mind fuck of a hardcore gem.
Framtid - Under The Ashes
Fucking psycho Japanese d-beat crasher crust! Think Disclose but ten times heavier. I'm sick of writing these fucking things. blah blah blah. memories.
From Ashes Rise - Nightmares
I love getting free shit. From working at a college radio station and the store I worked at I accumulated a ton of CDs that I never had to pay for. It's even better when the radio station gets a CD from a band you've been listening to for a long time and fucking adore. It's definitely the best when that new CD is a fucking killer album, probably the best thing they ever recorded. That's the case here. I loved this album so much I went out and bought it on vinyl even though I had it on CD. Total ripping heavy hardcore like Tragedy and shit. They shared a member, but I always that FAR was heavier. They played at the first show I ever went to at ABC No Rio and I had never heard of them before. I was so blown away by them, I had never heard anything like it. My exposure to punk was The Unseen and old California bands and thats about it; I was mostly into NYHC and that sort of crap. It changed my life. Then this album came out and still kills me every time.
Gehenna - Negotium Perambulans In Tenebris
I can't get over how pissed off these guys sound on this record. It really comes across well. Apparently live it's the same situation. A friend of mine recommended these guys to me and I will forever be grateful. I'm really pumped to see they are still around and still violent as ever. Maybe one day I'll get to see them live.
Genghis Tron - Cloak Of Love
Most people hated everything after this came out, which I totally disagree with. I love the new album (haven't checked out any of the remix LPs however), but this one is just classic. It's so manic I can't help but love it. Most of the garbage that these guys inspired is just plain terrible, but that can be said about a lot of bands. Think about how many terrible rock bands are out their that say their main influence is The Who...I don't blame The Who for these bands, just those bands for being in existence. Or something. Anyway. The way this album goes from soft and soothing IDM to psycho guitar wankery into a killer breakdown is so good. I love the vocals too. These guys do kind of suck live however, but I'll still enjoy their music.
Geronimo - Geronimo
I got this album recently, and it's so fucking killer that it needs to be on this list. When I listen to this album I think of krautrock bands like Kraftwerk and Can but played nowadays with a hardcore punk attitude. the homemade oscillators of Nelson of Bastard Noise probably has a lot to do with that, but the spacey slow building epics and throbbing bass blows my mind. Thank you Reaching. for turning me on to these guys!
Godspeed You! Black Emperor! - Yanqui U.X.O.
One of my biggest regrets in life is not going with my friend to see these guys on what turned out to be their last tour. It's very unfortunate. I was so upset about that I couldn't even listen to them for years, and I put off getting this album. I finally bought it about 6 months ago, and it's as breathtaking as I expected. The best part about this band is the drummer. He builds up every song perfectly, and just when the release comes in he ties everything together in a total orgasm of musical delight. there aren't many artists that can make me feel that good, but this album is one of of those things, God dammit i should have went to that show.
Gogol Bordello - Gypsy Punks Underdog World Strike
I got into this band like 3 months before they blew up, and for once I understood it. These songs are so fucking catchy it's criminal. Some of the fiddle parts get stuck in your head for days and days and days, and all you want to do is listen to it again. The album that came out after this one can't touch this, and the older stuff that I've heard is kinda weak to. This might one of those once in a lifetime albums, but shit, it's really incredible.
Gordon Solie Motherfuckers - Powerbomb Anthems Vol. 1
One of the top ten best records that 625 ever put out, hands down. There was a point when I was trying to get every thing 625 released but there is just to fucking much, so I gave up. But I bought this gem before I was trying that anyway. I actually bought this before I had heard Nine Shocks Terror. I just liked the wrestling themes, and the sweet album title, plus I'm a sucker for 10 inches. Anyway, this is killer fast Japanese styled thrash, with manic high pitched vocals. And they love wrestling, and anyone who knows me, I'm an indie wrestling mutant and wrestling themed hardcore bands are a favorite little subgenre of mine. This is another record I put on a tape so i could listen to while I drove places and it still makes me go crazy and want to circle pit violently when I hear it.
Halo - Guatarri (From The West Flows Grey Ash And Pestilence)
This is an album that I never really understood why Relapse put it out, but I'm so glad they did, because I never would have heard this band otherwise. It's noisy as fuck doom/sludge made by a duo of a bassist and drummer. It reminds me, and most other people, of Swans and Godflesh. pretty good comparisons. But seriously this album is a huge inspiration for me and the stuff I do in Wicked King Wicker, and I never even really realized this fact until recently. Fucking listen to this shit. srsly.
High on Fire - Surrounded By Thieves
After writing this it's funny for me to find out how many of these albums I got for free from somewhere or I had never heard the artist before getting the album. This album is both. My brother got this album for me for my birthday one year after he told a friend of his about my music tastes and he recommended it. This is one of the catchiest and heaviest albums I have ever heard. It never gets old to me. The last two albums have been okay, but this album is untouchable comparatively. Its also really sad that I never heard of Sleep before hearing of these guys, but I'm glad this album opened the door for me.
Inepsy - Rock' N' Roll Babylon
Killer hardcore punk rock from Canada. Every time I was supposed to see this band they had trouble getting into the USA for some reason. Bullshit I say, I guess the border patrol is afraid of charged hair or something. THis record is great though, Motorhead influenced d-beat, which always puts a smile on my face.
Infest - No Man's Slave
Yeah I know the majority of this record was recorded in the 90's, but it wasn't finished until the aughts and didn't come out until 2002, so there. And let me say its killer. This was the first thing I've ever heard by Infest, and honestly I haven't heard much else by them (i know, i know), but this blows my mind every time with its speed and intensity. I remember buying this on my birthday at a record store in CT. I dropped all of my birthday money that day, and it was awesome because it was all records.
Isis - Oceanic
This is just one of those records that is perfect in every way. Every instrument down to individual drums are mixed perfectly, the songs are perfectly written. I can't find anything to hate about this album. From the opening tracks downstroked guitar parts to the female vocals later on in the album, it barely gives you time to breathe. I can listen to this in any situation, from sad times to glad times, it always hits the spot. Some of my favorite memories are attached to driving somewhere with friends with this album blasting. Different friends, different events, but always happiness.
Jucifer - If Thine Enemy Hunger
The sludgy two opening tracks on here are all you need to hook me. Slow as fuck heavy as fuck and awesome female vocals. Then you have a bunch of other well written rock/metal songs all delivered by a two piece band. Awesome. This album impressed me so much it made me go and get most of their back catalogue. While I feel none of their other albums can even touch this one, they are all excellent. I got to see them last summer and it was an experience. They played at this tiny bar in CT that has a capacity of like 100 people and they still set up their wall of (I counted 17) amps. They blew me away and I'm sure the 20 other people that were there too. One of my favorite records ever.
Khanate - Khanate
One of the heaviest, most evil sounding records ever. Alan Dubin's vocals are high pitched shrieks that seriously can scare the crap out of people, especially me. Waves of slow as fuck riffs come at 1 BPM with sheets of feedback filling in the space. Another band I never got to see live and it kills me every time I think about it.
Kid606 - Kill Sound Before Sound Kills You
I heavily got into electronic music a few years ago, and this was one of the first albums I bought on recommendation from a few people on various message boards. This is still one of my top five electronic albums I have and probably top 25 records ever. The beats are so catchy and fast and fun I wanna just masturbate to the sounds all day...or something like that. I'm going slightly insane from writing these stupid things.
Killing Joke - Killing Joke (2003)
Another CD I got for free and totally love. This was the first time I ever heard Killing Joke, and it's a monster of an album for someone to be introduced to...or something. The vocals are definitely the best part, they are so gruff and heavy, and the constant plodding drums really give this a mechanical feel. So great.
Kylesa - Kylesa
Kylesa's current releases are great, and the addition of a second drummer is really awesome, but this first full length is pretty much the best thing they ever did. I believe what happened is there was a dude in the band who wrote the majority of this album, then he killed himself (or died of something else) and they recorded the album after that. The emotions of a band who lost a key member really comes across on here. This album is sludgy and crusty though I would think if sludge touched something crusty it would make the crusty thing sludgy to after absorbing the sludge. I've seen Kylesa so many times live opening for tons of bands, but my favorite performance was when they played at Trash American Style in Danbury CT, which was my favorite record store ever. That summer there were so many shows there, I can't even remember who half the bands were.
Last Days of Humanity - Putrefaction In Progress
Basically this is the most insane record I own. It's 42 tracks long, and its a blur of gore-grind noise with super pitch shifted vocals and super downtuned guitars that sound like they are just getting hit rocks really fast because there is no discernible riffs. I normally hate gore-grind but this record is so fucking crazy I can't help but love it. Some of you might know the youtube video of Bert and Ernie playing along with the last track of this album. Fucking brutal.
Leviathan - The Tenth Sub Level Of Suicide
To me, when this came out, it kind of opened the gates for other USBM bands to get started (or for more dudes in there basements to start one man bands). A few months after this came out I heard of all the big bands now, it's just kind of weird. Anyway, this album is killer, it has so much going on. Killer cold riffs, depressing slow parts, brutal fast parts, psychotic vocals. Brilliant. When this came out it was toted as "the future of black metal." I actually agree with that statement.
Lightning Bolt - Hypermagic Mountain
Pretty much everything these guys have done is golden, but this is definitely the best of the bunch. the bass tones on here are so fucking heavy it's ridiculous, and Brian Chippendale's drumming is mind blowing. The grooves these guys create get stuck in your head for days and make you go crazy from all the blood in your body going to your boner.
Limp Wrist - Limp Wrist
I've listened to this record so many times I've worn the grooves out on my copy. There was a point where every time I would listen to records I would put this on at least twice. I really love the booklet that comes with this too. Probably my favorite hardcore record ever recorded. EVER. To bad they suck live. And nothing else they've done is nearly as close to being as good as this.
M.I.A. - Kala
I'm sure you are thinking this is pretty out of place on this list. You are definitely right, but I love this album. The beats and vocals are just so goddamn hypnotizing. I love it. This sounds like what music of the future always sounds like in sci-fi movies. Well it does to me at least. Shut up.
Malveillance - Just Fuck Off
Say what you want about this guys politics, but this album is killer. It's the only thing I've heard by him, but its a perfect blend of D-beat and Black metal. Another band that I've wanted to hear for so long then I pick this up and I'm perfectly satisfied. Killer.
Massgrav/Widespread Bloodshed - Pick Your Queen split
Basically this is the fastest record I've ever heard. Two insanely fast Swedish hardcore bands blaze through like 800 (actually like 15) songs on one little record. Sweet cover too.
Merzbow - Frog
One of MA's first digital albums and its a doozy. 4 huge blasts of white noise from the master. There is some rudimentary beats in there and sounds of frogs chirping as well. One of my favorite Merzbow albums and definitely the best thing he's done in the last ten years, which is kind of sad because he's had probably 100 releases in the last decade and this came out in 2001.
Modern Life Is War - Witness
If this band had any other vocalist no one would have gave a shit about them. The power behind that dudes voice gave them their sound. Otherwise they were a midpaced hardcore band that had some pretty good songs. This was my favorite album by them. I saw them on their last tour and they seemed like they couldn't give a shit about being there.
Municipal Waste - Waste Em All
These guys are a household name for metalheads now, and I couldn't be happier. I haven't heard their most recent album yet, but my favorite is still this one, their humble beginning. It's raw as fuck and twice as fast and it has their most killer material on it. Another top 20 record of all time.
Nachtmystium - Instinct:Decay
I really thought after this album came out that these guys were gonna be like the next Dimmu Borgir or something, just not shitty. I was wrong, but this record is still the pinnacle of their greatness so far IMO. Its killer raw black metal with spacey psychedelic guitar parts and evil vocals. My favorite time seeing them was when they opened for Sunn O))) at an American Legion hall and while they were playing the PA caught fire literally in front of my face. Fun show.
Neurosis & Jarboe - Neurosis & Jarboe
Fuck... I'm sick of doing this. THis record really came out of nowhere and is a bit of a sleeper, most people have never heard it. To me, it's one of those records that always affects me deeply in a way. Jarboe's vocals are so haunting and evil, and the music is so dark and heavy it really sets a mood well. Again I didn't go see this lineup when I had the opportunity and i feel like a huge tool because of it.
Nikudorei - Genital Torture
My favorite noisecore album ever. So insane. There are freeform noise tracks and then there are the short noisecore blasts with vocals drums and electronics. So killer, It reminds me of Gore Beyond Necropsy without any guitars.
1905 - Voice
Two of my friends bands played with these guys in Boston one night, and I was at the show...I had never heard them before, but by the end of the set I was in love, not just with the music, but the singer. I was making plans on how i could have a long distance relationship with her somehow. God i'm a loser. Anyway, I loved the music so much I went and saw them the next week at ABC No Rio. So amazing. passionate hardcore, with melodic guitar and vocal parts. I thought I might have grown out of liking this album, but I put it on again recently and it still blows my mind. Love it.
No Hope For the Kids - No Hope For The Kids
A band that features member of Amdi Petersens Arme. While not as awesome as that band, these guys are still really awesome. They play similar midpaced old school hardcore but their songs are much more anthemic, which is pretty sweet. I saw them play 3 days in a row at Pointless Fest 2006 and they didn't bring any records with them and I had never heard them before so I had to track it down later for myself. It was so awesome to see them that much and they had so much energy each night. great album.
NOISM - ±
If you took Genghis Tron's first EP and mixed it with Agoraphobic Nosebleed, Braindrill, and Venetian Snares you might be close to figuring out the sound of this album. I bought it to try it the last time I bought a bunch of stuff from Crucial Blast and seriously this album makes my head explode. Super fast intricate drum beats with super fast fucked death metal guitar parts. That's it. This Japanese duo needs to be heard by more people. Also; cocks.
Off Minor - Heat Death Of The Universe
Of all the bands that featured members of Saetia, Off Minor was definitely the best one. In fact Off Minor is ten times better than Saetia, hands down. This record is a perfect example why I think that. Fucking crazy time signatures, crazy guitar parts, awesome vocals, all without sounding cheesy and prog-rock like. All delivered by a three piece too! Also one of the most intense live bands I've seen even on their admittedly off nights they blew most bands out of the water.
OM - Variations On A Theme
Most heavy, yet most hypnotic record ever. Put this on and loose yourself for almost an hour of bass and drums, chanted vocals and nothing else. You already know this is members of Sleep, and out of the post-Sleep bands, these guys are heads above the rest. I haven't listened to God Is Good yet, but everything else they've done is perfect, so the already have more good records than High On Fire.
Orchid - Dance Tonight! Revolution Tomorrow!
Okay so I don't like this as much as Chaos Is Me, but that didn't come out in the aughts. This did, and its still one of the best "true" screamo records ever. These songs are unrelenting until the final chords of "The Cat Turned To Smoke" Which still puts chills up my spine. The vocals are insane screams, its crazy to think that guy went on to sing in Panthers. I got to see Orchid once, during their final tour in NYC and it was something that was so amazing I can't even put it into words. Oh yeah the with Combatwoundedveteran and Atom And His Package. What a weird show.
Origin - Echoes Of Decimation
I'm not a big fan of death metal, I mean I like it and all, but I don't really listen to that much of it. Mostly because it all sounds the same to me, and it really gets boring and repetitive to me a lot. That being said, this album is fucking insane. Some of the most exhaustive drumming I've ever heard on any record period. And crazy guitar work. I get dizzy listening to this. so awesome.
pg. 99 - document #8
This band is everything that I love in screamo/hardcore. Heavy as fuck, crazy fast parts, weird droning parts, 8 band members, good fucking songs. I got the pleasure of seeing them once, at a show that had an infamous pillow fight mosh that turned into nude moshing, for once I was not involved. This record is the best thing they did.
Pig Destroyer - Prowler In The Yard
Pig Destroyer is like baby's first grind band nowadays, even though they don't even play grind anymore. Their last album sucked ass, and the one before that was pretty mediocre. This album however, is so excellent it doesn't matter how lame they are now. Fast short songs, and slow heavy ones, with manic vocals and very well written lyrics. I used to got to every PD show I could. Now I don't even bother watching them if they are playing at a show I'm at (like when they played with Eyehategod in Oct). And Scott Hull has a stupid hand tattoo.
Prurient - And Still Wanting
One of my favorite discoveries in the last two years has been Prurient. I've gotten a fuck ton of his albums but this one is definitely the best. Harsh but droning, repetitive, almost catchy noise, with tortured vocals and deep heavy synth. Such a satisfying record, every time I listen to it it gets better, and thats hard for me to say nowadays, because I've become such a jaded fuck and never give anything a second chance anymore.
Realicide - Resisting The Viral Self
These guys are another recent discovery for me, and they are mind blowing. Basically if Atari Teenage Riot had the politics of Crass and they like fucked noise parts mixed in you'd get Realicide. I got to open up for them at my old college a few months ago with my noise project Wolverine Carcass (shameless plug) and they were even better live than their records. So intense, and they were only preforming for like 15 people. Nice dudes as well. This record is one of their most recent full lengths and everyone should own a copy now. right now.
Regurgitate - Carnivorous Erection
Obviously I bought this because the cover was to ridiculous to not buy it. Plus I thought their songs on one of the Relapse comps I had were sick. So I bought this and was blown away, at the time I had never heard anything like this. Heavy crusty grind with low pitched shifted vocals and songs about poop and midgets. I was the happiest 19 year old on the planet!
Revenge - Triumph.Genocide.Antichrist
Such an insane record. The first record that I knew of that i think kinda started the whole war black metal subgenre, though I'm sure I'll get so much crap for saying that from you BM cocks out there. Anyway, this is totally chaotic black metal, with super heavy bass and manic drumming and wild pitch shifted vocals. All the songs are about hating Christ in some form, which is cool with me. This also got me into collecting pretty much everything I can get my hands on that Nuclear War Now puts out, though it does help that most of their releases are excellent.
Rudimentary Peni - Archaic
This band is a perfect example of how to ager properly, i.e. don't suck even after being around for like 20 years. This EP is so heavy they sound like a new band. The riffs are just so perfectly written, abstract but simple at the same time.
Shellac - 1000 Hurts
Every time I hear Prayer to God, I can't help but get sucked in and listen to the whole album. Its just so damn good. Really strange songs that are delivered with razor thing but still heavy guitars and wierd vocals all with a minimal amount of sounds. Everything is right where it should be. Which makes sense since there are two incredible recording engineers in this band.
The Spits - The Spits
This band is like a mix of the Ramones and Devo, and ten times more fun than both IMO. The opening track on this album is so damn catchy it'll make you want to rip off your ears with pleasure. penis.
Stalaggh
This is the one time I make an exception for this band because their entire recorded output is like 10 songs total then they broke up. This is some of the most intense fucked up black noise every put to tape. It's mostly improvised featuring vocals from actual mental patients just screaming their asses off, which is very unsettling. the rest of the sounds are drones, skree and some percussion. As evil as music can get.
Street Trash - Street Trash
I got this just to try them, it's normally a 7" but my version is a sweet one sided 12" with a silk screened b-side. anyway, i'm not to fond of their other releases, but this one is amazing. It perfectly captures a band at its most intense, and in Street Trash's case, they sound like a really heavy Bad Brains. Maybe even faster than the first Bad Brains full length. so incredible. I don't know another person who has heard of these guys though. maybe someone can give me more info on them other than the fact that they have an LP and 7" other than this.
Sunn O))) - Monoliths And Dimensions
This is really Sunn O)))s best record hands down. The Sunn O))) riffs are amazing sounding and the addition of horns and choruses are spectacular. They suck live however. more words. filler. I don't want to write anymore. This is where I begin to phone it in, not like anyone is still reading.
Sutcliffe Jügend - This Is The Truth
Evil fucking music. Noise, feedback, crazy vocals about murder.
The Sword - Age Of Winters
Sweet riffs bro.
Tear It Up - Nothing To Nothing
One of the best hardcore records of the last ten years, dooy.
Tjolgtjar - Midnight Mindtrip
Fucked up black metal with a strong southern influence. Makes Nachtmystium look like pansies. The Revered can do no wrong.
Torche - Torche
Heavy and loud with soft vocals or something. Saw with Boris.
Total Fury - 13 Songs
Killer Japcore that sounds like its from DC in the 80's, insane live.
Toxic Holocaust - Evil Never Dies
Best record from this guy and everything after isn't as good. Killer thrash revival.
Tragedy - Vengence
Probably the best record of the last ten years. So catchy and well written. Best live band ever.
Twodeadsluts Onegoodfuck - Twodeadslutsonegoodfuck
More evil power electronics. Scary live.
Venetian Snares - Rossz Csillag Alatt Született
The record that got me into electronic music and breakcore. Insane intricate dance music with Hungarian classical. incredible. My other favorite record on the last ten years. Never gets old. Went to see him live once but he was going on to late.
Vital Remains - Dechristianize
Best death metal album ever. and I don't like death metal. They can't pull this off live however.
Weakling - Dead As Dreams
Sweet long trance inducing black metal from members of The Fucking Champs. I paid way to much for this only to find out a repressing was coming out.
White Mice - Blassstphlegmeice
Super heavy and noisy as fuck. Awesome costumes. Insane live.
John Wiese - Black Magic Pond
Lots of noise recorded on a tour. Intense. Crooked face.
Wold - Screech Owl
The coldest of cold black metal that is really noisy and kvlt.
World Burns to Death - Sucking The Missle Cock
Sweet D-beat with awesome vocals. like a mixture of Scandinavian and Japanese hardcore all rolled into one texas band.
Xanopticon - Liminal Space
Beyond Intricate breakcore. amazing.
Xasthur - Telepathic With The Deceased
Suicidal black metal from Mom's basement.
Zombi - Cosmos
Horror movie soundtracks. Epic.
There I'm done. Sorry for the last twenty or so, I just got really lazy, and I'm sure no one really cares anyway. Though most of my favorite records were in there. Oh well.
