[2007] Skultroll - Skultroll

Underground noise/krautrock band with ambient black metal leanings, this is as close as it gets to psychedelic kraut/black metal in the vein of Aluk Todolo (specially Descension). Amazing discovery that can't go unnoticed, this CDr material deserves more attention, even though its mastering quality is lacking a bit. Same members as Ice Bound Majesty, Skultroll is conformed solely of a bass player and a drummer.

Download it here: [224][V0]

Buy it directly from Rhesus Distribution here (contact info on the site).

[2001] Porn (The Men Of) - Experiments in Feedback

Dale Crover (Melvins, Shrinebuilder) and Tim Moss are the main members of a collab project that has been conformed by many other musicians such as Billy Anderson (Neurosis, Sleep), Masami Akita (in An The Devil Makes Three), Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth) and plenty of others. As expected, the music is slow and heavy, reminiscent at times of Melvins at their heaviest. Experiments in Feedback is their second album, which along with Wine, Women and Song is the best material they've released.


Download it here: [V0]


Buy it directly from Small Stone Recordings here (only 5 copies left!)

[1990] Už Jsme Doma - Uprostřed Slov / In The Middle Of Words (2002 Reissue)

Weirdest discovery I've made lately (a bit late, considering their fame), this czech band blends progressive rock with post-punk aesthetics and quirky lyrics in a way that resembles a bit to Sleepytime Gorilla Museum and Magma, just to mention a few easy examples. It's fun as hell to listen to, with a single listen I became obsessed with their style. It shows how a lot of music stays off the radar if one doesn't actively look for it. Give it a listen, it's just great to know how much amazing music comes out of Czech Republic judging by what I've heard.

Download it here: [V0]


Buy it directly from Amazon here.

[1997] Ved Buens Ende - Those Who Caress The Pale

Demo material of what I consider one of the most inspirational bands within metal, and pioneers of what was later known as avantgarde black metal (a blend of avant-prog/rock and black metal aesthetics). This first release, while still displaying some of the features that were later shown in Written in Waters, it also shows a different side of the band, focusing a lot in jazz melodies and avant-prog approach, with hints to Canterbury Scene prog bands like Henry Cow, even. It's also one of the first to feature long silence parts followed by noise, weird sound bits hidden in the tracklist.

Download it here: [320][V0]


Buy it directly from In and Out Records here.

[1979] Art Bears - Winter Songs

Second Art Bears album, following the stylistic approach started with Hopes and Fears (which contained the written, but unperformed Henry Cow "song-oriented" material). Highly dissonant, reactionary songs, fully exploring the vocal range of Dagmar Krause and the first glances of the avantgarde approach Fred Frith and Chris Cutler were about to fully focus into in the next decades. Not as approachable as The World As It Is Today, but it's definitely a compelling listen for these interested in early avant-prog.

Download it here: [320]

Buy it directly from Recommended Records here.

[2010] Jarboe - Primal Baroque Experiment

Latest CDr from Jarboe, composed mostly of low-key vocals with droning, dark melodies, a bit unlike her previous releases, in which her vocals and dark poetry were the main highlight. Exclusive release from her official label site..

Download it here: [320][V0]


Buy it directly from The Living Jarboe here (Product > CD/CDr).

[1997] Shallow North Dakota - This Apparatus Must Be Earthed

Another canadian noise-rock/sludge band, sadly disbanded at the moment. This is their second LP out of three released in their whole career, and in my opinion their best; it's interesting to note that the vocalist is also the drummer, which is not as common in this genre as it would be desired. Great material overall, reminds me sometimes of more recent bands like Kowloon Walled City and KEN mode (which is to be expected of the latter considering they belong to the same country scene).

Download it here: [320][V0]


Buy it directly from Sonic Unyon Records here.

[2010] Mamiffer / House of Low Culture - Uncrossing / Ice Mole

Latest release of House of Low Culture (3/4 ISIS, 1/4 Stephen O'Malley), a primarily drone-doom/field recordings band, and Mamiffer (Aaron Turner, Faith Cocciola), a post-rock/ambient project. Admittedly not much of a fan of ISIS-related works (let alone Aaron Turner), but I considered this split to be quite interesting. My favorite side is House of Low Culture's, with a rumbling, subtle bass dragging all the way until the end while the seemlingly natural, earthly sounds swirl away; but Mamiffer's side, with the slow, chilling piano is also a highlight on this split.

Download it here: [320][V0]


Buy it directly from Utech Records here.