Sensual Sounds

God how long ago it seems since the heady summer of 2003 and what great times, I was looking forward to a long break after my first year of college and the Goodlife summer fest was placed at the pinnacle of that summer break. A big crew from the UK headed out and we all met up to enjoy the likes of Congress, Liar, Die My Demon, Shai Hulud, Heaven Shall Burn, Arkangel etc, etc. It was a great line up and a great fest but one band that surprised everyone there was this mysterious Japanese entity, Naiad. They had flown out for this one show and stole the fest from pretty much all the big names present (which included The Haunted). The appearance (and release of the MCD) was one of the big factors for Goodlife on this fest, and after the performance (and then buying the MCD and listening to it after) its not hard to see why, Naiad were incredible live, pulling in pretty much everyone in attendance with their mesmeric show, which included a burning of incense (if memory serves me correctly) and hypnotic visuals before each member plunged body and soul into a half hour catharsis. Even Shai Hulud (who headlined on the same day) had a tough act to follow (but were still great) as Naiad had truly, stolen the show.

But none of this truly reveals the sound of Naiad.

Well, they managed to concoct a rich, vibrant musical tapestry that is seamless in its execution. In spite of the moments where they swing from melody to mayhem, each transition is so smooth, so lush, that it made the record finish way too quickly. At the time, the band was compared to the likes of Hopesfall and Poison The Well, two fair comparisons due to the mingling of beauty and brutality, but Naiad were no mere impersonation of those two Stateside giants, rather, they were their own, independent entity.

http://www.sendspace.com/file/rrmd0z - Naiad - Sensuous Tone

http://www.sendspace.com/file/vvj5o6 - Naiad - Believing Dreams

http://www.sendspace.com/file/bpg33g - Naiad - Waves Of Influence Strike Within What Truly Moves You

http://www.sendspace.com/file/rwwf2s - Naiad - Song Of Nature

http://www.sendspace.com/file/z7d65r - Naiad - Hopeful progress

This is still about, and there are copies here, so if you feel it, pick it up - http://revhq.com/store.revhq?Page=search&Id=ED091

Naiad unfortunately disbanded in 2006, a full CD was set for release but the band imploded due to line up problems and thus decided to cancel the release of their full length. A real shame because the potential on this MCD hinted at vast and incredible possibilities.

Still if you enjoyed this, then you should scroll down and check out Birthplace who play a similar (bit more aggressive) style and are still together.

Facing The End

Canadian hardcore. Some good bands have come from there, proving that the country isn't an anomaly when it comes to hardcore. Before the likes of Figure Four and A Death For Every Sin started tearing shit up there was the almighty Day Of Mourning who mixed up the tough east coast side with holy terror style atmospherics and feel, shit, on this EP the band even drafted in Human Furnace and Dwid for guest vocals. Whilst Day Of Mourning were adept and knowing in how to pen crushing songs, one of their most distinctive features was vocalist Fawad Bokhari, whose fearsome lungs added a more heaving weight to the songs that made them all the more crushing.

http://www.sendspace.com/file/suol92 - Day Of Mourning - Iconoclast

http://www.sendspace.com/file/456ixg - Day Of Mourning - Demons Who Wear The Same Face

http://www.sendspace.com/file/4a3xu4 - Day Of Mourning - Enshrouded In Briars

http://www.sendspace.com/file/y9ktll - Day Of Mourning - Under A Veil

http://www.sendspace.com/file/xgzyzf - Day Of Mourning - Enemy Of Angels

I grabbed this at a fest in Belgium sometime in 2002/03, I can't pinpoint exactly when, but I was lucky as it was not only the last copy available but its a record that had been (and still is) long, long out of print. I have found a copy though currently going at ebay -
http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?sofocus=bs&sbrftog=1&catref=C6&from=R10&satitle=day+of+mourning+&sacat=11233%26catref%3DC6&sargn=-1%26saslc%3D2&sadis=200&fpos=BR3+5BT&ftrt=1&ftrv=1&saprclo=&saprchi=&fsop=1%26fsoo%3D1&coaction=compare&copagenum=1&coentrypage=search

Despite the hefty tag for you stateside readers, I do feel that this is worth it, this is a rare gem that will not be reissued. Likewise if you come across their debut full length from 1998, 'Reborn As The Enemy,' or the split with Clenched Fist, then pick those up as they are both equally devastating.

Pure Brutality

Finally. I've been meaning to do a death metal post for such a long time and this is the first of several so for you death metal freaks, watch out, shits gonna start getting BrOOtal ;) So it begins with one of the underground's most obscure but beloved gems 'Drowning In Tragedy,' by the long deceased Eternal Suffering. The band began in 1994 and took their first major step with the release of the demo 'Remain Forever In Misery,' which was a primitive but viral slab of brutality. However, the progression for the material for the full length was astounding as the band managed to juxtapose deftly the brutality factor (as well as escalate it) with stunning atmosphere. Check the doomy riffs that open and then run throughout 'Let The Dark Waters Flow,' it adds so much more personality to the material and makes it much more memorable. Where Eternal Suffering excelled though was their breakdowns, absolute towering monoliths that crushed everything.

http://www.sendspace.com/file/8995q1 - Eternal Suffering - Let The Dark Waters Flow

http://www.sendspace.com/file/svaorc - Eternal Suffering - The Warmth In Her Torment

http://www.sendspace.com/file/cwp270 - Eternal Suffering - Love Can Never Conquer Hate

http://www.sendspace.com/file/gy9mat - Eternal Suffering - Rise

After the album's release in 1999 the band played numerous fests and then began work on their next batch of songs for a split with the almighty Vomit Remnants in 2000. Well for varying reasons, that split never happened (a tragedy, it would have been one of the best ever) and in 2001, the band disbanded.

Now whilst 'Drowning in tragedy,' has been long out of print and is very hard to find there is good news.

Firstly pathos productions (www.myspace.com/pathosproductions666) will be reissuing (but god knows when) the band's entire discography, in the meantime, if you really need to find a copy of the album, then hit http://www.ebay.com/.

The good news doesn't end there, the 6 tracks that were set to be featured on the split with Vomit Remnants will be reissued with some bonus material this year on the awesome Inherited Suffering (http://www.myspace.com/inheritedsufferingrecords) you can preview a track on there.

Screaming For Justice

Bloody hell this has been a fucker to get up today, clearly my pc doesn't like the 'Verses Of The Bleeding,' tunes. Minchia. Anyway, of all the 90s bands that I have become most obsessed with, Abnegation rank near the top, due to the rumours and stories that this band have caused because of their music, because of their politics and because of their history. Whenever I have quizzed anyone about Abnegation, I have received a cast iron opinion, that is either one of praise or one of sheer hatred. In regards to the latter, the reasoning stems from this due to their views as well as the absolute abomination of a full length that they released in 1997, even though I, like many others, don't consider that album as the true Abnegation. Hence, this post features cuts from their golden days and from the full length so that a fair balance is maintained but also to show the (not progression, far from it) the direction the band took in their twilight period.

'Extinguish The Sickness,' is one of my favorite 7 inches. The amount of times I have spun it now even surprises me, more so if the queasy feeling of excitement that enters my stomach each time a song starts. On this release the band had excelled from their demo 'Life For A Life,' which was bestowed with a sincere energy but lacked quality songs. For 'Extinguish,' they took the raw materials from the demo and unearthed (probably from the depths of hell) some of the hardest riffs, poignant lyrics and punishing beats from the mid 90s. Fuck. If only this band could have got a good deal and released a proper full length at this time...

http://www.sendspace.com/file/ryds04 - Abnegation - Birthright


http://www.sendspace.com/file/fb20lx - Abnegation - Siphon


http://www.sendspace.com/file/fi6aua - Abnegation - Extinguish The Sickness


http://www.sendspace.com/file/dz9dvz - Abnegation - In The Eye Of The Storm

'In The Eye Of The Storm,' was actually the second track on this 7 inch, but the version I have included here appeared on the 7 Inch of the same name released by Enigmatic records in 1995. Musically it is of the same ilk as the 3 other cuts but with the 'harsher,' vocals that Iggy employed for the remainder of their releases with him on the mic.

I have seen 'Extinguish The Sickness,' on www.ebay.com a lot recently, so keep watching there for it.

Now, that abominable full length. 'Verses Of The Bleeding,' reared its ugly head in 1997 and by this time, the line up had drastically changed. Vocal duties were handled by Dave Steele after Iggy left and Doug Corey became the band's sole guitarist after Paul Nowoczynski jumped ship. The notable progression that the band choose here was to gorge and overdose on their metal influences and to eradicate any trace of their former 'core,' self. What was left was a sludgy, primal and very primitive. The tracks that had began to earmark this progression were also featured (but re-recorded) here, one of them being 'Hopes Of Harmony,' one of my favorite Abnegation songs but was completely desecrated for this full length.

Anyway, make your own minds up,

http://www.sendspace.com/file/z8kp8l - When The Smoke Clears

http://www.sendspace.com/file/9x1605 - Verses Of The Bleeding

http://www.sendspace.com/file/rb7ave - Hopes Of Harmony (Horrible Version)

http://www.sendspace.com/file/ufobxl - Cry Of The Ezurate

If you do like this record, then it is readily available for a cheapo price here - http://www.verydistro.com/moreinfo.aspx?id=1021.

Let me know

If anything is broken. I have added my email if you want to get in touch, but if anything does break (like the Caliban songs), let me know!!! And Nick, there you go my friend, the whole Caliban EP is now back up, enjoy and thanks for the comment ;) !!!

No longer a joke...

Reaching back into the folds of memory, I recall that when my interest for black metal began to ferment (around 1999/2000), American bands weren't held in the highest regard. Granted, there weren't very many of them, but those that were operating simply couldn't hold a candle to their European peers.

Post 2000, this began to change when artists as diverse, not to mention classy, such as Weakling, Leviathan, Xasthur, Nachtmystium and legions more, commenced a bloody crusade to not only establish credibility for American black metal but show their peers that they could create their own sound which didn't rely or attempt to mimic that of Europe.

Be it the psychedelic blackened other worldliness of Leviathan and Xasthur or the grandiose brutality of Weakling, the releases by these bands (and others) have become staples as well as hallmarks of the black metal genre. Furthermore, the likes of Xasthur have gone on to cause controversy by switching labels, being 'appreciated,' by trendy rags and declaring all out war on pretty much everyone that has tried to halt or demean the band's progress. This confirms that USBM no longer has to look over its shoulder to examine what's going on in Europe, they can look to trace their own path without that need to acknowledge (or in fact respect) their peers.

One of the strongholds of USBM is the West Coast, both where Leviathan and Xasthur reside but also the focus of this post, Fanisk. Like their contemporaries (especially Weakling and Velvet Cocoon) Fanisk are shrouded in mystery, the members choosing pseudonyms and numerically titling their pieces. The music itself is even more mystically. Each piece if a vast, ambitious canvas that works within but more so beyond the constituents and constraints of black metal. The result is that each song is an ominous but enticing beast, fluctuating and oscillating through various moods, riffs and melodies but always coalescing poignantly so that coherence is maintained.

http://www.sendspace.com/file/v110lv - Fanisk - I

http://www.sendspace.com/file/mxzgzw - Fanisk - II

Locating this one is not going to be easy, I suggest to try the band directly www.myspace.com/fanisk to see if they have any copies left. I know that http://www.supernalmusic.com/ had some copies but I fear they have disappeared. Otherwise, you can consult http://www.ebay.com/ to see if any copies arise.

There's chugging and then there's Another Victim...

Yet another monster from Syracuse (I should have done a weekly feature on these bands) and one that certainly could have become as notorious (although perhaps not as famous) as the scene gods, Earth Crisis, they had that much potential.

Whereas the likes of Green Rage, Contempt and Soulstice (as well as many others of the Syracuse Vanguard) had 1 or at a push 2 significant releases (excluding demos), Another Victim where constantly releasing material, even if the most at any one time was 6 songs (the Equal Vision EP). Their first significant release was this, their debut from 1997 on none other then Stillborn Records. Damn, if only Jamie had the budget and resources that he had now, who knows what Another Victim could have gone on to release.

At just shy of 12 minutes, this EP shows Another Victim at their juiciest, each riff is a smoldering firestorm of a pure metallic fury, intensified by Andrew's gut wrenching bark. Every track moves so quickly with none topping more then 3 minutes. In spite of the brevity their is a unique character weaved into each song, making it distinguishable and memorable but as always frustrating because they are so addictive and often leave me pleading for more...

http://www.sendspace.com/file/73ny08 - Another Victim - Martyr

http://www.sendspace.com/file/xpeo5k - Another Victim - The Undertaker

http://www.sendspace.com/file/7rlqt0 - Another Victim - Ritual Of Decay

http://www.sendspace.com/file/3vbn6x - Another Victim - Trial For A Waste Of Life

http://www.sendspace.com/file/q78jte - Another Victim - A Portrayal Of Vengeance

Well, this is another record that is long out of print, only one place to look people - www.ebay.com

Still Striking Back...

Better late then never.

Well, here is the second part of the Resurrection comp tracks as promised and as with part 1, the quality and variation is still very high. The latter part of the disc though features two of the 168/178's more unusual artists, these being Eric (named after Unbroken's guitarist, Eric Allen, nice touch I thought), and Unboy (who also sound a little like Unbroken, especially musically) but coupled with Unboy and Eric are two bands that typify the expected (but not typical per se) Japanese sound, these being Canopus (awesome mix of Arkangel and Children Of Gaia) and God's Heritage (one of my fave Japanese bands, now broken up :(.
So enjoy,

http://www.sendspace.com/file/w7j3ym - Eric - Education Of The Arrow

http://www.sendspace.com/file/p7jtgj - Canopus - Born II Die

http://www.sendspace.com/file/6pcy7z - Unboy - Hold Kindled Truth

http://www.sendspace.com/file/g2rm9n - God's Heritage - Traditional Evangel

Again, if you want a copy of the CD (and why wouldn't you???) then hit xHirox up directly at www.retributionnetwork.com, but, I have heard that copies of this will be soon available at www.verydistro.com, so the choice, is yours!

More metal than your ma's...

Mix tapes. Remember those? God I do miss them. There was a point from 99 until 2001 where I made so many of them for people (and like wise, them for me) and I would spend so much free time carefully collating a good mix, balancing it and then setting to the task of conceiving it, but now, fuggedhaboudit, damn IPOD'S and you cretins on soulseek, you've ruined it.

The type of mix tapes I received from people varied, thinking back some of the mixes I got…anyway, I digress, one of my favourites was from Mark of Downtrodden in 2001 (now Hellbent Diehard, fuckin check these mofos out, they are seriously lethal, www.myspace.com/hellbentdiehard), who dedicated one side to new school/metalcore and the other side to death/grind. That tape was run ragged, played all the time in my car and it served as a source for new bands, to track down their releases which leads to the focal point of this post, Aftershock.

The track from that comp (Nothing) hit me hard, and began to dig around to find info on the band discovering that 3/5 of them had gone into Killswitch Engage so, wasting little time (as always) I ordered whatever I could find and awaited for the precious package to arrive. At the time, the only CD to be found was their sophomore effort 'Through The Looking Glass,' but no sign of this track 'Nothing.' Further digging let me discover that there had been another full length, this monster, 'Letters,' released on xLifesentencex, but tracking the bastard down has taken until now to do so.

Damn this was a record that was so prototypical, sowing seeds that would be ripped from the ground in the years to come but, in spite of the sheer mass of bands now playing metalcore, none have the sound, the atmosphere of Aftershock. This comes down to two salient factors, the fearsome vocals of Tobias and the cast iron riffs of Adam D.

Now whatever you think of the latter (he certainly doesn't help his personal self image by declaring how he is going to anally rape people's mothers and daughters whilst playing live with KSE), his talent for writing riffs is immense. 'Letters,' showcases some of his finest, they are volatile, they brim with a potent energy that make speakers rumble. Yet, despite their ferocity and intensity, they are so instantly memorable and thoroughly addictive that I have often found myself continuously gorging on Aftershock for days.

So see what you think, and tell me what you feel about the changes in style between Aftershock and KSE, I know that there are variables such as label, popularity and what not that have affected this, but I like to see an open dialogue on how people feel about these changes,

http://www.sendspace.com/file/ogm5mu - Aftershock - Nothing

http://www.sendspace.com/file/xu4xq7 - Aftershock - Divest Your Entity

http://www.sendspace.com/file/fho5fg - Aftershock - Apparitional State

Now, 'Letters,' was reissued as part of a double CD set with all of Aftershock's other material a few years ago, dubbed as 'Propaganda,' which you can still find here, http://revhq.com/store.revhq?Page=search&Id=DHR11


But, if you desire the original pressing, only one place to look peeps - www.ebay.com

I'm not dead...

Sorry sorry sorry, but things have been way too intense here, what with chalking up another year on terra firma, family issues, ordeals and problems and the fact that I've got a mate coming tomorrow and staying until Wednesday has seen me slacken with the blog, so sorry peeps, there will be a post today (maybe 2), so keep coming back, there will be an update ;)

Darkness surrounds...

Despite this theme is constantly recurring, I'll stress it one more time, the mid 90s was a brilliant time for music and although I had no part in the world of hardcore during that time (admittedly, I wish I had been born 10 years earlier, then I would have seen our (Italy) World Cup Victory in 82 as well) the more research I have done and the more stories told to me endear me all the more. However, one prominent premise that has arisen to me is that whilst the mid 90s was a great period and produced some extremely powerful, profound music, it is a frustrating period that had many great bands that didn't get the opportunity to fully demonstrate what they could have and should have done.

Tons of my favourite bands from that era were unable to release much material, of course there were the lucky ones, if you were signed to Victory, you had a chance of getting out at least one full length. But for the legions of bands that expired after a demo and a 7-inch, I lament and wish you had stayed together! However, I recognize and respect that there are variables that would have a siginifcant influence on the fate of a band, such as money (lack there of), member drop outs, member conflicts of interest etc etc etc. But I do often wonder whether bands such as Contempt and the countless others would have been able to sustain themselves if they had gone beyond 2 albums, whether they would have absorbed the most despicable trends of that time and marketed them as a 'progression.'

This is all speculative though, but it does pain me to have to ration the music by bands like Contempt, simply because, I love it so much that it could end up being played all the time. This would then lead to the CD becoming 'un-listenable.' Due to every detail being memorized, every beat imprinted so that when it hits it causes a synchronized tap or kick to coincide with it.

The music to be found on 'One Justice,' is pretty much how I imagined it to be due to the label it was released on ( www.xcatalystx.com), the time it was recorded and released (late 90s) and the band's location (Syracuse, need I say more??). Featuring one of my all time favourite songs (the title track), for little more then half an hour, Contempt brutally confront metallic hardcore, questioning the style's integrity, reminding it of its initial intent, of its initial essence and feeling,

http://www.sendspace.com/file/hgmjna - Contempt - One Justice

http://www.sendspace.com/file/3btsmu - Contempt - When Darkness Falls

http://www.sendspace.com/file/60s6mn- Contempt - Casualty Of War

http://www.sendspace.com/file/t3012g - Contempt - Burn

It's such a shame they couldn't have continued this.

Now this badboy is still in print, there are copies here http://www.verydistro.com/and here, www.xcatalystx.com/store.

From The Depths...

How does the man do it? Seriously, Justin K Broadrick is a goddamn machine. As if conceiving some of the most godly music in his primary musical vehicle, Godflesh, wasn't enough, he has also worked in and instigated equally powerful and challenging music in a series of side projects. One of the best being the mysterious but totally captivating, God, a nine man ensemble that featured Kevin Martin (Techno Animal, Pathological Records), John Zorn (Mr Bungle, Naked City), and not one, not two but three bassists (one being a double bass). The result was not simply a record, it was a musical world, drenched in the horrors of urban decay, urban struggle and urban depression.

I feel that words cannot really encompass the immensity of this band, you have to hear it for yourselves,

http://www.sendspace.com/file/7pxs9c - God - Fucked

http://www.sendspace.com/file/3g49ur - God - Lord I'm On My Way

In terms of the band's background, they debuted in 1990 with a 12 inch entitled 'Breach Birth,' then followed that up with 'Loco,' on Martin's label, but for this record, they somehow secured a deal with Virgin records, I wonder if Richard Branson was even aware of this investment?? And if anyone has any details, or stories related to this band, please, please, let me know!!! The band would go onto release one more hellish full length 'The Anatomy Of Addiction,' in 1994, and again, it was another cold, alien blast of primal human emotions that stupefied as much as it intrigued.

Unfortunately, as this record has become horribly out of print, it has also attached seriously inflated prices on the likes of http://www.ebay.com/ and the marketplace at http://www.amazon.com/, however I do recommend this record, so keep your eyes peeled on those outlets for a cheaper copy to come along, or perhaps a better move would be to root among the bargain bins in your local record stores...???

Striking Back With The New School Fury...

In theory, a compilation is an excellent concept but often in execution they fall short due to three salient factors. The first being that the tracks featured are usually (but admittedly not always) to be found on another release by the artist. Secondly, if there is a track on there that you haven’t already heard, chances are its so half baked that only the most fanatical of fans will look to own it. The final, and surely most condemning factor that plagues the compilation is consistency, if there are say, 16 to 20 tracks, how many of those are really going to be good, but more so, how many of those 16 to 20 artists are you actually going to like? Maybe 50%, and that’s if your lucky.

Now believe it or not, through the years, there have been some good compilations, such as the first two East Coast Assault collections, the Animal Truth compilation (which is so out of print, if anyone has a copy they are willing to part with, hit me up) and one known as ‘The Document,’ which emerged from Japan a few years ago. All of these (and many others) were eclipsed when this disc, fittingly titled ‘The Resurrection,’ was bought forth in 2005 and has stood as one of the best played, burned and enjoyed discs in my collection, that shows not only how good it is, but how addictive it can be.

Giving 9 bands two cuts each helps with the disc’s continuity, and even though the running time clocks in at just over 75 minutes, the quality never lets up and most importantly, the majority of the material here is exclusive to this compilation ( post release, some of the songs have gone to be featured on band’s other releases, the only exceptions though are God’s Heritage, Shiver and Canopus, however the latter 2 put out rougher versions, not the crisp, clinical cuts found here).

As you have no doubt ascertained, there is a pattern emerging with the type of Japanese bands being featured here, once again, these bands are all from the notorious 168/178 area of Tokyo and all specialize (be it in different areas) in recreating the new school sounds of mid to late 90s hardcore from both Europe and the States but as mentioned in previous posts, these bands take these foundations, modernize them and then build upon them. Take the opening cut from The Ten Commandments, their demo was total Sentence/From The Dying Sky worship and admittedly, tones of those bands linger in their newer material, but in this incarnation the band are far more bestial, far more intense and far more metal. The Ten Commandments cites Malevolent Creation as an influence and that is apparent here as their two tracks have strong ties to the first 3 MC releases (interesting to note that the band was once called Eve Of The Apocalypse).

Following that opening blitzkrieg comes The Fortress, who, despite the reference to a certain vegan band from Syracuse don’t entirely sound like them. On the contrary, this is how Earth Crisis should have sounded when they recorded Slither instead of the nu-metal abomination it turned out to be. Moving back into a more metal direction is the considerably vehement Extinguish The Fire, who have progressed considerably from their primitive beginnings where they sounded like a very slowed down Sentence. Now they are an intricate maelstrom of new school metallic fury, and trust, this shit rips live.

The final two tracks I have enclosed here from Shiver and Blood Calls We Die, the former is one of the more well known Japanese bands sounding like a more threatening, angrier version of Abnegation. Strangely, Blood Calls We Die sound more like their Godfather’s Statecraft here (particularly from their ‘Until The Darkness Is Gone,’ MCD) but I do hear some other slight influences buzzing underneath, particularly that of the Italian Vegan overlords xAbsencex.


So see what you think,

http://www.sendspace.com/file/dosdxz - The Ten Commandments - Seven Cardinal Sins

http://www.sendspace.com/file/llcax6 - The Fortress - Burn It All

http://www.sendspace.com/file/pli3el - Extinguish The Fire - Absolutely Nobody Freedom

http://www.sendspace.com/file/jnxt5m - Shiver - The Compassion

http://www.sendspace.com/file/amlk5w - Blood Calls We Die - Reveal The Truth

What I decided to do with this one was to break it into 2 posts, so the second part of the Resurrection will published early next week, giving you enough time to fully digest what is on offer here.

As far as I know this one is still readily available, so hit up www.retributionnetwork.com for a copy.

Turning Back East...

Coming from the same scene as Statecraft, Birthplace are one of the older bands from the 168/178 area of Tokyo. Like the aforementioned scene Godfathers, the latter has progressed incredibly from their primitive beginnings. Early Birthplace was much like the formative years of a child, they had energy, bundles of it in fact and they had a sense of direction but one that was fraught with distraction. This often lead to them losing their composition and form in their early material, thus making the impact less significant and their music not as strong as it should have been. However, through patience, perseverance and countless shows and practices they have blossomed into one of the finer and certainly more elegant Japanese bands on this, their first proper full length 'Ameliorate.'

The catalyst of this manifestation of elegance has been through Birthplace's masterful command of melody within their pieces. Whereas the majority of the 168/178 bands tend to not overly indulge with melody, (Endzweck being the one other exception together with Birthplace), this command that Birthplace possess stands as one of their most distinctive qualities. Their approach echoes (but doesn't mirror directly) that of Shai Hulud, a band that most will know, are exceptional in their utilization of melodic elements in that they create an entire sound where melody is rooted within. Likewise Birthplace are able to, like Hulud, immerse their melodies so that they are not an external connection to the music but are wholly integrated to become a key component of the musical flow. Another asset to Birthplace is their vocalist, Knight. His powerful bellow is somehow able to naturally fit into whatever stage the music moves to, be it a moment of calm introspection or brute force, never once sounding unnatural or forced,

http://www.sendspace.com/file/9pm0ny - Birthplace - From The Neverending

http://www.sendspace.com/file/utupby - Birthplace - Not Wither

http://www.sendspace.com/file/90861i - Birthplace - Swell the Bliss

http://www.sendspace.com/file/8xcy6b - Birthplace - On Oath

Seeing Birthplace last year at the Bloodaxe fest in Tokyo was incredible, their songs were already extremely vibrant on CD, but live it was an inferno and the small room convulsed with excitement throughout their way too brief set

Tracking down a copy of this record is not only worth it but shouldn't be overtly taxing, try the band's site here - www.myspace.com/birthplace or hit up http://www.retributionnetwork.com/ and ask xHirox if he has any copies or can get you one.

Things Take A Turn...

Well, I'm really honoured and extremely delighted to announce that I will be joining the ranks of the extremly awesome www.digitalmetal.com, look out for my first reviews in the next weeks, I cannot wait, this will not be having an impact on No Need To Belong, it will be still updated on a regular basis.

Sworn To The Black

Pulling a late one here, I try not to work on this on weekends but as I am now facing a back log of posts which are fast piling up, I thought I'd get this treat out before resuming the regular schedule tomorrow.

This release typifies my current mood, its groggy, groaning, miserable and very edgy, you'd think by now, nearly being 24, I'd be able to withstand at least one really late night a week, but no, my body still seems to be unable to give me the luxury of a lay in to recuperate and enjoy my Sunday in a comfortable, ma la vita va cosi...

Now as stressed in the previous black metal post on Ohtar, I adore the suicidal, depressive black metal that took root through Burzum's first 4 records, now whilst also having a great affection for the more merciless, ripping black metal out there, the artists that create this noise is what really affects me, what really connects with me. Now Wigrid's debut album reared its ugly head back around 2002/2003 on the awesome http://www.no-colours-records.de/, my gut tells me it came out in 2002, but it took me a long time to get my hands on a copy. It was worth the wait, like its kindred spirits coming out at the time, i.e. Xasthur, Leviathan et al, Hoffnungstod was bleak, dirgey and horribly misanthropic. The German lyrics and tongue add to the morbid feeling of the record I can only speculate what Ulfhednir was wretchedly cursing but as German is one of the heavier (if not the heaviest) European language, I can imagine that his lyrics were filled, in fact, crammed with utterly hateful annunciations of mankind.

So if you can speak German, maybe you could validate my assumption here, otherwise, simply feel the darkness,

http://www.sendspace.com/file/m8200u - Wigrid - Die Entstehung

http://www.sendspace.com/file/mf2vnm - Wigrid - Schreie Der Verzweiflung

I find this record a good accompaniment for reading, not as background music but to enhance my concentration and immersion within the material, (its helping me overcome the novels of Proust, a truly toiling (but worthy) effort that require you integrate yourself into Proust's world so that you can comprehend it but also so you don't switch off from it because it is detailed).

Now this record is readily available from the label, and http://www.aquariusrecords.org/ is still listing it here, http://www.aquariusrecords.org/bin/search.cgi.

The Blast From The North

Canvas were a pretty crazy band. Whether it was their demographic lodging that was responsible for this (they were from Leeds you know...) or they were just a little maladjusted, little can explain the outright insanity of their releases. This CD was a collection of sorts, compiling early EPS that were recorded by the erratic Dave Chang, but as Andrew mentioned in his Decimate post on his blog (http://www.aversionline.com/, check that shit people), when that guy got his production job on the spot, it was crushing, just as it is here.

Despite this, and the quality of the material here, this has to be one of the most frustrating CDs that I have in my collection. Of the 10 tracks listed on the CD, 3 are noisy, and in my view, superfluous skits, that add absolutely nothing to the flow of the material, there are just there. Furthermore, another track is a slight remix of the first track featured here, so in the end, there are only 6 actual tracks to enjoy here and that's no way near enough. The quality of the material then heightens the sense of travesty and annoyance as these tracks are complete monsters, crammed to the rim with slamming, not to mention razor sharp riffs, which have a glorious crunch that is potently bought forth through the recording. Then there's the vocalist, maronna santa, if that guy is even able to put together a sentence today I'd be surprised, the damage he must have done to his vocal chords,

http://www.sendspace.com/file/uhwbs4 - Canvas - Unworthy Of Perfection

http://www.sendspace.com/file/oajyxx - Canvas - Last Prayer For Judas

http://www.sendspace.com/file/242qj8 - Canvas - Unworthy Version 6.66

For some reason, I never saw Canvas. I knew they were around but I only heard about them upon the follow up full length Lost In Rock's release. That record saw Canvas metamorphosis into something totally different to the band here, exploring some very peculiar tangents and writing songs that were again, demented. Some of the nastiness from their early incarnation remained but was restricted and reduced in presence, replaced by longer more elaborate songs. Although I appreciated the bravery Canvas had to make Lost In Rock, even today, six years since I bought the two records together, I still can't decide whether I actually like that CD, especially when measured up to this.

Now this is readily available, and for stupid prices (1 cent), as is Lost In Rock, so if you like it, get that shit in your collection, http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_m/104-4492477-3459918?url=search-alias%3Dpopular&field-keywords=canvas.

Tracing the roots...

Tracking the mutation of a record label is an interesting endeavor, it can often give one a map or perhaps a better word is a snapshot of a musical environment from a given time. For example Equal Vision was one of the best hardcore labels, and I feel there is no need to do a laundry list of the various luminaries that graced their roster during the 90s and early 2000s. The fact that Equal Vision is now so far removed from hardcore stimulates two hypothesis in my mind. Either they felt that the scene and the bands were on the verge of becoming stagnant and decided to jump ship before the rot set in too thickly, hence their shift in focus to indie/experimental/alt bands. Or they felt that hardcore wasn't generating enough capital and felt that it was time to change their portfolio to save the label.

Perhaps its a little of both or perhaps I'm completely off the mark but one thing I will say in Equal Vision's defence is that they have always looked to sign bands that were distinctive and doing something a little different, and not just sign any old shite (not that I like all of their recent signings). Secondly, they have maintained their excellent aesthetic values with packaging (which really begin to evolve in the late 90s with seminal examples by Converge and Bane). Anyway, as per usual, I'm digressing here, my point here is that labels (like bands) change, and whilst this observation isn't the most astute, what I find interesting is the level of change that a label undergoes. To contextualize my Equal Vision example, lets take a label such as Relapse. Now, Relapse have focused on metal of the extreme nature since its inception, and whilst they have been broadening their palette in recent years, they do tend to stick to music that they know, that they are comfortable with and that is inherently metal but most importantly is inherently Relapse. Whereas Equal Vision have all but abandoned the music that they began with (although I realize that they have recently acquired Modern Life Is War).

This brings me to a label that I have been fascinated by in its shift of musical portfolio, Eulogy, who have gone from releasing New School/Emotional Metallic Hardcore and Emo to focusing purely on tough, moshy bands such as Shattered Realm, Hoods, Bury Your Dead etc, etc, etc!
I have been monitoring Eulogy's activity since around 2000 and became infatuated with the label through the releases by Red Roses For A Blue Lady and then a little later with Unearth and This Day Forward. Whilst in Belgium in 2002, someone (I cannot for the life of me remember who) told me about Upheaval, that I had to hear them and especially the first MCD, released by...you guessed it, Eulogy.

Perhaps not as heralded as some of the other vegan straight edge bands of the time (particularly Day Of Suffering and Morning Again), Upheaval do deserve recognition and credit for the style of music they were playing. They had a really strong grasp and blended well the new school hardcore with tints and hints of black and death metal, so see what you think,

http://www.sendspace.com/file/2qlt0t - Upheaval - Forced Into Extinction

http://www.sendspace.com/file/k9zy27 - Upheaval - Suffering Of The Masses

http://www.sendspace.com/file/g0e65t - Upheaval - The Descending Path

http://www.sendspace.com/file/j78kai - Upheaval - Blood Ritual

http://www.sendspace.com/file/43nngz - Upheaval - Abhorrent Traditions

They would become even more metal on the following full length (which was also brilliant), Testimony To The Atrocities on the very metal, Willowtip.

Both of the Upheaval releases are long out of print, so it pains me to once again offer http://www.ebay.com/ as your first source for looking, I searched around the main distros but came became empty handed I'm afraid, hence why I have posted the whole MCD up here, so enjoy!

Scroll Down cuz

All mp3s from the first 2 posts are back now, so get downloadin and leavin feedback for Above All and Loyal To The Grave ;)

The Search For Sleep

Some time ago I developed the tendency that unless I put music on before going to sleep, I will lay awake half the night trying real hard to do so. Of course there have been times when I have attempted to do so, and even when my fatigue was so potent that my body just ached to sleep, I simply couldn't, not without music. Strange, but also amusing how we develop these needs, these dependencies and habits. However, to make the quandary even more of an ordeal, I find that I can only fall asleep to certain types of music. If its of the hardcore or metal genealogy, forget it, sleep will be nigh on possible to achieve, it has to be something gentler, more soothing, enter Jessica Bailiff.

Again, another Kranky gem, this gorgeous siren released a pair of ethereal records in 98 and 99, these being 'Even In Silence,' and the one featured here, 'Hour Of The Trace.' To me these have remained her finest work, although I have thoroughly enjoyed her last 2 records, and her collaborative project Clear Horizon with Dave Pearce (of the totally brilliant Flying Saucer Attack) from 2003. Still, those first 2 records, have endeared me the most through the years and have often been a popular choice when deciding what record is needed to lull me into slumber.

Musically, Bailiff occupied a fine line between gentle acoustic driven material and lush, shoe gazing drifts ala My Bloody Valentine and other early 90s luminaries such as Ride, Slowdive et al. 'Toska,' is one of her most beautiful songs that she has ever written, its glacial tones cradle and carry her voice which is buried amid minimal strumming. The spirit of My Bloody Valentine duly possesses the bones of 'After Hours,' a drugged out mantra that stealthily slides throughout its duration whilst Bailiff's voice again lingers in the ether of the track's drones. The final track I have chosen here, 'Amnesia,' is a stumbling search through the fabrics of time itself, Bailiff sounds encased inside the ghostly guitar melodies as if she herself is looking to recover her memory.

Now you decide whether my descriptions resemble the music,

http://www.sendspace.com/file/s4nt4y - Jessica Bailiff - Toska

http://www.sendspace.com/file/f5p7cw - Jessica Bailiff - After Hours

http://www.sendspace.com/file/fw8gko - Jessica Bailiff - Amnesia

All of Bailiff's records (and the Clear Horizon record, which if you like this, then I recommend) are readily available (and through paypal) here, http://www.kranky.net/, and there are some used copies here, http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_m/104-1758773-0703147?url=search-alias%3Dpopular&field-keywords=Jessica+Bailiff+.

Her last record 'Feels Like Home,' came out last year, four years after the self titled, hopefully she will bring forth more ghostly tales soon.

Slowly but surely

It's all coming together now, I'd just like to thank those who have posted thus far, its greatly appreciated and interesting to hear your thoughts! Keep em coming and don't hold back, I want to hear all your views ;)

Got some good stuff uploaded for this week, so hold tight, and I am still toying with this blogger layout, so that will be changing too!!!

I forgot to say this earlier, my first two posts are missing some tunes, so these will be going back up either tonight or first thing tomorrow!

The Sickness Will End

This has been one of the most elusive records (another one right?) that I have sought in recent times. Although the search was not as lengthy as that for the Caliban EP (or as costly) I finally managed to acquire but I finally managed to acquire a copy and am delighted to post it and more importantly, share it here. When the package containing the CD arrived I was consumed with excitement (lucky me, the package also featured other rarities such as the first Soulstice 7 inch, the Prevail 7 inch and the first Aftershock CD ahhhhhhhhh). So after gleefully ripping through the parcel I was bound to be confronted with that queasy, unwelcome feeling in the stomach known as disappointment.

But why? Especially as the CD hadn't even been played yet.

Firstly it was in a cardboard sleeve, now I cannot stress this enough but I detest, actually, I loathe cardboard sleeves. Secondly, upon scanning the track list I immediately noted that two of the songs I'd already heard (these being from the decidedly more metallic and heavier full length 'Deeper Than Blood' which followed). Upon regaining my composure from these unexpected (read unwanted) surprises, I deemed it best to play it, to see if it would be ending up on eBay at the moment.

From the first riff, this thought vanished and a smile returned to my face, thinking 'why did I question that the music would be anticlimactic?', and thus, since its day of arrival, 'The Sickness Must End,' has been glued to my CD player, itunes etc. This EP was typical of the mid 90s xLifesentencex output, i.e. heavy handed hardcore, with a healthy presence of hefty metallic crunch and song writing that was utterly infectious and became lodged within the grey matter instantly.

So, see what you think,

http://www.sendspace.com/file/ua5ico -xClearx - Acetone

http://www.sendspace.com/file/fbnwbm - xClearx - Fuel

http://www.sendspace.com/file/veg4t1 - xClearx - Falling Into Ashes

http://www.sendspace.com/file/oyxh9p - xClearx - Lust

http://www.sendspace.com/file/pc42nj - xClearx - Fire Walk With Me

Sadly I know very little of this band and what became of them, I did hear that they recently played a reunion show this year but whether they will reform is unknown. What I do know is that the aforementioned full length that preceded this EP was released on Stillborn records. The two songs here present on that release were 'Falling Into Ashes,' and 'Fire Walk With Me.' Again as mentioned above 'Deeper Than Blood,' was far heavier, strapped with far more vicious riffs and vocals and was overall injected with an unhealthy metallic dosage thus pushing it quite far away from the foundations laid down here.

However, like this EP, 'Deeper Than Blood,' is very elusive and a chore to find, so unfortunately I have to resort to recommending that you watch http://www.ebay.com/, but if your in Europe, or if you don't mind paying a little for it (if your Stateside), then you can try this http://www.pyrrhus.be/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=180846.

But I warn you, this Belgian distro sometimes lists items that they don't have, or that they sell before fulfilling your order, 80% of the time they are reliable and are very friendly but seeing as its a two man operation, I can see how an order can get neglected, so perhaps it would be best to contact them in advance before putting that order in.

The only other alternative I can offer in finding the full length or the EP is to track down Dan Gump, the owner of xLifesentencex, the problem is that the label site has been down for some time, so maybe you could stalk him out on myspace (if your really that desperate...).

How the mighty fall

I wanted to do this straight after the show Caliban played last Friday but time constraints have restricted me from doing so, but better a little late then never and the show is still fresh in my mind.

Caliban were an important band for me, back when I was beginning to discover the more underground metallic hardcore bands at the start of this decade, they were one that I become enamoured with instantly. Thanks to 'Vent,' 'Small Boy and a Grey Heaven,' and the split with Heaven Shall Burn, they fast became one of my favorites and then when I saw them in 2002, first in London then at the Stormfest in Belgium they solidified their position in my eyes as one of the best European bands.

But what the hell happened? They have managed to sully their reputation and everything they worked for in the past 3 years by releasing terrible albums, desecrating their older material on the second split with Heaven Shall Burn (which if you bought solely for the Caliban material...look I aint going there, I'll just say that it wasn't good), and have become more increasingly sterile, lifeless and above all painful to watch each time they play live. Case in point being said show show last Friday in London with Bleeding Through and All Shall Perish (who smashed it), where for the entirety of their set, I was left wondering A) why does this band continue, and B) why am I here watching this? I stayed to banter with some old heads and call out for old songs but after the final song being I made a swift exit from the venue, trying not to get swamped by the amount of excess hair flopping around from the dodgy toni & guy haircuts.

In spite of these ill feelings towards the current Caliban, it doesn't stop me from regularly spinning their material up to and including 'Shadow Heats.' For years though, one record eluded me, one that I couldn't profess to owning and one that I always wanted to have so that I could complete their golden period. So the above rant has been a precursor to the real focus of this post, the self titled EP from 1998. Tracking this bastard down has not been easy nor economical, thanks to http://www.ebay.de/ I finally managed to do so this year thus ending years of searching and years of frustration (once I thought I had found it but when the package arrived, it was another Caliban, one that played Celtic folk and with the worst cover art ever...).

Of all of their output, this EP is certainly their most visceral, bestial and direct, its hard to believe that the same man who now strains 'WHERE IS YOUR LOVE???' was responsible for the demented shrieking found here. Musically this is mid 90s new school hardcore bastardized and defiled, made even more intense and destructive but also coursing throughout the EP's duration is a very sinister atmosphere and feel of the material. At times they remind me of Abnegation here especially the 7 inch that band released on xcatalystx.

Check it,

http://www.sendspace.com/file/zia1bf - Caliban - One More Lie

http://www.sendspace.com/file/ngoyrb- Caliban - Sophisticated

http://www.sendspace.com/file/ap257c - Caliban - Empty Silence

http://www.sendspace.com/file/brev3o - Caliban - Ignorance

http://www.sendspace.com/file/wclul0 - Caliban - Sick

http://www.sendspace.com/file/h5wpz1 - Caliban - One Day

Although it has been elusive to me for many years, http://www.ebay.de/ is definitely the best place to source it, I have seen 3 copies of it go on there this year, so even though there were apparently only 1000 copies made, they are out there in circulation, it just depends if you want to pay the hefty price...

In terms of Caliban's future, I presume they will continue producing the material that has been present on their past 3 releases, they announced at the show that a new album is all set for April, where vocalist Andy declared that it will be 'kick ass metal.' No doubt there will be metal, no doubt it will be heavy, but whether it will 'kick ass,' is another matter, rest assured, I won't be itching to find out.

Digging your grave

It's funny how bands change, be it in a respectful manner or to merely cash in on a record buying public who will consume and listen to any old shite. But what's even more amusing is how some of us will stay with a band through thick and then, defending them, naively believing that the next record will be better, a return to the roots, while the others or the realists as I like to call them flee screaming blasphemed remarks and uttering sworn vows to relinquish any association with said band and never ever listen to them again. A few times during my life I have threatened to do so, particularly with the likes of 18 Visions and Caliban who have pushed my patience and granted I hate their newer material and can't stomach seeing them live, but, I do continue to say I like the bands and play their old records regularly and have not sold them for a pittance in a record store or on ebay.

Where am I going with this?

Well I remember quite a few of the London hardcore heads turning quite severely on Belgium's Crawlspace when they released their full length 'Enter The Realm Of Chaos,' via Goodlife (although it was on the subsidiary Final Beatdown and then Soulreaper), declaring that the record was too metal and bad metal at that. Personally, I loved that record, and I would agree with what Ed Goodlife said to me back in 2001, that being it was an update of the Bulldoze style, be it with a hefty injection of primal death metal (very much though the more direct death metal, trust, Crawlspace didnt turn into Nile or Suffocation in terms of their technicality).

Regardless, before the backlash came against the full length, Crawlspace were regarded as one of the premier tuff European bands, and even today, this EP is still heralded as a classic amongst underground heads, so see what you think,

http://www.sendspace.com/file/xby7td - Crawlspace - The Chapter

http://www.sendspace.com/file/f3h4aq - Crawlspace - Digging The Grave

http://www.sendspace.com/file/gk8f0d - Crawlspace - Creation Of Hate

http://www.sendspace.com/file/s04dw5 - Crawlspace - Way Out

http://www.sendspace.com/file/htbbvk - Crawlspace - Hypocrite Bastard

http://www.sendspace.com/file/wv5uk5 - Crawlspace - Don't Ged Mad....Get Even!!!!

Whereas the full length is still readily avaliable from the label http://www.goodliferecordings.com/webstore/ , but this EP...damn, sorry peeps, its another hard one to find, so watch www.ebay.com.

Beauty In Chaos

Where to begin with this album? Yet another one that has been with me through good and bad times since its release in 2000 and one that has remained one of my favorites and most played since then. Firstly I think should contextualise Skycamefalling's position in the hardcore landscape. They released their first MCD on Goodlife in the late 90s, around 1998 if I'm not mistaken, it set them as one of the bright new voices of the metallic hardcore explosion during that time and one that had competently grasped the tricky equilibrium of beauty within chaos. Enter the year 2000 and the band bought forth this masterpiece, on Ferret, back when that label were only really interested in metallic hardcore.

10.21 was just shy of an hour in length but despite the longevity, it never drags, never wastes a second to maximize the impact of every note, every beat, every lyric. What makes the record so alluring and addictive is something that I have mentioned before, this being its flow. Skycamefalling were more then adept in composing a flowing record that made it mesmerizing, especially during pieces such as 'The Truth Machine,' and the title instrumental track.

I challenge anyone who denies the credibility of this release, it is a masterwork, and deserves to be owned by anyone that is an enthusiast of metallic hardcore,

http://www.sendspace.com/file/5uzf7m - Skycamefalling - With Paper Wings

http://www.sendspace.com/file/aw7ucf - Skycamefalling - The Nothing

http://www.sendspace.com/file/ko3ya9 - Skycamefalling - Healing Yesteryear

http://www.sendspace.com/file/z4kf4y - Skycamefalling - The Truth Machine

Finding this record is not going to be easy, I believe Ferret were going to be releasing it with a series of other older records on http://www.itunes.com, failing that, keep checking http://www.ferretstyle.com for updates.

However, there are 3 copies of the records reasonably priced here, www.amazon.com.

Tragically, Skycamefalling broke up in 2002, playing their last (but also first) European show at the Goodlife New Year's fest. Luckily I managed to attend that show and see of one of my most adored bands. Amusingly, I remember some of the members of the band coming to the house where I was sleeping that night, and talking for a good hour and a half to my friend who was letting me sleep there, me, completely exhausted from a day of travelling and dancing was itching to get to bed, but the skycamefalling boys were intent on keeping me (and Birgir) up until the smallest hours of that dark Belgian night, after all, it would have been rude of me just to go straight to sleep on the couch...

Different Shades Of Darkness Part 2

Awwwwwwwwww Kranky, cue drooling, and unfocused rambling and babbling when it comes to my reasoning of how good this label has been since its inception. Labradford have to be one of their flagship bands, releasing all of their best material on the label (although their releases on other labels are also excellent) of which 'A Stable Reference,' stands as their definitive creation.

Accurately pinning down Labradford's sound has always been part of their appeal, not quite post rock, not quite indie and not quite shoegaze but rather a meeting and implementation of the three. Thus creating an alluring, intoxicating soundscape of ethereal beauty that is dangerously addictive and has sometimes left me (especially on days where I have been confined to spending them in bed) to playing the record constantly for several hours.

Yet, their approach and methodology is so simple but so effective, while the cliched saying of 'less is more,' is often a petty euphemism that the artist has decided to water down their music, here the phrase is applicable. Guitars move solmenly and slowly like the thick fog that engulfs London, vocals occasionally ghost through the fog and seldomly a beat of some sort will emerge to provide a rhythmic backbone.

http://www.sendspace.com/file/1zyndh - Labradford - El Lago

http://www.sendspace.com/file/11gyeu - Labradford - Streamlining

http://www.sendspace.com/file/mrc54s - Labradford - Banco

This one is still readily avaliable from http://www.amazon.com/Stable-Reference-Labradford/dp/B000008PKY/sr=1-6/qid=1172013929/ref=sr_1_6/104-4492477-3459918?ie=UTF8&s=music both new and used.

Different Shades Of Darkness

Surprise. For a change, not crunchy metallic hardcore, the complete opposite in fact, totally harrowing black metal from one of Eastern Europe's most productive quarries of grim darkness, Poland. The Polish hordes have always a far rougher style to my ears in comparison to the Norwegians and Swedes who I feel are more clinical, even professional in their execution of black metal. Whereas bands from Poland, Russia, Ukraine etc, focus more on feeling, emotion and atmosphere to distinguish their music.

Ohtar play the kind of black metal that I really connect with, this being the completely misanthropic variation that has a sound that is doomy, dirgy and discerns the listeners wish to be comfortable when listening to this record. The guitars are as sharp as the incision to be found on the unfortunate cover art victim, but simultaneously, the guitars are equally mournful in their tone. Vocally, Ohtar can be best compared to Burzum and thus sits next to Burzumic followers such as Wigrid and Leviathan in post 2000 Black Metal.

http://www.sendspace.com/file/cogu97 - Ohtar - Order!

http://www.sendspace.com/file/y33n7t - Ohtar - Delighting the edge of the knife

Unfortunately this is totally out of print. I remember picking this up instantly in 2003 as the individual who recommended it forewarned that it was on one of those minuscule black metal labels that do a single 1000 pressing and then disappear into the black metal portal unlikely to return.

Ohtar did go on to record a second album but again, from what I can see, its also out of print, my advice is to watch the likes of http://www.redstream.org and http://www.supernalmusic.com too see if any copies come back into stock (these are my two favorite black metal providers).

If anyone really needs the other songs, hit me up, I'd be glad to send out a copy.

Veering Toward The End

Belgium was one of the hardcore Meccas in Europe during the 90s. The early 2000s weren't kind to Belgium though, as there was a severe lack of new blood coming through, fortunately though, in the past few years, old veterans (Arkangel, Congress, Liar) and the next generation (Whatever It Takes, The Boss, Die My Demon), have hit back with stellar records and proved that Belgium is far from a spent force in the Euro Hardcore scene.

The mid to late 90s was its heyday though, epitomized by the H-8000 explosion. However, not all of the best bands came from the heralded H-8000 area. One of the best but often most overlooked and therefore least well known (and appreciated) was Deviate. They were also one of the most prolific bands in terms of putting out records, trust, they didn't need 5 years to follow up an album (Arkangel I'm looking at you and still waiting for the alleged split with Kickback...) and showed a genuine progression from each release. 'State of Grace,' is by far the most complete Deviate album and certainly their most metallic. Its crammed with pummeling, chugging riffs, slamming breakdowns and plenty of heaving double bass, and when all these elements amalgamate, they create a fearsome, crushing metallic hardcore onslaught that is seldom heard these days.

Most importantly though, these are songs that get stuck in your head, and stay stuck for days,

http://www.sendspace.com/file/4aldf5 - Deviate - Wounds Of Time

http://www.sendspace.com/file/lqoz84 - Deviate - State Of Grace

http://www.sendspace.com/file/ixcrjc - Deviate - Circle Of Friends

http://www.sendspace.com/file/x72w78 - Deviate - Dawn Of Mankind

http://www.sendspace.com/file/cyhsvr - Deviate - Walk With Death

I don't recall exactly when Deviate decided to break up, it was around the time their last full length came out in 2002 (The Red Asunder, a very interesting record). From the fallout vocalist Danny went to pursue the awesome Angel Crew, and guitarist Kirby was already a member of Arkangel and Length of Time (who have reformed for one show in Belgium in March, hopefully they will do a record...).

This record isn't too hard to find, if you dig the tunes, you'll find it here for a paltry sum, http://www.verydistro.com/search.aspx?typeofsearch=artist&keywords=deviate

The Harder They Come

NYC. Responsible for some of the hardest and darkest music ever conceived, and they don't come much harder or darker then Denied. One look at the cover and one can immediately deduce the sound of this record, that's right, its tough, thugged out, immensely merciless beatdown hardcore, however, there is a small surprise awaiting in the opening track...you'll see what I mean.

No doubt the first word that comes to mind when drawing influences to this band is 'Bulldoze,' and certainly, that band are hugely influential on this EP. However, Denied were able to enter within the essence of Bulldoze without ripping them off. To elaborate, whilst to the casual ear, Denied will sound nothing more then a shameless copycat, those with a more refined listening capacity will hear that this isn't the case. Denied had a darker feel in their riffs, an almost doomy aesthetic that emphasized their heaviness and bought a weighty feel to their sound but also one that was emotive. To me Bulldoze are about pure aggression, Denied have this but I also feel there is much despair in their music, which makes it all the more crushing.

See what you think.

http://www.sendspace.com/file/18c597- Denied - Intro

http://www.sendspace.com/file/7x0qbz - Denied - Through Pain

http://www.sendspace.com/file/dogl6i - Denied - Together As None

http://www.sendspace.com/file/0m2s04 - Denied - Lies Upon Lies

http://www.sendspace.com/file/gf5ggp - Denied - Stand Strong

http://www.sendspace.com/file/69zinl - Denied - Drown In Sorrow

Some may find this interesting but this EP was released on Time Served records, none other then Kevone from Bulldoze's label. Sadly, Denied didn't release much more then this EP, which is now out of print, their other official material can be found on two splits, one was with the UK's BDF and came out on Filled With Hate a few years ago, which is actually also out of print. The other was the 'Step To The Plate,' compilation on Thornz records which featured 2 alternate cuts from this EP and 2 other songs.

The latter you can find here http://www.verydistro.com/search.aspx?typeofsearch=artist&keywords=denied.

For their other releases, I recommend http://www.ebay.com

The storm of a season

The second of many features to come on Japanese bands, in fact, I should have started with this record first and then moved up to the Loyal To The Grave release. Never mind, things happen for a reason, or some I'm told...Anyway, enough senseless ramblings, background. Statecraft were one of the (if not the) first heavy hardcore bands from Japan. What is indisputable is that they were the first too be playing the 'new school,' hardcore sound, patterned by the likes of Morning Again, Culture, Day Of Suffering, Upheaval (and countless others) etc. They debuted with their first MCD in 1996 entitled 'Never Forget.' Little over a year later they dropped their next MCD on the now deceased xlifesentencex recordings. They become a stable in the Japanese hXc, and believe me, some of the shows from the 98/99 years were chaos, not that I was there, but I saw the pictures. In 2001 they played one of their final shows with the almighty Aftershock and then disbanded, with both guitarists going into Loyal To The Grave.

At the height of their popularity, Statecraft bought forth their only full length, 'To celebrate the forlorn seasons,' during the peak of Belgium's Goodlife Recordings (1998-2002). Today, almost 6 years since I bought it, this record stands as one of my favorite releases of all time. I've lost count of how many times I've listened to it since I bought it way back in 2001 (how time passes) and have many romantic memories of those early years of this decade that are connected to this record. Back then, what first struck me was that this band was Japanese, not European or American, but Japanese, now bearing in mind that my musical knowledge was in its formative stages I was not privy to knowing much about music from more exotic demographics.

Upon putting the CD in my hi-fi I was astounded further, the music was incredible, the lyrics were honest but also serenly uplifting and the packaging was something else too, to that point I had never seen a hardcore band with such unusual artwork which conjured presupposed images of a land that I knew nothing of but felt I now had a piece of it in my hands.

The music itself is monumental, goddamn, its sooooo heavy it moves mountains, but its not just brute force, laced amongst the mayhem are gorgeous harmonies, sharp leads and sumptuous melodic riffs that are concocted from so many different influences that they take a shape all their own. The aforementioned new school bands such as Morning Again (especially) and Upheaval (likewise) were influential, but also the band drew inspiration from sources that were more metallic such as Malevolent Creation, Morbid Angel, even some black metal bands.

Truly these are some of my favorite songs, they've been with me whilst I was commuting to my shitty full time jobs in 2001-2002, through when I was studying for my degree and wherever I have managed to travel since getting my IPOD at the tail end of 2003, thus, enjoy,

http://www.sendspace.com/file/jtmb68 - Statecraft - Heaven's Final Deception

http://www.sendspace.com/file/glp3tq - Statecraft - Into the snowlight gate

http://www.sendspace.com/file/0oo0dn - Statecraft - Bloodshed Revolution

http://www.sendspace.com/file/298jj6 - Statecraft - Nocturne

As for picking this one up, there are still copies at http://www.goodliferecordings.com/webstore/ but in the US, there are some used copies going for good prices at http://www.amazon.com/Celebrate-Forlorn-Seasons-Statecraft/dp/B00005Y9ED/sr=1-1/qid=1170797146/ref=sr_1_1/105-4150900-5751647?ie=UTF8&s=music