The Wisdom of a Sage

I can't believe it's taken this long to do, but I have a sampling of the best releases in the repertoire of one of my favourite hip-hop artists, Sage Francis. One of the most honest and intelligent lyricists alive today. There isn't really much you can say, if you've heard him, you know how amazing he is. If you haven't heard, then once you do, you'll know.

Sage Francis - A Healthy Distrust
Country: USA
Genre: Hip-Hop
Track List:
1. The Buzz Kill - 4:05
2. Sea Lion - 3:01
3. Gunz Yo - 3:03
4. Escape Artist - 4:15
5. Product - 2:15
6. Voice Mail Bomb Threat - 1:39
7. Dance Monkey - 2:35
8. Sun vs. Moon - 3:28
9. Agony in Her Body - 4:17
10. Crumble - 2:00
11. Ground Control - 3:52
12. Lie Detector Test - 2:47
13. Bridle - 2:11
14. Slow Down Gandhi - 4:52
15. Jah Didn't Kill Johnny - 2:49
Total Play Time - 47:27

Download: Sage Francis - A Healthy Distrust


Sage Francis - Personal Journals
Country: USA
Genre: Hip-Hop
Track List:
1. Crack Pipes - 2:25
2. Different - 3:20
3. Personal Journalist - 2:53
4. Inherited Scars - 4:35
5. Climb Trees - 3:57
6. Broken Wings - 3:59
7. The Strange Famous Mullet Remover - 2:39
8. Smoke and Mirrors - 3:13
9. Message Sent - 4:24
10. Eviction Notice - 3:31
11. Pitchers of Silence - 2:46
12. Specialist - 4:13
13. Hopeless - 1:12
14. Kill Ya' Momz - 1:59
15. Black Sweatshirt - 2:08
16. Cup of Tea - 2:14
17. My Name is Strange - 3:21
18. Runaways - 6:07
Total Play Time - 57:47

Download: Sage Francis - Personal Journals


Non-Prophets - Hope
Country: USA
Genre: Hip-Hop
Track List:
1. Intro - 1:32
2. Any Port - 4:29
3. Damage - 5:04
4. That Ain't Right - 3:47
5. Disasters - 2:11
6. Fresh - 3:39
7. Mainstream 307 - 4:02
8. Mill - 0:42
9. Spaceman - 4:26
10. Xaul Zan's Heart - 5:06
11. New World Order - 5:00
12. Tolerance Level - 4:07
13. Cure - 5:09
14. Outro/Bounce - 5:06
Total Play Time - 54:21

Download: Non-Prophets - Hope

Back Again!

Hello everybody, I know it's been a while since I've been on, but school, work, and the never ending pursuit of sleep have taken over my life.

It is about time to make my final list for 2008, and there have been some pretty solid releases in the last 2 months. I have only been disappointed by the lack of a new dredg album. It was supposed to be out, but has since been delayed into non-existence at the moment. Not sure what the final word is on the release date, but I think it's sometime in the early new year.

In the moment I am ignoring my chem prof, and am not quite sure what I'm going to upload. On the tram ride home I will think of something and will upload a few things for you when I get back home.

And guys, I've been gone for two months, why are there no comments anywhere. Extremely disappointed in you folks. Pick that shit up my friends.

Thrice - The Alchemy Index Volumes III & IV

Thrice - The Alchemy Index Volumes III & IV
Country: USA
Genre: Post-Hardcore/Punk
Track List:
Volume III - Air

1. Broken Lungs - 4:14
2. The Sky Is Falling - 4:21
3. A Song for Milly Michaelson - 5:07
4. Daedalus - 6:00
5. As the Crow Flies - 2:22
6. Silver Wings - 2:10
Volume IV - Earth
1. Moving Mountains - 2:55
2. Digging My Own Grave - 3:04
3. The Earth Isn't Humming - 4:58
4. The Lion and the Wolf - 2:42
5. Come All You Weary - 4:08
6. Child of Dust - 3:09
Total Play Time - 45:16

Download: Thrice - The Alchemy Index Vol. III: Air
Download: Thrice - The Alchemy Index Vol. IV: Earth

Thrice - The Alchemy Index Volumes I & II

Thrice - The Alchemy Index Volume I & II

Country: USA
Genre: Post-Hardcore/Punk
Track List:
Volume I - Fire
1. Firebreather - 4:24
2. The Messenger - 2:09
3. Backdraft - 4:08
4. The Arsonist - 4:13
5. Burn the Fleet - 3:46
6. The Flame Deluge - 3:27
Volume II - Water
1. Digital Sea- 3:44
2. Open Water - 3:46
3. Lost Continent - 4:30
4. Night Diving - 6:02
5. The Whaler - 4:09
6. Kings Upon the Main - 4:56
Total Play Time - 49:14

Download: Thrice - The Alchemy Index Vol. I: Fire
Download: Thrice - The Alchemy Index Vol. II: Water

Thrice - Vheissu

Thrice - Vheissu

Country: USA
Genre: Post-Hardcore/Punk
Track List:
1. Image of the Invisible – 4:14
2. Between the End and Where We Lie – 3:56
3. The Earth Will Shake – 4:29
4. Atlantic – 4:02
5. For Miles – 4:27
6. Hold Fast Hope – 4:01
7. Music Box – 4:46
8. Like Moths to Flame – 4:26
9. Of Dust and Nations – 4:50
10. Stand and Feel Your Worth – 5:52
11. Red Sky – 4:17
Total Play Time - 49:14

Download: Thrice - Vheissu

Thrice - The Artist in the Ambulance

Thrice - The Artist in the Ambulance
Country: USA
Genre: Post-Hardcore/Punk
Track List:
1. Cold Cash and Colder Hearts – 2:52
2.Under a Killing Moon – 2:41
3. All That's Left – 3:20
4, Silhouette – 3:06
5. Stare at the Sun – 3:23
6. Paper Tigers – 3:59
7. Hoods on Peregrine – 3:31
8. The Melting Point of Wax – 3:29
9. Blood Clots and Black Holes – 2:49
10. The Artist in the Ambulance – 3:39
11. The Abolition of Man – 2:46
12. Don't Tell and We Won't Ask – 3:59
Total Play Time - 42:36

Download: Thrice - The Artist in the Ambulance

Thrice - The Illusion of Safety

Thrice - The Illusion of Safety
Country: USA
Genre: Post-Hardcore/Punk
Track List:
1. Kill Me Quickly – 2:46
2. A Subtle Dagger – 1:48
3. See You in the Shallows – 2:35
4. Betrayal is a Symptom – 2:49
5. Deadbolt – 3:00
6. In Years to Come – 2:16
7. The Red Death – 2:14
8. A Living Dance Upon Dead Minds – 3:32
9. Where Idols Once Stood – 3:08
10. Trust – 2:54
11. To Awake and Avenge the Dead – 3:06
12. So Strange I Remember You – 3:42
13. The Beltsville Crucible – 4:37
Total Play Time - 38:33

Download: Thrice - The Illusion of Safety

Thrice - Identity Crisis

Aight, I'm way too busy to do the write-ups right now. I'm going to upload these, and maybe I'll write up later.Thrice - Identity Crisis

Country: USA
Genre: Post-Hardcore
Track List:
1. Identity Crisis – 2:58
2. Phoenix Ignition – 3:31
3. In Your Hands – 2:47
4. To What End – 3:04
5. Ultra Blue – 3:02
6. As the Ruin Falls – 2:04
7. The Next Day – 0:57
8. A Torch to End All Torches – 4:10
9. Unquestioned Answers – 4:23
10. Madman - 3:13
11. Under Par – 4:46
12. T & C – 4:00
Total Play Time - 35:42

Download: Thrice - Identity Crisis

Thrice - First Impressions

Hello all, sorry for the delay here, but with work and figuring stuff out for school, it's been busy around here. Anyway, I'll start out on the Thrice discography by uploading 'First Impressions'.

The humble beginnings, never would I have thought that they would come out to be what they are today. This album has an extremely punky feel. Sounds very under produced and raw. The only thing that seems to be followed into the rest of their career is the lyrical content. Thrice have always been semi-politcally oriented, only their music has evolved. This was released in I think 1998. The song 'T&C' is based off of a NES game with dialogue and the main melody derived from the game 'T&C Surf Design: Wood & Water Rage.'

Thrice - First Impressions
Country: USA
Genre: Post-Hardcore/Punk
Track List:
1. All Eyes – 3:14
2. Lockdown – 3:51
3. Opaque – 3:56
4. T&C – 3:57
5. Second Sight – 3:59
6. Freedom – 3:44
7. Better Days – 7:01

Total Play Time - 30:24

Download: Thrice - First Impressions

The Boys from Irvine

A group that is impossible to say enough about. Everything from their musicianship, to their charity work, is amazing. Thrice, started in '98 by Dustin Kensrue and Teppei Teranishi, is one of my favourites of all time. Teppei brought a friend, Eddie Breckenridge, to play bass, who in turn brought his brother Riley in to play drums. With this they recorded and released their first attempt, only producing 1,000 copies of 'First Impressions' they sold it out of their cars. With interest growing, they released 'Identity Crisis' and were already starting their philanthropic ways with proceeds from their first album release going to charity. Soon they re-entered the studio and recorded 'The Illusion of Safety' in 2002. Again, proceeds from album sales would be going to charity, only this time, the label matched whatever Thrice donated. After making the same deal with Island, they released 'The Artist in the Ambulance' and they blew expectations out of the water. This album gave a huge dose of musicianship, mixed socially concious lyrics that didn't come off as preachy. These guys seemed to have found their niche, which gave no hint of what was about to come. Thrice released 'Vhiessu', an album that shows their maturity and talent. Although it still had some of the original thrice elements, it was completely new. Thrice was heading onward and upward in a completely different direction then expected. Then, the magnum opus that came way out of left field. In my opinion, quite possibly the greatest full release of all time, and definitely the top releases of both 2007 and 2008. 'The Alchemy Index.' This release puts Thrice up on the mantle of musical geniuses. Everything about this release is perfect, the four completely different sounds, the four completely different ideas, the four completely different albums. From the Vhiessu like feel of Fire, to the electronic feel of Water, to the softer, gentler Air, to the completely acoustic Earth, it is a masterpiece that just leaves you wanting more. And that's not to mention the little things which I will get more in depth about when I get to full album reviews. Trust me, there is going to be a lot of Thrice postage going on in the next little while, and their is going to be a lot of writing unlike usual. Every release they just seem to be getting better, and I honestly can't wait for what comes next.

Look Who's Returned

Hello everyone, hopefully we'll start to get updates more often now that DrainTheSky appears to be back. I haven't been doing too much lately, so I've just been hanging out, planning a few posts in advance. Today I have a few different tastes for you, five unknown or under-appreciated groups that deserve a listen.

Chumbawamba - Showbusiness! (Live)
Country: England
Genre: Anarcho/Punk/Ska
Track List:
1. Never Do What You Are Told - 1:25
2. I Never Gave Up - 6:01
3. Give The Anarchist A Cigarette - 4:09
4. Heaven/Hell - 3:01
5. That's How Grateful We Are - 7:52
6. Homophobia - 4:09
7. A Morality Play - 3:31
8. Bad Dog - 5:05
9. Stitch That - 4:10
10. Mouthful of Shit - 3:57
11. The Day The Nazi Died - 1:34
12. Timebomb (Jimmy Echo Vocal) - 4:10
13. Slag Aid - 5:06
Total Play Time - 54:01

Well, I'll start off by saying that the artwork on this album is wrong. I didn't realize until I uploaded it, so if you feel like it, you can change it up. Now moving on, I know what you're thinking. You see Chumbawamba and you think of that one song that annoyed the shit out of you back in the mid nineties. Well, I must tell you that if sing-a-long punk sounds interesting, this is the cream of the crop. Smart lyrics, catchy music, and like fifteen band members. This is definitely not an album that you should skip out on.

Download: Chumbawamba - Showbusiness!

Arts the Beatdoctor - Transitions
Country: Netherlands
Genre: Turntablism/DJ/Hip-Hop
Track List:
1. Blending Quality - 3:56
2. The Anthem (ft. Pete Philly) - 3:04
3. Laughs, Drinks, Jokes, Tricks - 2:56
4. Revolve (ft. Esther) - 5:29
5. Crazy Times (ft. Skiggy Rapz) - 4:15
6. Split Personality Part I (ft. Sense) - 5:54
7. All Of Us (ft. Pete Philly) - 3:43
8. Fragments - 3:54
9. Decreasing Daylight - 3:38
10. Transitions (ft. The Proov) - 4:32
11. Irreversible - 3:42
12. Remember - 4:56
13. Reprise - 2:21
14. Mellow Drama - 4:32
15. The Zone (ft. Pete Philly) - 5:58
Total Play Time - 62:41

Alright, again I'll start with a comment on the ID3 tags. Some of the tracks on this album change genre once listened to. I can't seem to find a way to fix this, if anyone knows, let me know. Anyway, this is definitely the best DJ album I've heard since RJD2's 'Deadringer'. His beats seem to be a mixture or jazz, blues, and hip-hop. The artists featured aren't amazing, but they definitely work their raps around the beats, and it works.

Download: Arts the Beatdoctor - Transitions

Deadsy - Commencement
Country: USA
Genre: Electronic Nu-Metal
Track List:
1. The Key to Gramercy Park – 3:13
2. Winners – 4:22
3. Brand New Love – 4:34
4. Mansion World – 5:02
5. Lake Waramaug – 4:24
6. The Elements – 5:20
7. Flowing Glower – 4:58
8. Future Years – 5:26
9. She Likes Big Words – 3:59
10. Cruella – 5:55
11. Seagulls (The Macroprosopus) – 5:57
12. Le Cirque En Rose (Obsolescence) – 4:55
13. Tom Sawyer – 4:53
14. Commencement – 5:16
Total Play Time - 68:20

Headed up by the love child of Cher and Gregg Allman, Deadsy are a strange kind of band. They are heavily electronic, and are also extremely talented. This album is upbeat and depressing at the same time. They use dark baselines along with higher keyboard synths to create that difference. If you're interested in new types of music, give this a listen to this.

Download: Deadsy - Commencement

The Count Nosferatu Commando - Ultraviolence Uber Alles
Country: France
Genre: Industrial Metal
Track List:
1. Political Police - 5:23
2. Jim Beamed Ahnenerbe TV - 5:20
3. L.K. Nosferat - 5:10
4. Kommando '96 - 4:49
5. Apology - 4:54
6. Get a Gun, Shoot at Random - 4:08
7. Love Game Over - 5:24
8. Bunkermoon Khaos 3 - 5:19
Total Play Time - 40:24

Ah, those crazy frenchmen. An album that upon first glance I didn't give much chance. I will make no attempt to defend this ridiculous cover, but the music is good. It's a nice mix of industrial with an almost black metal feel. Can't really be described in words, but definitely worth checking into.

Download: The CNK - Ultraviolence Uber Alles

Bone Thugs-n-Harmony - Creepin on ah Come Up
Country: USA
Genre: Rap
Track List:
1. Intro - 1:25
2. Mr. Ouija - 1:21
3. Thuggish Ruggish Bone - 4:41
4. No Surrender - 3:37
5. Down Foe My Thang - 4:51
6. Creepin on ah Come Up - 4:51
7. For Tha Love of $ - 4:32
8. Moe Cheese - 4:32
Total Play Time - 29:46

The illustrious Bone Thugs. I spent a long time thinking of them as jokes, but when I actually listened to this EP, I noticed that their style is actually quite good. The contrasting flows with the group members makes for an interesting concept, and they completely make me scared of all gangstas that play Ouija.

Download: Bone Thugs - Creepin on ah Come Up

I have Returned!

Sorry about the vast time that has gone on since my last post, it has been quite a hectic time. I'm going to try to make it a much more regular thing for me to add things seeing as I am being quite out-posted by my counter part. Anyways, this time I've got 6 albums by 6 very different artists. I hope you enjoy!

A Wilhelm Scream - Career Suicide
Country: USA
Genre: Melodic Hardcore
Year: 2007
Track List:

1. Wipe My Ass With Showbiz - 1:05
2. 5 To 9 - 2:39
3. The Horse - 4:53
4. Die While We're Young - 2:32
5. Jaws 3, People 0 - 2:40
6. Career Suicide - 1:35
7. These Dead Streets - 2:16
8. Get Mad, You Son Of A Bitch! - 3:55
9. Our Ghosts (Contemporary/Consensual) - 2:12
10. Cold Slither II - 2:20
11. Pardon Me, Thanks A Lot - 1:32
12. Check Request Denied - 1:52
13. We Built This City! (On Debts And Booze) - 5:37

Download


Bomb The Music Industry! - Get Warmer
Country: USA
Genre: Ska Punk
Track List:

1. Jobs Schmobs
2. 493 Ruth
3. Bike Test 1 2 3
4. Unlimited Breadsticks, Soup and Salad Days
5. No Rest for the Whiny
6. 25 Hour Goddamn Telethon
7. Depression is No Fun
8. I Don't Love You Anymore
9. Pizza Claus is Comin' to Town
10. Never Trust a Man Without a Horribly Embarrassing Secret
11. Get Warmer
12. The Last Party (Foul)

Download

The Fall of Troy - Manipulator
Country: USA
Genre: Post Hardcore
Track List:

1. Cut Down All the Trees and Name the Streets After Them
2. The Dark Trail
3. Quarter Past
4. Problem!?
5. Semi-Fiction
6. Oh! The Casino!?
7. Sledgehammer
8. Seattlantis
9. Ex-Creations
10. Shhh!!! If You're Quiet, I'll Show You a Dinosaur
11. Caught Up
12. A Man A Plan A Canal Panama.

Download

Bear Vs. Shark - Right Now, You're in the Best of Hands. And If Something Isn't Quite Right, Your Doctor Will Know in a Hurry
Country: USA
Genre: Post-Hardcore
Track List:

1. "Ma Jolie" – 3:51
2. "Campfire" – 2:12
3. "Buses/No Buses" – 3:14
4. "The Employee Is Not Afraid" – 4:10
5. "We Were Sad But Now We're Rebuilding" – 2:17
6. "Kylie" – 3:56
7. "MPS" – 2:55
8. "Second" – 3:21
9. "Don't Tell the Horses the Stable's on Fire" – 2:50
10. "Bloodgiver" – 4:32
11. "Michigan" – 2:32
12. "Broken Dog Leg" – 4:51
    

Download

Jaguar Love - Take Me To The Sea
Country: USA
Genre: Art Punk
Track List:

1. Highways of Gold - 3:39
2. Bats Over the Pacific Ocean - 3:44
3. Jaguar Pirates - 4:31
4. Georgia - 5:56
5. Vagabond Ballroom - 3:51
6. Humans Evolve Into Skyscrapers - 3:50
7. Antoine and Birdskull - 3:43
8. Bonetrees and a Broken Heart - 3:38
9. The Man With the Plastic Suns - 4:31
10. My Organ Sounds Like... - 5:09

Download

Isis, The Final Chapter!

Well, it has finally arrived, the last post of the Isis extravaganza. And it comes on a fitting day, as I just purchased 'In The Absence of Truth' today. Anyway, I have Live.01,.02,.03,.04, and Oceanic - Remixes and Reinterpretations. I have actually run out of things to say about Isis for now, so I will just be putting everything up without much text. There is nothing new on any of these, and their titles are pretty self explanatory, so you won't need me anyway.

Isis - Live.01
Country: USA
Genre: Post-Metal
Track List:
1. Carry – 6:59
2. Hym – 9:31
3. Weight – 13:29
4. The Beginning and the End – 10:24

Total Play Time - 39:43

Download: Isis - Live.01

Isis - Live.02
Country: USA
Genre: Post-Metal
Track List:
1. From Sinking – 10:56
2. Glisten – 7:11
3. Carry – 7:30
4. Weight – 13:09
5. The Beginning and the End – 9:48
6. Celestial (Ext./Alt. Version) – 17:25
Total Play Time - 65:19

Download: Isis - Live.02

Isis - Live.03
Country: USA
Genre: Post-Metal
Track List:
1. So Did We – 8:43
2. Backlit – 8:40
3. The Beginning and the End – 9:24
4. In Fiction – 10:15
5. Wills Dissolve – 7:29
6. Grinning Mouths – 8:51
7. Altered Course – 15:38
Total Play Time - 67:40

Download: Isis - Live.03

Isis - Live.04
Country: USA
Genre: Post-Metal
Track List:
1. Gentle Time – 8:54
2. Glisten – 6:57
3. C.F.T. – 8:02
4. Celestial – 10:49
5. Improv 1 / Endless Nameless (K. Cobain) – 8:01
6. False Light – 8:30
7. Weight (instrumental version) – 12:25
Total Play Time - 63:38

Download: Isis - Live.04

Isis - Oceanic: Remixes and Reinterpretations
Country: USA
Genre: Post-Metal
Track List:
Disc One
1. Weight – 6:34
2. False Light (Carry Edit) – 7:53
3. Hym – 6:19
4. The Other – 9:49
5. Carry – 4:26
6. Maritime – 9:24
7. Maritime – 3:43
Disc Two
1. The Beginning and the End – 5:05
2. Carry – 5:21
3. False Light (Deadverse) – 5:30
4. Carry: Like I Will Love Her Forever? (Fuckin Die!!!) – 5:51
5. From: Sinking, To: Drowning – 7:14
6. Hym – 14:54
Total Play Time - 89:23

Download: Isis - Oceanic R&R Disc I
Download: Isis - Oceanic R&R Disc II

Red Sparowes Advance

Hey guys, I'm taking a break from the Isis scene for a moment to bring you the upcoming EP from one of my favourites. I know I'm a little behind, but I've been a little busy, and god knows where DrainTheSky is. Anyway, I just got it in, so I haven't had a chance to listen to it yet, but by tomorrow night I will be done thoroughly enjoying it I'm sure and I will edit in my first impressions. Anyway without further ado.

Red Sparowes - Aphorisms (Site)
Country: USA
Genre: Post-Rock
Track List:
1. We Left the Apes to Rot, But Find the Fang Still Grows Within - 6:37
2. Error Has Turned Animals Into Men, and to Each the Fold Repeats - 5:38
3. The Fear Is Excruciating, But Therein Lies the Answer - 5:38
Total Play Time - 17:53

Download: Red Sparowes - Aphorisms

And as a little treat for you all, as I was on the lookout for more Thrice like music to cut my Alchemy addiction, I stumbled upon Eye Alaska, which I believe is Dustin's brother's band. I've only given it a few listens through, but my god, quite amazing if I must say so myself. My suggestion, listen to the first track, then listen to it again before going over the rest of the album. The amazingness of that track cannot be appreciated in only one listen. Anyway, here is the appropriate wordage and linkage.
PS, I'm sure my labeling of them as Post-Hardcore is wrong, I assumed they, being associated with Thrice it was a safe bet to begin with, but upon listening I realized I was wrong. I have yet to think of another genre, so this will stick for now.

Eye Alaska - Yellow and Elephant (Site)
Country: USA
Genre: Post-Hardcore
Track List:
1. I Knew You'd Never Fly 4:09
2. Stop Me Now...I'm Not Ready 3:39
3. Roll Right Over 3:44
4. Through Willows and Streams 4:30
5. A Storm in the Childs Fountain 3:12
6. Cheetah and the Tiger (Bonus) 2:54
Total Play Time - 22:03

Download: Eye Alaska - Yellow and Elephant

Isis, The Perfection Continues...

Today I have another installment of the Isis collection. All four of their EPs are here for the taking. I hope you all enjoy this, the third installment is due sometime next week.

Isis - Mosquito Control
Country: USA
Genre: Post-Metal
Track List:
1. Poison Eggs – 6:42
2. Life Under the Swatter – 5:50
3. Hive Destruction – 4:10
4. Relocation Swarm – 11:43
Total Play Time - 27:45

Starting in 1998, Isis put out there first release. An EP by the name of Mosquito Control. This EP should be taken in one shot. This is pretty much one song split into four, and it shouldn't be too hard to listen to the whole thing in one sitting considering its short play time. This is the first release to start the mosquito theme that appears within Isis' future releases.

Download: Isis - Mosquito Control

Isis - The Red Sea
Country: USA
Genre: Post-Metal
Track List:
1. Charmicarmicarmicat Shines to Earth – 2:23
2. The Minus Times – 5:26
3. Red Sea – 7:20
4. Smiles and Handshakes – 6:02
5. Catalyst – 4:26
6. Ochre – 4:41
7. Lines Across Eyes – 5:47
Total Play Time - 35:25

Their next release same a year later in the form of The Red Sea. When originally released it was made up of three tracks, now it is seven. With the first three tracks being the original three, they show a slight evolution towards what Isis was on their first release. The next four songs are from their 1998 demo, and obviously have a different feel to them.

Download: Isis - The Red Sea

Isis - Sawblade
Country: USA
Genre: Post-Metal
Track List:
1. Emission of the Signal – 4:53
2. Streetcleaner – 5:42
3. Hand of Doom – 8:36
4. House of Low Culture – 11:09
Total Play Time - 30:20

The next EP was in the same year. Sawblade, originally released on 200 self made CD-Rs by Isis while on tour, is only a four song showing. It has a slightly softer feel to it then does The Red Sea. I've been trying to get my hands on this for a while but nothing doing. Two of the four songs on this record are covers, track two a cover of Godflesh, and track three a cover of Black Sabbath.

Download: Isis - Sawblade

Isis - SGNL>05
Country: USA
Genre: Post-Metal
Track List:
1. SGNL>05 (Final Transmission) – 2:52
2. Divine Mother (The Tower Crumbles) – 9:16
3. Beneath Below – 4:54
4. Constructing Towers – 8:24
5. Celestial (Signal Fills the Void) – 10:22
Total Play Time - 35:19

Their latest EP dropped in 2001. SGNL>05 is seen as a true extension onto their Celestial release. With many of the same themes being evident through the two releases, it is hard to deny their similarity. For the last track of this EP, Broadwick (mixer/producer) pulled some influence from his work with Godflesh and Jesu to remix the opening track from Celestial.

Download: Isis - SGNL>05

Isis...Self Explanatory!

Alright, it had been a while since I had listened to Isis, but the other day I found Panopticon on vinyl, and I have since re-fallen in love with them. I really can't find anything bad to say about these guys, and their semi-side project 'Red Sparowes' are another favourite of mine as you might already know. Originally I was going to do this as one big monster post, but I have since decided against that. I will instead be uploading this in two or three shifts, starting with LPs, followed by EPs, followed by lives and remixes. So, for you guys today, I have their four studio albums. Website

Isis - Celestial
Country: USA
Genre: Post-Metal
Track List:
1. SGNL>01 0:55
2. Celestial (The Tower) 9:42
3. Glisten 6:35
4. Swarm Reigns (Down) 6:02
5. SGNL>02 0:51
6. Deconstructing Towers 7:30
7. SGNL>03 0:35
8. Collapse and Crush 5:55
9. C.F.T. (New Circuitry and Continued Evolution) 5:43
10. Gentle Time 7:02
11. SGNL>04 (End Transmission) 1:07
Total Play Time - 49:57

Starting in 2000, their third release but first full length. Based on sludge and drone ideals, this album is just an idea of what Isis was to become. Although a little different from their newer stuff this album holds a special place in my heart just because you can see the potential for greatness is there, and being able to watch that come to fruition over the next three albums is something that you can't help but love.

Download: Isis - Celestial

Isis - Oceanic
Country: USA
Genre: Post-Metal
Track List:
1. The Beginning and the End 8:02
2. The Other 7:15
3. False Light 7:42
4. Carry 6:48
5. - 2:05
6. Maritime 3:03
7. Weight 10:46
8. From Sinking 8:24
9. Hym 9:13
Total Play Time -63:20

Continuing on to 2002, Isis release Oceanic. This is where we begin to see Isis forge their style. This album is a departure from their earlier releases, evident by the use of more clean guitar parts that seem to be influenced heavily by post-rock. With a mix of sludge, drone, and post-rock, the inception of post-metal came about. Even though you could argue that the framework for post-metal was already there, I believe this album invented the genre as we know it today.

Download: Isis - Oceanic Part I
Download: Isis - Oceanic Part II

Isis - Panopticon
Country: USA
Genre: Post-Metal
Track List:
1. So Did We 7:30
2.Backlit 7:43
3. In Fiction 8:59
4. Wills Dissolve 6:47
5. Syndic Calls 9:40
6. Altered Course 9:58
7. Grinning Mouths 8:27
Total Play Time - 57:04

To 2004, a few months after my 16th birthday, comes what I think of as the pinnacle in Isis' career. Panopticon is by far my favourite Isis release. Based on the idea by Jeremy Bentham and Michel Foucault, of a prison where every prisoner could be watched at all times without knowing that they were being watched. I'm not very good at explaining it so if you're interested, check this out. Building upon their tower theme that is flowing through each release, they deliver a work of art.

Download: Isis - Panopticon

Isis - In The Absence of Truth
Country: USA
Genre: Post-Metal
Track List:
1. Wrists of Kings 7:45
2. Not in Rivers, but in Drops 7:48
3. Dulcinea 7:10
4. Over Root and Thorn 8:31
5. 1,000 Shards 6:17
6. All Out of Time, All Into Space 3:04
7. Holy Tears 7:04
8. Firdous e Bareen 7:50
9. Garden of Light 9:17
Total Play Time - 64:49

Their last release was in 2006, In The Absence of Truth. A mediocre release by Isis. With the possibilty of greatness in their midst, they seem to have gone in a completely different direction. Instead of forging into undiscovered territory, Isis seem to fall back into a post-rock/progressive grey area. From any other band, this album might be a step forward, but for Isis, it's three back. A band that almost prides itself on it's perfection lets to many seemingly sloppy riffs get through, not to mention that at least one of them must have been on a major Tool kick because this album has Tool influences all over. I have been seeing mixed reviews about this album, and have been told that it takes a bunch of careful listens to really see the mastery behind it, so maybe i'm wrong.

Download: Isis - In The Absence of Truth

The Controversy Has Landed

Alright everyone, the new Nas album is upon us, and it's title has been scrapped. It's release date is in about a week, and I've got the leak for you all. Now, I've only given it a small listen to but it doesn't seem to be up to snuff. It's Nas, it's good, but it's not Nas good. The beats are lacking, and the flow of the album seems a little strange. The lyrics are there and the message is there, but all in all, not his best work, this might be due in part to all the hype surrounding this release. I've also uploaded 'The Nigger Tape' with Nas & DJ Green Lantern. Website.

Nas - Untitled
Country: USA
Genre: Rap
Track List:
1. Queens Get The Money 2:12
2. You Can't Stop Us Now 3:05
3. Breathe 3:34
4. Make the World Go Round 3:49
5. Hero 4:00
6. America 3:51
7. Sly Fox 4:23
8. Testify 2:45
9. N.I.G.G.E.R. (Slave and the Master) 4:33
10. Louis Farrakhan 2:51
11. Fried Chicken 2:50
12. Project Roach 1:48
13. Y'all My Niggas 4:15
14. We're Not Alone 5:39
15. Black President 4:55
Total Play Time - 54:04

Download: Nas - Untitled


Nas & DJ Green Lantern - The Nigger Tape
Country: USA
Genre: Rap
Track List:
1. Intro 0:59
2. Gangsta Rap (Remix) 1:51
3. Cops Keep Firing 3:03
4. Hero 4:12
5. Black President 5:25
6. Association 5:15
7. Legendary (Mike Tyson) 2:54
8. Ghetto (Remix) 3:24
9. Seen It All 1:39
10. Esco Let's Go 3:49
11. N.I.G.G.E.R. (Slave and Master) 4:21
12. Be A Nigger Too (Remix) 3:09
13. Surviving the Times (Original Cool and Dre Version) 3:35
14. Nas Timeline 8:39
15. Outro 1:02
Total Play Time - 53:16

Download: Nas & DJ Green Lantern - The Nigger Tape

A Few New Arrivals Into My Possession!

I just received a couple things, one on vinyl, and one was an advance but I think it has been released by now. First I will be uploading the new Aborted album. Aborted are a death metal band from Belgium for those of you who don't know. For me, their albums have been a lot of hit or miss, but I haven't gotten the chance to listen to this one yet, hopefully it's good.

Aborted - Strychnine.213 (Site)
Country: Belgium
Genre: Death Metal
Track List:
1. Carrion - 1:46
2. Ophiolatry - 4:52
3. I35 - 3:45
4. Pestiferous Subterfuge - 4:24
5. The Chyme Congeries - 3:46
6. A Murmer in Decrepit Wits - 4:43
7. Enterrement of an Idol - 3:24
8. Hereditary Band - 2:49
9. Avarice of Vilification - 3:35
10. The Obfuscate - 4:09
Total Play Time - 37:13

Download: Aborted - Strychnine.213

Next, I'll upload one of the newer additions to my vinyl collection, Flight of the Conchords - Flight of the Conchords. Well this isn't really a great album, although the songs were written before the show, without the images they're just not as good. Still thoroughly enjoyable to listen through at least once or twice.

Flight of the Conchords - S/T (Site)
Country: New Zealand
Genre: Comedy
Track List:
1. Foux du Fafa - 2:47
2. Inner City Pressure - 3:27
3. Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenoceros - 2:09
4. Think About It - 3:15
5. Ladies of the World - 3:57
6. Mutha'uckas - 2:27
7. The Prince of Parties - 1:49
8. Leggy Blonde (feat. Rhys Darby) - 2:42
9. Robots - 3:43
10. Boom - 2:18
11. A Kiss Is Not a Contract - 1:55
12. The Most Beautiful Girl (in the Room) - 4:02
13. Business Time - 4:05
14. Bowie - 3:16
15. Au Revoir - 0:22
Totaly Play Time - 42:07

Download: Flight of the Conchords - S/T

Oh yes, and before I forget I wanted to apologize for the sloppiness of my last post. It seems that cutting and pasting out of Word doesn't work to well, and I ended up writing that whole thing out twice, and it not posting either time, so then I just gave up and did that real quickly. And remember, if you like a post or want to request something similar just leave a comment.

As Promised, I Deliver To Thee, Finntroll!

This is going to be quite the post. Today, I give you every release by the Finnish humppa-influenced folk metal band. They have one demo, two EPs, and four LPs. Although they hail from Finland, most of the lyrics are in Swedish because their original vocalist, Katla, was Fenno-Swedish, a small minority of Swedish speaking Fins. He was forced to leave the band because of a tumor that affected his vocal cords, and the original guitarist, Somnium, died by accident/suicide, depending on who you ask. Katla and Somnium were the only two founding members so the band is now completely without the founders. So, without further ado their first release, the demo Rivfader. Here is a link to their website.

Finntroll – Rivfader

Country: Finland

Genre: Folk Metal

Track List:

1. Haterop - 3:18

2. Rivfader - 4:08

3. Vätteanda - 4:35

4. Den Svarta Älgens Blod - 2:35

5. Midnattens Widunder - 4:39

6. Stigen - 1:39

Total Play Time – 20:54

I suggest not using this as the first Finntroll release to listen to. Although it shows great promise of what Finntroll was to become over the next bunch of years, it seems like exactly what it is, the first attempt that landed on the wrong side of perfection. Most of the songs on this demo were reworked and released on later albums. Nothing amazing but none the less a beautiful sign of things to come. Recorded by only Katla, Somnium, and a drum machine and released in 1998.

Download: Finntroll – Rivfader

Finntroll – Midnattens Widunder (The Monster of Midnight)

Country: Finland

Genre: Folk Metal

Track List:

1. Intro – 1:56

2. Svartberg (Black Mountain) – 4:07

3. Rivfader – 4:09

4. Vätteanda (Goblin Spirit) – 4:36

5. Bastuvisan (Sauna Song) – 1:18

6. Blodnatt (Blood Night) – 5:12

7. Midnattens Widunder (The Monsters of Midnight) – 4:40

8. Segersång (Victory Song) – 1:58

9. Svampfest (Mushroom Feast) – 2:04

Total Play Time – 30:00

The next release is the bands first full-length, Midnattens Widunder. This is a good place to start if listening to Finntroll for the first time. Although it isn’t their greatest work, you won’t notice unless you’ve listened to any of their other stuff. The humppa influence is instantly noticeable as the album has numerous ‘polkaish’ themes in the songs. Extremely enjoyable for me, this is by far my favourite genre of metal though. I find every release by Finntroll to be extremely easy to listen to, and extremely fun. Recorded with a full band this time, the same lineup as they have now but with ‘Somnium’ on lead guitar instead of ‘Routa.’ They release this album in 1999.

Download: Finntroll – Midnattens Widunder

Finntroll – Jaktens Tid (Hunting Season)

Country: Finland

Genre: Folk Metal

Track List:

1. Krig (Intro) (War) – 2:09

2. Födosagan (The Tale of Birth) – 5:03

3. Slaget Vid Blodsälv (The Battle of Bloodriver) – 3:17

4. Skogens Hämnd (The Revenge of the Forest) – 4:06

5. Jaktens Tid (The Time of the Hunt) – 3:34

6. Bakom Varje Fura (Behind Every Fir-Tree) – 2:15

7. Kitteldags (Cauldrontime) – 2:05

8. Krigsmjöd (War Mead) – 3:10

9. Vargtimmen (Hour of Wolf) – 3:31

10. Kyrkovisan (Church Song) – 1:22

11. Den Hornkrönte Konungen (The Horn-Crowned King) – 3:45

12. Aldhissla (Aldhissla) – 6:28

13. Tomhet och Tystnad Härska (Emptiness and Silence Reigns) – 4:35

Total Play Time – 45:20

Listening to all these Finntroll albums again, I really wish I knew Swedish. I can only imagine what they are singing about with music like this. Jaktens Tid follows in the same direction that Midnattens Widunder was going, but it is just further along. An instant classic, mixing the dark brooding intensity of black metal with the strangely upbeat and enjoyable humppa styles, Finntroll makes something that is fun without being artistically empty. According to some, although the music on this album sounds so happy and fun, the lyrics are actually full of death, gore, and trolls taking over the world. I think this is a perfect parallel with the band itself, the mixing of two completely different things to make something wonderful. Using the same lineup as used in Midnattens Widunder,they released this in 2001.

Download: Finntroll – Jaktens Tid

Finntroll – Visor Om Slutet (Songs About the End)

Country: Finland

Genre: Folk Metal

Track List:

Suohengen Sija (The Place of the Swamp Spirit) – 2:58

2. Asfågelns Död (The Death of the Carrion Bird) – 3:47

3. Försvinn Du Som Lyser (Begone, You Who Shine) – 2:38

4. Veripuu (Blood Tree) – 1:16

5. Under Varje Rot och Sten (Under Every Root and Stone) – 3:17

6. När Allt Blir Is (When Everything Turns to Ice) – 2:37

7. Den Sista Runans Dans (The Dance of the Last Rune) – 3:44

8. Rov (Prey) – 2:05

9. Madon Laulu (The Worm's Song) – 4:01

10. Svart Djup (Black Depth) – 3:57

11. Avgrunden Öppnas (The Abyss Opens) – 2:20

Total Play Time – 32:41

Next Visor Om Slutet, an unexpected change for Finntroll. Just an EP, Finntroll decides that they want to try something a little different. Atmospheric Troll Folk is about all I can think about calling this album, other than amazing. In this release even though it’s not black metal, they capture everything that I believe black metal is about. It’s not about blood, gore, growls, and hate, as some people seem to think. It’s about remembering, respecting, and embracing the pagan roots of the Nordic countries, somehow capturing the atmosphere and landscapes of the Viking homeworld. This is exactly what Finntroll does with this album, the completely acoustic release captures everything that it’s meant to while still having that ‘Finntrollish’ touch to it. The last release that includes the two founder, both of which this is their last recording, was released in 2003.

Download: Finntroll – Visor Om Slutet

Finntroll – Trollhammaren (The Trollhammer)

Country: Finland

Genre: Folk Metal

Track List:

1. Trollhammaren (The Trollhammer) – 3:28

2. Hemkomst (Homecoming) – 3:46

3. Skog (Forest) – 3:24

4. Försvinn Du Som Lyser (Metal Version) (Begone, You Who Shine) – 2:17

5. Hel Vete (Whole Wheat) – 4:15

Total Play Time – 17:10

Trollhammaren is the second EP from Finntroll. Exactly what you would expect from the northern trolls but nothing that seems exceptional. A place holder in between the two full lengths. The songs have the patented Finntroll style of a band that is almost comedic if they weren’t so good. This is not to say that this release isn’t good, it is, just not above the rest of their releases, and being so short, it doesn’t seem to satisfy that Finntroll urge. Released with the current lineup in 2004.

Download: Finntroll – Trollhammaren

Finntroll – Nattfodd (Nightborn)

Country: Finland

Genre: Folk Metal

Track List:

1. Vindfärd / Människopesten (Wind Journey / The Human Plague) – 5:36

2. Eliytres – 3:46

3. Fiskarens Fiende ( Enemy of Fisherman) – 3:47

4. Trollhammaren (The Troll Hammer) – 3:33

5. Nattfödd (Nightborn) – 4:51

6. Ursvamp (Ancient Mushroom) – 2:03

7. Marknadsvisan (The Market Song) – 2:00

8. Det Iskalla Trollblod (The Ice-cold Troll Blood) – 3:54

9. Grottans Barn (Children of the Cave) – 4:37

10. Rök (Smoke) – 2:23

Total Play Time – 36:30

Now this is the album that really showed me how great they were. Nattfodd. Seriously, I would say that this is my favourite release by them. When I listen to it, I can’t help but think that if Trolls had a nightclub, this would be the music playing in the background. I can see big ass trolls dancing around and singing along to these tunes, just like the good old days. All I can think when listening to this album is, oh my god, why does it have to end? The mixing of the two genres is absolutely amazing. Just when you think that it’s going to be a little bit more metal then the other releases, they attack you with a beautiful folk/humppa interlude. Simply amazing stuff recorded with the current lineup, in 2004.

Download: Finntroll – Nattfodd

Finntroll – Ur Jordens Djup (From the Depths of the Earth)

Country: Finland

Genre: Folk Metal

Track List:

1. Gryning (Dawn) – 3:33

2. Sång (Song) – 4:40

3. Korpens Saga (The Raven's Tale) – 3:26

4. Nedgång (Downfall) – 3:44

5. Ur Djupet (Out of the Depths) – 4:59

6. Slagbröder (War-brothers) – 4:31

7. En Mäktig Här (A Mighty Horde) – 4:19

8. Ormhäxan (The Serpent Witch) – 4:39

9. Maktens Spira (The Scepter of Might) – 3:28

10. Under Två Runor (Under Two Runes) – 5:36

11. Kvällning/Trollvisan (Dusk/The Troll Song) – 13:01

Total Play Time – 55:56

I will finish with the latest release, Ur Jordens Djup. Another classic from the Finnish troll band. Definitely not their best release, but nothing short of entertaining. This album is still enjoyable, I find the trick is to not compare it to older Finntroll releases. Hopefully not the beginning of a slippery slide down to mediocrity is all I can say. Although still miles above the rest of the genre, well of any genre close to this, not up to Finntroll’s standards. Maybe I’m being to harsh, maybe it’s just because I’m to used to their old stuff, I’ll let you be the judge. Released by the current lineup in 2007.

Download: Finntroll – Ur Jordens Djup