Pungent Stench - For God Your Soul, For Me Your Flesh

Pungent Stench really only got noterity for their sophomore album, "Been Caught Buttering" and it's filthy grinding mess of death metal, like an Autopsy cover band gone wrong.  However, their first album "For God Your Soul, For Me Your Flesh" is an amazing and unique album as well.  

This band makes me feel dirty, much in the same way that Autopsy does.  The music is crusted with filth, and decay; it's sloppy, somewhat apethetic, but passionate at the same time.  Truly brilliant.

Unfortunately, soon after the medicore success of "Been Caught Buttering," the band got caught up in the pseudo-goth bondage stylings of bands like The Genitorturers and lost all respect, at least in my eyes.  However, their old material is absolutely classic.

Check out info on the band HERE and download the album HERE.

Disharmonic Orchestra - Not To Be Undimensional Concious

I don't want to say much about this band, or this release, so I'll just say this.  The band is from Austria, they are criminally overlooked, and to this day when I hear the name "Disharmonic Orchestra" it brings a smile to my face. 

One more thing, "Not To Be Undimensional Concious" is awesome.  It was released in 1992, and much like Phlegethon, pushed boundaries in metal, and challenged pre-conceived notions.  Download HERE.  

Jam Handy - Hidden Bone And Hidden Gristle

When I was doing my label, this was by far my best selling release, and one of my personal faves.  Jam Handy are a mysterious duo of guys who make Negativland look pedestrian.  Their brand of plunderphonics and cut up found/junk sound scape is the best I have ever heard.

These two guys took a multitude of garage sale cassettes, and goodwill vinyl, and found sounds anywhere they could find them, and created this masterpiece entitled "Hidden Bone And Hidden Gristle."  It is long sold out now, and was limited to 100 copies, so it is probably impossible to find in any mail order or store.

The thing I really like about this release, is even though it is all over the place, themes keep repeating, and ideas keep re-emerging, just like a pop song.  This album is hysterical and disturbing all at once.  Absolutely brilliant.

Even when I was working with these guys they were very mysterious to me.  I never really knew either of their names, never knew much about them except for one went by the name of Wodnerdog on some Internet forums.  This is a must listen.  So download HERE.  

Necropolis - Descent

Attention Agalloch and Sculptured fans.  Don Anderson, guitarist for both bands, had a band in high schoool.  They were thrashy, melodic and probably wore high top sneakers.  Today I have their "Descent" demo, which was recorded at Soundtracks studios with Ronn Chick, as were all Sculptured albums, and most Agalloch albums.  

This is definitely an interesting listen for Sculptured fans especially, as you can hear Don's trademark style shining through, as well as his growls and even a couple Sculptured riffs in their infancy as well as Don's penchant for using samples.  

Also on these recordings are Tom Walling on lead vocals, who also joined Don on the lastest Sculptured record "Embodiment."  So, download this HERE and listen to what Don was doing when he was 14.  Were you this good at 14?  Yeah, I didn't think so.

P.S. The photo above is actually a really old Sculptured photo since I don't have any Necropolis photos.  That's Don in the middle, with Necropolis drummer John Schlegel to his right, all the rest featured in the photo were not in Necropolis.  From the left it is Brian Yaeger (ex-Sculptured), the tall guy is Nick Wusz (ex-VOID, Sculptured) and myself on the far right, and yes we are in an elevator.  

Secret Chiefs 3 - Eyes Of Flesh, Eyes Of Flame

In celebration of seeing one of my favorite bands tonight, Secret Chiefs 3, presented here is their live album recorded at Slim's in San Francisco on August 18th, 1998.  It is a wonderful documentation of an amazing and eclectic band playing skillfully and passionately.

For those living under a rock who don't know who SC3 is, it is the brainchild of former Mr. Bungle guitarist, Trey Spruance, and featues a wide and ever changing cast of musicians.  On This recording you will find: 

• 
  
• Trey Spruance - Guitar, Keyboards
• Danny Heifetz - Drums, Percussion
• Eyvind Kang - Violin
• Bär McKinnon - Flute, Keyboards, Percussion
• Phil Franklin - Percussion, Drums on Ciocarlia
• John Wayne Law - Bass

Download HERE

Remember - Promo '96

In 1995 I was living in Minneapolis, MN and didn't know many people.  I wandered into a record store on Nicollet Mall and heard a long haired kid ask for the new Mortiis album.  I approached him and we started talking.  This long hair was Cordell Klier.  Now Cordell is fairly well known as a dark electronics/glitch/experimental artist, as well as performing spoken word, graphic design and running DoctSect Media for years.  

We became good friends and reveled in Kvist, Brighter Death Now, SPK, Ved Buens Ende, and countless noise and black metal bands.  We recorded this promo in 1996 together with one keyboard, one microphone and a 4-track.  It is a strange mix of ambient, black metal, trip hop, and electronica, and to this day I am still proud of this cassette.

In a separate folder you will find an unreleased, untitled and UNFINISHED track that we recorded at famed Gark Studios in Minneapolis, with Dave Pinsky who recorded and produced The Beastie Boys for years.  The G Spot that the Beastie Boys refer to is Gark Studios.  We recorded this in a day to 2" tape, and never finished it due to financial issues.

I don't have a scan of the cover, so here is a generic photo for you to enjoy.

Download HERE.  

Fossil Fuel - I Hate Music

I first heard Fossil Fuel when doing a tape trade with Ash from Estuary Of Calamity in the early 90's.  He taped me some old Nihilist Demos and he threw on some Fossil Fuel at the end of side A.  Well, it blew me away.  I ignored the Nihilist and fell in love with Fossil Fuel.  it became the soundtrack of my high school years.  I listened to these demos over and over and over, my friends and I quoting them again and again, ad nausem.  

Fossil Fuel is comprised of Poopy, Food Fortunata and the Punk Drum Beat Maker.  You may know the first two guys from acts such as Sockeye, or Kill The Hippies.  Fossil Fuel is my favorite of the grandiose Ohio tardcore scene, and these songs of absolute political incorrectness and and hilarity truly changed my life.

To this day I regard Fossil Fuel as a band that shaped not only my musical taste, but my humor as well, and they will forever be one of my favorite bands.  Included here is a "best of" called "I Hate Music."  It's unbelievable.  Download HERE.