Master's Hammer - Šlágry

A farewell from an old friend. Slagry was the 1995 swansong of Czech beast Master's Hammer. Master's Hammer was perhaps the most odd and confounding black metal band in history. Their discography being entirely comprised of masterpieces; epic albums that haunt you and taunt you to comprehend them. These Czechs were true innovators, and one of a kind.

This, their last album, is the strangest of them all. Comprised of a couple covers (even a Chuck Berry cover) the album takes a sharp left turn and confuses the listener even more.

So, stop reading and start listening. Read about the album HERE and download HERE.

Peeping Tom - Demos

Here are some rough demos for one of my favorite albums of the last few years, Peeping Tom's self titled debut. Legend has it that on these demos Mike Patton recorded and played all instrumentation himself. It is interesting to hear the difference between these recordings and the finished album.

Perhaps even more interesting are the couple tracks that do not appear on the full length such as "Desperate Situation" that although it doesn't appear on the album, they do play it live. Anyway, this is just a nice glimpse into the process of this amazing album, and perhaps a glimpse into the future of the project as well.

Download HERE.

Nothing - The Grey Subaudible

I consider this the debut album from Nothing.  The first CD was a mere collection of rough 4 track demos re-released to appear like an album, and that collection was less than satisfactory.  Anyway, in 1999 I wrangled my friend Nihk Loiacano into helping me with a TRUE debut album, and this is what we have here, "The Grey Subaudible" released via Eibon Records in 2000.

Nihk and I composed this over a period of time in 1999 and recorded it with Brady Holmberg in Minneapolis, MN.  This was my first real forray into the world of dark electronics, and is the Nothing album I am the most proud of today.

It was released in a really nice glossy digipack with a great fold out booklet with lyrics and design by Mauro Berchi of Eibon Records as well as Canaan and Ras Algethi of course.

The album is almost sold out, and I am sure it will never be repressed, so here it is.  Enjoy!

More information on Nothing HERE and download HERE.  

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.