Skeletonwitch have made themselves one of the best heavy metal bands of the 21st century ever since the release of Beyond the Permafrost. Unlike many modern thrash bands, Skeletonwitch creates their own sound by mixing thrash, black metal, and blistering solos, as heard on the blackened shredfest that is the band's sophomore effort. If you haven't heard Skeletonwitch yet, then I suggest you hurry up and give this a spin.
1) Upon Wings of Black 2) Beyond the Permafrost 3) Baptized in Flames 4) Sacrifice for the Slaughtergod 5) Vengeance Will Be Mine 6) Limb From Limb 7) Cast into the Open Sea 8) Fire From the Sky 9) Soul Thrashing Black Sorcery 10) Remains of the Defeated 11) Feast Upon Flesh 12) Within My Blood
Ministry is one of the most important industrial artist. Beginning with Psalm 69, Ministry also incorporates some metal into their work. The moods on this album range from aggressive ("Hero" and "TV II") to just plain creepy ("Scare Crow" and "Psalm 69"). Psalm 69 is also a very special album for me, considering that it was one of the first metal albums I owned.
1) N.W.O. 2) Just One Fix 3) TV II 4) Hero 5) Jesus Built My Hotrod 6) Scare Crow 7) Psalm 69 8) Corrosion 9) Grace
After listening to Kragens, I can actually say that there's at least one French metal band I enjoy. Kragens of France plays a brand of power/thrash quite similar to that of Nevermore. However, Kragens vocalist Renaud Espeche (who sounds like a cross between Warrel Dane and Roy Khan) also employs the use of harsh vocals. Infight is the band's third full-length release. I really don't have much else to say, but listen, headbang, and enjoy!
1) Deaf and Blind 2) Lake of Fire 3) Angels Among Monsters 4) Tyranny of God 5) Ten Treasons We Fight 6) The Falling Man 7) Only The Weak Survive 8) Mask of the Damned 9) Metalize
Carnage is a band some of you might already know as Michael Amott's first band. Carnage is one of the most influential bands that helped Sweden create it's own brand of death metal. Unfortunately, Dark Recollections is the only album by this band. After this album, guitarist Michael Amott joined soon-to-be death metal legends Carcass and vocalist Matti Kärki, guitarist David Blomqvist and drummer Fred Estby formed Dismember.
1) Dark Recollections 2) Torn Apart 3) Blasphemies of the Flesh 4) Infestation of Evil 5) Gentle Exhuming 6) Deranged From Blood 7) Malignant Epitaph 8) Self Dissection 9) Death Evocation 10) Outro
Fishbone is an essential band for anyone interested in ska. This all-black Californian band fuses third-wave ska with a brand of funky punk similar to Faith No More and early Red Hot Chili Peppers. Fishbone's self-titled EP, also their first recorded material ever, contains the ska classic "Party At Ground Zero," which is one of the band's most popular tracks. Another album recommended is Fishbone's 1988 album Truth and Soul, which features a calmer, yet still incredibly fun, version of the band.
1) Ugly 2) Another Generation 3) ? (Modern Industry) 4) Party At Ground Zero 5) Voyage Through The Land Of The Freeze Dried Godzilla Farts 6) Lyin' Ass Bitch
School's started again, so I'll be posting albums a little less often now.
On a side note, go see Carcass while they're still touring. I saw them last night and it was just amazing. And if you do go, make sure you get there early enough to catch Aborted, 1349 and Suffocation as well.
A black metal band is one of the last thing anyone would expect to come out of Saudi Arabia, one of the holiest places in the world. Al-Namrood describes themselves as "a blend of a fiendish Black Metal and an Archaic Arabian culture." Although the Middle Eastern theme is becoming more and more cliched in metal, the band manages to create a wonderful sound reminiscent to that of the second wave of black metal. The name Al-Namrood ("the non-believer" in English) is the name of the Babylonian king mentioned in the Qur'an who challenged the prophet Ibrahim and claimed to be God.
