Young and In the Way - I Am Not What I Am (2011)

Full-Length, Independent
March 24, 2011

Genre: Blackened Hardcore/Crust
Region: USA

Hardcore with a black/metallic/sludge tinge spread finely throughout, a little bit of dissonance/angularity, and nice vocals too. It makes for some very good stuff all the way to the end. Full album is up for streaming here, and their earlier stuff is up for free on their blog.

In 320.

DOWNLOAD (Mediafire)

Ash Borer - Ash Borer (2011)

Full-length, Psychic Violence
March 10th, 2011

Genre: Atmospheric Black Metal
Region: USA

Man this turned up quick! Ash Borer rule and here's the new album (in 320) with three long tracks soaked with atmospheric riffs. Shouldn't need to say much more. If you like Fell Voices, Dispirit, Altar of Plagues or Weakling you'll want to grab this.

EIDT: New links, vinyl rip in 320.

DOWNLOAD (Mediafire)
DOWNLOAD (Zippyshare)

Adversarial - Prophetic Plain of Abyssal Revelation (2011)

EP, Dark Descent Records
March 17th, 2011


Genre: Death Metal
Region: Canada

Adversarial's latest EP. Three tracks from the "Thralls" demo, one previously unreleased, and three new tracks — two of which are covers (Archgoat and Incantation respectively).

DOWNLOAD (Mediafire)

Mar de Grises - Steams Inwards (2010)

Genre: Melodic Death/Doom Metal
Country: Chile
Release date: August 30, 2010
Label: Season of Mist

Download via Megaupload (VBR)

Mamaleek - Kurdaitcha (2011)

Full Length, Enemies List Home Recording
March 1st, 2011



Genre: Experimental Black Metal
Region: USA

Mamaleek is two mysterious brothers making some very strange, intriguing black metal. Previous albums had some jazz influence, this one however has dropped it while retaining the electro-noise elements, subtle synth use, and heavily distorted guitar/vocals. These guys have generously put their album up for free on Enemies List with an option to pay what you like if you enjoy it, preorder the album on vinyl, etc.

Definitely an odd and unique sound that sticks out among other acts in the genre. You won't hear much else out there like the sound they've crafted. If you're looking for something different give it a shot and support them if you can.

DOWNLOAD (Mediafire)

Lento - Icon (2011)

Full-length, Denovali Records
April, 2011



Genre: Atmospheric Sludge/Post-Metal
Region: Italy

You gotta love great bands that release their shit for free (in 320). Lento's first solo album "Earthen" was seriously heavy with ambient elements throughout, and they also did a improvised album with ambient stoner/doom masters Ufomammut. From Denovali:

"The foundations for ICON had been laid during two years of intense touring in Europe. In this time, LENTO have started to develop a more chaotic and restructured songwriting. This new level of sound has then been perfected during numerous hard rehearsels in the touring period, and has been deepened in a period of one year, which LENTO spent isolated in their home-based studio. In that year, LENTO managed to cast the molten outcome of their creative process into ten new songs."

This release is a little different from previous outings, there are slight progressive elements alongside the crushing sludge riffs and atmosphere. I'd encourage everyone who enjoys this band and their music to also preorder Icon here, where you can stream it live too.

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Vorum - Grim Death Awaits EP (2009)

EP, Woodcut Records
April 8th, 2009


Genre: Death Metal
Region: Finland

I am absolutely in love with the guitar tone on this record, like a fucking chainsaw tearing through everything. Such a wicked growl, vocals are perfect too. It's about 20 minutes of some seriously killer old school death metal without compromise at any point. The last track (Eyes Burning Red) demands multiple plays with the volume at 11.

In 320.

DOWNLOAD (Mediafire)

Oathbreaker - Oathbreaker EP (2008)

EP, Holy Shit! Records/Thirty Days of Night Records
October, 2008



Genre: Hardcore/Metalcore
Region: Belgium

Fuck yeah. Oathbreaker is a great female-fronted hardcore group from Belgium. Five straight-to-the-point tracks of slamming metallic hardcore goodness.

DOWNLOAD (Mediafire)

Veil Veil Vanish - Change in the Neon Light [2010/256]

Where was the attention to this album when it came out? I didn't even hear about it until I started browsing for some new shoegaze bands to listen to. My search was soon diverted once I stumbled upon this beautiful piece of musicianship. There are elements of shoegaze and post-punk in it, but it's mainly an indie rock/pop effort. Sometimes the album feels a bit too convoluted, and at other times a bit too generic, but those moments are few and far between. This is definitely an album not to miss out on.

Artist: Veil Veil Vanish

Album: Change in the Neon Light

Release Year: 2010

Genre: Indie Rock/Pop

1. Change in the Neon Light

2. Anthem for a Doomed Youth

3. Exile City

4. Modern Lust

5. Pharmaceutical Party Platform

6. Secondhand Daylight

7. This is Violet

8. Detachment

9. Wilderness

Download 256 (Megaupload)

Atmosphere - When Life Gives You Lemons... [320/2008]

This is easily one of my favourite hip hop albums ever. The album is produced extremely well, and each song has it's own unique feel to it. This, complemented with Slug's trademark storytelling makes the album an enjoyable and diverse experience. Songs like "Your Glasshouse" and "Shoulda Known" provide a dark, gritty atmosphere; "You" with a very 'poppy' sound that sticks in your head; "Guarantees" and "Me" a more sorrowful presentation, and everything else is in between these extremes. Seriously recommended for hip hop fans.

Artist: Atmosphere

Album: When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint that Shit Gold

Release Year: 2008

Genre: Hip Hop

1. Like the Rest of Us

2. Puppets

3. The Skinny

4. Dreamer

5. Shoulda Known

6. You

7. Painting

8. Your Glasshouse

9. Yesterday

10. Guarantees

11. Me

12. Wild Wild Horses

13. Can't Break

14. The Waitress

15. In Her Music Box

Download 320 (Megaupload)