Mare - Mare (2004)

EP, Hydra Head Records
October 5th, 2004

Genre: Atmospheric Sludge/Doom Metal
Region: Canada

I'm perpetually behind on this years great releases at this point, but I promise I'll get to them soon. The new Ash Borer, Dephosphorus, Bereft, The Howling Wind, Protestant, Morigon, Swans, Evoken, Torch Runner, Panopticon, A Forest of Stars, Old Man Gloom, etc. Not that it matters really with the thousands of other great blogs out there tackling them in a responsible and timely manner — the top of the list obviously being Forever Cursed and The Living Doorway. So get your ass over there and show some love.

However I'm gonna use up a few posts to repost and properly review some of my favorite records (most likely 3) in between catching up on all that so bare with me. I started writing for Cvlt Nation last month (joining my friend Haxan from Forever Cursed) and I recently had the pleasure of writing an article about Mare's reunion shows here in Toronto. I also slipped in a review of their only release which is one of my favorite records of all time, and I wanted to post it here with a link to the record.

I posted this record when I first joined Equivoke but said very little about it — the link is down now and instead of just updating that I wanted to start fresh. So if you want you can head over and check out the full article about the live shows in their entirety, but below is just the review of the record and their performance last week (edited so it will make sense in the context of this blog). I would hope more people know about this than I'm inclined to a assume, but it never hurts to spread the magic and get others into such a great record.

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(Originally published at Cvlt Nation)

This past Thursday and Friday I and many others were blessed enough to be witness to several Toronto reunion shows of the legendary sludge three-piece Mare. I attended two of them, there was nothing that was going to keep me from seeing such a rare and visceral performance, and the supporting local bands Titan, Gates, White Ribs and Godstopper helped make the night even more special.

Cellgraft - Cellgraft LP (2012)

EP, Self-released / Independent
July 29th, 2012

Genre: Grindcore
Region: USA

This my friends is the final record from the Insect Warfare-influenced, vicious Florida grindcore outfit Cellgraft. After their final show on September 1st at the Brass Mug in Tampa, Florida they're calling it quits. They've generously left this unrelenting jagged shard of grindcore as their final word, and they've done so for free or pay-what-you-can via their bandcamp page.

Their records have been tremendous, truly doing the grind scene proud, and it's really a shame that they've split — especially considering they deserve a ton of attention for their hard work and dedication to face shredding grindcore over their short 3 year existence.

Self-titled and raw as you could ask for, this record is as short as any GridLink release and approaching their level of might and ferocity, while sidestepping technicality and barreling head-long into darkened, brutal speed. Outside of the opening track "False Sequence of Value" there is only one other track of the 17 here that approaches one minute in length. The opener is also the slowest you'll ingest too, at least for the first minute as it clobbers you with a maniacal set of distorted groves.

The rest are refined sparks of grindcore in its purest form, tracks that will flatten you like a runaway nuclear freight train. It's a record that demands you spin it at least 5 or more times before you realize the excellence you've just encountered in the 12 minutes of sonic ear rape they've recorded. You'll be sheared apart by razor sharp and dirty riffs, an endless heap of blasting snares and kickers, devastating snarling bass licks, and some truly wicked growls and screams puked forth with disgust and contempt. They haven't released the lyrics for this one but I can only assume (from the titles) they're as cold and calculated as the music — dealing with dystopian cybernetic ruin, synthetic monstrosities, and network corruption with a definite political cloak. All undeniably appropriate.

It's all over too quickly for one to be able to properly process this hectic tangle of shrapnel. What I can tell you before you dive into it is that the energy level is cranked passed 10. It's powerful. Each tasty riff is tailored specifically for raw, bestial fury and in that sense the writing is excellent. There isn't eye-opening innovation but that's not the point here (as if that needs stating). The velocity of each track is breathtaking and you'll be compelled to put this on repeat.

Once again and for one final time Cellgraft have shown they've earned the right to use one of the legendary Insect Warfare's track titles with an unstoppable, light-speed assault. Any grindcore fan should not think twice about spinning this beast and, if you're feeling nice, chipping in whatever you can when you download this LP; I doubt there will be a physical release. They were nice enough to let you guys have this final offering for free so you would only be doing good things for such excellent musicians.


DOWNLOAD (Bandcamp)

Corpsessed - The Dagger & The Chalice (2011)

EP, Dark Descent Records
May 1st, 2011



Genre: Death Metal
Region: Finland

First release from these guys. Been waiting for it and it's here! Some great Finish death metal.

DOWNLOAD (Mediafire)

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)

Hooded Menace/Anima Morte Split [2010/320]

Two tracks totaling out to 11 minutes. Beautiful and heavy doom metal from each band.

Artist: Hooded Menace/Anima Morte

Album: Split

Release Year: 2010

Genre: Death/Doom Metal

1. A Decay of Mind and Flesh

2. Grasp of the Beastwoman

Download 320 (Megaupload)

Grieves - Every Hell Has It's Springtime EP [2005/96 - 128]

Very first EP ever released by Grieves. Regardless of the fact that there's no Budo, this still possesses some intense songs that even hold up to his current stuff. Sorry about the crap quality but I don't think there's a link anywhere on the internet with a higher quality. Still well worth listening to if you enjoy hip hop in the slightest.

Artist: Grieves

Album: Every Hell Has It's Springtime EP

Release Year: 2005

Genre: Hip Hop

1. Intro

2. Garbage

3. Fairytale Bullshit

4. Money Game

5. Breathe

6. Dear Friend

7. A Song for Us

8. Outro

Download 96 - 128 (Megaupload)

Magrdergrind - Crusher EP (2010)

EP, Scion Audio Visual
November 22nd, 2010



Genre: Grindcore
Region: USA

Corporate sponsored grindcore, haha. 6 track EP up for free here.

DOWNLOAD(Mediafire)

Rogue Sounds - Transmission [2010/320]

I was actually asked directly by the band to post this on here, and thus here it is. I have listened to it myself and it is a very solid record. In fact, it's one of my favourite EP's this year. It might be interesting to know, the album was produced by Ed Brooks, who has worked with Russian Circles and Fall of Troy, previously. I definitely recommend this to Post-Rock/Post-Metal fans.

Artist: Rogue Sounds

Album: Transmission (EP)

Release Year: 2010

Genre: Post-Rock

1. Decibel

2. Virtue

3. Vice

4. Transmission

Download 320 (Megaupload)

TotorRo - TotorRo [2010/VBR]

Some of the best post-rock I've heard in a while. Cannot wait for a full-length release from this band.

Artist: TotorRo
Album: TotorRo (EP)
Release Year: 2010
Genre: Post-Rock/Post-Metal

1. 1984
2. My Bob's Blue Eyes
3. Isang Tao
4. Totoro's Rising

Download VBR (Mediafire)