General Blog Update #5

Thank you to everyone who comes here for supporting this blog, and I hope you all have a safe and joyous time ringing in the new year. I'll be home tommorow posting up a storm, so if you happen to be lucky enough (and smart enough) to not have a hangover, stop by and take a peek.
Best Wishes,
Antonius


UPDATE JAN 1, 9:50 PM:
I apologize for not being able to update today, I'm apparently a very popular character in my town now. I only JUST got home from leaving the house at 7pm yesterday. So, to make up for it, mucho uploads tomorrow as a promise. I'll be kicking around the house doing chores, so it should be a productive day for this blog AND the cleanliness of my living environment.

Behold... the Arctopus

Behold... the Arctopus is a Technical/Progressive Metal band from Brooklyn, New York. They are not easy to digest for the first-time listener. I generally describe them as overly technical for technicality's sake. This is an extremely talented band but after a while songs start sounding similar and the complexity of the compositions can get overwhelming. Either way, they're still a decent band to check out. I wish I had more to say on these dudes, but if you've heard one tech. prog. metal band, you've undoubtedly heard them all.

SAMPLE THE MAGIC:


2006 Nano-Nucleonic Cyborg Summoning
2007 Skullgrid

Genghis Tron

DISCLAIMER: This band will be an acquired taste to most of you.

Genghis Tron is essentially a Cybergrind band hailing from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Incorporating various types of electronica with grindcore makes their style, to me at least, extremely interesting and nearly dance-able. They have no drummer or bassist but flesh out their keyboards, vocals and guitar with various programmed drum beats and other synthesized samples. I just heard them for the first time the other day by pure chance although they'd been recommended to me quite a while ago. Thusly I pass on the magic to you.

SAMPLE BEFORE DOWNLOADING:


2006 Dead Mountain Mouth
3 EPs

Andrew W.K.

Andrew Wilkes-Krier, better known by his stage name of Andrew W.K. fronts an eponymous hard rock pop metal band he formed in New York City. First hitting big with the ever-amazing hard partying epic aptly titled 'Party Hard' his band blew up on the MTV crowd with a couple more hit singles from the debut album I Get Wet. When he released the more lush album The Wolf it got mixed reviews and Andrew slipped relatively into obscurity. He still remains widely popular in Japan and still has a dedicated army of listeners stateside. I think it goes without saying that this is the ultimate man to put in the cd player at a party.

When it's time to party, we will always party hard.

Sample some video deliciousness:


2001 I Get Wet
2003 The Wolf
2006 Close Calls With Brick Walls

General Blog Update #4

Merry Christmas to everyone. If you noticed the image at the top of the page, congrats, you're not blind! Seriously though, I finally designed (for lack of a better word for stolen from an album) a banner for the blog. You may save it, re-upload it to the photo sharing service of your choice and use it in forum signatures and whatnot to get people to come by the greatest blog in the world...enough tooting our own horn, just do it. :3

Upload wise, I have taken the liberty to do four posts of new music for you all to sink your teeth into: Fireball Ministry (Stoner Metal), Impending Doom (Deathcore), Kayo Dot (Avant-Garde) & maudlin of the Well (Avant-Garde). Thank God for Divshare, as Antonius pointed out we can now do larger album uploads so I'm not limited to 100MB files anymore. So once life slows down, expect many more exciting posts in the new year and keep coming back to us for all of your needs.

You may notice that I have also attached YouTube videos for all of the newer uploads for you to sample the artist before you decide to download the files. This way you won't have to waste time on something you may not enjoy and it will also give you something to do while waiting for those pesky downloads to finish up. Just another useful little piece of time-wasting internets that I think will help you get a feel for the bands we post if you're completely in the dark about them before spying them here.

Also, if anyone has suggestions regarding what you'd like to see pop up next, feel free to comment on this or other general blog updates and we'll see if we can deliver for you.

On another side note, if you would like to be added as a contributor you can contact me at my e-mail here.

If you've read this all, thanks for your support and the positive comments I've been getting from not only Antonius but from several other Gaiafags as well. It's always good to spread the gospel of doom and metal in general to others. Also thanks to Antonius, my library of bands grows as well. Hails to everyone.

maudlin of the Well

maudlin of the Well was an Avant-Garde Progressive Metal band from Boston, Massachusetts. They "disbanded" in 2003 and the remnants of their final album were released as Kayo Dot's Choirs of the Eye. They, like Kayo Dot now, utilized complex arrangements they 'obtained' from the astral plane using lucid dreaming and astral projection. Powerful and aggressive at times while lucid and introspective at others, motW's music commands your attention so like Kayo Dot they are not recommended for the easily bored or those who aren't into musical experimentation. You need to keep your focus and keep your mind open to enjoy them, in my honest opinion. So, if odd musical expression is your bad, you should definitely give maudlin of the Well and Kayo Dot (as posted below) a listen.

Sample some of the magic before you decide to download:

Pondering a Wall (first album)


The Blue Ghost/Shedding Qliphoth (from Bath)

1999 My Fruit Psychobells...A Seed Combustible
2001 Bath (and) Leaving Your Body Map (companion albums)

Kayo Dot

Kayo Dot are an Avant-Garde Progressive Metal band from Boston, Massachusetts. Formerly knows as maudlin of the Well, Kayo Dot consists mainly of multi-instrumentalist Toby Driver and violinist Mia Matsumiya and features a revolving door of guests. Complex and Calculated are just two of many adjectives that can be used to describe their sound. This is definitely a thinking-man's band and the extended compositions require patience to get through. Once the elements of this awkward band's music start clicking it usually equals a great love for their unique style. Some songs are split into various movements that you can sense while listening. As far as the Avant-Garde scene evolving in metal today, Kayo Dot and the former maudlin of the Well are my absolute favorites. Again, the casual listener is urged to keep an open mind, these songs will unlikely immediately take for you. Expect a maudlin of the Well post today or in the near future.

Sample this artist before you delve in:


2003 Choirs of the Eye
2006 Dowsing Anemone With Copper Tongue

Impending Doom

Impending Doom is a Christian Deathcore band from Riverside, California. They basically (I believe) fit in with many secular deathcore bands in terms of stylistic approach. The downtuned guitars, check. Barely decipherable pig-squeals with glimmers of death growls interspersed, check. Breakdowns, check. Grind passages, check. So if you're into bands like (now I don't know much deathcore, so bear with me) Despised Icon, Carnifex, Graf Orlock, Job for a Cowboy or early Underoath you may want to check these guys out.

Sample the band before you download:


2007 Nailed. Dead. Risen.

Fireball Ministry

Hailing from Los Angeles, California is the hard-rocking riff-machine known as Fireball Ministry. Led by the powerful Reverend James Rota III, this four-piece behemoth will make you bang your head and lick your lips (to hawt rhythm guitarist Emily Burton). If there were a small list of straight forward Stoner Metal bands I could recommend to anyone Fireball Ministry would definitely be near the top. However, I must warn that if you can't stand repetition, then Fireball Ministry may not be the proper band for you as they do use riffs over and over throughout most of their songs.

Before downloading, get a taste of what is within:


1999 Ou Est La Rock?
2003 The Second Great Awakening
2005 Their Rock Is Not Our Rock

General Blog Update #3

This little bitty post is to let you know that the Ensiferum and Novembre posts have been updated with the larger albums, thanks to Divshare, which is also unlimited download like our favorite upload site Mediafire. So, go check those albums out, and we'll have some more great stuff for ya'll soon.

Funeral Mourning

Funeral Mourning is a Black/Funeral Doom band from the island continent of Australia. Their sound is one of a very complementary nature, as surprisingly enough the oft grating and frightening sound of BM mixes very well with the plodding, sorrowful nature of Funeral Doom. Their general sound (as one might expect) is one of a very depressive nature, similar to Forgotten Tomb. Fans of that band, and of Funeral Doom, will find a very good listen with this band.
*Personal Meditations/Disclaimer: This band has become one of my staple listens over the past few months. A highly recommended listen FOR LISTENERS OF FUNERAL DOOM. If you don't enjoy Funeral Doom, I warn you against this band, as the stereotypical beefs with the genre are very apparent with this release.*

Drown In Solitude (2006)

Bishop Of Hexen

Bishop of Hexen is a Symphonic Black Metal group hailing from Israel. Playing a style that I feel is very underrated, Bishop of Hexen blends haunting melody into their powerful BM style. To truly experience this band, crank it up and turn off the lights, and let the music take you to a darker world of magic and fear.
*Personal Meditations : I have nothing bad to say about this band at all, everything impresses me. Standout tracks include "The Somber Grounds Of Truth" from The Nightmarish Compositions, and "Lure My Spelled Emotions" from Archives o/a Enchanted Philosophy.*

Archives Of An Enchanted Philosophy (1997)
The Nightmarish Compositions (2006)

Holy Blood

Hailing from Keiv in the Ukraine are the Christian Folk/Black Metal outfit Holy Blood. Yet another band who shouldn't be looked over because of their spiritual beliefs. If you are a fan of bands like Korpiklaani, Finntroll or Ensiferum you should give these dudes a serious listen. They've got a style that has been done before (Hence the similar bands listed) so I won't go too much longer on them. I highly suggest giving them a thorough listen, you'll thank me for this advice someday.

2004 Waves are Dancing

Lair of the Minotaur

Chicago's Lair of the Minotaur are a sludge band that combine elements of thrash and even some grind and hardcore influences into their brutal tales of epic monsters and heroes long dead. A very interesting band to listen to and the energy you'll gain with just one listen will have you wanting to go out and murder a hydra while battling Medusa all while trying to bang your head along with the pulverizing metal that's driven you into that state. Poetic, ain't I? While I may not be much on the history of this band (who formed from Chicago legendary grind/death outfit 7000 Dying Rats, btw) I do know how much ass they kick and how many beasts they pwn with their mythological broadswords of metal. Enjoy.

2004 Carnage
2006 The Ultimate Destroyer

Bongzilla

The mighty Bonzilla of Wisconsin are a stoner doom (emphasis on the Stoner, if you couldn't tell) band who are joined with legend "Dixie" Dave Collins. They specialize in weed-driven jams that will erupt your eardrums and leave you begging for more. These dudes have never produced a bad record and usually receive very high priase. Dude, just light up your bong and give your full lung capacity to the soothing vapors of Bongzilla.

1999 Stash
2001 Apogee
2002 Gateway
2005 Amerijuanican

Apologies for all the terrible weed puns located within this post. (Solarian)

Crimson Moonlight

Crimson Moonlight is a Christian Black Metal band from Sweden. Originally formed to record one demo and play one show they have evolved into one of the best "unblack" metal bands out there today. With Veil of Remembrance onward they have shifted toward a more blackened death metal style with fast grinding parts and have tossed out the keyboards completely. Definitely one of the best (of many others) out on the scene today playing a typically Satanic style and injecting their own faith into their music without being preachy and "Stryper-esque". Do not pass these guys up because they're a Christian band or you'll be making a huge mistake.

2003 The Covenant Progress
2004 Veil of Remembrance

Arch

Arch is a forced to be reckoned with in the Louisville, KY music scene. They've got a unique style of heavy handed stoner sludge rock that is catchy like the bubonic plague. You'll be singing along with these songs by spin number two of the record, no fucking joke. They've got a slice of Louisville music legend as well with guitarist Mark Abromavage who was in local hardcore punk legends Kinghorse. There's not much else to be said about this stellar band that they can't say for themselves...snag Uroboros, their 2005 behemoth of a debut, right here. This album will probably soon be out of print since it was released on the now defunct 4walls records.

Visit the band's website & myspace: Official Website & Myspace

2005 Uroboros
200(7 or 8) Tyranosaurus Tex (I'll put this up whenever they finally get around to releasing it)

The Glasspack

The Glasspack is another favorite band of mine hailing from the area I live in, good ole Louisville, KY. Fronted by Dirty Dave Johnson, the 'Pack play dirty down home blues rock like you've never heard before. Dave is an energetic and inexplicable frontman and guitarist, David Mancini (currently) plays the bass...err, COMMANDS the bass & Brett Holsclaw bangs his minimalist kit with such skill that you'd believe there should be more pieces to it than there really are. They're definitely a band to check out if you like raw dirty southern-fried blues rock. They fit in really well with the rest of the roster on their home label, Detroit's Small Stone records.

Check out their myspace for more songs and tour dates: The Glasspack Myspace

2007 Dirty Women (Plus out of print debut album American Exhaust)

I only have these two Glasspack albums ATM...whenever I buy Bridgeburner and Powderkeg I will place them here for you all as well.

Gentle Giant

Gentle Giant was a Progressive Rock band from Britain. They played throughout the 70's and have been hailed as one of the most experimental out of the bunch. Their sound is hard to utterly define and thoroughly enjoyable from both an artistic and a casual standpoint. A very influential band, and a must-listen for the discerning metal lover.


Gentle Giant (1970)
Acquiring The Taste (1971)
Octopus (1972)

General Blog Update #2

Hello all. I have some good news. I've found a site that will allow me to upload the larger albums I have, so this blog will be amp'd up in now time.

In other news... Well there really ain't much of that. We'll be kicking off this month just as well as we kicked off last month, and hopefully upload even more fanciness for you to learn and enjoy. Thats all for now!

Novembre

Novembre is a Gothic/Doom band from Italy, and are one of my personal favorites. Very gothic influenced lyrics compliment the unique sound that Novembre produces. Some moments are mournful, some filled with merely melancholic beauty. Overall, a very satisfying listen.
*Personal Meditations: Classica is my album of choice by Novembre, I recommend that you download that first. Other than that, I give my standard answer: Listen to all of it, and decide for yourself.*


Classica (1999)
Materia (2006)
The Blue (2007)

Powerglove

I thought I'd take a break from some of the more serious uploads today and introduce you to Powerglove. They are a metal band hailing from Massachusetts (coincidentally, one of the few states I cannot spell off the top of my head), and they play a blazing brand of video game cover music. A good mix of technical wankery and humble reverence to what made the original songs great make them a very engaging listen. Quite possibly one of the most fun bands I have ever listened to, and I recommend them to not only gamer-nerds, but to the general metal fan as well.

Total Pwnage (2005)
Metal Kombat For The Mortal Man (2007)

General Update - No Uploads just yet

Real life has taken a toll on me as of late, so I haven't been able to keep up the blog, Antonius has done wonderfully by uploading some Witchcraft and Ensiferum.

I've got Mediafire uploads coming, getting the Baroness files back up as well as adding the Trouble album I was missing. I don't think I'll be able to get the new Wolves in the Throne Room uploaded because of Mediafire restraints on files over 100MB so if anyone knows where I can host it (that doesn't place limits on DLs like Rapidshare and Megaupload) I will deliver.

Updates coming when they upload: Arch, The Glasspack & some Gov't Mule selections. I also plan on doing Bongzilla sometime next weekend.

Thanks for the patience and look forward to more good stuff soon.

\ m /
Solarian13

Ensiferum

Ensiferum is a well known Viking Metal band from Finland which formed in 1995. They have been through many line-up changes, including the loss of former frontman Jari Mäenpää, who left to pursue his own project Wintersun. More information may be found at the bands official site, http://www.ensiferum.com/.
*Personal Meditations: Many people claim that the s/t album supercedes all other releases by this band. I personally encourage you to listen to all of it and decide for yourself.*


Ensiferum (2001)
Tale Of Revenge *Single*(2004)
Iron (2004)
1997-1999 Demo Re-release (2005)
Dragonheads EP (2006)
One More Magic Potion *Single*(2007)
Victory Songs (2007)

Witchcraft

Witchcraft is a Swedish band that blends Traditional Doom and 70's Rock to create a sound that is nostalgic and intoxicating. Wondrous vocals complement the generally tight instrumentation, yet the whole deal still seems to come off as more of a jam session than a rehearsed song at some times, which is quite frankly awe-inspiring. A highly recommended band for fans of Trad.Doom or those looking for a great retro sound in a newer band.
*Personal Meditations: I honestly don't care much for the self-titled album. Many of the songs feel generic. Please don't let this influence your own feelings on the album, listen to it and decide for yourself*






Witchcraft (2004)










Firewood (2005)










The Alchemist (2007)

Trouble

Trouble is a traditional doom/stoner metal band from Chicago, Illinois, formed in 1979. Taking inspiration from Black Sabbath they helped write the book for traditional doom metal. They are often mislabeled as a Christian Metal band, but this is not totally the case...they've written songs that touch on Christian themes but by no means do they fall under the label completely. Their first three albums all wave the traditional doom flag while later releases had a more stoner metal flair. They went on hiatus for a while after Plastic Green Head but re-formed in 2002 for some reunion shows and Eric Wagner was even featured on Dave Grohl's Probot project. The band recorded a DVD live in Stockholm, Sweden and they released their newest effort in 2007 along with re-issues of Psalm 9 and The Skull. If traditional doom or stoner metal is your thing, or if you want insight on a band who helped form traditional doom, do not pass up a chance to hear Trouble.

1984 Psalm 9
1985 The Skull
1987 Run to the Light
1990 Trouble
1992 Manic Frustration
1995 Plastic Green Head
2007 Simple Mind Condition

Big Business

Big Business formed in Seattle in 2003, comprised of two veterans from the local alternative metal scene: bassist and singer Jared Warren, formerly of Karp, and drummer Coady Willis, formerly of the Murder City Devils. Being comprised of only drums and bass they are essentially a rhythm section that says "Guitarists? We don't need no steenkin' guitarists!," Big Business are a stellar two-piece band that do the sludgy, low-end stoner metal thing as well as any more fully populated act. As well as already having solid credentials, they've got another notch to place on their belt, being added to one of the best grunge/sludge/stoner/drone metal bands of all time, (the) Melvins. They recorded the 2006 Melvins release, (a) Senile Animal.

2006 (a) Senile Animal [as part of the Melvins]
2007 Here Come the Waterworks

Wolves in the Throne Room

Wolves in the Throne Room is a Black Metal band from Washington state. Taken from AllMusicGuide: "Wolves in the Throne Room compose haunting black metal inspired by fog-draped forests and long, dreary, dark winters. But the imaginatively named trio is not your everyday, pagan-worshipping, blood-sucking, corpse-paint-donning black metal band, either; but rather residents of a self-sufficient commune situated outside of Olympia, WA, where frugal living conditions help dictate the band's focus on music -- not dressing up like it's Halloween all year-round."

2005 Diadem of 12 Stars

Priestess

Priestess, from Canada, are a proto-metal/hard rock band formed in 2003. Their music is part of the newish wave of bands who bring a retro appeal to the hard rock scene (i.e. The Sword & Wolfmother). Despite gaining recent notoriety of being whored into Guitar Hero III, they rock very hard and live up to any hype surrounding them (unlike a certain Aussie band that Mike Patton hates). Standout tracks from their debut album are: Lay Down, I am the Night Colour Me Black, Talk to Her, Shakes & Run Home.

2005 Hello Master

Forgotten Tomb

Forgotten Tomb is a Doom/Black Metal band hailing from Italy. With an extremely depressive and atmospheric sound, they fuse the heaviness of Doom with the bleak beauty of Black in an amazing way. Their music explores the concepts of depression and suicide with remarkable precision. Very artistic, and beautiful in a dark way. If you enjoy depressingly heavy music, you should already have Forgotten Tomb in your library.





Songs To Leave (2002)








Springtime Depression (2003)









Love's Burial Ground *Pt.1* (2004)
Love's Burial Ground *Pt.2*







Negative Megalomania (2007)

Weedeater

Weedeater is a Stoner/Sludge outfit from North Carolina. They are fronted by singer/bassist "Dixie" Dave, a veteran musician associated with Bongzilla and the legendary Buzzov*en. Weedeater plays an amazingly heavy riff oriented brand of Doom, with a hint of Southern Flavor, which is very tasteful and much appreciated. A must have band for fans of the genre.


...And Justice For Y'all (2001)
Sixteen Tons (2002)
God Luck And Good Speed (2007)

Goatsnake

From Los Angeles came the band Goatsnake, a stoner doom outfit that featured (notably) Greg Anderson (of Sunn O))) fame), Greg Rogers (of the Obsessed) and Scott Reeder (from the legendary Kyuss). It's a shame they've broken up because they rocked as hard as Sabbath and added nice sludgy elements (think Acid Bath) into their sound. Their groove is intoxicating and the riffs refuse to let you go. All in all it's an enjoyable all-star cast to listen to and the music is quality to boot.

1999/2000 Goatsnake Vol.1 & Dog Days EP
2000 Flower of Disease
2004 Trampled Under Hoof EP

Blade of the Ripper

Blade of the Ripper are also from my hometown of Louisville, KY. Featuring former Brothers of Conquest/Nashville Pussy member Adam Neal, Blade of the Ripper will take your ears and rape them with copious amounts of raw heavy metal fury. Their style can be described as pummeling classic thrash metal, and they almost have an old-school Venom vibe. Their antics on album are tame compared to the fury of a BotR live show. It is an intense experience that should be indulged in as often as necessary. If you see their name on the bill, for the love of satan please go.

Visit their myspace: http://www.myspace.com/bladeoftheripper

2006 Blade of the Ripper

Torche

Hailing from Miami, Torche are best described as Sludge-Pop. It's a strange merging, but one listen will prove that this is a good classification. While distinctly metal and sludgy, there is an easily accessible facet to the band. You will walk away from this album singing the songs after a couple listens. The music is good and the lyrics are so catchy it's more infectious than the flu. I expect more greatness from these dudes and their pedigree proves that they are legit (band members Steve Brooks and Juan Montoya are from former stoner doom outfit Floor).

2005 Torche
2007 In Return EP

Baroness

Links are back up.



Savannah, Georgia's mighty Baroness are easily one of the best new sludge bands around. Their wall of sound can surround you yet not overwhelm you. Their brand of sludge is reminiscent to this new 'atmospheric sludge' movement led mainly by Isis with their Neurosis-worship, however Baroness really don't play into that. They have progressed from their earlier hardcore-ish roots and have really shined brighter than they did, which was pretty damn bright already. Look for them to continue on their current path toward greatness. Watch for them to tour near you, you definitely do NOT want to miss the opportunity to see them in their element.

2004/2005 First EP & Second EP
2006 A Grey Sigh in a Flower Husk split LP with Unpersons (Coming Soon)
2007 Red Album

Skeletonwitch

Hailing from Athens, Ohio Skeletonwitch play a hybrid brand of Black/Death/Bay Area thrash metal. They are a band you've got to listen to and once you hear them you will be hooked. These guys tour regularly so it would behoove you to go see their show. You will re-live the glory days of thrash and the deal is sweetened by a blackened death metal twist that will have you pumping your fists long after their last riff ends.

2007 Beyond the Permafrost

Stonecutters

The Stonecutters hail from my hometown of Louisville, KY. Their sludgy brand of doom is a style all their own (at least that's how I see it). Their music has a certain sense of urgency and I definitely don't mean that in a bad way. These guys come in strong and they go out strong, pummeling your eardrums and leaving you rocked the fuck out. I can't promote these dudes enough, they work hard at what they do and they NEVER upset. Look for more from these guys since their new album should be done by the end of the year or early next year. By all means, if you like what you hear go support them on their myspace page here.

Also, if you're in the general vicinity of Louisville and you see that they're coming to a town near you, do not hesitate to go because their live show perfects the material on the album even more than it already was done during recording.

2006 Stonecutters