Reality Compilation....Compilation

'Reality, Reality #2, #3 and #4'
Various Artists
1996 - 2002

Review by Brayden Bagnall

Genre/s: Powerviolence, Grindcore, Hardcore, Fastcore, Doom, Sludge, Noise Rock
For Fans Of Comps Such As: Bllleeeeaaauuurrrrgghhh!, Possessed To Skate, This Comp Kills Fascists, Cry Now Cry Later

We've all seen it before: some kid's finally put the mosh shorts and Terror shirts to rest, and has begun poking around the darker, danker fringes of hardcore and punk only to arrive at this vital question 'can anyone recommend me any PV bands?'. Cue the barrage of suggestions that include ACxDC, Weekend Nachos and Ceremony's first few albums and you have all the ingredients for internet-music-nerd-rage and what I  can only assume would be a a broken heart - if I had one. Merely the thought of this brings a tear to my eye, so in a fit of manic uploading and cataloging I've sought to address this problem for anyone dipping their toes into the gnarly world of 90s powerviolence, and its various other offshoots.
Here we have four compilations put out by Deep Six, starting in the mid 90s. The Reality comps brought together some of the biggest names in powerviolence, grindcore, sludge and hardcore that were doing the rounds in LA at the time, as well as some forgotten and rarely mentioned gems (looking at you Unruh and Peter Mangalore). Part 3 sees the roster expanding to Chicago (Los Crudos) and San Diego (The Locust) and Part 4 even includes non US acts such as 324, Dudman and uh, Haymaker. I guess.
All in all, you're unlikely to find a better collection of classic PV bands in one place - an ideal starting point for you newbs out there or a excellent addition to any self respecting fan of the genre. All four comps - that's three 12"s and a 7" are here for your listening pleasure.

TRACKLISTING:

Reality (1996)
1. Excruciating Terror - In Control
2. Lack Of Interest - Impeached
3. Despise You - Copied Demise
4. Spazz - Gnome Servant
5. Crom - Hungry?
6. Man Is The Bastard - Tomb Ride
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Reality #2 (1997)
1. Asshole Parade - Soldiers
2. Excruciating Terror - Without Mercy
3. Dystopia - Backstabber
4. Infest - Cold Inside
5. Despise You - Memories Of Tomorrow
6. Lack Of Interest - No Sweat
7. Gasp - Planet Of The Apes
8. Suppression - Gangland Bodystak'em (C.I.A./Mafia Murder Conspiracy) / Human Fear
9. Noothgrush - Encasing
10. No Comply - The Empire Kids
11. Spazz  - Animal Liberation Now
12. Purgatoria - Infamous Deception
13. Man Is The Bastard - Untitled
14. Capitalist Casualties - Sentenced
15. Stapled Shut - Chavala
16. Enemy Soil - Common Ground
17. Evolved To Obliteration - Fucked Up Asshole
18. Bad Acid Trip - Plate Of Shrimp
19. C:###  - Skidmark
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Reality #3 (1999)
1. Crudos  - Sin Titulo
2. The Locust - Dog Without A Collar
3. Su19b - Bullshit Propaganda
4. Infest - Dead At Birth
5. Ruido - You're Not Human
6. Jenny Piccolo - Heavy Metal Weekend / Suicide Cliche
7. Halo Epidemic - Bench Warmer
8. MK Ultra - 52 Fluid Ounces
9. Black Army Jacket - 222 Part II 1998
10. Visual Discrimination - Solutions
11. Charles Bronson - Rich Crusties Shall Pay
12. Peter Mangalore - Gerwalk
13. Dropdead - Us And Them
14. Corrupted - Reference
15. Phobia - Stink Head / State And Enemy
16. Benumb - Liberation
17. Hellnation - Fight With No Fear
18. Bred On Deception - Slave To Convenience
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Reality #4 (2002)
1. 324 - Garden
2. Haymaker - Stressed Out
3. Hawgjaw - Embrace The Absence
4. Low Threat Profile - Untitled
5. In Spite - Back Fat Removed With Pickax
6. Manchurian Candidates - In Good Faith
7. Progeria - Either Way / Neglected / Empty Words
8. Toshiro Mifune - Throw Me The Idol, I'll Throw You The Whip.
9. Overpowering - El Feo / Enemigo De Mis Sueños
10. Overpowering - El Que Acecha Desde La Esquina
11. Ruido  - Soledad Cortada / Snuffed Soul
12. Unruh - Fear And Loathing Among The Working Class
13. I Found God - Running Out Of Time
14. Lack Of Interest - Untitled
15. Su19b - Shortage Of Oxygen
16. Damad - Mindmatic
18. Sepsism - Festering Within
19. Stress - The System
20. Self Inflicted- Beware Of The Water
21. Pretty Little Flower- Victorious Insurgence
22. Dudman - Fight Or Flight
23. Lana Dagales - Metamorphosis / Conjuncture
24. Lana Dagales - Extending Capitalist Ladder/The Great Division
25. Bred On Deception - The Gingrich Who Stole Congress
26. H.Pylori - Cycle / In Deep
27. Haloepidemic - 40 Hour Decent
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Swinging Balls - Swinging Balls

'Swinging Balls'
Swinging Balls
2014

(Band Submission)

Genre/s: Noise Rock, Sludge, Doom
For Fans Of: Flipper, Cherubs, Harvey Milk, Swans, Sleep, Melvins

Remember the first time you listened to 'Lysol' by Melvins, or 'Dopesmoker' by Sleep? Those looooooooooong, continuous droney riffs pouding away at your skull until the bass and drums kick in, essentially resulting in what the experts are calling an 'eargasm'?
You're in luck, as this self titled debut from Swinging Balls opens with exactly that kind of formula, and from there on in explores the full range of downtrodden sounds offered by down tuned guitars and oppressively slow tempos.
Hailing from Coventry, England, the four piece's off kilter style of music borrows from doom metal and sludge, adds some angular noise rock and the nihilistic, repetitious tendencies  of early 80s Swans. Top the plodding bass and guitar riffs of with a gruff vocal performance that sounds like a cross between Cherub's Kevin Whitley and Harvey Milk's Creston Spiers, you've got a winning combination that's as sonically hefty as it is diverse.

TRACKLISTING:
1. Riff
2. Sabbath
3. Sleepbombs (Ripped to Pieces)
4. Last Song, Last Set
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EARLY 80S JAPANESE PUNK MEGAPOST

I'm sure that if you're into punk and you have an internet connection, you've probably seen something about punk from Japan. Everybody knows about Gauze and G.I.S.M., but neither of those bands is really a good representative of the punk that came out of Japan at the time.  Sure, both were hugely influential to punk there and around the world, but there aren't many other bands who sound like them.  I could attempt to give a history lesson or rave for hours about how Japanese punk is really awesome, but that's been done about a million times already so I don't see much of a point.  Plus, I feel as if a lot of people who do that seem to fetishize Japan in the same way that weeaboos do.

This megapost contains 20 of my favorite Japanese punk EPs released in the early 1980s (through '85).  I left out the super obvious ones (The Stalin, Lipcream, Zouo, Kuro, etc) but for the most part I feel these aren't too obscure.  That doesn't mean I didn't throw in a couple hard to track down goodies, but the main reason for making this megapost is to introduce newcomers to early 80s Japanese punk without them having to go on a scavenger hunt all over the internet (or spend over $200 on a 5 minute flexi shipping from half way across the globe).  There's something in here for everyone: noisy, weird, thrashy, dark, fast, and even some straightforward, ripping hardcore/punk.

So, enough of that, let's just get to the fucking music...

'No More Hiroshima' 
 Gas
1982

Aside from SS and The Stalin, Gas is probably one of the best examples of hardcore punk emerging in Japan.

'Plastic Scandal'
奇形児 (Kikeiji)
1983

This band offered some off kilter, yet still very catchy punk similar to the UK's Gang Of Four.

'Masturbation'
Masturbation
1983

Masturbation dished out nasty, dark, repetitive punk. There's a lot of deathrock and post-punk vibes on this, but it still has the raw aggression of early hardcore punk.

'あぶらだこ'
あぶらだこ (Aburadako)
1983

Although they would later become an avant-garde group, Aburadako started by playing wonky, noisy punk. There's not really anything else that sounds like this.

'Go To Hell !'
The Execute
1983

The Execute played bulldozing hardcore punk with some metal tinges thrown in for good measure.

'Hiromi’s Party Part 1'
Bitousha
1984

This band gets frequently overlooked and I have no idea why. Their only release was this three song flexi, but it's overloaded with badass stomping fury.

'自我'
自我 (Jiga)
1984

This one's fairly straightforward hardcore punk laced with some metal influence, but it's a total ripper.

'Carry Out Fucking'
Ghoul
1984

I can't help but feel this band was probably a huge influence on Death Side and other late 80s thrashing hardcore punk bands.  It should also be noted that I like this band way more than the neo-thrash band with the same name.

'Destroy'
L.S.D.
1984

L.S.D. played some totally fucked blown out stompy hardcore punk with delayed vocals. I shouldn't have to say anything other than that.

'Many Question Poison Answer'
Outo
1984

This is a good example of what would come to be known as "noise punk." It's lofi, fast, and totally reckless; so in other words, essential.

'The Middle East Combat Area'
The Clay
1984

The Clay slams you with riffs on riffs.  They're kind of like the missing link between UK82 (Discharge, G.B.H.) and late 80s Burning Spirits bands (Death Side, Tetsu Arrey).

'Diabolism'
 Mobs
1984

Mobs is similar to The Clay in that they play nasty, riff driven hardcore similar to what was being played in the UK at the time.  Despite the comparison, they still hold their own.

'残忍聖者'
愚鈍 (Gudon)
1985

If you want lofi, you got it. Probably one of my favorite Japanese punk releases of all time, this flexi absolutely destroys.

'In A Coma....'
Coma
1985

Ever wonder how goth/deathrock would manifest itself in Japan's punk scene? Well, now you don't have to imagine anymore.

'Gasmask'
Gasmask
1985

Of all the bands on this list, I'd say Gasmask is probably the closest sounding to US hardcore punk. Even though this material is pretty straightforward, there are some cool twists in the mix.

'Slow Down'
一家心中 (Ikka Shinjyuu)
1985

This one is some ridiculously ripping, off kilter hardcore punk. The guitar work really cuts through on this one, it's got noise solos and dive bombs and riffs on riffs.

'The Last Days'
The Sexual
1985

The Sexual played absolutely raging hardcore punk. This will make you want to punch something.

'From Born Til Die'
Rose Rose
1985

This flexi is some totally rocking, fucked up punk.  It's got some fast parts, but a lot of it is fairly mid-paced and riff based.

'Tranquilizer'
Tranquilizer
1985

Tranquilzer played ripping hardcore and their singer sounded like a bumble bee.  You'll see what I mean.

'Crime Of Existence'
Junk Schizo
1985

This is some totally weirdo, off kilter hardcore punk.  It's got fast parts, it's got odd parts, so what's not to love?

Hopefully you now have some idea of what you're getting into. Everything has been put into one .rar file so you can grab it all at once. Go wild.

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Sewer Drainer - Sewer Drainer

'Sewer Drainer'
Sewer Drainer
2012

Review by Brayden Bagnall

Genre/s: Blackened Punk, Hardcore, Raw Black Metal
For Fans Of: Bone Awl, Sexdrome, Sesso Violento, Redflesh, Euthanizer

Released in 2012 by masters of the esoteric, Ascetic House, this self titled tape from Sewer Drainer sounds like someone broke the window to a particularly noisy window to hell.
Embracing both the mysterious guy hardcore AND the mysterious black metal aesthetic, Sewer Drainer deliver four untitled tracks of stompy black punk bliss in the foulest, ugliest way possible.
Furthermore, the vocals on this thing are just the most ridiculously unhinged and gnarly barks I've heard on a blackened punk/hardcore release. I mean, the only words I could discern on this entire thing were 'die', over and over again - which speaks for itself really.
Frustratingly enough, this is the only thing Sewer Drainer have done and despite the quality of the tunes encased within IT JUST ISN'T ENOUGH. Rest assured these guys are probably in a hundred other different bands, making some other neat music, but maaaaaaaaaaan I'd kill for another release. Anywhoo, snag this one below and prepare to punch a small child. For satan.

TRACKLISTING:
1. Untitled
2. Untitled
3. Untitled
4. Untitled

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Puke - Puke

'Puke'
Puke
2014

Review by Brayden Bagnall

Genre/s: Hardcore, Grindcore
For Fans Of: Dead In The Dirt, Converge, Shackles, Rort,  Torch Runner, Suffer

Puke,(who are no longer with us unfortunately) dropped this doozy of a posthumous release just a few days ago, and boy won't it make you feel like a chump. No, I'm not just talking about the impressive songwriting and musicianship (which is as tight as it is crushingly heavy), but also the fact that Puke's four members were all under the age of 18 whilst recording this - and still attending  high school.
Puke's self titled EP contains 9 songs of rapid fire hardcore presented in chaotic, grindcore infused format. This thing basically spits riff after riff after riff at you in the most brutish, dissonant way possible while still retaining its furious momentum and pushing forward into the next bone shattering passage. While impressively technical, this EP never enters the dreaded realm of 'wankery' (god forbid) and instead recalls the sort of prowess utilized by the likes of Converge or Discordance Axis.
This EP seems to be stuck in digital purgatory for the time being, but on the plus side it's free - so snag it up and dig some of the gnarliest, heaviest tunes ever conceived by jail bait.

TRACKLISTING:
1. DENY
2. 0-1
3. FILTH
4. MISERABLE
5. POINTLESS
6. SEPARATED
7. etc
8. STENCH
9. I FAILED

Bandcamp

Raspberry Bulbs - Privacy

'Privacy'
Raspberry Bulbs
2014

Review by Joey

Genre/s: Blackened Punk, Noise Rock, Post-Punk, Industrial
For Fans Of: Rudimentary Peni, Masturbation, Drunks With Guns, Nurse With Wound

The follow up to 2013's "Deformed Worship" is here.  Listening to it, it's definitely a step above its predecessor; everything about this release feels incredibly cohesive and calculated, nothing feels out of place or random.  This is probably due to the fact that, now as a band rather than a solo project, Raspberry Bulbs have gotten much better at writing together.

Originally, Raspberry Bulbs was the project of Marco del Rio, a.k.a. He Who Crushes Teeth of Bone Awl.  He wrote and recorded numerous demos and even an LP before recruiting other musicians -- one of which was in the 90s hardcore band Rorschach -- to perform with him.  Raspberry Bulbs's music has always drawn very heavily from deathrock (Rudimentary Peni, Bauhaus), post-punk (Warsaw, Wipers), and noise rock (Drunks With Guns, Fang), while adding subtle tinges of black metal; all channeled through fuzz.  Unlike Bone Awl, Raspberry Bulbs really can't be classified as black metal (in fact del Rio is very insistent about this in every interview he's done, even if he isn't asked about it).

So, what should you expect from this release? Disgusting and dark riffs are accompanied by pounding drums, weaving bass lines, and topped off with spiteful, yet almost mournful howls. In between all of the full band tracks, there are industrial tracks which are very similar to Nurse With Wound and Coil; and they add an even more bleak and eerie feel to the album.  All of these parts come together in an amazing way to create a whole that is incredibly suffocating and feels like a downward spiral into the depths of oblivion.

Tracklisting:
1. Lionhead
2. II
3. Light Surrounds Me
4. IV
5. How The Strings Are Pulled
6. Nail Biting
7. VII
8. Finger Bones
9. IX
10. Behind The Glass
11. XI
12. Hopelessly Alive
13. XIII
14. Big Grin

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Constrictions - Zero Discrimination

'Zero Discrimination'
Constrictions
2010

Review by Brayden Bagnall

Genre/s: Power Electronics, Harsh Noise
For Fans Of: Deathpile, Sutcliffe Jugend, Koufar, Breathing Problem

Chicago, as we all know, has been doing some really cool things as of late in the noisy/fucked up/harsh side of music. The epicenter of most of these bands and projects would probably have to be the Diseased Audio label, who've been going at it since 2010. One of their earlier releases (np. 2 in fact) was this nasty piece of work from Constrictions.
Constrictions was a three piece power electronics group, consisting of members of Rectal Hygienics, Sea Of Shit, Consent and Socially Retarded. They only released two tapes, one comp track and played 3 shows before moving onto other things, but goddamn what they did do is VERY worth listening too.
Essentially you're about to be subjected to about ten minutes of harsh, crumbling electronics and a dual vocal attack, trading off in rapid fire, cut up succession. Each one of the tracks on Zero Discrimination sits around, so they're just jammed full of noisy, aggressive violence in extremely concise bursts - there's really no time for any of the tracks to become stale or boring.
If you're itching to get your crumbly, static-y power electronics fix, I suggest visiting either of the links below and snagging yourself a copy of this bad boy.

TRACKLISTING:
1. -
2. Zero Discrimination
3. Strength in Numbers
4. Dead Weight
5. -
6. Abscess

Bandcamp
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Never Human - Demo

'Demo'
Never Human
2014

Review by Brayden Bagnall

Genre/s: Hardcore, D-Beat, Noise Punk
For Fans Of: Gag, Behavior, Disclose, Perfume River, Perspex Flesh

I don't know about you, but when I think Nova Scotia I immediately recall mental images of pirates and Scottish people. Not sure why, but neither of those things are remotely similar to the ugly, blown out hardcore that Nova Scotian band Never Human play.
Never Human's demo is bursting at the seams with unbridled, unhinged energy that manifests itself in the pissed off, washed out and delayed vocals and innumerable stompy breakdowns that flow in and out of the frantic drum galloping and thrashy riffs. This demo does the noisy hardcore thing well too, presenting itself as a cacophonic ball of fury without sounding like a wall of white noise with a drum track.
Chuck this on and prepare to get a little silly - this is prime throw down material.

TRACKLISTING:
1. Void Of Choice
2. Prone Pathetic
3. Erase
4. Deny
5. Not My Views
6. Conquest For Death (Necros)

Bandcamp
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Six Brew Bantha - Intravenously Commodified

'Intravenously Commodified'
Six Brew Bantha
2014

Review by Brayden Bagnall

Genre/s: Grindcore
For Fans Of: Insect Warfare, Phobia, Pizza Hi-Five, PLF, Suffering Mind

Browsing Facebook today I came across a post from Six Brew Bantha containing a link to download their new album. Their bandcamp has since run out of free downloads, and they have most graciously uploaded it to mediafire - effectively doing half my job for me. Thanks guys!
For those of you new to SBB, they're a trio from Victoria, Canada who play meaty, concise grindcore with one of the best fucking snare sounds in modern grind. Their music is a sporadic and unpredictable as you could want from a grind band, and then more - constantly throwing tempo changes, new riffs and jarring stop/starts at you. That's not to say that they don't find time to settle into grooves (see album closer Trampled To Death) and thrash out some toe tappin', head noddin' numbers. All in all a very nice contribution from one of the better grindcore bands going around today.
Intravenously Commodofied - it's mean, lean and fast - and it came pre-uploaded, courtesy of the band - what more could you want?

TRACKLISTING:
1. The Architect
2. Mass Surveillance
3. Intravenously Commodified
4. Shadow Banking
5. Anti-Music Part 2
6. Perception Asleep
7. Belligerent Apathy
8. Development
9. Trampled to Death

Bandcamp
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Incapacitants - Ministry Of Foolishness

'Ministry Of Foolishness'
Incapacitants
1995

Review by Brayden Bagnall

Genre/s: Harsh Noise
For Fans Of: MSBR, Macronympha, Bizarre Uproar, Merzbow, Pain Jerk

 Incapacitants are one of my favourite Japanoise acts for several reasons.
a) They look like this
b) They have respectable day jobs as bankers and public servants
c) Their live shows are UTTERLY INSANE
d) and this release here
The formidable duo of Toshiji Mikawa (ex Hijokaidan) and Fumio Kosakai (Hijokaidan and C.C.C.C) present 75 minutes of the most dense, apocalyptic walls of noise ever to be captured and contained within a recording. Each track on Ministry Of Foolishness extends past the twenty minute mark, into some transcendental realm of noise zen where the constant, unrelenting swash of sounds all but melts your brain. There's not one moment on this where the duo lets up at all, only the maelstrom of static, feedback and distorted yelps and screams that comprise the three tracks here.
Yes, you do have to be in a pretty fucking masochistic state of mind to subject yourself to the full running time of Ministry Of Foolishness, but once you muscle past that you'll be rewarded with a classic noise release that gets better and better with each subsequent listen.

TRACKLISTING:
1. Stone River
2. Sky Valley
3. Village Wood

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Mutter - Trashed Body

'Trashed Body'
Mutter
2014

(Band Submission)

Genre/s: Atmospheric Black Metal, DSBM, Experimental Black Metal, Ambient
For Fans Of: Mamaleek, Wolves In The Throne Room, Locrian, Jesu, Pink City

Black metal is no stranger to synthesizers and guitar-less tracks - but to extend that beyond a single ambient track on an album and to foreground the synth as the main instrument in the band is something else. Enter Mutter, a Western Massachusetts project that does just this.
On Trashed Body, the synthesizer is used to created lush drones and harsh oscillating burst of sound layered on top of each other to create an all encompassing wall of sound. Utilizing a drum machine as the means of percussion, Mutter switches between a more traditional black metal drum sound and a heavily distorted, electronic drum sound that borders on EBM or industrial. Combined with the washed out vocals, this thing just pummels you with this constant barrage of stark, experimental black metal and frost ambiance.

TRACKLISTING:
1. Hell Is Your Body
2. Mud Wasp
3. A Stranger In Your House
4. Spore Breather
5. Dry Cum

Bandcamp

Polvo - Today's Active Lifestyles

'Today's Active Lifestyles'
Polvo
1993

Review by Brayden Bagnall

Genre/s: Post Hardcore, Math Rock
for Fans Of: Drive Like Jehu, June Of 44, Shellac, Slint, Don Caballero

Fun fact #1: Lazy Comet currently sits at no. 8 for my most played tracks on Last.fm
Fun fact #2: Thermal Treasure is also no. 11 on the same list
I love this album. A lot. In fact I've gone an entire week listening to this on repeat. It's. That. Good. And now I think you should listen to it.
For the uneducated, Polvo were a pioneering math rock band from North Carolina. In the early 90s they begun confusing the burgeoning post hardcore/indie scene with their drop tuned guitars (I'm fairly certain parts of this album are in drop B. DROP B) and weird time signatures - to the point where people thought their guitars weren't tuned they didn't know how to play their respective instruments. While they weren't as agressive as say, Drive Like Jehu or as blatantly experimental as Don Caballero, reality was Polvo's music was pretty straightforward by today's whacky, twinklenerd standards. Today's Active Lifestyles pretty much cements Polvo as one of my favourite 90s albums (sits just below Spiderland if you must know). It's 10 indie tinged post hardcore bangers complete with angular melodies, deadpan vocal delivery and incredibly catchy songwriting. It's not an overwhelmingly serious album, but it has it's heavier moments so you can listen to something reasonably lighthearted while keeping your emo cred.
I'm going to stop rambling on about this album, but you should probably go listen to it if you haven't already because it's good. I already mentioned that didn't I? Well it is, okay.

TRACKLISTING:
1. Thermal Treasure
2. Lazy Comet
3. My Kimono
4. Sure Shot
5. Stinger (Five Wigs)
6. Tilebreaker
7. Shiska
8. Time Isn't On My Side
9. Action Vs. Vibe
10. Gemini Cusp

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Dry Rot - Phillistine

'Philistine
Dry Rot
2009

Review by Brayden Bagnall

Genre/s: Hardcore, Noise Rock
For Fans Of: NASA Space Universe, Slices, Libyans, Pygmy Shrews, Venom P. Stinger, Saccharine Trust

Here lies before us a band taken before it's time. A potent blend of pent up rage, weirdo punk angst and hardcore experimentation. Simply put it's a good fucking band who made some angry fucking tunes in gloriously off kilter fashion.
Dry Rot are the band in question, and this here LP Philistine collects 17 of their strung out, hardcore ragers in a slightly uneasy to digest package. This thing splices straight up power chord stomp fests with wonky breakdowns (the opening track Hairless has one such breakdown that will embed itself in your memory and not budge), borderline jazz/no wave freakouts reminiscent of No Trend and even ambient drones. Together it's a frantic and manic example of how good punk can be when it's played with more than just three chords and snotty attitude. I should also mention that a member of the veritable granddaddies of weirdo punk, Saccharine Trust, lent their talents to this album - and if that ain't the only seal of approval you need, than you're on the wrong blog pal

TRACKLISTING:
1. Hairless
2. Seen In The Dark
3. Mass Love
4. Honey Stomachs
5. Gas Tube
6. All The Crime In The World
7. My Darling Boy
8. Can A Game Kill Time?
9. Oldest Pornography
10. Maul Test
11. Observer
12. Ran Warm
13. No More Feet
14. Safety Bunker

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ColumnIII - Forrotian

Forrotian
ColumnIII
2014

(Band Submission)

Review by Brayden Bagnall

Genre/s: Sludge Metal, Noise Rock, Post Metal
For Fans Of: KEN Mode, Fight Amp, Old Man Gloom, The Body

ColumnIII are a band hailing from Tempe, Arizona who certainly live up to their bandcamp's page promise of 'NOISY ROCK'.
The four piece band play a brooding, progressive strain of sludge metal, steeped in dissonant atmospherics and glacial riffs. There's layers upon layers of sounds to pick apart here, but most notably there's an excellent interchange between the darker, noisier passages and some subtle, underlying melodic guitar and bass work. Forrotian also displays ColumnIII's multifaceted approach to songwriting - opening track Disdain is a more traditional sludgy post metal track, while Custom To Bury sits somewhere between angular noise rock and math rock. The title track itself is a more subdued affair with distant vocals and heavily delayed guitar lines mingling with a droning bass guitar.  Together it's 6 tracks of dark, heavy soundscapes interspersed with frosty melodies and stark quiet/loud dynamics.
Forrotian, along with three of ColumnIII's releases are available as pay-what-you-want downloads, the link to which you can find below.

Bandcamp
1. Disdain
2. Chamber
3. Custom to Bury
4. Not to Preserve
5. Forrotian
6. Self-abasement

Bandcamp

Teitanblood - Death

'Death'
Teitanblood
2014

Review by Joey

Genre/s: Blackened Death Metal, Black Metal, Death Metal
For Fans Of: Impetuous Ritual, Antediluvian, Blasphemy, Diocletian

Holy fucking shit, this album.  If you want to know what it feels like to be hit by a train without actually having to die or be severely injured, then this album is exactly what you're looking for. This thing is a total monster; it's intense and feels like an unstoppable juggernaut.  In total, this black/death rampage lasts around 68 minutes, but, even with my short attention span, I did not get bored once by this album despite its length.  Every second is jam packed with brutality and aggression.

The masterminds behind this masterpiece are Teitanblood, a Spanish black/death band who formed in 2003.  Since then, they have put out a demo, two splits, an EP, and two LPs (this being the second LP).  Now, I'm not going to say that Teitanblood is exploring uncharted territory, they play some pretty straightforward black/death.  However, their brand of black/death is so well executed that it definitely needs noting.  I will say that, if you came here looking for a Blasphemy or Mystifier clone, you'll be disappointed. While those influences are clearly present, Teitanblood has masterfully crafted their own horrifying sound that balances perfectly between black and death metal.

If you've seen hype around this album, but have been hesitant to check it out, trust me when I say that the hype is justified and you need to stop sleeping and just click "download" at the bottom of this post.  And then brace yourself, because you're probably not ready for this.

Tracklisting:

1. Anteinfierno
2. Sleeping Throats of the Antichrist
3. Plagues of Forgiveness
4. Cadaver Synod
5. Unearthed Veins
6. Burning In Damnation Fires
7. Silence of the Great Martyrs

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Culture Abuse - The Day Dreams Of Nothing

'The Day Dreams Of Nothing'
Culture Abuse
2013

Review by Joey

Genre/s: Noise Rock, Noise Punk
For Fans Of: Gutter Gods, Cottaging, Dreamdecay, Cuntz

This is some spaced out shit, I'm talking full on UFO vibes here.  This EP is some true weirdo noise rock that sounds as if it stepped out of a bad scifi movie where you can see the strings on the cardboard space ship and the aliens wear tin foil suits.

The band describes themselves as "dudes from San Francisco and Santa Rosa getting drunk and doing drugs, and then also writing riffs and playing shows." That's definitely what it sounds like; Culture Abuse really gives off a no fucks given attitude and that apathy fuels their deranged sonic bursts.  I shouldn't really have to say anything more, honestly you should've been sold when I said "UFO."

Tracklisting:

1. Happy Ending
2. Take It Out On Yourself
3. My Only Sunshine
4. Clean Skin
5. Sing To Me
6. Wet Lashes

BANDCAMP

FUCKED BY NEWCASTLE: Crab Smasher - Discography

'Discography'
Crab Smasher

2002-ongoing

Genre/s: Psychedelic, Experimental, Noise Rock, Noise Pop

For fans of: Boredoms, Violent Onsen Geisha, Mogwai, Pharaoh Sanders, Oval

Review by Jerry Kahale

Continuing with my series on our Novocastrian artists in "Fucked By Newcastle," when it comes to home brewed noise, Crab Smasher are perhaps one of the most fascinating acts to ever come out of the Steel City. I only have a small grasp of their history but I'll try to explain it as best I can. Crab Smasher started as a duo in 2002, with Grant Hunter (Polyfox And The Union Of Most Ghosts, Anal Discharge) and Nicholas French (Polyfox…, Obat Batuk, The Farting Arses).

Although guest artists would frequently appear on their releases, it was the album Serie Un Di Collaborazione that would cement Crab Smasher as the musical collective of Nicholas and Grant, with a revolving door of many different artists joining – including Nick Senger (Castings), Sarah Humphreys, Chris Hearn (Alps), Mike Foxall (Nancy Vandal), James Kritzler (Slug Guts, White Hex), Nathan N. Martin (Anal Discharge, Sweet Teeth, HANNAHBAND, Burlap) and a lot more. In around 2008, Marnie Vaughan (Sweet Teeth, HANNAHBAND), who had already appeared on a few Crab Smasher recordings – was starting to appear on all their subsequent recordings, thus making Crab Smasher a trio. Twelve years on, they are still making music to this day, with their most recent piece, Scum Puzzle, released this year in May.

So, what kind of music do they make? Well, anything and everything, really. Their musical journeys know no boundaries; almost every single release is completely different from the last and are usually always improvised. Take Scum Puzzle for example – an electronic and mostly instrumental album completely driven by coarse and abstract bit-crushed synths gone mad and erratic drumming, with a relatable pop rhythm that falls in tandem of a listenable and uncomfortable experience – but go back one album, to Earth Buddies, and we have a live radio session of the first ever "carbon neutral noise band" which has all the members switch out their synths and drums to get their crazy hands on thumb keyboards, glockenspiels, recorders, percussion, acoustic guitars, zither, battery powered toys and just about anything that isn't connected to a power outlet, creating an aurally destructive but environmentally friendly symphony.

They go from the avant-garde noise pop of the Blue Album to dreamy ambient post rock on The Doctor Is In…Over His Head. Most of their earlier releases are more focused on noise soundscapes like Todd McFarlane Crushes The Tyranny Of Corporate America. Sometimes a single release can have styles and genres all over the shop like Thick Mosquito Sky and Bones Are Stronger Than Concrete.

If I had to choose a favourite release however, it would easily be Impossible Monsters, which is probably because it was my first foray into discovering Crab Smasher (I forgot how), and at a time when I was forsaking a lot of mainstream music and was hungry for something different, this release came along and really left a big impression on me. I haven't heard many albums that can transcend from rumbling drones and short bursts of static attacks crashing in through some extremely harsh noise, before doing a reverse on the mood and presenting the listener with a manic, thick layered and melodically adventurous theme song for some non-existent cartoon. Impossible Monsters continues to flip moods again, to dark and eerie lounge music, and eventually ambient noise flowing from the melancholic to the euphoric. The last song is what makes the entire album for me, as it serves to be a final, cathartic point of how far they can strip down the layers, until we have a minute long song of lone keyboards and bit-crushed drums with the only vocals on the entire release. It makes for an oddly emotional experience as the band bends the rules of consistency to make their own. Some other notable releases for me include DOOM+DOOM=OMG, Serie Un Collaborazione and Forever!.

You can get their entire discography from their bandcamp, with everything free to download. I won't provide a track listing because there are too many releases to put up. As for where to start, well I reckon you should explore for yourself, but otherwise you can go back over the review and try out the albums I mentioned.

Bandcamp

Editing by Simon Dawes
dawes1986@gmail.com

Meth Drinker - Discography (So Far)

DISCOGRAPHY
Meth Drinker
2011 - 2013

Review by Brayden Bagnall

Genre/s: Sludge
For Fans Of: Noothgrush, Eyehategod, Drug Problem, Moloch, Corrupted, Grief

Meth Drinker are a bunch of downtrodden, miserable fucks hailing from Wellington, New Zealand who've been sharing their particular brand of musical nihilism since 2010.
While not at all dissimilar with sludge's other hopeless and bleak stalwarts (see list of above), Meth Drinker's output is much rawer, heavier and confronting than the aforementioned artists. Even Eyehategod, who turned sludge into the primary form of conveying one's agony musically in a post blues world have a bit to learn from these guys. Essentially Meth Drinker have worn their influences on their collective sleeves and taken them to a much darker, primal place.
Communicated through pounding doom riffs strung together by fuzzed out bass and throaty screamed vocals, Meth Drinker's music is a tour through the syringe ridden gutters of a world consumed by drugs, violence and mental illness. There's no reprieve, just crushing heaviness and bitter negativity.
Here you'll find all of Meth Drinker's current releases - an EP, two splits and their full length. I should also note that they've got a brand spankin' new LP due out next month, which I may or may not post here (hush hush). For now content yourself with these releases and prepare to enter a severely malnourished world of strung out, drug fucked sludge bliss.

TRACKLISTING:

Meth Drinker LP
1. Deprivation
2. Incurable Illness
3. Ganja Mutt
4. Combat Shock
5. Skull Smashing Concrete
6. The Shining (main title)
7. Serrated Corridor
8. Narco Sub
9. Broken Down and Used Up
Download

Split With Open Tomb
1. Open Tomb - Off with His Hands
2. Open Tomb - Hostile Womb
3. Meth Drinker - Dehumanize
4. Meth Drinker - Beyond the Grate
5. Meth Drinker - 731
Download

Split With Moloch
1. Meth Drinker - Spleen Splitting Pavement
2. Meth Drinker - 731 (Reprise)
3. Meth Drinker - Test Subject
4. Meth Drinker - 2 Minutes Hate
5. Moloch - Vomit Phobia
6. Moloch - Hunchback
Download

Meth Drinker EP
1. Desperation
2. Loss
Download

Anonymous - Snake Attack / Corporate Food

'Snake Attack / Corporate Food'
Anonymous
1980

Review by Joey

Genre(s): Noise, Industrial, Art Punk
For Fans Of: Throbbing Gristle, Geza X, The Residents, Outer Circle

It's always weird to think I knew about industrial/noise artists in high school before I was even into noise.  Anonymous was one of those artists.  I first heard them on Alternative Tentacles's "Let Them Eat Jellybeans!" compilation LP which was released in 1981 to expose people around the world to what they called "America's darker side," which according to the LP's jacket, was not as well known outside of North America.  The A-side of the compilation features American 80s hardcore punk staples such as Flipper, Bad Brains, Feederz, Really Red, Dead Kennedys, and a handful of others; but the B-side is where things got weird (although I guess it was pretty weird from the start since Flipper is the opening band).  On the B-side of this compilation, the unsuspecting punk is assaulted by noise, industrial, avant-garde, and experimental artists, the most notable being Half Japanese, Geza X, and Anonymous.

And that brings us to this release.  This is a very good sample of early industrial and electronic noise. The two songs, however, differ greatly from each other.  While the first is an amalgamation of samples, electronic noise, and synth which feels very much like the The Residents and Throbbing Gristle, the second is much more in the vein of Geza X and Outer Circle (who didn't release their LP until two years after this), in that it leans more towards bizarre art punk which has been heavily influenced by the emerging industrial, no-wave, and noise scenes.

Of course, this isn't nearly as intense as what would come later from industrial/noise artists such as Deathpile and Maconympha, but as previously stated, it's definitely representative of some of the early forays into industrial/noise music.

Tracklisting:

1. Snake Attack
2. Corporate Food

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Propergol - Cleanshaven

'Cleanshaven'
Propergol
1998

Review by Joey

Genre/s: Noise, Industrial, Power Electronics, Death Industrial
For Fans Of: Deathpile, IRM, Brighter Death Now, The Grey Wolves

Do you see the album cover? That's what this sounds like.  It's absolute brutality and not in a slam death metal nerd sense, but in the sense that this album is relentless, ruthless, and heavy.

It's weird to describe electronic noise as heavy, but this album really feels as if it's weighing down on you and pummeling you with an inhuman force.  There is also a mix of the erratic and droning which seem to alternate back and forth over the course of the album in a way that feels incredibly natural.  My favorite track on the album (and one of my favorite industrial tracks in general), "La Petite Fille Au Bout Du Chemin," sways back and forth from walls of harsh, screeching noise to an (almost) relaxing pulse.

The buried vocals, along with the use of samples, make this release even more eerie.  I want to liken it to watching a horror film, but with the soundtrack turned way up and the dialogue turned way down. You can only faintly hear the screams of pain and cries for help over the deafening noise assaulting your senses.

Tracklisting:

1. ...Prologue
2. La Petite Fille Au Bout Du Chemin
3. Dans Les Veines...
4. Cleanshaven
5. Hotel Earle 'A Day Or A Lifetime'
6. Wood Trash. (Survival Version)
7. Signal H
8. Joshua's Day
9. Epilogue...

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Big Zit - Electric Zit Vol. 1

'Electric Zit Vol. 1'
Big Zit
2014

Review by Joey

Genre/s: Hardcore Punk
For Fans Of: Bad Brains, NASA Space Universe, Umbilical Cord, Brown Sugar

Yes, it's Big Zit, that band with the singer who sounds uncannily like H.R. from Bad Brains. They floored me with their 2013 demo and it's good to see that they, unlike other bands who disappointed me this year, made it to the 7" stage without losing any of their energy.

This EP is a total ripper.  It's unpredictable, weird, and short.  The five songs clock in at 4:26, giving just enough but leaving you wanting more.  It seems to have come out under the radar, I haven't heard anybody talk about it yet which surprises me considering the amount of attention Big Zit has been getting lately.

It's weird how Big Zit clearly wear their influences on their sleeves, but at the same time manage to sound totally refreshing. Okay, I'm done talking, I should be doing research but instead I left the library early so I could post this because I'm excited about it. Just download it and listen for yourself.

Tracklisting:

Lotree Tik’t

Big Zit

Suhbuhb’n Varmun

Goin’ Blind

Skoolyahd

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NASA Space Universe - EGM

'EGM'
NASA Space Universe
2014

Review by Joey

Genre/s: Hardcore Punk, Noise Punk
For Fans Of:  Die Kreuzen, Broken Prayer, Das Oath, Koro

If you've been paying attention to the contemporary hardcore punk scene, you've probably heard of NASA Space Universe (or NSU as I'll refer to them for the rest of this post).  I first heard them described as a Die Kreuzen knock off which made me feel disappointed as I hate bands who are cheap imitations; but it also intrigued me because I thought there was no way somebody could even come close to touching Die Kreuzen, who are, let's face it, one of the greatest hardcore punk bands of all time.

I'm going to come out and say that this evaluation of NSU as being a Die Kreuzen clone couldn't be farther from the truth.  While the screeching vocals and high speed, off kilter instrumentation can be likened to Die Kreuzen's eponymous 1984 LP, NSU is much more.  They have made their own, strange breed of hardcore punk that, while giving many nods to the contributions of seminal bands such as Koro and Articles Of Faith, is still very forward thinking.

Combining spaced out, noisy riffs with influence from some of the weirder classics has yielded some of the most refreshing hardcore punk you'll hear this year.  And don't forget the monologue which appears in the closing track recounting a sexual encounter with an alien priestess.  This is probably NSU's most focused and ferocious release to date.  I was lucky enough to see them do a midnight show under a bridge while on tour with OFF! (who I was not going to go support for various reasons and who did not play the midnight bridge show) and they (being NSU not OFF!) were phenomenal; I was totally floored. Do not sleep on this band.

Tracklisting:

1. E.G.M.
2. P.Y.O.P.
3. Darkisdark
4. $
5. Paper Tiger
6. S.H.O.

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Thug - Discography

'(Partial) Discography'
Thug
1993-1997

Review by Joey

Genre/s: Noise Rock, Sludge, Hardcore Punk
For Fans Of: Eyehategod, Neanderthal, Cavity, Drunks With Guns

A friend of mine turned me onto this band by asking if I knew anything about them, to which I had to admit that I didn't.  Neither of us could really find anything about them or even much of their music (I believe only 2 songs are on youtube), so Thug remained a mystery for a little while.

Fast forward a year or two, I finally tracked down (most of) their discography and I definitely want to share it with people because this band is not just highly underrated, but they're exceptionally good and deserve much more attention than they seem to get.  They started in '92 or '93 and released only three 7"s, two of which were splits, along with a few songs on compilations which I still need to get my hands on.  Their sound is pretty hard to pigeonhole, they  mostly combine elements of noise rock similar to bands such as Unsane and Drunks With Guns, and sludge akin to that of Eyehategod and Cavity; although on their final 7" they come dangerously close to powerviolence in the vein of Neanderthal and Peter Mangalore.

So, what should you expect from Thug?  Brace yourself for disgusting tones and crushing riffs, feedback, pounding drums, and totally pissed off vocals.  Oh, and they did a split with powerviolence legends Apartment 213, who also appear on the Loud & Ugly Vol. 2 compilation along with Floor, Despise You, and Eyehategod.  This shit is good and if you like any of the bands I've compared them to or with whom they appeared alongside, I highly recommend checking this out.

Releases:

• Thug (1993)
• Apartment 213 / Thug (1995)
• Loud & Ugly Vol. 2 (1995)
• Thug / Greenmachine (1997)

Missing compilations are:

• Loud N' Ugly Vol. 1 (1993)
• Start A Riot (1995)
• The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly (1998) which I have but didn't include because the Thug track is the same one which appears on Loud & Ugly Vol. 2

I'll update this when I get the remaining two compilations.

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Degreaser - Bottom Feeder

'Bottom Feeder'
Degreaser
2012

Review by Brayden Bagnall

Genre/s: Noise Rock, Garage Rock, No Wave
For Fans Of: Bird Blobs, Gravel Samwidge, Kitchen's Floor, Cured Pink, Slug Guts

See that album art there? That hideously off putting, slapdash drawing that looks like it was created by someone who lives in a house full of discarded hypodermic syringes? It might surprise you to know that it's extremely indicative of the music contained within.
Degreaser definitely embody the 1970s, East Village scum fuck aesthetic, choosing to play the most downtrodden, dissolute version of punk in the most sloppiest, effortless way possible. The Brooklyn band feature an Australian ex pat, and do sound a heckuva a lot like some of the least accessible Australian post punk/noise rock acts of yore - especially with the treble-y, delay heavy angular guitar lines, shambling rhythm section and forced out vocal delivery.
Desperation and depression are things you seldom go looking for, but when it's channeled into noisy, nihilistic punk dirges it's always welcome. Please abandon your current tasks, listen to this and prepare to sink down a few levels. It's not that bad here in the gutter.

TRACKLISTING:
1. Teeth in Mouth
2. Like A Ball
3. On the Throne
4. Snake Dick Blues
5. Caveman's Lament
6. Human Postcard
7. Treat You Right
8. These are the Blues

Bandcamp
Download

Burlap - Demo

'Demo'
Burlap
2014

Review by Brayden Bagnall

Genre/s: Noise Rock, Post Hardcore
For Fans Of: Dreamdecay, Pissed Jeans, Fight Amp, A Place To Bury Strangers, Earth

I recently headed down to Sydney/Newcastle to play some shows, and whilst I was down there I had the pleasure of catching Burlap live. I'd initially heard their demo when it dropped earlier this year, and was impressed by it - but for whatever reason I promptly forgot about it and moved onto something else. Cue me catching them live (one of the best sets I caught in Newcastle by a long shot) and remembering that I should totally do up a blog post for them. So here we are.
Burlap is a four piece band from Sydney, Australia featuring members of Jxckxlz, Ted Danson With Wolves and HANNAHBAND (to name a few) who play a much more mellowed out offshoot of noise rock.  With no bass, the two guitarists use a multitude of effects to create low end, and it's here where a few drone and shoegaze influences creep in. When they're not in drone mode, Burlap's music takes a slightly more aggressive tone via hoarse screamed vocals and punk flavoured guitar riffs. The two styles work well together, often mingling together throughout the coarse of a song to create a slightly disorienting yet mellow listen.
It'd be an understatement to say I'm excited to hear a full length or EP from these guys - but for now I'm going to content myself with this here demo. You should to. It's good.

TRACKLISTING:
1. Sicko
2. Pussy Whipped
3. Knuckles
4. U4EA

Bandcamp

Iron Lung Mystery Product

'Iron Lung Mystery Product'
Unknown Artist (Iron Lung Records)
2013

Review by Joey

Genre/s: Hardcore Punk, Noise Rock, Noise Punk
For Fans Of: White Wards, Cult Ritual, Society Nurse, Walls

"It's a mystery you dummy."

That's all Iron Lung Records has to say about this anonymous, unmarked cassette.  It came out under the radar last year in an unknown quantity and with no information on the artist released.  It has been speculated that this is the unreleased LP of Mentally Challenged, a band featuring members of Mind Eraser and others, but the label has neither confirmed nor denied this claim.

What I can tell you, however, is that this tape is amazing.  From the very first ringing of feedback to the last drum hit, this release is a wild ride.  There's something in here for everyone: stompy punk, off kilter hardcore, deathrocky dirges, and even strange noise/ambient interludes.  The only artists I can really compare it to are primarily other Iron Lung Records bands such as White Wards and Walls, both of which deliver weird and noise drenched hardcore punk.

I ripped this and split the tracks myself, so I cannot actually say for certain that the track listing is 100% accurate, but the tracks were divided at what I saw as logical stopping points in the music.  I doubt you'll ever see this surface unless somebody is selling it on discogs or ebay, so I highly recommend checking this out.

Track Listing:

1.  
2.  
3.  
4.  
5.  
6.  
7.  
8.  
9.  
10.  
11.  
12.   

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Bone Awl - Discography

'Discography'
Bone Awl
2002-2011

Review by Joey

Genre/s: Raw Black Metal, Blackened Punk
For Fans Of: Ildjarn, Rudimentary Peni, Garrotte, Black Boot

You’ve probably heard the name Bone Awl or at least seen some of their artwork floating around the internet.  Let’s face it, their artwork is pretty cool. But their music is just as awesome.  

He Who Gnashes Teeth (guitars/vocals) and He Who Crushes Teeth (drums) are the masterminds behind this raw black metal punk assault. They started in 2002 and take heavy influence from bands such as Ildjarn and Rudimentary Peni so you can guess what they sound like.  If you’d like a proper description, their sound is drenched in fuzz and feedback, underneath which can be found simplistic, dark riffing and driving, primitive drumming. These guys helped pave the way for modern raw black metal/punk bands such as Black Boot, Sewer Drainer, and Garrotte.  

Both members have gone on to form new projects. He Who Gnashes Teeth put out a tape as Galloping Shadow; He Who Crushes Teeth sings for Raspberry Bulbs.  I’m not entirely sure if Bone Awl is officially over, but to my knowledge they’ve been inactive for a couple years at this point.  

So, onto what you’re getting (because that’s what you’re here for, right?).  The link below contains a download for Bone Awl’s entire studio discography. It does not include instrumental/rehearsal recordings or compilations of their recordings; these are all the original releases. 

Here we go:

• Magnetism Of War (2002)
• Night Is Indifferent (2003)
• Bog Bodies (2003)
• By Ropes Through Dirt (2003)
• Up To Something (2004)
• Volkurah / Bone Awl / Hammer / Vordr (2005)
• Not For Our Feet (2005)
• …So I Must Take From The Earth And Make It My Own (2006)
• Furdidurke / Bone Awl (2006)
• The Rita / Bone Awl (2006)
• At The Eclipse’s Arc (2006)
• Meaningless Leaning Mess (2007)
• Undying Glare (2007)
• Almost Dead Man (2007)
• Night’s Middle (2009)
• Bowing Heads (2010)
• Ashdautas / Bone Awl (2011)
  

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