The Ghost Of Cain

Post punk, rock, folk ... describe New Model Army as you will. The spirit of their music is genuinely revolutionary, humanist and socially vital. The Ghost of Cain from 1986 is their third full length and it is chock-full of punk fervor. It is filled to the brim with anger, frustration and the beauty of honest insight and expression. There's the vigilante's theme "The Hunt" (covered later by Brazil's Sepultura), the very personal "Love Songs" and "Poison Street", as well as the socially aware protest songs of "Master Race" and "Heroes". The biggest splash from this album was the politically charged "51st State," proving to be NMA's biggest hit to date. But it's not all about creating "hit" songs, is it? No, it is not. The album as a whole paints a bleak world view from the perspective of 1980s England. The empire in decline, the rise of American imperialism and the spread of American cultural values across once seemingly impenetrable national boundaries. Never was the sun supposed to set on Great Britain. Never were children meant to grow up realizing their dreams were just that, and nothing more.
But NMA offer more than just protest. Always present beneath the anger, the frustration, the disillusion, is the faint flame of humanity. Led by lead singer/songwriter Justin Sullivan, New Model Army's music speaks the plain truth of the common man and woman, never sugar or corn syrup coated, that along with the daily injustice and sufferings at the hands of indifferent and incompetent masters, comes the most basic of human conditions: the struggle for something better.

No police No summons No courts of law

The Butcher's Ballroom

Combining the seemingly incompatible styles of symphonic metal,prog-rock, jazz, classical, mariachi and swing, Sweden's Diablo Swing Orchestra are unique to put it mildly. There are chugging guitars, blaring mariachi inspired trumpets, operatic female vocals, and the ominous rhythm of the upright bass. These Swedes are a definite niche band, sounding like the offspring of Unexpect, DeVotchka and Nightwish (two out of three ain't bad). The album is a bit too clean and over produced sounding, but I've always ventured a guess that these guys would be a blast live in concert. The female vocals, while very proficient, often seem too over the top and undermine the charm of the album. I can only take this sort of thing in small servings... sort of like really sweet candy. REALLY, OVERLY, SWEET CANDY. So yeah, these guys are cheesy, but in the right environment I bet you'd enjoy this musical oddity- like if you had a Halloween/ Masquerade party where everyone was drinking Appletinis. Then again, the party would probably look cool from outside, but after 30 minutes you bail and hit up the much cooler bar with Darkthrone in the juke box. I'll see you at the bar.

BOOgie

Blizzard Beasts

A great frost has descended upon New York. A heavy snow, in excess of a foot, continues to mount outside my door. The metropolis of Peekskill has come to a grinding... frozen... halt. In the woods, just out back, tree limbs snap and tumble to the ground with a monstrous thud. As I gaze into the near white out, something catches my eye... Who, no what, is responsible for this plague of ice? Three sets of frozen eyes gaze back at me from their frosty lair. That's not the abominable snow man, no... it's a trio of Blizzard Beasts... it is Immortal and all hope is lost.
Shit, It's gonna take all day to dig my car out.

WINTER ... argh!

Discouraged Ones

Katatonia's third album, "Discouraged Ones" (1998), marked a sudden change in the band's direction. The musical shift was drastic and profound as they forever left behind their Blackened/Death-Doom influences. Some albums, no matter how familiar they become to you, remain ultimately indescribable. I can write words such as melancholic, moody, minimalist/ hypnotic riffs and just plain doomy (alright, I know 'doomy' is not a word), but none of this does justice to an album that is exceedingly difficult to pin down with adequate description. This is an album wrought with personal pains, tragic urgency and human failures presented in a metal framework of pulsing minimalist rhythms and melodies. It is a beautiful and mesmerizing puzzle piece within the accomplished catalog of Katatonia. It is a fine companion piece to a rainy day, or a lonely night.

discouraged

novocaine for the soul (e.p.)

Novocaine for the Soul, from their debut album "Beautiful Freak," was a break out hit for the Eels. It proved to be more of a curse than a blessing for the always enigmatic and sensitive Mr. E. Somehow, this melancholy ode became some sort of a douche-bag anthem during the summer of '96. Frat boys descended upon the Eels like white on... well, frat boys. Odd cause it's quite a good tune. Anyway, on this here e.p. you have the aforementioned hit Novocaine for the Soul , Guest List (a touching diddy, also on the proper album), a live version of My Beloved Monster and the previously unreleased Fucker. I know Fucker would be released on at least one live album, but here it is in proper studio form. Or maybe the live version is proper form. Whatever. I hate you.

fucker

The Brimstone Solar Radiation Band

Looking for a record to bridge the gap between you and your ex-hippie old man? Well, say hello to The Brimstone Solar Radiation Band. These Norse gents practice a form of 1960's inspired psychedelic rock, with a generous helping of Hammond organ. The songs are light and pop conscious, but still pretty damn cool. No squares here. This album, their first effort circa 2004, makes me want to grow a mustache, maybe look into some hip Eastern religions. Hey, I heard there's some cool cats out in California, at Spahn Ranch, starting a commune or new religion or something. Yeah... I think we should go check that out ...

groooovy

Silence Teaches You How To Sing e.p.

Bleak, minimalist and pensive. By 2001 Ulver had found themselves in the midst of the Industrial/Glitch music movement. Ever wandering, ever evolving these Norwegian wolves. They have since moved on to more emotive pastures but, as with all their musical explorations, they excelled in each step of the journey. A single track, clocking in at over 24 minutes, Silence Teaches You How To Sing is just that- a journey. A voyage through cold empty streets, the voice of technology reaching out to humanity, a series of questions lost in shadows stretching across cold gray pavement.

- W O L V E S - E V O L V E -

Insane Sickness

Proving that you don't have to be the best to make it onto Digging The Ditch....

I remember seeing these guys my freshmen year at UMASS. Back then (1996) it seemed like every fucking East Coast band was trying to be all DMS Hardcore. It was pretty pathetic. Anyway, these Connecticut guys were somewhat guilty of this trend. But still, there was something charming about their hard core influenced death metal. Was it the enormous guitar player whose strap was extended all the way and still barely made it around his rotund torso? Or maybe it was the lead singer coming on stage in full clown outfit that charmed me... I recall him almost passing out with one of those giant Spencer's Killer Clown From Outer Space masks on. Or perhaps it was the Junior High evil notebook sketch inspired album artwork... Anyway, if you like your old school-ish death metal with plenty of hardcore break downs this is the album for you. Plus, these guys never even had a label released album... so look at you... instantly a member of the underground. Nice.

P.S. These guys were apparently fanatically Pro-Life. Check track # 2. Bet you didn't see that one coming...

TT

Ceremony Of Opposites

By the mid 1990s the second wave of Black Metal bands were really coming into their own. There was an expansion of the then rigid definition of Black Metal, a scene that by this time had become zealot like in adherence to established tradition. Well, sometimes you have to toss tradition right out the window; bathwater, baby and all.
Samael's Ceremony of Opposites was an instant classic. Even the most bitter of Black Metal misanthropes had to come around for this ingenious and sick as all shit album. The industrial influence is prevalent throughout, as the drums pulse slowly and the keyboard lays down just the right amount of horror film ambiance. Vorphalack's vocals are intense and commanding, slicing through the doom laced riffs with a fury not unlike a storm making landfall. The album plays out slow and steady with overwhelming sacrilege and damnation. For Samael, this album was but a momentary stop on a long and continuing journey, but it stands as a monument of profound creative vision. Many bands have tried to duplicate the sound created here (cough, cough, Alastis...) but all such efforts have been fleeting. Some beasts are meant to be unique.

A Crown Of Thorns
Is Still A Crown

Peaceville X

Legendary English label Peaceville Records put out this tribute compilation in 1998 to celebrate their ten years of forcing good music down the throats of the unworthy masses. For a label comp this is pretty cool. It's my understanding that all the bands were allowed to pick a non-metal song of their choosing to cover. The results were hit and miss, but the hits were dead on.

Anathema's re-envisioning of Bad Religion's Better Off Dead is breathtaking. The once up beat and sarcastic punk anthem takes on a new life all its' own. Thine's cover of the Nick Cave murderous epic Song of Joy is a pleasantly macabre surprise from a band who although underrated, normally deal in more of pop conscious style of doomy rock. Their effort is unique and admirable. Covering Nick Cave is not a task to be taken lightly. The highlight of the album though, is easily My Dying Brides version of the Portishead classic Roads. Somehow My Dying Bride has managed to make this ode to depression and self loathing even more self loathingerer. And I don't care if I just made that word up. There's also Tears for Fears, Nancy Sinatra, Joy Division, the Stones, Thin Lizzy among other covers that are worth a listen. So get downloading ya creep.

X marks the spot

Songs Of Desperation

Lonesome Wyatt (guitar & vocals) and The Minister (bass & banjo) are two prophets who sing the psalm of old-time gothic country. Didn't think such a genre existed? Well, it sure as shit does.

Soaked in back woods moonshine, with a hand full of pills on the side, this brand of country music is instilled with misery, sin and damnation. Songs of Desperation, their first full length, is dark and painful. When I say painful, I mean YOU will experience pain as you listen to it. Your stomach will ache, your hands tremble...your body shake. These gentlemen, both certified holiness preachers, sing hymns to save your wretched soul. Are you worthy? No. But they have set up their revival tent in your dog shit town and I suggest you get the fuck inside and receive some healing. Amen brother.

S A L V A T I O N !

From Which of This Oak

Agalloch's 1997 demo From Which of This Oak was limited to 200 cassette tapes and is a fascinating listen. It hints at what would ultimately (at least for the time being...) become Agalloch's easily recognizable sound. The neo-folk, the black metal, the progressive yet inspiring song structures, and of course the ever present sense of defiant melancholy. Agalloch are a vital and creative force within music. This demo documents their beginnings. It is distantly familiar when compared with their more recent work. Yet, it's still miles ahead of most other musicians. One thing present here, that didn't follow the band onto their formal releases, is a surprising NWOBHM influence on the opening track, "The Wilderness." It's high energy guitar attack is pretty awesome and pretty surprising. Still, I'm glad they left this influence behind. I would rather enjoy it as part of their youthful past, while rightfully appreciating their current more mature sound which they have truly made their own. Enough knit-picking ... demo or not, these 4 tracks are impressive. From this small seed has grown a band whose roots are as vast and run as deep as the considerable influence they impart on the world of music around them.

heathen

Ocean Songs

Warren Ellis, Mick Turner and Jim White comprise the Dirty Three. As separate entities they have created and contributed to a number of noteworthy musical endeavors, but together they are a single monolith of musical genius. Stirring, introspective, electric, heartfelt, impassioned and fucking mind bending. Ocean Songs is their fourth full length and was released in 1998. Like the ocean which inspires it, it is brimming with ceaseless energy. It's probably their greatest work, but I may only be saying that because it is playing right now. Put on any of their other albums and I may just switch my vote.

Two notes:
------The cover artwork, as with most of their albums,
was created by Mr. Mick Turner.

------"Authentic Celestial Music" may just be the most appropriately titled song ever penned.

AUTHENTIC

All Is Violent, All Is Bright

Irish post rockers God Is An Astronaut created a magnificent opus with 2005's All Is Violent, All Is Bright. The album offers a series of sweeping musical experiences, while never getting lost in their ever present ambiance. It's a definite challenge to create an album, let alone 4 (to date), without vocals and yet still have the result be so overwhelmingly emotional and moving. God Is An Astronaut do such with astonishing consistency. This trio has a solid following Stateside, but really some more people need to get on this boat. This is an album I just cannot seem to get loud enough... I find myself turning up the volume knob with each pass of the stereo. Neighbors be damned.

"All things are true. God's an Astronaut.
Oz is Over the Rainbow,
and Midian is where
the monsters live." ~~~Nightbreed

Loveless

This was an easy pick for today.

Have a
distorted,
electric,
muffled,

droning,
and shoegazing
Valentine's Day

:Emptiness:Emptiness:Emptiness:

Dane Kim Larsen (ex Saturnus) started this post industrial/neo-folk endeavor in '99, parting ways with his metal past. Of The Wand & The Moon's music is organic, stark and melancholy. It is wrought with strong neo-pagan influences. 2001's :Emptiness:Emptiness:Emptiness:, his second full length release, is the perfect soundtrack for a cold, dark and snowy night spent inside by the fire. It is a gentle album that admirably desires to fill the night with music.

The cover art is a bit hard to see, so the pic above is from the CD booklet.

:Emptiness:Emptiness:Emptiness:

At the Sight of the Apocalypse Dragon

I'm not sure why these blasphemous Swedes didn't make more of a splash back in '97 with this killer effort. I guess all the cool kids were listening to HammerFall... pity. Midvinter, on their only release to date, display a keen ability to produce truly Satanic Swedish Black Metal. It has all the trademark Swedish Black Metal calling cards of evil, demons, obscure cosmically inspired apocalyptic vision, and good old Swede melodies. But don't get me wrong... this album is LEGIT. And, for a debut it really seemed immensely promising. Oh well, we'll never know what could have been... Fans of Dissection, Sacramentum, and even the mighty Emperor would be wise to have a listen.

Bonus!
If you play the album backwards while standing on your head and watching The Exorcist you will hear a hidden message between the band members:

"Hey, Kheeroth"
"What's up Damien?"
"Is that the Apocalypse Dragon over there?"
"Yeah...we're all fucked"
"Cool"

yes please

Ride On

Ireland's Cruachan have held the torch for Pagan/Celtic Metal since 1992 and have certainly had their ups and downs as a band. Today's offering, the 2001 single Ride On, is a definite UP. The featured song is a cover of the beloved Christy More/Jimmy McCarthy classic and features guest vocals by a certain gentleman by the name of Shane MacGowan. You may have heard of him. Mr. MacGowan also co-produced the album Folk-Lore, from which this single is derived. Cruachan has always been a band I've wanted to have greater affinity for, they've had a series of label and production problems through the years, but I always feel that sooner or later they will create a monumental Celtic Metal album. Even if my faith is misplaced, they have created something special here.

Erin Go Bragh

Triarchy of the Lost Lovers

In honor of the E.U. opting to rescue the Greek economy today ...

There is something very familiar yet exceptionally exotic about the Hellenic Black Metal scene. I find almost everything I hear from Greece to be at the very least, interesting. But often, very compelling. Today's offering is no exception. 1996's Triarchy of the Lost Lovers was my introduction to Greek metal and it has stood the test of time as an exceptional release. Here we have the beginning of a departure for Rotting Christ. For this, and the two albums which follow it, Rotting Christ will leave behind many of the more traditional Greek extreme metal themes, i.e. Satan, demons, cults, and Satan. Triarchy ... is a melancholic album that overflows with drama, passion and sorrow. While in no way the heaviest or most in your face black metal album from Greece (or even from Rotting Christ) it stands as a creative accomplishment and a high point for the band.

Now, why is it that Greece can have such a sick and extreme metal scene but Italy insists on creating wave after wave of cheese enveloped fantasy metal? I will defer to the Oracle on this one.

ΩΘΛΞΦ

A Place to Be

Danny Cavanagh, of Anathema notoriety, put out this rather disarming tribute album to the late Nick Drake back in '04. Released on band mate Duncan Patterson's Strange Light label, A Place to Be has Cavanagh with his lone guitar recreating 11 Drake classics. The whole album has a very organic and live feel and it is obvious that Drake's music and song writing have been immensely influential to Mr. Cavanagh. I recognize that there are few certainties in life. But one certainty I have accepted is that whatever Danny Cavanagh touches musically, is gold. If you are not familiar with the music of Nick Drake, this tribute is a touching introduction to a songwriter who left this world too soon as a result of suicide. Fans of the late Elliott Smith's music would be well served to explore Drake's work as well.

a place to be

Through The Trees

Rennie and Bret Sparks are the husband and wife team that make up The Handsome Family. Their particular brand of alt-country (or even Gothic country at times) has an often macabre and murderous storytelling quality to it, which may be why I find it so interesting. This handsome couple have been plying their trade since 1993, while Through the Trees was recorded and released in 1998 after Brett was hospitalized due to a breakdown and subsequently diagnosed with bi-polar disorder. The emotional impact of such an experience can be felt throughout this gem of an album. The first two tracks alone will leave you drained as well as enlightened, simultaneously.

American Gothic

Vol. 1 From CHALDEA

Nick Tosches is a favorite writer of mine. He is an author who speaks with a timeless and distinctly American voice that I just don't think there is enough of in our world today. Anyway, imagine my surprise one day when I came across a CD of his poems from his book Chaldea and I Dig Girls, all set to various neat-o beats. This shit is out there and if you can wrap your mind around it, I do not think you will be disappointed...

Saint Nick

World OV Worms

Born as a side project for Samoth and Trym of Emperor, Zyklon was the death metal influence of the band (present in Emperor's later albums) as its' own entity. Take away Emperor's trademark black metal, as well as helmsman Ihsan's avant-garde dispostion, and this is what you get. Base, primal, razor sharp post apocalyptic industrial tinged death metal. All this with lyrics by the murderous Bard G. "Faust"Eithun and you have a very intense and authentically brutal album. Zyklon recently called it quits and since I never felt the follow ups to their debut were as impressive... you get their first album. Enjoy.

Welcome to the World OV Worms

Who Will Survive & What Will Be Left Of Them?

Choose your own adventure:
So, you meander into the local watering-hole and who's sitting at the bar? Oh, that would be SATAN. What do you do next?
A) Buy him a drink and exchange memorable stories
B) Body Shots with Beelzebub!
C) Get tired of his braggart ways, shoot him in the back, and hope all ends well

If you chose C, then all will spiral out of control and your small dusty little town and everyone in it will die a horribly painful death. All this set to the tune of Murder By Death's unique blend of Indie Rock/Americana + cello. Well played gentlemen and lady. Well Played.

Prey

BONUS: Here are some photos of Murder By Death's Nov. 11th 2008 show at Maxwell's of Hoboken, NJ. A special thank you to the lovely photographer, Miss Jessica Ellard, for the photos.

Witchcraft

Originally intended as a tribute band, in honor of cult heroes Pentagram as well as musician Roky Erickson, Witchcraft would redefine themselves as a full fledged 70's-esque stoner/doom band with this, now classic, 2004 album. Recorded in a basement with vintage equipment it has that authentic 70's feel. But you already knew all this, right? If you didn't, you should just pretend you did. Because I am embarrassed for you. These guys really put out something fantastic here. What's with Swedes and the 70's? They just love it. I haven't been to Sweden...but I imagine its' roads are clogged with totally sweet vans with air brushed murals of dragons laying siege to fortresses on martian landscapes. Okay, maybe not. But this album has that cool of a vibe. I really think it's about time you treat it with the respect it deserves. Now excuse me, I'm heading over to Wal-Mart to airbrush wizards on all the vans in the parking lot.

Totally Sweet

Henry's Dream

So I have just finished off Nick Cave's latest novel, The Death of Bunny Monroe, and am overwhelmed by the urge to revisit Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds' classic 1992 album Henry's Dream. Always the egomaniac, I assume you share this desire as well.

Cave and Co.'s seventh studio effort showcases their coming of age as vivid and emotive musicians. While retaining their unique edge, they have also managed to create a very accessible album. The characters within have a penchant for the macabre and the twisted. There is blood, booze and bedlam. But there is also a presence which has been hinted at before, in earlier efforts, and would become much more prominent with future albums. It is Cave's masterful ability to pen the love song. "Straight To You" is an all consuming ode to love and desire told with a passion of Biblical proportions:

Heaven has denied us our kingdom
The Saints are drunk, howling at the moon
The chariots of angels are colliding
Well, I'll run, babe, but I'll come running straight to you...

For fuck's sake. I'm glad I never got into the business of writing love songs. I would have to quit.

Here's an after thought for ya' ... legendary producer David Briggs (Neil Young) manned the controls for this album... and Cave could not have been more displeased with the results. Cave and Mick Harvey re-mixed it themselves. But were ultiamtely still not content with the production of the album. Oh well...

A warm arterial spray

Fearless Undead Machines

1997 is not remembered as the most prolific year for death/thrash metal... but don't tell King Fowley and the rest of the gang collectively known as Deceased. Fearless Undead Machines pours forth with thrash/heavy metal goodness. And what better to sing about than the zombification of the civilized world? Each track serves to detail a world once recognizable as our own, but now being overrun by the undead. And it straight up rocks. Romero would be proud. Shit, maybe he is. What do I know?

Really, these guys have always been an underground favorite but deserve so much more. If there is such a thing as being "true" or "real" in the world of metal, then Deceased is it. They've been at it since like 1984 and nothing has stopped them yet. Not hair metal, not grunge, not emo,nor screamo, not hip hop, not what passes for country music these days, not hardcore,metalcore, or mathcore, not even the lamest most vile of all things: U2, could stop these Heavy Metal soldiers. They just keep on moving forward like a... well... a zombie.

By the by, if I were on such a nominating committee, Fearless Undead Machines would be on the list of my Top Ten album covers of the 1990's.

They're coming to get you, Barbara!