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Week Ending:
17 June 2023

Newsletter

 

Album Of The Week

How Do We Rate Album Of The Week?

TheBigBlack


The Offspring Logo

Smash

The Offspring - Smash (1994)

[Punk Rock]

United States

Rating - 4 Stars

By the late-90s bands like Green Day and Blink-182 would help the new generation of pop-punk explode onto the charts and take the music to the masses, but in 1994 punk was still less than mainstream. With labels now looking for the next 'grunge', bands like Bad Religion and Pennywise were starting to cause a swell, and The Offspring were lucky enough that someone at Epitaph Records (founded by Bad Religion's guitarist) decided they were worth pushing. 'Smash' was an album made for the time, overflowing with angsty lyrics and crunchy guitars, but with just enough commercial appeal that every 15 year old got a copy on CD from their grandparents for their birthday that year. Songs like 'Nitro (Youth Energy)' and 'Genocide' exhibited old-school punk chops and credibility alongside the more modern sounding 'Come Out And Play (Keep 'm Separated)' and 'Gotta Get Away'. There was cross-over appeal also, with alternative and metal audiences hearing something in here that they could relate to. Although The Offspring have had a number of good albums over the years (ignoring the last couple), 'Smash' will likely always be seen as their greatest musical statement.

mindkiller8


Pantera Logo

Cowboys From Hell

Pantera - Cowboys From Hell (1990)

[Groove Metal]

United States

Rating - 5 Stars

With this week marking 20 goddam years since the guitar master Darrell 'Dimebag' Abbot left this word in horrible circumstances, it seems fitting to review some of his work. I'd expect the majority of Pantera fans would agree that this band became the biggest thing since sliced bread in the groove metal space with the release of Cowboys From Hell. They in fact had 4 releases prior to this in the 80's which didn't go very far and to be honest, I couldn't name a single song from those efforts. In any case the collaboration of Dimebag, his brother Vinny (the groove master) on drums, Rex on bass and the irrepressible Phillip H Anselmo carrying the vox duties, broke new ground with this release and became a big influence on the metal scene in the years to come. I can't sing the praises of this record enough. From the self-titled first song on the record, there is no mucking around re what they want the lister to experience for the next hour or there abouts - unrelenting, brutal, tight, wizardry that has its ups and downs. By that I mean they can get the listener going crazy when listening to the likes of 'Primal Concrete Sledge' and then only a few songs later bring soulful, and now bona fide classic such as 'Cemetery Gates', which brings us some of Dimebag's greatest work. Forever a legend of a man and forever a legend of a band.


Core Discographies: New Additions

These are new releases available in the Core Discographies this week.

Remember, Core Discographies accepts Requests. Click HERE to request your favourite album to be included.

Click on any links below to see release details.


United States MP3
Available FLAC
Available
Take No Prisoners

Alcatrazz
Take No Prisoners

[Album]
19 May 2023
Heavy Metal


United Kingdom MP3
Available FLAC
Available
Drastic Symphonies

Def Leppard with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Drastic Symphonies

[Album]
19 May 2023
Hard Rock

Def Leppard are an English rock band formed in 1976. Since 1992, the band has consisted of Rick Savage (bass, backing vocals), Joe Elliott (lead vocals), Rick Allen (drums), Phil Collen (guitar, backing vocals), and Vivian Campbell (guitar, backing vocals). They established themselves as part of the new wave of British heavy metal (NWOBHM) of the early 1980s. Their greatest commercial success came between the early 1980s and early 1990s. As one of the world's best-selling music artists, Def Leppard have sold more than 100 million records worldwide, and have two albums with RIAA diamond certification, making them one of only five rock bands with two original studio albums selling more than 10 million copies in the U.S.


United States MP3
Available FLAC
Available
Dealing With Demons, Volume II

DevilDriver
Dealing With Demons, Volume II

[Album]
12 May 2023
Groove Metal


United Kingdom MP3
Available FLAC
Available
Laughing With Liza (The Vocalion And Deram Singles 1964-1967 Plus)

David Bowie
Laughing With Liza (The Vocalion And Deram Singles 1964-1967 Plus)

[Album; Compilation]
22 April 2023
Classic Rock

David Robert Jones (8 January 1947 - 10 January 2016), known professionally as David Bowie, was an English singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. He is regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. He was acclaimed by critics and musicians, particularly for his innovative work during the 1970s. His career was marked by reinvention and visual presentation, and his music and stagecraft had a significant impact on popular music.

Performer(s):

David Bowie David Bowie - Vocals / Guitar [Member]

Norway MP3
Available FLAC
Available
Black Medium Current

DHG [Dodheimsgard]
Black Medium Current

[Album]
14 April 2023
Black Metal


United States MP3
Available FLAC
Available
Dealing With Demons, Volume I

DevilDriver
Dealing With Demons, Volume I

[Album]
2 October 2020
Groove Metal


Canada MP3
Available FLAC
Available
Such Pretty Forks In The Road


United States MP3
Available FLAC
Available
Vault 03 (Constitution Hall 1998-09-19)

Pearl Jam
Vault 03 (Constitution Hall 1998-09-19)

[Album]
24 June 2013
Grunge Rock

Pearl Jam is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1990. Formed after the demise of guitarist Stone Gossard and bassist Jeff Ament's previous bands, Green River and Mother Love Bone, they broke into the mainstream with their debut album, 'Ten', in 1991. One of the key bands in the grunge movement of the early 1990s, Pearl Jam's members often shunned popular music industry practices such as making music videos or participating in interviews. The band had also sued Ticketmaster, claiming it had monopolized the concert-ticket market. Pearl Jam had sold more than 85 million albums worldwide, including nearly 32 million albums in the United States, making them one of the best-selling bands of all time. Pearl Jam was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017 in its first year of eligibility.

Performer(s):

Eddie Vedder Eddie Vedder - Vocals [Member]
Mike McCready Mike McCready - Guitar [Member]
Jeff Ament Jeff Ament - Bass Guitar [Member]

Germany MP3
Available FLAC
Available
Hordes Of Chaos

Kreator
Hordes Of Chaos

[Album]
13 January 2009
Thrash Metal

Kreator is a German thrash metal band from Essen, formed in 1982. Along with Destruction, Sodom and Tankard, they are credited as one of the "Big Four" of Teutonic thrash metal, responsible for developing and popularizing the German thrash metal scene as well as pioneering the then-burgeoning death metal and black metal genres during the mid-1980s. They have a large underground fanbase in the international thrash metal community, with their second studio album 'Pleasure To Kill' (1986) regarded as an influential album of the genre. Despite being an influential band, as well as one of the first European thrash metal acts to sign to a major label (signing to Epic Records in 1988), Kreator would not achieve mainstream popularity until later albums post 2010. Kreator has achieved worldwide sales of over two million units for combined sales of all their albums, making them one of the best-selling German thrash metal bands of all time.

Performer(s):

Mille Petrozza Mille Petrozza - Vocals / Guitar [Member]
Jurgen Reil Jurgen Reil - Drums [Member]

Germany MP3
Available FLAC
Available
At The Pulse Of Kapitulation, Live In East Berlin 1990

Kreator
At The Pulse Of Kapitulation, Live In East Berlin 1990

[Album; Live]
29 March 2008
Thrash Metal

Kreator is a German thrash metal band from Essen, formed in 1982. Along with Destruction, Sodom and Tankard, they are credited as one of the "Big Four" of Teutonic thrash metal, responsible for developing and popularizing the German thrash metal scene as well as pioneering the then-burgeoning death metal and black metal genres during the mid-1980s. They have a large underground fanbase in the international thrash metal community, with their second studio album 'Pleasure To Kill' (1986) regarded as an influential album of the genre. Despite being an influential band, as well as one of the first European thrash metal acts to sign to a major label (signing to Epic Records in 1988), Kreator would not achieve mainstream popularity until later albums post 2010. Kreator has achieved worldwide sales of over two million units for combined sales of all their albums, making them one of the best-selling German thrash metal bands of all time.

Performer(s):

Mille Petrozza Mille Petrozza - Vocals / Guitar [Member]
Jurgen Reil Jurgen Reil - Drums [Member]

United States MP3
Available FLAC
Available
The Last Kind Words

DevilDriver
The Last Kind Words

[Album]
16 June 2007
Groove Metal


Germany MP3
Available FLAC
Available
Enemy Of God

Kreator
Enemy Of God

[Album]
10 January 2005
Thrash Metal

Kreator is a German thrash metal band from Essen, formed in 1982. Along with Destruction, Sodom and Tankard, they are credited as one of the "Big Four" of Teutonic thrash metal, responsible for developing and popularizing the German thrash metal scene as well as pioneering the then-burgeoning death metal and black metal genres during the mid-1980s. They have a large underground fanbase in the international thrash metal community, with their second studio album 'Pleasure To Kill' (1986) regarded as an influential album of the genre. Despite being an influential band, as well as one of the first European thrash metal acts to sign to a major label (signing to Epic Records in 1988), Kreator would not achieve mainstream popularity until later albums post 2010. Kreator has achieved worldwide sales of over two million units for combined sales of all their albums, making them one of the best-selling German thrash metal bands of all time.

Performer(s):

Mille Petrozza Mille Petrozza - Vocals / Guitar [Member]
Jurgen Reil Jurgen Reil - Drums [Member]

United Kingdom MP3
Available FLAC
Available
Noel Redding, The Experience Sessions

The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Noel Redding, The Experience Sessions

[Album; Compilation]
20 July 2004
Classic Rock

James Marshall 'Jimi' Hendrix (born Johnny Allen Hendrix; November 27, 1942 - September 18, 1970) was an American guitarist, songwriter and singer. Although his mainstream career spanned only four years, he is widely regarded as the greatest and one of the most influential electric guitarists in the history of popular music, and one of the most celebrated musicians of the 20th century. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame describes him as "arguably the greatest instrumentalist in the history of rock music."


United States MP3
Available FLAC
Available
Unearthed

Johnny Cash
Unearthed

[Album; Compilation; Boxed Set]
25 November 2003
Country

John Cash (February 26, 1932 - September 12, 2003) was an American country singer-songwriter. Most of Cash's music contains themes of sorrow, moral tribulation, and redemption, especially songs from the later stages of his career. He was known for his deep, calm bass-baritone voice, the distinctive sound of his Tennessee Three backing band characterized by train-like chugging guitar rhythms, a rebelliousness coupled with an increasingly somber and humble demeanor, free prison concerts, and a trademark all-black stage wardrobe, which earned him the nickname 'The Man In Black'. He is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, having sold more than 90 million records worldwide. His genre-spanning music embraced country, rock and roll, rockabilly, blues, folk, and gospel sounds. This crossover appeal earned him the rare honor of being inducted into the Country Music, Rock and Roll, and Gospel Music Halls of Fame.

Performer(s):

Rick Rubin Rick Rubin - Production [Producer]

Location(s):

The Viper Room The Viper Room Some tracks

United Kingdom MP3
Available FLAC
Available
Hail To The Thief

Radiohead
Hail To The Thief

[Album]
9 June 2003
Alternative Rock

Radiohead are an English rock band formed in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, in 1985. The band's experimental approach is credited with advancing the sound of alternative rock. They have sold more than 30+ million albums worldwide.


United Kingdom MP3
Available FLAC
Available
Press To Play

Paul McCartney
Press To Play

[Album]
25 August 1986
Classic Rock

Sir James Paul McCartney [CH MBE] (born 18 June 1942) is an English singer, songwriter and musician who gained worldwide fame with The Beatles, for whom he played bass guitar and shared primary songwriting and lead vocal duties with John Lennon. One of the most successful composers and performers of all time, McCartney is known for his melodic approach to bass-playing, versatile and wide tenor vocal range, and musical eclecticism, exploring genres ranging from pre-rock and roll pop to classical, ballads, and electronica. His songwriting partnership with Lennon is the most successful in modern music history. McCartney has had sales of 25.5 million RIAA-certified units in the U.S. His honours include an appointment as a Member Of The Order Of The British Empire in 1965, and a knighthood in 1997 for services to music. As of 2020, he is one of the wealthiest musicians in the world, with an estimated fortune of ?800 million.


United States MP3
Available FLAC
Available
Speak English Or Die

S.O.D. (Stormtroopers Of Death)
Speak English Or Die

[Album]
?? December 1985
Thrash Metal (Crossover)

Stormtroopers Of Death (abbreviated to S.O.D.) was an American crossover thrash band formed in New York City in 1985. They are credited as being amongst the first groups to fuse hardcore punk with thrash metal into a style often referred to as crossover thrash. The band is also known for reuniting Anthrax members, guitarist Scott Ian and drummer Charlie Benante, with their former bassist Dan Lilker. The band was controversial due to their deliberately offensive explicit lyrics. Ian described the songs as "ridiculous" and "just a big inside joke", adding: "Some people thought we were racist, and those people are stupid." Bassist Dan Lilker stated: "The lyrics were never intended to be serious, just to piss people off."

Performer(s):

Scott Ian Scott Ian - Guitar [Member]
Charlie Benante Charlie Benante - Drums [Member]
Dan Lilker Dan Lilker - Bass Guitar [Member]
Alex Perialis Alex Perialis - Production [Producer]
Alex Perialis Alex Perialis - Engineering [Producer]

Label(s):

Megaforce Records Megaforce Records (Region: U.S.A.)

Location(s):


United Kingdom MP3
Available FLAC
Available
Give My Regards To Broad Street

Paul McCartney
Give My Regards To Broad Street

[Album]
22 October 1984
Classic Rock

Sir James Paul McCartney [CH MBE] (born 18 June 1942) is an English singer, songwriter and musician who gained worldwide fame with The Beatles, for whom he played bass guitar and shared primary songwriting and lead vocal duties with John Lennon. One of the most successful composers and performers of all time, McCartney is known for his melodic approach to bass-playing, versatile and wide tenor vocal range, and musical eclecticism, exploring genres ranging from pre-rock and roll pop to classical, ballads, and electronica. His songwriting partnership with Lennon is the most successful in modern music history. McCartney has had sales of 25.5 million RIAA-certified units in the U.S. His honours include an appointment as a Member Of The Order Of The British Empire in 1965, and a knighthood in 1997 for services to music. As of 2020, he is one of the wealthiest musicians in the world, with an estimated fortune of ?800 million.


United Kingdom MP3
Available FLAC
Available
Pipes Of Peace

Paul McCartney
Pipes Of Peace

[Album]
31 October 1983
Classic Rock

Sir James Paul McCartney [CH MBE] (born 18 June 1942) is an English singer, songwriter and musician who gained worldwide fame with The Beatles, for whom he played bass guitar and shared primary songwriting and lead vocal duties with John Lennon. One of the most successful composers and performers of all time, McCartney is known for his melodic approach to bass-playing, versatile and wide tenor vocal range, and musical eclecticism, exploring genres ranging from pre-rock and roll pop to classical, ballads, and electronica. His songwriting partnership with Lennon is the most successful in modern music history. McCartney has had sales of 25.5 million RIAA-certified units in the U.S. His honours include an appointment as a Member Of The Order Of The British Empire in 1965, and a knighthood in 1997 for services to music. As of 2020, he is one of the wealthiest musicians in the world, with an estimated fortune of ?800 million.


United Kingdom MP3
Available FLAC
Available
Midnight Lightning

Jimi Hendrix
Midnight Lightning

[Album; Compilation]
?? November 1975
Classic Rock

James Marshall 'Jimi' Hendrix (born Johnny Allen Hendrix; November 27, 1942 - September 18, 1970) was an American guitarist, songwriter and singer. Although his mainstream career spanned only four years, he is widely regarded as the greatest and one of the most influential electric guitarists in the history of popular music, and one of the most celebrated musicians of the 20th century. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame describes him as "arguably the greatest instrumentalist in the history of rock music."


Core Discographies: This Year's Releases Coming Soon

These are new releases coming to Core Discographies soon.

All new releases are available.

Digital Library: Tagged Releases

These are new releases completed in the Digital Library this week.

Digital Library Links: Digital Library

Click on any links below to see release details.


United States
MP3
Complete
FLAC
Complete
Take No Prisoners

Alcatrazz
Take No Prisoners

[Album]
19 May 2023
Heavy Metal


United Kingdom
MP3
Complete
FLAC
Complete
Laughing With Liza (The Vocalion And Deram Singles 1964-1967 Plus)

David Bowie
Laughing With Liza (The Vocalion And Deram Singles 1964-1967 Plus)

[Album; Compilation]
22 April 2023
Classic Rock

Performer(s):

David Bowie David Bowie - Vocals / Guitar [Member]

United Kingdom
MP3
Complete
FLAC
Complete
Laughing With Liza (The Vocalion And Deram Singles 1964-1967 Plus) [HD Version]

David Bowie
Laughing With Liza (The Vocalion And Deram Singles 1964-1967 Plus) [HD Version]

[Album; Compilation]
22 April 2023
Classic Rock

Performer(s):

David Bowie David Bowie - Vocals [Member]



United States
MP3
Complete
FLAC
Complete
Dealing With Demons, Volume II

DevilDriver
Dealing With Demons, Volume II

[Album]
12 May 2023
Groove Metal


Norway
MP3
Complete
FLAC
Complete
Black Medium Current

DHG [Dodheimsgard]
Black Medium Current

[Album]
14 April 2023
Black Metal


United States
MP3
Complete
FLAC
Complete
Dealing With Demons, Volume I

DevilDriver
Dealing With Demons, Volume I

[Album]
2 October 2020
Groove Metal


United States
MP3
Complete
FLAC
Complete
The Last Kind Words

DevilDriver
The Last Kind Words

[Album]
16 June 2007
Groove Metal


Digital Library: New Additions

These are new releases added in the Digital Library this week. These will be tagged at a future date.

Digital Library Links: Digital Library

Click on any links below to see release details.


Avenged Sevenfold
Life Is But A Dream.

[Album]
2023
Metal

Performer(s):

Andy Wallace Andy Wallace - Mixing [Producer]

Transvision Vamp
A's, B's & Rarities

[Album; Compilation]
2022
Pop


Armagedda
Svindeldjup Attestup

[Album]
2020
Black Metal



TheBigBlack's Last.FM Listening History

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