Newsletter 8 February 2025

Mediabase

Newsletters

« Previous Week Next Week »

Week Ending:
8 February 2025

Album Of The Week

How Do We Rate Album Of The Week?

TheBigBlack

Beyond The Reach Of The Sun

Anciients - Beyond The Reach Of The Sun (2024)

[Death Metal (Progressive)]

Anciients have a discography stretching back over a decade before Beyond The Reach Of The Sun, but it feels like this is the album where they really find what they want to be - and the results of that new-found identity make this opus sound effortless in execution. The opener, 'Forbidden Sanctuary', is a perfect introduction to what the listener will hear over the next hour. The beginning of the track builds a loose tension, like the feeling that storm is on the horizon - but when it finally breaks the guitars don't crash in as expected, but instead roll in with a slap rather than a punch. The vocals are delicate and thin and ethereal, until the death growls break the beauty, but rather than being used a device to make the song heavier they instead are a mechanism which breaks the surface tension at the most perfect moments. The are often sparse, and never outstay their welcome, something that could be said about the growls throughout the entire album. By 'Despoiled' it is obvious how the album will play out, with that same dynamic tension in the air that shifts as the music pulls in constantly shifting directions. Throw in the occasional blast beats that nail you to your chair and it feels like walking on wet sand as the waves pull the grains one by one from under your feet. The whole track is heavier throughout, and has an odd 80s metal feel to it, possibly due to the heavy effects on the guitar tone. It leaves the song somewhere between space rock and the modern metal. 'Is It Your God' ebbs and flows, but almost with something that could be described as a loose groove about it. The vibe is dark, but in an album full of contradictions, it feels oddly uplifting. 'Melt The Crown' continues with this groove, but this time with some big Godzilla sized monster stomps. It is sprinkled with softer acoustic moments reminiscent of the masters of the style, Opeth. By 'Cloak Of The Vast And Black' it seems the album has revealed all its secrets, but what we now get is a big fat traditional heavy metal track, with brute force in its delivery. Maybe it's a throwback to an earlier time in the band's history, or maybe they are just showing the fans that they do sometimes still love a good old barnstormer in the repertoire. 'Celestial Tyrant' continues the trend, with another more paint-by-number death metal track, complete with complicated riffs and guttural growls. The production is intense and the music claustrophobic, making the song really hit hard. It feels at home, even though it is quite different to earlier songs on the album. And therein lies the number one strength of the album as a whole - that it can so effortlessly move through styles and moods. The songs on the album now take on a life of their own, combining the expansive feel of the first songs with the more traditional ones of the mid-section, giving the listener an oddly coherent experience considering the jarring changes of style through the remaining tracks. 'The Torch' is back to the massive death metal, but with an off-kilter feeling that you still can't quite find a similar artist elsewhere to compare with. It all builds to a wonderful crescendo with closer 'In The Absence Of Wisdom', but it does feel like it knows it is time to end. It is a very long album and has a lot to digest in a one sitting, but repeat listens really do open up the listener to so many fine details that shouldn't be missed. The band truly has created something wholly original and their own, which isn't an easy feat these days, but they did it whilst still showing us every obvious 'borrow' from those that came before them.

mindkiller8

Future Spa

The Fauves - Future Spa (1996)

[Alternative Rock]

Taking a look back of the history of this band, they actually formed in 1988 and cut their Oz chops hitting the sporting clubs and pubs as any wishful rock band would do back in that day. Knocked off a few E.P.'s before eventually releasing their first full length in 1993. It was full of demos and live recordings which isn't a smart idea for a debut, and it flopped. It was however preceded by a debut appearance at the very first Big Day Out festival. Back then, that was your 'in' ticket, if you were smart and used it well. Persistence continued and being a young Oz rock band right in the sweet spot with Triple J really focusing on local Oz talent during the alternative era, they finally hit the mark with Future Spa in 1996. Mostly led by the single 'Dogs Are The Best People' which is a fun, quirky take on what dogs have to offer as a friend rather than another human. However to their credit they put together a number of catchy songs from this album, including the heavy rock tinged 'Self Abuser' and 'Don't Get Death Threats Anymore'. It does die off toward the last 2 or 3 songs, excluding the last song which is a 20 minute track consisting of 2 songs with intervals and then a recording of the band getting pulled over by the police for drug possession. The track only needs the one listen. And kudos to them for still releasing new work still with latest release in 2024.

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.

MP3

FLAC

Grave Digger
Bone Collector

[Album]
17 January 2025
Heavy Metal

'Bone Collector' is the twenty-second studio album by Grave Digger. It was released in celebration of the band's 45th anniversary.

Grave Digger is a German heavy metal band that was first formed in 1980 by Chris Boltendahl and Peter Masson. Emerging from the early-to-mid 1980s heavy metal scene of their native country, Grave Digger has been referred to as one of the so-called 'big four' of German power metal, along with Helloween, Rage and Running Wild.

MP3

FLAC

Tremonti
The End Will Show Us How

[Album]
10 January 2025
Heavy Metal

'The End Will Show Us How' is the sixth studio album by Tremonti. This is the first album to be released after Mark Tremonti reunited with his previous band Creed in 2023.

Tremonti is an American heavy metal band founded and fronted by lead vocalist and guitarist Mark Tremonti, best known as the lead guitarist of the rock bands Creed and Alter Bridge. The band's music is a departure from Tremonti's main bands, featuring more of a thrash metal influence with melodic vocals.

MP3

FLAC

Tremonti
Marching In Time

[Album]
24 September 2021
Heavy Metal

'Marching In Time' is the fifth studio album by Tremonti. The riff of 'Now And Forever' was voted by Guitar World's readers as the best of 2021.

MP3

FLAC

As The Sun Falls
Last Days Of Light

[Album]
21 September 2021
Death Metal (Melodic)

'Last Days Of Light' is the debut studio album by As The Sun Falls.

As The Sun Falls is a melodic death metal band from Zurich (early); Nummela, Etela-Suomi, Finland (later), Switzerland, formed in 2018.

MP3

FLAC

Neil Young
Performance Series Vol. 03.5 Young Shakespeare

[Album]
26 March 2021
Folk Rock

'Young Shakespeare' is a live album by Neil Young. It was recorded in 1971, the performances released on Live At Massey Hall 1971 (2007), during the Journey Through the Past solo tour.

Neil Percival Young (born November 12, 1945) is a Canadian singer and songwriter. After embarking on a music career in Winnipeg in the 1960s, Young moved to Los Angeles, joining the folk-rock group Buffalo Springfield. He then began his solo career, often with backing by the band Crazy Horse, and was also a part-time member of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. He is on Rolling Stone's list of 'The 100 Greatest Musical Artists'. 21 of his albums and singles have been certified Gold and Platinum in U.S. by RIAA certification.

Performer(s):

Neil Young - Vocals / Guitar [Member]

MP3

FLAC

Clutch
Book Of Bad Decisions

[Album]
8 September 2018
Stoner Rock

'Book Of Bad Decisions' is the twelfth studio album by Clutch.

Clutch is an American rock band from Germantown, Maryland, in 1991. Clutch is known as one of the pioneers of stoner rock.

MP3

FLAC

Tremonti
A Dying Machine

[Album]
8 June 2018
Heavy Metal

'A Dying Machine' is the fourth studio album by Tremonti. It is a concept album accompanied by a full-length novel under the same name written by Mark Tremonti and John Shirley, tying together loose ends of the album's plot.

MP3

FLAC

Billy Joe Armstrong & Norah Jones
Foreverly

[Album]
25 November 2013
Punk Rock

'Foreverly' is a collaborative album by Billie Joe Armstrong and Norah Jones. It is a collection of traditional songs, and is a reinterpretation of the 1958 album Songs Our Daddy Taught Us by The Everly Brothers.

MP3

FLAC

John Lennon
Gimme Some Truth

[Album; Compilation; Boxed Set]
4 October 2010
Classic Rock

'Gimme Some Truth' is a boxed set by John Lennon. It contains four themed discs of remastered songs. The box set was released along with 'John Lennon Signature Box' boxed set and 'Power To The People, The Hits' compilation in conjunction with what would have been Lennon's 70th birthday.

John Winston Ono Lennon (born John Winston Lennon, 9 October 1940 - 8 December 1980) was an English singer, songwriter and musician who gained worldwide fame as the founder, co-songwriter, co-lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the Beatles. His work included music, writing, drawings and film. His songwriting partnership with Paul McCartney remains the most successful in history.

Performer(s):

John Lennon - Vocals / Guitar / Keyboard [Member]

MP3

FLAC

Serj Tankian
Elect The Dead

[Album]
27 October 2007
Nu Metal

'Elect The Dead' is the debut studio album by Serj Tankian. Alongside Tankian appears Armenian-American coloratura Ani Maldjian, drummers John Dolmayan (System Of A Down) and Brain (Primus), Dan Monti on guitars, as well as a string section featuring Antonio Pontarelli.

Serj Tankian (born August 21, 1967) is an Armenian-American musician and activist. He is best known as the lead vocalist of the alternative metal band System Of A Down, which was formed in 1994. Tankian is regarded as one of the best vocalists in heavy metal, with praise given to his unusual delivery and his wide vocal range. In 2006, he was ranked No. 26 on the Hit Parader list of 'Top 100 Heavy Metal Vocalists'. A study conducted by VVN Music found that Tankian possesses a high and diverse vocal range of 4.2 octaves. In 2002, Tankian co-founded the non-profit political activism organization Axis Of Justice, alongside guitarist and fellow activist Tom Morello.

MP3

FLAC

Jimi Hendrix
The Jimi Hendrix Experience

[Album; Compilation; Boxed Set]
12 September 2000
Classic Rock

'The Jimi Hendrix Experience' is a boxed set by Jimi Hendrix. The material includes alternative recordings, live performances and some rarities. Although most of the material had been released in earlier compilations, some previously unreleased material was also included.

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."

Performer(s):

Jimi Hendrix - Vocals / Guitar [Member]

Label(s):

Experience Hendrix (Region: International)

MCA Records (Region: International)

Location(s):

De Lane Lea Studios Some tracks.

The Isle Of Wight Festival Some tracks.

Pye Studios Some tracks.

L'Olympia Some tracks.

MP3

FLAC

Various Artists
The Early Blues Roots Of Led Zeppelin (The Original Classic Blues Songs Which Inspired Led Zeppelin)

[Album; Compilation]
26 April 2000
Classic Rock

'The Early Blues Roots Of Led Zeppelin (The Original Classic Blues Songs Which Inspired Led Zeppelin)' is a various artists compilation album. It features blues artists that inspired Led Zeppelin, icluding mamy songs they covered.

Led Zeppelin were an English rock band formed in London in 1968. The group comprised vocalist Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page, bassist and keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham. With a heavy, guitar-driven sound, they are cited as one of the progenitors of hard rock and heavy metal, although their style drew from a variety of influences, including blues and folk music. Led Zeppelin have been credited as significantly impacting the nature of the music industry, particularly in the development of album-oriented rock (AOR) and stadium rock.

Performer(s):

Robert Plant - Vocals [Member]

Jimmy Page - Guitar [Member]

John Paul Jones - Bass Guitar / Keyboard [Member]

John Bonham - Drums [Member]

MP3

FLAC

Nile
Amongst The Catacombs Of Nephren-Ka

[Album]
28 April 1998
Death Metal (Technical)

'Amongst The Catacombs Of Nephren-Ka' is the debut studio album by Nile. Unique in the discography, the songs on this album are notably shorter in length than those featured on subsequent Nile albums. The title of the album is a reference to the H. P. Lovecraft story 'The Outsider'. The phrase is featured in the song 'Beneath Eternal Oceans Of Sand' which has lyrics paraphrased from the aforementioned tale. In Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos, Nephren-Ka was an Egyptian Pharaoh whose unspeakable cult worship led him to be stricken from almost all Egyptian records. The catacombs where he is buried are referenced in several Lovecraft stories as well as many stories by other mythos authors. The album was inducted into Decibel Magazine's Hall Of Fame in June 2009 (No. 52).

Nile is an American death metal band from Greenville, South Carolina, formed in 1993. The band's current lineup consists of founding member Karl Sanders (guitars, vocals), George Kollias (drums), Brian Kingsland (guitars, vocals), Dan Vadim Von (touring - bass, vocals), and Zach Jeter (touring - guitars, vocals). The band is known for their dedicated lyrical and musical style, which is inspired by Egyptology and works of H.P. Lovecraft.

MP3

FLAC

Clutch
The Elephant Riders

[Album]
14 April 1998
Stoner Rock

'The Elephant Riders' is the third full-length album by Clutch.

Clutch is an American rock band from Germantown, Maryland, in 1991. Clutch is known as one of the pioneers of stoner rock.

MP3

FLAC

Led Zeppelin
The Complete Studio Recordings

[Albums; Boxed Set; Reissue]
24 September 1993
Classic Rock

'The Complete Studio Recordings' is a box set by Led Zeppelin. It contains all nine of the original Led Zeppelin studio albums digitally remastered, plus an expanded version of the posthumous release Coda (1982).

Performer(s):

Robert Plant - Vocals [Member]

Jimmy Page - Guitar [Member]

John Paul Jones - Bass Guitar / Keyboard [Member]

John Bonham - Drums [Member]

MP3

FLAC

Tin Machine
Live, Oy Vey, Baby

[Album; Live]
2 July 1992
Classic Rock

'Live, Oy Vey, Baby' is a live album by Tin Machine. The album includes songs, all from the band's two albums, recorded between 20 November 1991 and 11 February 1992 from different venues on the North American and Asian legs of the It's My Life Tour. The album title was intended as a pun on U2's 1991 album Achtung Baby. Oy Vey, Baby has received negative reviews, with many criticising the performances. It failed to chart in both the U.K. and the U.S. Following its release, Tin Machine disbanded and Bowie quickly resumed his solo career with Black Tie White Noise (1993).

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 - Vocals [Member]

MP3

FLAC

David Bowie
Christiane F. - Wir Kinder Vom Bahnhof Zoo (Original Soundtrack)

[Album; Compilation]
?? April 1981
Classic Rock

'Christiane F. - Wir Kinder Vom Bahnhof Zoo (Original Soundtrack)' is a soundtrack album by David Bowie. The music is from the film Christiane F. The German title of the film, Wir Kinder Vom Bahnhof Zoo, means 'We children of Zoo Station', referring to the railway station in Berlin, Germany.

Performer(s):

David Bowie - Vocals [Member]

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.

MP3

FLAC

Grave Digger
Bone Collector

[Album]
17 January 2025
Heavy Metal

'Bone Collector' is the twenty-second studio album by Grave Digger. It was released in celebration of the band's 45th anniversary.

MP3

FLAC

Tremonti
The End Will Show Us How

[Album]
10 January 2025
Heavy Metal

'The End Will Show Us How' is the sixth studio album by Tremonti. This is the first album to be released after Mark Tremonti reunited with his previous band Creed in 2023.

MP3

FLAC

As The Sun Falls
Last Days Of Light

[Album]
21 September 2021
Death Metal (Melodic)

'Last Days Of Light' is the debut studio album by As The Sun Falls.

MP3

FLAC

Neil Young
Performance Series Vol. 03.5 Young Shakespeare

[Album]
26 March 2021
Folk Rock

'Young Shakespeare' is a live album by Neil Young. It was recorded in 1971, the performances released on Live At Massey Hall 1971 (2007), during the Journey Through the Past solo tour.

Performer(s):

Neil Young - Vocals / Guitar [Member]

MP3

FLAC

Neil Young
Performance Series Vol. 03.5 Young Shakespeare [HD Version]

[Album]
26 March 2021
Folk Rock

MP3

FLAC

Tremonti
Marching In Time

[Album]
24 September 2021
Heavy Metal

'Marching In Time' is the fifth studio album by Tremonti. The riff of 'Now And Forever' was voted by Guitar World's readers as the best of 2021.

MP3

FLAC

Tremonti
A Dying Machine

[Album]
8 June 2018
Heavy Metal

MP3

FLAC

John Lennon
Gimme Some Truth

[Album; Compilation; Boxed Set]
4 October 2010
Classic Rock

Performer(s):

John Lennon - Vocals / Guitar / Keyboard [Member]

MP3

FLAC

Various Artists
Trax, American Made

[Album; Compilation]
?? ?? 1990
-Various-

'Trax, British Made' is the third compilation album by Australian music television program Trax. It features a number of classic U.S. rock bands.

MP3

FLAC

Various Artists
Trax, British Made

[Album; Compilation]
?? ?? 1989
-Various-

'Trax, British Made' is the third compilation album by Australian music television program Trax. It features a number of classic U.K. rock bands.

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.

Grave Digger
Bone Collector

[Album]
17 January 2025
Heavy Metal

'Bone Collector' is the twenty-second studio album by Grave Digger. It was released in celebration of the band's 45th anniversary.

Tremonti
The End Will Show Us How

[Album]
10 January 2025
Heavy Metal

'The End Will Show Us How' is the sixth studio album by Tremonti. This is the first album to be released after Mark Tremonti reunited with his previous band Creed in 2023.

Bruce Dickinson
Resurrection Men

[Single]
2024
Heavy Metal

Bruce Springsteen
The Live Series, Songs From Under Cover 3

[Album]
2024
Classic Rock

Boris
Fade

[Album]
2022
Metal

BulletBoys
The Warner Albums (1988-1993)

[Album; Compilation]
2021
Hard Rock

Boris
Eternity

[Album]
2018
Metal

David Bowie
Welcome To The Blackout (Live London '78)

[Album; Live]
2018
Classic Rock

Boris
Dear

[Album]
2017
Metal

David Bowie
Live Nassau Coliseum '76

[Album]
2017
Classic Rock

Boris
Noise

[Album]
2014
Metal

Boris
Variations

[Album]
2010
Metal

John Lennon
Icon

[Album; Compilation]
2010
Classic Rock

Boris
Heavy Rocks

[Album]
2002
Metal

Bruce Dickinson
Shoot All The Clowns

[Single]
1994
Heavy Metal

Bruce Dickinson
Tears Of The Dragon [Special Edition]

[Single]
1994
Heavy Metal

Bruce Dickinson
Tears Of The Dragon

[Single]
1994
Heavy Metal

Bruce Dickinson
Tears Of The Dragon

[Single]
1994
Heavy Metal

Bob Dylan
Mr. D Collection, Vol. 3

[Album; Promotional]
1993
Classic Rock

Buddy Holly
From The Original Master Tapes

[Album; Compilation]
1985
Rock & Roll

Lightnin' Rod & Jimi Hendrix
Doriella Du Fontaine

[Single]
1984
Classic Rock

Buddy Holly
Buddy Holly

[Album]
20 February 1958
Rock & Roll

'Buddy Holly' is the debut solo studio album (and second album overall) by Buddy Holly. The backing group was Buddy Holly's band, The Crickets.

Label(s):

Coral Records (Region: International)

TheBigBlack's Last.FM Listening History

Select the stats you want to view from the drop-lists.

Show Monthly Stats |
| Show Yearly Stats

« Previous Week Next Week »

⚠️ Known Page Issues

ID	Details	Status	Priority
528	Years prior to the current do not show 'This Year's Releases Coming Soon' on Newsletters.	New	3 (Low)

Last Data Update: | Site Updates | File Tagging Standards

Mediabase

Mediabase 2.0 is a new version of the site being rebuilt, page by page, line by line. Same old look, but with a new engine. You may see an error or two, but don't worry - it will all run smoothly soon.

In the meantime Mediabase 1.0 is still available here.

Week Ending: 8 February 2025

Album Of The Week

Anciients - Beyond The Reach Of The Sun (2024)

The Fauves - Future Spa (1996)

Core Discographies: New Additions

Core Discographies: This Year's Releases Coming Soon

Digital Library: Tagged Releases

Digital Library: New Additions

TheBigBlack's Last.FM Listening History

⚠️ Known Page Issues

Week Ending:
8 February 2025