Newsletter 27 September 2025

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Week Ending:
27 September 2025

Album Of The Week

How Do We Rate Album Of The Week?

TheBigBlack

Live E.P.

Led Zeppelin - Live E.P. (2025)

[Classic Rock]

No review of the Live E.P. can't at some point address the elephant in the room, so let's get it out the way before we begin. Why is one of the most recorded artists of all time, releasing nothing but an E.P. worth of live material when they probably have oodles of concerts that could be released in entirety instead? The short answer is 'Who knows"?. Jimmy Page has not addressed this in any way, and considering this E.P. is to celebrate the 50th anniversary of one of their best albums, 1975's Physical Graffiti, it certainly makes ZERO sense when at least a single - if not double - album of material could surely have been released? The tracks included are all part of concerts that were previously included on the DVD release of 2003, so the complete audio of these concerts exists. We may never know, and that is where we will leave the question, instead now focussing on what has been included. Leading with the tasty slide work of Page on the band's loose interpretation of Blind Willie Johnson's 'In My Time of Dying', the 1975 performance is pretty flawless, and the sound quality impeccable - with a new mix better than the DVD of years ago. It is an odd opener, as it isn't particularly energetic. Bonham's drum work quickly becomes the star here, as it often does - but John Paul Jones doesn't take a break on bass either, with his pulse driving the song. Next up is another 1975 performance with 'Trampled Underfoot', and again JPJ shows off his versatility - but this time on keyboard. Page plays a wild improvised solo that wraps the song up nicely. Fast forwarding to 1979 for the next two tracks we hear a more restrained Led Zeppelin. In only 4 years the band had become a very different animal due to personal events, and the Knebworth recordings were their first live shows in a couple of years. Robert Plant's vocals do not sound as sure of themselves as the earlier tracks, almost showing a distance to the material. 'Sick Again' is a ragged performance, with him semi-screaming in places rather than refining his vocals. Closing the E.P. with the epic 'Kashmir' is an easy choice, but the performance again sounds somewhat subdued and restrained. Both tracks sound like the band is trying to re-find the magic of playing together. Obvious short running length aside, it is another quality Led Zeppelin product, as only perfectionist Page would allow the release of. The first two tracks are the band in their barnstorming prime, and the second - only four short years later - sound like a professional, mature band. The contrast works well, but still would have worked better with more material to compare making this essential rather than a novelty.

mindkiller8

Panopticon

Isis - Panopticon (2004)

[Metal]

With a lot of the heavy metal I have listened to in the past has been all aggressive fast paced, in your face rebellion that gives you the rush you need. ISIS was the first band I ran into that gave you the alternative somewhat. There is less a focus on lyrics and more so on the music itself and the play off between very heavy brick wall bashing insult on your ears to periods of reflection in a rolling, somewhat peaceful soundscape that leads you on a journey of something that is not so much complex to play but executed really well, presenting a challenge to the listener to sit back and enjoy. Panopticon is the 3rd release by the band. I did enjoy the first 2, but this one is regarded as their best effort. Right from the first second, the heavy guitars and deep growling vocals set you on a false sense of what you about to hear. And what you are about to hear is a track of a just brilliant landscapes of sound. Mid-paced, not threatening for the most part, but rewarding if you take a deep listen. Occasionally sprinkled with some distorted lyrics with perhaps an attempt to interrupt the music but fade away quickly. With most tracks clicking in between the 7 to 9 minute long, you get plenty of time to intake each track. Looking at specific tracks, 'Wills Dissolve' is a great example of building up a song into a crescendo that only last for the final minute of the song, but the lead up gave you a sense it was coming. Like in the middle of night at home, seeing the lighting and thunder slowly heading toward your hour. It arrives with authority and leaves as quick as it came but leaves a lasting reminder of what you just experienced. 'Altered Course' is purely instrumental but I call it out I guess due to the drum being so pronounced for most of the song as again it shifts through different levels of emotion. I will finish by saying that you do need to be in the mood and have the time to dedicate to this album in a single sitting. If you do, the reward is there for the taking.

Artists: New Additions

These are new artists added this week.

Click on any images below to see artist details.

Castle Rat

Doom Metal

Castle Rat is a doom metal band based in New York City, New York, U.S.A.

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

Castle Rat
The Bestiary

[Album]
19 September 2025
Doom Metal

'The Bestiary' is the second album by Castle Rat.

Castle Rat is a doom metal band based in New York City, New York, U.S.A.

MP3

FLAC

Paradise Lost
Ascension

[Album]
19 September 2025
Gothic Metal

'Ascension' is the seventeenth studio album by Paradise Lost. It is the first studio album of fully new material by Paradise Lost since Obsidian (2020), marking the longest gap between studio albums in the band's career. It is also their last album to feature drummer Guido Montanarini, who appeared on Icon 30 (2023), and left Paradise Lost in May 2025.

Paradise Lost are an English gothic metal band formed in Halifax, West Yorkshire, U.K. in 1988. They are considered to be among the pioneers of the death-doom genre, and regarded as the main influence for the later gothic metal movement.

Label(s):

Nuclear Blast Records (Region: International)

MP3

FLAC

Led Zeppelin
Live E.P.

[E.P.; Live]
12 September 2025
Classic Rock

'Live E.P.' is a E.P. by Led Zeppelin, It was released in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of their 1975 studio album, Physical Graffiti.

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.

MP3

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Green Carnation
A Dark Poem (Part I, The Shores Of Melancholia)

[Album]
5 September 2025
Gothic Metal

'A Dark Poem (Part I, The Shores Of Melancholia)' is the seventh studio album by Green Carnation. It is the first album in a trilogy of albums titled A Dark Poem.

Green Carnation is a Norwegian progressive metal band from Kristiansand, formed in 1990. Throughout Green Carnation's initial run, their style of music had continuously changed on every release one by one; from straight forward death metal in their demo, to death-doom, then a progressive doom metal sound, to an atmospheric gothic metal sound, to a melancholic hard rock sound and in 2006, went as far as to releasing an entirely acoustic album Acoustic Verses.

Performer(s):

Kjetil Nordhus - Vocals [Member]

Grutle Kjellson - Vocals [Guest]

Tchort (Terje Vik Schei) - Guitar [Member]

Label(s):

Season Of Mist (Region: International)

MP3

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Castle Rat
Into The Realm

[Album]
12 April 2024
Doom Metal

'Into The Realm' is the debut album by Castle Rat.

Castle Rat is a doom metal band based in New York City, New York, U.S.A.

MP3

FLAC

Godsmack
When Legends Rise

[Album]
27 April 2018
Alternative Rock

'When Legends Rise' is the eighth studio album by Godsmack. It marks the band's first album away from heavy metal into a more hard rock sound. The album became certified Gold by the RIAA in September 2021 for selling over 500,000 copies.

MP3

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Jeff Beck
Loud Hailer

[Album]
15 July 2016
Classic Rock

'Loud Hailer' is the eleventh studio album by Jeff Beck. It would be Beck's final solo album, almost seven years before his death on 10 January 2023.

Geoffrey Arnold Beck (24 June 1944 -10 January 2023) was an English guitarist. He rose to prominence as a member of the rock band The Yardbirds, and afterwards founded and fronted the Jeff Beck Group and Beck, Bogert & Appice. In 1975, he switched to an instrumental style with focus on an innovative sound, and his releases spanned genres and styles ranging from blues rock, hard rock, jazz fusion and a blend of guitar-rock and electronica. Beck was ranked in the top five of Rolling Stone and other magazines' lists of the greatest guitarists.

Performer(s):

Jeff Beck - Guitar [Member]

MP3

FLAC

Archgoat
The Apocalyptic Triumphator

[Album]
27 January 2015
Black Metal

'The Apocalyptic Triumphator' is the fifth studio album by Archgoat.

MP3

FLAC

Khold
Til Endes

[Album]
29 September 2014
Black Metal

'Til Endes' is the sixth studio album by Khold.

Khold is a Norwegian black metal band formed in Oslo in 2000 after the split-up of Tulus. The band plays mid-paced black metal.

MP3

FLAC

Melvins
Everybody Loves Sausages

[Album]
30 April 2013
Grunge Rock

'Everybody Loves Sausages' is an album of cover songs by the Melvins. Like The Crybaby (2000), it features guests on most of the tracks. It features the Melvins Lite on three tracks.

Melvins are an American alternative rock band formed in 1983, in Montesano, Washington. Their early work was key to the development of both grunge and sludge metal. Primarily a trio, they have also performed as a quartet, with either two drummers or two bassists. Since 1984, vocalist and guitarist Buzz Osborne and drummer Dale Crover have been constant members.

Performer(s):

Buzz Osbourne - Vocals / Guitar [Member]

Dale Crover - Drums [Member]

Trevor Dunn - Bass Guitar [Guest]

Label(s):

Ipecac Recordings (Region: International)

MP3

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Archgoat
Whore Of Bethlehem

[Album]
9 September 2006
Black Metal

'Whore Of Bethlehem' is the second studio album by Archgoat.

MP3

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Scott Weiland
12 Bar Blues

[Album]
31 March 1998
Alternative Rock

'12 Bar Blues' is the debut solo album by Scott Weiland. The sound and style differ greatly from Stone Temple Pilots's previous releases. The design concept of the cover is a homage to the cover design of John Coltrane's Blue Train album.

Performer(s):

Scott Weiland - Vocals [Member]

MP3

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King Crimson
VROOOM

[E.P.]
21 October 1994
Progressive Rock

'VROOOM' is an E.P. by King Crimson. It was released in 1994, as a prequel to the subsequent full length album THRAK (1995). It is the first King Crimson release to feature the 'double trio' of guitarists Robert Fripp and Adrian Belew, bassists Trey Gunn and Tony Levin, and drummers Bill Bruford and Pat Mastelotto.

King Crimson were an English progressive rock band formed in 1968 in London. The band drew inspiration from a wide variety of music, incorporating elements of classical, jazz, folk, heavy metal, gamelan, blues, industrial, electronic, experimental music and new wave. They exerted a strong influence on the early 1970s progressive rock movement, including on contemporaries such as Yes and Genesis, and continue to inspire subsequent generations of artists across multiple genres. They earned a large cult following.

MP3

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Eric Clapton
August

[Album]
24 November 1986
Classic Rock

'August' is the tenth solo studio album by Eric Clapton. Described as a 'hard R&B' album, it was primarily produced by Phil Collins, in association with longtime Clapton associate Tom Dowd.

Eric Patrick Clapton CBE (born 30 March 1945) is an English rock and blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He is regarded as one of the most successful and influential guitarists in rock music. He ranked second in Rolling Stone's list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists Of All Time" and fourth in Gibson's "Top 50 Guitarists Of All Time". He was named number five in Time magazine's list of "The 10 Best Electric Guitar Players" in 2009. In 2023, Rolling Stone named Clapton the 35th best guitarist of all time.

Performer(s):

Laurence Cottle - Bass Guitar [Guest]

Core Discographies: This Year's Releases Coming Soon

These are new releases coming to Core Discographies soon.

All new releases are available.