Newsletter 22 November 2025

Week Ending:
22 November 2025

Album Of The Week

TheBigBlack

Load [Deluxe Reissue]

Metallica - Load [Deluxe Reissue] (2025)

[Thrash Metal]

The sixth deluxe reissue by Metallica, the Load boxed set is possibly the best yet - with a range of content that is generally in excellent sound quality. When the original Load album was released in 1996 Metallica had built a following and reputation for themselves that was so large they were now a household name. The Metallica album (1991) had sold millions of copies, which afforded them the luxury of recording a lot shows and other material. The box features the best of this, and there are certainly some surprises. The original album is remastered, but to be fair - the production was so crisp on the original release that it is barely noticeable as any different. The 'Mama Said' single is packaged as a collectable on 7'' picture disc, but with only a single b-side it doesn't really hold much interest beyond the nostalgia value of those that were collecting singles at the time. There are five whole CDs of riffs, demos, and session outtakes (named 'Shadowcast') that are fascinating to listen to, allowing the listener to hear the songs coming together over a number of months leading up to their recording. Sometimes the songs are arranged differently, or feature a vastly different lyric or vocal style. It is interesting hearing the songs coming together and to hear how some of the choices made affect the final product, choices that generally always seem to be the correct ones. B-sides and rarities from the period are included in the box, and the addition of two more songs recorded during the rehearsal for Lemmy's 50th birthday are great to hear. 'The Outlaw Torn' is finally available in its complete form for the first time since 1996, and the only live version of 'Mama Said' ever played (on a U.K. TV special) is also here. There are four complete concerts included, and the sound quality of each is generally excellent. During the period many of the concerts featured a very similar setlist, so the four shows are spread across a range of dates that vary the shows as much as possible. The first show is from as far back as August 1995, on the Monsters Of Rock tour and features a very 'black album' heavy set list. It's a good show, but the band does feel a little on autopilot. This is a show they have played many times before, and apart from the couple of new sings snuck in we heard better shows in the Metallica boxed set (2021). There is a great club show at Slim's recorded during the warm-up for Lollapolooza 6. It is raw and fun, and the band are clearly not taking things too seriously, using it to try out a few new songs. A full Lollapolooza set is next, and the sound and performance are punchy as hell. It is a truncated 'festival' setlist, but is a really good representation of Metallica live circa 1996, perhaps the best in the box. Apart from a couple of new tracks, it is pretty much a 'greatest hits' performance, but the real gem here is the version of 'Overkill' as a finale that features Lemmy himself. Three months later we hear the band in Norway, and this is a full concert with a the best representation of a fairly standard setlist of the near year of touring the album. By Metallica standards it isn't the best made show ever played, but it is still a great listen that is well recorded and mixed. The final 'concert' included is actually a mixture of tracks (in various qualities) from a number of shows on the Poor Touring Me tour. It's a great way to capture a cross-section of standout performances, although the sound variations are a little jarring at times. Overall the box is loaded (no pun intended) with great content that begs repeat listens. The only real complaint stems from the lack of variety in the setlists themselves. Metallica have once again shown they are the gold standard in deluxe boxed sets, and will no doubt continue to do so for a few more reissues to come.

Labels: New Additions

These are new labels added this week.

Click on any images below to see labels details.

Epitaph

Epitaph Records is an American independent record label owned by Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz. A large portion of the record label, known as Hellcat Records, is owned by Tim Armstrong, frontman of the punk rock band Rancid. Several sister labels also exist, such as ANTI-, Burning Heart Records, Hellcat Records, and Heart & Skull Records that have signed other types of bands.

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

The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Axis, The Bold As Love Sessions

[Album; Reissue; Deluxe Edition; Boxed Set]
7 November 2025
Classic Rock

'Axis, The Bold As Love Sessions' is a boxed set by The Jimi Hendrix Experience. It includes the original mono and stereo mixes of the Axis, Bold As Love (1967) album, plus a range of outtakes and live tracks from the period.

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]

Noel Redding - Bass Guitar [Member]

Mitch Mitchell - Drums [Member]

Label(s):

Experience Hendrix (Region: International)

Legacy (Sony) (Region: International)

MP3

FLAC

Smashing Pumpkins
MACHINA / The Machines Of God [25th Anniversary Edition]

[Album; Reissue]
22 August 2025
Alternative Rock

'MACHINA / The Machines Of God [25th Anniversary Edition]' is reissue by Smashing Pumpkins. It contains the original album remastered, with some tracks featuring new mixes.

Performer(s):

Billy Corgan - Vocals / Guitar / Bass Guitar [Member]

James Iha - Guitar [Member]

D'arcy Wretzky - Bass Guitar [Member]

Jimmy Chamberlin - Drums [Member]

Label(s):

Capitol Records (Region: International)

Martha's Music (Region: International)

Virgin Records (Region: International)

Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) (Region: International)

MP3

FLAC

Various Artists
Twin Peaks (Music From The Limited Event Series)

[Album; Compilation; Soundtrack]
8 September 2017
-Various-

'Twin Peaks (Music From The Limited Event Series)' is a soundtrack album to the Twin Peaks revival series. Throughout the series, many well-known recording artists would perform studio renditions of their songs at The Roadhouse. Several of the bands were chosen by director David Lynch, including Nine Inch Nails, Sharon Van Etten, and Eddie Vedder. The album contains the majority of the tracks featured in those performances, as well as several songs played throughout the season.

Performer(s):

Eddie Vedder - Vocals / Guitar [Guest]

Label(s):

Rhino Records (Region: International)

MP3

FLAC

KISS
KISS Rocks Vegas

[Album; Live]
26 Auguat 2016
Hard Rock

'KISS Rocks Vegas' is a live album and video by KISS. The album was recorded from November 5 to 23, 2014 during the band's residency at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, during their 40th-anniversary tour. It was released in cinemas worldwide on May 25, 2016, and was later released on pay-per-view on June 14, 2016.

KISS was an American rock band formed in New York City, in 1973. Known for their face paint and stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid-1970s with shock rock-style live performances which featured fire-breathing, blood-spitting, smoking guitars, shooting rockets, levitating drum kits, and pyrotechnics. They are regarded as one of the most influential rock bands of all time, as well as one of the best selling bands of all time, claiming to have sold more than 75 million records worldwide, including 21 million RIAA-certified albums.

Performer(s):

Paul Stanley - Vocals / Guitar [Member]

Gene Simmons - Vocals / Bass Guitar [Member]

Eric Singer - Drums [Member]

Label(s):

Eagle Vision (Region: International)

Universal Music Group (UMG) (Region: International)

MP3

FLAC

Nile
At The Gate Of Sethu

[Album]
29 June 2012
Death Metal (Technical)

'At The Gate Of Sethu' is the seventh studio album by Nile. The album's artwork was handled by Spiros 'Seth Siro Anton' Antoniou of Septic Flesh. It is Nile's highest charting album to date, hitting 131 on the U.S. charts.

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.

Label(s):

Nuclear Blast Records (Region: International)

MP3

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Nile
Worship The Animal (1994 The Lost Recordings)

[E.P.; Reissue; Demo]
21 October 2011
Death Metal (Technical)

'Worship The Animal (1994 The Lost Recordings)' is a reissue of the first demo by Nile, originally released in 1994.

Label(s):

Hammerheart Records (Region: Europe)

Goomba Music (Region: U.S.A.)

MP3

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Candlemass
Death Magic Doom

[Album]
3 April 2009
Doom Metal

'Death Magic Doom' is the tenth studio album by Candlemass.

Candlemass is a Swedish epic doom metal band formed in Upplands Vasby, a suburb of Stockholm, in 1984 by bassist, songwriter, and bandleader Leif Edling, alongside drummer Matz Ekstrom. The band has had a defining influence on doom metal, with the epic doom genre itself taking its name from their debut album Epicus Doomicus Metallicus (1986). Along with Pentagram, Saint Vitus, and Trouble, Candlemass has been recognized as one of the "big four of doom metal". After releasing five full-length albums and extensively touring throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Candlemass disbanded in 1994 but reunited three years later. Following another breakup in 2002, the band reformed in 2004 and has continued to record and perform ever since.

Label(s):

Nuclear Blast Records (Region: International)

MP3

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Mayhem
Life Eternal

[E.P.]
7 January 2009
Black Metal

'Life Eternal' is an E.P. by Mayhem. It contains rough mixes made at the time of recording the De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas (1994) album.

Mayhem is a Norwegian black metal band formed in Langhus in 1984. They were one of the founders of the Norwegian black metal scene and their music has strongly influenced the black metal genre. Mayhem's early career was highly controversial, primarily due to their notorious live performances, the 1991 suicide of vocalist Per Yngve Ohlin ('Dead') and the 1993 murder of guitarist Oystein Aarseth ('Euronymous') by former member Varg Vikernes ('Count Grishnackh') of Burzum.

Label(s):

Saturnus Productions (Region: Europe)

MP3

FLAC

Various Artists
Hell Bent Forever, A Tribute To Judas Priest

[Album; Compilation; Tribute]
16 September 2008
Heavy Metal

'Hell Bent Forever, A Tribute To Judas Priest' is a various artists tribute album, dedicated to Judas Priest. The album's font is a mistake (or a joke) because the lettering is in the style of Iron Maiden's logo instead of the one of Judas Priest.

Judas Priest are an English heavy metal band formed in 1969. Rob Halford's operatic vocal style and the twin guitar sound of K.K. Downing and Glenn Tipton have been a major influence on many heavy metal bands. Judas Priest's image of leather, spikes, and other taboo articles of clothing was widely influential during the glam metal era of the 1980s. Despite an innovative and pioneering body of work in the latter half of the 1970s, the band struggled with indifferent record production and a lack of major commercial success until 1980, when the album 'British Steel' brought them notable mainstream attention. They have sold over 50 million albums and are frequently ranked as one of the greatest metal bands of all time.

Label(s):

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

MP3

FLAC

Various Artists
We All Love Ennio Morricone

[Album; Compilation; Tribute]
20 February 2007
-Various-

'We All Love Ennio Morricone' is a tribute album honoring noted film composer Ennio Morricone. It features a diverse lineup of artists including Andrea Bocelli, Metallica, Bruce Springsteen, Roger Waters, and Celine Dion. The album sold over 120,000 copies in Italy alone.

Performer(s):

Roger Waters - Vocals / Guitar / Bass Guitar [Guest]

Label(s):

Sony BMG Music Entertainment (Region: Europe)

Sony Classical (Region: U.S.A.)

MP3

FLAC

The Network
Money Money 2020

[Album]
30 September 2003
Punk Rock

'Money Money 2020' is the debut studio album by The Network, a side project of the band Green Day. Members of Green Day have denied being involved in The Network.

Green Day is an American rock band formed in the East Bay of California in 1987 by lead vocalist and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong and bassist and backing vocalist Mike Dirnt, with drummer Tre Cool joining in 1990. In 1994, their major-label debut 'Dookie' became a breakout success and eventually shipped over 10 million copies in the U.S. Alongside fellow California punk bands Bad Religion, The Offspring, Rancid, NOFX, Pennywise and Social Distortion, Green Day is credited with popularizing mainstream interest in punk rock in the U.S. They have sold roughly 75 million records worldwide, making them one of the best-selling music artists.

Label(s):

Reprise Records (Region: International)

MP3

FLAC

Jimmy Page & The Black Crowes
Live At The Greek

[Album; Live]
29 February 2000
Rock

'Live At The Greek' is a live album by Jimmy Page and The Black Crowes. The tracks were recorded at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles on 18/19 October 1999. Songs performed included material from the Led Zeppelin and The Black Crowes catalogues plus old blues and rock standards. Contractual restrictions from The Black Crowes' record company prevented their own songs from being released on the album.

The Black Crowes are an American rock band formed in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1984. They have sold more than 30 million albums, and are listed at number 92 on VH1's '100 Greatest Artists Of Hard Rock'.

Performer(s):

Jimmy Page - Guitar [Guest]

Label(s):

Steamhammer Records (Region: Europe)

MP3

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Strapping Young Lad
City

[Album]
27 January 1997
Metal (Industrial)

'City' is the second studio album by Strapping Young Lad,. Frontman Devin Townsend assembled a permanent lineup of Strapping Young Lad to record the album, including prolific drummer Gene Hoglan, and Townsend's former bandmates Jed Simon on guitar and Byron Stroud on bass. The album was critically acclaimed, with Revolver naming it one of the greatest metal albums of all time, and it is widely considered Strapping Young Lad's best work.

Performer(s):

Devin Townsend - Vocals / Guitar [Member]

Gene Hoglan - Drums [Member]

Label(s):

Century Media (Region: International)

MP3

FLAC

Various Artists
Twisted Willie, A Tribute To Willie Nelson

[Album; Compilation; Tribute]
30 January 1996
-Various-

'Twisted Willie, A Tribute To Willie Nelson' is a tribute album dedicated to Willie Nelson.

Performer(s):

Mark Lanegan - Vocals / Guitar [Guest]

Jerry Cantrell - Vocals / Guitar [Guest]

Label(s):

Justice Records (Region: International)

MP3

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Strapping Young Lad
Heavy As A Really Heavy Thing

[Album]
4 April 1995
Metal (Industrial)

'Heavy As A Really Heavy Thing' is the debut studio album by Strapping Young Lad.

Performer(s):

Devin Townsend - Vocals / Guitar [Member]

Label(s):

Century Media (Region: International)

MP3

FLAC

Bad Religion
Stranger Than Fiction

[Album]
6 September 1994
Punk Rock

'Stranger Than Fiction' is the eighth studio album and major label debut by Bad Religion. It was a major breakthrough for the band, being certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America and becoming the band's first album to chart on the Billboard 200, peaking at 87.

Bad Religion is an American punk rock band, formed in Los Angeles, California, U.S.A. in 1980. The band's lyrics cover topics related to religion, politics, society, the media and science. Musically, they are noted for their melodic sensibilities and extensive use of three-part vocal harmonies. The band has experienced multiple lineup changes, with singer Greg Graffin being the band's only constant member, though fellow founding members Jay Bentley and Brett Gurewitz have also been with the band for most of their history while guitarist Brian Baker has been a member of the group since 1994. Guitarist Mike Dimkich and drummer Jamie Miller have been members of the band since 2013 and 2015 respectively. They are considered to be one of the best-selling punk rock acts of all time, having sold over five million albums worldwide.

Label(s):

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

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

MP3

FLAC

Bad Religion
Generator

[Album]
13 March 1992
Punk Rock

'Generator' is the sixth studio album by Bad Religion. Although the album was completed in the spring of 1991, it was not released until 1992; the band was not happy with the artwork and packaging, and went through several ideas that were eventually scrapped. Generator was the band's first release with drummer Bobby Schayer, who replaced Pete Finestone during the Against The Grain tour.

Label(s):

Epitaph (Region: International)

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

The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Axis, The Bold As Love Sessions

[Album; Reissue; Deluxe Edition; Boxed Set]
7 November 2025
Classic Rock

Performer(s):

Jimi Hendrix - Vocals / Guitar [Member]

Noel Redding - Bass Guitar [Member]

Mitch Mitchell - Drums [Member]

Label(s):

Experience Hendrix (Region: International)

Legacy (Sony) (Region: International)

MP3

FLAC

Smashing Pumpkins
MACHINA / The Machines Of God [25th Anniversary Edition]

[Album; Reissue]
22 August 2025
Alternative Rock

'MACHINA / The Machines Of God [25th Anniversary Edition]' is reissue by Smashing Pumpkins. It contains the original album remastered, with some tracks featuring new mixes.

Performer(s):

Billy Corgan - Vocals / Guitar / Bass Guitar [Member]

James Iha - Guitar [Member]

D'arcy Wretzky - Bass Guitar [Member]

Jimmy Chamberlin - Drums [Member]

Label(s):

Capitol Records (Region: International)

Martha's Music (Region: International)

Virgin Records (Region: International)

Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) (Region: International)

MP3

FLAC

KISS
KISS Rocks Vegas

[Album; Live]
26 Auguat 2016
Hard Rock

Performer(s):

Paul Stanley - Vocals / Guitar [Member]

Gene Simmons - Vocals / Bass Guitar [Member]

Eric Singer - Drums [Member]

Label(s):

Eagle Vision (Region: International)

Universal Music Group (UMG) (Region: International)

MP3

FLAC

Various Artists
Hell Bent Forever, A Tribute To Judas Priest

[Album; Compilation; Tribute]
16 September 2008
Heavy Metal

Label(s):

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

MP3

FLAC

Jimmy Page & The Black Crowes
Live At The Greek

[Album; Live]
29 February 2000
Rock

Performer(s):

Jimmy Page - Guitar [Guest]

Label(s):

Steamhammer Records (Region: Europe)

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.

Agnostic Front
Echoes In Eternity

[Album]
2025
Hardcore Punk

Alcatrazz
Prior Convictions

[Album]
2025
Heavy Metal

Bruce Springsteen
Lost And Found (Selections From The Lost Albums)

[Album; Compilation]
2025
Classic Rock

Neil Young
Official Release Series (Discs 26, 27, 28, 29)

[Album; Reissue; Boxed Set; Remasters]
24 October 2025
Folk Rock

'Official Release Series (Discs 22, 23+, 24 & 25)' is a box set of album by Neil Young. It is the sixth release in his official reissue series.

Label(s):

Reprise Records (Region: International)

Serj Tankian
Covers, Collaborations & Collages

[Album]
2025
Nu Metal

Slipknot
Slipknot 25 [25th Anniversary Edition]

[Album; Reissue]
2025
Nu Metal

Serj Tankian
Perplex Cities

[E.P.]
2022
Nu Metal

Paul McCartney & Wings
Wings 1971-73 [Archive Collection]

[Album; Reissue; Deluxe Edition; Remasters]
2018
Classic Rock

Deep Purple
Live In Paris 1975 (La Derniere Seance)

[Album; Live]
5 April 2001
Classic Rock

'Live In Paris 1975 (La Derniere Seance)' is a live album by Deep Purple. It was recorded in 1975 at the Palais des Sports in Paris. In early 1975, the guitarist Ritchie Blackmore recorded his first album, Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow with Rainbow and decided to leave Deep Purple. This made the band's show in Paris on 7 April 1975 a historic moment in their long career, marking Blackmore's final appearance with the band until the band reformed in 1984. It was intended to be released before 1975's Come Taste The Band album, but was not released until 2001 by Purple Records.

Label(s):

Purple Records (Region: International)

The Doors
Bright Midnight Archives, Live In Hollywood (Highlights From The Aquarius Theatre Performances)

[Album; Live; Official Bootleg]
2001
Classic Rock

Jimi Hendrix
Live & Unreleased, The Radio Show

[Album; Compilation; Promotional]
1989
Classic Rock

The Rolling Stones
Sucking In The Seventies

[Album; Compilation]
14 April 1981
Classic Rock

Performer(s):

Mick Jagger - Vocals [Member]

Ronnie Wood - Guitar [Member]

Keith Richards - Guitar [Member]

Bill Wyman - Bass Guitar [Member]

Charlie Watts - Drums [Member]

Deep Purple
When We Rock, We Rock, And When We Roll, We Roll

[Album; Compilation]
?? October 1978
Classic Rock

The Beatles
Hey Jude [U.S.]

[Album; Compilation]
1970
Classic Rock

The Beatles
Beatles '65 [U.S. / Mono]

[Album]
15 December 1964
Classic Rock

'Beatles '65' is the seventh U.S. album by The Beatles.

Performer(s):

John Lennon - Vocals / Guitar [Member]

Paul McCartney - Vocals / Bass Guitar [Member]

George Harrison - Vocals / Guitar [Member]

Ringo Starr - Vocals / Drums [Member]

Label(s):

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

Various Artists
We Shall Overcome! Documentary Of The March On Washington

[Album; Compilation]
?? February 1964
-Various-

TheBigBlack's Last.FM Listening History

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Week Ending: 22 November 2025

Album Of The Week

Metallica - Load [Deluxe Reissue] (2025)

Labels: New Additions

Epitaph

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:
22 November 2025