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Week Ending:
14 September 2024

 

Album Of The Week

How Do We Add A Rating To Our Releases?

TheBigBlack

Mad Season Logo

Above

Mad Season - Above (1995)

[Grunge Rock]

U.S.A.

Rating - 4 Stars

It could be said that a grunge supergroup formed by musicians that met in rehab is doomed to fail, but it did seem for a fleeting moment that Mad Season wouldn't be a casualty. Guitarist Mike McCready of Pearl Jam met bassist John Baker Saunders of The Walkabouts while seeking treatment, and once back on their feet they began to jam with drummer Barrett Martin of Screaming Trees. Rounding out the line-up on vocals was Layne Staley of Alice In Chains, himself recently clean. 'Wake up' opens the album in a mellow and sleepy way, not with the expected bombast of the sum of the band's parts. A vibraphone drives the songs until the magnificent climaxing guitar solo. Arguably, Staley is at his absolute best here, possibly finding a new appreciation for music as a post-rehab outlet. His voice is like the edge of a razor, slicing through the atmosphere. Although the album wonderfully showcases the vocals, it is also reminds the listener what an amazing guitarist Mike McCready is, as his warbling psychedelic guitar drives each song. He has no second guitar to compete with here as he does in his primary band, allowing him room to leave space and time his notes wonderfully. His guitar cuts the silence opening into 'X-Ray Mind', and the music now starts to sound like what one would expect from these musicians. The album ducks and weaves through multiple styles and tempos, with every song taking the listener on a different journey. This can often be a jarring listening experience, but for the most part the album manages to avoid alienating any ears. Moving between the classic rock balladry of 'River Of Deceit', an undeniable modern rock masterpiece, the album moves onto the soulful (but heavy) 'I'm Above' featuring the first song with the crooning guest vocals of Screaming Trees' Mark Lanegan. 'Artificial Red' showcases some classic blues, while 'I Don't Know Anything', easily the most 'grunge' of the tracks on display, grinds its way toward the album's final moments. Lanegan reappears and is showcased on the jazz infused 'Long Gone Day'. Although the moody and lengthy instrumental 'November Hotel' has some very loud moments, the album slows down toward the end, and closes with the quietly performed 'All Alone' wrapping things up nicely. It isn't an album that reveals it's magic easily, and it takes a number of listens to unravel it's many layers. Sadly, this was to be the band's only album, and forever will be, as both Staley and Saunders were both later taken from us by their addictions.

mindkiller8

Khold Logo

Krek

Khold - Krek (2005)

[Black Metal]

Norway

Rating - 3 Stars

I have the Oracle of TheBigBlack introducing me to the evil and hatred that is Krek. In the early 2000's I was late on the scene of Norwegian Black Metal and it was the likes of Mayhem, Darkthrone and Satyricon that all were realising at the time, I discover less unknown bands like Carpathian Forest and Khold. Krek is their 4th release in 5 years, certainly making the most of the creatives juices at the time. Krek in particular has stuck with me. The title track kicks it all off with no bullshit introductions. Rather straight into the fast-paced, destroying guitar sound and growing vocals that pretty much is a warning. Get in quick or get the fuck out, and once you are in, hold the fuck on as you ain't leaving anytime soon. And here is the first example of why I love this particular release as 2 minutes later we jump onto the next moving train where we are met with a really cool, can I say that?, black and roll effort. The only thing I do miss is the vocals are in Norwegian the whole way through, so not being able to sing to it. Might take me bit to learn lyrics that include words like a dodd and blek and derpe in them. Other highlights are 'Oskorei', a slow paced but still vocal fearing track, which is the template of a few more tracks, and 'Lysets Flukt'. Gard has a very unique vocal style, and the rest of the band provide the perfect support. I best comment on Sarke the drummer, not just because of being a fan in general, but if you look at him when playing live, he looks ready to slay all of us with his corpse paint and the thought of this guy just escaping from prison to play this gig. Interestingly there is a non-playing member of the band, Hilde, with is their female lyricist. She has written lyrics for all of their releases. The band has released 4 more albums since Krek, most recently in 2024.

Artists: New Additions

These are new artists added this week.

There are no new additions this week.

Members: New Additions

These are new members added this week.

There are no new additions this week.

Labels: New Additions

These are new labels added this week.

There are no new additions this week.

Locations: New Additions

These are new locations added this week.

There are no new additions this week.

Core Discographies: New Additions

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

Core Discographies Links: New Additions | New Releases | Coming Soon | Themes

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

Click on any links below to see release details.
U.S.A.
MP3
Available
FLAC
Available 		Dry As A Bone [Reissue]

Green River
Dry As A Bone [Reissue]

[Album]
25 January 2019
Grunge Rock

'Dry As A Bone [Reissue]' is a reissue by Green River. It contains a remix of the album by original producer Jack Endino, and a collection of bonus tracks.
U.S.A.
MP3
Available
FLAC
Available 		Rehab Doll [Reissue]

Green River
Rehab Doll [Reissue]

[Album]
25 January 2019
Grunge Rock

'Rehab Doll [Reissue]' is a reissue by Green River. It contains a remix of the album by original producer Jack Endino, and a collection of bonus tracks.
U.S.A.
MP3
Available
FLAC
Available 		On Earth As It Is, The Complete Works

Mother Love Bone
On Earth As It Is, The Complete Works

[Compilation Boxed Set]
4 November 2016
Grunge Rock

'On Earth As It Is, The Complete Works' is boxed set by Mother Love Bone. It contains the band's complete recorded works, including demos and live tracks.
U.S.A.
MP3
Available
FLAC
Available 		Adore [Deluxe Reissue]

Smashing Pumpkins
Adore [Deluxe Reissue]

[Album + Video]
23 September 2014
Alternative Rock

'Adore [Deluxe Reissue]' is a reissue by Smashing Pumpkins. It contains the original album remastered, with a range of bonus b-sides, rarities and live tracks.
U.S.A.
MP3
Available
FLAC
Available 		Screaming Life / Fopp [Reissue]

Soundgarden
Screaming Life / Fopp [Reissue]

[Compilation Album]
26 November 2013
Grunge Rock

'Screaming Life / Fopp [Reissue]' is a reissue of the two E.P.s by Soundgarden.
U.S.A.
MP3
Available
FLAC
Available 		The Aeroplane Flies High [Deluxe Reissue]

Smashing Pumpkins
The Aeroplane Flies High [Deluxe Reissue]

[Singles Boxed Set]
23 July 2013
Alternative Rock

'The Aeroplane Flies High [Deluxe Reissue]' is a compilation boxed set reissue by Smashing Pumpkins. It contains the original album remastered, with a range of bonus b-sides, rarities and live tracks.
U.S.A.
MP3
Available
FLAC
Available 		Above [Deluxe Reissue]

Mad Season
Above [Deluxe Reissue]

[Album + Video]
2 April 2013
Grunge Rock

'Above [Deluxe Reissue]' is reissue by Mad Season. It contains the original album remastered, outtakes, and all recorded live appearances by the band.
U.S.A.
MP3
Available
FLAC
Available 		Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness [Deluxe Reissue]

Smashing Pumpkins
Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness [Deluxe Reissue]

[Album]
4 December 2012
Alternative Rock

'Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness [Deluxe Reissue]' is a reissue by Smashing Pumpkins. It contains the original album remastered, with a range of bonus b-sides, rarities and live tracks.
U.S.A.
MP3
Available
FLAC
Available 		Pisces Iscariot [Deluxe Reissue]

Smashing Pumpkins
Pisces Iscariot [Deluxe Reissue]

[Album + Video]
17 July 2012
Alternative Rock

'Pisces Iscariot [Deluxe Reissue]' is a compilation reissue by Smashing Pumpkins. It contains the original album remastered, with a range of bonus b-sides, rarities and live tracks.
U.S.A.
MP3
Available
FLAC
Available 		Look To The Sky

James Iha
Look To The Sky

[Album]
14 March 2012
Alternative Rock

'Look To The Sky' is the second solo album of James Iha. The album has many collaborations, including Karen O and Nick Zinner (Yeah Yeah Yeahs), Sara Quin (Tegan And Sara), Nathan Larson (Shudder To Think), Nina Persson (The Cardigans), Tom Verlaine (Television) and Mike Garson.
U.S.A.
MP3
Available
FLAC
Available 		Siamese Dream [Deluxe Reissue]

Smashing Pumpkins
Siamese Dream [Deluxe Reissue]

[Album + Video]
29 November 2011
Alternative Rock

'Siamese Dream [Deluxe Reissue]' is a reissue by Smashing Pumpkins. It contains the original album remastered, with a range of bonus b-sides, rarities and live tracks.
U.S.A.
MP3
Available
FLAC
Available 		Let It Come Down

James Iha
Let It Come Down

[Album]
10 February 1998
Alternative Rock

'Let It Come Down' is the first solo album by James Iha. It was released in 1998, during which Iha was still with Smashing Pumpkins, before the release of 'Adore' (1998). Iha took on a more acoustic country sound reminiscent of the songs he contributed to the Pumpkins, notably shying away from the darker sound of Billy Corgan's songwriting. Iha had said that the quieter tone of the songs reflected the fact that many of them were written in his hotel rooms during the Smashing Pumpkins tours, and he did not want to disturb other guests by playing too loudly.
U.K.
MP3
Available
FLAC
Available 		Stone Free, A Tribute To Jimi Hendrix

Various Artists
Stone Free, A Tribute To Jimi Hendrix

[Compilation Album]
3 November 1993
Classic Rock

'Stone Free, A Tribute To Jimi Hendrix' is a various artists album tribute to Jimi Hendrix. The artists were drawn from many genres of popular music. Contributors include his classic rock contemporaries Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck, bluesman Buddy Guy, classical violinist Nigel Kennedy, alternative pop/rock bands Belly and Spin Doctors, hip hop artists P.M. Dawn, among others. Several artists recorded radically different interpretations, particularly, P. M. Dawn, The Cure, Nigel Kennedy and Pat Metheny. Some artists, on the other hand, recorded versions that were rather similar to the originals. The band M.A.C.C. is made up of Mike McCready (guitarist from Pearl Jam), Jeff Ament (bassist from Pearl Jam), Matt Cameron (drummer for Soundgarden and later for Pearl Jam), and Chris Cornell (singer of Soundgarden and later Audioslave). Eric Clapton's backing group on the title track includes the three original core members of Chic (Nile Rodgers, Bernard Edwards and Tony Thompson) and is the last recording on which all three played together.
-Various-
MP3
Available
FLAC
Available 		The Beavis And Butt-Head Experience

Various Artists
The Beavis And Butt-Head Experience

[Compilation Album]
3 November 1993
-Various-

'The Beavis And Butt-Head Experience' is a compilation album related to the animated television series Beavis And Butt-Head. The name is a reference to Jimi Hendrix's original band, The Jimi Hendrix Experience. It is one of the best selling comedy albums and has sold 1,610,000 units as of May 2014. It was certified double platinum by the RIAA in the United States.
U.S.A.
MP3
Available
FLAC
Available 		Hard To Believe, A KISS Covers Compilation

Various Artists
Hard To Believe, A KISS Covers Compilation

[Compilation Album]
?? August 1990
Hard Rock

'Hard To Believe, A KISS Covers Compilation' is a KISS tribute album performed by independent punk bands of the late 1980s. The two bands featured on this album that would continue on to greater success are Nirvana and Melvins.

Core Discographies: Releases Coming Soon

These are new releases coming to Core Discographies soon.

Logo

Tales From The Thousand Lakes, Live At Tavastia

[Album]
Death Metal

Finland

Status: Tagging

Logo

Rarities 1991-2001

[Album]
Death Metal

Finland

Status: Tagging

Logo

A Feast For The Tasteless

[Album]
Death Metal

Canada

Status: Want

Logo

Somewhere Far Beyond, Live

[Album]
Power Metal

Germany

Status: Tagging

Logo

Somewhere Far Beyond Revisited

[Album]
Power Metal

Germany

Status: Tagging

Logo

The Live Series, Songs Of Celebration

[Album]
Classic Rock

U.S.A.

Status: Tagging

Logo

Tritonus Nights

[Album]
Doom Metal

Sweden

Status: Want

Logo

Stadium Anthems

[Compilation Album]
Post-Grunge Rock

U.S.A.

Status: Tagging

Logo

Rock 'n' Roll Star!

[Album]
Classic Rock

U.K.

Status: Tagging

Logo

Pyromania [40th Anniversary]

[Album]
Hard Rock

U.K.

Status: Want

Logo

Conqueress, Extended

[E.P.]
Heavy Metal

Germany

Status: Tagging

Logo

To The Limit, The Essential Collection

[Compilation Album]
Classic Rock

U.S.A.

Status: Tagging

Logo

Sheltering Skies

[Album]
Progressive Rock

U.K.

Status: Want

Logo

King Crimson Collectors' Club, No. 49-50 Live In Montreal 1984

[Album]
Progressive Rock

U.K.

Status: Want

Logo

Papercuts

[Compilation Album]
Alternative Rock

U.S.A.

Status: Want

Logo

Cancelled

[E.P.]
Hard Rock

U.S.A.

Status: Want

Logo

Definitley Maybe [30th Anniversary Edition]

[Album]
Rock

U.K.

Status: Want

Logo

Levels Of Perception

[Album]
Death Metal

Netherlands

Status: Want

Logo

Live From Red Rocks

[Album]
Alternative Rock

U.S.A.

Status: Want

Logo

Martha's Music Vault, SP On The Radio 1988-89 / Starchildren Live 8.18.90

[Album]
Alternative Rock

U.S.A.

Status: Want

Logo

Planet Girls

[Album]
Alternative Rock

U.S.A.

Status: Want

Logo

Light 'Em Up

[Album]
Hard Rock

-Various-

Status: Want

Logo

Resurrected, Vol. 1

[Compilation Album]
Hard Rock

-Various-

Status: Tagging

Logo

Resurrected, Vol. 2

[Compilation Album]
Hard Rock

-Various-

Status: Tagging

Logo

Live At Shea Stadium 1982

[Album]
Classic Rock

U.K.

Status: Want

Logo

Confidenza (Music For The Daniele Luchetti Film)

[Album]
Alternative Rock

U.K.

Status: Want

Digital Library: New Additions

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

Digital Library Links: Digital Library

Click on any links below to see release details.
Finland
MP3
Tagging
FLAC
Tagging

Cover Image
Coming Soon

Amorphis
Rarities 1991-2001

[Album]
2024
Death Metal
U.S.A.
MP3
Tagging
FLAC
Tagging

Cover Image
Coming Soon

Bon Jovi
Christmas Isn't Christmas

[Single]
2023
Rock
U.S.A.
MP3
Tagging
FLAC
Tagging 		Martha's Music Vault, Live At Kawasaki (2.24.92)

Smashing Pumpkins
Martha's Music Vault, Live At Kawasaki (2.24.92)

[Album]
2022
Alternative Rock
U.S.A.
MP3
Tagging
FLAC
Tagging 		Martha's Music Vault, Live At The Viper Room (1.15.98)

Smashing Pumpkins
Martha's Music Vault, Live At The Viper Room (1.15.98)

[Album]
2021
Alternative Rock
U.S.A.
MP3
Tagging
FLAC
Tagging

Cover Image
Coming Soon

Jon Bon Jovi
A Jon Bon Jovi Christmas

[E.P.]
2020
Rock
U.S.A.
MP3
Tagging
FLAC
Tagging

Cover Image
Coming Soon

Blondie
Vivir En La Habana

[E.P.]
2019
Classic Rock
U.S.A.
MP3
Tagging
FLAC
Tagging

Cover Image
Coming Soon

Love And Death
Lo Lamento

[Single]
2016
Alternative Rock
U.S.A.
MP3
Tagging
FLAC
Tagging

Cover Image
Coming Soon

Bone Gnawer
Cannibal Crematorium

[Album]
2015
Death Metal
U.S.A.
MP3
Tagging
FLAC
Tagging

Cover Image
Coming Soon

Bon Jovi
What About Now [Limited Edition]

[Album]
2013
Rock
U.S.A.
MP3
Tagging
FLAC
Tagging

Cover Image
Coming Soon

Love And Death
Between Here & Lost

[Album]
2013
Alternative Rock
U.S.A.
MP3
Tagging
FLAC
Tagging

Cover Image
Coming Soon

Bonded By Blood
Feed The Beast [Limited Edition]

[Album]
2008
Thrash Metal
Sweden
MP3
Tagging
FLAC
Tagging

Cover Image
Coming Soon

Crucified Barbara
In Distortion We Trust

[Album]
2005
Hard Rock
U.S.A.
MP3
Tagging
FLAC
Tagging

Cover Image
Coming Soon

Bob Dylan
The Very Best Of

[Compilation Album]
2000
Classic Rock
U.S.A.
MP3
Tagging
FLAC
Tagging

Cover Image
Coming Soon

Bon Jovi
Crush [Limited Edition]

[Album]
2000
Rock
-Various-
MP3
Tagging
FLAC
Tagging 		Sweet Relief II, Gravity Of The Situation (The Songs Of Vic Chesnutt)

Various Artists
Sweet Relief II, Gravity Of The Situation (The Songs Of Vic Chesnutt)

[Compilation Album]
6 August 1996
-Various-
U.S.A.
MP3
Tagging
FLAC
Tagging

Cover Image
Coming Soon

Bon Jovi
These Days [Limited Edition]

[Album]
1995
Rock
U.S.A.
MP3
Tagging
FLAC
Tagging

Cover Image
Coming Soon

Bon Jovi
Cross Road, The Best Of [Limited Edition]

[Compilation Album]
1994
Rock
U.S.A.
MP3
Tagging
FLAC
Tagging

Cover Image
Coming Soon

Bon Jovi
Someday I'll Be Saturday Night

[Single]
1994
Rock
U.S.A.
MP3
Tagging
FLAC
Tagging

Cover Image
Coming Soon

Bon Jovi
Lay Your Hands On Me

[Single]
1989
Rock
U.K.
MP3
Tagging
FLAC
Tagging

Cover Image
Coming Soon

Bill Haley & The Comets
Rock Around The Clock

[Album]
1955
Rock & Roll

Physical Media: New Additions

These are new additions to the Physical Media this week.

Physical Media Links: Physical Media

There are no new additions this week.

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