The Woodsman's Axe

Elemental (UK) -- rehearsal demos

2012-01-28T22:35:00.001Z

A bit of a personal post this; Elemental was my first proper band (not counting a couple of dodgy Grunge/Thrash covers bands that only gigged once each), based in Ashford, Kent between 1996 and 1998. We played heavy Psychedelic Rock, with smatterings of Metal, Punk and Ambient thrown into the mix. Our set mainly consisted of effects-laden guitar instrumentals based around half-formed structures, largely inspired by Ozric Tentacles and local band Crow. There were some good ideas and riffs in there, but our main problem was that I was trying a bit TOO hard to sound like Crow.

Elemental Myspace page

These rehearsal recordings vary in quality. The first 3 were released on a tape that we gave to a few friends, the rest remain largely unheard. "Overdose" even features a rare vocal performance from myself. You have been warned.

Also included are a couple of recent solo reworkings of other Elemental tunes; I have always intended to revisit the Elemental material with the intention of making it into what it SHOULD have sounded like...

The last track is a recording of a one-off rehearsal featuring 2 ex-Elemental members. Not bad for a track that was written and recorded in about 3 hours.

On the whole, these recordings will probably only be of interest to those of you who delight in obscure and badly-recorded underground music.

Elemental -- Rehearsal demos

Rehearsal demo 1996

1. Drift

2. Jamaican Rust

3. Pale Lounge Lizard

from Rehearsal demo 1997

4. Overdose

5. Positive/Negative

6. Drift v.2

Balbulus solo demos

7. Rust (Balbulus demo 2005?)

8. ...And The Stream Flows On... (taken from the Balbulus demo "Stormprayer" 2008)

JMBW

9. JMBW Rehearsal 1998/9?

Download

Brondniht (UK) -- "Caldast Ofet" EP

2012-01-13T22:41:00.000Z

This is available on a couple of other blogs (from where I obtained it), and so goes against my general rule of exclusivity, but the obscurity and feeling of this little gem appeals to me greatly. Brondniht were a 3-piece Black/Doom band from London who released this EP before splitting up. I would have been very interested to hear more from them.

Info (Metal Archives)

Musically, the two tracks on this EP are built on sparse Doom-paced drums, with Blackened gargles of Anglo-Saxon poetry over guitarwork that reminds me of a slightly cruder version of Norwegian Doom-gods Funeral (circa "Tristesse"); long meandering guitar lines that twist around each other, at times jarring, at times harmonious, bringing to my mind images of a twisted knotwork of roots; paralleling perhaps the archetypical Anglo-Saxon artwork. Indeed, as a whole this release leaves me with the impression of an ancient carved monolith, left standing alone long after the creators have disappeared into the mists of obscurity.

Brondniht -- "Caldast Ofet" EP (2009)

1. Eardstapa
2. Deor

Download

Traditional Ukrainian bandura music

2012-01-04T21:50:00.003Z

I've been interested in Ukrainian folk music and culture for some years now, inspired by the Black Metal bands Drudkh and Hate Forest, both of whom have used samples and references of their traditional culture in their music. Trawling the net, I tracked down a number of albums of Ukrainian folk music, among the best of which are two albums of bandura music by Taras Kompanichenko and the late Mykola Budnik. The music is incredibly evocative and atmospheric, the spindly sound of the bandura at times strangely akin to that of the African kora.

I have also collected from various compilations two songs (dumas) performed by another bandurist Igor Rachok, the first of which was used (without the brief spoken intro) by Drudkh as the outro to their 3rd album "The Swan Road". I would love to track down some more of Rachok's recordings, as I find the slightly more lo-fi quality adds whole realms of atmosphere to the music; I imagine him sat by a fire in some ancient rural wayside inn, spinning tales of long ago to sombre-looking old men.

For a detailed look at Ukrainian folk traditions (not just music, but dress, architecture, crafts etc.) have a trawl around this slightly cumbersome website: http://www.ukrfolk.com.ua/index_eng.html

which includes some informative essays on:

songs: http://www.ukrfolk.com.ua/epos/eng/1.html

instruments: http://www.ukrfolk.com.ua/epos/eng/2.html

prose narratives: http://www.ukrfolk.com.ua/epos/eng/3_1.html

plus another essay on kobza and lyre-playing tradition in the Polissya region:

http://storinka-m.kiev.ua/article.php?id=783

Right, on to the music...

Mykola Budnyk -- Heigh, on the Black Sea

01. About Mazepa and Paliy

02. About Marusya Bogusiavka

03. About Sava Chaly

04. About Suprun

05. About Khvedor Bezrodmy

06. The Falcon Fraternized

07. A Snowstorm

08. I Will Go Through the Meadow

09. There's No Truth in this World

10. About Oleksiy Popovych

Download

Taras Kompanichenko -- Kobza and Lyre-Playing Tradition

01. A Dance

02. About Bondarivna

03. Snowstorm

04. Hey on the Sea, on the Black Sea

05. The Lament of the Earth

06. The Captive Girl

07. To Christ on the Cross

08. Don't You Hoot, the Owl

09. Oleksiy - a Man of God (To Aleksiy)

10. The Samara Brothers

11. Saint George the Snake Fighter (To George)

download

Igor Rachok -- Dumas

1. About Extermination of Sich (aka "Song of Sich Destruction")
2. As Our Glorious Cossacks Were Advancing

download

Instinct (UK) -- Demos

2011-11-24T08:34:00.001Z

INSTINCT is a one-man Black Metal project formed by Verst in 2005, based in Hertfordshire, England. The two full-length CDs (both titled "Instinct", though the first is also known as "Albion") can be found elsewhere, but these two demos that I feature here are less easy to come by. "Abandoned" features one long track of raw but well-executed Black Metal, whilst "The Cold Return" is a purely ambient demo. However, unlike most BM-related amateurish synth-noodlings, this is Dark Ambient done properly; sparse, brooding, and ominous, evoking bleak and desolate landscapes. Highly recommended.

Info (Metal Archives)

Instinct -- "Abandoned" 2009

1. Abandoned

Download

Instinct -- "The Cold Return" demo 2009

1. The Cold Return
2. White Majesty
3. Frozen Meads Escapism

Download

Flittering (Deu) -- "Gloom"

2011-11-17T16:08:00.003Z

Flittering was an obscure ritualistic Dark Ambient project hailing from the Black Forest region of Germany, formed by a shadowy duo known only as the "Bereaved Brothers". They alledgedly released this back in 1993, though there has been a great deal of debate on the Metal Archives forum as to whether or not it is a recent hoax.

The very existence of the release was in doubt amongst the majority of people, until the tracks were posted on The Doom Joint blog recently, from a seemingly genuine source.

For the full story here's the original thread on Metal Archives:
http://www.metal-archives.com/board/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=54419

And the follow-up thread:
http://www.metal-archives.com/board/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=83542

Having listened to the tracks, I am now fairly convinced that this is genuine, though there are still a couple of niggling doubts in my mind: the production is much clearer than would be expected from an underground release from 1993; plus there are certain stylistic motifs that would seem more in keeping with the zeitgeist of 2008.

Personally, I don't care if this is an elaborate hoax; the music is good (dark and unsettling ambience, with hints of Drone Doom and Depressive Black Metal), and the backstory interesting. That, my friends, is entertainment.

Flittering -- "Gloom" demo (1993)

1. Close
2. Close

Download

Ghoul (UK) -- demos

2011-10-14T18:22:00.001+01:00

Ghoul was an ultra-obscure underground Black Metal band from Birmingham, UK, active from 2002-2007 until band-leader "Unknown Ghoul" was imprisoned for vandalism. Their sound was very lo-fi Depressive Black Metal, bordering on dark ambient/noise; I will draw vague comparisons to bands like Xasthur, Wold and Black Funeral, though I stopped following developments in this branch of Black Metal a few years ago.

These two demo CDs were released in ultra-limited quantities (the first in 66 copies, the second in only 13!), so these are pretty rare. There are apparently two more demos that I don't have. A post on their MySpace page indicated that all their material was going to be offered for free download, though it appears this never happened.

Both demos are included in the one RAR file. Lose yourself in some obscure stygian soundscapes...

Info (Metal Archives)

MySpace page

Ghoul -- "Subterranean Forgotten Caverns" CD 2004

1. Intro
2. Great Gate
3. Forging The Ritual Keys
4. The Crack'd Bell
5. Cruel Swords Of The Slayer
6. Regressive Transmigratory Lethe

Ghoul -- "The Heirophant Doctrine" CD 2007

1. The Hierophant Doctrine

Download

(both demos in one file)

Mind Octopus (UK) -- Demo 1993

2011-09-27T18:48:00.002+01:00

Mind Octopus were a Psychedelic Rock band from Ashford, Kent, whose various lineups centered around guitarist Paul Herwin. Also in the band was sax-player Ben Surman, son of legendary Jazz musician John Surman. The band were very prominent in the local music scene during the early-mid 90s, and a great influence on myself (as well as becoming good friends of mine). I picked up this great demo for £1.50 the first time I saw them, an absolute bargain. The music varies across the 3 tracks, ranging from hazy stoner rock, through bright and summery funk, to epic and slow-burning progressive psychedelia. All top-notch stuff.

They later recorded an album ("Music From The Black Smoker") which was largely unreleased. I do have the tracks, but from various different sources, and hence it is a bit mismatched in sound quality. I may post this at a later date.

For now, grab this excellent demo.

Mind Octopus -- Demo 1993

1. Running To The Sun
2. Beach
3. 12 Weeks Gone

Download

This Machine (UK) -- "Serving Suggestion"

2011-09-20T12:38:00.000+01:00

This Machine were a band based between Hastings in East Sussex and Folkestone in Kent, playing a chaotic brand of experimental jazz-based avant/noise rock. I would probably make references to King Crimson, Sonic Youth and Shellac amongst others, but I'm sure you people can find more fitting comparisons. Expect dense and angular instrumentation, abstract experimentation, all augmented with found sounds and tapes. Great stuff.

This is there first album, and was available for free download from their old website, but that appears to no longer be active. Included with the album are instructions of how to make your own CD cover from a sheet of A4 paper. Bonus!

This Machine -- "Serving Suggestion" CD (2007)

01. Supermarket Sweep
02. Air Miles
03. The Rack
04. PowUK07
05. The Trifle Tower
06. Istigkeit
07. Radio Solo
08. More Air Miles
09. Advert Humour
10. Thank You, But I Am No Longer A Citizen Of This Country
11. Abstract #2
12. Veau Façon Crocodile
13. The Valley Of The Shadow

Download

A Band Called Sun (UK) -- "Voodoo Rising"

2011-09-20T11:53:00.001+01:00

Whitstable-based A Band Called Sun were originally just called Sun, but were forced to change their name for legal reasons (I believe Sun Records had something to do with it). I posted their demo a while back, so I thought I'd follow up with their debut CD album. The basic musical formula remains unchanged (a fusion of Reggae, Funk, Dub and Blues, with a turntablist augmenting the sound), but the addition of frontwoman Tracy Sullivan with her sassy soulful voice, has steered the sound into slightly more mainstream territory. Therein lies the problem for me; whilst this album is technically well-executed and well-produced, it lacks the underground feel that I crave. That being said, the standout track for me is "Nowhere Man", which begins as a solid Reggae song before exploding into a spacey Dub orgasm when guitarist Robin Harvey fires up his delay pedal.

A Band Called Sun -- "Voodoo Rising" CD (1998)

01. Voodoo1
02. Sight
03. Slipping & Sliding
04. Voodoo2
05. Living in a Dream
06. Nowhere Man
07. Jamming At Delta
08. SS Man
09. Voodoo3
10. I'm Sorry
11. Love Bites
12. February

Download

Note: tracks 1, 4 and 9 are confusingly unlisted on the inlay.

Nàda (Swz) -- "Ùr"

2011-09-09T20:03:00.001+01:00

One of my first posts on this blog was Nàda's excellent first album "Celmètra". It was only when I contacted Remo Seeland about his post-Nàda project Hollow Bone that I became aware of this, their second and final album. Remo kindly sent me one of the last copies, and I now share it with you lovely people.

If there is one single band that Nàda can most easily be compared to, it has to be Swans; whilst "Celmètra" can be likened to Swans' early period ("Filth" to "Children of God"), then "Ùr" is comparable to their later work ("Children of God" to "The Great Annihilator"). The early primal raw power has been channelled into a more focussed hypnotic sound. Nàda's music is much more positive in feel than that of Swans, however.

Other suitable points of reference would be Neurosis, plus tribal post-punk acts like Killing Joke, The Banshees and Ausgang. Also prominent is an increased use of ethnic percussion and instrumentation, with mesmerising tribal polyrhythms that actually sound authentic.

This is a phenomenally good album, and I can't understand why it isn't better known.

Nàda -- "Ùr" CD (1997)

01. Cenaz
02. Sun
03. Prophecy
04. Ichtyos
05. Sirène
06. Snakepit
07. Gaia
08. Apocalypse
09. Heyana
10. Tibet
11. Breath
12. Sunak

Download

For the sake of the search engines out there, here are the names without accents: Nada Ur Celmetra

Soma (UK) -- discography

2011-09-08T11:59:00.001+01:00

I first heard of Soma during the early 90s in an interview with Whitstable band Crow, where they were mentioned as a band that had overplayed their support slot, forcing Crow to have their set cut short after only one song. After years of wondering about them, I accidentally stumbled upon some information on the band, and subsequently tracked down their material. As far as I can tell they were based in Sheerness, Kent.

Soma's music drifts from psychedelic space-rock in the vein of Hawkwind and Ozric Tentacles, to epic and haunting prog-rock in the classic British tradition (Yes, Genesis etc.). This latter aspect takes a more dominant role on the second album. However, they manage to avoid the trap of relying on difficult rhythms and odd time signatures; this all flows quite nicely. It is also very slick and well-produced, though some of the keyboard sounds haven't dated as well as the rest of the music. That minor quibble aside, this is great stuff. The original singer was replaced after the first album, and the replacement (Sean Filkins, later of Lorien and Big Big Train) has a much stronger voice, sounding very much like a rawer Jon Anderson.

Some band info

Soma -- "Epsilon" CD (1991)

01. Being - Ghandarva
02. My Skin (Turns The Colour Of Sand)
03. Prophecy - Inquisitor 4
04. The Conquest Of Albion
05. The Longbarrow
06. Twisting The Folds Of Time - Psionics N'om N'om N'om

Download

Soma -- "Warped EP" cassette (1992)

01. My Skin
02. Oceana
03. Dreamtime
04. Warped

Download

Soma -- "Dreamtime" CD (1992)

01. Listen
02. Losing It
03. Dreamtime
04. Suffocating
05. Illusion
06. Pulsar

Download

Note: The CDs are my own rip, the EP is a 128kps rip I found lurking on the net. If anyone has a better quality copy (or an original to sell), please get in touch.

Original Fling (UK) -- cassettes

2011-08-13T23:33:00.002+01:00

Original Fling was a Folk Rock band that were hugely popular on the Kent pub circuit during the 90s, playing a mixture of original, traditional and cover material. There is a huge Pogues influence at work here, along with dashes of The Levellers and The Waterboys, all spiced with a liberal dash of anarchic humour. The band was centered around multi-instrumentalist frontman Kev Smith, and in later years he continued the band as a solo act entitled The Fling, until he sadly died at the end of last year.

Info

These cassettes are from the full lineup era of the band; I also own a couple of later CDs of the duo and solo incarnations, which I may post at a later date.

Original Fling -- "Drink Down" cassette (1992)

01. Buck Your Feet Up
02. Fool Like You
03. Jesse James
04. Oxley Bottom
05. Drink Down
06. Irish Rover
07. Sails In The Wind
08. The Clan
09. Greenland Whale Fisheries
10. Clan William Rd.
11. Chains
12. Hometown

Download

Original Fling -- "Captain Morris EP" cassette (1993)

01. Sails In The Wind
02. Medley
03. Captain Morris
04. Jesse James

Download

Original Fling -- "Put The Tea On" cassette (1996?)

01. The Devil Went Down To Dover
02. Put The Tea On
03. Hero
04. Dirty Old Town
05. Mary
06. Mutiny
07. January 8th
08. Fighting Creed
09. Jailerman
10. The Sleeper
11. Rakes Of Kildare

Download

I am missing a couple of earlier tapes called "Stomp It" and "The Huntsman EP". If anyone has these, please get in touch!

The March (Deu) -- "Conspiracy"

2011-08-07T21:49:00.000+01:00

The March play acoustic-based Folk Rock very much in the style of The Levellers and The Pogues, with occasional forays into dynamic post-punk territory. This CD was introduced to me by a guy who thought it was a side project featuring members of The Levellers and New Model Army, and it certainly sounds as if that could have been the case. However, having managed to track down an original copy of the CD, that appears to not be true; the band appears to have been German, though the music and the vocals sound very English indeed.

The March -- "Conspiracy" CD (1995)

01. Furore
02. Marching Song
03. Freedom
04. Refugee Waltz
05. Under The Gun
06. A Place Called Home
07. Conscience
08. Summerwind
09. Down To Size
10. The Darkest Night
11. Ignorance
12. Beggar's Tune
13. Peasants' March
14. Workers' Song
15. Dance
16. The Spark
17. When The World Is Dying

Download

As there seems to be no info available on the band, here is the info page from the inlay:

Paperhouse (UK) -- Spongy Comestibles

2011-07-29T09:02:00.001+01:00

I've been trawling the internet forums in search of obscure UK space-rock bands, and this was recommended to me recently. Having tracked down a CD copy on eBay, this is exactly the sort of stuff I was looking for, and I thought I should share this little gem with the world.

PAPERHOUSE were a dub-tinged psychedelic space-rock band from Surrey. The obvious musical comparison is OZRIC TENTACLES, though the music of Paperhouse is simpler and more straightforward, and much less strange. As great as the Ozrics are, sometimes their ultra-complex brand of weirditude can be a little difficult to digest. This is very similar in feel and style to contemporary UK bands like MOONDRAGON and CROW though less punky and hardhitting than either of these. In fact my only criticism of this album is that I wish the guitars would get a bit beefier during the more rhythmic sections. Nit-picking aside, this is great stuff.

Info (Wikipedia)

Paperhouse (UK) -- "Spongy Comestibles" CD (1992)

1. Floating "E" Riff

2. Columbia

3. Hrmphf

4. Purple House

5. Paperhouse Dub

6. Please Leave The Room

7. Thrash Pants

8. Liquid Reality

9. Helix

Download

Note: I mistakenly tagged the files with the year 1994, instead of 1992. Needless to say, I am currently scourging my flesh in penance.

Update:

Thanks to the very nice man in the comments below, here is a link to download Paperhouse's 1991 cassette album "A":

http://ernestembryo.blogspot.com/2010/04/paperhouse.html

Arktyk (US) -- "Northern Darkness"

2011-07-03T01:44:00.000+01:00

OK, so there's not any music to download here, as it doesn't actually exist... Arktyk was a fictitious, ultra-obscure Black Metal band from Barrow, the northernmost city in Alaska, created for an elaborate April Fools joke by Terrorizer magazine in 1999 (Issue 65). They ran an article / interview on the band, plus an album review in the same issue, both of which waxed lyrical about this fantastic band.

I have scanned the article and review below:

I am ashamed to say I was one of the poor fools who fell for it hook, line and sinker, even ordering the album from a distro who was in on the joke. How foolish I felt upon opening the following issue, and reading the hilarious "April Fools!" caption...:

Trouvère (UK) -- "Novela" CD

2011-06-29T01:15:00.001+01:00

Trouvère are a British group who mainly specialise in authentic Mediaeval music. I picked up this CD a few years ago at a mediaeval festival, and was instantly struck by its atmosphere and beauty. Unlike their other albums, which contain 'authentic' arrangements of music from the period, "Novela" has more of a creative, contemporary folk feel; acoustic guitar and flute are the primary instruments, and they have allowed themselves to interpret the music as they wish. In places, the music and feel remind me of Ulver's sublime acoustic album "Kveldssanger", and also some of Mike Oldfield's acoustic guitar work on his early albums.

I had been meaning to upload this album for a while, but I have found a band-sanctioned Last FM page on which you can download the whole album at 128 kbps, so I here provide that link instead:

http://www.last.fm/music/Trouvere/Novela

I would also encourage anyone who enjoys this music to buy a copy of the CD from the band's website:

http://www.medievalminstrels.com

BLASPHEMER - DEMO #1 1992

2011-04-17T10:08:00.000+01:00

Ok so it's time for a new upload. Another band from the UK here, this time from West Yorkshire. Blasphemer released three demos and then changed their name to Dominion in 1995, this is their first demo tape from 1992 and this is a pretty rare one.
With Blasphemer you can expect some nice old school Death Metal, well-played and with a good quality sound production. I can't remember how I came to own this demo but it's certainly had some plays over the years. If you like the older style DM then this is definitely for you, and there are four tracks in all with some great riffing and Rick Rozz tremelo style solos.
Once again you can enjoy this one in 320kps and as always you will find scans of the inlay in the folder. Play this one LOUD...

BLASPHEMER - DEMO #1 1992

1) Take Me Now I'm Dying

2) Immortality

3) Sutcliffe

4) Blasphemer

http://www.mediafire.com/?6bz0o09or71fx3r

DEAD CHRIST - LEX TALIONIS -DEMO 1992

2011-04-10T09:40:00.001+01:00

A month or so ago I uploaded demos from Cruentus and Thus Defiled, both of whom played that dark sounding Von style early 90's Black Metal. This week I give to you another UK band from that era - Dead Christ. I first came into contact with the band in early 1993 when I traded demos with bass player Lothar Churchcrusher, and also reviewed their demo in my Crucifixion fanzine.
The band hail from Bristol and released 3 demos and finally a 7" entitiled Satan's Hunger on Greek based label Molon Lave Records.
What you can expect from Dead Christ is dirty dark Black Metal in the vein of Beherit, Varathron, Von and Blasphemy. The demo has a reasonable production quality and a good amount of tracks to get your teeth into. The band split in 1993 and Lothar went on to join Species. There were two inlay cards for this demo, the one you can see on the Metal Archives site and then an earlier one with totally different artwork. I have the earlier one which I have included as a quality scan in the folder. As usual, this is ripped in glorious 320kps for your listening pleasure so enjoy this one...

DEAD CHRIST - LEX TALIONIS - DEMO 1992

1) Intro (The Crumbling Cross)

2) Flesh Without Sin

3) Hymm Of The Satanic Empire

4) We Who Are Not Others

5) Lex Satanicus

6) Nocturnal Rites Of Blasphemy

7) The Hidden Sky

8) Outro (The Last Thrones Of Death)

http://www.mediafire.com/?41dvhu5qifjob2r

DEICIDE - QUEEN'S HALL, BRADFORD, UK - 04/12/90

2011-03-20T09:16:00.000Z

Ok so it's now time for yet another exclusive. I haven't seen this on any other blog and it's a great rare recording so here I give you Deicide live at the Queen's Hall in Bradford, from 21 years ago! I got this tape through tape trading in around 1991 and it's had a lot of plays from me over the years. It was the bands first ever UK tour after their debut album was released and this gig is mostly famous and remembered by many as it was the night that Glen Benton had his bass stolen. There were also a few Christians that had turned up at the show purely to hurl abuse at Benton and his comrades so as you can imagine, the band were pretty pissed off that night and it obviously shows as Benton roars abuse back at the crowd with no mercy.

Those of you who were trading at this time will remember the gig, those of you who weren't or are too young to have been a part of those glory days will be more than curious! So hit that download link and grab this great piece of Deicide history. I have cleaned up the sound as best I could although it was never a bad recording in the first place - the guitars are a bit quiet but all in all pretty good sound and one well worth hearing even if it's just to hear Benton lose his rag!

Ripped in 320kps for optimum listening pleasure. Enjoy this one folks.

DEICIDE - QUEENS HALL, BRADFORD 04/12/90

1) Sacrificial Suicde

2) Lunatic Of God's Creation

3) Dead By Dawn

4) Oblivious To Evil

5) Carnage In The Temple Of The Damned

6) Blaspherion

7) Mephistopheles

8) Day Of Darkness

9) Crucifixation

10) Deicide

http://www.mediafire.com/?vdj2lbx9hfd9bk4

VOMITORIUM - HAURIAM OSCULA DE TE - DEMO 1994

2011-03-13T16:39:00.000Z

Here is another exclusive for the Woodman's Axe. This is an obscure band from the UK called Vomitorium. The band formed in 1994 and as far as I know this is there only release. I cannot find anything on the internet about them and there was no profile on Metal Archives for them, although I have now submitted one.

There are actually 9 tracks on this tape although the inlay only lists 7. If you like obscure Death Metal then this one is certainly for you. It's pretty original sounding stuff and with some great catchy riffs and some original sounding vocals. The production is fairly weak but with a few tweaks on your stereo you can get a pretty good sound. I was sent this tape in 1994 to review in my fanzine Crucifixion and there weren't many made as far as I know, I have never seen it pop up for sale anywhere so grab it here while you can.

Ripped directly from the demo in 320kps and as always, the folder contains a quality scan of the inlay. Enjoy this one...

VOMOTORIUM - HAURIAM OSCULA DE TE - DEMO 1994

1) The Flowers That Stank Of Slumber Divine

2) Bloodlust

3) Rhapsody In Blasphemy

4) The Dreams Of Unknown Kadath

5) In The Autumn Sorrow

6) Necrovomiting In The Chapel Of Holy Worship

7) Memories Of A Funeral

8) Untitled

9) Outro

Vomitorium - Hauriam Oscula De Te - Demo 1994

THE FALLEN - REBIRTH OF THE ANCIENTS DEMO 1993

2011-02-27T10:10:00.000Z

Here is one of my favourite UK bands of the early 90's. The Fallen were one of the few Black Metal bands from the UK at the time along with my band Witchclan, Xaztur, Immanis, Thus Defiled, Dead Christ and a handful of others.

This is the only demo that they released before folding and I was sent this promo copy from their vocalist Aggressor in trade for Witchclan's 1993 promo tape. The sound on the tape is fairly good and features a good few songs to get your teeth into. If you like your Black Metal then this one is for you, it's pretty rare as I don't think all that many were made so lap it up and get it here, I haven't seen it on any other blogs.

As always it's been ripped in 320kps and the folder includes a scan of the cover. Enjoy...

THE FALLEN - REBIRTH OF THE ANCIENTS DEMO 1993

1. Disciple Of Fire

2.Zaghurim

3. Black Metal Holocaust

4. I Burn

5. Sombre Toll Of Funeral Bells

http://www.mediafire.com/?2v1pyhnct6acz87

TREBLINKA - THE SIGN OF THE PENTAGRAM - DEMO 2 1989

2011-02-20T10:09:00.000Z

Here's something special for you all, one of my prize demo tapes and probably one of the rarest that I own. This has had a lot of play from me over the years and is still one that I listen to fairly regularly, now it's time to share it with the Metal community.

For those who don't know, Treblinka were a Swedish Death Metal band that had an 80's Black Metal influence who released two demos before changing their name to Tiamat and signing to Metal Core for the release of their debut Sumerian Cry in 1990.

This is their second demo tape, The Sign Of The Pentagram which features four songs that appeared on Sumerian Cry. Treblinka had progressed vast amounts on this demo and when you compare it to their previous effort, Crawling In Vomits you can really hear the difference in musicianship and quality. I also own Crawling In Vomits and will be uploading this in the coming weeks.

If you like Swedish Death Metal that wasn't a clone of Nihilist or Carnage then this is for you. Ripped directly from the tape and as always includes a quality scan of the inlay in the folder. Enjoy this one.

TREBLINKA - THE SIGN OF THE PENTAGRAM DEMO 2 1989

1. Nocturnal Funeral

2. Evilized

3. Necrophagous Shadows

4. Mould In Hell

http://www.mediafire.com/?dxfbnxxnxi7jbmb

Cadaver (Nor) -- "Hallucinating Anxiety" (Complete) 1990

2011-02-14T17:44:00.002Z

EXCLUSIVE -- THE COMPLETE AND DEFINITIVE VERSION!

Norway's CADAVER have always been one of my favourite Death Metal bands, their first two albums remain some of my most played. This, their debut, is a pungent slice of raw, necro Death Metal with an unusually fuzzy, almost Black Metal guitar sound.

The only CD release of this album was as a split with Swedish band CARNAGE, and due to time constraints, one track ("Hypertrophyan") was omitted that was otherwise available on the vinyl and cassette versions. Further confusion was compounded by an inaccurate tracklisting on all versions; the song "Erosive Fester" was not listed; and the intro and first song were combined into one track.

Since Earache have repeatedly stated they have no plans to reissue the album, I here exclusively present the DEFINITIVE and COMPLETE version of the album: a CD rip, with "Hypertrophyan" (mastered and cleaned from the cassette) restored to its rightful place, plus a corrected tracklist. I have also separated the intro from the first song, to avoid any further confusion.

Info (Metal Archives)

Cadaver (Nor) -- "Hallucinating Anxiety" (Complete version) 1990

01. Tuba (intro)
02. Ignominious Eczema
03. Corrosive Delerium
04. Erosive Fester
05. Hallucinating Anxiety
06. Cannibalistic Dissection
07. Hypertrophyan
08. Petrifyed Faces
09. Innominate
10. Twisted Collapse
11. Abnormal Deformity
12. Maelstrom
13. Mental Abherrance
14. Bodily Trauma

http://www.mediafire.com/?d3rqwt2tbp9u192

320 kps

Seventythree (UK) -- Demo 1995

2011-02-05T22:09:00.005Z

SEVENTYTHREE were a band from the Thanet area of Kent during the first half of the 1990s, known for most of their existence under their old name DECEITFUL BOW. Live, they were a dynamic Alt-Rock/Metal act, but this demo was deliberately more restrained in an effort to get them more gigs. The 3 (untitled) tracks are more in an Indie vein, with a laid-back Jazz/Funk feel in places. There is some inspired guitar work on show here, plus some great stream-of-consciousness lyrics.

Info (Kent Band Archive)

Seventythree (UK) -- Demo 1995

1. unknown title 1
2. unknown title 2
3. unknown title 3

http://www.mediafire.com/?7c5norf7j8wn819

(New cleaner rip, updated 11/02/11)

Tipa Gore (UK) -- "Durg" demo (1996)

2011-02-05T12:35:00.002Z

TIPA GORE were a 3-piece band from Tunbridge Wells, Kent, who played an energetic form of funk-inspired Hardcore/Metal -- essentially what would later become known as Nu-Metal, though this was a good couple of years before that genre became oversaturated commercialised drivel. I put them on in Ashford a couple of times, and they were lovely guys. They even appeared on TV on the Johnny Vaughan show.

They did later release a CD, but I never had a copy.

Info (Kent Band Archive)

TIPA GORE (UK) -- "Durg" demo (1996)

1. Fudge Packet
2. Pressure
3. This Is Orange
4. Underlying Tones Of Weightlessness
5. Last

http://www.mediafire.com/?1v8cxcapcngpgnk

Sun (UK) -- Demo 1996

2011-02-02T21:56:00.002Z

SUN (later changed to A BAND CALLED SUN due to legal issues regarding the name) were a great band from Whitstable, Kent, who played an interesting fusion of Psychedelic Dub/Funk with a hint of Blues. This demo was recorded as a four piece, though they later recruited a frontwoman which gave them a much more commercial sound. I may upload a later CD at some point soon, though I prefer this demo.

Info (Kent Band Archive)

Sun (UK) -- Demo 1996

1. Baby
2. Bitter
3. Go Wasted
4. Newage

http://www.mediafire.com/?7mp0yjzgdpobstr

(new cleaner rip, updated 12/02/11)

CRUENTUS DEMO 1993

2011-01-29T17:22:00.002Z

Ok here is my second upload, something pretty rare here and I haven't seen it on any other blogs so far so we might even have an exclusive for The Woodsman's Axe...

CRUENTUS were a Blackened Death Metal band from Essex in the UK. I was sent this demo by the bands bass player Mark to review it in my Crucifixion Zine, and as far as I know, this is the only release that the band ever put out.

If you liked the THUS DEFILED demo that I uploaded last week then this will be right up your street. This is their 1993 demo, ripped at 320kps and complete with a scan of the inlay.

CRUENTUS - DEMO 1993

Of Unknown Origin
Condemned To Darkness
Blind Devotion
Psychotic Dellusions

http://www.mediafire.com/?u129c26i69tx3u3

Dr. Chair (UK) -- "Witter & Beard" CD

2011-01-26T23:39:00.001Z

This album is an absolute gem. DR. CHAIR was the alias of a guy called Richard Cron from Hythe, Kent; something of a local anarchist, satanist and all-round nutter. He was renowned for turning up to local open mic nights with an acoustic guitar and just screaming into the microphone. He also once asked my girlfriend to join his coven...

The songs on "Witter & Beard" (I presume the title is a play on "Bitter and Weird") are top-notch madcap DIY Psych/Punk, with all instruments played by the man himself. Standout tracks for me are "More Weed Sir?" (the sound of a man being force-fed marijuana -- albeit very politely), and "The Bavarian Knights" (a punked up instrumental based on a traditional melody).

EDIT: I have since been contacted by the man himself, who confirms that my assumption regarding the title is correct...

Dr. Chair (UK) -- "Witter & Beard" CD (2001)

01. Lighting The Bong
02. The Doctor's Theme
03. Stormy Waters
04. Bollocks
05. Times Change
06. The Bavarian Knights
07. Prove It
08. More Weed Sir?
09. Paradise Lost
10. I've Got To Air My Feelings
11. If You're Not Mad, You Will Be
12. The Cast
13. untitled hidden track

http://www.mediafire.com/?4ctk9vk5kbqh020

The Slugs (UK) -- "Invasion Of The Slugs" (2005)

2011-01-26T23:15:00.002Z

Following the vein I've been tapping the past couple of days, this is ANOTHER Folkestone Punk band featuring Rocker and Ug (previously of CLITS OF ORIS, later of THE HOFMANN SOUND). Whilst this isn't as sludgily filthy as The Clits, nor as perfectly angular as The Hoffs, it's still a worthy listen.

The Slugs (UK) -- "Invasion Of The Slugs" (2005)

01. Cocaine = Shit
02. Squelch
03. Multinational Corporate Businessman (C.U.N.T.)
04. I Am Not Your Slave
05. Plastic Robots
06. Resist The Pressure
07. Sick Joke
08. Demons
09. Operation Bug
10. Hate

http://www.mediafire.com/?78z4pjh3ophlzvp

The Clits Of Oris (UK) -- Live

2011-01-25T22:26:00.001Z

THE CLITS OF ORIS were a noisy Sludge-Punk band based in Folkestone, featuring Rocker and Ug who later played in THE HOFMANN SOUND (who I posted earlier). I don't think they ever released any material, so this live recording I made could well be the only recording of them in existence.

Special mention should be made of the sheer genius of track 4, "The Nazi Cokey".

Alas, my faulty MiniDisc player accidentally deleted the 1st track whilst I was ripping this (a poor workman etc. etc.).

The Clis Of Oris (UK) -- Live @ The Harp Club, Folkestone, 12/03/04

1.
2. Scum
3. What's The Score?
4. The Nazi Cokey
5. Pay To Die
6. Alive But Dead
7. Down Not Out
8. This Is Your Life

http://www.mediafire.com/?989xdetwb8n03m5

The Hofmann Sound (UK) -- "Is This It?" CD (2009)

2011-01-25T08:31:00.004Z

THE HOFMANN SOUND were a fantastic Post Punk band, quite possibly the best band to emerge from Folkestone in recent years. I posted a 3-song promo of this album a while back, but I'm now posting the whole album (+ bonus tracks), because the bastards split up over a year ago, and this is far too good to be forgotten. The musical formula is a juxtaposition of abrasive, scratchy guitar that sounds like broken glass being ground into your eyeballs, a killer rhythm section with tight locked-in grooves, and vocals that simply ooze venom.

I love The Hofmann Sound, but I hate them for splitting up. Bastards.

MySpace

The Hofmann Sound (UK) -- "Is This It?" CD (2009)

01. Journey To Nowhere
02. No Direction
03. Velvet Lined Coffers
04. Sweetpea
05. Filth Detector
06. Disconnect
07. Nicked
08. Analysis
09. Pulse Vibration
10. Ug's Machine
11. Swamp Death
12. TWD
13. Subject To Change (bonus track)

14. Downslide (live)
15. Exit Stance (live)

http://www.mediafire.com/?9kla2biieap6ycy

Bastards.

Thus Defiled 'Blasphemous Coven' Demo 1993

2011-01-23T18:51:00.000Z

Firstly a big thank you to Balbulus for allowing me to contribute to the The Woodman's Axe. I have a lot of demos that I will be uploading over the coming weeks and months but here is a fairly rare one to kick off with.

THUS DEFILED from Hove, near Brighton in the UK, began their career as a Blackened Death Metal act in the early 90's before getting a record deal and changing their style to the full on Black Metal sound we know them for today.

This is their 1993 demo Blasphemous Coven, ripped in 320kps and complete with full inlay scan in the folder. ENJOY.

THUS DEFILED - BLASPHEMOUS COVEN DEMO 1993

1. Intro

2. Invocation

3. Desolation Of Twilight

4. Ascend...

http://www.mediafire.com/?woe88dh8eel0k1d

New contributor...

2011-01-21T22:24:00.000Z

Just a quick notice to introduce you to the new contributor to the blog -- Witchclan. He will be starting to post stuff in the next few days, and he assures me he has some great old Metal demos to share. Seeing as I've pretty much exhausted my Metal demos, I will probably focus more on non-Metal material in order to maintain the blog's eclecticism.

Cheers! Onwards and upwards...

Balbulus

Epidemic (UK) -- Demos 1989 + 1990

2011-01-20T23:13:00.002Z

Not to be confused with the various other bands of the same name, EPIDEMIC were a long-lived Punk band based in Whitstable, Kent from 1981-1991. These two demos are great slabs of aggressive and vitriolic Punk with a surprisingly Metallic guitar sound, verging on Thrash in places.

Founder member Pat Murphy later formed Gothic Punk/Metal band JESUS FIX (who incidentally I have now joined!).

Info (Kent Band Archive)

Epidemic (UK) -- Demo 1 (1988)

1. U.A.D.
2. Necrolatry
3. Follow Me

Epidemic (UK) -- Demo 2 (1989)

1. Bred To Fight
2. Behind Locked Doors
3. Your Mistake

http://www.mediafire.com/?t8f1uf8nylt2v81

Dribblebus (UK) -- Demo 1995

2011-01-20T22:29:00.002Z

DRIBBLEBUS were a great Indie-Punk band from Ashford, Kent during the mid 90s who were (and still are) good friends of mine. This demo was their only release (to my knowledge), and contains 4 light-hearted and catchy songs -- nothing extreme or aggressive, although the band did begin to show a harder edge in later material.

Info (Kent Band Archive)

Dribblebus -- Demo 1995

1. Freakshow

2. Soap In The Eyes

3. Adios Amigo

4. Ha Ha Fashion

http://www.mediafire.com/?7na3sdn9b9ls2dc

Salem Orchid (UK) -- demos

2011-01-20T22:22:00.001Z

One of my first posts on this blog was pre-Akercocke band Church Of Satan, and I promised to post the demos of earlier band Salem Orchid. After much time putting off the mammoth task of ripping and cleaning the tracks, I have finally taken the bull by the horns. Here then are the 1990 and 1991 demos from the band, plus a collection of various other tracks. I have taken the 1991 demo from the import version of Akercocke's "Rape Of The Bastard Nazarene" CD, as they are better quality than my tapes. It also includes a bonus track that was not on the original demo release. The 1990 Demo and other tracks are my own rip.

Salem Orchid -- Demo 1990

1. GehennaTopethe

2. The Unholy Trinity

3. Carnival Of Souls

4. Litanies Of Darkness

http://www.mediafire.com/?c1zlyybt6gwglq0

Salem Orchid -- Demo 1991

1. Sempiternal Suffering

2. The Nirvana Of Agony

3. Luciferian Canto (bonus track)

http://www.mediafire.com/?8869s7wvan178h8

Salem Orchid -- Various tracks (1991-1994)

1. The Many Quixotic Passages To Faith

2. GehennaTopethe (live)

3. Carnival Of Souls (live)

4. The Invocation (live)

5. In The Sand

6. A Garden Of Tears

7. Indecision Plagues Me

There were other tracks, but my tape appears to be damaged (or not recorded properly), and so only one track from that batch is presentable (track 7).

http://www.mediafire.com/?ab3nzbhw192t92f

Meathook Seed (USA) -- "Embedded" (early mix)

2010-09-05T21:33:00.000+01:00

Fantastic Industrial Metal project featuring Obituary members. This is the unfinished mix accidentally released on the first pressing. As Metal Archives explains:

When Earache initially released 'Embedded' they accidentally pressed a different version of the album to the 'official' release. This incorrectly issued version appears to be an early unfinished mix, and with the exception of last track 'Sea Of Tranquility' every track sounds noticably different to the official pressing, with this earlier version missing numerous samples and effects and containing material edited out of the final mix. Only 500 copies were pressed by mistake. These 'early mix' CDs are visually identical to the official CD release and can only be identified by contrasting the audio (an easy way to spot the difference is with the opening seconds of opening track 'Famine Sector': on the 'early mix' version there are no bass notes overlaying the opening drum machine beat).

I didn't realise until recently that my copy was this early mix, and having heard the finished version, I think I prefer this one -- a bit rawer and less samples.

Meathook Seed -- "Embedded" (early mix) (1993)

01. Famine Sector
02. A Furred Grave
03. My Infinity
04. Day Of Conceiving
05. Cling To An Image
06. A Wilted Remnant
07. Forgive
08. Focal Point Blur
09. Embedded
10. Visible Shallow Self
11. Sea Of Tranquility

http://www.mediafire.com/?itrkf7cf7p9jftm

Hollow Bone (Swz) -- "Sacer" LP

2010-08-26T22:41:00.006+01:00

Hollow Bone is the new post-Industrial solo project of ex-Nàda guitarist/vocalist/percussionist Remo Seeland (both of Nàda's fantastic albums can be downloaded from this blog -- "Celmètra" and "Ùr"). Hollow Bone does contain certain echoes of Nàda's dark and earthy Industrial forging, but whereas Nàda was a brutal, primal roar, Hollow Bone is a subtle midnight whisper, much more introspective and nocturnal, with an atmosphere of gothic Psychedelia. I am still exploring the full depths of the music, but I am certainly finding it a great listen.

This album is available on limited vinyl, or as a free download from here:

http://soundcloud.com/hollow-bone

Info (MySpace)

One (UK) -- "Grass Roots" demo

2010-08-26T21:42:00.000+01:00

Another 2 song demo, I bought this from a local Ashford music shop back in 1993 when I was still at school. I know little about the band, I never saw them, but I did vaguely know the drummer Neil as he worked in Richard Records, the local independent record shop (now sadly closed thanks to HMV).

Musically, this is bright and positive Funk-driven Psychedelic Rock; vaguely Indie in feel, but with some nice Ozrics-style guitar here and there, very much in keeping with other notable Kent bands at the time like Mind Octopus and Crow. Professionally played and recorded, although the female vocals do occasionally stray on the iffy side.

Info -- Kent Band Archive

One -- "Grass Roots" demo (1993)

1. Mary Jane
2. Change

http://www.mediafire.com/?s067fx9qn3wbqq3

Olga (USA) -- Demo 1998

2010-08-23T23:50:00.001+01:00

A very obscure and pleasant little discovery in my demo collection -- I have no recollection of hearing this until now, and I'm not sure where I got it, though I suspect it was in a bulk-buy from a distro many years ago. It's a short demo, just over four and a half minutes over two tracks, but I'm absolutely intrigued by the music within -- simple, hypnotic acoustic guitar lines underlaid with strange and eerie synth sounds and textures. I suppose Neo-Folk/Dark Ambient would be the closest label to apply.

I managed to track down the man behind Olga, and apparently this was the only release; but he has recently resurrected the project under the new name of Goldhail, venturing in a more Post-Rock/Shoegaze direction. He also plays in a great Alt-Rock/Metal band called The Nolan Gate. Check them both out.

As for now, however, the Olga demo is highly recommended. 4 minutes of intriguing and mysterious music.

Olga -- demo (1998)

1. Damnation
2. Spirits

http://www.mediafire.com/?903isgrykcols6r

Abraxas (pre-Endura) -- "Hexe"

2010-08-20T21:05:00.001+01:00

I thought I had lost this tape, and so was pleased when it came to light. Abraxas is the band that went on to become Dark Ambient/Industrial legends Endura (or Endvra). Really dark, disturbing ambience and soundscapes, with ritualistic chanting and samples of serial killers. Side 1 of this tape (tracks 1-5) was reworked for the first Endura album "Dreams Of Dark Waters", but Side 2 is otherwise unreleased.

I've had a search around, and at the time of writing this seems to be an exclusive.

Abraxas -- "Hexe" cassette (1993)

Side 1

01. Dreams Of Dark Waters
02. Intra-Uterine Sabbat
03. Colours
04. Twilyte Language
05. Nailed To The Cross Of Pluto

Side 2

06. Magdalene
07. Death On Women
08. Cadeau La Mort
09. Fresh Grief Blues
10. Undine

http://www.mediafire.com/?ltjfhwfa731ve2f

The inlay scans are not mine.

Nancy's Place (UK) -- sample links

2010-06-20T22:50:00.001+01:00

Blimey, I haven't posted in almost a year, so I thought I'd help promote Nancy's Place.

Formed 25 years ago in February 1985, Nancy's Place remain a secret band in a world of information, hidden, subversive and totally underground; I have even seen online evidence of people suspecting a hoax. They have self-released an impressive amount of albums in limited editions, and have performed live only 14 times to date. Musically, the band take their cues from Post-Punk and Industrial acts like THROBBING GRISTLE, DEATH IN JUNE, SWANS and JOY DIVISION, exploring the dark depths of the human psyche with music that mixes primal pounding Punk, morbid poetry, fractured electronica, unsettling textures, drones and found sounds.

Nothing to download here, as they have material for sale, but here's some links to their website and two MySpace pages. The second hasn't been updated for a while (forgotten log-in...?), but has a different selection of tracks to sample:

Nancy's Place website

Nancy's Place MySpace (new)

Nancy's Place MySpace (old)

And here's a few video links:

To purchase material, contact the new MySpace page. They also regularly have albums for sale on eBay (seller: http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/darkhawk666/).

Avrocar (UK) -- early singles

2009-07-12T20:15:00.005+01:00

Avrocar are a band from Birmingham (UK) who fuse Post-Rock, Psychedelia, Krautrock and Electronica into a sublime and dreamy whole. Eternal washes of guitar texture enhance minimalistic beats and rhythms, with soft murmured vocals.

I also have their debut CD "Cinematography", which I may post once I've established whether or not it is still available to buy.

Info (MySpace)

All tracks now in one RAR file, link at bottom of post.

Avrocar -- "Screen" 7" (1997)

1. Screen
2. Ueno

3. Screen (CD rip)

Track 3 is the CD rip of "Screen" from the "Tell-Tale Signs Of Earworm" compilation.

Avrocar -- "Hold" 7" (1998)

1. Hold
2. Barnard's Star

Avrocar -- "Farwest Rider" 7" (1998)

1. Farwest Rider
2. Angel's Amongst Us
3. Christina's World

Avrocar -- "Tetra"

1. Tetra

This is a track from the "Tell-Tale Signs Of Earworm" which was also released on "An Earworm Evening" 7"

Avrocar -- Split w/ Magnétophone (1999)

1. Coil

This is just the mp3, the cover scans are in the Magnétophone half of the split (see the Magnétophone post).

All the above singles are now in one RAR file:
http://www.mediafire.com/?lwrg7t7pd8fuacd

Melodium (Fra)

2009-07-12T00:23:00.003+01:00

As you may have gathered, I'm having a bit of an Electronica phase at the moment; rediscovering lots of stuff I was into some years ago when I listened to the John Peel show on Radio 1. I was planning to post Melodium's excellent "Silica" 7" EP (pictured above), and had spent the evening cleaning up the tracks on my PC.

However, I've just stumbled across the Melodium website, where for 9 euros you can buy a CDr of his early singles (including "Silica") and compilation tracks entitled "10 years", so I've decided to promote this instead. Also on the website is an extensive mp3 jukebox of selected tracks from Melodium's 10 year career, plus an unreleased EP to download for free. I strongly recommend you visit the website and help support this excellent and prolific artist.

http://melodiumbox.free.fr

The Church Steps (USA) -- "Jewelry" EP

2009-07-08T20:41:00.004+01:00

As promised in my last post, here's more from The Church Steps. This release is based more in delicate fragile Post Rock than Electronica. The standout track by far is the hauntingly hypnotic "Mathematical Tongue (live)".

The Church Steps -- "Jewelry" EP (1999)

1. Cal/Kearny
2. LT-5
3. Manchester
4. Warehd
5. Mathematical Tongue (live)

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?ygzyzywtnt0

edit: on closer inspection, track 4 may be titled "Wavehd", the artwork is unclear. Discogs has it as "Warehd", but I doubt that's from an official source. I'm now leaning towards "Wavehd". So you may need to alter the mp3 name.

The Church Steps (USA) -- Brisbane Cats 7"

2009-07-07T22:38:00.003+01:00

Another Electronica/Post-Rock act introduced to me by John Peel, around the same time as Magnétophone (see previous post). An interesting single/EP full of distressed, distorted rhythms, subtle guitar melodies and buried textures. I also have The Jewelry EP CD somewhere, I'll post that when I dig it out.

Info (Facebook page)

The Church Steps -- "Brisbane Cats" 7" (2000)

1. Brisbane Cats
2. Bright Lice
3. Chicago's Lightest Jazz

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?eih3wmyghy0

Magnétophone (UK) -- early singles

2009-07-06T22:33:00.006+01:00

Another of my Peel-inspired finds, Magnétophone are an Electronica duo from Birmingham (UK). Ranging from abstract Autechre/Aphex Twin territory through to hazy psychedelic textures a la Boards Of Canada, fusing sputtering rhythms to melancholic synth lines, jittery tape loops and samples.

This smattering of singles was released before they signed to arty indie label 4AD, for whom they have recorded 2 albums (recently posted on the excellent §ĬÇҜИξ§§ ΛБΘЏИĐ§ blog).

Reverse order of release.

All tracks are now in one RAR file, link at bottom of post

Magnétophone -- "Temporary Lid" EP (1999)

1. Frankholmes' Drive
2. Double Leopard
3. Temporary Lid
4. I'm In Control Here

Magnétophone -- split 7" w/ AVROCAR (1999)

1. Lights In The Eye

I'm aiming to post some Avrocar stuff soon, so I'll include the Avrocar half of the split then.

Magnétophone -- "Air Methods" 7" (1998)

1. Air Methods
2. Fulm

Magnétophone -- "You Should Write Music" 7" (1998)

1. You Should Write Music
2. Monitor Rocket Science

Note: track 1 has a skip in the middle. Luckily, the track is featured on the "Tell-Tale Signs Of Earworm" CD compilation, so I have included the CD rip as track 3.

3. You Should Write Music (CD rip)

All the above singles are now in one RAR file:
http://www.mediafire.com/?htmf2696ozamtip

and finally...

Magnétophone / Plone -- Live in Birmingham 24/05/00

This was my introduction to Magnétophone, a live radio broadcast on the John Peel show of a gig featuring Magnétophone, Plone and Broadcast at the Irish Centre in Digbeth, Birmingham. Alas, I no longer have the Broadcast set. The quality isn't perfect, as I was living in an area with poor radio reception. Some great Peel banter before and after. The man was a God.

mp3 (no RAR)

Magnétophone
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?5zgntj0md4n

Plone
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?qzqwudnmmmx

Aphex Twin -- Live @ Glastonbury 97

2009-07-01T12:17:00.002+01:00

Been listening to Aphex Twin for the first time in ages; he was one of the first Ambient/Techno/whatever artists I got into when I was 17, and is still one of my favourite artists. I found this link online, it's a recording of his set in the Dance Tent at Glastonbury 1997, which was the first time I saw him live. The only thing that puzzles me is that I'm sure I remember him playing "Heliosphan", and it isn't here, so either this is incomplete or my memory is playing tricks with me.

Aphex Twin -- "Live @ Glastonbury 27/06/97"

File is one long mp3 (no ZIP or RAR)

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=UOLLU4JF

Trial Of The Bow -- "Rite Of Passage"

2009-06-14T22:50:00.012+01:00

Trial Of The Bow is an Ambient/Neo-Folk/World Music project of two members of Australian Doom/Death act Disembowelment. This has a rare depth and integrity seldom found in most "side-projects", which suggests that this is no mere flirtation with sounds. Influences from various traditions around the world, including Arabic and Celtic, are melded into a whole that strongly recalls Dead Can Dance. If you took Ulver's "Kveldssanger" album out of the trollforests of Norway and dropped it among the minarets of Istanbul, then it'd probably sound something like this.

Info (label)
Info (MySpace)

This is their only full-length album. I have included a bonus track from the "Release Your Mind vol. 2" compilation, which is actually my favourite of their tracks.

Trial Of The Bow -- "Rite Of Passage" CD (1997)

01. Father Of The Flower
02. Ubar
03. The Promise
04. Serpent
05. The Eyre Of Awakening
06. Ceilidh For The Sallow Ground
07. Muezzin
08. The Court Of The Servant
09. As Night Falls
10. Alizee

11. Borderland (bonus track from "Release Your Mind vol. 2" comp)

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?iyjmmwzmnmn

Result! I've just found this link to download their previous EP.

Trial Of The Bow -- "Ornamentation" EP (1995)

01. The Two Sacred Tapestries Of Persia
02. Inverloch
03. From The Mountains Of Tangier
04. Ornamentation

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=62ZBD2WM

It's only 128 kps, but better than nothing. Enjoy!

Leech Woman (UK) -- "33°"

2009-06-14T22:16:00.005+01:00

I'm off to see Crust legends Amebix on Thursday, and I was pleasantly surprised to see that Leech Woman are one of the supports, so I thought I'd post their 1st album. This is proper Industrial, somewhere between Godflesh, Ministry and Einstürzende Neubauten: harsh, noisy and abrasive, not your slick MTV-friendly NIN or Marilyn Manson stuff. Pounding rhythms, white noise and snarled vocals, all imbued with a gnarly British Punk attitude. It loses direction in places, but when they get going they're immense.

Info (MySpace)

Leech Woman -- "33°" CD (1997)

01. TK421
02. Illuminator
03. Sea Shepherd
04. Spit
05. Tool
06. Fear And Loathing
07. Legion
08. O V A
09. Silicon
10. Intolerance
11. Sea Shepherd (Martin Atkins Remix)
12. untitled

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?hjihzu32nwj

Relig Oran (UK) -- "The Dark Side" EP

2009-06-13T17:01:00.004+01:00

Relig Oran are a fantastic Canterbury (UK) based band whose music takes in the tradition of English, Irish and Breton folk, mixes in the sound of the African kalimba, and adds a contemporary twist. They have requested that I post this for them. This EP is a couple of years old now, and features a different lineup from the current one. The original lineup was :

Andy Renshaw (Kalimba, Bodhrán, Percussion, Bass Pedals)
Gordon Jackson (Vocals, Mandola, Djembe)
Martin Sutcliffe (Melodeon, Bodhrán)

The current lineup is:

Andy Renshaw (Kalimba, Bodhrán, Percussion, Bass Pedals)
Martyn Kember-Smith (Fiddle)
Jem Scott (Guitar, Vocals, Bouzouki)

Info (website)

Relig Oran -- "The Dark Side EP" (2007)

1. Fairwell To Chatham / Emely
2. Ye Mariners All
3. Urra Moor / Morning Star / Boy In The Gap / Willafjord
4. Home By Barna
5. Billy Boy
6. Red Cow / Two Kerry Polkas

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?yyrijyjkd2q

During the 90s, Andy Renshaw was a member of another folk/roots act Jacob's Ladder, as well as their more traditional folk incarnation Camine. I'm hoping to post the Jacob's Ladder album in the near future.

The Hofmann Sound (UK) -- 3 track promo

2009-06-05T00:46:00.003+01:00

The Hofmann Sound are an abrasive Post-Punk band from Folkestone, Kent, and despite them being friends of mine, they're fucking great. There's more stuff to download on their blog, including a gig that I recorded!

MySpace

The Hofmann Sound -- 3 track Promo (2009)

1. Journey to Nowhere
2. Disconnect
3. Swamp Death

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?jjomm5g1ndo

Brian Howell (Can?) -- "Wind And Wood"

2009-05-12T20:34:00.003+01:00

I picked up this little curiosity in a small head shop in Ottawa, whilst on holiday in Canada in 1994. The music found upon this intriguing cassette is a rich exploration of ethnic/tribal influences, including hypnotic percussion, meditative chanting and diverse string and wood instruments from around the world. In fact, I'll list them from the inlay: "Congas and other percussion, dulcimer, kalimba, berimbau, recorder, pan and bamboo flutes, kantele, harmonica, bass and voice."

After much searching I have still not been able to trace the artist responsible for this music. I discovered another Brian Howell in Texas who I thought was the one (he also played a variety of ethnic/folk instruments), but alas it was not he -- for a start he was too young to have recorded this in 1993!. I have however found a few references to a Brian Howell linked to the Black Lodge Singers (a Native American group), and this seems more likely to me. If anyone has any information about this artist, please get in touch.

Brian Howell -- "Wind And Wood" cassette (1993)

1. Sail Trilogy (Awaken / Seek / Horizon)
2. Drum Speak
3. Sideroad
4. Cave Trilogy (The One / Offering / Elements)
5. Hour Glass
6. Bedouin
7. Drum Speak
8. Another Momentum...

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?lzmnmnnzdzi

Groupa (Swe) -- "Utan Sans"

2009-05-12T00:06:00.005+01:00

Excellent Swedish Folk music. I was introduced to this band by some good friends of mine, whose band Jacob's Ladder played a couple of their tunes. This is Groupa's third album, I also have another that I may post at some point soon. (I'm also after their second album "Vildhonung" -- anyone got it?)

Info (website)

Groupa -- "Utan Sans" (1988)

01. Utan Sans
02. Hacklek Och Chokladvals
03. Fastän
04. Blå Svit
05. Gåsmarschen
06. Bastuvalsen
07. Polkett
08. Imeland Och Grimeland
09. Grolåten
10. Avenyschottis
11. Vals

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?ezmv0mjjz2a

The Flow (UK)

2009-05-11T23:17:00.004+01:00

As the inlay states, it's "90 mins of unique music + sound set to Didgeridu background", very hypnotic and meditative. I bought this tape in a New Age shop in Canterbury many years ago, and would dearly love to know more about whoever made it. There is a local Folkestone phone number, but I'm shit on the phone so never plucked up the courage to phone it -- feel free if you want, but bear in mind the tape comes from 1992 so it's probably an old number (plus the dialling code would now be 01303, not 0303!).

The Flow -- "The Flow" cassette (1992)

12 untitled tracks

Pt1 -- http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?4lxzmyjln2j
Pt2 -- http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?ntnzxyxmz3j

In 2 parts due to large file size.

Discharge -- Live in Folkestone 2006

2009-05-06T23:23:00.003+01:00

Anarcho-Thrash/Punk legends Discharge, I made this recording at one of their gigs a few years ago.

Live @ Lanterns, Folkestone (25/05/06)

01. Hear Nothing, See Nothing, Say Nothing
02. The Nightmare Continues
03. Never Again
04. Protest & Survive
05. ?
06. Ain't No Feeble Bastard
07. Corpse Of Decadence
08. Beginning Of The End
09. Realities Of War
10. The More I See
11. Cries Of Help Cries Of Pain
12. A Look At Tomorrow
13. They Live You Die
14. Hell On Earth
15. You Take Part In Creating This System
16. War Is Hell
17. Fight Back
18. Decontrol
19. State Violence State Control

http://www.mediafire.com/?t31h05ir7zd3hka
(link updated 19/08/10)

Andrew Done -- "Earth Prayer"

2009-05-06T20:41:00.004+01:00

Another surprisingly good offering from the New Age realm, this is an album of hypnotic tribal-influenced drumscapes (albeit programmed) augmented here and there by chants, plus some guitar and synth. When it gets going it reminds me in places of Tribal/Trance project The Ambush, who I posted earlier. It does occasionally stray on the side of cheesiness (especially some of the synth sounds) and the sound is overcompressed and slightly distorted, but on the whole this is good stuff.

Andrew Done -- "Earth Prayer" cassette (1994)

1. Medicine Man
2. Elf Dance
3. Free The Rain Forest
4. Crystal Cave
5. Earth Prayer
6. Elements
7. One Tribe
8. Seeds Of Life

Download

(link updated 10/08/11)

Jesus Fix (UK) -- Demo (1995)

2009-05-05T23:53:00.003+01:00

Jesus Fix were more friends of mine, from Whitstable, Kent (UK). Their music is an intense hybrid of Gothic Crust-Punk/Metal, influenced by Amebix, Killing Joke and Motorhead. I may post the rest of their stuff at a later date, but this is their best release in my opinion.

Info (Kent Band Archive)

MySpace

Demo (1995)

1. Forever
2. Treadmill
3. Dark Ages
4. Token Gesture

http://www.mediafire.com/?xyu6vtiz6jk492j
(link updated 19/08/10)

Scanxion (UK) -- demos 1990-1994

2009-05-05T23:17:00.004+01:00

Scanxion (or Scansion as they later became), were from Romford, Essex (UK), and were a tight and talented band who played interesting and progressive Alternative/Thrash. This is one of those bands whose music takes me right back to being 17 again -- great days. This is highly recommended.

Info (Kent Band Archive)

Scanxion (UK) -- demos 1990-1994

All demos in one file

"Poetic Justice" EP/demo (1990)

01. Something Wicked This Way Comes
02. C.B.A.

"On My Own" demo (1992)

03. On My Own
04. Nothing
05. Conclusion

Untitled demo (1992)

06. Sick Sense
07. Learned Helplessness
08. Fading

"Gash" demo (1993)

09. Caprice
10. Scum
11. The End

Extra tracks

12. Splay
13. Left

http://www.mediafire.com/?7po5oaiqdec989t

(link updated 12/04/11)

Innards (UK) -- 2 demos + unreleased tracks

2009-05-05T23:01:00.004+01:00

Innards were friends of mine from Ashford, Kent (UK), and played some great old-school Death Metal band with some Sabbath-esque Doom touches. I recently paid to have these demos remastered from the original master tapes, as I felt it was a crime for them to be forgotten. I've also compiled some unreleased live tracks of theirs.

Info (Kent Band Archive)

Innards -- "Abdominal Congestion" demo (1992)

1. Gouge Pit
2. Abdominal Congestion
3. The End Is Nigh
4. Cardboard City

Innards -- "Greedmongers" demo (1994)

1. Transparent Lies
2. Mortified Carcass Mess
3. Born To Conform
4. Return

http://www.mediafire.com/?s7vmgzhdr52vvr3

(link updated 24/01/11)

Innards -- unreleased live + rehearsal tracks

1. Hammered
2. Sack Of Shit
3. Icons Of Hate
4. Instrumental
5. The Stench Of Burning Death (REPULSION cover)
6. Neon Christ (NEON CHRIST cover)
7. No One Is Superior (rehearsal)

http://www.mediafire.com/?wpel2ypappg51dz

(link updated 26/01/11)

Moondragon (UK) -- "Dream"

2009-05-05T00:19:00.006+01:00

Last week I posted the "Synaesthesia" tape from these Cornish Psych/Punk crusties, so here's an earlier album by them. To my ears it isn't quite as good, being a little unrefined in comparison, but still well worth checking out.

Moondragon -- "Dream" CD (1991)

01. The Blue Boots Dub
02. The Tunnel
03. The Sight
04. The Beer
05. The Drum
06. Whats Going On
07. The Children
08. The Beguiled
09. The Dot
10. The Blue Boots Dub II
11. The Remembrance
12. Space
13. The Hand
14. The Massing
15. Intermission II

Note: this is the tracklisting printed on the inlay, which is inconsistent from track 4 onwards with the actual tracks. I've included a note in the RAR file that explains all...

http://www.mediafire.com/?t64toxgkkduq34k

(link updated 25/08/10)

Tribal Drift (UK) -- Demo 1994

2009-05-04T22:51:00.005+01:00

Tribal Drift were an Ethno-Ambient/Trance/Dub group based around the hypnotic sound of the didgeridoo, an instrument I was fascinated by after discovering Crow (I sought out several bands that utilised the didgeridoo in their music, and I'll be posting a few more when I get round to it). After reading about this band in (of all places) NME, I finally saw them play at Glastonbury 1995, in a small tent powered by a guy on a bike!

The band later released a couple of CDs, but these didn't grab me as much as this tape.

Website

Tribal Drift -- Demo tape (1994)

1. Deep In The Belly Of The Earth
2. Shiva
3. Friends, Lovers (Warm Like A Star)
4. Shanty
5. Void
6. Drifting Mixes (Belly/Within You/Ants/Fragile)

http://www.mediafire.com/?fytmdmwqyak

(Updated 3/7/10 -- new link)

Electric Sex Circus (UK) -- "Spanner Badge" EP

2009-05-03T23:29:00.003+01:00

Electric Sex Circus were a great energetic Alt-Punk band from Bexleyheath, Kent (UK). This was their only official release, but is fairly well known is some circles due to a couple of tracks being included on compilations. The guitarist Phil Avey later played in Tunbridge Wells Post-Rock outfit Unhome, and his cousin Ken played percussion in my old band Elemental.

Info (Kent Band Archive)

Electric Sex Circus -- "Spanner Badge" EP (1990)

1. Spanner Badge
2. Soft
3. Cut Your Head Off

No cover, since it is plain black, though it has got advent-style windows. Buggered if I'm scanning THAT...!

I've also included two tracks ripped from their MySpace page:

4. China Chick
5. Flowers And Trees

http://www.mediafire.com/?mu3537b9tg1ovue

(link updated 21/0810)

Sarah Wexler -- "Helix"

2009-05-03T22:25:00.002+01:00

In my late teens I went through a stage of exploring meditative music. I borrowed this cassette from my Mother, half expecting it to be the usual bland, soulless music normally associated with the New Age genre. She never got it back, as the music contained within is fantastic -- warm, rich and textural, created by flute, tablas and harp. Staring into a candle flame, I would lose myself in a brooding revery...

I have tried to find further information about the artist, but so far have failed.

Sarah Wexler -- "Helix" cassette (1987)

1. Sound Stream
2. Tabla Tracking
3. Helix
4. Aeolus Awakened
5. Ten To Five
6. Bamboo Dreams

http://www.mediafire.com/?1zj7ugxir661z8p

(link updated 29/12/10)

Hybernoid -- "The Last Day Begins" (1994)

2009-05-01T00:33:00.001+01:00

Another one I've already posted on Lockjaw, but it's such a great album I needed to post it here. Hybernoid were a great and unique band to emerge from the British underground scene of the early 90s, releasing 2 demos and 3 singles before this awesome slab of Industrial Doom/Death with some Gothic influences. This is one of my favourite albums from that period. After this album they ventured into more Ambient/Trance territory.

Info (Metal Archives)

"The Last Day Begins?" CD album (1994)

1. Revery
2. Reality Wave
3. World Of Ruin
4. Ash In The Sky
5. Permafrost
6. Life Fade
7. Akeldama
8. Skin
9. Mind/Liberty

http://www.mediafire.com/?56yk775a8xyx8ye

(link updated 22/08/10)

I'm slowly compiling their other releases, I'll post them soon...

Moondragon (UK) -- "Synaesthesia"

2009-04-30T22:45:00.004+01:00

Lockjaw posted this for me a while back, but I thought I'd stick it here too. I saw Moondragon play in a very muddy tent at Glastonbury 1997 (wellies and all!), and was blown away. This is Pagan Psych/Punk with Dub and Folk touches, kind of a punked-up Hawkwind meets Gong meets The Levellers. I'm very much reminded of Whitstable's Crow in places, though with a more light-hearted attitude.

"Synaesthesia" cassette (1996)

1. The Wake
2. X-Say-Lent
3. The Again
4. Euphoric Hysteria
5. Spinnings
6. E-Man
7. Fushwacu
8. The Trip
9. Butterfly

http://www.mediafire.com/?4eodwb3nr2citdt

(link updated 08/01/11)

Note: I'm not 100% convinced this is the full album, the inlay says "A taste of..." on the spine, so there may be a longer version of the album somewhere out there...

Edit: I've now also posted their "Dream" CD from 1991.

Dianogah (USA) -- "Hannibal" 7"

2009-04-30T22:22:00.001+01:00

Dianogah are a Post-Rock/Math-Rock band from Chicago (USA), who are especially noted for their unconventional lineup (2 bassists and a drummer). I've been a real fan of their material since hearing them on the John Peel show back in 2000, and their 2nd album "Battle Champions" remains one of my favourite albums. I picked up this 7" at one of their gigs in London in February 2001. The B-side is one of the best titles for a track ever.

MySpace

"Hannibal" 7" (2001)

1. Hannibal
2. A Bear Explains The Right And Wrong Ways To Put On A Shirt, Shoes, Pants And A Cap

http://www.mediafire.com/?tdbl96aac9fpzgi

(link updated 24/08/10)

Bad Influence (Bel) -- Discography

2009-04-30T20:36:00.001+01:00

Bad Influence featured bassist Tim Crow, the only member of Zygote (see previous post) not to have played in Amebix. Nevertheless, this band continued down the same sonic path as its two predecessors, playing dark tribal metallic Crust Punk, though with a hefty dose of punchy Hardcore in the mix. Occasional Antisect-esque spoken rants crop up too, as well as some experimental Industrial tinges.

MySpace

"New Age Witch Hunt" (1992)

01. Inner Side Of Us
02. Words
03. What Is It
04. My Eyes See
05. Unchained
06. Life Circle
07. Raised Within A Prison
08. 3B
09. Heavy World
10. Heavy World Poem
11. Wake Up
12. Unacceptable

Download

"Afterbirth" (1995)

01. The Fear
02. Destiny
03. When I... Fell Down
04. Domestic Life
05. Trapped In Reality
06. Prophecy Poem (Machine Mix)

Download

"Last Cries" (2001)

01. Last Cry
02. Purity Of Youth
03. Spiritless Heritage
04. Song For My Friends
05. The Free Of Mind
06. Muties As We
07. Mankind Is The Disease
08. Lost
09. Wet Dream
10. Last Cries (Urban Machine Mix)

Download

(links updated 5/8/11)

Zygote (UK) -- "A Wind Of Knives"

2009-04-30T20:21:00.001+01:00

Zygote was the band formed by 3 ex-Amebix members (Stig, Spider and George Smutpig) plus bassist Tim Crow (later of Bad Influence). Musically it carried on pretty much where Amebix had left off (i.e. dark tribal metallic Crust Punk), though perhaps with a tad less intensity than before.

Info (Metal Archives)

"A Wind Of Knives" (1991)

1. Motion
2. Scarred
3. In The Red
4. Behold The Man
5. We Are Tomorrow
6. Here Come
7. The Man In The Crowd
8. untitled

Download

(link updated 10/08/11)

This is the CD version, which features 2 extra tracks than the LP. All other versions I've found to download online have been ripped from the vinyl.

Tsalborcen (UK) -- "Rituals" (2008)

2009-04-29T23:13:00.002+01:00

Another amazing demo... yeah OK, another one of my projects. Tsalborcen was a brief effort to create music that was even more extreme than Church Ruins (see below) -- semi-improvised ritualistic Black/Noise. It ain't pretty, you have been warned. Only a few people have heard this up till now.

"Rituals" demo (2008)

1. I
2. II

NOTE:

This has now been included in the Church Ruins link (see previous post)

NEW LINKS:

http://rapidshare.com/files/320227705/ChurchRuins_CompleteRuins.rar

or

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?znm4cykln3n

Church Ruins (UK) -- 2 demos

2009-04-29T22:54:00.003+01:00

Two totally amazing demos by this raw primitive Black Metal project... OK, it's actually mine. Inspired primarily by my local landscape of Romney Marsh, this is very much in the vein of Burzum, but with a ruinous, fragmentary quality that is half intentional and half the result of circumstance. Only one track has vocals, as I'm really not a vocalist or lyricist, the rest is instrumental.

MySpace

note: both demos are in one file.

"Unfinished Ruins" demo (2006)

1. Astray
2. Black Doom
3. Dirge
4. Sentinel
5. Dust And Ashes

"New Ruins" demo (2008)

1. Church Ruins
2. The Battle Of Eastbridge
3. The Bard's Tale
4. Deliberating The Horde

NOTE: This has now been updated to include the Tsalborcen tracks (see next post)

NEW LINKS:

http://rapidshare.com/files/320227705/ChurchRuins_CompleteRuins.rar

or

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?znm4cykln3n

The Ambush (Deu) -- "The Ambush"

2009-04-28T22:57:00.001+01:00

One of my favourite albums, and one that takes me back to better days. The Ambush was one of many pseudonyms of German Techno artist Oliver Lieb (best known as Spicelab), and explored a stirring combination of hypnotic tribal drum rhythms (programmed obviously), dynamic Ambient House, and sampled chants. I used to listen to this album in the car as a warm-up / come-down for my favourite band Crow's gigs, as it was a perfect accompaniment to their more rock/punk-orientated tribal sounds.

"My Name Is God" is my favourite track here, and is one of my alltime favourite tracks -- really dark, yet uplifting at the same time. "Casablanca", a close second, is by contrast the sound of eternal Summer. Words cannot express how much I love these two tracks.

The only track I can find fault with here is "Jungle Fever" which sounds a little cheesy to my ears, and is the only track where the drums sound unconvincing.

"The Ambush" (1994)

1. Rain
2. Casablanca
3. My Name Is God
4. Terra
5. Jungle Fever
6. Aton
7. Sun

http://www.mediafire.com/?6ge2joayealhajz

(link updated 5/3/11)

Playground (UK) -- discography

2009-04-22T09:27:00.002+01:00

Playground were a cult Post-Punk band from Herne Bay in Kent, formed in 1986. Their sound was an uncompromising and hypnotic mix of pounding rhythms, abrasive guitar noise and shouted vocals; the only comparisons I can think of at the moment are early Amebix and Swans, though no doubt you'll draw your own better ones.

The band existed in 2 distinct phases: In 1989, three of the founder members left to form Splintered, who built upon the Playground template and took it into more cerebral, psychedelic realms of horror. Andy P carried on with the Playground name (sometimes referred to as Playground Mk II), recruiting bassist Patrick Murphy (later of intense Goth/Punks Jesus Fix) alongside a drum machine to create a more Industrial sound reminiscent of Ministry.

Info (Kent Band Archive)

"Seeking The Truth" 7" (1988)

01. Seeking The Truth
02. Final
03. Violence For Violence Sake

http://www.mediafire.com/?uohawiqm886dcct
(link updated 19/08/10)

"Sleeping Dogs" MLP (1988)

01. Knife Called Virtue
02. Put In Place
03. Let Sleeping Dogs Lie
04. Position
05. Violence
06. No Sympathy

note: the scans for this one came from another version I found on Cactus Mouth Informer, though the music is my own rip.

http://www.mediafire.com/?w89fjhl4e2488bw
(link updated 19/08/10)

"Conception Pay Off" 7" (1989)

01. Conception Pay Off
02. Scraped

http://www.mediafire.com/?e7qhp8xdkwebkpe
(link updated 19/08/10)

"Resilience" CD (1991)

01. Hide
02. Inbreds
03. Two
04. A Total Lack Of Sympathy
05. Propriety
06. Victoriapolis
07. Insignificance
08. Deveneration
09. Hateball
10. Calling The Animals
11. Santa Dog
12. Perfect Love
13. Form And Function
14. Sure

This may still be available from Dirter Promotions, though I got my copy on eBay for 29p...

http://www.mediafire.com/?grhuxiapgxiwcac

Atavistic (UK) -- LP + 2 EPs

2009-04-22T09:18:00.002+01:00

I've posted this on Lockjaw, but I thought I'd stick it here too. Another great band from Whitstable, Kent (UK) (there must be something in the water up there -- apart from the oysters...!), Atavistic were a noisy Grind/Crust/Thrash band, with a hyped-up Motorhead feel in places. This is virtually everything they released, all that is missing is the "From Within" demo, and a track from the "A Vile Peace" compilation (anyone have these? Get in touch!). An awesome band, Peaceville really need to get their act together and finally release this stuff on CD.

Info (Kent Band Archive)

"Equilibrium" EP (1987)

01. Half Life
02. Means To An End
03. Perpetual Motion
04. Timshel

http://www.mediafire.com/?hnm68c37ixly6ri

(link updated 22/10/10)

"Life During Wartime" EP (1987)

01. A Question Of Priorities
02. Creatures Of Habit
03. Liberty For Whom?
04. Survival Of The Fittest

http://www.mediafire.com/?qh4h40hwu44qnwu

(link updated 22/10/10)

"Vanishing Point" LP (1990)

01. Vanishing Point
02. Common Ground
03. Exclusion Zone
04. Something On My Mind
05. Reaffirmation
06. Forward Motion
07. Clearcut Conscience
08. Survival Of The Fittest
09. Sun Fell To Earth
10. You, Too, Can Be Mainstream
11. An Anguish Of Memories

http://www.mediafire.com/?z300d1sg91gu4vb

(link updated 23/10/10)

Enjoy!

Moving on...

2009-03-25T01:34:00.001Z

Just thought you should know that I'm now contributing stuff for the excellent Lockjaw blog, which specialises in obscure Metal demos + rarities.

Visit Lockjaw HERE

I may continue posting some non-Metal stuff here from time to time.

CHURCH OF SATAN (UK) -- "Lonely Descent Into The Bottomless Pit" rehearsal/demo tape (1996/7?)

2008-11-12T15:55:00.002Z

I'm fairly sure this is an exclusive, I don't know if many other people ever heard these recordings. CHURCH OF SATAN was a band that existed between Salem Orchid and Akercocke, formed by David Gray, Matthew Platts and Peter Theobalds. As such I assume it was a formative version of Akercocke; it wasn't too long after this that Akercocke appeared on the scene. I was sent the tape by David Gray himself after I contacted him about Salem Orchid.

The two sides of the tape, "Lonely Descent Into The Bottomless Pit" and "Orgiastic Rites At The Inner Sanctum Of Satan", each consist of 8 distinct pieces, which I have separated and named "Parts 1-8". I don't know if this was the intention, or if they were meant to be taken as two long tracks. For ease of naming I have made each side a separate "album", thus avoiding long track names such as "Lonely Descent Into The Bottomless Pit Part 1" etc.

I've cleaned and EQed the tracks as much as I can, but the quality is still poor. Musically, however the tracks are superb, consisting of tight and brutal Death Metal, interspersed with truly fantastic experimental moments. I may be wrong, but there is a definite feel of improvisation here and there, a feeling of a true experimental journey.

I do also have another (earlier?) rehearsal consisting of just two tracks, but the sound quality on these is so low as to be virtually unlistenable, so I haven't included them here. If I can miraculously make them vaguely presentable then I'll post them at a later date, but don't hold your breath...

Enjoy!

Tracklist:

1-8. "Lonely Descent Into The Bottomless Pit" Parts 1-8

9-16. "Orgiastic Rites At The Inner Sanctum Of Satan" Parts 1-8

Ripped from cassette. 320 kps

http://www.mediafire.com/?t68chsfyn1o5wbf

(updated 06/01/11)

Update: I have also finally uploaded the Salem Orchid material HERE.

NADA (Swz) -- "Celmetra" (1994)

2008-09-12T09:37:00.004+01:00

A real obscurity here, NÀDA came to my attention in an article in Terrorizer back in 1994. Their music is a strange mix of experimental Doom, Industrial, Tribal and Neo-Folk, in places reminiscent of Neurosis, Swans and Einstürzende Neubauten. I really like this album, there is a really obscure feeling throughout. I have included a scan of the Terrorizer article.

Nàda's MySpace page

Nàda -- "Celmètra" (1994)

Tracklist:

1. Uyulàla
2. Iather
3. Garden
4. Work
5. Body
6. Gates
7. War
8. Lust
9. Power
10. untitled

320 kps
Cover scans included
Also includes Terrorzer article

http://www.mediafire.com/?f2rmr5sk0ykuhgm

(link updated 27/08/10)

UPDATE:

ex-Nàda member Remo Seeland has a new solo-project entitled HOLLOW BONE. Check out the MySpace page, I also have a short writeup HERE.

CERECLOTH (UK) -- "Encrusted In An Oaken Legend" 7" (1993) + "Godless Passages" demo (1992)

2008-04-20T21:30:00.002+01:00

For my first music post, I've gone for an absolute lost classic of the Underground. CERECLOTH (pronounced "seer-cloth", not "ker-e-cloth") was the band that showed me what great music there was to be found in the Underground scene, as well as what could be achieved by mixing styles of music. The music on "Encrusted In An Oaken Legend" is a mixture of tight and technical MORBID ANGEL-style Death Metal (plus some Doom/Death touches) with SKYCLAD-esque Folk Metal riffs. Compared to today's polished Pagan / Folk Metal achievements it is perhaps a little rough round the edges, but at the time this was without comparison. Whilst the Folk element is simple and slightly naive, the atmosphere was absolutely amazing. The Folk influence is less noticeable on "Godless Passages", released a year earlier, but it is still a worthy demo.

Tracklist:

"Encrusted In An Oaken Legend" 7" (1993)

1. Encrusted In An Oaken Legend
2. Beautiful Lying Faces

"Godless Passages" demo (1992)

1. Thorns Have Crowned
2. Rejoice The Old Path
3. Godless Passages

320 kps
Cover scans included

Download -- http://www.mediafire.com/?v52kkucaiwdbeeb
(link updated 19/08/10)