What are they? In your opinions? Post some comments letting me know. I'm feeling like discovering some new (old) shit.
Thanks.
What are they? In your opinions? Post some comments letting me know. I'm feeling like discovering some new (old) shit.
Thanks.
Comments
As the Sun Sets’ “Each Individual Voice Is Dead in the Silence.” Definitely not the most underrated of all time, but it’s the first thing that springs to mind. Acme’s “To Reduce the Choir to One Soloist” is legendary in the right circles, but that whole Acme/Mörser/Carol/Systral et al school of German metalcore never got its due credit in my humble opinion (though that Keitzer band you posted about a while back seems to be flying the flag well). And speaking of things you’ve already posted about, if you haven’t heard the recent stuff from Parlamentarisk Sodomi, it blows every grindcore release from the past five or so years straight out of the water.
6.30.2008 | By Anonymous
I know this goes without saying…
Handsome - s/t
6.30.2008 | By je
SABBAT: DREAMWEAVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! FVCK YESS!
6.30.2008 | By Marcus Garvey
Control Denied “Fragile Art Of Existence”.
6.30.2008 | By Anonymous
Seaweed - Four
6.30.2008 | By Keith
Path of Debris - Eyes of the Basilisk
NO ONE knows who this band is, but they’re one of the most amazing sort-of melodic death bands I’ve ever heard. And I got their CD for a penny on Amazon.
6.30.2008 | By Chris
Here’s a few that come to mind:
Destruction “Least Successful Human Cannonball” - Unfairly slagged by Schmier purists who believe this lineup was total shit. Listen & be amazed…
EXE “Stricken by Might” - Prob similar to what Slayer may have sounded like in 1982 but packing an assload more melody & atmosphere. An unsung classic.
Holocross “Holocross” - Insane speed & riffing, plus sinewy vocals that really set this band apart from alot of their contemporaries.
Mitra “All Gods Kill” - Bottom-heavy Texan sludge straight from former Wrath frontman, Kurt Grayson. This is the SHIT!
Venom “The Wastelands” - Seriously hook-laden thrash from an era that some Venom fans have long forgotten.
6.30.2008 | By J Richter
Probably Anacrusis ‘Screams and Whispers’.
I would have said Atheist ‘Unquestionable Presence’ or Cynic ‘Focus’ back in ‘93 or something but those bands eventually got their due credit to some extent. Anacrusis is still severly overlooked.
6.30.2008 | By justin
One band I never hear anyone talk about: Dead Blue Sky. Their CD on Goodlife is amazing.
6.30.2008 | By David
You probably already have these but I still think they deserve mention:
Antischism-Still Life (favorite 90’s hardcore record)
Destruction-Infernal Overkill (best of the “early” black metal)
and something a little less known:
Final Fight-Under Attack (a modern day classic of melodic hardcore)
6.30.2008 | By Kawana'ao
Beyond ‘No Longer At Ease’ - so fucking good and the most interesting NYHC record in my opinion, but people don’t know it like they know a lot of other much less interesting bands.
6.30.2008 | By Nick
Sheesh, that’s a tough one so I’ll have to name a few recent listens at random… Acrimony “Tumali Shroomaroom” (UK stoner classic), Saidiwas “All Punk Cons” (great Swedish Umea HC/indie), Stressball s/t (Noo Orlins sludgecore), Discharge “The Beginning of the End” (they come back with a recording like that in 2004 and it doesn’t even hit the radar…). Most of the stuff I’d call underated amongst peers are probably revered as classics by some of this sites blog readers! If we’re talking pure METAL I’d have to name check Xentrix.
6.30.2008 | By Adam G
Hammerhead - “Ethereal Killer”
6.30.2008 | By manisthebastard
Falling Cycle - Conflict (Unfortunately no longer together) They still have a myspace page though; http://www.myspace.com/fallingcycle
6.30.2008 | By Adrianoso
The first thing to come into my head is Grand Belial Keys - Mocking the Philanthropist. You never see this anywhere, though that may be because they have some stupid political affiliations that prevent them from reaching a certain amount of exposure. Great death metal with some rocking old-school, NWOBHM guitar leads. Another album that should be in everyone’s record collection is Anti-Products - the Deafening Silence of Grinding Gears. I absolutly love the passion and intensity that comes across in the music. It’s an amazing album that’s totally underrated. Oh yeah, Crom - the Cocain Years, has some sort of genius about it, but I may be the only one that sees it. Also, I always felt that anything King Fowley (Deceased, Doomstone, October 31) touches is top notch, yet he’s never reached the exposure he deserves.
6.30.2008 | By paul
i second what manisthebastard said, but think “duh… the big city” is better. hammerhead were on amrep and get namedropped quite a lot by the “in-crowd”, but few others. features one of the most destructive, distortion-leaden bass sound i’ve ever heard. the whole album has a really unique feel to it.
7.1.2008 | By chris
Nick: The problem with “No longer at ease” (as I see it :)) is that the demo is a thousand times better. That is the real classic, and the best hardcore recording of that era, if not all time.
7.1.2008 | By Tom_dk
Driven: Cowardice consumer of the west, Gorguts: Obscura and some more. I don’t remember the names. Of course Acme and Handsome. Yes the whole german old metalcore scene.
7.1.2008 | By Carlos
Awesome. Thanks everyone! I’ve never heard of several of these mentions, so I’m gonna be busy here…
7.1.2008 | By Andrew Aversionline
The V/A compilation “Not salsa, just brutal music: Cuba’s hardest” because it is NEW, 10 hardcore and metal bands from Cuba, just to tell to the world that Cuba is not only salsa, rum and cigars !! The cuban hardcore metal scene is very good and I invite you to discover the CD, the first and only one ever released devoted to the cuban underground scene ! Thank !!!
7.1.2008 | By David
Damn, this is tough because there are so many underrated/overlooked bands, but here goes.
Damn the Machine, “S/T”- Chris Poland’s first post-Megadeth project, an interesting prog metal/rock sound that is criminally ignored by many
Khoma, “The Second Wave”- I think Andrew reviewed this, but I can’t understand how this album hasn’t even been released in the US. Good for fans of newer Katatonia or Anathema.
Batoche, “Terra Incognita”- now defunct metal/hc band from Canada. Sounds like a mix of Catharsis, “Persistence of Time”-era Anthrax and Neurosis. Criminally overlooked.
Tropiezo- very popular hc/punk band from Puerto Rico playing a fast, slightly thrashy style. Reminiscent of latter-era Minor Threat, DS-13 and even a little Dead Kennedys
7.1.2008 | By Howard
MARTYR: WARP ZONE
7.1.2008 | By Anonymous
One eyed god prophecy, Lvmen, Khoma, Zatokrev, russian metal, Sabbat (ooo yeah!!!), Mean Season, Violator, Cortez, Profane,etc.
7.1.2008 | By Anonymous
Unanimated - Ancient God Of Evil
7.1.2008 | By Giorgio Magalini
I liked that Handsome cd for a few months back in the day. I just pulled it out again last week, still sounds like the “lite” version of Quicksand to me.
7.1.2008 | By Anonymous
I totally second Paul’s mention of Crom’s The Cocaine Years. Throw in the self-titled album from Totalt Jävla Mörker (I think it’s getting a US release some time this summer); it’s excellent Swedish hardcore, and the “big hit single” track “Kall Värld” is catchy as all hell. Mp3s are available at http://www.totaltjavlamorker.com. Anything by the Laughing Hyenas (John Brannon’s post-Negative Approach band) ... the sound is hard to describe if you’ve never heard them before, but it sure as hell isn’t hardcore. The older, rawer stuff is the best in my opinion; check out the songs “Crawl” (from the Crawl EP) and “Sister” (from You Can’t Pray a Lie) on their Myspace.
7.1.2008 | By Anonymous
DarK Angel - Time Does not Heal
Acrimony - Tumuli Shroomaroom
Artillery - Terror Squad
Infernal Majesty - None Shall Defy
Litmus - Planetfall
7.1.2008 | By Tobias
oh..forgot!
Scissorfight - Mantrapping for sport and profit
7.1.2008 | By Tobias
Mindfunk - Dropped
7.1.2008 | By Torche
I like bands with 1-2 albums the most, speaking of underrated bands
Abysmal’1995 “The Pillorian Age” - unique atmospheric black metal
Disharmonic Orchestra - all albums (starting from strange death/grindcore to technical death metal to who knows what)
Le Scrawl - all albums - grindcore/ska ;-)
Lutomysl - all albums - good ukrainian black metal, my fav band for whatever reason
Mangled Torsos “Drawings of the Dead” - nice grindcore/doom metal mix
Promethean’1997 “Gazing the Invisible” - gothic/acoustic band with Black Crucifixion members, very good stuff!
7.1.2008 | By r721
all bands with tim singer. and shora - malval.
7.1.2008 | By klonkk
Andrew you KNOW Sixty Nine’s “just for the fun” and both SCHIZO albums are heavily underrated!!
7.1.2008 | By Tom VH
Shield “Build Me Up ...” (Swe) , Concrete (Italy), Purusam (Swe), Lash Out (Nor)
7.1.2008 | By V.
I have dreams self titled ( maybe ) http://www.myspace.com/ihavedreams19981999
7.1.2008 | By Danimal
Fleurety - Department of Apocalyptic Affairs.
Karma to Burn - s/t. Everything else by them is amazing too, but the one with vocals has a special place in my heart.
7.1.2008 | By Anonymous
Stavesacre-Speakeasy
7.2.2008 | By Anonymous
My list:
Kill The Client - Kill The Client
Excel - The Jokes On You
Life Sentence - No Experience Necessary (late 80’s hardcore)
Supersuckers - La Mano Cornuda
Exhorder - The Law (everyone talks about Slaughter In The Vatican, not enough about this crushing release)
Malevolent Creation - Retribution
Rostok Vampires - Transylvanian Disease
Righteous Pigs - Stress Related (how can you go wrong with Joe Caper’s agonizing wails - Mitch Harris was in the band too as most of you probably know).
7.2.2008 | By Wooderson
racked my brain on this but here’s one that people just never seem to be aware of:
Strength 691 - Means To An End (i think this is technically their discography)
7.2.2008 | By Hil
Dude, I’ve been looking for that Strength 691 CD for awhile and I can never find it. If anyone has quality mp3’s of that disc and can hook me up it would be MUCH appreciated.
I have MANY more comments related to this thread, but I’ll leave it at that for the moment!
7.2.2008 | By Andrew Aversionline
HEATHEN: BREAKING THE SILENCE….... sure the band is touching all the bases, and basically trying to please everybody at once, but i think they actually pull it off. i have listened to this album consistently since it came out. and never get tired of it.
7.2.2008 | By Marcus Garvey
iceburn “firon” more metal than metal was in 1990 an a hell of a lot more creative
acme “to reduce the choir”
cable “variable speed drive” and “never trust a gemini”
stickfigurecarousel “st”
the trans maghetti “steal the jet keys”
fall silent “drunken violence”
christ “document 15”
prema “pebble”
trial “are these our lives”
catharsis “passion”
purusam “way of the dying race”
7.2.2008 | By elliot
p.s. as friends rust “a young trophy band in the prime of their time” the lyrics are awesome and the vocal melodies are completly unique for this style of hc
7.2.2008 | By elliot
KEKAL ” 1000 Thoughts of Violence”.. The best metal band from Indonesia!
7.2.2008 | By Reno
Craw - Lost Nation Road
(kosher pay-what-you-wish download available here: http://www.craw.com/mp3.html)
7.2.2008 | By Gravelspitter
I agree with the Craw suggestion. S/T, Lost Nation and Map Monitor Surge are sick and demented albums. You can get them all from the bands website. ^^^
Hose Got Cable. No one ever talks about them.
and yeah, funny that I posted Shield a few days after this post. Synchronicity is great like that. Everyone go to my page and get Shield’s Build Me Up. some of the best mid 90’s New Age style hardcore.
7.3.2008 | By blend77
Skycamefalling - 10.21, awesome!
7.3.2008 | By tim
it always bears repeating: KISS - MUSIC FROM THE ELDER. phenomenal.
7.4.2008 | By Mr. Blackwell
Madonna’s mid nineties stuff is largely overlooked.
Just as Voivod’s two albums with Eric Forrest as singer/bassist. Negatron is the heavier one and Phobos is the more experimental one but both are really worked oud heavy thrashing industrial spacetecmetal, fairly unique anyway.
About unkown hardcore gems I think that probably every mid size town in the westeren civilization has one in the history of there local scenes. Belgium’s prime candidate should be Out For Blood’s Strive to Survive, they were a nineties hardcore band from Brussels, there is also a lot of fertile HC/metal ground but it never drew as much attention as the famous H8000 scene. And if you’re going to check out the German Bremen-sound bands then also try to find Rubbish Heap, they were from Belgium and always got lumped in with that sound as well.
On an ending note, people are always talking ‘bout the beatles and the stones but seriously the best rockband from those days was The fucking Who, they still rule.
7.5.2008 | By Stevhan the invincible
I’ll add a true overlooked modern day Hard Rock classic:
Las Cruces - Ringmaster
from 1998 only, too late for the first wave of stonerrock and too early for the current doom-revival but truly a great darkly shining jewel on the crown of those styles
7.5.2008 | By Stevhan the invincible
one. life. crew. and pitboss2000
7.5.2008 | By Anonymous
Newer stuff:
Solea s/t (Texas Is The Reason’s singer + Samiam dude)
- very good guitardriven pop/rock-whatever-alternative. Better than TITR IMO.
Joe Coffee: “When the fabrid don’t fit the frame”
- Paul Bearer’s new band. Enuff said!
Channels: “Waiting for the next end of the world”
- J. Robbin’s new band. As good as Jawbox.
Everyday Dollars: “Before the supply”
- Good basic hc
Forgotten records from the 90’s:
Bad Trip: “Fear & Loathing”
- One of the best rocked out-post-hc-whatever 90’s albums
Citizen’s Arrest: “Colossus”
- I think this was labeled deathcore in the 90’s
Into Another: “Ignaurus”
- The best release from REV ever. Yes, even better than “Bringin it down”!
7.5.2008 | By J21
One of them has to be 3-D by Wrathchild America
7.5.2008 | By Birkir
Whever mentioned Mindfunk is on to something. Dropped is incredibleI’d like to mentione two evil sounding mid 90’s intense metalcore bands from the top of my head, DIE MY WILL and Red Sky
7.5.2008 | By Birkir
Thoughts Of Ionesco - For Detroit, From Addiction (excellent jazz infused HC)
The Secret - Luce (quality metalcore from Italy with touches of mathcore)
Abominable Iron Sloth - S/T (Sludgey metalcore from members of Will Haven)
Giant - Song ep (Best Sludge/Post-metal band in my recent discovery)
Blotted Science - The machinations Of Dementia (Instr. Tech-Death w/ members of Cannibal Corpse, Spastik Ink, And Behold… The Arctopus)
Celestine - At The Borders Of Arcadia (@nd Best Sludge/Post rock find in awhile)
Chaos Blood - Fragments Of a Shattered Skull (UK Deathcore with some very nice grind influences)
Coma Lilies- Memento Mori (Instrumental Rock that does alot of genre hopping)
Comity - The Deus Ex-Machina As A Forgotten Genius
7.5.2008 | By Prolyfik
RED ROSES FOR A BLUE LADY - The Return to Melancholy
7.6.2008 | By Martin
Lykathea Aflame - Elvenefris (amazing experimental tech death metal from czech republic)
7.6.2008 | By Drozdal
Handsome - s/t, obviously. Also seconding SYSTRAL. I still spin black smoker on a weekly basis. KOREISCH is another vastly underrated band.
7.7.2008 | By Frans
Solstice (US) - Solstice. High energy death/thrash from the early nineties. Featuring Rob Barret (guitar/vox & Alex Marquez (drums).
DBC - dead brain cells
7.7.2008 | By Maddin
I saw the Spitfire reference in the Daymares post comments, which reminded me I totally should have put The Dead Next Door on here. Way way way better than their post-hiatus stuff and way underrated. The mild death metal influences set them apart from the rest of the late-90s early-2000s Coalesce/Converge/Botch/Dillinger et al. bands. Toss in Drowningman’s Rock and Roll Killing Machine for good measure ... not so obscure, but I don’t hear it talked about much anymore.
7.7.2008 | By Anonymous
fuckin a.
totally surprised (in a good way) by some of the bands mentioned. now if i only had some to add. haha.
7.7.2008 | By jim fuckin winters
i’ll hit you up with the Strength 691 tonight.
7.7.2008 | By Hil
Since I’m always on an extreme doom kick:
Buried At Sea - Migration is one of the heaviest albums ever recorded, should’ve been huge but they broke up shortly after releasing only this and another 12”. Everyone knows Sanford Parker as a producer now (and some know him as being in Minsk), but this is seriously some of the most extreme doom ever recorded.
Toadliquor - The Hortator’s Lament a compilation CD that Southern Lord released a few years ago, these dudes were kicking out serious EHG/Cavity/Grief sludge at the same time but without any similar recognition. Some of this stuff still sounds new today, fiercely angry and pissed off.
Uncertainty Principle - everything they (even though it’s just one dude) ever recorded. He was bridging the gap between doom, drone and noise way before the Sunn, Boris, Monarch or any of the others. Almost a painful listen at times, sounding like early Godflesh, Merzbow and Khanate discs playing simultaneously. Stupidly ridiculously heavy.
7.7.2008 | By Anxiety Hangover
All Else Failed - Archetype
raging metalcore from the philly area.
For The Love Of - Feasting on the Will of Humanity
uh, more raging metalcore. this time from jersey.
Orange Goblin - Coup de Grace
Awesome motorhead-influenced stoner rock from England.
7.7.2008 | By mr lun
Great topic!
Everything Verbal Assault ever did, those riffs!
No hope for the kids - lp, a modern day classic. This will stand the test of time for sure.
Cyclone - both albums (brutal destruction and inferior to none)
Hellnation - Colonized, fuckin’ fast and fuckin’ brilliant
Running Wild - Walpurgis night ep (victims of states power!)
El Guapo Stuntteam - Accusation Blues (ok, they’re friends but this is one monster of a record)
Everything Eric Wood did before Bastard Noise (including all the man is the bastard stuff, neanderthal and pissed happy children)
dystopia - human = garbage lp
grief/13 - split ep
messiah - extreme cold weather lp
integrity - septic death covers ep
Asphalt - 357 knockout cd
Lärm - straigth on view lp
enewetak - guns elvis loved them lp
.... so many records, so little time!
7.8.2008 | By johanbiorix
everything by Starkweather. everything! old and new.
Graves at the Sea (forgot the name of the album :( )
Cephalic Carnage: Halls of Amenti (compared to other stuff they made)
Negativa: s/t
Creation is Crucifixion: not a single mention so far ?!?!
Cold as Life: Born to Land Hard
7.8.2008 | By Johnny Johnny
Extol - Synergy/Undecieved.
Religosity aside, ANY fan of tech-death/thrash (and especially the band Believer) needs to immediately seek these out!
Artillery - Terror Squad/Fear of Tomorrow.
Holy fuck Terror Squad has some of the most untouchable riffing! FoT is just as brilliant in a slightly more Mercyful Fate-ish way.
Deathrow - Deception Ignored. Coming from another criminally overlooked band Mekong Delta, musical prodigy Uwe Osterlehner came in and just pushed the envelope with this (up to that time) fairly typical German thrash band. Remains hands fucking down one of the most forward thinking metal lps!
7.8.2008 | By jim fuckin winters
Whippersnapper-America’s Favorite Pastime. The fucking best melodic punk album ever. Great dual guitar work. Wrong or Right and Tragic Flaw will always be two of my top 10 songs.
7.8.2008 | By Tim
shit. the floodgates have opened! haha.
Theory In Practice - The Armageddon Theories / Colonizing the Sun
Phenomenally hyper tech metal from Sweden. So over-the-top it sound unhuman. Guitarist Peter Lake is a shredding riffer of the highest caliber. Heavily influenced by prime-era Atheist and Mekong Delta (whom Lake now plays for!) this shit is a complete mindfuck. Also check into Lake’s other project Mutant which does use a drum-machine and is just as insane. Not to mention these dudes do a ridiculous cover of Sparks - This Town Ain’t Big Enough For The Two of Us!
7.9.2008 | By jim fuckin winters
Dusk - Majestic Thou In Ruin
Before I listening to this album I could never really get into most doom. Plodding drums and slowly chugging guitars can be rather tiresome. Dusk’s “Majestic Thou In Ruin” breaks the mold with songs that engage the listener. There’s something about this bleak and despair filled opus that completely enamored me. Maybe it’s the quirky, offbeat drumming style but I’ve yet to hear anything like this album. Sure, there are bands who play in a similar style but none have come close, in my opinion, to capturing the same feeling or writing songs that don’t have the tendency to bore. The album is available as part of a discography called “Mourning… Resurrect” on Lost Disciple Records who seem to be closing their doors and selling everything for $6.
7.10.2008 | By 01001111
80’s Hardcore
76% Uncertain - Estimated monkey time
Capitol Punishment - When putsch comes to shove
Deathwish - Tailgate 7’‘
Genetic Control - Firts impressions 7”
Heimat-los - Negative mental obsession 7”
Insight - What will it take?
Justice League - Shattered dreams
Lockjaw - Shock value 7”
Major Conflict - 7”
No Use For A Name - Incognito
Pailhead - Trait
Psycho - 6 song EP
Rest In Pieces - My rage
Seizure - All hail the fucking system EP
Sick Pleasure - Dolls under control 7”
Skeezicks - Selling out
Stupids - Violent nun 7”
The Worst - Expect the worst
Uppercut - Four walls
V/A-Look At All The Children Now
90’s/00’s Hardcore
59 Times The Pain - More out of today
Acid Indigestion - Defy you
Beneath The Remains - Quest of the lost souls
Born - Raging
Bugout Society - Yo! baby sup
Congress - The other cheek
Cry Of Justice - Confront
Curbside - 7”
Diehard - Looking out for #1
Face Value - The price of maturity
Hate Force - Back for more
Inhuman - 7”
Krutch - I’ll see you in hell
Murder One - S/T
No Fun At All - Vision
Out For Blood - Strive to survive
Personnal Choice - Days of trust
Racial Abuse - No need
Raised Fist - Stronger than ever
Run Devil Run - Sinking deeper
Shutdown - Against all odds
Subzero - Happiness without peace
Timescape Zero - Total war
Vitality - Crucial wires
Metal
Dream Death - Journey into mystery
Excel - Split image
PC Deathsquad - Shit talking & mayhew
Prong - Primitive origins
Tankard - Chemical invasion
7.10.2008 | By ROD
whoever mentioned thoughts of ionesco, pretty much all their shit is crucial. they released a retrospective compilation/dvd called “the scar is our watermark”, which contains tracks from all their albums.
7.13.2008 | By Anonymous
Breach, Breach and Breach
7.14.2008 | By ken
BREACH!!!
BREACH!!!
And Sabbat
7.14.2008 | By Birkir
Parlamentarisk Sodomi!
fucking yeas!!!
7.14.2008 | By Anonymous
I have a feeling you’ve heard some of these but just in case…
Atrocity - Hallucinations / Longing for Death!
Knut - the Hydra Head ep / Challenger!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Shora - (all)!
BREACH! It’s Me God / Venom!!!!! / KOLLAPSE!!!!!!!!!!!
7.14.2008 | By jim fuckin winters
There are so many underrated releases. Some of which are finally getting some attention (State Of The Union) are others are still sitting in limited edition/out of print/small label obscurity.
I guess I’ll list my top 10 bands and the albums that I feel are excellent listens.
1. The Grey Wolves - Blood and Sand and Punishment. If you like death industrial/harsh noise/power electronics/ambient soundscape stuff these guys are the top of the line.
2. Failure Face - All. To me this was essential pissed off 90’s hardcore.
3. Ulcer - All. This stuff was also essential 90’s hardcore and featured an Aspirin Feast cover, which brings me to…
4. Aspirin Feast - both 7”. Super fast early 80’s late 90’s hardcore that no one seems to remember or care about.
5. Expatriate - No Sleep Until Chugwater. This came out in 1987. I picked it up about 10 years after that as part of some random box of 7"s. It’s really good, and seems to be totally unknown as far as I can tell.
6. Desecration - Who’s in control? and their split with Subverse. I only own a real copy of the split with Subverse, which is actually the weaker of the two releases, but my tape copy of Who’s in control got about a million plays before it took a crap on me. I can’t find any mp3’s of it either…
7. Gasp - Any and All. I think a lot of their releases were on Slap-a-ham, which means they are impossible to find at this point, but these guys totally ruled ass.
8. State Of The Union - all. Andrew just made a post about this being re-released, and it needed it. One of the most criminally underrated bands…ever.
9. Harvest - Living With A God Complex. I love this album, and it seems they get sort of overlooked when talking about mid-late 90’s metalcore.
10. Plaid Retina - s/t 7”. This somehow ended up on Lookout Records. Totally fast and awesome hardcore from the 80s.
7.14.2008 | By Carlzilla
Raw Power - Screams from the Gutter / Wop Hour.
Over the top Italian punk/hc, harsh ass vox and a maniac shredding guitarist which somehow worked!?!
7.14.2008 | By jim fuckin winters
Say You Hate Me- “The Looking Forward” EP
7.15.2008 | By Belgian ROFLs
First, I’d have to agree with Tobias… Scissorfight’s “Mantrapping for Sport and Profit” is a fantastically, heavy, stonerific album.
I’d also agree with Anxiety Hagnover’s mentioning of Buried At Sea - “Migration.” These 3 songs are absolutely pummeling. Plan on blown speakers.
Lastly, I’ll go with the others that mentioned them… BREACH. “It’s Me God” is a fucking awesome album.
7.18.2008 | By Ryan @ Milkweed Records
Hellchild’s Circulating Contradiction and Bareskin. Criminally underrated.
7.19.2008 | By zg
I have to agree with these records:
Handsome - s/t
Cable - Variable Speed Drive
Some others:
Only Living Witness - Prone Mortal Form and Innocents
Dissolve - Dismantle
Bluetip - any
Hoover - any
Threadbare - Feeling Older Faster
Sam Black Church - Superchrist
Dayspring(Grip) - Dreamstate
Engine Kid - any
Bloodlet - Entheogen
7.20.2008 | By the sandwich
slightly off the metallic track, but since Hoover has been mentioned…
Regulator Watts - The Mercury cd. / The Aesthetics of No-Drag.
Beyond a mere Fugazi rip-off. More minimal than Hoover or Crownhate Ruin.
I could go on forever about how godly Alex Dunham’s unmistakeable guitarwork is, or how his tone, lines or the band’s influence can be heard in (some huge!) bands playing heavy music at the moment, but…
7.21.2008 | By jim fuckin winters
Regulator Watts is incredible… the guy can do no wrong.
Love Engine Kid too! I always want to yell it whenever people talk about Sunn O))) and Andersons old projects. No one seems to mention Engine Kid…
If anyone has that Grip EP i havent heard it in well over a decade… or any of that Cen Penn stuff… Dayspring/Cycle… t
7.21.2008 | By blend77
Coroner’s “Punishment for Decadence.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coroner_(band)
Very good stuff IMO.
7.21.2008 | By Phil
Donora - ANY!
Ipecac - ANY!
Coroner - ANY!
Secrecy - ANY!
Sieges Even - Life Cycle / Steps! / A Sense Of Change.
Pure moderized tech-metallized Rush worship!
Post-Watch Tower / Pre-Spiral Architect etc.
Steps - Admittedly the vox take some getting used to, but this is an unparalleled 90’s progressive metal masterpiece!
7.22.2008 | By jim fuckin winters
what, am i the only one left?
OLD - Lo Flux Tube / Musical Dimensions of Sleastak / Formula.
Jim Plotkin (Khanate/Flux/Joy Of Disease/Phantomsmasher etcetc.) is a fucking genius! These are all slightly different from each other, especially Formula which is more tranced-out with hyper-vocoded vox. I’ve only heard bits and pieces of the very first “Old Lady Drivers” record which was cool for the time.
An easy reference would be Voi Vod as they share the Die Kruezen and Rush influence although this is much more rigid as he and Alan Dubin (Khanate) kept time with a drum-machine. LFT is the harshest (John Zorn helped out and adds sax to one song). Impossible to really give the proper review, or to put into words. This music has to happen to you, and when it does, it does! A heavy influence on the final (incredibly overlooked) Rabies Caste disc.
7.30.2008 | By jim fuckin winters
Lo flux tube, motherfucker! EXCELLENT record. I had two copies, I think I paid about $1.50 combined for them. Gave one away for some silly fuckin’ reason many years ago. Much ridiculous Mike Diana-esque artwork in the booklet too, that band was over the top in about seven different ways. HUGELY goddamn recommended.
If I was to recommend an underrated album I would go for the Winter LP Into darknkess, though I guess that one’s more underexposed. How ‘bout some TIMEBOMB though, eh?
7.30.2008 | By svein
I revisited Timebomb’s “Hymns for a Decaying Empire” a few months ago and remembered why I was never a huge fan, actually. It just didn’t do much for me…
7.30.2008 | By Andrew Aversionline
i dodnt know about the ” all-time ” thing but, this is really good: Arghoslent- incorrigible bigotry…..
7.30.2008 | By L.Ron
RE - OLD: as far as i know Mike Diana did the cover.
7.31.2008 | By jim fuckin winters
I checked and the back of the record says “All art by Simon Curtis/Mindpollution studios.” No idea who that is, though…
7.31.2008 | By svein
Groundwork (AZ) - Today We Will Not Be Invisible Nor Silent LP + Living In Fear 7”
How could i forget this shit!?
Completely crushes!!! Apparently they have been accused of biting Downcast, which there are some references, but the same goes for most of of their political ilk from the San Diego/So. Cal. area. Not really sure who to compare this to other than those bands. Pissed as fuck, abrasive yet tight and controlled chaotic rage! Seriously, this IS one of thee heaviest things ever released in the 90’s. Hands down.
8.28.2008 | By jim fuckin winters
Most underrated for sure, kick-ass records in everyway !!!
These Days S/T
Shoot to Kill “All’s quiet on the western front”
Waco Fuck “Paranoia”
These three albums are as good as hardcore can get, the kind that can be
put on repeat and never get old
9.5.2008 | By Tony Scherler
Six Going On Seven - Heartbreak’s Got Backbeat MOST UNDERRATED EVER !
Bluetip - Dischord 101
Quicksand - Manic Compression
Errortype: 11 - s/t
Into Another - Ignaurus
10.3.2008 | By Craig
Without a doubt, Giants Chair “Red & Clear” and “Purity & Control”.
4.28.2009 | By Dick
90s HC
Krutch: I´ll See You in Hell
Threadbare: Feeling Older Faster + 1st 7”
Bloodline: Cant Rest On the Times +1st 7”
Triggerman: Dead Like Me
Cro-Mags: Alpha Omega
Only Living Witness: ProneMortalForm
One Life Crew: Crime Ridden Society
411: This Isnt Me
Point Blank: both 7"s on Nemesis
Initial Rection: 7”
Second To None: Defeat cd
E-Town Concrete: Time 2 $hine
5.8.2009 | By O.P.
shit, forgot STATUE: Filter the Infection !!!
5.8.2009 | By O.P.
incubator - mcgillroy the housefly!
simply the most overlooked awesome piece of death-metal that ever came out of germany. a crossbreed of obituary and king crimson - just awesome musicianship and a unique atmosphere of sickness. the vocals are in their own league. check it out.
5.24.2009 | By mcgillroy
this is awesome so many hidden gems!
5.24.2009 | By Yetilegend
POWER OF IDEA - YELLOW THRASH Really one of the more brutal records I ever liked. They are trying to sell it on ebay for a bill. Bastards, but pick it up if you have the chance.
5.26.2009 | By Naysayer
Sinister - Hate
Withdrawn - Seeds of Inhumanity
Kickback - Cornered
Bonesaw - Shadow of Doubt
Supersleuth - ... And Still It Beats
5.30.2009 | By Gladio
not sure if it’s been mentioned but:
Metal:
Thought Industry - Songs for Insects and Mods Carve the Pig
Alarum - Eventuality
Aghora - Formless (like Atheist & Cynic, itll probably get more recognition someday)
Noise/Rock:
Unsane - every godly note (shoulda gotten the same level of recognition as Helmet)
Botch - We Are the Romans
Cable - Never Trust A Gemini (already mentioned, had to say it twice)
Alternative Pop/Rock
Thought Industry - Black Umbrella/Short Wave on a Cold Day (more left-turns from the ultimate left-field band. Oberlin is a genius and these are the albums Radiohead, Billy Corgan, Dave Grohl and 5 million emo bands wish they could make).
7.17.2009 | By edm
I’ll just list three
SACRAMENTARY ABOLISHMENT. Canadian black/death metal band who later mutated into the even better (but more well-known) band Axis of Advance. Both SA albums, especially the second one The Distracting Stone, fucking rip though. The material can be a little hard to digest on first listen but its worth sticking it out.
MAHARAHJ - both of their albums ‘Chapter One, The Descent’ and ‘Repetition” are some of my favorite chaotic metalcore ever but this band never seemed to get much attention. Interesting songs, good riffs and the sense of urgency and intensity this style demanded.
GUTTED - Bleed For Us To Live. Excellent mid-90s death metal from the midwest. Vocalist for this band is fucking awesome in a David Vincent/Ross Dolan sort of way.
7.18.2009 | By vugelnox
Nyari - Your Nation is Dead: God is this stuff pissed. Some of the toughest aggressive heavy hardcore I"ve heard. Every thing is overdriven in this release. Doesn’t seem like they have gotten any recognition.
This might not be too underrated but Indecision’s Release the Cure. Yeah the past realeases were good but I feel they just completely nailed it. The production. The drumming and the pure furious anger of it all. Love it.
7.25.2009 | By dspang
KOREISCH - This decaying schizophrenic christ complex
ENCOUNTER - Lost EP
GRAVEYARD RODEO - Sowing discord in the haunts of man
BLINDFOLD - Sober mind meditation 7”
ASCENSION - The years of fire
AGNIHOTRA - Govinda
RANCOR - Distinguish
ACRID - Eighty-Sixed
LIMBONIC ART - Moon in the scorpio
ABNEGATION/CHAPTER split 7”
7.28.2009 | By Teun
Mange - Disillusioned awesome doom crust with members of dystopia and phobia no one who wasnt around in the early OC/LA scene seems to know about em but its still one of my all time favorites.
8.8.2009 | By wanderlust
Dspang> Cool you mention Nyari, great great metallic hc, and indeed sadly overlooked by lot of people, the guy behind alveran records isn’t he the singer?
Anywho love it!
8.18.2009 | By timcolb
Deadguy - “Fixation on a Co-Worker”
Gehenna - “The War of the Sons of Light and the Suns of Darkness”
Kiss it Goodbye - “She loves me, She loves me not”
8.20.2009 | By erase
Yeah I know its been said at least once already but I gotta weigh in here: DBC - Dead Brain Cells. No question. None whatsoever. It kills everything else. And I mean EVERYTHING! Hey Andrew, long time no hear, it’s Jonas from Maim/Mörkermännen etc. Goood to see you’re still at it man. Best blog (fucking hate that word!) on the webs. I DO miss the old Aversionline though. BEST WEBZINE EVER in the universe of the whole interweb wide world of the nets.
8.22.2009 | By Blaquepope
I don’t think folks here under-appreciate metalcore, kinda preaching to the wrong metalchoir here. Names i think should be added to the list are:
- Adamantium - From The Depths Of Depression
- Vision Of Disorder - *Everything*
- Liar (Belgian metalcore slashers) with the albums:
Falls OF Torment
Invictus
Deathrow Earth
Liar’s Hell
Murder Manifesto
Few splits
- Congress (More belgian metalcore slashing)
Congress is roughly seperatable in two time-periods. The first is more punk clevo-style oriented, the latter period more traditional metalcore, both excellent stuff. Think a bit like Integrity and Integrity2000, of which Integrity2000 is undeservingly under-appreciated.
Still breathing - September (Solidstate records)
- Twelve Tribes with:
Midwestern Pandemic
The Rebirth Of Tragedy
Blood Has Been Shed - Everything is recommomended, but since i came into contact with this band through Andrew’s review on Aversionline enough said.
9.8.2009 | By Grrr
Forgot to add:
It Prevails - S/t
It Prevails - Capture & Embrace
Dearly Beheaded - Temptation
Dearly Beheaded - Chamber Of One
Hate Squad - Theatre Of Hate
Hate Squad - I.Q. Zero
Turmoil - *Everything but mostly The Process Of*
Napalm Death with their best creative stuff: Diatribes, Words From The Exit Wound and Inside The Torn apart.
9.8.2009 | By Grrr
I agree Thoughts of Ionesco were/are underrated. I had mixed feelings about them when they were around. Some of their shows were great, others were crap. I think their 3rd and 4th lps are best (“skin historic” and “for detroit”). If you get the “scar is our watermark” cd/dvd, the dvd documentary will pretty much explain why the band was not as relatively successful or well known as they could’ve been.
Sean from TOI later resurfaced in a melodic indie rock band called Leaving Rouge that put out one very solid album, an incredible e.p., and a pretty mediocre final album. I highly recommend their “white houses” e.p. if you like music beyond hardcore/punk/metal. He also has a new band called Your Skull My Closet that picks up where LV left off but more aggressive with nervous energy mixing with the melody. They have an e.p. available through itunes that’s pretty great.
Another band from the Detroit area that gets even less recognition than TOI is World of Hurt. They were a metal band that had roots in 80s thrash but melodic prog influences. Actually, they might be compared to an updated version of Anacrusis with a more organic sound a better singer. They did a full length cd that was quite good and well worth hearing. Unfortunately, their best work was a compilation of demos that was only pressed to CDR and distributed locally.
Some off the top of my head:
Glide (the Australian band): disappear here
This Kind of Punishment: all albums
Ignition: complete services
Farside: rigged
Throwing Muses: 1st album
The Scars: author! author!
Gray Matter: thog
Moving Targets: brave noise, burning in water
Kriticka Situace: s/t
Jones Very: new life for lies
9.10.2009 | By db
Another band that is sorely underrated is In-Quest. Killer technicalish death metal. They had the dude from Aborted on vocals on the first album. The second was even cooler though it didn’t have that guy on vocals. Love the guitar work. They create an eerie atmospheric backdrop with their albums. Some of the samples are cool too. Check’em out.
9.13.2009 | By Dspang
dayinthelife’s self titled album. I forgot how fuckin catchy some of these songs are. some well written shit.
9.17.2009 | By tim
Die 116
Omegaman
Thoughts of ionesco, goes without saying really.
La gritona
10.16.2009 | By Jack
Prema: Pebble
Stabbed by words s/t
Paw: Dragline
November coming fire: Black ballads
Never surrender: s/t
10.25.2009 | By TS.
NCF… why not just listen to breather resist or botch?
Raindydayfuckparade - demo
10.26.2009 | By Jack
Paw was definitely underrated. I had Dragline on tape but haven’t heard it in years. Never heard their follow up records.
10.26.2009 | By db
Laughing Hyenas - Life of crime
Dazzling killmen - Face of collapse
& the Koreisch sheesh, probably one of the most overlooked bands.
11.14.2009 | By Jack
ONLY ATTITUDE COUNTS - TRIUMPH OF THE UNDERDOGS
Not many people know about this Oldschool Austrian Hardcore band. They been around for almost 15 years and are still going strong.
2.8.2010 | By Erik Van
The Armed - These Are Lights
these guys may become more famous by the time. They deserve more attention.
and they put up a free download at http://thesearelights.com/
5.4.2010 | By Akim
Aspirin Feast!!! NOW! on youtube!!! 100% raging brutalality!!! late 80’s early 90’s NW hardcore!!!!
5.11.2010 | By TemoC RodriGuez
2000DS-Squat the lot Atavistic-Vanishing point Dr. Phibes & the house of wax equations-Whirlpool
7.27.2010 | By seepyaitch
DEFINITELY agree about as the sun sets sets - each individual voice. that should be a canonical record.
8.9.2010 | By james
A lot of dope ones have been mentioned, but one newer one comes to mind:
How We Are - To Teach A Hundred
From Rochester. 2006 release. This never gets mentioned anywhere, maybe because not a lot of people know about the band/album. If Another Breath and Rival(ry)/Bridge Nine stuff is your jam then this should definitely be in your shelf. They have since broken up. The singer is also in Soul Control and Achilles.
11.9.2010 | By XHenkkaX
To whoever mentioned INTEGRITY’s Septic Death covers: are you kidding me?
Also, I think Trial’s Are These Our Lives? and Cold As Life’s Born To Land Hard are hardly underrated.
11.9.2010 | By XHenkkaX
Ignite - “Our Darkest Days”, but Ignite in general deserve a lot of credit. They’re brilliant.
12.20.2010 | By Jim
Negative Male Child - Little Brother
Only Living Witness - Prone Mortal Form
Social Disorder - All
Cutthroat - All
Agents Of Man - All
Compression - Compression
Sam Black Church - All
Misura - Subtle Kiss of a Sledgehammer
One True Thing - Finally
Cave In - Jupiter
2.10.2011 | By king met
Red Roses for a Blue Lady - The Return to Melancholy!!!!
2.16.2011 | By Martin
PAILHEAD
Trait, Wax Trax Records
1988
2.17.2011 | By DutchessOfHazzard
Cast Iron Hike - Watch it Burn
3.4.2011 | By jinxproof
definitely,
Agent Blue - A Stolen Honda Vision
4.22.2011 | By shortcat
Negative Male Child
Sam Black Church
Social Disorder
Only Living Witness
Misura
Cutthroat
One True Thing
5.27.2011 | By met
this is what happens where some ex Vader (De Profundis era members) play grind + jazz (?):
NYIA - Head Held High (candlelight)
NYIA - More Than You Expect (FETO)
KOBONG - Kobong (Izabelin)
6.15.2011 | By Seb
Thumbs up for
LIFE SENTENCE (especially 2nd LP - No Exp. Nec. - it’s a gem!)
R.PIGS - S.Related - this album is avant-garde! No band has such killer riffs only maybe:
INFEST - Slave 12”
ROSTOK VAMPIRES - T. Disease (great style!)
11.13.2011 | By Anonymous
MITRA’s only album ALL GODS KILL is a KILLER and thus a GOD! :))
Thanx for the recommendation…
11.14.2011 | By Anonymous
INFEST-Slave LP (1988)
This Lp hit me as SLAYER’s Reign In Blood hit me!
11.14.2011 | By Anonymous
Acacia - Untune the Sky (kids, at the time, from London, Ontario—Bloodlet meets Neurosis with a twist of Unsane and Carcass/blackmetal-tinged vocals…)
Bloodlet - The Seraphim Fall (tech-sludge! though i love Entheogen.. tSF is a masterpiece)
Fall Silent - Superstructure (their best among otherwise amazing work, IMO)
Kiss It Goodbye - She Loves Me…She Loves Me Not
Playing Enemy - I Was Your City (band featuring Andrew Gormley of Rorschach & KIG)
1066 - all 7” releases and 4 song cassette demo (Texas metalcore done the best way possible)
Catharsis - Samsara
my favorite overall album of all time: The God Machine - Scenes From the Second Storey (like Neurosis meets The Cure/Jane’s Addiction…)
glad to see Acme, Morser, Systral, Handsome, Thoughts of Ionesco, and so many of the other neglected bands are getting some attention here!
12.8.2011 | By cole
Looks like Acacia has their entire discography up on Bandcamp:
http://acaciaisdead.bandcamp.com
I’m listening to “Untune the Sky” now. Definitely good stuff. Thanks for the tip.
12.19.2011 | By Andrew Aversionline
Holy shit!! I fucking love that Orange Goblin album! Love all of them but that one has some killer stuff on it.
1.30.2012 | By Lord_Gruumsh
Handsome - s/t
2.28.2012 | By Ciaran
Agreed on Anti-schism. On that same note Initial State featured alot of the same members. Only recorded one album and played a couple of shows. KILLER!!!!!!!!!!
4.30.2012 | By mike
Great call on Khomas’ ‘The Second Wave’! A really beautiful album! I need to pick up their 2nd one. It’s like the the white to Cult Of Lunas’ black. (what with the shared members)
4.30.2012 | By Steftones
I’d also add ‘Bodies For Strontium 90’ to that too!
4.30.2012 | By Steftones
Absolution - Yes, the 7” suffered from a poor mastering job, but those are fucking great songs. The guitarist Gavin Van Vlack, later of Burn, is my all time favorite guitarist to come from the late 80’s hardcore scene (followed closely by Tom Capone). Plus their song “Dead and Gone” on the Murders Among Us comp is probably the best song from ANY late hardcore band. No, I’m not joking.
Gore - Terrible name. Incredibly heavy-as-fuck songs. Imagine Swans filtered through Melvins and then shat out by Don Caballero. Oh yeah, remember that this was taking place in 1986/87….in Holland. This is the heaviest shit you will ever take.
Breadwinner - Have you ever owned any records on Merge? Yeah, I didn’t think so. I mean, it’s not home to too much awesome shit, but if you were buying records 20 years ago you would’ve been all over Breadwinner. 3 dudes from south of the Mason Dixon line that laid down some seriously awesome singles in a brief spand of time. Lots of peoiple say “math rock pioneers” and crap like that….I just say they had super tight shit going on that didn’t need to be weighed down by vocals. Check out their singles compilation on Merge. It is worth your money.
Engine Kid - I’m old, so I remember Engine Kid being the band that had “that guy Brotherhood” not “that guy from Sunn O)))”. If you poored in some Melvins, some Bitch Magnet and some Slint you might wind up with some Engine Kid. Their best song ever is on their last 7”, “Heater Sweats Nails”. If you pay close enough attention you can actually hear how Engine Kid was gettting heavier and heavier. I can only imagine what would’ve happened if they didn’t break up.
Tar - I now ask that you all go seek out “Jackson”, perhaps the GREATEST record that no one seems to ever mention when they blab on about Amphetamine Reptile Records. They did more stuff on Tough & Go, but I have to say that they do not even touch the Jackson lp. Heavy on the bass in a Chicago-pust punk kinda way.
No Escape - In 1990 this was exactly what I wanted to hear….metal-tinged hardcore with some sweet licks and a fucking raging vocaist that always seemd as if he were about to pop a blood vessel. I drove many miles to see these dudes play in Philadelhia and New Jersey just because theie songs were full of energy. Their demo was great and the songs on the split with Turning Point were awesome. Yeah, they started to get a little bit too rock-ish at the end of it, but hey, it was 1992, dude.
7.18.2012 | By Riffery
Excellent selections.
7.19.2012 | By Andrew Aversionline
HELLBASTARD (NATURAL ORDER)
DEAD KENNEDYS (IN GOD WE TRUST, INC.)
SLAYER (HELL AWAITS)
9.28.2012 | By Bernie Rascal
Some pre-Acacia (Overshadow) and a rare Acacia demo can be heard over this way: https://www.youtube.com/user/AlumniSCI/videos
4.13.2014 | By AlumniSCI
DAZZLING KILLMEN ! ! !
‘possible that nobody mention ‘em?!...
8.14.2014 | By Anonymous