Cattle Decapitation

Track: The Ripe Beneath the Rind

Artist: Cattle Decapitation

Album: The Harvest Floor

Genre: Deathgrind

Similar Artists: Cephalic Carnage, Circle of Dead Children, Cannibal Corpse

Download: http://www.mediafire.com/?njymmi3ojog

Cattle Decapitation were always one of those bands I had on my iTunes but never listened to. That changed recently when I was feeling in a death-grindy mood while scrolling over the letter "c". The Harvest Floor is a fantastic album, and I honestly have no idea what kept me from coming back to this album. It being the most recent work from the Cattle Decapitation discography, it features a degree of variance and experimentation that only comes with years of active participation in the grindcore/deathmetal scene. Experimentation might be the wrong word to use. What I'm trying to draw attention to is that the tracks on this record range from standard radio-length to longer, they all sound different, and even the individual parts of each song are constantly bringing new elements to the foreground. This is not a cookie-cutter grindcore or death metal album.

I urge you to check out the instrumental title track. It's surprisingly beautiful and eerie. Completely different from the rest of the album: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Y6Aj0hFnN4

-oh yeah, and they're all vegetarians, but that's kind of apparent

Skrillex

Track: Kill Everybody

Artist: Skrillex

Album: Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites EP

Genre: Dubstep/Electronic

Similar Artists: Feed Me, Deadmau5

Download: http://www.mediafire.com/?6qzk62snkvi3ikp

http://www.mediafire.com/?ywg0yiy5zym (Lady Gaga remix. . .)

I'm not quite sure what dubstep is, or if I really like it even. From what I've heard (and admittedly it hasn't been much) it all seems pretty generic and fails to keep my attention, even though I harbor a secret passion for next level beats. Case and point: Deadmau5 and most of Justice. I like the couple songs and remixes put out under Skrillex precisely because they keep my attention. More samples than a cyber-grind album, big beats, time signatures reminiscent of the Breakcore I've enjoyed, and hooks catchier than typhoid. I don't care if he used to be in From First To Last; I don't even know what they sound like.

Incantation

Track: The Ibex Moon

Artist: Incantation

Album: Mortal Throne of Nazarene

Genre: Old School Death Metal

Similar Artists: Immolation, Funebrarum, Autopsy, Drawn and Quartered

Download: http://www.mediafire.com/?9dzcbmtuibn

Incantation are one of the darkest, most crushing, gloomiest bands to grace the death metal scene. Taking influence from acts such as Autopsy as well as the budding (at the time) New York death metal scene, Incantation's sophomore album eclipses their debut in terms of atmosphere, and sheer heaviness while retaining the unique, plodding style presented on Onward to Golgothga. The fabulous, bass heavy, production renders this album an instant classic among those who like their death metal doom-ridden and filthy, not to mention the sinister riffs and trademark "o0Oo0o" vocals. This album really showcases why we see so many bands playing in a similar style now (Father Befouled's 2010 LP could have passed for an Incantation album.) Spooky stuff, scooby doom.

Father Befouled: http://www.myspace.com/fatherbefouled

Forteresse (2)

Track: La Moisson de La Liberté
Artist: Forteresse
Album: Métal Noir Québécois
Genre: Atmospheric black metal
Similar Artists: Monarque, Neige et Noirceur, Walknut
Download: http://www.mediafire.com/?x3260qbvjue9vxh

Really impressed by what I heard when seeing them live. Impressive because this is the first time they ever went on a tour. There's something hypnotizing about the riffs. I love this album for the folk elements it incorporates. I've had the beginning jig to this song stuck in my head for days now....it's the song they opened the show with.

Celestia

Track: Death of the Lizard Queen (Necro Phaanthasma)
Artist: Celestia
Album: Frigidiis Apotheosia : Abstinencia Genesiis
Genre: Black metal
Similar Artists: Nehëmah, Mortifera

Download:http://www.mediafire.com/?jntjnumdmwc

I think I was expecting a bit more from this band live. Not horrible but they didn't really blow my mind.

That being said, I think I prefer listening to their albums as opposed to their live performance for some reason.

Sylvus

Track: V
Artist: Sylvus
Album:Self-titled
Genre: Black metal
Similar Artists: Thantifaxath

Download: http://www.mediafire.com/?qubvpxo6w173mbb

Another local band that played at the Celestia & Forteresse show this past weekend. I also really enjoy watching them play live, their sound has evolved from folk metal into something more inspired by black metal. They have also just released a demo on cassette.

Thantifaxath

Track: Ten Thousand Years Of Failure (Intro) + Violently Expanding Emptiness
Artist: Thantifaxath
Album:Self-titled demo
Genre: Black metal, ambient
Similar Artists: Sylvus

Download: N/A, a cassette demo is to be released soon via Dark Descent Records (2011)

One of my favourite local bands, just saw them again this weekend at the Celestia & Forteresse show w/ Sylvus.

Thantifaxath is going to be releasing a self-titled demo shortly.

The main riff in this song reminds me of something from Deathspell Omega's music.