If you were Finnish and into black metal around the turn of the millennium, most likely you were familiar with Thyrane. And if you were from anywhere else, odds are you never heard of them, let alone heard them. Such … Continue reading From the Vaults #24: Black Harmony
UK punk/oi! band Blitz rather perfectly embody the passionate but brief lifespan of the original oi! movement. It gathered up speed quickly, went fast for a moment, but crashed and burned all too soon. Think about Blitz’s career as an … Continue reading From the Vaults #23: Voice Of A Generation
I’ve waxed poetical about the mythical days of yore, when not every nugget of information was available online and us teens of the 90’s would buy albums solely based on the album cover, title and the track names. See for … Continue reading From the Vaults #22: Into The Woods Of Belial
I’ve no problem to admit that I’m a bit of a “noise tourist.” I don’t know a whole lot of people in the scene, I don’t rush out to buy every single new tape drop from hot labels (and no … Continue reading From the Vaults #21: What’s Left?
Music, Martinis And Misanthropy must be one of the most gleefully provocative, offensive and irreverent, yet also relatable and fun albums ever. It’s enfant terrible Boyd Rice, joined by friends, at his prime at least as far as his humorously … Continue reading From the Vaults #20: Music, Martinis And Misanthropy
For a few years after his passing in 2003, the market was flooded with everything Johnny Cash. In hindsight, it is even somewhat surprising how little Rick Rubin and his American Recordings utilized this situation. They could have put out … Continue reading From the Vaults #19: American VI: Ain’t No Grave
This Hank Williams box set is absolutely one of the most extravagant items in our music collection. It’s a rather massive set containing 15 CD’s, one DVD, a hardcover book, a poster and a puzzle. Everything except the puzzle is … Continue reading From the Vaults #18: The Complete Mother’s Best Recordings Plus!
The story of Beltane Fire is an odd one. Way back in the late 70’s, in the UK, a rockabilly band called The Blue Cat Trio were formed. By 1979, original vocalist Dave Edmunds left (to launch a not-unsuccessful solo … Continue reading From the Vaults #17: Different Breed
The concept album is a notoriously risky thing. The prospect of telling a story over the arch of an entire album, tying together all tracks into a conceptual, thematic and/or narrative whole has proven to be a surprisingly tricky thing … Continue reading From the Vaults #16: Tougher Than Leather
It’s pretty amazing when you think about it. Three years into their recording career, British heavy metal pioneers Black Sabbath released their fourth album. Which at the same time is their fourth consecutive iconic album. In those early years, Black … Continue reading From the Vaults #15: Vol 4
Only Death Is Real 