Kodiak - Kodiak

Kodiak is a relatively young and unknown band, for as far as I know. This is rather unfortunate. I stumbled across an (official, mind you) download of their first and self-titled full length, a two track audial journey which wanders between a couple of musical borders. The rather gentile and tender sound brings back post rock memories, but the trip on itself drones off into icy cold territory. Definitely worth looking into! I bought the record itself the day after.

Official download
Denovali Records

The Funeral Orchestra - Feeding the Abyss

Don't let the perhaps cheesy name of this awe-inspiring band put you off. This record is some of the most punishing, heavy and ritualistic Funeral Doom I have ever come across. No bombastic, keyboard-driven lame Skepticism worship, but baffling and hypnotizing riffs, minimal but oh so spine-tingling riffs and out of this world vocals.

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Birushanah - Akai Yami

Birushanah are band who unfortunately don't get the attention they warrant and deserve, playing a rather experimental form of what I think could still be qualified as Sludge/Doom. Complementing the pounding and extravagant rhythms with Japanese percussion, the craftiness and drive they carry in their sound sets them apart from plenty of bands. People who enjoy Corrupted's way of putting you out of your place will love this.

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Amber Asylum - Garden of Love

It's a shame that this rather shabby looking cover does not complement this gorgeous piece of music at all.

"San Francisco's Amber Asylum return with their first new recordings in nearly five years . Five dark, brooding chamber works of misanthropic resonance and chilling emotional beauty. A blackened neo-classical masterpiece following their previous recordings on Relapse and Neurot as well as their acclaimed collaborations with Neurosis, Swans and Jarboe amongst others. Just under half an hour of new recordings, featuring the bonus soundtrack recording, "Serenade"."
~Paradigms Recordings

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Purchase from Paradigms Recordings, only £7 worldwide!

Swans - Swans (EP)

Some people might even call this accessible. The year is 1982.

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Swans - Filth

Swans' first full-length. More straightforward and punishing than their s/t, a bit more experimental (some people call it Jazz influence, I don't think Gira cared much) but without losing their archetypical sound. My personal favourite. The year is 1983.

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Swans - Public Castration is a Good Idea

Probably one of my favourite live albums by now. Absolutely horrifying, bonegrinding and hypnotizing performance. I didn't believe this was live at first, it feels that real and tangible. The year is 1986, London and Nottingham.

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