Drive Like Jehu - Drive Like Jehu (1991)

Drive Like Jehu was a post-hardcore band from San Diego, California who from 1990-1995 made two of some of the most influential albums in the post-hardcore genres. Though short lived, they paved a way for many bands in the new millennium. This album, the band's debut, is a very straightforward and cutting album. Filled with driving grooves and powerhouse drumming, the album is a pummel fest. Rick Froberg's vocals range from punk rock rasps to almost grunge-esque clean vocals. Songs like Step on Chameleon and Good Luck in Jail have infectious hooks on the verses and choruses, locking in the listener. This album also features multi-faceted songs with longer lengths such as O Pencil Sharp and If It Kills You. Drive Like Jehu's ability to project raw emotion is almost unparalleled.

Goatlord - Reflections of the Solstice [1991] + demo 1987

This is perhaps one of the most underrated extreme metal albums ever. Not because it's drenched in obscurity - it's not - but because it's one of the best extreme metal albums ever, something which is rarely recognised. This is a vicious blackened doom album with hints of death metal here and there, but more importantly, it's an album which features fantastic songwriting. A lot of these songs are perhaps more famous for having been covered - both Coffins and Necros Christos have covered 'Acid Orgy', Gospel of the Horns and Nunslaughter have both covered 'The Fog', etc. However, the originals are wonderful in their own right - the above two are brilliantly written slow burners, while the pace is picked up a little in 'Chicken Dance' and brilliant closer 'Sacrifice'. If you don't like choruses in extreme metal, this isn't for you, otherwise, if you haven't heard this, fill a void in your soul.

Sample (Sacrifice)

Download (Zippyshare)