be____all - be____all (2012)

be____all is, for lack of a better word, an enigmatic artist(s?) from Massachusetts. They make what they describe as noise pop, and it's exactly what it sounds like. This album clocks in at just under 20 minutes, but it is not an EP, from what I can gather. This self-titled release conjures images of travelling in a metro train, late at night, with only your thoughts and the twinkling city skyline accompanying you. A pleasant, if slightly unsettling ambient experience awaits the listener, and this album (as with all their releases) is available for free from their bandcamp.

be____all is the be all, end all artist of noise pop. Fans of music that's a bit "out there" will enjoy them.




Bandcamp

Sunn O))) - Dømkirke (2008)

Sunn O))) are known for their live performances and Dømkirke really accentuates their ability to make a great live album. The album has the perfect atmosphere with the live performance taking place in a cathedral with very operatic Gregorian chants coming from Attila Csihar, of Mayhem fame. The background organ in Why Dost Thou Hide Thyself in Clouds is an incredible number, competing with Attila's vocals at every note, they come together with total symbiosis. Much of the album takes on very intense atmospheric roles with a large mount of feedback noise, ridden with doomy operatic chants that reach several climaxes throughout the album. This is definitely a release from Sunn that you don't want to miss out on.

Download (Zippyshare)

Parlamentarisk Sodomi - Regnskog Fred Og Vegetarmat (2009)

Norsky grindcore group with Anarchist themes, Parlamentarisk Sodomi most definitely delivers with this release, it being their first. Regnskog Fred Og Vegetarmat is an instant hit for any Grindcore fanatic. The whole album gives a  intense atmosphere with every unsettling riff and blast-beat nearly blowing out your cheap twenty dollar headphones, (I'm going to go ahead give a warning on the headphone leakage if you're a student like me, most definitely watch your volume levels) not to mention harsh abrasive vocals that match up to the beat. I find the most interesting aspect of the band is that they imply noise elements in their variety of Grindcore sound which gives for an interesting mix. Of course the album totals out to a brief nine minutes which isn't unusual. This is definitely a release you don't want to miss out on.

 Download (Zippyshare)

Black Boned Angel - The End (2013)

Drone in it's self is a very difficult genre to get oneself immersed into because of it's natural lack in substance, most people are turned off by it. I don't really see that as the case for Black Boned Angel, the loud grinding distorted feedback and unsettling atmosphere (without the usual chanting) almost completely instrumental it gives this album quite a lot of substance in my opinion. There's several elements of noise influence throughout this album with hypnotic effects on the listener, the soundscape changes quite often which isn't particularly usual with Drone, which is why I see this as a more novice album despite the twenty minute lengths. Overall if you're trying to get into any type of drone sub genre such as Drone/Doom, Drone Ambient, etc. This album is a great place to start.

Download (Zippyshare)