Riddle of Steel- Got This Feelin' (2005)

I remember hearing great things about Riddle of Steel when this came out in 2005. In fact, it was seemingly everywhere, Robotic Empire even put out the vinyl. For some reason I never got around to checking it out. It wasn't until Riddle of Steel guitarist/vocalist Andrew Elstner joined Torche last year and people started talking about them again that I remembered to give this album a listen. Turns out I'm a fucking moron, because Got This Feelin' is an absolutely incredible power pop album and had I known I would have been listening to the shit out of this for the last six years. This is absolutely essential if you're a fan of Weezer, Criteria, The Presidents of the United States of America, Foo Fighters or even Torche as it does get a little heavy now and again. Ridiculously catchy. Crazy awesome bass lines. Get it.

Riddle of Steel on last.fm



Get it here.

Burning Brides- Fall Of The Plastic Empire (2001)

I once read a description of this record as being "the best Mudhoney album that wasn't recorded by Mudhoney" which is a pretty fair description, I suppose. Fall Of The Plastic Empire certainly harkens back to the early 90's grunge and alternative rock scenes. I also detect a bit of Pavement in their sound in the lackadaisical pace they sometimes set (though never as sloppy sounding as Pavement) and especially in the frequently odd and often nonsensical lyrics. Though, just as often Burning Brides churn out big stoner rock riffs that slog along. In the end their sound is hard to pin down, it's grunge, it's alternative, it's slacker rock, it's stoner rock, it's even a bit metal at points. What really matters however, is the fact that it's fucking great. If you listened to any music at all in the 90's you should probably check this out.

Also, Dimitri Coats went on to form OFF! with Keith Morris of Black Flag/Circle Jerks fame, who, if you're smart, you'll be seeing later this month when they open for Dinosaur Jr.

Burning Brides at last.fm

The only track that I could find from Fall Of The Plastic Empire that wasn't live is below, it's one of the heavier tracks from the album, so I've also embedded a video of them performing on Conan from 2002 I think.




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Auroboros- Demo (2010)

So yeah, most of you saw Auroboros at the Black (christ) Mass party. Their demo is available for download HERE. You can download it for free or name your own price. It fucking rocks, check it out.

Also, they'll likely be playing Stash Bash.

Black Mountain- Wilderness Heart (2010)

Black Mountain is from Vancouver, BC and plays throwback psychedelic rock. Most people mention the obvious Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and Deep Purple influence, so I'll hop on that bandwagon. This album is all over the place, combining mellow acoustic tracks with fist-pumping rockers, soaring psychedelic riffs with slow doomy stoner rock and yet somehow it all works. The tandem/trade off male/female vocals are pretty excellent. One of my favorites of last year. Have a listen. Oh, and how much ass does that cover art kick?

Black Mountain on last.fm





Get it here.

Gems: The Hair Song, Old Fangs, Roller Coaster, Let Spirits Ride, The Way To Gone, Wilderness Heart.