A few years back I purchased Lunar Funeral’s “Sex On Grave” on cassette via Hellas Records (if I remember right) and been digging it since the day the tape arrived. I also have to admit that this band is one of few Russian stoner/doom outfit I have ever heard of. Anyways, Forbidden Face Records has put out this beautiful album on vinyl recently and surprise surprise I just had to purchase this wax version too. My copy is one with some red on black vinyl (ltd. 100). This color variation is already sold out by now but you can still get your hands on pure black version (ltd.150) via Forbidden Place Records. If you like your stoner/doom with some garage vibes, you know where to go.
Yeah. Time for some cassette update.. Sorry for those vinyl freaks (like I am) but lately I have found myself purchasing more & more albums in this format. Some of these I also got on vinyl but I love these handy little things as much I love every damn vinyl I have. Mostly stoner/doom stuff but there’s also some stranger tapes listed.
SHROOMS CIRCLE: SHROOMS CIRCLE
Lovely cover! Shrooms Circle with their sludge/doom/stoner release. Really don’t know much about this band but sounds great. Ordered this tape via Golden Dawn Recordings months ago and from that source it’s sold out long ago. Limited to 50 copies and if you ask me, that’s way too limited..
BLOODMOON: SUPER VOID TRINITY
Quite epic stoner/doom cassette, oh I love this. Self released tape limited to only 50 copies. One of my favourite ones lately. Sold out from the band’s BandCamp page but I really hope that they’ll find the way to get this released on vinyl too.
BRUME: ROOSTER
Well, got this on vinyl.. just couldn’t resist purchasing this on tape too. Psychedelic/stoner/doom/sludge/whateveryouwannacallit.. Nice one. Vinyl version still available via DHU Records and cassette (ltd.100) available via Doom Stew Records. Get one while you still can
ELECTRIC WIZARD: LIVE MARYLAND DEATHFEST 2012
Hmm.. Never been a great fan of live recordings but purchased this tape from Electric Wizard via Creep Purple. Limited to 500 copies on this grey colored cassette and just to let you know (if you didn’t already know) there’s a second pressing on black cassette too.. both sold out. Not bad at all.
MEPHISTOFELES: PURE FUCKING NOISE
Have to say that I haven’t had that much luck with Mephistofeles releases lately.. at least I got this cassette via Creep Purple a while ago. It was funny to see how much those flippers asked from this tape soon after release (originally limited just only 50 copies). But here comes the best part.. Creep Purple released a second run few months ago (this time 100 copies) and there’s no differences between these two runs. Well, it’s sold out anyways, both runs.
ALASTOR: BLACK MAGIC
Alastor & Black Magic. Damn good tape this is, honestly. For a moment I couldn’t even remember where the hell I ordered this tape but the place is Graven Earth Records. Psychedelic stoner or something but sounds gooooood… Limited to 200 copies and still available from the source, Graven Earth.
ETERNAL BLACK: BLEED THE DAYS
Of course I had to buy this one too even though I purchased this on vinyl few months ago. Doom/stoner/metal at it’s best. Cassette version is limited to 100 copies and was available via Hellas Records. If you want a copy, Twin Earth still seem to have some copies available. Vinyl version available via band itself on their BandCamp page.
VOID TERROR: SOUL HARVEST
Some death metal to your face. This is Void Terror’s demo tape and I loooovee it. Best thing about BandCamp is that possibility to came across some nice suff, like this tape. Cassette (limited to 100 copies) still available via BandCamp. Check it out.
BEASTMAKER: EP. 1 & EP.2
Beastmaker.. Everyone probably knows this band. Band has released numerous EP’s on digital format recently and 4 first one are released on tape. Here I got first two. Purchased these from Toys of Disharmony Distribution. Following two can be purchased via BandCamp where you can find that first two ones are also released on vinyl. Not bad at all.
SOYUZ BEAR: BLACK PHLEGM
Another doom/sludge beast released by Hellas Records. This time we are talking about Soyuz Bear and their evil sounding cassette. You can grab this one via Twin Earth if you are interested. Hell Yeah!!
CRYPTIVORE: UNSEEN DIVINITY
Haaa.. some death/grind from Australia! I have this thing with Death metal.. I love the genre, mostly bands from the early days but sometimes it’s just great to come across with some new bands and Cryptivore is one of those. Limited to 100 copies, released by Blood Harvest and available for example via band itself
ORYX: STOLEN ABSOLUTION
Blackened doom/sludge and one of my favourite cassette release. Limited to 75 copies and available via Graven Earth Records. One thing about that printed sleeve this cassette was hidden in, it’s so tight that I have to use some violence to get the cassette out (sleeve was left out of the picture above). Evil release indeed.
THULE THULE: UNDER THE SPELL OFF
Have no idea of this band, this release or anything involved Thule Thule. This was released by Golden Dawn Records and is limited to 50 copies.. That much I know about this dark, psychedelic release from some dusty vault. Prizes of this tape on Discogs are hilarious…
SLOTHER: DIE SLOWLY
Yet one nice darkened stoner/doom/sludge release. This time band is Slother and this demo release is named Die Slowly. Band is from Canada and that’s mostly I know about this group. Cassette is released on green (limited to 50 copies) and black (limited to 75 copies) cover. Recommended if you like your stoner/sludge dirty & evil. Available via Toys of Disharmony Distribution.
SHROOMS CIRCLE: ASYLUM
Latest from Shrooms Circle, called Asylum. Band is from Switzerland and really hope that this will be released on vinyl someday. Stoner/Doom/sludge is the concept on this release too. Released by Golden Dawn Reordings & limited to 50 copies..
DANZIG: DANZIG III – HOW THE GODS KILL
Well, we all know Danzig. Found this used tape from some local Facebook marketplace. Don’t even know if this is some bootleg version but I don’t care because I paid 3 euros from it. Nice deal considering the fact that the tape is in quite good condition & sounds good.
LUNAR FUNERAL: SEX ON A GRAVE
If you like your stoner/sludge/doom seasoned with some garage, blues & psych, then you should check out Lunar Funeral’s Sex on A Grave. This is good one and I’ve been listening this a lot (and I really mean lot). Band is from Russia and tape has been released by Hellas Records but I have no idea where to get a copy anymore..
ULVESANG: ULVESANG
Got this on vinyl too but I had to have this on tape too. Acoustic neofolk is the thing here and even though I’m not familiar with this genre I really love this band. Album is sold out on every format nowadays.. Recommended, highly.
ZEAL & ARDOR: STRANGER FRUIT
Second full-length from this experimental so-called black metal outfit. Debut album is one of my all-time favourite This second one is still under closer listening. Cassette version available for example from Earache and vinyl from various stores.
JOEL GRIND: THE YELLOWGOAT SESSIONS
Joel Grind.. Man behind Toxic Holocaust and various projects etc. Obviously this sounds quite like TH in my opinion. Anyways, nice one and came with button & patch. Still available from Joel’s BandCamp site
KOBOLD: THE CURSE OF THE ANCIENT ABBEY & THE CAVE OF THE LOST TALISMAN
And then something totally different. Came across with these tapes via BandCamp and it was love at first sight. Never been fan of Dungeons & Dragons or anything involved with role-playing etc. but these tapes are awesome. 8-bit dungeon synth bringing smile to my face. Just check out Heimat Der Katasthrope, they have tons of awesome tapes available.
HAUNTED: S/T & DAYBURNER
Last but not least, two tapes from this freaking amazing band, Haunted. Perfect name for the band because the music.. it’s haunting stoner/doom with ethereal vocals. Latest one, Dayburner, must be the best stoner/doom record I have heard this year. First one still available on tape & vinyl from Twin Earth, Second one, Dayburner seems to be little hard to find on tape but DHU Records released it on vinyl recently so you can grab this beauty from DHU (I already did).
Haa.. somehow I have purchased great pile of cassettes during last few months. Never thought that I would turn back to this format but here we are. There is more than one reason why cassettes have found their way to my heart.. This format is way more cheaper, these arrive without a doubt in much better condition than vinyl records and most of all, in some cases cassettes are the only physical format available. Some of these albums I already have on vinyl format but I just couldn’t resist getting those on cassette too..
MEPHISTOFELES: WHORE & (((I’M HEROIN)))
Let’s start with these two tapes from Mephistofeles, stoner/doom outfit from Argentina. I bought these two cassettes from Creep Purple Records (nice job, once again!). Even though I have that “Whore” also on vinyl I just had to have it on cassette too. These two are sold out by now. “Whore” have been released on cassette format by few other labels too but all copies are sold out and Discogs prizes of those are ridiculous!
OLDE: TEMPLE
Old good OLDE and their latest album on cassette format. Stoner/doom is the thing here and vinyl version of this album is still available from STB Records (BandCamp). If you fancy this more on tape, I suggest you to check out Medusa Crush Recordings. MCR also have some other items for sale there..
UNREQVITED: DISQUIET
Let’s jump right to atmospheric/blackened/depressive/metal. I found this record via BandCamp and I really like it. Also just found out that this has been released on vinyl too.. Cassette version can be ordered via Fólkvangr Records, vinyl version via Ordo MCM. Nice recording indeed.
DÖDSRIT: S/T
Let’s continue with little rougher stuff. This is Dödsrit from Sweden and this cassette kicks ass big time! Blackened metal mixed with crust/punk. This is concept that just can’t go wrong if you ask my opinion. Available from Bloodsoaked Records. Recommended release!
ELECTRIC WIZARD: WIZARD BLOODY WIZARD
Latest from all mighty Electric Wizard. I purchase this on cassette & vinyl (more about that vinyl version later..). Wizard is wizard, what else can I say? This was available via Spinefarm Records but seems that it’s sold out (but I think there’s more copies to come).
CONCRETE / FIELD & WOUND: CONCRETE / WOUND
Ambient, drone, minimal are those words best to describe this one. Some of you may already know that I love to listen soundscapes like this cassette is providing. Music for dark rooms. Still available from Invisible City Records. Lovely.
YELLOW EYES: IMMERSION TRENCH REVERIE
The main reason purchasing this on tape was the prize (and shipping costs). Would love to own this one on vinyl too but at the moment I settle for this cassette format. It’s nice to see that these tape releases are selling out quite fast, does that tell something? Good record and someday I gonna get my hands on that vinyl version too.
BATTLE HAG: TONGUE OF THE EARTH
Back to psych/space/stoner/doom genre. Just have to wonder why this hasn’t been released on vinyl? This cassette has been released by Transylvanian Tapes and it was already sold out from the source when I heard about this band the very first time. Anyways, I was lucky enough to grab a copy straight from the band though (seems to be sold out from that source too..). Hope that some awesome DIY label would give this one good vinyl treatment.
CEPHEIDE: SAUDADE & RESPIRE
And back to the darker side. I came across with this band while surfing around Bandcamp. First I wasn’t that interested but after listening “Saudade” few times I just had to purchase it and their previous one, “Respire”. Black metal is the thing here, you don’t have to like it but I do. Both tapes available from their BandCamp site.
OWL COVEN: COSMIC VOID
Yet one recording that should have vinyl treatment. This band from France has managed to create awesome sounding stoner/doom tunes and I really hope to hear more from them as soon as possible. Tape has been released by Transylvanian Tapes and is still available from the source. Recommended highly if fuzzed stoner/doom is your thing!
DEMONSMOKE: MORPHINE MOONSHINE
And another album waiting for someone to release it, surprise, on vinyl. This cassette was the reason I found out Transylvanian Tapes and all those delicious releases the label has put out. Evil sounding tape, I like it. Transylvanian has sold this out, and seems that band has too (good for the band, not that good for possible fans who missed it). At least you can support the band buying the album on digital format.
COSMIC REEF TEMPLE: AGE OF THE SPACEBORN
Oh I love these releases Transylvanian is putting out. Cosmic Reef Temple with their album “Age of The Spaceborn” blew my mind. You better check this out because this is awesome! Saxophone here is something I haven’t heard before and have to say it works. And yet another recording I would love to buy on vinyl format. Available from the source, Transylvanian Tapes. Highly recommended one.
CAFFA: MENTAL ENSLAVEMENT
Filthy death metal from Caffa. This tape came along my order from Transylvanian Tapes, so it was like a gift. And I really like this gift too. Even though I’m more into early death metal I really enjoy listening to this one too. Pity that this is sold out from the source (well, if I got a copy so there must still be some copies left..). Thanks to Transylvanian Tapes, I really appreciate this!
HELL: S/T
This is Hell. Freaking brilliant. Sold out but sounds like this..
LIGHTSABRES: DEMONS
Lightsabres, my favorite one. Got all Lightsabres albums on vinyl but some strange way I thought that I have to purchase those albums on cassette format too. Actually I was after his latest release (split with Blissful Stream) and these previous tapes I just ordered to cover those shipping cost.. Hey, it’s me here trying to justify these purchases to myself. Tape is still available from Medusa Crush Recordings if you are interested.
LIGHTSABRES: HIBERNATION
Same thing with this one as that one above. Lightsabres forever! Medusa Crush still having some copies if you lack one.
BLISSFUL STREAM / LIGHTSABRES: DEVIL’S NIGHT TO ALL SOULS
And here’s the reason for buying all those tapes from Medusa Crush. I was after this split release with Blissful Stream. Now that I have been lisening to this release I just have to say it was worth every penny I spent. Great thing here is also that I’m in love with Blissful Stream now. Brilliant release indeed! Still available from Medusa Crush Recordings so what the hell are you still waiting for?
FORDELL RESEARCH UNIT: ETCHES OF PAIN
Here’s some drone to your ears. Excellent release. Painting soundscapes and this surely is one hell of a soundtrack for these late hours. If you want a copy of this you better hurry because Invisible City Records have on two left at this very moment I’m writing this.
Some older death metal on cassette format. Hammerheart Records have re-pressed these two albums on vinyl & CS. Those vinyl versions are already sold out but there’s these tapes still available like Malleus Maleficarum, Consuming Impulse, Testimony of The Ancients, Spheres and even the newest one called Hadeon. Great work from Hammerheart!
BLACK THREAT, DANNY CLAY & GREG GORLEN
Three cassettes filled with experimental/drone/ambient/noise… aah, now I can close my tired eyes and let these soundscapes take over. These tapes are sold out but that should not prevent you to check out these, some of you might even like these tapes.
One more addition to my Vainio collection, little different just because here you can almost hear some rhythmic elements on this one. It’s a pity that time wasn’t by Mika Vaino’s side and there must be a huge amount of unreleased material no one will ever never hear. As a fan I still wait some past records to be released on vinyl.. even though I have few of those on CD-format. Beautiful record this is and hunting continues for those I still miss. For those who are interested, Kilo is still available from various stores so do not hesitate buying this beauty, it’s worth every penny.
Well, well, well.. this recording is all about drone. Genre which is very difficult for most of us, myself included. Some may say that this record has nothing to do with music, but as we all know that’s not true. This is actually the first vinyl release from Youki Noseyama, aka Diesel Guitar, that much I know. There’s three pieces of live performances recorded on this vinyl, strange and interesting tunes. Limited to 100 copies with handmade covers and still available via Soundohm. Just check out this one, you might find it interesting like I do. Keep your ears open, find something new to listen.
Five years ago I put this album on the top of my “wantlist”, five years it took to get it and yes, it was worth to fait. Mamaleek is a twisted shoegazing bastard child of blackened-doom-experimental-abstract-noise-drone scene.. This is kind of music you either like or you do not, there’s no shades of grey on this color palette. I love this. Thing that made this album little hard to find was obviously the limitation, only 100 copies floating around the globe. I got one and I’m smiling. I remember promising myself that if I ever find a copy of this record I’m done with collecting.. bullshit, I’ll never stop.
Here’s one album that altered my state of mind years & years ago, A-T-O-M-I-Z-E-R. My journey with Steve Albini started around 1994 when John Peel played “At Action Park” on his radio show (still have some of those shows recorded on cassette). Soon I discovered Rapeman & Big Black. This album, Atomizer, has been one of my all-time-favorite. If you haven’t heard Big Black before I suggest to check this one out, you either love it or then you hate it. Same thing with the character after all these three bands, Steve Albini. I love this album, I certainly love each of these bands. Classic.
Then we have some experimental alternative rock from Australia. Have to admit that I was a little worried would this ever arrive but as you can see, it did (my skepticism is caused by another australian band, La Mancha Negra, that never managed to sent me a record I purchased 27 months ago..). Anyways, record came in perfect condition and I really like this one, so glad I bought it. Insane mixture of psych/noise/punk/ambient/shoegaze/no-wave/whatever and somehow they manage to keep it all together. Damn this is good, just check it out. Limited to 300 copies on gold-colored vinyl and available from Trait Records (AU).
Planning For Burial. Doomgaze might be the best word to describe this album, or not. Experimental/drone/darkened/shoegazing.. We can call it what ever we want and still we are nowhere near what this album is about. Ordered this from The Flenser sometime ago and it was totally worth to wait. Beautiful & painful. Music for travelling, alone. This is still available from The Flenser (both black & white vinyl with or without additional CD). Anost seems to have regular black copies for sale, so if you wanna save some euros I suggest you check it out there. Don’t know about you but I like this a lot.
I’m not that good when it comes to compilation, splits etc. This compilation I bought just because local record store keeper recommended it. Well, he wasn’t wrong, this is quite nice compilation of field recording & noise. All these artist are unknown to me and only thing familiar here is the record company, Järtecknet. Altar of Flies, Blodvite, Elisha Morningstar and Sewer Election & Anders Dahl performing some strange, haunting tunes her on this double album. Limited to 350 copies and if you find this interesting and worth purchasing, you can grab a copy for example from Sound + Matter. I like this but hey, I’m weird.
Few weeks ago Cascading Fragments tweeted that they are selling last lathes & cassettes for $1/pcs. Holy hell, purchased these immediately. Experimental drone, noise & dark soundscapes by Gorlen are way too difficult to explain. You have to hear these by yourself. I love these sounds and especially one of his aliases, Black Thread. More than happy with these releases but that was not all.. there was few extra items included..
I got also Summer Tape (that green cassette) and.. Black Thread’s seven-inch lathe-cut called “Remorse”.. Aargghh, and I thought that one was sold out long time ago! I really appreciate this, man! Now I have a little collection of most interesting noise releases there are (in my opinion). Still I’m going to hunt down every physical releases Sifting Through Shards & Cascading Fragments has ever put out (which might be quite difficult mission though..)
While visiting the local record store the other day I asked the owner to recommend some records and he did, one was that Ättestupa’s album I wrote about earlier. I also bought two other records and this latest from Puce Mary was one of those. Really strange record, filled with strange tunes and in some twisted way I really enjoy these soundscapes. Noise, electronics, industrial, experimental are the words to describe this. Not bad at all, I just have to give this a little more time & spins (and we all know where that leads.. me purchasing every damn release this artist have ever put out). available for example from Boomkat.
Got this one from The Flenser few days ago. I’m smiling, just because this album is totally insane. Noise, industrial, samples, hardcore.. you name it. I can’t help myself but some distant way this reminds me of Johnny Violent and his awesome album “Shocker”. Anyways, this is refreshing album in every possible way. If you want to blow your brains away with music, try this one. This colored version is limited to 250 copies but first hundred copies came with a book shown in the picture. Brilliant record in its own twisted way. Available from The Flenser.
I so know that this kind of music does not fit in everybody’s frame but I love these tunes. I heard this compilation while visiting the local record store and the owner was playing this. It was his personal copy and was not for sale.. damn. I couldn’t get this out of my mind so later that day I ordered a copy for myself. This is a compilation (released by Posh Isolation) full of experimental, ambient, noise tunes from six different Scandinavian artists. Awesome release. Limited to 350 copies and seems that it’s still available from various places with various prizes.. If you want a copy I suggest you to visit Total Black, just because there you can find this 50% cheaper than for example Lamour Record Store that has copies available for €32.00..
Woah! I just listened this album through and what a haunting beauty this is! This is the reason why I still keep on collecting records (even though I have been slowing down lately just because of that Terra Tenebrosa’s shipping fiasko few weeks ago). This double album arrived from Poland in sturdy mailer, in perfect condition. Stara Rzeka (as far as I know) is a one-man band of Polish Jakub Ziolek. He is blending different genres successfully in his music; ambient, drone, psychedelic, folklore, noise etc. One of those records you have to experience by yourself.. This awesome album is still available on regular black wax from the source, Instant Classics. Clear copies (like mine) were limited to 100 copies and unfortunately those are already gone. I suggest you to purchase this via BandCamp, because then you’ll get a digital copy along with the psychical one.
Pigs and their perfectly titled album, “You Ruin Everything”. This album has been on my “Most Wanted” list for ages and few weeks ago I found a copy via Discogs and luckily it also arrived in perfect condition. This band goes to the same category as Jesus Lizard & Shellac when talking about noise-rock bands. I have been listening so much stoner/sludge records lately so this is like refreshing wind, blowing from ear to ear. This colorway is from the second pressing and I’m really happy with it. Recommended and can still be purchased via Solar Flare Records (4th pressing).
I got this lathe-cut seven-inch few days ago. It’s single-sided tiny flexi disc with only one song/tune of experimental done. Actually I don’t know anything about this artist but so what. I have managed to purchase few earlier recordings from Black Thread and I love those little records. This one here is limited to 15 physical copies and I bought this via Discogs, for reasonable prize. Darkened experimental hazy drone and I suggest you to check it out!
Yes, new release from Alessandro Cortini. What can I say, brilliant record this is (like all the previous releases from this artist). There’s two tracks on this 12″ and I find this recording very dark, hopeless.. in other words it’s a beauty. I have no idea of limitation but this is available from numerous stores, for example from following ones Piccadilly Records, Norman Records, Red Eye Records. Grab a copy and step into the darkness. More, please (and soon!)
Second-hand item picked from the local record store. It’s always nice to find something you have been searching and last week I scored once again. Knut and their awesome sludge/hardcore/math/noise release “Terraformer” and oh, this is also the most limited color variation of this record (limited to 100 copies). Not a bad deal at all considering the prize I paid of it. Now I have to after those previous releases too.. damn.
Oakeater with their latest release “Aquarius”. I get to know this group from their split release with Mamiffer few years ago and I’m happy that I did. This record is filled with industrial, darkened, ambient, drone and it’s crushing, disturbing & mesmerizing at the same time. Post-apocalyptic soundtrack with no hope of sunny days of late 70’s. Limited to 150 copies and available from Sige Records (US) & Anost (EU). Go for it while it’s still available.
I got also Summer Tape (that green cassette) and.. Black Thread’s seven-inch lathe-cut called “Remorse”.. Aargghh, and I thought that one was sold out long time ago! I really appreciate this, man! Now I have a little collection of most interesting noise releases there are (in my opinion). Still I’m going to hunt down every physical releases 
mugwumb.com 