Tenhi, Airut:Aamujen

Finland, released in 2006.

Tenhi are a dark/neo-folk band playing very minimalistic and melancholic compositions, with strongly folk-influenced vocals and themes. This particular album, though, is almost entirely played on piano, bass and drums, differing from their previous works.

Playlist:

1. Saapuminen
2. Seitsensarvi
3. Lävitseni Kaikkeen
4. Luopumisen Laulu
5. Kuvajainen
6. Oikea Sointi
7. Kahluu
8. Hiensynty
9. Läheltä

Link (MassMirror).

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Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus

All over, released in 2004.

I hadn't heard much of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds before watching them live in 2005. As with most bands whose back catalog stems decades, it's hard to know where to start. Their performance pretty much blew away all the bands I thoroughly enjoyed that played at the same festival, and the tracks from this double album in particular impressed me so much I had to check it out. The instrumentation is amazing, with the grandeur of a big band, lead by a crooning vocalist both dangerous (on Abattoir Blues mostly) and introspective (The Lyre of Orpheus).

Playlist:

Abattoir Blues

1. Get Ready For Love
2. Cannibal's Hymn
3. Hiding All Away
4. Messiah Ward
5. There She Goes, My Beautiful World
6. Nature Boy
7. Abattoir Blues
8. Let The Bells Ring
9. Fable Of The Brown Ape


The Lyre Of Orpheus

1. The Lyre Of Orpheus
2. Breathless
3. Babe, You Turn Me On
4. Easy Money
5. Supernaturally
6. Spell
7. Carry Me
8. O Children

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Pineapple Thief, Variations On A Dream

England, released in 2003.

The Pineapple Thief is the musical vision of Bruce Soord, formed back in 1999. This is an amazing progressive/art rock album, reminiscent of Porcupine Tree and No-Man.

Playlist:

1. We Subside
2. This Will Remain Unspoken
3. Vapour Trails
4. Run Me Through
5. The Bitter Pill
6. Resident Alien
7. Sooner or Later
8. Part Zero
9. Keep Dreaming
10. Remember Us

Link (MassMirror).

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Between the Buried and Me, Colors

US, 2007

This band has been so hyped over the last year I didn't really give them a fair chance at first. Their name comes from a Counting Crows song, they're on Victory Records and all the info I read on their past records reaked of metalcore. Colors however is a pretty interesting album of what I'd call progressive death metal. It has hints of death intermingled with melodic moments, but isn't really Opeth-like, and a Mr. Bungle influence, without being as insane as Ephel Duath.

Colors got huge acclaim, with many people naming it metal album of the year for the immense amount of hooks and technical ability. Personally I'd rather they flesh out some of the riffs into less hectic songs, but even so there are some great songs like Sun of Nothing and Ants of the Sky.

Playlist:

1 - Foam Born: The Backtrack
2 - Foam Born: The Decade of Statues
3 - Informal Gluttony
4 - Sun of Nothing
5 - Ants of the Sky
6 - Prequel to the Sequel
7 - Viridian
8 - White Walls

Massmirror.

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Bigelf, Hex

US, 2003 (re-released 2007).

Stoner rock has pretty much stemmed from 70's era Sabbath, so it comes as no surprise that this album pays yet more homage to Ozzy and co. This retro-rock revival however also pays homage to Pink Floyd and the Beatles mixing chugging riffs (Pain Killers) and pop melodies (Sunshine Suicide).

Playlist:

1 - Madhatter
2 - Bats In the Belfry II
3 - Pain Killers
4 - Disappear
5 - Rock and Roll Contract
6 - Sunshine Suicide
7 - Falling Bombs
8 - Black Moth
9 - Carry the Load
10. Burning Bridges
11 - Bats In the Belfry I
12 - $

Massmirror.

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A Hawk And A Hacksaw And The Hun Hangár Ensemble

U.S., 2007.

A Hawk And A Hacksaw are an american indie duo. This album, however, is more of a collection of Eastern European-influenced folk music. It has a different kind of sound, very lively, but great instrumentation.

Playlist:

1. Kiraly Siratás
2. Zozobra
3. Serbian Cocek
4. Romanian Hora and Bulgar
5. Ihabibi
6. Vajdaszentivány
7. Oriental Hora
8. Dudanotak

Link.

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Alcest, Souvenirs d'un Autre Monde

France, 2007.

Alcest is a one-man former black metal band formed in 1999. Neige's current work can only be described ethereal/atmospheric metal, a mixture of post-rock and shoegaze, but still with metal influences.

Playlist:

1. Printemps Émeraude
2. Souvenirs d'un Autre Monde
3. Les Iris
4. Ciel Errant
5. Sur l'Autre Rive Je t'Attendrai
6. Tir Nan Og

Link.

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Modwheelmood, Enemies & Immigrants

US, 2006.

Modwheelmood's second EP. The band is formed by Alessandro Cortini (NIN) and guitarist Pelle Hillström. Electronic music with lush guitars and a pop sensibility results in music more akin to Radiohead than Nine Inch Nails.

Playlist:

1. Things Will Change
2. Going Nowhere
3. Delay Lama
4. As I Stand Here
5. Money For Good
6. Yesterday

Massmirror.

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Másfél, Angyaltojás

Hungary, 2000.

Másfél play a progressive psychedelic/acid-rock that meets jazz/fusion, dub, drum'n'bass and jungle.

Playlist:

1. Szívlapát / Heart Shovel
2. Pitbull Terrier
3. Angyaltojás / Angel's Egg
4. Partycsóka / Partichoke
5. Perpetum Stabile
6. Idegen Anyag / Foreign Matter
7. Funky

Link.

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Ulver, Lyckantropen Themes

Norway, 2002.

This is the original soundtrack of the swedish short film, Lyckantropen, directed by Steve Ericsson. It follows a family in a small town that struggles with relationship balance and internal emotional conflicts. Lyckantropen Themes have a very minimalist ambient/atmospheric sound.

Playlist:

1. Untitled I
2. Untitled II
3. Untitled III
4. Untitled IV
5. Untitled V
6. Untitled VI
7. Untitled VII
8. Untitled VIII
9. Untitled IX
10. Untitled X

Link.

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Magyar Posse, Kings Of Time

Finland, 2004.

Magyar Posse are a Finnish instrumental post-rock band formed in 2000. This album, their second release, has a very cinematic atmosphere and sounds absolutely perfect.

Playlist:

1. I
2. II
3. III
4. IV
5. V
6. VI
7. VII

Link.

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Antimatter, Leaving Eden

England, 2007.

Antimatter was formed by Duncan Patterson, former member of Anathema, so it's not surprising that their sound is often so similar. Antimatter is a mix of dark ambient electronic, melancholic trip-hop, atmospheric progressive rock and even doom metal with melodic vocals.

Playlist:

1. redemption
2. another face in a window
3. ghosts
4. the freak show
5. landlocked
6. conspire
7. leaving eden
8. the immaculate misconception
9. fighting for a lost cause

Link.

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