That’s the end?

No, only the beginning. One last slight variation on a tired, old theme. We will communicate more soon.

15 forms of music purchased in 2010 that I enjoy:

Trap Them – Filth Rations 12” EP …My favorite band of the last few years, and this EP is yet another progression in the world of Trap Them. Four furious songs that completely annihilate on side one, and an etching of part of the amazing cover art by Justin Bartlett on side two. Cannot wait to hear the new LP coming soon!!!

Pantera – Vulgar Display of Power 2LP/gatefold/reissue …The record that sent me on this amazing journey into the world of extreme music. Yeah, this was not the most extreme (not the band) record I had heard when it was released, but I was only at the tip of the iceberg at this point, and Vulgar… spoke volumes to me. So happy that it was finally released in an absolutely stellar vinyl format!

Nails – Unsilent Death LP …13 minutes of aural hatred, rivaled only by the likes of Napalm Death, Pig Destroyer and Trap Them! This 3-piece has one mission, and that mission is to destroy you with punishing hardcore grind, and slabs of sludge-like breakdowns. Perfect for those days that come all too often…

The Birthday Party – Live 81-82 …If I recall correctly, Jer located this in the used cd bin at Sound Garden in Baltimore. I love The Birthday Party albums, but was not aware of this release. I enjoy the magic of music being constructed in a studio, and I enjoy going to see bands live, but a live recording that I was not there to see rarely brings me any excitement. Live 81-82 sounds like you are there for a band coming unglued in some type of nihilistic ritual of sounds and syllables! Amazing!

Venom – Black Metal 2LP/gatefold/reissue …In all my record store searching, I have never crossed paths with a vinyl version of this album, but thanks to Back On Black, I now have it! Such an awesomely fun and ripping record. Not a big fan of LP reissues with bonus tracks, but this version separates them, with sides a and b being the album, and sides c and d are the bonus tracks from the cd reissues from several years back. Lay down your soul to the gods rock and roll!!!

Daughters – Daughters and Hell Songs …I recall hearing Daughters debut, Canada Songs, and not really thinking much of it. So other than an amazingly drunken viewing of them live at SXSW in 2007, I was not paying them any attention until I read a review of the self-titled release from this year. After hearing this fantastic release, I read that Hell Songs was very similar, so when I came across the LP at Everybody’s, I picked it up as well. Both records are a modern noise and grind take on The Birthday Party and The Jesus Lizard.

Watain – Lawless Darkness 2LP/triple gatefold …The packaging of this album is outstanding, but the music contained within is the air-guitar album of the year!!! Seriously, I air-guitar and headbang to this constantly when it is spinning. A thrashy, blackened riff-fest full of great songs! The hype around these guys this year was a bit ridiculous, but this album proves that they may be worthy of such.

Corrosion of Conformity – Animosity LP …I happened upon a used copy of this at Everybody’s back in January. I had not heard this in many years. Funny that an album released in 1985 would receive as many spins as this one has in 2010. Needless to say, I am really happy I bought this.

High On Fire – Snakes of the Divine 2LP/gatefold …Summoning the gods of the riff yet again, Matt Pike and company deliver another amazing album. I have said it before, but in all honesty, High On Fire is everything that is right about heavy metal! Even Iommi must nod his head in approval.

Triptykon – Eparistera Daimones 2LP/gatefold …Contrary to the beliefs of many, Monotheist is the best Celtic Frost album ever. Yes, I know, I have listened to Morbid Tales, To Mega Therion, Into the Pandemonium, and even Cold Lake many times, but Monotheist is a monster. An album only Tom G. Warrior could conjure, even though I questioned whether he could. Eparistera Daimones continues in the stride of Monotheist, just as Warrior said it would, and I could not be happier for it!

Slayer – The Vinyl Conflict LP Box …This is all the American Recordings albums on 180g vinyl. Yes, there are some not-so-stellar moments in this box set, but there are many more Slayer-f’n-rules awesome moments! And it is Slayer. And it is Slayer on vinyl. Really, do I need to say more?!

Autopsy – Awakened By Gore 2LP/die hard version …Dude at Nuclear War Now! knows how to do it right! Awakened By Gore is a compilation of the two Autopsy demos plus live and rehearsal tracks. This version comes in a hard-bound book jacket with a back patch, sticker, poster and massive booklet. An amazing piece in any death metal fiend’s collection.

The Cure – Disintegration 2LP/gatefold/reissue …I love The Cure, and I was super-excited to see this reissued by the fine folks at Rhino. Like many, Disintegration is my favorite in myriad of great records by The Cure. An amazing listen every time.

Swans – Cop/Young God/Greed/Holy Money …I have been traversing the Swans discography over several years, but this release, a 2cd compilation of their material from ‘84 to ’86, had alluded me. I had seen used copies available online, but for more than I cared to spend. Unbeknownst to me, this collection had been reissued, and I happened upon it a Shake It Records back in April.

Various Artists – Swedish Death Metal 3cd and Grind Madness at the BBC 3cd …I am writing about these together as both harken back to a time when extreme metal was in its infancy. Swedish Death Metal serves as a companion to the book of the same name by Daniel Ekeroth, chronicling the Swedish Death Metal scene from its beginning to 1993. This 3cd has the usual suspects, but also has many bands I was not familiar with, and forced me into a 3-day binge of downloading demos online! The Grind Madness… set is a collection of all the Peel Sessions from the early days of Earache Records, everything from Napalm Death to Heresy. A must have for the grind aficionado.