Okay, so it’s been a while since I last posted anything on here, but the metal Gods have blessed us with a brand new mix, of the thrash variety, courtesy of regular A Fist in the Face of God mixmaker Bradley Smith and Deathhammer‘s Cato Stormoen.

In a similar vein to the crust mix Brad did for me with Sindre back in March, this was conducted solely over email, as Brad is still living it up in Hawaii while Cato leaves in a cave somewhere in Norway, battling the cold winds of death. Anyways, it is an impressive line-up, with some surprises for even the most weathered thrasher out there. Words from Brad and Cato after the break.

So many thrash bands out there never received the attention they truly deserved,  so I took this opportunity to collaborate with one of my favorite up and coming thrash maniacs to spread the word on some unheralded, yet truly explosive and corrosive bands.  So I’ll keep this short and sweet and let the music do the talking.  Thrash Hard!!!!!!!
Brad

I have never collaborated on a comp like this before so I just piled together some killer tracks which I thought would fit. Some old favorite tracks of mine and also some stuff I came across recently, like Anacrusis. The cool thing about this für mich is the amount of new bands I discovered through Bradley’s side of the comp. Hails and play it loud!
DIE HARD!!
Cato

TRACKLISTING:

1. Protector (Germany) – “Protector of Death” (1986)
2. Morbid Saint (USA) – “Assassin” (1988)
3. Soothsayer (Canada) – “Build the Terrorism” (1986)
4. Burnt Offering (USA) – “Power of Death” (1989)
5. Hobbs’ Angel Of Death (Australia) – “Cold Steel” (1988)
6. Toxodeth (Mexico) – “Black Doom” (1988)
7. Dolmen (USA) – “The Ritual Night” (1989)
8. Pentagram [Mezarkabul] (Turkey) – “Intro (Wreck)/Rotten Dogs” (1990)
9. Messiah (Switzerland) – “Hyper Borea” (1987)
10. Ulysses Siren (USA) – “Above the Ashes” (1987)
11. Infernäl Mäjesty (Canada) – “Into the Unknown” (1988)
12. Sindrome (USA) – “Rapture in Blood” (1987)
13. Anacrusis (USA) – “Imprisoned” (1988)
14. Sacred Reich (USA) – “No Believers” (1987)
15. Nasty Savage (USA) – “Fear Beyond the Vision” (1985)
16. Lääz Rockit (USA) – “Last Breath” (1987)
17. Demonax (USA) – “Evil’s Cast Aside” (1984)
18. Holy Terror (USA) – “Debt of Pain” (1988)

DOWNLOAD: THRASHING RAGE

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Regular VICE illustrator Ted Pearce has just launched his new T-shirt line, Ted’s Draws, initially paying homage to some of his all-time favourite music artists. Shirts are limited and can be bought here. For a hilarious interview with the man behind the drawings, click here.

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When Nocturnal Cult scribe Bradley Smith said he and Sindre Solem—Obliteration frontman and Nekromantheon bassist and sometimes vocalist—were doing a crust mix, my first thought was: great. Given that Brad lives in Hawaii and Sindre lives in Norway, there was one small obstacle to overcome; the Atlantic Ocean. However, thanks to the internet they managed to compose it solely over email and here it is, with a little intro from Mr. Smith.



The In Crust We Trust compilation represents a cross-Atlantic crust duel between Sindre, Norwegian vocalist for Obliteration/Nekromantheon, and Brad, American editor Nocturnal Cult Webzine, each one trying to destroy the other by picking the most crushing or devastating crust track they can find in order to annihilate the opposition. So who wins this battle between metal brothers? Only you can decide.

TRACKLISTING:

1. Amebix (England) – “Arise!” (1985)
2. Axegrinder (England) – “Life Chain” (1989)
3. Holokaust (USA) – “54 Wars” (2005)
4. Hellbastard (England) – “They Brought Death” (1990)
5. World Burns To Death (USA) – “Apparatus” (2003)
6. His Hero Is Gone (USA) – “Thieves” (1996)
7. Monuments To Ruins (USA) – “Sleep Rite” (2005)
8. Morne (USA) – “Force” (2009)
9. Detestaion (USA) – “Searching for Oblivion” (1996)
10. Tragedy (USA) – “Crucifier” (2006)
11. Murderess (USA) – “Cover the Earth in Graveyards” (2009)
12. Masakari (USA) – “XII Abandoned” (2010)
13. After The Bombs (Canada) – “This is Hell” (2005)
14. The Secret (Italy) – “Weathermen” (2010)
15. Summon The Crows (Norway) – “Life is Shit” (2006)
16. From Ashes Rise (USA) – “The Mandate” (2003)
17. Sanctum (USA) – “Hault the Machine” (2008)
18. Severed Head Of State (USA) – “Dust to Dust” (2003)

DOWNLOAD

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Fenriz’ Metal Merchants Festival DJ Set (2009)

This is a mix of the set Fenriz played at the first Metal Merchants Festival. Originally it was only hand-distributed to about 50 people, but Apollyon played it one nite while we were getting lit at my old place early last year and it blew me away. So I asked Fen for a copy and he ripped me a dub and it soundtracked literally my whole summer last year. Some incredible tracks from the most obscure bands I would never have heard had it not been for DJ V.K.O.M. Does what a great mix should – open you up to bands you didn’t even know existed. So, here it is, with a short message that appeared on the back cover.

Hello o ancient ones! The lame world of modern metal is left behind. Now let us enjoy the soulful fruits of our beloved lands of the past. DOOM!

TRACKLISTING:

1. Aragorn (England) “Black Ice” (1980)
2. Bitches Sin (England) “Down the Road” (1980)
3. Elektradrive (Italy) “Secrets of the Holy Grave” (1986)
4. Legend (England) “Death in the Nursery” (1982)
5. Kat (Poland) “Killer” (1985)
6. Armored Saint (USA) “Aftermath” (1985)
7. Hand Of Doom (Germany) “Rock N’ Roll Close to the End of the World” (1979)
8. The Beast (USA) “The Beast” (1983)
9. Bloodlust (USA) “Ride to Death” (1985)
10. Warlord (USA) “Mrs. Victoria” (1983)
11. Jag Panzer (USA) “Death Row” (1983)
12. Luzbel (Mexico) “Por Piedad” (1986)
13. Tröjan (England) “Chasing the Storm” (1985)
14. Sarcofagus (Finland) “The Deadly Game” (1980)
15. Proud (Sweden) “No Losers” (1984)
16. Heavy Load (Sweden) “Run with the Devil” (1983)
17. Helstar (USA) “Dark Queen” (1986)
18. Liege Lord (USA) “Cast Out” (1987)
19. Ostrogoth (Belgium) “Love in the Streets” (1985)

DOWNLOAD

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Jungle was the only electronic music of the 90s (make that ever), that I was ever really into. I caught wind of it as a teen growing up in Ireland by accidentally hearing a Jumping Jack Frost mixtape. Sounds impossible I know, but basically, in the early 90s in Dublin there was this tiny record shop just over the famed Ha’penny Bridge, which I think was called Tara Records. Me and my boys used to go up to Dublin a few times a year; to get new kicks, clothes, check out the latest skanger styles, and pick up a new mixtape from Tara. Basically, they were just copied tapes from raves and is it was 93/94 (I honestly can’t remember the exact year), it was always about getting the fastest shit you could find. So whatever the latest Thunderdrome was usually sufficed.

Anyways, this one kid we knew was rich and he kind of bought all the tapes and I made copies of them via my dad’s killer soundsystem. But this one tape which sounded amazing in the shop (they always do, don’t they?), was to all my friend’s ears the worst music ever, but I always had an ear for something more fucked-up than the norm so I was thrown it. Needless to say, it has had countless hours play over the years and is easily one of the best jungle mixtapes I have ever heard. In fact, my original copy got lent out to some scumbag (whose nickname was Knave, ha!) who never returned it, so I had to track down a copy I had made for someone else (which I then didn’t return, ha ha).

It is jungle in its infancy, a million miles away from the drum ‘n’ bass of today (lame), but not far from the hardcore/gabber of the time, albeit with more breakbeats, reggae samples, and weed references. I have never been able to track down a single trackname, or any info on it whatsoever, so if anyone downloads it and knows something, please leave a comment. Its almost a 20 year mystery!

I separated the mix into side A and side B as some of the tracks repeat on both sides. Link below.

JUMPING JACK FROST MIX 1993

To see tonnes more pics from the golden era of jungle, click here.

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2010 was a fantastic year once again for new music. Not only did a couple of the scene’s luminaries add two more gems to their illustrious discographies (Burzum and Darkthrone), but many who have been promising for a number of years come up with the goods on their debut long-players (Deathhammer, Bastard Priest and Nekromantheon), and we also got some new heroes (Antichrist, Ghost, Morbus Chron, Natur and Occvlta), not to mention the rest.

2010 proved that if you know your shit and persist with your ideals that it is still possible to make metal the way it is supposed to sound. Thanks to all the bands featured, and may your future releases blow even more minds, hehe…

TRACKLISTING:

1. Natur (USA) “Metal Knights”
2. Children Of Technology (Italy) “New Enemies to Hunt”
3. Ghost (Sweden) “Death Knell”
4. Antichrist (Sweden) “Put to Death”
5. Nekromantheon (Norway) “Further Beyond”
6. Deathhammer (Norway) “Cold Winds of Death”
7. Black Magic (Norway) “Possessed”
8. Swallowed (Finland) “The Dying Misted in the Bloodstream”
9. Bastard Priest (Sweden) “Total Mutilation”
10. Morbus Chron (Sweden) “Death Strikes”
11. Obliteration (Norway) “Envenomed”
12. Grave Desecrator (Brazil) “Stained By Blood”
13. Vomitor (Australia) “Devils Posion”
14. Burzum (Norway) “Sverddans”
15. Occvlta (Germany) “Where is the Winter”
16. Darkthrone (Norway) “Bränn Inte Slottet”

DOWNLOAD

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After the success of Brad (of Nocturnal Cult)‘s first hardcore mix, he swiftly made me another one. Well, apparently the first one was kinda old, so he felt obliged to make me a new new one, if you follow. Anyways, I like to workout to hardcore, nothing too strenuous, some press-ups and a few sit-ups, I call it “the crucial workout”. I told this to Brad and he said, “The first part of it won’t be much of a workout session. It is some of the darkest hardcore out there. Very Metallic! But then the workout session begins. Hehe.” Well, here it is, you decide.

TRACKLISTING:

1. Congress (Belgium) – “The Darkside” (1995)
2. Morning Again (USA) – “As Tradition Dies Slowly” (1998)
3. Integrity (USA) – “Searching for Divinity” (1995)
4. Damnation A.D. (USA) – “No More Dreams” (1995)
5. Unbroken (USA) -”Fall on Proverb” (1994)
6. Undertow (USA) – “Control” (1994)
7. Lash Out (Norway) – “Winteryear” (1995)
8. Outspoken (USA) – “A Light in the Dark” (1992)
9. Trial (USA) – “Quest” (1997)
10. Abhinanda (Sweden) – “My Source” (1995)
11. Insted (USA) – “Good Things” (1988)
12. Uniform Choice (USA) – “Screaming for Change” (1985)
13. No For An Answer (USA) – “Without A Reason” (1988)
14. Sick Of It All (USA) – “World Full of Hate” (1989)
15. Slapshot (USA) – “Firewalker” (1990)
16. Ten Yard Fight (USA) – “Holding On” (1996)
17. Side By Side (USA) – “Look Back” (1988)
18. Mouthpiece (USA) – “Nothing There” (1994)
19. Champion (USA) – “The Insider” (2004)
20. Sinking Ships (USA) – “Auburn” (2006)

DOWNLOAD

Here’s Vol. I, for those who missed out first time round…

TRACKLISTING:

1. Chain Of Strength (USA) – “True Till Death” (1988)
2. Strife (USA) – “What Will Remain” (1994)
3. Earth Crisis (USA) – “Firestorm/Forged in the Flames” (1993)
4. Turning Point (USA) – “Shadow of Lies” (1990)
5. Bold (USA) – “Today We Live” (1989)
6. Project X (USA) – “Straight Edge Revenge” (1993)
7. Judge (USA) – “Where it Went” (1989)
8. Sheer Terror (USA) – “Just Can’t Hate Enough” (1989)
9. A Chorus Of Disapproval (USA) – “Justice” (1991)
10. Cro-Mags (USA) – “Show You No Mercy” (1986)
11. Verbal Assault (USA) – “Anger Battery” (1989)
12. Worlds Collide (USA) – “Absolute” (1992)
13. Split Lip (USA) – “Unsolid Ground” (1992)
14. 411 (USA) – “Our Father” (1991)
15. Gorilla Biscuits (USA) – “New Direction” (1989)
16. Inside Out (USA) – “No Spiritual Surrender” (1990)
17. Outspoken (USA) – “Shadow” (1994)
18. Unbroken (USA) – “Curtain” (1994)

DOWNLOAD

Thanks again to Brad. Looking forward to Vol. III!

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This is the intro from one of the greatest live shows I have ever seen, by the now infamous Ghost, from Sweden. If you have not heard Ghost yet, go out and buy their debut, Opus Eponymous, right now. If you have to rob somebody, then so be it. Satan will enrich you for it when you claim your rightful place in the depths of hell. This band is going to own the 10s, and beyond. Interview to follow as soon as A Group of Nameless Ghouls aren’t so busy “running a devil worshipping sect”…

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Live Evil festival—curated by Fenriz‘s Band of the Week picks—is almost upon us Londoners and to commemorate this I have made an unofficial mix featuring all the bands performing. Simple really. Deciding who went first on the mix etc. was somewhat a daunting task, so instead I split the mix into two halves; Saturday and Sunday, in order of how they will appear onstage. Sadomancer of Deathhammer was kind enough to donate a so-far unreleased track of theirs, as did Tom Swine of Salute, who sent me a demo of a new track they’re working on. So, if you’re a metal aficionado, there is still something in it for you, and if you are curious as to who some of these bands are, well, you lucked out too.

For those attending the festival, there will be an official mix on sale too, featuring mostly exclusive tracks and is a vinyl-only release.

DOWNLOAD

If you’re in London tomorrow, don’t forget the pre-show at Catch, Kingsland Road, featuring Salute, Natur and Deathhammer, plus myself and a few others DJing. It is going to be a blast.

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My good good friends at Real Gold recently unleashed the newest addition to their T-shirt collection. The tagline for the shirt ‘Don’t Forget The Struggle, Don’t Forget The Streets‘ is a homage to, “…the classic record by incendiary New York hardcore band Warzone; updated for a modern England”, in their own words.

Featuring both front and back prints, the shirts were designed, printed, and labeled in England, and come complete with a black and white print by photographer Kingsley Ifill. Edition is limited to 200, but apparently there are some left in their store, so don’t sleep. Or forget the struggle. Or the streets.

PHOTOS: KINGLEY IFILL
MODELS: ANNA BREWSTER, OSCAR KAHN

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