Have A Nice Life - Deathconciousness (2008)

Artist: Have A Nice Life

Album: Deathconciousness

Release: 2008

Label: Enemies List Home Recordings

Tracklist:

Disc 1: The Plow That Broke The Plains

1. A Quick One Before The Eternal Worm Devours Connecticut

2. Bloodhail

3. The Big Gloom

4. Hunter

5. Telephony

6. Who Would Leave Their Sun Out In The Sun?

7. There Is No Food

Disc 2: The Future

1. Waiting For Black Metal Records To Come In The Mail

2. Holy Fucking Shit: 40,000

3. The Future

4. Deep, Deep

5. I Don't Love

6. Earthmover

I was introduced to Have A Nice Life by a friend who was sad and wasted lying on a hardwood floor. This is the only way one should be introduced to Have A Nice Life. This project's foray into industrial, shogaze depression is beautiful, melancholic, and isolating in the most comforting way. Sharing labels with the likes of Planning For Burial (a slowcore/shoegaze act you might know from Terminal Escape), a similar slowcore mood permeates Deathconciousness. In the same way that atmospheric black metal and slowcore can be both suffocating and cathartic, this release will have you consumed by your own thoughts, leaving you an empty husk with nothing left to do but appreciate the lush textures and lilting melodies that fill this fantastic double disk.

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Sisters of Mercy - First and Last and Always (1985)/Floodland (1987)

 

Artist: Sisters of Mercy

Album: First and Last and Always

Release: (1985)

Label: Merciful Release

Tracklist:

1. Black Planet

2. Walk Away

3. No Time To Cry

4. A Rock And A Hard Place

5. Marian (Version)

6. First And Last And Always

7. Possession

8. Nine While Nine

9. Logic

10. Some Kind Of Stranger

Artist: Sisters Of Mercy

Album: Floodland

Release: 1987

Label: Merciful Release

Tracklist:

1. Dominion/Mother Russia

2. Flood I

3. Lucretia My Reflection

4. 1959

5. This Corrosion

6. Flood II

7. Driven Like The Snow

8. Never Land (A Fragment)

Dim candles, occult rites, red roses, blood filled chalices, ridiculous sunglasses: Sisters of Mercy.

Rivaling The Cure's self-pity and brooding, Sisters of Mercy are a pillar in the goth canon, and have stood as a high water mark for this particular brand of darkwave since the early 80s. Mind-blowing bass tone, deep crooning vocals, goth synth love, and expansive atmosphere make both of these LPs a must have for anyone who doesn't give a shit that the New York Times won't shut up about "goths" with pastel hair, and just wants to brood alone in the dark. Grab a bottle of blood red wine (at least one per person involved) and start with "Marian," you won't regret it.

Downloads in comments.

Natural Law - Slump 7" (2010)

Artist: Natural Law
Album: Slump 7"
Release: 2010
Label: Katorga/Deranged

Tracklist: 
1. Hand and Foot
2. Poor Taste
3. Slump
4. Persona
5. Acclimate

Another polarizing hardcore band due to hype (Katorga and Deranged will do that to a band). But at the end of the day, sometimes hype is warranted  and in the case of this Natural Law 7", that's definitely the case (so ignore the griping punks in the corner and listen to the internet). Buzz saw guitars, catchy riffs, drowning vocals, five and a half minutes of great hardcore, its all there, its all good, so check it out. Especially recommended if you liked that Cult Ritual LP.



Unfortunately this 7" is way too old to buy from the label.
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Horror Vacui - In Darkness You Will Feel Alright (2012)

Artist: Horror Vacui
Album: In Darkness You Will Feel Alright
Release: 2012
Label: AVANT! Records

Tracklist:
1. Intro
2. Black Rivers
3. I Like It When A Soldier Dies
4. Corvus Corax
5. Everytime
6. In Darkness
7. Yersinia
8. Arabian Spring
9. Leave Me Alone
10. Outro

I was watching the horror flick Susperia (1977) a few nights ago with some friends, and this being my second viewing of the movie, I came to the conclusion that it was surprisingly goofy. My first run through I was entirely enamored with the surreal lighting and over the top soundtrack, and somehow the horrific acting (uninspired, not scary) was missed while immersed in the film's fantastic atmosphere. But you know what? I don't think this realization has moved Susperia from my list of movies I would recommend to anyone. I don't care that there are awkward transitions meant to build failed suspense, or that some of the more terrifying moments of the movie really are more laugh worthy than gasp worthy. I choose to appreciate the world of Susperia for what it is: a place filled with inexplicable colored light, and beautiful visuals composed of corpses lying in their own blood, impaled by broken stained glass.

Why is this relevant you ask? This is a music blog after all. Partly because I felt like trying something new and self-indulgent when introducing this record, but also because my relationship with this record, Horror Vacui's new LP, is much like my relationship with Susperia. I know that many of my friends would listen to a track off of this record and think the vocals were melodramatic, or the execution more theatric than dark. But those friends are obnoxious and missing the point. This record, In Darkness You Will Feel Alright is a wonderfully executed addition to the current 80's/goth/punk revival festering in punk circles abound. The melodies are catchy and driving, and the vocals right out of Romeo's Distress. If your looking for good atmosphere and feeling like you need more teased black hair in your life (who doesn't?) then this is for you. Now that you got through my bull shit go listen to it:



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The Misfits - Night Of The Living Dead (1979) & 3 Hits From Hell (1981)

Artist: The Mistfits
Album: Night Of The Living Dead
Release: 1979
Label: Plan 9

Tracklist:
1. Where Eagles Dare
2. Night Of The Living Dead
3. Rat Fink
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Artist: The Misfits
Album: 3 Hits From Hell
Release: 1981
Label: Plan 9

Tracklist:
1. London Dungeon
2. Horror Hotel
3. Ghouls' Night Out

Sadly, on this day of all days, November 1, Halloween has ended, and you are no doubt in a hungover haze (no matter whether mini candy bars or brass monkey is your vice). But if you're ever down, oppressed by the the beautiful memories of Halloweens past, incapacitated by the anticipation of another year of throwing rotten eggs at kids, smashing empty 40ozs on passing cars, and vomiting in your ex-girlfriend's bushes (pained that she never did dress as Woody Allen to your Dianne Keaton) then throw these on. Without a doubt they will soothe your brooding soul, and all-in-all prepare you for many All Hallow's Eves to come.


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Cult Ritual - LP (2009)

Artist: Cult Ritual

Album: s/t LP

Release: 2009

Label: Youth Attack

Tracklist:

1. Holidays

2. Horror Sale

3. Ugly Years

4. Nailed

5. Failed

6. Saturday's Blood

7. Last Time

8. Cancer Money

Cult Ritual is another David Vassalotti outfit (see previous rant about Merchandise), and is unfortunately now defunct. Not to say he's all that went into this band, but damn, it seems like every band he's in rules, so at this point I'm just put two and two together. Seriously though, David and his buddies down in Florida killed it with this LP. Those following hardcore the past few years will surely have heard of this band, if not heard this record. Front to back it engulfs your pitiful little brain with sharp, noisy, unforgettable hardcore riffs, and keeps you in that unhealthy headspace where singing about crucified cops (their words not mine) makes the day that much easier to get through. This band doesn't lay directly in the wake of many of the older bands on this blog, but they are without a doubt dark in the sense that plenty of pent up aggression went into making this record. Check it out, and then wish you could find an affordable copy of this LP:

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Autonomy - The Art Of Work In The Age Of Digital Reproduction (2012)

Artist: Autonomy
Album: The Art Of Work In The Age Of Digital Reproduction
Release: 2012
Label: Dirt Cult

Tracklist:
1. Homostasis Stasis
2. Public Faith
3. Dumb Punk
4. Contemptus Mundi
5. Library of Alexandria
6. No Need
7. Kistvaen
8. Gods Die
9. Work Order
10. Monuments Men
11. Fear Hate
12. Culture Tomb

I've been anticipating this LP ever since I first got my hands on Autonomy's 2011 demo and it was well worth the wait. The production is more clear, the songs more polished, and the energy and atmosphere of the demo intact. Frantic and dancable, this record takes from a spectrum of punk and post-punk influences, landing somewhere between the fuzzed-out, political Crass records tradition, and more dark atmospheric new wave. Don't pass this one up, you'll regret it:


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