Zach Hill

Drummer from Hella and about a million other things releases his first true solo album and I would have to say that it will be in my top 5 at the end of the year. His drumming style is so fucking ridiculous and is on every track, he never tries to hide his talent while still making his own version of pop music. Like if Hella and the Flaming Lips had a band together. Plenty of guest stars from The Advantage, Deftones, Les Claypool, Marnine Stern, No Age and some others. 2CDs, the second being an epic song called Necromancer which is mostly just free jazz piano and Hill's drums. This is a new stage, kind and take on accessible music.

Zach Hill - Dark Art

http://www.myspace.com/zachhillmusic

Daleth

A one man sludge band. That feels weird to say but there is nothing bad about this in the least. Daleth is just that. One man has made a perfect sludge record and all by himself. I really don't have anything to say because this has left me speechless. Download and rock out.

http://www.mediafire.com/?mtkpwegud6j (Daleth - Split w/ Blue Shift; Daleth tracks only)
http://rapidshare.com/files/78714837/daleth_-_lusitania_disc_1.rar (Daleth - "Lusitania")
http://www.myspace.com/dalethmusic
http://dalethmusic.blogspot.com

Sebastien Grainger

I have always been one for the danceable yet undeniably heavy tunes of Death From Above so I was excited when I heard about Sebastien (drummer/lead singer) making a new solo project. What has come of it is a terribly boring attempt at being more accessible and melodic. I always knew that Saddle Creek bands are sad bastards and mellow but never did I think that they would water down such a hard rocking dude. It has moments where I think it's about the take off (like the last 30 seconds of Ways To Come Home) but not only does it end abruptly, it never gets past about 55% intensity. 

Now I'm not saying that all sad bastard music is bad. I like my fair share of it (Horse Feathers for example) but even his attempt at that seems half assed. His production methods have always impressed me with a new take on the "Wall of Sound" but not only does it not work here, I don't even know if it applies. I will say that Map Of The World is a high point because of the guitar work and the groove that they work into (you can listen as I have posted it below). Otherwise, disappointment galore.

Sebastien Grainger & The Mountains - Map Of the World

Chingalera - Dose

I think long songs are both underrated and overrated. People consider them epics when they are really just showcases for a certain person, not a band. But because of their length people seem to pass them off as worth while songs in today's music biz. Chingalera's shortest song is around 8 minutes long but they work as a band in such a great way that it doesn't matter. These are great progressive and sludgy metal. They have touches of post rock in there but their riffs are great and even the last song has something to be said with guest vocals from members of Circle Jerks, Goatsnake and It's Casual. This is their second album but already they have a reputation among some of the best bands around. These songs actually are epic and definitely rock but can definitely chill out too. The best of both worlds.

For Fans Of: Melvins, Mono, Russian Circles, Harvey Milk, Black Sabbath

Get the album HERE.

http://www.chingalera.org/
http://www.myspace.com/chingalera
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jva4IjsWTn8

Apache - Boomtown Gems

There are very few bands that I like that considered "punk". Vibrators, Buzzcocks, Bad Brains, Ramones, and maybe a couple more. Proto-punk is more my style but whatever you want to classify Johnny Thunders and New York Dolls under, then put Apache right there with them. One part punk, one part glam, one part attitude and one part partying. There were times when I was first listening to this album that I thought the song could have been a cover of one of these classic bands but it's all Apache, all original. They formed from the ashes of former bands The Cuts and Genghis Khan and they were signed before even learning a song and having broken limbs. This is good rock'n'roll for your trip across the country or for your dance party.
For Fans Of: Johnny Thunders, New York Dolls, Iggy/The Stooges, getting down


Get the album HERE.

http://www.myspace.com/sfapache
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3H89bVj6r3s

Black Skies

Another great local band in the Piedmont of NC. Black Skies play some seriously great metal and have opened for the likes of Boris, Valient Thorr, Big Business, Kylesa, RTX, etc etc. They get the spots because of how fucking awesome they are. They have a new EP out, Hexagon, and it captures their sound greatly for a self-released record. Doomy riffs, intense vocals, galloping rhythm section and brooding lyrics about the apocalypse. It all fits together so well.
For Fans Of: The Sword, High On Fire, Kylesa, Black Sabbath

Get the new EP HERE.

http://www.myspace.com/losblackskies
http://www.blackskies.us
http://www.myspace.com/sirenadiscos

Got Live If You Want It!

After seeing Dead Meadow live I had to get this album. It is them in full force, good jams, serious power altogether. There's nothing more to really say about Dead Meadow other than they are one of the best "retro" sounding bands out there right now, it's for fans of the psychedelic pop/rock and stoner rock alike.
For Fans Of: Black Sabbath, Blue Cheer, Zeppelin, Spiritualized, Kinski, Nebula

You can get the album HERE. (the files are .wma but most players convert them.)

www.myspace.com/deadmeadow
www.deadmeadow.com