Black Friday "Record Store Day" Exclusives

So, apparently the Record Store Day held back in the Spring was a success, because whomever organized it decided to do another one for Black Friday. And with releases from Hydra Head and Relapse, i knew it would be a metal head's dream of a doomy, sludgy Black Friday. Although i avoid retail stores like a virus on Black Friday (and did again this year), i managed to pick up a few left-overs from the record store to go along with my tofurkey. When i went to the Soundgarden in Syracuse, NY the other week, i snagged copies of the "A Horse Called Golgotha" 7" by Baroness, Slayer's "World Painted Blood/Atrocity Vendor" 7", and the "First Supper" single by Daughters, and one of the guys there (sorry, i don't know your name yet!) even threw in a free Slayer slipmat. Sweet!

The "A Horse Called Golgotha" 7" has been available from Relapse for quite some time, and i was finally able to pick one up. This version came on black vinyl, which may have been only for Black Friday. The a-side is the titular "A Horse Called Golgotha" which first appeared on the "Blue Album" by Baroness; of course it's good. The b-side is a cover of "Bikeage" by the Descendents. Although i have not heard the original, it seemed a strange choice for a cover by Baroness, but the band pulled it off, infusing both the punk-style the Descendents played as well as Baroness's own signature style of southern sludge metal. Definitely a 7" worth picking up, even if you already have the Blue Album.
The next release was purchased not for myself, but to try to sell on the vinylcollective.com message board. No, not to flip, idiot, but to sell at cost, since i had read this was only available to the first 200 people who pre-ordered Daughters' self-titled album and i remember many people wanting this release. Well, it seems whomever wanted it got it, because i am now the proud owner of the "First Supper" 7" by Daughters, which i probably won't listen to. The a-side and title track is fine, with weird Elvis impersonator vocals and zany guitar action, but the b-side, albeit short, is near-unlistenable. Admittedly, i don't really enjoy Dillinger-style chaotic matchcore, and this is exactly what this song is. Anyways, it's an okay release, but i doubt i'd seek out any other releases by Daughters.
Finally, we have Slayer. SSSLLLLAAAAAAYYYYYEEEERRRR!!! This single is from their latest release, the overall pretty great "World Painted Blood," and the a-side is that album's title track. It sounds like Slayer. The only complaint i have, as with the album, is that the guitars don't really sound thick enough, leaving sort of a tinny sound; still heavy, but not as heavy as Slayer needs to be. The b-side, "Atrocity Vendor" again sounds like Slayer and deals with humanity and its associated evils. Both tracks are good, better than "GOD Hates Us All", at least.  
Overall, i'm satisfied with 2/3 of my Record Store Day purchases, which is more than i've been satisfied with most other things in life. Thus, as expected, the theorem is proved that records are more satisfying than the things that real life, the world, and humanity in general have to offer. Yup.

Judging a Book by its Cover and its Contents

This is a post that i wrote for Suds on Bleeker that i felt was appropriate for my blog, as well.

Now, I know that nobody buys music anymore, but if one were to make such an unusual decision, there is much more to buying an album that just receiving a circular piece of plastic with the music “just there” to listen to; many times, there are sheets of paper which contain lyrics, photos, and other pieces of miscellanea which enhance the experience of listening to the songs contained on the album in question. Wow! Sometimes, an album even goes above and beyond these simple industry standards and functions as a piece of art; below are several of my favorite album packages, those which fit the album’s theme or concept and create a memorable and as creative an experience as the music itself.

Jethro Tull-Thick as a Brick: This album is unique in many ways: the entire CD/LP plays out as one long song about the trials and tribulations of life, especially that of a young adolescent, the band features a flautist and is still pretty awesome, and the liner notes consist of a number of fictitious news items, photos, crosswords, and a dot-to-dot of a nude woman (which I see my dad has completed in his copy). The LP version is especially marvelous, as the paper folds out to the same size as that of a real newspaper. At times, I’d rather read this than the “real” news. Oh, the album rules, too.

The scoop on the rumpus

Torche-Meanderthal: This is one of the most epic things I’ve seen. A fold-out cave scene filled with little Earth creatures meandering around in it. As shown below, the vinyl version came in many different color mixtures; a sight to behold and to hear. Take that, bands which just put pictures of the members on the covers with no lyrics inside!

Nice couch

Tool-Lateralus: This album came packaged in a translucent black slipcase which covered the CD jewel case. In place of where the lyrics/credits booklet usually lays, however, is a series of seemingly-accurate drawings of the human body in its different layers of systems and parts (muscles, nerves, bones, etc.) which, when the booklet is viewed closed, forms a complete skinless body. Also of note is the band’s 10,000 Days album with built-in goggles and gadgets.

Try and read between the lines (and beneath the cover)

Slayer-Seasons in the Abyss 7” Single: This limited edition of the ‘Seasons in the Abyss’ 7” vinyl single came packaged in a clear plastic bag filled with fake (we hope) blood and skulls to float in it. If this isn’t Slayer, i don’t what is. So awesome that you can’t even buy it anywhere anymore!

SSSSLLLLAAAAYYYEEEERRR!!!!!

The Prize Fighter Inferno-My Brother’s Blood Machine: The side project of Coheed and Cambria’s Claudio Sanchez, the Prize Fighter Inferno has released one album thus far. The cover of the CD is a textured dark brown book-like surface. Inside the case, in lieu of a standard (boring) booklet, however, are a series of tarot-like cards which have drawings of different characters, as well as the lyrics and the credits to the album. Somewhat simple when compared to the other albums I’ve mentioned, but still an interesting and unique concept.

See inside for fate

Bright Eyes-Cassadaga: Even though I’m not a big Bright Eyes fan, I seem to mention Connor quite a bit these days. When it comes to packaging his albums, Mr. Oberst does quite well. On Lifted, everything was put together like a book; on Wide Awake, an elaborate knit scene featuring a city, trees, and birds was photographed and spread across the album and booklet. For Cassadaga, a spooky and dark album, we have a seemingly plain gray-all-over cover with a black disc and booklet. But wait! There is a cool little decoder included with the album which, when traced across the covers and insides of the package, reveals drawings, notes, and other bits of art ripe for the viewing.

There's Waldo!

Thrice-the Alchemy Index (4x10” vinyl version): For Thrice’s epic Alchemy Index release, a few pieces of black vinyl shoved into a cardboard sleeve would be insufficient. No, instead, we get four different colors of vinyl (red for Fire, blue for Water, clear for Air, and brown for Earth) packaged inside a hardcover book with both lyrics and notes from the band on what each song means, how it was created, etc.; an epic package for an ambitious set of albums.

These actually have music on them

The Dead Weather-Blue Blood Blues (12”/7” Single): A few months ago when this single was released, the internet vinyl community was in a collective tizzy over Jack White’s creation of the so-called “triple-decker” record, which was a 7” single packaged inside of a standard 12” LP. One could only get to the inner single by cutting into the outer record. Fear not though, for the external record snaps back together again for repeated enjoyment. Another case of a rare, out-of-print, can’t afford it if you ain’t Jack White himself record, but it’s nice to know someone out there has one of these and isn’t flipping it on eBay for $500.

Too much for one slab of vinyl to handle

What other albums are amazing pieces of music, artwork, and packaging? Comment below!

Iron Maiden

The Number of the Beast- i always felt funny telling people that i listened to supposedly "evil" bands like Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath or Slayer. i mean, it's hard to tell someone "i love GOD and i'm not a satanist!" while singing along to lyrics like "666/ the number of the beast" or "Jesus knows your soul cannot be saved/Hell awaits!" There comes a time, though, when one needs to realize that it's entertainment, showmanship, etc. i mean, Tom from Slayer is a Catholic, Alice Cooper is a born-again Christian, and Iron Maiden uses Bible verses on the sleeves of some of their records. It took me awhile to be mature enough to realize that just because a band sang about satan does not mean that the band or artist in question is endorsing satan or occult practices. To me, it is the same as a straight-edge person listening to a band like the Rolling Stones; one does not need to agree with a band or artist's beliefs in order to appreciate his or her art.
With all that said, Iron Maiden is awesome. The Number of the Beast is the first Maiden purchase i made on vinyl, and i would say it is my favorite. Some people might say that this is their most mainstream album, but i say that if that is so, it is for good reason. Songs like "the Prisoner," "the Number of the Beast," "Run to the Hills," "Gangland," and "Hallowed be Thy Name" are all standout tracks which help to cement this album's legendary status. If you are not into Maiden, from a fellow newbie, i'd suggest starting here first.

Piece of Mind- The second piece of Maiden wax i bought, and a pretty good follow-up to "Number of the Beast" in my Maiden voyage (lol). My favorites include "Where Eagles Dare," the legendary "The Trooper" and "Flight of Icarus." To me, the second half of the album is not as memorable, but perhaps i need more time with the songs.

Powerslave- i'll readily admit that i expected this album to be bad due to the strange album artwork (it's not black?! "Iron Maiden" isn't in red?!), but thank GOD it failed to meet those expectations. i dig "2 Minutes to Midnight." "Aces High" is alright, although i'll admit that i don't particularly care for the lyrics. My favorite song on the album is closer, "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner," based on the epic poem. An awesome song and probably one of my favorite metal songs of all time.


The vinyl itself is all black, fitting for the band and the time period. i go back and forth on the issue of colored vinyl, but i think for the album art, black is a good match. And it all sounds the same when you're singing along anyways.