J Mascis - Several Shades Of Why

J Mascis has just released his first solo studio album on Sub Pop Records. Known mostly as the singer songwriter for Dinosaur Jr but some of you may be familiar with his drumming for Deep Wound, Witch and Upsidedown Cross. This is an intimate album of mainly stripped back acoustic songs, not usually the type of music I listen to but any fan of Dinosaur Jr is not going to be disappointed here. J seems to be at the top of his game lately with Dinosaur Jr's last album being one of their best so far and now this incredible solo record. I already know for sure that this will be in my best of 2011 list. The LP comes on purple vinyl in a beautiful gatefold sleeve, Marq Spusta's artwork is just perfect.

Winter - Into Darkness

I have wanted a copy of this for a long time but it was just too expensive to get an original. Thanks to Southern Lord it's now back in print and like most of their releases they've gone all out. Super thick gatefold sleeve, 180 gram vinyl and an 18 page booklet with loads of old flyers and artwork. It's interesting to see the type of shows they played back then, sometimes alongside metal bands like Sepultura and Death and other nights at a crust/punk benefit with Nausea. They don't really fit either bill but certainly share elements of those genres. When I try to describe them to someone I'll usually say they sound like Amebix played at half the speed. This came out over 20 years ago and is still some of the slowest heaviest doom ever recorded. If you haven't heard Winter before, nows your chance.

Pisschrist - Demo

Magik Crowbar have dubbed a reissue of Pisschrists 2004 demo tape. I think there's only about 50 copies so you might want to jump on this if you haven't already. Such a ripping demo.

Men's Interest - More War 7"

This one came out last year but I've only just got my hands on a copy. There's hardly any information out there for Men's Interest and no credits or song titles on this record either. From what I can gather they have at least one member from Mind Eraser, maybe more and that is most definitely Shaun from Cold Sweat on vocals. It's all a bit "mysterious" but I guess they just want the music to speak for itself. That's fine by me as this is some ripping dirty ass hardcore in a similar vein to Cold Sweat. My copy's a first press with silver cover of 500. Second press with gold cover is out now on Home Invasion.

Crime Desire - Alone In A Dream

Alone In A Dream is the latest 5 song EP from Crime Desire. I initially bought this record after reading a write up describing it as deathrock influenced hardcore with Gitane Demone from Christian Death doing some guest vocals. Having not heard any of Crime Desire's previous releases I guess I was expecting this to sound a little bit more goth, kinda like T.S.O.L. or Christian Death. I can hear a slight goth/deathrock influence but it's still pretty straight up hardcore, maybe it's the gruff vocals that make me think that. I actually really dig the vocals and I'm glad this wasn't a Rozz Williams impersonation gone bad. Of course the wailings of Gitane Demone and her daughter Zara definitely add something different to the mix here, especially on the final track "Hell Of Death". After a few spins and getting over the fact it wasn't what I was expecting, I'm really loving this record. Recorded onto analogue tape and mastered straight to vinyl so it sounds like it's meant to. Out now on Life's A Rape / Gravity Records. Listen to the whole record below and you can download from their bandcamp for a pay as you feel amount.

Iron Age - Saga Demos

Saga Demos is sadly the last release from Iron Age. Two songs recorded in their practice space for the unfinished album " Fate In The Shadow Of Eluvimal". It sounds like they were continuing in the same direction as their previous LP "The Sleeping Eye". Epic thrashy metal with the catchiest fucking riffs that make me headbang in my car, lounge room or wherever else I may be. This just devastates me that there will be no more. Cyclopean Records only made 250 cassettes which sold out almost straight away but you can listen to the whole tape below.

Nerveskade - Nerveskade LP + Cassette

This is the first Nerveskade LP that was released late last year on Blackwater Records. More of that awesome punx artwork. The cassette was made up for a tour before the LP came out. I know there's also a glow in the dark vinyl version with hand coloured sleeve that I'd love to chase down too.