Zombi - The Zombi Anthology (2005)

I love old soundtracks by Goblin, John Carpenter, Tangerine Dream, & Fabio Frizzi. When I hear this rare CD, I know I am not alone. Pittsburgh’s Zombi has carried the torch of awesome, dark, cinematic music since 2001. A duo comprised of Steve Moore and Anthony Paterra utilize live drums, electric bass and a collection of analog synthesizers to rock you to Earth and fly you to the cosmos. They have an impressive aptitude for lush, warm soundscapes. If you are a fan of any of the artists mentioned above, you may become a new fan of Zombi. They have a new album out as of last month, but go ahead and start here at the beginning. You won’t be sorry.

There is a short review of this disc here.

Year of Release: 2005
Label: VCO Records
Catalog #: VCO-001
Genre: Electronic, Progressive
Media: CD
Format: MP3
Bitrate: 320 kbps

Track List:
— Zombi (2002) —

1. Sequence 1 (3:29)
2. Sequence 2 (2:24)
3. Sequence 3 (3:21)
4. Sequence 4 (2:09)
5. Sequence 5 (6:27)
6. Sequence 6 (2:42)
7. Sequence 7 (1:41)
8. Sequence 8 (2:49)

— Twilight Sentinel (2003) —

9. Sequence 8 (alternate version) (3:06)
10. Gemini, Part 2 (7:01)
11. Twilight Sentinel (6:49)
12. DMC-12 (plus hidden bonus track) (13:46)

Download: Zombi - The Zombi Anthology
Download Size: 125 MB

VA - Phenomena (OST)

First of all, I would like to thank Zer0_II for extending the invitation for me to contribute to this project. It is a great pleasure for me to provide some wicked sounds to all of Digital Meltd0wn's readership this cheery season.

Phenomena is a 1985 horror/fantasy/thriller from Italian director Dario Argento starring Jennifer Connelly, and with music composed by progressive rock band Goblin. This is not the first time an Argento/Goblin soundtrack has appeared here. I thought it would round out the collection nicely. This is a big contender for my favorite Argento movie. It's full of memorable and disturbing imagery, as well as a variety of atmosphere changing from dreamy and hypnotic to full throttle violence. Like all Argento, it's not for everyone. Some people may not be able to get past how absurd the film is, but the film's silliness is only one aspect, and one I happen to enjoy.

This long out-of-print and impossible to find release is evidence of the film's manic mood changes. Even the rock tracks by Iron Maiden, Motorhead, and Andi Sex Gang are entertaining, but the real gems are the Goblin tracks and the contributions by Bill Wyman/Terry Taylor and Simon Boswell. Goblin's Phenomena, is a pop electronic rocker that makes excellent use of female operatic singing, and it is truly unforgettable in my opinion. Their other tracks range from hypnotic, to dreamy and tender. Most people's favorite track (and I am no exception) is Valley by Wyman/Taylor. It probably is the most haunting piece of music I have ever heard. I try not to listen to it too much, because I don't want to wear it out. Often I will measure my enjoyment of something by whether or not it gives me goosebumps, and Valley never fails.

Year of Release: 1987
Label: Cinevox
Catalog Number: CD-CIA 5062
Genres: Soundtrack, Progressive Rock, Hard Rock
Format: MP3
Bitrate: 320 kbps
FLAC upgrade available upon request.

Tracklist:
1. Goblin - Phenomena (4:25)
2. Iron Maiden - Flash of the Blade (4:09)
3. Goblin - Jennifer (3:51)
4. Andi Sex Gang - The quick and the dead (3:33)
5. Andy sex gang - You don't know me (2:38)
6. Goblin - The wind (1:18)
7. Bill Wyman & Terry Taylor - Valley (4:31)
8. Goblin - Sleepwalking (3:51)
9. Motorhead - Locomotive (3:25)
10. Goblin - Jennifer's Friend (3:28)
11. Simon Boswell - The Maggots (1:38)
12. Andi Sex Gang - The naked and the dead (2:37)

Download: VA - Phenomena (1985)
Download Size: 90MB

Keith Emerson - Inferno Original Soundtrack (1980 - 320kbps)

Continuing with my Italian horror theme for "Halloween Countdown 2010", I present to you the soundtrack to one of my favorite films from Italian director Dario Argento. When Argento directed a film he often turned to the members of Goblin to create the music for the film. The members of Goblin had a hand in creating the music to all of Argento's films from 1975 to 1987, with the exception of one film, Inferno. Argento chose progressive rocker Keith Emerson to compose Inferno's soundtrack because he "wanted a different sort of score from that by Italian progressive group Goblin on Suspiria, a more delicate one".

The version of the soundtrack I'm presenting today is a CD reissue released in Italy by Cinevox in 2004. It contains Keith Emerson's original score, as well as a bonus track "Inferno (Outtakes Suite)". This version is currently out of print and no longer available to purchase from Cinevox. Cinevox later reissued the soundtrack again with additional bonus tracks in 2006.

Unfortunately that is all I have time to write about this soundtrack right now as I have to leave for work in a few minutes. I had hoped to be able to write a full-length review earlier in the day, but things just didn't work out the way I had planned. The idea behind the Halloween Countdown is to present at least one item each day until October 31st arrives, and I'm simply not going to have time to do that unless I post a review from a different source. Fortunately I was able to find a very well written review by on cinefantastiqueonline.com (damn, that's a long name for a website) which I hope will be enough to satisfy your curiosity.

"Although often compared unfavorably to Goblin’s music for SUSPIRIA, keyboardist Keith Emerson’s score for the sequel, INFERNO, is every bit as in tune with the film, perfectly matching the mood and action. Unlike Goblin’s heavy rhythms, shrieking vocals, and shrill synthesizers of the previous film, Emerson employs a much more subtle approach, weaving a score out of quiet piano motifs supported by orchestral arrangements, only occasionally reaching into his electronic bag of tricks for a more outre effect. The result comes closer to a conventional piece of film scoring, underlining the on-screen action without drawing as much attention to itself.

If there is a failing to the music, it is one seen in several Argento films (though not in SUSPIRIA): a disconnect between the music and the visual. Occasionally, Emerson’s music seems to shrill for the scene it accompanies. In the case of Kazanian’s Tarantella” (in which a man is attacked by rats in Central Park during a lunar eclipse), the music builds to a grandiose climax more appropriate for a heroic rescue than a bloody demise. Fortunately, this (relatively minor) problem does not extend to the soundtrack album, where the music can be enjoyed on its own.

Unlike the album for SUSPIRIA (and indeed for other Goblin soundtracks, which gave the impression that the group had simply performed a series of track that Argento then cut into the film wherever he felt like it), the track listing of the INFERNO album follows the film in chronological order. Most of the music consists of delicate piano instrumentals (enhanced by ominous orchestral arrangements), which thread the recurring “Inferno” main title theme throughout the film; the effect is hypnotic and dreamy rather than overtly horrific. For the major suspense set pieces (e.g., “A Cat Attic Attack”), the orchestra kicks in with all the enthusiasm of Bernard Herrmann as his most intense, and Emerson adopts a more frenetic, perscussive style of playing that will be familiar to fans of his work as a progressive rocker.

Providing a break from the piano-orchestral sound that dominates the music are a handful of other tracks. “Rose Gets It” features an eerie wordless vocal (probably achieved with a synthesizer; the effect sounds much like a theremin). “The Library” is a brief piece for solo church organ that manages to evoke a Gothic ambiance without sounding too cliched. ”Taxi Ride (Rome)” and “Cigarettes, Ices, Etc” recreate the old three-piece line-up of Emerson, Lake, and Palmer, with bass and drums laying down the rhythm while Emerson layers various, piano and keyboard sounds on top. ”Cigarettes,” the last track on the original album, was apparently intended as the closing title music; instead, Argento reused the track “Mater Tenebrarum,” a sort of rock-and-roll version of Jerry Goldsmith’s OMEN theme, with a vocalist chanting the Latin names of the “Three Mothers” described in a book by an alchemist: Mater Suspiriorum (the Mother of Sighs), Mater Tenebrarum (the Mother of Darkness), and Mater Lachrymarum (the Mother of Tears). A handful of music cues from the movie did not make it onto the old vinyl soundtrack album. These were mostly brief, droning synthesizer bits, used as transitions. Subsequent CD releases include a suite of outtakes.

Although lacking the outrageous impact of Goblin’s work for SUSPIRIA, the music for INFERNO is excellent in its own right. In fact, Emerson’s debut as a film composer far exceeds his subsequent, much less distinguished work on NIGHT HAWKS and MURDER ROCK (although he did contribute some nice work to GODZILLA: FINAL WARS). Those seeking the progressive rock assault of keyboardist’s group efforts (The Nice, ELP) will be disappointed, but taken in its own terms, the music for INFERNO is as good as anything Emerson ever did." - Steve Biodrowski

Year of Release: Original: 1980 | Reissue: 2004
Label: Cinevox (CD MDF 306)
Genre: Soundtrack/Score, Horror, Electronic
Bitrate: 320kbps

Tracklist:
1. Inferno
2. Rose's Descent Into the Cellar
3. Taxi Ride
4. Library
5. Sarah in the Library Vaults
6. Brookbinder's Delight
7. Rose Leaves the Apartment
8. Rose Gets It
9. Elisa's Story
10. A Cat Attic Attack
11. Kazanian's Tarantella
12. Mark's Discovery
13. Mater Tenebrarum
14. Inferno Finale
15. Cigarretes, Ices, Etc
16. Inferno (Outtakes Suite)

Download: Keith Emerson - Inferno
Download Size: 86MB

X-Legged Sally - Slow-Up

X-Legged Sally was a Belgian avant-garde group that fused elements of funk, jazz, progressive rock and classical to create a truly remarkable and unique cacophony of sound. They played a pivotol role in helping to establish the indie scene in Belgium during the late early 90's. The first track that I had the pleasure of hearing from the group was "Hair", which I discovered on Youtube, and also happens to remain my favorite track by XLS. "Hair" was included on the album "The Land of the Giant Dwarfs". Even though you won't find it on this album, I included a youtube video for "Hair" to give you a preview of the group's sound before you download the album, although one should keep in mind that they have a very eclectic approach to their albums, and no one song can accurately represent the group's sound as a whole. Upon searching for more information about the band, I was shocked to discover that the majority of their discography is currently out of print. Only Eggs & Ashes and Killed by Charity appear to still be available from Sub Rosa.

X-Legged Sally consisted of members Peter Vermeersch, Paul Belgrado, Pierre Vervloesem, Danny Van Hoeck, Peter Vandenberghe, Bart Maris, and Michel Mast. In 1990 the band first appeared on the radar by contributing a track to the compilation "Live at the Knitting Factory Vol. 4", which helped the band members to establish a relationshiop with the New York downtown scene. The next year the group would go on to release their debut album, Slow-Up, which would solidify X-Legged Sally's reputation, and help to change the face of the independent Belgian music scene. Fortunately for us during the time the group was together they were active, releasing five studio albums and one live album within a 6 year span. In 1996 the band held a farewell concert, and officially disbanded the following year. Each of the members would eventually go on to work on their own respective projects. Peter Vermeersch founded A Group (together with Pierre Vervloesem), and later the Flat Earth Society, while Eric Sleichim started Bl!ndman, and Pierre Vervloesem featured in a lot of bands and has a productive solo career.

I have only found this album posted on one other blog, that being the legendary Mutant Sounds blog; however, it was only a low quality rip at 128kbps. It pleases me to be able to deliver a much higher quality rip at 320kbps. I was also recently greeted with a rather pleasant surprise when I stumbled across a comment that E-mile left on the Jazz Archives blog, where he posted links for the majority of their discography, so if any of you would like to see more of their albums posted here in the future, please leave a comment and let me know.

I had initially intended to post a track by track review, but it started to become increasingly obvious that I wasn't going to be able to finish before I have to go to work. Since I promised a friend that I would have this posted today, I'm just going to share a more professionally written review from Allmusic:

"It's easy to see why Bill Laswell was impressed when Peter Vermeersch sent him the demo from Belgium. This band was hot, hotter in fact than pretty much anyone the big, bad N.Y.C. producer/bassist was working with at the time. So X-Legged Sally was invited to record at Laswell's Greenpoint Studio in Brooklyn, and Slow-Up is the result. The band's debut full-length nearly overflows with energy, a sax-driven riff feast with full-tilt forward momentum from the rhythm section and no-holds-barred solos from reeds, guitar, and keys -- all packaged in 15 concise tunes (mainly instrumental and mainly penned by bandleader/clarinetist/saxophonist Vermeersch) that reveal how hooks, melodies, and straightforward harmonic and rhythmic foundations can be an asset even in the world of avant-prog music. The band's avant tendencies are balanced expertly with the plain satisfaction of nimbly executed unison and harmony lines, memorable themes, and the oft-displayed ability to accelerate from a standstill to light speed (and vice versa) in the blink of an eye. And while Vermeersch and company bring a certain Euro-style artfulness and serious avant jazz chops to the proceedings, the down and dirty influences of funk, blues, and even screamin' rock & roll (check out manic shredder guitarist Pierre Vervloesem's lung-tearing vocals on "Bacon & Eggs") crop up all over the place. Envision the members of Parliament/Funkadelic suddenly finding themselves on-stage with King Crimson running through those crazy stop-and-start unison passages in "21st Century Schizoid Man." That's what a lot of Slow-Up is like. But if the CD were merely fast, faster, and fastest music 100 percent of the time, it would ultimately be a bit of a bore -- like a Hollywood big-budget action movie with five or six too many chase scenes. Slow-Up isn't that; Vermeersch expertly modulated the program and he knew when to slow down, as in "Down at the Dinghy," a lovely little tango performed by the band's three reedmen with everyone else sitting out. And "Blackhead Blue Blues" is as moody and low in its slow groove as the blues can be, that is until Vervloesem unleashes a torrent of notes from mysterious depths right out into the stratosphere. Still, hard chargers like "34th Street," "Turkish Bath," and "Memphis" are the biggest stunners, with high-spirited energy, compact structures, and grooves that won't let go. If there's any fault whatsoever to be found, it's actually with Laswell's production, which is a bit bottom-heavy. The reeds could've been punched up when the entire band is cranked and cooking; perhaps Laswell forgot to tweak the knobs from one of his atmospheric ambient/world/dub productions. Or maybe the band frightened him and he ran out before he could tweak anything (naw, he was back producing Killed by Charity during the band's next U.S. visit). At any rate, it's a minor quibble. Slow-Up is a masterpiece of avant prog and should be in the CD collection of anyone who appreciates, say, New York's Doctor Nerve or Montréal's Les Projectionnistes. - Dave Lynch, All Music Guide"

Year of Release: 1991
Label: Sub Rosa
Genres: Avant-Garde, Avant-Prog, Jazz-Rock, Funk
Bitrate: 320kbps

Track List:
1. Ffwd
2. Zippo Raid
3. Xls
4. Down at the Dinghy
5. Bacon & Eggs
6. 34th Street
7. Blackhead Blue Blues
8. Lacto B.
9. Fuck & Coffee
10. Turkish Bath
11. Little Hearts
12. Liquid
13. Pinocchio
14. Memphis
15. Ongennaam

Download: X-Legged Sally - Slow-Up
Download Size: 151MB

Idiot Flesh - Tales Of Instant Knowledge And Sure Death

Idiot Flesh was a band formed in Oakland, CA in 1985 under the name Acid Rain. They made their debut with the demo album "We Were All Very Worried" which was released on tape only in 1987. They changed their name to Idiot Flesh prior to the release of their first album.

Their first album entitled "Tales of Instant Knowledge and Sure Death" came out in 1990, three years after their impressive demo cassette which didn't featured that really elfish atmosphere which was present in their 1990 release. The lyrical and musical world of Idiot Flesh is truly an absurd and playful panorama of the theatres and circuses. These jugglers really knew how to entertain the abstract senses of the abstract public. During concerts they were giving puppet and pantomime shows beside acrobatic attractions as well. They also played on various strange instruments (castanets, marimba,..) including household items like trash cans, saws, etc. The album is a catchy avant-garde rock masterpiece with morphing bass vibrancies, funky guitar rhythms and the harmony of classical instruments. The atmosphere of the album is full of musical gags and playful melodies often resulting in comical pictures.

After the group disbanded in 1998, the members of Idiot Flesh would go on to work on solo projects or join other bands, most notably Sleepytime Gorilla Museum.

Year of Release: 1990
Label: Vaccination Records
Genre: Experimental/Progressive/Avant-Garde
Bitrate: 192kbps

Download: Idiot Flesh - Tales Of Instant Knowledge And Sure Death
Download Size: 68MB

Birth Control- Hoodoo Man

Often when one thinks of the Krautrock phenomenon that took off in the 1970s, bands like Tangerine Dream, Can, Neu!, and Kraftwerk come to mind. Often forgotten in the wave of those bands is Birth Control. Formed in Berlin, Germany in 1969, Birth Control has been described as a Krautrock, progressive rock band but this band had a harder edge and more of a jazz influence than most progressive rock bands of their era. I believe Birth Control's first three albums are essential buys for any fan of progressive rock or Krautrock, but I have chosen to spotlight "Hoodoo Man."

Released in 1972, Hoodoo Man, immediately attracts attention by its unusual cover art, which had been a running theme for Birth Control up until this point. If the cover art is not enough of a signal to what Birth Control is about, the first track, "Buy!" offers up an immediate glimpse into their serious with a light-hearted spin subject matter.

Tracks "Buy!," "Get Down on Your Fate, and "Gamma Ray," the band's biggest hit, are album highlights. With only 6 tracks, it is all killer and no filler. Do not let this great piece of progressive rock continue to go underrated. Enjoy!

Year of Release: 1972
Genre: Krautrock, Progressive Rock
Label: CBS

Track List

1. Buy!
2. Suicide
3. Get Down to Your Fate
4. Gamma Ray
5. Hoodoo Man
6. Kaulstoss

Download: Birth Control- Hoodoo Man
Download Size: 77.18 MB

Axcraft - Dancing Madly Backwards

A must for any fans of '70s progressive music.Axcraft was a mid-'70s band from California around whom legends were built. Originally recorded for Bill Holmes' All American Records label, Dancing Madly Backwards was never officially released, but an acetate of the album made its way onto the collector's market, causing quite a stir. The sound of the band was progressive hard rock and many who heard it thought they were a British band. In the genre of such bands as Yes, Gentle Giant, Strawbs, Wishbone Ash, or many more similarly styled acts. Contained here are the original five songs (all clocking in at over five minutes!) from the acetate, which was recorded at United Audio in Tustin, California, together with two bonus live tracks recorded by the band themselves during their heyday. Officially sanctioned by band members and taken from original tapes supplied by band producer Bill Holmes, who also designed the album cover from original designs, this album is a must for any fans of '70s progressive music.
(Year of Release: 1974)

Track List:
1. So Far Away
2. Astral Love
3. 727 Suite
4. Firewheel
5. Dancing Madly Backwards
6. Vahalla (Live)
7. Love Is Blue (Live)

Download: Axcraft - Dancing Madly Backwards (27MB)

Buckethead - Secret Recipe DVD - 4 Unreleased Tracks

As requested.. here's 4 previously unreleased tracks from Buckethead. The following tracks were released exclusively with the Secret Recipe DVD. This upload does not contain all the tracks that were included on the DVD, only the 4 tracks that were previously unreleased. These tracks represent his early work and most of them were recorded in 1988. They have a more raw energetic sound to them than some of Buckethead's later efforts.

Track List
1. Brazos
2. Soowee
3. Count Scapula
4. John Merrick Lectures

Download: Buckethead - 4 Unreleased Tracks (23.5MB)

Captain Beyond - Captain Beyond

Captain Beyond was an American rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1972. Its members were singer Rod Evans, guitarist Larry "Rhino" Reinhardt, bassist Lee Dorman, and drummer Bobby Caldwell. Evans was the original lead singer for Deep Purple and probably best known for his vocals on their 1968 debut chart-breaker "Hush"; Rheinhardt and Dorman had played in Iron Butterfly. Caldwell had come to prominence playing with Johnny Winter. He was replaced by drummer Martin Rodriguez on the group's second album, after which Evans left the band. Captain Beyond re-formed in 1976, with singer Willy Daffern, and Caldwell back on the drums.

Captain Beyond played hard rock influenced by progressive rock. Although the band achieved little commercial success, the group nevertheless earned a cult following. Reinhardt and Caldwell reformed Captain Beyond in 1998. Since then they have been performing at shows and have released a four track EP. There is of yet no information whether they are going to record a new album.
(Year of Release: 1972)

Track List:
1. Dancing Madly Backwards (On A Sea Of Air)
2. Armworth
3. Myopic Void
4. Mesmerization Eclipse
5. Raging River Of Fear
6. Thousand Days Of Yesterdays (Intro)
7. Frozen Over
8. Thousand Days Of Yesterdays (Time Since Come &...)
9. I Can't Feel Nothin' (Part 1)
10. As The Moon Speaks (To The Waves Of The Sea)
11. Astral Lady
12. As The Moon Speaks (Return)
13. I Can't Feel Nothin' (Part 2)

Download: Captain Beyond - Captain Beyond (38.7MB)

Green Milk From The Planet Orange - City Calls Revolution

Green Milk from the Planet Orange's first album for Beta-Lactam Ring consisted mostly of old songs re-recorded. City Calls Revolution contains only brand new material and features new bassist T (everyone in the band goes by an initial, now). The music still draws loads of inspiration from progressive rock and fusion, but the psychedelic vibe is stronger than ever, as the group moves closer to the experimental tendencies of Acid Mothers Temple. As a result, this album may be more difficult, but also more exciting than their previous one. After two or three minutes of synthesizer doodles, Dead K, A, and T take off for an exhilarating 20-minute ride titled "Concrete City Breakdown." By far the most progressive number here, the piece features strong themes and several surprising variations. The playing is more than inspired, hinting at King Crimson, Miles Davis' electric band, and Ruins. It provides the undisputed highlight and ranks as one of the best tracks the group has recorded yet. "Omgs" adopts a punkier attitude, with a passing nod to the Stick Men (or the New York no wave scene in general). More aggressive, it can become irritating. "Demagog" goes by rather unnoticed after that, but further listens reveal a good average song for this band. The set concludes with the 38-minute epic "A Day in the Planet Orange," a suite that is actually a hodgepodge of ideas. The band bounces around from free-form improv to fast-action prog riffing, telephone conversations, and slow-paced post-rock-ish themes. Form-wise, the piece is not that conclusive (it suffers no comparison to the coherence of "Concrete City Breakdown"), but it sure has a high entertainment value, with a fair balance of exciting and puzzling moments. Green Milk from the Planet Orange is not the Japanese freak-out band you might be expecting (there is a lot of order ruling their chaos), but in the light of this opus, they are edging in that direction.
(Year of Release: 2005)

Track List:
1. Concrete City Breakdown
2. Omgs
3. Demagog
4. A Day In The Planet Orange

Download: Green Milk From The Planet Orange - City Calls Revolution (51.1MB)

Sleepytime Gorilla Museum - Grand Opening and Closing

Many prog-metal bands seem to be a combination of heavy metal, symphonic prog and fusion. SGM is more like where heavy metal meets avant prog and dada. They use a large collection of homemade instruments in addition to drums, bass, violin, keyboards and (occasionally blisteringly loud) guitar. Many of the invented instruments are percussive, like the "slide piano log" that produces the deep, vibrating notes that open "Powerless".

The music ranges in style from the ultra-heavy, paint peeling "1997" to the vaguely threatening lullaby that makes up the first half of "Sleepytime" and the very sparse "Sunflower" (comprised of just intermittent bells and plucked strings of what sounds like a harp). And even though it often gets unusual enough to draw comparisons to bands like Mr. Bungle or Thinking Plague, the music is also catchy enough at times that it might appeal to mainstream metal fans.

To give some idea of the quirkiness of this band - the second track is a nifty instrumental with odd time signatures and shifting accents, and only one word of lyrics, when the vocalist shouts "Ambugaton!". The credits read "music: David, word: Hank Williams". The liner notes are also a mindbender, detailing the history of the dadaist museum from which the band takes its name, and the mysterious characters who inspired it all. Is any of it true? Who knows, but it makes for interesting reading.

The band's live performances are even better than the album. They'll probably appeal to fans of the heavier end of the avant spectrum as much as (if not more than) fans of regular prog-metal. (Year of Release: 2001)

Track List:
1. Sleep Is Wrong
2. Ambugaton
3. Ablutions
4. 1997 (Tonight We're Gonna Party Like It's...)
5. The Miniature
6. Powerless
7. The Stain
8. Sleepytime (Spirit Is A Bone)
9. Sunflower

Download: Sleepytime Gorilla Museum - Grand Opening and Closing (63.2MB)