Electric Hawk | Self-Titled Instrumental metal with tinges of Pelican and Leviathan-era Mastodon. The output and sound here is amazing for a 3-piece. I apparently have been asleep at the switch for missing out on these guys. #metalsky #nowspinning electrichawk.bandcamp.com/album/electr...

Testament | The Ritual. Did this album show a decrease in raw heaviness compared to prior efforts? Yes. Did it produce several classic Testament songs? Also, yes. Time has spoken and this is still a metal classic, loaded with songs you all know. #metalsky #nowspinning m.youtube.com/watch?v=CjRx...

Morta Skuld | Nascency of the Prolific. This has two demos: Gory Departure and Prolong the Agony plus live material. These Milwaukee guys have a following across the border in Chicago. This stuff is true and pure early death metal. #metalsky #nowspinning mortaskulddeath.bandcamp.com/album/nascen...

Running Wild | Port Royal Anyone who reads my ramblings may have noticed I have a nostalgic soft spot for Noise Records releases. Here’s some fine pirate-inspired power metal from a band who definitely knows how to pull such a thing off. #metalsky #nowspinning m.youtube.com/watch?v=qAhG...

Death | Scream Bloody Gore Death’s traditional death metal era. The musical style and lyrics/themes are in total alignment. This is a celebration of what death metal was at its inception. I remember being enamored by the Ed Repka cover art. #metalsky #nowspinning m.youtube.com/watch?v=lFnj...

Arctic Sleep | Passage of Gaia This isn’t going to be everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s a tantalizing blend of alt-metal and post-metal with some of the same draw that bands like Hum have (at least to me). Heavy, dark and melodic. #metalsky #nowspinning arcticsleep.bandcamp.com/album/passag...

Sepultura | Chaos AD I’ve posted this album before. But, IDC. I write about albums while I listen to them, sharing observations at the time, which may change. I dislike that this is labeled “groove metal”. It’s not. It was visionary and DM/thrash oriented. #metalsky m.youtube.com/watch?v=jw48...

Shadows Fall | Fallout From the War. This is a fun compilation full of bangers. Jon Donais is great. Dude switches between heavy rhythm parts and soaring leads effortlessly. Really interested to hear more of him on the new Anthrax album. #metalsky #nowspinning m.youtube.com/watch?v=HugD...

Midas Touch | Presage to Disaster Swedish thrash metal from 1989. This has some really interesting elements going on - a little technical, proto-blast beat in the opening track - but distinctly 80’s. Another fine Noise Records release. #metalsky #nowspinning m.youtube.com/watch?v=CBH9...

Trouble | The Skull Eric Wagner was a unique and irreplaceable voice. But, the guitar work by Bruce Franklin and Rick Wartell has always been the backbone of the band, to me. Instantly recognizable tone and riffs. #metalsky #nowspinning troubleofficial.bandcamp.com/album/the-sk...

Metallica | And Justice for All. In the vein of the most interesting man in the world, “I don’t always listen to Metallica, but when I do it’s one of the first 4 albums.” This one remains a thrash classic. James’ vocals sound visceral. A+ riffs. #metalsky #nowspinning m.youtube.com/watch?v=-BG1...

Black Flag | TV Party Nice little EP from Henry Rollins and the gang. I wish I could have seen these guys live with him at the helm. Their sound was so raw and untamed. It’s stuff that paved the way for increasingly heavier bands in the 80’s. #metalsky #nowspinning m.youtube.com/watch?v=uwfq...

Manowar | Hail to England. It’s a tape from 1984 & has its rough spots. But, I consider them battle scars on a tome written by these oft shirtless (& sometimes pantless) metal warriors. Best on an Alpine tape deck in a van with wizard paintjob. #metalsky #nowspinning m.youtube.com/watch?v=i_vl...

Carcass | Surgical Remission/Surplus Steel EP The denouement of Surgical Steel, with b-side tracks for those like me who couldn’t get enough of the full-length. 10” clear vinyl. Never regretted buying this kinda’ stuff. Selling is another story. #metalsky #nowspinning m.youtube.com/watch?v=g1Rv...

Air Raid | Something Awful I vacillated on whether to post this. It’s an intentionally offensive album that absolutely rips. Played a show with these guys years ago. Songs like Helium Hard-On and Bionic B-Hole say it all. Worth a listen. #metalsky #nowspinning airraid.bandcamp.com/album/someth...

Cathedral | In Memoriam Still has the Tower Records-London sticker from when I bought this on a trip overseas, 32 years ago. Classic Cathedral with vocals more akin to Forests of Equilibrium. Has a slowed down cover of All Your Sins (Pentagram). #metalsky #nowspinning m.youtube.com/watch?v=6GaX...

Righteous Pigs | Stress Related/Live and Learn. You know the guitarist on these albums. It’s none other than Mitch Harris of Napalm Death fame. It’s interesting to go back and listen to them. There’s Harmony Corruption-esque riffs going on. #metalsky #nowspinning m.youtube.com/watch?v=X4wk...

Scum Noise | Self-Titled. Grind/Crust from Brazil. If you want to get crazy but have a short attention span, this album is for you. Loads of pit-worthy riffs and beats crammed into about a 20 minute LP. The formula here is highly effective. #metalsky #nowspinning m.youtube.com/watch?v=uTWx...

Phobia | Remnants of Filth. Grindcore is so satisfying. Heavy AF with punk and hardcore roots and sensibilities. I’ve seen Napalm Death so many times and I can’t imagine it getting old. Phobia nails it on this album. Produced by Scott Hull. #metalsky #nowspinning phobia.bandcamp.com/album/remnan...

Destruction | Live Without Sense. Schmier and the boys thrashing out some classics: Mad Butcher, Curse the Gods, Release from Agony….you get the picture. Enjoying this music the way it was meant to be - on a cassette from 1989. #metalsky #nowspinning m.youtube.com/watch?v=1t-E...