Agnostic Front: My Life, My Way (Nuclear Blast Blue Vinyl)

When I was ordering the new Meshuggah release from the distro, I found the new Agnostic Front on sale. I pre-ordered the Meshuggah, so I had to wait 3 weeks to get this AF.  It is on sweet blue vinyl and in a nice gatefold cover.  Amazingly, this is the 10th full length from AF!

Meshuggah: Koloss (Double Gatefold Vinyl Edition)

Finally, the new album from Meshuggah! I pre-ordered this a while back and have been excited for it. This record only had a couple of tracks leaked before its release and my first listen, was actually to this copy, which very rarely happens. So far it sounds excellent.. very much along the lines of newer Meshuggah albums.  This album may not have the impact that their older releases have had, but they are amazing at what they do and are undisputedly influential in their scene.

Strange that this was released on Nuclear Blast, but the distro only had black copies for sale on pre-order.  They have white and green available as well through their site, but I am content with this, for now. Excellent presentation and artwork on this.

Stratovarius: Elements Part 2 (Clear Vinyl)

For a long time it was hard for me to really appreciate symphonic power metal and over the last 4 years or so, I have been experimenting with some of the classics.  One of the first records that really stuck with me was the new Stratovarius record Elysium.  It's really hard for me to get past the cheesy vibe behind it, but once I get over it, it is some amazing music.  Very passionate, technical and extremely well composed. 

When I was picking up some other records, I came across this 2003 release that was some found overstock.  I thought it was worth it to pick it up.  It is a lot different than Elysium, but it is still very obviously Stratovarius.  I think as I go back into their discography, I will learn to appreciate these releases and how this fits into their evolution.

Circle of Dead Children: Psalm Of The Grand Destroyer (Orange and Black Splatter Vinyl)

Found this and a few other records on clearance.  These guys are challenging to listen to, to put it lightly, but are super talented grindcore.  The vinyl and packaging on this is beautiful. 

Jud Jud: No Tolerance for Instruments and The Demos

The best records and one of the main reasons for me bidding on the big lot of hardcore 7" were these Jud Jud records. 

These guys have their very own brand of of creativity and can be considered a mockery of the Straight Edge scene.  Deemed as "Too Straight Edge for Instruments" Jud Jud wrote completely lyric free a capella songs.  Clever indeed!  Complete with liner notes, "lyric sheet" and song titles such as "Speed Picking Song" and "Dive Bomb Song", these guys take the cake for originality. 

"Lyric sheet" separated by left and right channel.

Jud Jud: No Tolerance for Instruments

Assorted 1990's Hardcore 7" Mostly SxE

I picked up a sweet lot of vinyl this week on eBay.  This seller has at least $5-6k worth of vinyl he was selling and it seems that he put some of the less desirable stuff in one big lot, which I scored.  

This has Tiebreak, Brother's Keeper,  What Happens Now?, Full Speed Ahead, Rad, Pushed too Far, Common ground, Envy, Up in Arms/Eternal Youth,  CIV, Full Speed Ahead/Kill Your Idols, Good Riddance/ Ignite, Dag Nasty, Holding On and Coalition

Startweather: Into the Wire (Pink Vinyl)

I bought a copy of this record on black vinyl a while back and even though I was not very familiar with this record, it kept coming up as a "must have" for a certain type of hardcore fan.  I bought it along with some other records and gave it a shot.  I really didn't like it a whole lot, but everything I had read about it said that it was an amazingly powerful record that takes a while to digest and "get".  When I was bidding on some other hardcore records, this one came up.  Its on annoying pink vinyl (which looks cool) and I thought it would be a nice addition and something I may be able to use as a trade in the future.  I gave it another good listen and it has gotten me a bit more interested it, but still hasn't sold me.  I am going to keep it out for a couple of weeks and listen through it a few more times to see if there really is something I am missing or if its' just not up my alley.  Regardless of taste, this is a very emotionally powerful record.