Who doesn’t
like compilation albums? Sure, there are times where you just want to listen to
a particular band, but there are also times, where a good comp album does the
trick. Especially when it’s loaded with killer bands singing killer songs.
Lately there has been lots of cover compilation projects that have been pretty
cool too, comprised of bands we all know and love putting their spin on songs
we all know and love as well as b-sides we may not all know or love. Here are a
few great comps you can find in camp.
Hard Rock Revolution – Volume III
Make no
mistake, the revolution is upon us. For real. The Hard Rock Revolution started
as a web forum years ago, which amassed a tight knit group of like-minded music
addicts, including myself and has evolved into a music community unlike most
others. The folks are down to earth, minimal bickering, trolling prohibited and
the music is the heart of all the hearts. Just push play on the latest
carnation of underground hits.
The Hard
Rock Revolution continues to revolt in the face of the mainstream. Vol. III
brings you more killer hard rock, doom, stoner, psych tunes for an apt cross
section brought to you by the fearless generals of HRR.
Bad Omen Records - Drums in the Deep
Bad Omen
Records is a hot up and coming label specializing in hard rock, proto-metal and
stoner sludge. They just released a comp album with various artists in their
roster. Perfect entry into good fortunes of Bad Omen. Dig it!
Magnetic Eye Records – Electric Ladyland:
Jimi Hendrix Redux
This soon to
be classic remake utilizing modern hard rocking bands to pay tribute to the Hendrix album
Electric Ladyland was a huge success. Not without a fight, Magnetic Eye Records
was able to accumulate an all star cast to cover one of the greats with a wide
variety of bands making Jimi their own. Great artwork, fantastic vinyl options
and all around a really fun project to behold. Since them the label has
released a Helmet redux project of their classic album Meantime, and currently
working on a new undertaking of the intrinsic album The Wall by Pink Floyd.
Interesting and challenging picks to say the least. But well worth the price of
admission. Check out the companion albums as well which are more of a best of
Hendrix.
Doomed & Stoned in Portland
The first of
an impressive run of compilations featuring doomy and stoney bands in Portland,
the Doomed & Stoned team led by the infamous Billy Goate, really got my
attention and acted as a true album of discovery for me. I hadn’t heard of most
the bands on the album and caught myself flabbergastic by several during the
first listen. Dooomed & Stoned does a great job at getting these smaller,
local based bands out into circulation on this comp series which spans regions
world wide. So much material, you will get lost within the assortment the
D&S has available on their bandcamp page. All for the reasonable price of
free or you pick.
Dont let
the size of this comp album intimidate you. I thought I'd heard it all and this
disproves that foolish theory. Perhaps the best heavy compilation on all of
bandcamp! So many unheard bands that absolutely rip. Blown away! Great
introduction to what Portland heavy music has to offer. Great job
Billy!!Favorite track: AntikytherA - Altars Before The Unseen.
Riding Easy Records: Brown Acid – Trip Series
In an
ongoing series of compilations, Riding Easy Records showcases lost classics of
obscure bands from the early years. I’ve bee collecting these on vinyl since
they started and am committed until the end. Not only do they serve as a
history lesson of how the hippies and punks used to trip out in the 60s and
70’s. Read the descriptions on each of the 3 available Trips. The Fourth Trip
is currently up for pre-order and due out on 4/20 of all dates. Go figure
right? Don’t sleep on this stuff. Trip on it instead.
These are
just a few of the many compilation albums I’ve enjoyed on bandcamp. It’s nice
every once in a while to push play on a compilation album that is well thought
out and exhibits true talent across the board whether it’s a covers albums or
all original material. They are fun.
-The Huntsman
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