Fast-forward to present day Queens and one will find that not much has really changed. Yes, the shops and styles may be different. The roads are wider and the air is dirtier. The “cacophony of rebellion,” as it was described in the 1940s, still looms in the air, albeit often without brass and woodwinds.

“I am not so knowledgeable about the world of jazz,” admits Colin Marston, guitarist for the black-metal band Krallice. “I grew up listening to King Crimson a lot.” Despite the lack of fervor for the music of old Queens, Marston — along with bandmates Mick Barr (vocals/guitar), Nick McMaster (bass), and Lev Weinstein (drums) — has sure-footed knowledge about where the band’s singular sounds have originated.“Classical music, especially 20th Century, which is another influence on how I think about music," he says. "A lot of ambient music, especially ambient guitar music, has been important to me.”

Krallice’s self-titled debut album quickly shot the band to the apex of what has become the US black-metal sound, combining classic blast beats with ethereal atmospherics. This wildfire can be mostly attributed to word of mouth, a staple in the metal world via messages and music trading. For Krallice, this was especially important because the band rarely tours or plays shows outside the New York area.

“[We put] less of an emphasis on playing out and touring than most other bands," Marston says. "It is just not a priority for Krallice. We are playing a few shows for the record… five days or something, all around New York.”

But a question undoubtedly comes to the foreground. With the members’ roots and influences in non-black-metal bands (members are and have been in such acts as math-metal trio Dysrhythmia, punk-jazz act The Flying Luttenbachers, progressive death-metal band Astomatous, and melodic death-metal group Solecism), was the self-titled debut a one-off? Something to do for the hell of it? With the band’s second full-length, Dimensional Bleedthrough (Profound Lore, 2009), any and all doubts have been put to rest.

Dimensional Bleedthrough takes the power and atmosphere of Krallice’s debut and pushes it further, louder, and longer. The opening title track lays the foundation for this sprawling, violent collection with its unflinching power and sweeping crescendos from movement to movement. Barr’s vocals are at times in your face and other times seemingly part of the entire atmosphere.

The production, both a seamless blend of clarity and a blinding fog of rage, can be attributed to Marston’s other endeavor: he owns and operates the Thousand Caves recording studio in Queens. Along with Krallice, Marston has recorded electro-grind masters Genghis Tron, avant-garde artist Jarboe, and the scarier-than-hell, now-defunct Khanate.

Though New York City accepts all kinds of art, both outsider and mainstream, Marston feels that the city is not a metal town. “I’ve gone through periods where I think that New York has a decent metal community,” he says. “I go back and forth, though. I mean, there are some pretty influential death-metal bands like Suffocation and Immolation, but they’re really from Yonkers and Long Island, I believe. As far as from Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and so on, there aren’t that many that I can think of.

"There is a lot of experimental music here, which can be exciting even though it is not in the traditional sense [for] a metal band. But, really, I can’t think of a single American city where there are five awesome bands coming out at the same time. When I think of a scene, I always think of the [1980s] Bay Area thrash scene where a lot of bands came from this one area all at once.”

Even though the reemergence of black metal has generated a buzz, just as when any genre becomes more popular, an underground still lurks away from the Internet. Marston says, “I’m not sure I’m convinced of any more interest in extreme metal now than there has been in the past. It seems to me that that just happens every now and then [when] there’s a band from a more extreme-metal background that ends up on a major label. That’s fairly common.”

Safe in the spoken-word world of friends and critics alike, Krallice has achieved a notable following around the world based solely on its two-album catalog. Krallice may very well, and unintentionally, bring the American style of black metal to a wider audience and continue the legacy that the jazz greats of yesteryear did before them without big money or big business, and only with a big heart for what its members love to do: play music.

“I just love acoustic guitar and the combination of heavy guitars and acoustic thumbing,” Hufnagel says. The guitarist’s style is a big reason why this record sounds so dynamic and compelling after more than one listen. Critics have dubbed the band as everything from technical post-rock, which doesn’t jibe with Dysrhythmia’s jarring immediacy, to prog metal, which again would suggest the music puts on airs that it simply doesn’t.

In the past, the band’s approach to recording has been to bring the forceful energy of its live show to a 50-odd-minute album. Throw in high-profile producers Steve Albini, who produced the band’s highly acclaimed 2003 Pretest (Relapse) album, and Martin Bisi, whose bona fides include working with Brian Eno and producing scores of classic underground artists (Sonic Youth, Lydia Lunch, John Zorn, Sereena Maneesh), and you have the structure that birthed the band’s last two records.

But this time was different. Although the band would’ve loved to work with Bisi again, he had retired. Thankfully, they had a ready solution to the question of who would produce the new album in bassist Colin Marston, a sound engineer who has worked with the likes of Genghis Tron and Child Abuse. The band decided to hole up in their Brooklyn apartment and record the album on their own.

The relative freedom of being able to take their time to record led the band to explore new directions. “It allowed me to do more things guitar-wise as far as adding a lot of orchestral embellishments, more guitar layers,” Hufnagel says. “There’s lots of stuff to listen to in the mix. I wasn’t concerned with it sounding exactly like we do live; that can get boring.”

Although their intensity never wavers, playing live and recording are definitely two different things for Dysrhythmia. Hufnagel is happy to start using the studio as a more exploratory stage to craft songs that the band has played for sometimes up to two whole years before recording.

The lapse in time could be partially explained by the band members’ own hyperactive involvement in other projects. Hufnagel recently released a full-length solo album entitled Songs for the Disappeared; Hufnagel and Marston are new members of recently reformed Canadian metallers Gorguts; and Marston was, until December of 2008, still working with his former band Behold…the Arctopus.

“We all have so many different things now. So rather than try to throw it all into one band and end up sounding like Mr. Bungle or something, we’d rather really focus our energy elsewhere,” he says.

And right now the energy is focused on Dysrhythmia. Where contemporaries such as Mastodon and Isis have taken off in the past few years thanks to a burgeoning interest in independent metal, Dysrhythmia is still lurking in the shadows, nursing a fan base that’s been created during a decade of touring.

Hufnagel sighs heavily when I remind him of his band‘s age — it’s not a sigh of defeat, of course, but simply one of amazement. This is a band that has earned its following, not gained it overnight; and Hufnagel knows that in many ways, that’s the following that you want to have.

Converge: Axe to Fall (Epitaph)

After nearly 20 years together, unconventional Boston hardcore quartet Converge adds to its eminent catalog with an album that will be one of the best heavy discs of the year.

Immediately, Axe to Fall delivers a heaping dose of full-throttle thrash metal, accelerating through push beats, high-string pull-offs, and double-bass blasts to establish a new tone for the band. "Reap What You Sow" continues the assault with palm-muted speed riffs and squealing solos that wouldn't sound out of place in Metallica's early catalog.

Guitarist/producer Kurt Ballou is at his absolute peak, creating the aforementioned mania and utilizing his usual armaments of dirge riffs, down-tuned chugging, and morose melodies. Additionally, the group's stream of one-off guest musicians continues to widen, this time sweeping guitarist Steve Von Till (Neurosis), vocalist Mookie Singerman (Genghis Tron), and three-quarters of Cave In (guitarists Stephen Brodsky and Adam McGrath and drummer JR Conners) into compelling cameos.

Ultimately, Axe to Fall makes its case to be Converge's best album. But whether or not you agree, it's another reflection of Converge at the top of its game, crushing listeners will full-bodied hardcore that isn't afraid to bust out an acoustic guitar, piano, and glockenspiel for a track.

Russian Circles: Geneva (Suicide Squeeze)

Striking a balance between the relentless riffage of Enter (Flameshovel, 2006) and the melodious restraint of Station (Suicide Squeeze, 2008), Geneva showcases a maturity of instrumental rock trio Russian Circles through complete creations — songs that equally call upon sheer beauty, ascending tension, and caustic force.

It’s not as voracious as the band’s debut, but Geneva retains a dynamic vibe through rhythmic heaviness, much of which comes via new bassist Brian Cook. A current member of These Arms are Snakes, Cook makes his “debut” on Geneva, making his presence immediately felt with a worming bass groove on album opener “Fathom.”

Cook is but one key addition to the band’s repertoire; adjunct instruments, generally stringed, augment and guide much the album’s material.

These chordophones accentuate three of the album’s first four tracks, and they lead the first five minutes of “Philos,” a 10-minute epic that closes Geneva in ruminative fashion. Just prior, distant horns utter a wordless lamentation on the album’s penultimate track, “When the Mountain Comes to Muhammad.”

In retrospect, Geneva should mark the pivot point for the band's career — a moment that marks both the band’s musical maturity and its arrival as a major player in independent rock.

Shrinebuilder: s/t (Neurot)

Consisting of guitarist Scott Kelly (Neurosis), guitarist Scott “Wino” Weinrich (Saint Vitus), bassist Al Cisneros (Om), and drummer Dale Crover (Melvins), this highly anticipated project is a four-piece heavy-psych super group that holds long-lasting intentions.

As one might imagine based on the members’ current and former bands, Shrinebuilder is based on brief, cyclical riffs that are topped with swirling effects. These give way to fuller, meditative breakdowns, which frequently revert back to mid-tempo stoner-metal wizardry.

Each member contributes vocals, which range from semi-spoken to distant, harmonic, and gruff. These different vocal styles help to individualize each track, which might otherwise run together via similarities in style and duration.

“Pyramid of the Moon” combines hymnal harmonies, high-pitched guitar synchronizations, über-echoed vocals, and a warbling synth sound into a dreamy blend. We could proclaim it to be the best selection of this five-tune full-length, but the album’s final track, “Science of Anger,” only comes with the full retail version of the album – available today.

Honorable mentions:

The Black Heart Procession: Six (Temporary Residence)
Fuck Buttons: Tarot Sport (ATP)
OOIOO: Armonico Hewa (Thrill Jockey)
Sufjan Stevens: The BQE (Asthmatic Kitty)
Themselves: CrownsDown (Anticon)

In support of Beacons of Ancestorship, out June 9, Tortoise has announced a handful of summer tour dates around the USA and overseas.  Head here for the list.

The Dillinger Escape Plan will release its next album, which is due in early 2010, on Season of Mist in conjunction with the band's new label, Phonogetic Records.  The band is touring much of the US and Europe in June and July.

Issuing its first album in five years, MC-and-DJ duo Eyedea & Abilities is unveiling By the Throat on July 21 on Rhymesayers.

Genghis Tron is contributing to a track on the new Converge album, which is being recorded this month.

On its MySpace page, Dysrhythmia has posted "Festival of Popular Delusions," the first track on its upcoming album, Psychic Maps.

Featuring Marcel and Manfred Rodriguez-Lopez, psych-groove outfit Zechs Marquise will release its debut full-length, Our Delicate Stranded Nightmare, on Rodriguez Lopez Productions this fall.  The label is run by Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, Marcel and Manfred's famous brother from The Mars Volta.

The Beastie Boys have announced the name of their new album,  Hot Sauce Committee, which will be out sometime this fall.

Múm is releasing a new album, Sing Along to Songs You Don't Know, on August 24 on Morr Music.

Jón Birgisson of Sigur Rós is working on a "sort of solo record" that will feature the work of experimental composer Nico Muhly.

CDbaby.com, online home of self-released CDs and digital tunes, has decided to add single-song downloads.

Singer/songwriter Jay Bennett, formerly of Wilco, passed away on Sunday, May 24.  More tests are needed to determine the cause of death.

On July 5, 2007, Element Skateboards released This Is My Element, a beautifully rendered video featuring Element's most talented skaters. In most skating videos, skaters choose their own music, but this video is unique in part because of a soundtrack created by producer Odd Nosdam, whose smooth instrumental hip hop accentuates the skaters' fluid movements.

Taking the time and liberty to re-sequence the tracks, Odd Nosdam released this soundtrack on Anticon under the acronym T.I.M.E. in the spring of 2009. Odd Nosdam is the alias of David Madson, a DJ, producer, and co-founder of the Anticon hip-hop collective.

For 11 years, Madson has created music, both solo and on collaborations such as cLOUDDEAD with fellow Anticon members Why? and Dose One. His production work includes material for Sage Francis, Sole, Dosh, Mike Patton's Peeping Tom album, and others, and his lengthy list of remixes covers Genghis Tron, The Notwist, Boards of Canada, Black Moth Super Rainbow, and more.

Despite the variety of the projects he has taken on, his work always has his signature musical mixture, influenced by shoegaze, dub, and hip hop. In 2003, Madson's sound attracted attention from filmmaker Kirk Dianda, who used some of his music in a video for ON Magazine.

Throughout the years, the two stayed in touch and worked together on various skateboard videos. When Dianda was hired by Element to make a full-length video in 2007, he solicited Madson.

"[Dianda] thought it would be fun and different to do a score instead of skater-picked music," Madson says. "He's familiar with my ability to make something hypnotic and hired me for the project."

Madson began by watching footage of the skaters, and with consideration for Dianda's basic directions, created music that he felt was appropriate for each skater.

"The approach [was to develop] something cohesive to each skater's style," Madson says. "Overall, I wanted to create something that was sonically cohesive, that wasn't drastically different from song to song. The ultimate goal was to make music that supported and enhanced the skateboarding."

The majority of the soundtrack is comprised of samples from Madson's extensive vinyl collection, primarily late '60s and early '70s rock and private-pressed folk albums. To make the samples, he used an SP 1200 drum machine / sampler, utilizing its low bit rate to create a gritty sound.

1. Subtle: "Nomanisisland" (For Hero: For Fool)

One of the melodically and structurally odd songs from this album, "Nomanisisland" isn't a great starting point for Subtle's idiosyncratic indie hip hop, but it's a great mid-album respite on the group's best album.

2. An Albatross: "Cosmic Gypsy" (Blessphemy [of the Peace-Beast Feastgiver and the Bear Warp Kumite])

Here we have 1:19 of organ-fueled shredding.  An Albatross' newest album, The An Albatross Family Album, is more epic and twists many different ways, but this song's album takes no prisoners with its unadulterated force.

3. Phosphorescent: "Wolves" (Pride)

As the third track on Pride, Phosphorescent's beautiful and minimalist 2007 folk album, "Wolves" has prime sonic real estate.  Though we're not major folk fans, Pride is so pretty that it made ALARM's Top Ten Albums of 2007.

4. Tomahawk: "Sun Dance" (Anonymous)

Wow…another entry from ALARM's Top Ten Albums of 2007.  This song's album, Anonymous, was a spectacular homage to Native American material that was re-imagined by the lineup of Mike Patton, Duane Denison, and John Stanier.  "Sun Dance" is one of the most rock-driven numbers on the album.

5. Genghis Tron: "I Won't Come Back Alive" (Board Up the House)

From melodic new wave to crushing metal breakdowns, "I Won't Come Back Alive" is a great track to experience this trio's musical dichotomy.  The song's album, Board Up the House, is an extremely unique album and one of the best of 2008.

6. Luis Bacalov: "Suspense" (The Italian Western of Luis Bacalov)

First, this piece from the soundtrack of 1972 spaghetti Western film Si Può Fare…Amigo revisits the main melody of "Can Be Done," a preceding piece that features vocalist Rocky Roberts.

Shortly, however, the tune shifts to an upbeat theme that recalls the circus or a cheery old-time saloon.  "Suspense" then fittingly moves to a dramatic string passage before the main melody is revisited once more.

7. Amon Tobin: "Marine Machines" (Supermodified)

The deep sea beckons on "Marine Machines" with countless samples, including dark brass accents and creature-like gurgles.  This song's album, Supermodified, is the best album from this big-beat DJ.

8. Femi Kuti: "Wonder Wonder" (self-titled)

As group vocals join Femi in the song's pensive but sunny chorus, the opening track from his 1995 self-titled album brings a great live feeling to a studio recording.  Following in his idolized father's footsteps, Femi uses his funky Afrobeat to raise political awareness.  Here he asks, "Will Africa ever unite?"

9. Secret Chiefs 3: "Hypostasis of the Archons" (Book of Horizons)

Entirely composed by multi-instrumentalist Trey Spruance, the creations of Secret Chiefs 3 span an incredible range of beautiful, cinematic, and heavy sounds, often working with Indian, surf, and spaghetti Western styles.

This track, however, showcases another of Spruance's loves: rapid-fire, end-of-the-world death metal.  Otherworldly screams, demonic vocals, and quick-twitching strings join to make this unlike anything on the album other than "Exterminating Angel."

10. Matt Ulery: "Would You Remember my Song?" (Themes and Scenes)

The 1:48 closer to this great chamber-score album uses harmonium, toy piano, and whistling to create a quirky, merry romp.  A one-time refrain from the composer gives an Old World feel to the album's final seconds.

(To hear one of his creations, check out my Q&A with Matt Ulery.)

- Scott Morrow

Ennio Morricone

Legendary film-score composer Ennio Morricone will write music for Inglorious Bastards, Quentin Tarantino's next film. Whether he has enough time to score the whole film remains to be seen.

Undefinable folk/hip-hop crossover artist Tim Fite has posted a video for "Big Mistake," his single from Fair Ain't Fair (Anti-). Watch it here.

Fellow Anti- artist and somber, raspy crooner William Elliot Whitmore now has "Old Devils" posted on the label's website. "Old Devils" is a track from Animals in the Dark, his new album due in February.

In promotion of its five-part series of remix records, electro-grind trio Genghis Tron has posted a track from the third volume. Head to the group's remix-specific MySpace page to hear Danny Lohner (of Nine Inch Nails) remix "Board Up the House."

Gorgeous electro-acoustic duo Lymbyc Systym has announced dates for its first European tour. The dates span two weeks and can be seen at its MySpace page.

Ambient horror soundtrack artists Zombi have released the cover artwork for their upcoming album, Spirit Animals, which will be released on February 3, 2009. The cover art is pretty freakin' awesome.

Multi-talented folk artist and loop specialist Andrew Bird has posted US tour dates for January and February in support of Noble Beast, his upcoming full-length due in winter. For now, fans can listen to "Oh No," the album's first track. Melodic genre masher Dosh opens for Bird at Carnegie Hall.

Blistering metal maniacs Burnt by the Sun have posted the first demo track, "F-Unit," from their long-awaited third full-length. The track, which will be on the group's first album since 2003, can be heard at its MySpace page.

Danish psychobilly/alt-country/surf-influenced trio Powersolo has uploaded "Murder in SFAX" to its MySpace page. The song will be on the group's upcoming album, which will be available in March.

Indie hip-hop label Anticon has announced a 10th anniversary show in New York City. The event will be held at The Knitting Factory and feature Themselves (Doseone, Jel), Yoni Wolf of Why?, Sole, Alias, Buck 65, Odd Nosdam, and more.

In a total no-brainer, GQ has named Nick Cave its "Rock 'n' Roll Badass of the Year."

Tim Fite

Friday, October 17

An Albatross, DMBQ @ Abbey Pub

Psychedelic circus-metal stalwarts An Albatross play at Chicago's Abbey Pub in advance of headliners DMBQ, a Japanese throwback rock group that kicks out long-form psych jams. For the record, An Albatross' new album, The An Albatross Family Album, owns it.

Music editor Jamie Ludwig and online editor Scott Morrow will both be in attendance, so be sure heckle them if you see their perty mugs. Avant-garde indie group Pit er Pat also performs.

Against Me! @ The Riviera

Political punks Against Me! rock one of the city's main small-to-medium venues with Ted Leo & The Pharmacists just 17 days before the general election. Our money is on a night full of emotionally charged anthems and political shout outs.

Vast Aire, Qwel @ Subterranean

Former Cannibal Ox rapper Vast Aire continues the solo life in support of his second such album, Deuces Wild, and he gets quality local openers in the forms of MCs Seel Fresh and Qwel. This promises to be one of the month's better hip-hop shows.

Saturday, October 18

Man Man, Tim Fite @ Bottom Lounge

Saturday is Scott's mega day. First, he gets to see peerless folk rapper Tim Fite and manic freak rockers Man Man in the early evening (thank the gods for two performances!). Fite's most recent album, Fair Ain't Fair, focused more on pretty melodies than hardcore rhymes, but it was also borne of depression. Make sure to read our interview with Tim Fite if you missed it.

There are not enough words for the Man Man experience. If you live in Chicago and haven't seen the group's all-white-clothing-and-face-paint routine, you have a pair of opportunities for initiation. Man Man's newest album, Rabbit Habbits, is its finest collection of tunes yet.

Ten-year high-school reunion!

After Tim Fite and Man Man, Scott will whisk himself to his 10-year high-school reunion, where he may or may not shun the party's "no jeans" request. He'll also do his best to get hammered on Shirley Temples.

Genghis Tron @ Beat Kitchen

Scott's night ends with the matchless electro-metal manipulation of Genghis Tron. The trio's incomparable blend of IDM, grind, ambient, and doom sounds is pulled off remarkably well for not having a drummer; instead, drum samples are weighted to sound live. Board Up the House, the group's February full-length, is a serious contender for this year's list of top-ten favorites.

Sunday, October 19

RTX CD release party @ Kuma's Corner

If you're a music fan in Chicago, chances are that you've eaten at Kuma's – where else can you order a burger (animal or vegetable style) named after metal bands? Former Royal Trux vocalist Jennifer Herrema has a CD release show with RTX here this Sunday, providing the tunes to wash down that greasy goodness.

Black Moth Super Rainbow mainstay Tobacco delivers his solo debut with analog synthesizers and tape machines. The result, Fucked Up Friends, is a dreamy, spacey trip for synth lovers and incorporates hip-hop beats and heavily effected vocals.

Genghis Tron: Board Up the House Remixes Vol. 2 (Lovepump United)

Tobacco also makes an appearance on this, the second of five collectable Genghis Tron remix LPs. Dntel, Circle, and CFCF also rework the group's electro-grind madness.

MoHa!: One-way Ticket to Candyland [US release] (Rune Grammofon)

Freeform noise-rock duo MoHa! combines the most apoplectic elements of its influences into what can only be called enjoyable clatter. Guitar, distorted bass, and electronics are used to annihilate eardrums over live and programmed beats.

MoHa!: "Anders Hore 11"
MoHa!: \"Anders Hore 11\"

Dillinger Four: CIVILWAR (Fat Wreck Chords)

Political/humorist punks Dillinger Four have finally released CIVILWAR, their fourth full-length album and first in six years. These elder statesmen of '90s punk aren't breaking the mold here, but their formula is as tried and true as ever with 13 anthemic tracks of push beats and four-chord progressions.

Dillinger Four: "A Jingle for the Product"
Dillinger Four: \"A Jingle for the Product\"

The Dillinger Escape Plan: Under the Running Board [reissue] (Relapse, 10/14)

Released almost exactly ten years ago, the Under the Running Board EP scorched listeners with just seven and a half minutes of frantic tech metal. To mark the anniversary, mathy fusionists The Dillinger Escape Plan have reissued the mini classic with ten bonus tracks – nine live cuts from the Dimitri Minakakis vocal era and a cover of Black Sabbath's "Paranoid."

Isis: Not in Rivers, But in Drops [CD single] (Ipecac)

Ambient sludge stars Isis (cover artists of ALARM 24) release their second single from 2006 full-length In the Absence of Truth. As we await the group's next album, due in 2009, this short release should tide us over with a video, album version, and live version of "Not in Rivers, But in Drops" as well as a remix of "Holy Tears" by Thomas Dimuzio.

Shai Hulud: Hearts Once Nourished with Hope and Compassion [picture disc repress] (Revelation)

Hearts Once Nourished with Hope and Compassion has stood for more than a decade as a bastion of progressive hardcore punk. Now two years after an enhanced reissue, the classic album gets a vinyl repress.

Glasgow instrumentalists Mogwai return with an album full of beautiful minor-key epics-including a few seriously heavy tracks like "Batcat," which nicely contrasts "I'm Jim Morrison, I'm Dead," the album's droning, thudding, tinkling opener. Sporting a still-life portrait of a bald eagle's mug on the cover, The Hawk is Howling is one of Mogwai's most diverse releases this decade, possibly since Rock Action or EP+6 2001.

*Read Drew Fortune's lengthy feature on Mogwai in ALARM 33, available soon.

Mogwai: \"The Sun Smells Too Loud\"

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God of Shamisen: Dragon String Attack (Reptile)

If you're into the fusion of metal with traditional Japanese music (and who isn't?), pick up Dragon String Attack by God of Shamisen. Shamisen master and Estradasphere member Kevin Kmetz leads the group with his acrobatic finger work on the fretless Japanese instrument, infusing said sounds with any other genre that feels appropriate (reggae, Gypsy, jam rock, funk). The shredding riffs of guitarist Karl Schnaitter and the detonating beats of fellow Estradasphere cohort Lee Smith also propel the band, which you know will be good given that two of Kmetz's listed influences are ultra-heavy death metallers Cryptopsy and classical legend J.S. Bach.

God of Shamisen: \"The Science Fiction of Ray Bradbury Attack\"

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Lymbyc Systym: Love Your Abuser, Remixed (Mush)

As Lymbyc Systym, brothers Mike and Jared Bell released a beautiful 2007 debut full-length, Love Your Abuser, on Mush Records. The album's heartening tunes used piano, synthesizers, organs, xylophones, brass instruments, and much more to provide a gorgeous multi-layered mix. Now the album gets a remix treatment with clicky electronic beats and thematic revamps by The One AM Radio, The Album Leaf, This Will Destroy You, Daedelus, and others. Magic Bullet Records will also soon release a This Will Destroy You / Lymbyc Systym split 10"/CD as well as re-release Lymbyc Systym's first studio EP, Carved by Glaciers.

Lymbyc Systym: \"Fall Bicycle\" (The Album Leaf Remix)

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Genghis Tron: Board Up the House, Remixes Vol. 1 LP (Temporary Residence)

Normally on the Relapse roster, electro-metal trio Genghis Tron has its crushing sci-fi sounds reworked as part of a five-label LP project that includes 20 mixologists. This first volume has been available for a few months, but now it has its official release, featuring renderings by Steve Moore, Justin K. Broadrick, Rob Crow, and Eluvium.

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Ten Kens: Ten Kens (FatCat)

The debut album from this Toronto-based quartet is an eclectic combination of power pop, folk, and droning, experimental rock.