Once again, Hydra Head Records doesn't disappoint in the packaging of the record. With illustrations by Aaron Turner, Isis front man/Hydra Head Records founder and design by These Arms Are Snakes guitarist, Ryan Frederikson this is a 10" to add to your collection. One great thing is that both bands actually play together on each track–and you can tell. You can totally hear Pelican coming through on the rhythm section of "Gold Diggers." Distorted, sludgy guitars with TAAS front man, Steve Snere singing, sounds like a slowed down, tamer version of a TAAS song, but it doesn't disappoint. On the other hand, Pelican's "Pink Mammoth" is a complex, not quite as slow and sludgy, version of "Mammoth" that was released on their debut, self-titled EP. Even though "Pink Mammoth" has been released on a few other EPs–this is a solid, unique effort by both bands that is worth having.

Lab Sessions II derives directly from the depths of Hip Hip featuring 100% of what mixtures are supposed to be comprised of–scratching, juggling and mixing. This a 65 minute, ever-changing mix was built strictly around talent both on the mic and on production. REC ONE demonstrates an insane amount of skill starting at the intro, assembling all necessary pieces to form a non-stop good sound that pours out of this selection lasting the entire duration. This mixture covers everything from some of the sickest scratches, to some of the hottest emerging and established artists in Hip Hop from New York to LA. Lab Sessions II is a LOCK between solid song choice and its carefully crafted construction and arrangement.

Is that enough BS to make you want it? Now go download it and enjoy!

Also keep your eyes open for one more REC ONE music here, as new mixtures and solo tracks will be available for download frequently.

–Brandan Pundai

I stumbled upon Windmills By The Ocean while on one of my many record missions and with members of this in other bands like Isis, red Sparowes, Anodyne, and 27–this is one I had to pick up. This album could easily by mistaken for an Isis EP; minus Aaron Turner's cookie monster vocals. Aside from the few effect-laden vocals in the background on a few tracks that are hardly evident, this is a mostly instrumental album. Windmills By The Ocean self-titled album was actually recorded in August of 2003 and sat around marinating (like a good craft beer in a cellar) for a bit until Robotic Empire did the honor of releasing it 3 years later (thanks Robotic Empire). With some of the members involved in the abovementioned bands–one can expect a sound somewhat comparable…and maybe add in your favorite post-rock band, a little Earth and Sunn O))) influence for good measure–minus the 15 minute + epic track lengths. Lots of ethereal guitar effects here, solid guitar riffs, songs that drone on for a while without getting too overly monotonous–actually the drumming is very solid. All in all–it's a record worth picking up and good driving music I might add…it kept me warm on a 2-hour drive to Wisconsin when I had no heat.

Unfortunately, this is Torche's last album with Juan Montoya on it, but everyone has been saying that they are still great live without him…it's a bummer that they let a great guitarist and contributor to the artwork on lots of their albums go, but things change, hopefully for the better. After an altercation during a sound check involving guitarist Juan Montoya leaving singer/guitarist Steve Brooks with a black eye, they decided that it would be best if Juan left the band and continued on as a three piece.

"Healer" and "Across the Shields" on the A-side are two previously released tracks off their critically acclaimed 2008 release, Meanderthal. The B-side is what shines on this album though. "Mash Up" is good and "Sugar Glider" is probably one of Torche's best tracks to date. The 12" also comes with a bonus DVD with a video of Header and Across the Shields–The Across the Shields video is quite funny too. Of course if Hydra Head released it; it will have some great artwork by Aaron Turner and it will be limited edition.

I stumbled upon this record one day while on my many lunch time record shop missions and I have to say; it was a pretty good find. This split 12" has two Virginia based bands on it; Ceremony and Screen Vinyl Image.

The A-side contains a Fredericksburg, Virginia based band that contains members of the underrated Skywave–actually; it's pretty much Skywave (Paul Baker and John Fedowitz) without Oliver Ackerman. If you like My Bloody Valentine, Jesus and Mary Chain or any noisy 90s music; this will be right up your alley.

On the B-side is another similar band, Screen Vinyl Image. Screen Vinyl Image is a bit less "noisy" but has some added layers of keyboards, drumbeats and ethereal vocals…kind of along the lines of early New Order or some of the less loud songs by A Place To Bury Strangers; with some early Chicago House music influence. I'd recommend it if you're into any of the above mentioned bands or any shoegaze type bands (who comes up with names for these genres anyway?) or if you listen to trendy hip-hop this would be a welcomed change to your dull music taste–put some flavor in your music selection already. It's reasonably priced, about $10.00, and also comes with CD version too; for all you people who don't own a turntable.

Pelican had to cancel their show at the Empty Bottle back on April 5th due to a snowstorm leaving them stranded in North Platte, Nebraska. The bands Tombs and Harpoon, that were on tour with them, were unfortunately unable to make it to the rescheduled date later in April, so American Draft and Chord took their place–and I was thrilled to see Chord live. For those of you who don't know; Chord is one of the many bands that Pelican's guitarist Treveor de Brauw plays in. Chord is a 4-piece band out of Chicago featuring Kyle Benjamin, Jason Hoffman, Phil Dole, and Trevor de Brauw. I guess you could label them under drone/drone collective or power ambiance, buit if you don't know what that is Trevor started, in an interview with self-titled mag, "The Chord record is appropriate for drug consumption, late night drives, relaxing after a long day of work, taking a nap, and close listening under the influence of massive amounts of caffeine." The premise behind each piece is that it is one chord. The band picks a chord, separates it out to all the band members and they play each note however they like. Trevor told me that Chord's live performance at the Empty Bottle the other week was one of the most technical things they've done–it was pretty much scripted, although you wouldn't figure that if you see them live (which I highly recommend), it wasn't robotic or anything like that. If you're into Final, Merzbow, Sunn O))) or Earth–this will fit in nicely to your collection…or if you're open to try something different, Chord's "Flora" is a good place to start.