The Exploding Hearts - Guitar Romantic (2003)
Even from looking at the album cover you know that the music is going to be a throwback, and that's what it is. However this is actually quite good. It's a short 28 minute dose of late-70's-style punk and power-pop, reminding you of bands like The Buzzcocks. It's very unoriginal, disposable and slightly cheesy, but it's damn fun to listen to and the songs are very well written. It's their only album as 3/4ths of the band died in a car crash after its release.
Silencer - Death - Pierce Me (2001)
I felt the urge to seek out some f
ucked-up sounding black metal this evening and this album hits the spot nicely. The vocalist sounds completely mentally deranged. Actually he is, he supposedly cut off his own hands during the recording of this album and was institutionalised not long after. The vocals here can be either a turn off or define the album. They sound very unsettling and make the music uncomfortable to listen to, giving it a unique atmosphere. Even the instrumentals sound great, with some nice guitar riffs and even piano pieces.