This week we’re tying up some loose ends by discussing Merciless, the latest album by Body Count. Led by the legendary Ice-T and high school friend Ernie C, Body Count is back with another intensely brutal thrash album. After winning a Grammy for 2020’s Carnivore, Merciless shows the band as heavy and charming as ever. Plus we got some guests on here, including Cannibal Corpse’s Corpsegrinder, Max Cavalera, and believe or not, David Gilmour. Check out our previous episodes on Carnivore and Body Count’s full discography (episode 9).

This week we’re discussing every album by Metallica from 1991-1998. This is such a strange era for the band. They dominated the world of rock music with 1991’s The Black Album, then returned 5 years later with short hair, eyeliner, and southern hard rock songs. Most people dismiss these mid-90s albums, but how do they really hold up all these years later?

This week we’re discussing Mansuetude, the latest album by genre-hopping noise rock maniacs Buñuel. Vocalist Eugene S. Robinson is most known from the now defunct Oxbow, whose recent breakup devastated us. But Mansuetude is an entirely different, but no less amazing trip into chaos. Eugene, Xabier, and Franz from the band also blessed us with an interview, which you can find starting at 43:46.

This week we’re discussing every album by The Sisters of Mercy. Led by mastermind Andrew Eldritch, this band is paramount in the creation of goth music as we know it. Although they came a few years after pioneers like Siouxsie and the Banshees or The Cure, The Sisters of Mercy’s style was so distinct and memorable that most of what we recognize as goth can be traced back to them. Even if goth isn’t your thing, there’s a lot to be had here.

This week we’re tying up some loose ends by discussing the latest and self-titled album by Redd Kross. If you like Redd Kross, there’s a very good chance you’ll like this album. Jeff and Steve McDonald have never been shy about their love of the Beatles and 60s garage rock, so this album scratches that itch if you have it. Be sure to check out our full episode on Redd Kross’s discography, episode 164.

This week we're discussing every album by the Geto Boys. If you thought 2 Live Crew was too family friendly, then Geto Boys have just the right amount of smut and over the top violence to satisfy you. Made up of Willie D, Scarface, and the 3'8" Bushwick Bill, Geto Boys helped pioneer gangsta rap, in addition to their own brand of violent and cartoonish misogyny. But these days, most would probably recognize them from their tracks featured in Mike Judge's Office Space. Time to grab a baseball bat and your least favorite copy machine.

This week we're discussing Cool World, the latest album by noise rock band Chat Pile. Although simply labeling an album this brilliant, engaging, and endlessly original "noise rock" is doing it a disservice. Cool World is the follow up to 2022's God's Country and it expands upon it in every way. This is a juggernaut of an album and one of the best this year. We're joined this episode by Tom Osman, our history guy, interviewer, and host of Whatever Comes Next with Tom Osman.

This week we're discussing Hiraeth, the latest album by Canadian "post-everything" band Respire. If you've ever wished Godspeed You! Black Emperor had more black metal elements, then this is the band and album for you. Respire even adds touches of screamo here--a genre we typically have little interest in--to give this record quite an original style. There's some real good stuff here.

This week we're discussing every album by Flipper. While known to many as a huge influence to bands like Nirvana and the Melvins, Flipper are a punk band unlike any other. They're as amazing as they are terrible, but completely unique and bizarrely innovative. After founding member and bassist/vocalist Will Shatter died in 1987, they've gone through various breakups and reunions, even as far as recruiting Nirvana's Krist Novoselic and the Jesus Lizard's David Yow. These days they tour with the legendary Mike Watt.

This week we're discussing Glossolalia, the latest solo album by Melvins drummer Dale Crover. Not only that, but he was kind enough to do an interview with us talking all about it, as well as tons of other great insights. While known primarily as a drummer, Crover is actually quite the songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He's also joined by some notable guests on Glossolalia, including Kim Thayil, Ty Segal, and even a brief appearance by Tom Waits. Dig it.

This week we're discussing Rack, the latest album by The Jesus Lizard and their first in 26 years. None of us saw this album coming and the return of one of the greatest noise rock bands of all-time is a welcome one. Rack shows David Yow, Duane Denison, David Wm. Sims, and Mac McNeilly returning to their roots, as well as venturing into fairly uncharted musical territory. We were not disappointed and it deserves a listen by any fans of the band. Don't forget to check out our full episode on The Jesus Lizard if you haven't already (episode 142).

This week we're discussing every album by Dazzling Killmen. While they were peers of bands like Scratch Acid and the Jesus Lizard, and worked with Steve Albini numerous times, the Killmen were impossible to compare. Equal parts noise rock, punk, and math rock, their music is ferocious, complex, and unmeasurably tight. If you're into noisy aggressive music at all, you simply must hear them. They are legends who don't get nearly enough credit.

This week we're discussing every album by Metallica from 1983 to 1988. That's right, all the thrash albums. This era highlights not only some of their most ferocious and technical material (and let's face it, BEST albums), but also their time with legendary bassist Cliff Burton before his tragic death. Everyone and their mom has heard these albums, but now it's time to hear them again.

This week we're discussing Umbilical, the latest album by sludge/doom metal band Thou. We sure you hope you like punishing, brutal, and unrelenting metal, because Umbilical is one of the gnarliest records released this year. Not counting collab albums, this is the band's first full-length since 2018's Magnus. Crank it and brace yourselves.

This week we're discussing every album by Acid Bath. While their existence was short lived, Acid Bath's style of sludge metal and stoner rock was a clear inspiration to bands like Pantera. If you're looking for brutal sludge with hard rock hooks, these dudes deliver.

This week we're discussing Lost Themes IV: Noir, the latest album by legendary movie director John Carpenter. Collaborating with his son, Cody Carpenter and his godson, Daniel Davies, this is Carpenter's fourth album and it's a ton of fun. Like previous Lost Themes albums, there are a ton of synths, 80s rock guitars, and driving electronic rhythms. Is it reinventing the wheel? Definitely not. But it's well done and scratches a specific itch.

This week we're discussing every album by Faith No More. As one of the pioneers of alt metal, Faith No More combined heavy hip hop-spired rhythms with chunky metal guitarwork to create a wholly unique style. But since Mike Patton joined the band in the late 80s, FNM has evolved into one of the most interesting and diverse rock bands of all time. These guys are legendary, simple as that. Not to mention some of Patton's onstage antics teeter into criminal activity territory.

This week we're taking some time to honor the great Steve Albini. Having already done full episodes on Big Black, Rapeman, and most recently Shellac, this time we're talking about everything Albini has worked on that's affected us over the years. Mike speaks with Alex, their history guy, Tom, as well as his brother Robert about everything Steve Albini and his incredible legacy.

This week we're discussing every album by Shellac. After covering Big Black and Rapeman in past episodes, it was only a matter of time before we eventually got to Shellac. However, due to the unexpected and tragic loss of Steve Albini this year, this episode is bittersweet. They were a fantastic band that we're happy to dissect in detail here.

This week we're discussing Cometh the Storm, the latest album by the great High on Fire. Led by guitarist/vocalist Matt Pike (Sleep) and joined for the first time by drummer Coady Willis (Murder City Devils, Big Business, Mevlins), Cometh the Storm is High on Fire doing what they do best. Is it similar to their other albums? Yes. Does it rule? Also yes.

This week we're discussing every album by Destiny's Child. Yes, you read that correctly. Do we want to cover this band? Absolutely not. Did someone pay us to do it? You're damn right. So we listened to all their albums as unbiased as possible. For the love of God, if you're a fan of Destiny's Child or Beyonce, do not watch this.

This week we're discussing WAR., the newest album by noise rock band WHORES. This album hits insanely hard. If you find yourself in the mood for noise rock with a healthy dosage of sludge metal mixed in there, you'll have a hard time finding a better album than this one this year. Crank this one loud, folks.

This week we're discussing the remaining albums by Siouxsie and the Banshees. This era covers 1984-1995, into their subsequent break up. While there are still plenty of beloved albums in this era, this is also where some complications hit the band. One of which being their brief stint with The Cure's Robert Smith on guitar. It's not all good, folks, but there's still great stuff to be had here. Be sure to check out part 1 of our Siouxsie episodes, which is episode 190.

This week we're discussing the debut solo album by Portishead vocalist Beth Gibbons titled Lives Outgrown. We honestly weren't sure what to expect from this record, but what we got is easily one of the best albums of the year. While there are hints of Portishead's sound here, Gibbons has taken a turn for the dark, orchestral, and tribal. This is one you gotta hear.

This week we're discussing every album by hip hop trio Injury Reserve. Made up of Ritchie with a T, Parker Corey, and Stepa J. Groggs (before his untimely death in 2020), Injury Reserve made some of the most innovative and downright insane rap in history. This isn't for casual music listeners, but it is wholly unique unlike anything we've heard before.

This week we're discussing the latest album by metalcore band Knocked Loose, titled You Won't Go Before You're Supposed To. Now Alex and Mike aren't the hugest fans of hardcore/metalcore, but they are fans of extreme music. And let me tell you, ANY fan of extreme music must hear this album. The hype is real, folks. This is one of the most creative and engaging metal albums of the year.

This week we're discussing every album by Hot Snakes. Led by the prolific guitar duo of Rick Froberg and John Reis (Drive Like Jehu, Rocket from the Crypt, Obits), Hot Snakes takes the post-hardcore technicality of Drive Like Jehu and condenses into shorter and more energetic song structures. An incredible band whose life was cut short due to the untimely death of Froberg in 2023. Turn these guys up loud, they rule.

This week we're discussing Infinite Desires, the latest album by post-disco artist Donny Benét. This isn't the type of album we normally cover on this show, but after taking one look at Donny's incredible mustache and hairdo, we were sold. And the music? If you're open to funky, soulful, and dancey stuff, then it is a must-listen and one of the best surprises of the year.

This week we’re discussing the only album by Maskull. This album is the biggest mystery we’ve ever had on this show. After its release in 1997, Maskull vanished leaving virtually no trace, aside from a few rumors. The music itself? Completely insane and downright hilarious. Joined by Mike’s brother Robert, we dive deep into the rabbit hole to uncover as much information as we can. Strap in for this one, folks.

This week we’re discussing every album by Grotus (stylized as Grötüs). Die hard Mike Patton fans might recognize this band, as he championed them in the early 90s and even took them on tour with Mr. Bungle. However, Grotus’s music stands on its own as a brutal mashup of industrial and groove metal. An overlooked gem of a band that’s worth checking out.