Strangeglue and the Post-Rock Underground

It's that time again, you know, time that Strange Glue educates and cultures the population with new music. Today we have a lesson in post-rock for you with nine awe-inspiring songs from across the scene.

There must be a price for this important opportunity you may ask? Only if we were unfair, money-orientated apes would we bill you for this blessing. The songs are completely free-of-charge, all we hope for is that you devote a full hour to absorb this music thoroughly.

Files are 192 kbps MP3 files free of Digital Rights Management software. Download comes complete with high-resolution front- and back-cover art. Tracks are custom mixes.

1.) If These Trees Could Talk: What's in the Ground Belongs to You

From their debut album 'Above the Earth, Below the Sky' recorded on Mylene Sheath, If These Trees Could Talk start the mix off with a monumentally great song. If These Trees' keep going it wont be long until they capture every Tool fan in the 'verse, which comes to no surprise as member Michael Socrates told Strange Glue that "Most of us love metal" a passion that will bring metal perfection to ears across the world, well, at-least Strange Glue readers for now.

2.) Irepress: Cyette Phiur

Most of Cyette Phiur is filled with metal chords that will rip through your underwear, however, the other ten genres that are ingeniously incorporated will ease your heart rate back to normal and allow you to sit down (except maybe with a little bit of screaming). The underlying sound of the music strays towards shoegaze/post-rock, apparently the quintessential ingredients for a half-breed that no one's going to set on fire and leave in a ditch.

3.) Crippled Black Phoenix: Rise Up and Fight

Crippled Black Phoenix are a band always trying to push their sound beyond already vague genre boundaries. With their second full-length out in April (2009) '200 Tons of Bad Luck' comes with this single 'Rise Up and Fight'. The album is strangely two full lengths combined into one, but from the sounds of 'Rise Up and Fight' we wont be getting bored easily.

4.) Gathiens: Connectango

Connectango is a song that you need to appreciate, Colin Williamson from the band said "It Wasn't originally intended for a proper release, we were just doing it for ourselves and were going to burn copies for family and friends". Written when the band were only 17 it seems that the album 'Nesh' has brought them further then they imagined.

5.) Vanessa Van Basten: Tutto Avanti All'indietro

Its been two years since we last heard from Italian duet Vanessa Van Basten, with the help from a couple of new musicians the group have released two more tracks. They had high expectations to fulfil after their last record 'La Stanza di Swedenborg', expectations which, it must be said, have been easily met and then some with this new edition. From metal to ambient, the sound proves to be a killer.

6.) Our Ceasing Voice: The Inevitable Fall

Recorded and produced in their home-studio, 'The Inevitable Fall' is taken from the 'Steadied Stars In The Morphium Sky EP'. The band used "guitar tones manipulated beyond recognition" instead of a synthesizer for the greater part of the record. This is an excellent song from a trio that deserve much appreciation in the post-rock community.

7.) Lampshade: Silkesår (Featuring Teitur)

Danish collective Lampshade have created a glorious sound with 'Silkesar' for us all to enjoy. Teitur adds vocals in a rarely spoken Nordic language enhancing the magnificent surroundings. A more 'accessible' addition to the mix but undeniably original.

8.) Gregor Samsa: Three

Taken from their May release 'Over Air', 'Three' draws attention to Gregor Samsa's capability to create utterly beautiful and compelling music. With over eight years of experience these individuals have a great amount of talent to reveal. Let them reveal unto you, we urgest thou.

9.) Dorena: Solen Har Förblindat Mig

Swedish 5-piece Dorena are the veritable new kids on the block, although they did absorb plenty of musical experience from a wide scope of endeavours before merging their talent pool to concoct some immensely bewitching music. 'Solen har Forblindat mig' is a blatant illustration of breath-taking post-rock. Prepare to suffocate.