Aquarius Records closed in 2016. This site is an archive — a place to rediscover their extraordinary music recommendations. Nothing here is for sale.
Showing results 1 through 50 of 100.
AJATTARAItse(Spikefarm)cd$ 14.98
Pounding Finnish black metal hell. Super heavy. But also simple and melodic, with swirling keyboard textures and vocals alternating between harsh screeching and clean sort-of-chanting. (Courtesy of the singer from Amorphis, apparently relishing this
ALGARNAS TRADGARDDelayed(Silence)cd$ 14.98
Last time, we listed some excellent Swedish psych reissues on the Silence label, all Parson Sound related bands like International Harvester, Harvester, and Trad Gras och Stenar. But those weren't all the great LPs Silence has dug up for cd reissue recently! It's quite a bit different from Algarnas' approach on "Framtiden", being heavier, proggier, and more structured. The drifting, freeform improvisational aspects of the previous disc are overtaken by progressive rock compositions that incorporate eastern ragas, western classical music (there's a quote from Holst's "The Planets" in the first track), and folk ballads -- but Algarnas' roots in droning psychedelia aren't ignored either. Third Ear Band is referenced in one song, while the album ends with a gorgeous female-sung folk ballad. On the whole, "Delayed" is pretty great, but it seems that it comes from a more familiar '70s Prog Rock aesthetic than the truly otherworldly magic of its predecessor. So, unless you're more into prog than psych, definitely get "Framtiden" first, but then check this out -- it's a worthy, if lesser, successor to that album (BUT if you're someone who likes psych but can't cross the line at all into "prog", then maybe this isn't for you at all). When we first heard about "Delayed", we were hoping perhaps for a live disc with more of the material that formed the great bonus tracks on the "Framtiden" reissue, but the actual content here is far from disappointing!
ALGARNAS TRADGARDFramtiden Ar Ett Svavande Skepp, Forankrat I Forntiden(Silence)cd$ 14.98
This is one of those essential reissues that remind us that everything cool was already done about thirty years ago. Yep, these Swedish hippies sure knew what they were doing. Timeless psychedelia from 1972. Certainly everybody who gets worked up over the This reissue (which actually came out back in '95 and we've had before, but never in big enough quanities or at low enough prices to list until now) adds two amazing live bonus tracks that Byram will tell you are worthy of the price of the disc alone! These live tracks, along with the whole of the album proper, reveal Algarnas Tradgard as creators of dark stoned driftdrone every bit as cinematic as the best GSYBE! and even more authentically psychedelic than AMT leader Kawabata's beard. It's lovely, blissful, transportational stuff indeed. Our quick AQ-guide to the crucial Swedish psych essentials definitely includes this disc, along with the Parson Sound double cd, Bo Hansson's "Lord Of The Rings" opus and the International Harvester album. (Those are the top of the list, but once you've gotten into those you'll need to investigate Harvester, Trad Gras Och Stenar, Kebnekajse, and others from the Silence catalog, including Algarnas' lost-until-now second album, "Delayed", reviewed nearby!)
APES, THEFugue in the Fog(French Kiss)cd$ 14.98
The completely rad, hectic debut full length release from this Washington, D.C. quartet! The Apes have replaced the position of lead guitar with organ, giving their music a dark, creepy feel, while still staying totally rock. 14 raw'n'raunchy, bluesy,
ASANO, KOJISpirit Of The Wardrobe(Solstice)cd$ 14.98
AQ-fave Japanese sound experimentalist Asano is putting us to the test with another of his monthy (!) releases, another one on the "difficult" (for him) side of things. Maybe the monthly schedule is getting the better of him, too, 'cause here he kinda takes a
AVULSIONPrince of a Thousand Enemies(Impatience or Indifference)7"$ 3.50
Eight brand new tracks of pummelling blasting grind from these Buffalo thrashers (not actual thrashers of buffalos, but thrashers -from- Buffalo). Insane blast beats with a dual vocal attack (one bark, and one growl, the growl being maybe one of the best
BARBATOSWar! Speed And Power(ISO666)cd$ 11.98
Simple and primitive, sort-of-black, sort-of-thrash one man band from Japan (a guy from the band Abigal). Mid tempo and lo-fi, thrashy, noisy and almost punky. Think: a more metal Motorhead, or a less metal Impaled Nazarene. Catchy and a bit melodic with
BASTIEN, PIERREMecanoid(Rephlex)cd$ 17.98
We loved the last Pierre Bastien record, which consisted of broken down old children's turntables rigged to play simple loops while Bastien played along on a muted trumpet. Those rigged turntables have given way to even greater flights of mechanical fancy,
BEHRENS, M.Transition(edition...)2x3"cd$ 16.98
As on the preceding album "Elapsed Time" for Intransitive Recordings, German composer M. Behrens has been digging through his archival recordings and digitally reworking them. Lately, Behrens has been veering away from the delicate minimalism of his
BERZERKER, THEs/t(Earache)2cd$ 16.98
Brutal and punishing scary monster drum machine grind from down under. Crushingly heavy, noisy and super complex grind/metal along the lines of Pig Destroyer or Agoraphobic Nosebleed. Techno metal with a Carcass fixation (there's even a cover of "Incarnated
BLACK LEAGUE, THEUtopia A.D.(Spinefarm)cd$ 14.98
This might be the first time Finland's Spikefarm (home to Dead Beginners, Shape Of Despair, Finntroll and others) may have dropped the ball. A friend of ours, who we don't always necessarily believe, swears by this band. Loves 'em. We're not sure why. To me
BURSTConquest: Writhe(Prank)cd$ 11.98
Super heavy, surprisingly melodic metallic hardcore from Sweden, mixing the thrash and roar of Coalesce and Converge with the anthemic melodies of fellow countrymen the Refused. Moody and intense, heavy but totally catchy. Swirling guitar melodies and
CARDEW, CORNELIUSChamber Music 1955-64: Apartment House(Matchless)cd$ 17.98
Released on AMM's Matchless label, "Chamber Music 1955-64" is a retrospective of the early compositions from the late British composer Cornelius Cardew. After studying with Stockhausen in the late '50s, Cardew quickly shifted his personal aesthetic
CARDEW, CORNELIUSWe Sing For The Future!(New Albion)cd$ 13.98
Another collection of work from Cardew's final period of utilitarian compositions informed heavily by Maoist doctrines of Communism, "We Sing For The Future!" has been performed by pianist Frederic Rzewski, founding member of Musica Elettronica Viva.
CHERRY, DON / KRZYSZTOF PENDERECKIActions(Intuition)cd$ 14.98
Long awaited reissue of this legendary 1973 lp, featuring jazz trumpeter/composer Don Cherry and legendary composer Krzyztof Penderecki, remastered with complete liner notes including an interview with Penderecki. Awesome mix of wild free jazz and 20th
CHUNKLET#16(Chunklet)magazine$ 6.95
Yet another amazingly alienating, mildly offensive, totally hilarious issue of the mighty CHUNKLET magazine. You may remember the last Chunklet and it's 'biggest assholes in rock' theme, well there's even more shit-slinging this time around as Henry Chunklet compiles 'The Shit List', a random assortment of shitty shows, shitty bands, and shitty people. And some bands contribute their
CONTROLLER 7Left Handed Straw(6months)cd$ 14.98
Much like the delightfully uncategorizable sample-happy recent albums from Milk Cult, Cat Five, and the like, Controller 7 (beatmaker for the Anticon East Bay hip hop crew) has made a record that mixes together such a broad range of unlikely samples, and does it so well that the result is very listenable. Kinda like DJ Shadow "lite" -- No, it's not the most challenging album in
CYPRESS HILLStoned Raiders(Columbia)cd$ 17.98
It's no surprise that Cypress Hill is still in 'band mode' after their questionable foray into metal with their 'Skull And Bones' record. But it seems like maybe they've learned a thing or two from past mistakes. It was always a huge diappointment that 2 of my So Cypress Hill has taken the nu-metal sound of their 'Skull and Bones' record and tempered it a little, with that whiny, bare bones hip hop they are so good at. And things turn out pretty cool. The metal bits only pop up on 3 or 4 songs, but when they do, it's not so bad. It helps that the verses are still all 'So I Could Just Kill A Man'-style with the choruses exploding in a fury of crunchy riffs and shouted metal choruses. The rest of the record, the non-metal bits, shape up as quite a decent Cypress Hill record. Some classic low-rider anthems, some old school NWA gangsta-style shit (feat. NWA's Ren of course), cool surf guitars and not-annoying soulful female vocals, old P-Funk style party tracks. And some guest vocals by Kurupt, Method Man and Redman. A nice surprise after basically having given up on them a couple years back.
DEERHOOFDirt Pirate Creed(Children Of Hoof)lp$ 8.98
Not new, but we just got a bunch of this mysteriously hard-to-find debut lp from SF faves Deerhoof. Originally released in 1996, these recordings were eventually remastered and rereleased by Kill Rock Stars / 5RC as "The Man, The King, The Girl". But here it is again in all its lo-fi analog glory! For the unfamiliar, Deerhoof was born under the ashes of Nitre Pit, an SF quartet that
DEERHOOFs/t(Insignificant)7"$ 3.50
First single from the beloved SF trio, back when they were a quartet, and before their new guitarist, who now plays bass... Heavy art sludge that retains elements of their Nitre Pit roots. The left and right channels are separate songs that can be listened to separately or combined. Plus, there's amazing etched art that covers the entire record -- you can even see it across the grooves,
DIFF'RENT STROKESThis Isn't It(Guided Missile)cd ep$ 6.98
Usually it takes some time - months... even years - for muzak versions of "hits" to surface, but this one plopped out quite swiftly. A dorky, cheesy Bontempi organ-ified rush job of an EP covering four Strokes songs (dubbed a "heartfelt tribute to New
DISCO OPERATING SYSTEMYou Don't Have To Work To Be Mad Here(RSI)cd$ 11.98
We introduced you to RSI a while ago, another UK label trafficking in difficult and totally original electronic music (like countrymates Fflint Central). And we were lamenting the fact that all these cool labels were only making cd-rs. Well, finally here
DRONA PARVA / ULTRASOUNDSongs From The Entoptic Garden Volume One(Time-Lag)lp$ 17.98
Beautifully packaged in Independent Project Press styled letterpress sleeve and dedicated to "Popul Vuh," this split release between Drona Parva and Ultrasound exists within the bleary eyed drone end of the post-rock spectrum. Ultrasound -- a collective
EL-DABH, HALIMCrossing Into The Electric Magnetic(Without Fear)cd$ 14.98
There are a few people who always seem to be in the right place at the right time, in spite of themselves. Judging from the liner-notes to this anthology of his early works, Egyptian composer Halim El-Dabh led one of those lives. His first public "Crossing Into The Electric Magnetic" is a documentation of the work that El-Dabh composed during his stay at the Center, and certainly has the grizzled electronic crackle and pointilist composition techniques indicative of coming from that institution. Occasionally, El-Dabh incorporates poems sung in the Arabic tradition along with the musique concrete and electronics. Really Cool.
ENSLAVEDMonumension(Osmose)cd$ 14.98
Ivar Bjornson, Grutle Kjellson, Dirge Rep and R. Kronheim are Enslaved. We mention them individually because they and their band deserve to be household names, at least among Aquarius customers. Enslaved are definitely one of our absolute favorite Norwegian Ok, enough hyperbole (for the moment). What's "Monumension" really like, and how *does* it compare exactly to "Mardraum"? Well, somebody had told us to expect that the new Enslaved would sound like Genesis, but that's definitely not the case. True, '70s prog rock a la Genesis (or, maybe more accurately, King Crimson and Van Der Graaf Generator) certainly flows in the blood of Grutle, Ivar and Co., along with the more ancient blood of their Norse ancestors. Opeth fans will hear the parallels. But are they truly warriors of modern prog? Not quite, as they are so much more. The first thing an Enslaved fan will notice is the surprising prevalence of death metal style vocals alongside the black metal rasps and Viking chants. Vocally, lyrically and musically, this is some seriously heavy stuff, and violent. But it all flows, sometimes into realms so tripped-out and Floyd-ishly psychedelic that you'll forget you're listening to "metal" at all. But then, the next song will start with a blood-quickening, bone-jarring riff to remind you. Like on "Mardraum", the band brilliantly weaves various metal/rock styles into pure Enslaved music, perhaps upping the "folk" aspect a bit (which balances those death metal elements nicely). There's even a bonus track by a related band called HOV (Trygve Mathiesen and a "tribal choir" which includes all the members of Enslaved) that's meant to evoke traditional Viking music -- although the band stresses that "Enslaved has never been about reproduction or literal interpretations. It is more of a quest for creating our own musical traditions and dimensions. The band is built upon the philosophy, magick and myths of the Vikings, not a desire to dress like they did during a historical period or to talk exactly like them. It is something deeper than a mere roleplay to please the outer eyes and ears." These efforts by Enslaved certainly have resulted in surreal, epic, timeless metal for the mind, body and soul. So yes, these rune-obsessed geniuses, mere youngsters wise beyond their years, have created another utter masterpiece. And it's not just me -- everyone I've discussed this record with agrees that it's amazing. Arrrgh -- my fanboy ramblings can't even begin to do it justice. Emperor, Satyricon, Ulver are all great Norwegian black metal bands that in various ways and to various degress have also branched out into the beyond, but Enslaved are something else again.
ESO STEELTechnology Of Sleep(20 City)lp$ 12.98
Armed with a couple of microphones and a DAT recorder, New Zealand ex-pat Richard Francis can be found scouring the late night desolate streets of Tokyo, captured various textural striations and quiet electrical hums while the rest of the city sleeps. Working under his moniker Eso Steel, Francis transforms his field recordings into a bristling catalogue of experimental minimalism
FAD GADGETThe Best Of.....(Mute)2cd$ 19.98
With Adult., The Faint, and Fisherspooner actively reclaiming the dark theatricality of '80s electro-pop, an anthology of Fad Gadget's work couldn't have had better timing. That said, it is quite difficult to comfortably classify Fad Gadget amongst the new wave legions including OMD, Human League, and Depeche Mode, as Frank Tovey (who was pretty much the sole proprietor of Fad Gadget)
FISHEROFGOLDIn My Vessel(Quatermass)cd$ 15.98
Here's the debut full-length release from this Irish electronica artist, who you may already know from his appearance on Quatermass' recent "Personal Settings" cd alongside Pan American and Komet. Fisherofgold follows the currently cool
FREIBANDMicrobes(Ritornell)cd$ 15.98
Freiband is the project of 'borrowed ideas' from the ubiquitous Frans De Waard, whose name has worked under the names Goem, Beequeen, Kapotte Muziek, Captain Black, Quest, Shifts, and probably a couple of other monikers. The process that De Waard
HARKONENGrizz(Hydrahead)cd ep$ 8.98
Latest slab of grizzled grungy downtuned sludge rock / metal core (heavy on the metal) from Hydra Head. Harkonen are one of the only metal bands to actually get reviewed in the Wire magazine (and a good review to boot, even though they listed the band as
HARRIS, MICK & AMBREDys(Hushush)cd$ 14.98
The final release from a series of collaborations commissioned by the Canadian hard-electronica label Hushush finds Mick Harris (Scorn, Lull, Quiot, etc.) working with Belgian industrialists Ambre. It appears that Ambre supplied a large arsenal of samples to
HIDALGO, JUANUna Voz (un etcetera)(Alga Marghen)lp$ 18.98
"Una Voz", written by Spanish conceptual artist Juan Hidalgo, read by Javier Martinez Cuadrado and recorded by Walter Marchetti (who also added some extra sounds by opening the windows during the reading during an evening in Madrid on September 1967). As Juan Hidalgo wrote for the liner notes: "I spent about 10 years reading, hearing and meditating, outside, around and inside Zen
HOGAN, KELLY, & PINE VALLEY COSMONAUTSBecause It Feel Good(Bloodshot)cd$ 14.98
The second solo full length from Ms Kelly Hogan (formerly of Jody Grind and Rock-A-Teens). Always toting some impeccably selected songs to cover, this album contains only two Hogan originals. You may recall her crushing version of the Magnetic Fields' "Papa
HOTOTOGISU, THEWhite Wind Of Autumn(Rural Electrification Program)cd-r$ 9.98
Another amazing project from Mr. Matthew Bower (Skullflower/Total/Sunroof!) and his Rural Electrification Program. One has to wonder how one man can be so prolific and continually churn out such amazing sounds. But ours is not to question... The disc starts off with what sounds like people playing ping pong accompanied by a shopping mall organ and sparsely plucked guitar, moody sparse and sort of whimsical. Track two finds Bower back in more familiar waters. A shimmering wash of high end harmonics and the sound of dripping water. Much mellower and dreamier than Sunroof!, all distant melodies, and guitar shimmers and delicate webs of feedback. Hypnotic and ethereally captivating.
HRSTAL'Eclat Du Ciel Etait Insoutenable(Fancy)cd$ 14.98
Is your Godspeed You Black Emperor antenna tingling? Yup, this is yet another project from the fertile Montreal scene, featuring Mike Moya, a GSYBE! founding member. He's also in Set Fire To Flames and Molasses. Hrsta (say "Hursh-tah") is his solo debut,
IKEDA, RYOJITime / Space(Staalplaat)12"$ 12.98
Strange that a piece by Ryoji Ikeda would get released on vinyl, but Staalplaat has always been known to defy convention. Originally released as a double 3"cd back in 1998, "Time / Space" found Ikeda first exploring the now commonplace glitch 'n' sinewave agenda. "Space" is incredibly quiet with deep low end rumbles, unwavering midrange tones, terse pinprick pings, and
IMPALED NAZARENEAbsense of War Does Not Mean Peace(Osmose Productions)cd$ 14.98
We gave up on Impaled Nazarene a long time ago, once they made the switch from evil nasty goat-raping black metal to pseudo-industrial ROCK AND ROLL!! Well, the sound is still kind of rock and roll, maybe a little less industrial, and with a fair
JELGreenball(6 months)cd$ 14.98
A collection of beats and instrumental gems from DJ Jel of the mighty Anticon collective. Recorded between 1997 and 2000, dark and funky and fucked up and groovy, everything you've come to expect from Anticon. Includes a bunch of amazing instrumental versions
JOSHUAGold Cosmos(Feather One's Nest)cd$ 13.98
Somewhere between the stumbling free-folk of the No Neck Blues Band, the dark strummed dreaminess of the Tower Recordings, the lush guitarscapes of Scott Tuma and the sparse twang of Red Red Meat and Califone falls Joshua Burkett. Laid back and dreamy and Some advice to prospective purchasers: while the gold tray looks great (and ties in with the records title), we suggest swapping trays when you get it home, since the tray is just spray painted gold, and seems like it could eventually do your disc harm!
JUDAS PRIESTSad Wings Of Destiny(Koch)cd$ 12.98
THE Judas Priest cd YOU MUST OWN. It's their second album, from 1976, and is one of the prototypical heavy metal albums of all time (along with earlier masterworks like "Paranoid" and "Machine Head" and later classics like "Killers" and "Master of
KARMA TO BURNAlmost Heathen(Spitfire)cd$ 16.98
Latest and possibly greatest album by this always kinda-good-but-not-quite-there-yet-until-now-perhaps stoner rock band. What sets Karma To Burn apart from their peers is that they're a purely instrumental outfit, despite label-forced flirtations with having a vocalist. This stuff is dark and heavy and metallic and chock full o' riffs. You'd think a band like this, without singing, would
KATAKLYSMEpic (The Poetry of War)(Nuclear Blast)cd$ 14.98
After a completely baffling stumble into sort of industrial punk nu-metal (complete with a record cover depicting a homeless crusty punk girl and her skateboard?!?!?), Kataklysm get back to basics and spit out a MONSTROUS record of brutally blackened
KEBNEKAISEIII(Silence)cd$ 14.98
This is Kebnekaise (formerly Kebnekajse)'s third album from 1975, kinda like "II" with the trad Swedish folk elements, and the unexpected afrojazz parts, but MORE SO. We can't help but think that the folk/classical sounding pieces on here aren't too
KEBNEKAJSEII(Silence)cd$ 14.98
Swedish psychedelic hippy rock band's second album, from 1973, newly reissued on cd. While their first album was fun, zany hard rock taking off from the style of English and American acts of the day, with this release they matured, and got heavily into
KEBNEKAJSEResa Mot Okant Mal(Silence)cd$ 14.98
Here's the first-time-ever cd reissue of this Swedish hard rock/psych band's 1971 debut album, a fun disc inspired perhaps by the likes of Cream and Hendrix and '60s beat groups. This was before Kebnekajse really got into the folk music of their homeland (or
KHERT-NETERArrival Of The Funeral Dogs(ISO666)cd$ 11.98
Fast and furious death metal from this Finnish band featuring members of the totally amazing Finnish black metal band Horna. No black metal here though, just massive downtuned, super heavy and super fast traditional death metal ala Incantation and Morbid
KING TUBBYFirehouse Revolution(Pressure Sounds)cd$ 14.98
I really wanted to like this one a lot more. One thing Pressure Sounds can do really well is put together handsome album art and King Tubby's Firehouse Revolution is no exception. The vinyl especially cuts a dashing figure with its matte finish. Firehouse
KONTAKT DER JUNGLINGE0(Die Stadt)cd$ 16.98
"0" is the second installment in the apparent series of live releases from Kontakt Der Junglinge, a collaboration between Thomas Koner and Asmus Tietchens. Recorded in the formerly Eastern Bloc controlled German port town of Rostock inside the M.S. Stubnitz
LESSPiano Wire Smile()cd$ 10.98
Local one man band Less (not to be confused with Lesser) spits out a caustic blend of Tool and Don Caballero and Rage Against The Machine. I can't really figure out what this guy is doing releasing his own cds, when he should be on MTV and touring with Tool or
LEXICONIt's The L!!(Spy Tech)cd$ 15.98
This record sat on the shelves for a few weeks, unreviewed cos the cover art was confusing. I mean, the record has got a hysterical white woman on the cover -- you wouldn't think it was hip hop. Turns out it *is* hip hop, and it's pretty decent hip hop at that, despite it being from Glendale, California, which pretty much guarantees these guys are whiteboys. Anyway, the hip