Wax of the Week #118...Cul de Sac: “Sakhalin” 7” (1992)

Boston band who made a whole lotta records I still need to hear. I only have this 45 from Stefan Jaworzyn’s Shock label outta the UK, with demented Savage Pencil sleeve art. They played a tense, latter-day brand of surf music. Members included Dan Ireton (Dredd Foole) and Phil Milstein.

Wax of the Week #117...Abbath: s/t (2016)

First solo LP from Olve Eikemo of Immortal. If you like their later records, you’ll probably dig this one. I do. Some strong riffs and catchy arrangements; high energy music. Of the original Norwegian black metal bands, Immortal seemed to have run with the Bathory sound more than most, and this is on the same path. The fine pre-Immortal death metal act Amputation appears in my upcoming DemoLition book, as does Old Funeral, which featured Eikemo and other future Immortal members (along with Varg Vikernes).

Wax of the Week #116...v/a: Flyin' Saucer Twist: The Northway Sound Records Story Vol. One 7” (2008)

The mighty Norton empire reissues four 1960s tunes from a tiny Michigan label, highlighted by the spooky, Link Wray–like instrumental “Banshee” from the Jerry Lee Trio. Tasty sleeve design by Pat Broderick.

Wax of the Week #115...The Black Diamonds: Fire Music LP (196?)

Obscure Swedish licensing of the Animated Egg record that originally came out on Alshire in 1967. I used to have that one, but glad I kept this version, as it seems to have a punchier mix. Of course, these were outtakes from The Id LP, masterminded by the late, great Jerry Cole, that were put together without his knowledge. LOTS of records were mined out of those sessions, across several labels. I once planned on putting together a website that connected them all, but hey, life is short. Smoke out and enjoy.