Recollection - Dan (Underdark)

(Photo Credit: Underdark's Facebook Page)

It's been well over a month since my last "Recollection" instalment. There's been no reason for the bizarre gap other than I've been busy and haven't been able to actively seek out new contributors. Thanks to previous contributor (and all round good dude Shaun from TIMNTOY/Yuri etc.), who shared his list on social media again recently, interest has picked up once more. This latest list comes from Dan, who is part of Nottingham-based black/noise/screamo quintet Underdark. Enjoy...

The Smiths – "Meat is Murder"

My all-time favourite record. Everyone who remotely knows me knows that Morrissey is my all time favourite artist (not as much as it used to be cause he’s a bit of a racist bell-end nowadays). Out of everything he’s done, this stands miles above anything.

Oasis – "Definitely Maybe"

Going to say that this is the best debut record ever made. Can’t pick a single fault with it. Every song is a banger in it’s own right. The first 2 records they did are both flawless, but this takes the gold.

Slayer - "Reign in Blood"

This is the record that properly got me into metal. When I was 13 I used to listen to the usual bands like Slipknot, System of a Down Etc, then my uncle gave me a copy of this. Dave Lombardo’s drumming was very inspirational towards my early drumming days (much to the annoyance of my very patient tutor).

Converge – "Jane Doe"

Quite possibly my first foray into hardcore/extreme music. Soon as I heard Jacob Bannon’s opening screams on Concubine it cemented me as fan for life. Afterwards my outlook on music was changed for the better, & paved the way for about 95% of the music I listen to now. I was very lucky to have watched Converge play "Jane Doe" in it’s entirety last year at Roadburn festival with my better half. One of the best moments of my life watching that.

American Nightmare – "Year One"

Having discovered Hardcore through Converge, American Nightmare were one of few bands to grip me on the same level as Converge did. American Nightmare to me are basically the Smiths playing triple the speed with mosh parts. The "Year One" compilation stands out to me the most, as I love the rawness/youthful energy you can hear from the recordings.

Integrity – 'Humanity is the Devil"

Thanks to Converge once again, I saw Integrity support them the first time I went to watch them. Perfect metallic hardcore record. Name a harder song than Vocal Test. I’ll wait...

Rancid – "...And Out Come The Wolves"

No explanation needed really. Another record that has banger to banger from start to finish. Perfect summer music.

Nine inch Nails – "The Downward Spiral"

Forever in awe of Trent Reznor. Incredible songwriter. This album made me start to take electronic music seriously (as a teen, my mindset was: if it wasn’t metal it was probably bollocks).

Deafheaven – "Sunbather"

You could see this coming from a mile away. I didn’t get this record at all when I first heard it & took a lot of listens before it clicked. If it wasn’t for this record Underdark wouldn’t exist.

Dawn Ray’d – "A Thorn A Blight"

Again if you know me, you’ll know how much I harp on about Dawn Ray’d. These guys get more listens out of me than Morrissey on a regular basis. Anarchist Black metal without all the nonsense Black metal usually entails. Respect how they practice what they preach with their political beliefs. Best current band in the UK. 

You can stream Underdark's debut EP "Mourning Cloak" via their bandcamp below, where it's available to buy on various formats:-

Thanks very to Dan for writing this.

Underdark - https://www.facebook.com/Underdarkuk/