Embrace the Energy: A Deep Dive into This Month’s Cheap Thrills
As the seasons shift and life begins to slow down, we often find ourselves in need of a little boost to jolt us back into action. This month’s edition of Cheap Thrills serves up a feast of fast-paced, adrenaline-pumping music that will snap you to attention with all the intensity of a whiff of smelling salts. From drone to grindcore, death metal to atmospheric black metal, this selection of underground gems is available for the low, low price of your choosing. So, chip in a few bucks to support the artists and spread the love!
–Alex Chan
Neptunian Maximalism – HS63: A Solar Drone Opera
Release Date: September 4, 2020
For those unfamiliar with Neptunian Maximalism, their latest album, Le Sacre Du Soleil Invaincu, has been a revelation, prompting a reevaluation of their earlier work, Éons. Often likened to a fusion of Sunn O))) and Ra, their music is a unique blend of drone, post-rock, Eastern traditional sounds, and spiritual jazz. HS63: A Solar Drone Opera, recorded in 2019 and released in 2020, encapsulates their alchemical energy, inviting listeners to embark on a journey through layers of sound that evolve with each passing moment. While it may not fit the traditional metal mold, the sheer gravity of this performance is undeniable.
Listen to HS63: A Solar Drone Opera
[Available for Name Your Price Download]
Rotbeef – The Grilldozer’s Humano-Glizzy Pulverization Meatshovel
Release Date: July 25, 2025
If the cosmic vibes of Neptunian Maximalism feel a bit too cerebral, perhaps it’s time to fire up the grill with Rotbeef and their hot dog-themed grindcore. Crafted by Jacob Buczarski of Mare Cognitum fame, this album is a deliciously chaotic exploration of glizzygrind. With lyrics and samples that will make you chuckle, The Grilldozer’s Humano-Glizzy Pulverization Meatshovel delivers meatgrinder guitars and relentless blast beats, capturing the chaotic essence of competitive eating in a way that is both savage and satisfying.
Listen to The Grilldozer’s Humano-Glizzy Pulverization Meatshovel
[Available for Name Your Price Download]
Death Pulsation – Demo 2025
Release Date: March 7, 2025
Stockholm’s Death Pulsation makes an explosive entrance with their debut demo. Beginning with alarm-like sounds and sirens, the first track launches into a ferocious six-second scream followed by a torrent of thrashy riffs. Over the course of twelve relentless minutes, this demo becomes a cacophonous journey through death metal that is both invigorating and intensely visceral.
Listen to Demo 2025
[Available for Name Your Price Download]
Psudoku – Psudoktrination
Release Date: May 23, 2025
Steinar Kittelsen returns with a mind-bending experience in the form of Psudoktrination. This album promises 26 minutes of brain-melting grindcore that feels like a chaotic collision of spastic riffs and machine-like blast beats. Kittelsen’s vocal delivery resembles a frantic chant of complex mathematical formulas, creating a sonic landscape that is as exhilarating as it is unpredictable.
Listen to Psudoktrination
[Available for Name Your Price Download]
Tatterdemalion – Carrier
Release Date: February 1, 2024
From the esteemed Wergild collective, Tatterdemalion offers a breathtaking three-song EP that showcases their musical prowess. Notable moments include haunting passages and intense riffs that evoke vivid imagery, such as blackened rain after a volcanic eruption. With whispers of new material on the horizon, this band is one to keep an eye on.
Listen to Carrier
[Available for Name Your Price Download]
Jamie Ryan – Death Wasn’t Enough
Release Date: September 12, 2025
In a bold creative experiment, Jamie Ryan, known for his role in Mass Hysteria and his solo project Sluagh, has crafted an EP in just five days. Death Wasn’t Enough embodies the raw energy of grindcore, delivering tracks that hit like a freight train. The ferocity and intensity of this EP leave listeners eager for more, making it a must-listen for fans of the genre.
Listen to Death Wasn’t Enough
[Available for Name Your Price Download]
Conclusion
This month’s Cheap Thrills is a whirlwind tour of the underground music scene, showcasing a diverse range of genres that promise to energize and engage. Whether you gravitate towards the cosmic soundscapes of Neptunian Maximalism or the chaotic grindcore of Rotbeef, each offering is a testament to the creativity and passion of independent artists. Support them by exploring their music and sharing the love.
FAQs
What is Cheap Thrills?
Cheap Thrills is a monthly music roundup that highlights underground artists and their latest releases, available for a price of your choosing.
How can I support these artists?
You can support the artists by purchasing their music through platforms that allow for “name your price” downloads or by sharing their work on social media to help spread the word.
Where can I find these albums?
The albums mentioned in this article are available on various music streaming platforms and Bandcamp, where you can often download them for free or for a donation of your choice.
Are these genres suitable for all listeners?
Many of the genres featured, such as grindcore and death metal, can be quite intense and may not appeal to everyone. However, there’s a wide variety of sounds and styles, so exploring different artists is encouraged!
