Darkthrone — Panzerfaust: While this one is not considered as much of a black metal classic (by hardcores at least) as A Blaze in the Northern Sky, Transylvanian Hunger, or Under a Funeral Moon, I always go back to this album for it’s over the top homage to Celtic Frost. Fenriz and Nocturno Culto shifted from being necro and underground to being just over the top heavy and aggressive. And you can still hear the huge influence this album, along with the previous three discs, had on Phil Anselmo’s Superjoint Ritual (which stole its name from “The Pagan Winter” on A Blaze in the Northern Sky).

Monty Python’s Flying Circus — Monty Python’s Previous Record: I’ve been on a bit of a Monty Python kick after watching the six episode “Almost the Truth” documentary and starting to read through Michael Palin’s diaries from the Python Years. I recently digitized all of my Monty Python vinyl and this one still stands out as my favorite. Mostly because the new material written for the record is so damn funny, including “Embarrassment” and “Australian Table Wines.” Also, this one is a nice improvement over the first album, released by the BBC (and the only record the Python’s don’t own the rights to), which was recorded live in front of a very lethargic audience.

Miles Davis — Miles Smiles: For some reason, I never quite ‘got’ the second Miles Davis quintet. Maybe it was because it lead into Miles fusion period which took me a while to get into as well. Or perhaps it was because the second quintet with Herbie Hancock, Tony Williams, and Wayne Shorter stood in the shadow of the first great quintet with John Coltrane, Bill Evans, and Cannonball Adderley. Regardless, at some point, this album finally clicked for me, and every once in a blue moon I go back to it, usually in winter for some reason — maybe it’s the complexity of the compositions. There is a great energy to this lineup, especially in Tony Williams drumming and Herbie Hancock’s fluid-yet-complex playing style which I grow more in awe of over the years. “Circle” still ranks up there with my favorite tracks by Miles.

Dishammer — Vintage Addiction: After hearing Dishammer’s split 7″ with the Warwolves, I scored this gem on vinyl from Hell’s Headbangers (via Parasitic Records mail order). So much heavy d-beat goodness here. Four Spaniards channeling all their love of Motörhead, Discharge, and Entombed into one stellar album. Most of the songs clock in at 2 minutes or less, with only a few stretching to what would be considered epic for Dishammer at 3-4 minutes. There’s no letup. Dishammer just pummels you with pure hypercharged energy one song after another.