Free Download Friday #1

It's a Friday and I hope this is the first of a semi-regular series of links to free downloads... so Free Download Friday seems like a good name. (Better the Zero Cost Zursday anyway!) So, lets start with a biggie...

Thank you and goodnight!
Originally uploaded by DavidDMuir

I mentioned in my post about last.fm that I am a relatively recent convert to Dream Theater but making a debut on this blog is Airbourne. On the face of it, these groups do not have a lot in common. Dream Theater is an American progressive metal band whereas Airborne is an straight out hard rock band from Australia. What links them is Roadrunner Records. This is a record label that has a number of big names on its roster (including Nickelback and Sammy Hagar) but also has a load of other groups that I didn't know much (or anything) about before I found my way to the Roadrunner site. New discoveries that I'm impressed with include Black Stone Cherry (excellent southern rock), The Parlor Mob and Theory of a Deadman.

The UK Roadrunner site is a great source of information about upcoming tours and releases, and it offers the occasional free download, for example, currently you can download Carnival Of Crows by the Parlor Mob (and I would recommend you do!). However, for the mother lode of free downloads, you have to head to the American site.

When you first arrive you are offered the chance to subscribe and download a free album. In fact you get a choice of two: Annual Assault (thirteen tracks which feature some of their more metal acts) or Between Rock and a Hard Place (eleven tracks which feature some of their more rock oriented acts). I subscribed and went for the rock album and Daughter Number Two joined for the metal one... but both of us liked both. :-)

Even better, many of the artists' pages on the American site offer a free download track. Here are some of my favourites (in alphabetical order):

• Airbourne - Runnin' Wild
• BiffyClyro - Mountains {A fine Scottish band.}
• Black Stone Cherry - Please Come In {A very mellow track compared to other stuff of theirs I've heard.}
• Dream Theater - Forsaken
• Opeth - Burden {I don't usualy like band with a "Wooorrraaargh!" approach to vocals but these chaps are growing on me.}
• The Parlor Mob - Hard Times
• Sammy Hagar - LOUD
• Theory Of A Deadman - Hate My Life

These are just a few of the downloads on offer. Go explore and then let me know what your favourites are.