In this edition of The Underground Sound. I want to discuss the music I have been hooked on in the month of February. Who knows, maybe you haven’t heard of the bands or songs I am going to mention and you find a new, favorite artist. That is the hope, anyhow. Well, here it is: Dr. Dorr’s February jam list (condensed to not overwhelm you).
#1: Hüsker Dü
Hüsker Dü was an American punk and alternative band formed in 1979 in Saint Paul, Minnesota, by Bob Mould (vocals, guitar), Grant Hart (vocals, drums), and Greg Norton (bass). Initially emerging from the hardcore punk scene, they quickly evolved into a more melodic and emotionally driven sound, blending speed and aggression with introspective lyrics and innovative songwriting.
Their albums, particularly Zen Arcade (1984), New Day Rising (1985), and Candy Apple Grey (1986), helped lay the groundwork for alternative rock, influencing bands like Nirvana and The Pixies. Hüsker Dü was also one of the first indie bands to sign with a major label (Warner Bros.), but internal conflicts—particularly between Mould and Hart—led to their breakup in 1988.
My pick for introducing you to this band is their track “Don’t Want to Know if You are Lonely” from their album Candy Apple Grey. It’s fast and angsty. Listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxKcEurO5jA
#2: The Replacements
The Replacements were an American rock band formed in 1979 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, by Paul Westerberg (vocals, guitar), Bob Stinson (guitar), Tommy Stinson (bass), and Chris Mars (drums). Initially a rowdy punk band, they evolved into one of the most influential alternative rock acts of the 1980s, blending raw energy with heartfelt songwriting.
Known for their reckless live shows and self-destructive behavior, The Replacements released a series of acclaimed albums, including Let It Be (1984), Tim (1985), and Pleased to Meet Me (1987), which combined punk attitude with melodic, introspective rock. Their music paved the way for the alternative rock explosion of the 1990s, influencing bands like Nirvana and The Goo Goo Dolls.
My pick for introducing you to this band is the track “Bastards of Young” featured on their album Tim. This track just sounds like a rebel anthem to me. Listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbbIAwAqBTk
#3: Wolves in the Throne Room
Wolves in the Throne Room is an American black metal band formed in 2002 in Olympia, Washington, by brothers Nathan and Aaron Weaver. Known for their atmospheric and nature-inspired take on black metal, they blend elements of ambient, folk, and doom metal, often incorporating themes of mysticism, ecology, and spirituality.
Their debut album, Diadem of 12 Stars (2006), set the foundation for their unique “Cascadian black metal” sound—epic, immersive, and heavily influenced by the Pacific Northwest wilderness. Albums like Two Hunters (2007) and Celestial Lineage (2011) solidified their reputation as pioneers of atmospheric black metal.
Unlike traditional black metal bands, Wolves in the Throne Room reject the genre’s typical Satanic imagery, instead focusing on nature, transcendence, and cosmic themes. Their music, often described as meditative and cinematic, has helped redefine modern black metal, influencing countless bands in the genre.
I have chosen the track “I Will Lay Down My Bones Among the Rocks and Stones” from the album Two Hunters as the feature track to introduce you to this band. I pick it because it features all of the aspects discussed above: atmosphere, melody, ambience, and the intensity of black metal. Listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jq-JKdEIKY
#4: Joy Division
Joy Division was an English post-punk band formed in 1976 in Salford, England, by Ian Curtis (vocals), Bernard Sumner (guitar, keyboards), Peter Hook (bass), and Stephen Morris (drums). Emerging from the UK punk scene, they developed a dark, atmospheric sound that would become highly influential in gothic rock, post-punk, and alternative music.
Their debut album, Unknown Pleasures (1979), was critically acclaimed for its haunting production and Curtis’s intense, introspective lyrics. Before the release of their second album, Closer (1980), Curtis tragically died by suicide at age 23. Following his death, the remaining members regrouped as New Order, shifting toward a more electronic sound.
Despite their short career, Joy Division left a lasting legacy, influencing countless bands and shaping the post-punk and alternative rock movements with their emotionally charged and innovative music.
Side note: Peter Hook’s bass guitar work is an inspiration to my own bass guitar playing. At one point, I learned just about every song from Unknown Pleasures on the bass guitar. The track I am picking to showcase is “Shadowplay” from their album Unknown Pleasures. If The Doors played punk music, this is what it would sound like. Listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1cHSoARzS0
#5: Cattle Decapitation
Cattle Decapitation is an American death metal/grindcore band formed in 1996 in San Diego, California. Originally rooted in goregrind, their sound evolved into a more technical and progressive form of death metal, often incorporating elements of black metal and melodic passages.
Known for their environmental and animal rights themes, their lyrics focus on topics like human overpopulation, ecological destruction, and speciesism, often flipping traditional gore metal tropes to depict humanity as the antagonist. Albums like The Harvest Floor (2009), Monolith of Inhumanity (2012), and Death Atlas (2019) solidified their reputation for both brutal intensity and conceptual depth.
Led by Travis Ryan’s distinctive vocals—ranging from guttural growls to eerie, high-pitched “clean” screams—Cattle Decapitation has become one of the most innovative bands in extreme metal, pushing the genre’s boundaries while delivering a powerful, misanthropic critique of human impact on the planet.
Cattle Decapitation may win for the live musical act I have seen the most times. It is always a great time and perhaps one of the heaviest musical experiences I can recall. My track of choice to recommend comes from the album The Anthropocene Extinction, released in 2015. The track is titled “Prophets of Loss”, and embodies the musical description above very well. Listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCsoB8p578Q
