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10 Best Free Bandcamp Downloads #17: Restless Spirit, Meltt, Florist, Nott, Délirant, Couch Slut Covers Fugazi

Posted in Lists, MP3s with tags , , , , , , , , on 07/24/2026 by Kurt Orzeck

Welcome to the 17th installment of The Bad Penny‘s Bandcamp Freebie series, in which we handpick our favorite free songs on the platform and dish them up for your consumption. Are we gonna get out of this thing alive, dear readers? Let’s not think of that, shall we, even though I just asked you.

Ladies and gentlemen, we entreat you with our latest batch of free music of the highest quality. (And the lowest price.) Not as many full-lengths time around as in recent editions past. But we think you’ll survive. All 10 titles featured here free. And yes, you ARE welcome.

(Note: If you’re financially capable of supporting any of these artists and/or labels, please consider doing so.)

1. Restless Spirit’s “Clarity,” 1922 EP, “Ripped From Me” and Harvest EP

Restless Spirit came through Boise last year and blasted the doors off the Shredder with the mighty Gozu. Desert rock, stoner metal, prog and psych rock … Restless Spirit touch almost all the heavy-music bases on the self-titled album they released last year through Magnetic Eye. As a way of congratulating them on their recent tour with another breakout band worth hobbing knobs with, Witch Ripper, find all the Restless Spirit goodies mentioned above at a pay-what-you-want rate on Bandcamp.

2. Meltt’s s/t EP

We’ve had lotsa fun with Meltt in recent years, chatting up Vancouver’s most dependable source of psych-rock before their Treefort Music Fest set in 2003 and gabbing with them about their favorite movies a few years later. Well, today we’re privileged to welcome them into yet another one of The Bad Penny‘s ongoing series, Bandcamp Freebies. Meltt have a formidable catalog; hear for yourself.

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10 Best Free Bandcamp Downloads #16 (Albums-Only Edition): Alienatör, Nux Vomica, all under heaven, Iris Temple, Carbon Tomb, Variant Cause

Posted in Lists, MP3s with tags , , , , , , , , , on 07/17/2026 by Kurt Orzeck

Welcome to the 16th installment of The Bad Penny‘s Bandcamp Freebie series, in which we handpick our favorite free songs on the platform and dish them up for your consumption. We deserve lotsa high-fives this time around, because all 10 picks are full-lengths – of the highest quality, naturally – which makes us the most benevolent music outlet on the website. And which, in turns, explains we’re so unimaginably financially destitute that Merriam-Webster needs to adopt a new phrase for it.

(Go here for the 17th installment of Bandcamp Freebies, featuring songs by Restless Spirit, Meltt, Florist, Nòtt and Délirant; and Couch Slut covering Fugazi.)

(Note: If you’re financially capable of supporting any of these artists and/or labels, please consider doing so.)

1. Alienatör’s Pariahs (September 2019) and Regrets (November 2002) (self-released with help from the Canada Council for the Arts)

Hailing from Thunder Bay, Ontario – the municipality where Paul Shaffer also famously (?) grew up – Alienatör held the noise-rock torch between the years they released their two full-lengths. Whether Brad King (vocals, guitar); Sean Skillen (bass, vocals); and Simon Paquette (drums) threw in the towel after those two marvelous migraine-inducers is unclear. The three guys might also have a new album on their hands – but we say that without a shred of certainty, as there’s no mention of it on Alienatör’s Bandcamp page, and their Instagram account is still hyping Regrets. Isn’t that like two newlywed parents getting strangers to kiss their baby in Target because it’s a newborn? Perhaps the Target redshirt on duty can answer our questions. More likely, though, questions, critiques and the like will melt away upon taking Alienatör’s Pariahs and Regrets out for a test drive.

2. Side-Line Magazine‘s United 1 – The Freya Files and United 2 – The Odin Files by various artists (Side-Line)

If you’re even somewhat aware of The Bad Penny‘s devotion to democracy and whole-scale rejection of fascism, it’ll come as no surprise to you that we included these two comps – both released Friday – in our latest Bandcamp Freebies roundup. In fact, we just published an illuminating conversation with Bernard Van Isacker, the Belgian magazine editor and music fan who helped see these Ukraine-supporting collections to fruition. Learn a thing or two about the Ukraine/Russia war that could determine the fate of democracy in that part of the world, and throw down (as little or as much as you want) for these two darkwave compendiums.

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10 Best Free Bandcamp Downloads #15 (All LPs/EPs): Verdun, Austerity Program, In Tears, Holy Pinto, Malevich

Posted in Lists, MP3s with tags , , , , , , , , , on 06/28/2026 by Kurt Orzeck

Welcome to the 15th installment of The Bad Penny‘s Bandcamp Freebie series, in which we handpick our favorite free songs on the platform and dish them up for your consumption. We deserve lotsa high-fives this time around, because all 10 picks are full-lengths – of high quality, of course – which makes us the most benevolent music outlet on the website. And which, in turns, explains we’re so financially destitute there needs to be a new phrase for it.

(Note: If you’re financially capable of supporting any of these artists and/or labels, please consider doing so.)

1. Verdun – Abyssal Womb

You likely won’t remember – because it’d be weird if you did – that a Verdun song was feature on a compilation issued by our favorite most-generous record label, Transcending Obscurity, in January of this year. If you remember liking that song – we’ll say it again, you must have some kind of brain disorder or you’re wicked smaht, because we have zero recollection of it ourselves – then download Abyssal Womb immediately. They’re French. They traffic in the scummiest strains of metal: doom, blackened sludge, all the components of a healthy diet of despicable debris for the ears. Why aren’t you listening yet.

2. The Austerity Program – Backsliders and Apostates Will Burn

Yours truly interviewed The Austerity Program for Treble 13 months ago, and it was a good time. The better man participating in the conversations was fast-talking Justin Foley, one-half of the noise-rock duo, who works full-time as a union organizer as well. The band just posted their 2010 record, Backsliders and Apostates Will Burn, for free on Bandcamp. It’s the latest sign that Foley and his bandmate, bassist Thad Calabrese, are far more badass than the rest of us heathens ever will be.

3. Variant Cause – Hit Songs Vol. 1

Variant Cause are one of those bands that were so cool it’s like their speed was set to hyperdrive and we could only marvel at them zooming over our heads like that Empire Strikes Back scene in which Han, Leia, Chewy and C-3P-lame-0 witness something like that happening. Spokane’s Variant Cause were a revered anti-grunge band before the movement even started in Seattle; somewhat ironically, the most important grunge studio wizard, Jack Endino, has worked his magic on these Variant Cause tracks, and the results are righteous.

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10 Best Free Bandcamp Downloads #14: Dumb Waiter, 7-11 Jesus, Maura Weaver, Graveface Records Sampler

Posted in MP3s with tags , , , , , , , , on 06/22/2026 by Kurt Orzeck

Welcome to the 14th and latest installment of The Bad Penny‘s Bandcamp Freebie series, in which we handpick our favorite free songs on the platform and dish them up for your consumption. This is one of our most diverse arrays yet, so let’s dig in.

(Note: If you’re financially capable of supporting any of these artists and/or labels, please consider doing so.)

1. Dumb Waiter – “Dumb”

Experimental noise-rockers Dumb Waiter are gearing up for the release of their new album, Change, on July 31 through Ossein Records. The band from Richmond, Virginia, has a lot of experience under its belt, but this time Dumb Waiter are deviating from their no-vocals policy for the first time. Hear what the previously instrumental-only gang sounds like with their new approach courtesy of this free tune. Commenting on the band’s decision to incorporate vocals, saxophonist/vocalist Tristan Brennis said, “What more is there to say without saying anything? We realized that we had a whole lot to say about the current state of the world and this hyper-acceleration of society that I think we’re all feeling day in day out.” Dumb Waiter sound like a good candidate for The Bad Penny‘s On Tyranny series …

2. Maura Weaver – Strange Devotion

Alt-country newcomer Maura Weaver, formerly of pop punk band Mixtapes, generously gifted us with her second solo album gratis in September. The indie-pop record was written and recorded two years ago “in a Northern Kentucky studio that may or may not be haunted,” according to her Bandcamp page. “Still present are the hooks, melodies, and thoughtful lyrics that have become Weaver’s staple,” the statement further said.

3. 7-11 Jesus – White Noise

Like Maura Weaver, Boston noise-rock band 7-11 Jesus are in a charitable mood these days, making the new full-length they just put out last month available for free on Bandcamp. Released through TRA$H $UN RECORD$, this is the trio’s third record and first in five years after a long break.

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26 Free Bandcamp Downloads #13 (Steroid Edition): Multiple DLs From Gottlieb, Nequient, Thou, Malevich

Posted in Lists, MP3s with tags , , , , , , , , , on 05/30/2026 by Kurt Orzeck

We injected steroids into the 13th and latest installment of our Bandcamp Freebies series. Let us explain: Whereas the installments typically feature one pay-what-you-want single, EP or LP by each of the 10 bands featured in them, this time we’re providing between two to 11 downloads per artist. But because one post can only swell so much before it becomes unwieldy, we’re only spotlighting five great artists this time around. Nonetheless, this is still the meatiest edition in the series, so let’s not waste any more time and get to it.

(Note: If you’re financially capable of supporting any of these artists and/or labels, please consider doing so.)

1. Gottlieb

Of all the artists who have participated in our On Tyranny series, anarcho-punk band Gottlieb proved themselves to be hyper-informed about the threat of fascism and the importance of staving off its spread in the U.S. Their motto is “Get active or get out of punk,” and we couldn’t agree more.

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10 Best Free Bandcamp Downloads #12: Orchestra Gold, Sadness, Lux, Pet Mosquito, LAPêCHE, Products Band

Posted in Features, Lists, MP3s with tags , , , , , , , , , on 05/24/2026 by Kurt Orzeck

The 12th and latest installment of The Bad Penny‘s Bandcamp Freebie series features our strongest offering of free music to date. In addition to pay-what-you-want releases by a handful of artists that the site has featured (and thus recommended) in various posts, there’s only two singles among the bunch. The rest are full-lengths and short-players that the bands we’re featuring deserve hi-fives for posting for no cost on Bandcamp. So, without further ado, let’s dig in.

(Note: If you’re financially capable of supporting any of these artists and/or labels, please consider doing so.)

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10 Best Free Bandcamp Downloads #11: Dave Grohl Side Project’s Full LP, lowsunday, TINO, Post Pulse, Zabus

Posted in MP3s with tags , , , , , , , , , on 05/06/2026 by Kurt Orzeck

The 11th and latest installment of The Bad Penny‘s Bandcamp Freebie series features our strongest offering of free music to date. In addition to pay-what-you-want releases by a handful of artists that the site has featured (and thus recommended) in various posts, there’s only two singles among the bunch. The rest are full-lengths and short-players that the bands we’re featuring deserve hi-fives for posting for no cost on Bandcamp. So, without further ado, let’s dig in.

(Note: If you’re financially capable of supporting any of these artists and/or labels, please consider doing so.)

1. Probot – s/t

In the early ’00s, Dave Grohl started showing more affection toward heavy metal, even though his three most prominent projects – grunge gods Nirvana, hardcore heroes Scream and mainstream-rock darlings Foo Fighters – were never categorized at that sort. In particular, Grohl had developed a close friendship with Lemmy Kilmister, later appearing in a 2010 documentary paying tribute to the Motörhead majordomo.

Grohl confirmed his appreciation for metal with this one-off 2003 release by a project he called Probot. The songs featured Grohl playing along with some of metal’s greatest legends ever: Max Cavalera, Wino, Eric Wagner, King Diamond – and, of course, Lemmy. Our eyes grew wide when we noticed on Bandcamp that this special release is available for release.

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10 Best Free Bandcamp Downloads #10: Witch Ripper, Aidan Baker, Frankie Tillo, arm’s length, Gunner

Posted in MP3s with tags , , , , , , , , , on 04/09/2026 by Kurt Orzeck

Sorry we’ve neglected you by letting too much time elapse between our last rundown of free music on Bandcamp and this new installment. We’ll make it up to you, we promise. Wait, why are we apologizing? And why are we making promises? Do you really exist? And, for that matter, do we? Probably not. But let’s pretend we do and have some fun. Here’s a whole bunch of handpicked music that you can smash and grab without breaking any laws.

(Note: If you’re financially capable of supporting any of these artists and/or labels, please consider doing so.)

1. Witch Ripper – _

No, you’re not inebriated – hell, maybe you are, but either way, you’re seeing the name of Witch Ripper’s first release as the band intended: a simple underscore. Released in November 2012, it’s fitting to revisit the EP now because the Seattle heavy-rock band’s newest album, Through the Hourglass, comes out tomorrow via Magnetic Eye Records.

2. arm’s length – “loathe” (early demo)

Are we absolutely certain that arm’s length is the best emo band that Ontario has ever produced? No, but we’ll leave it up to you to prove us wrong. (And that involves listening to this demo.) Whatever the case, the lovable lads are about to play a month’s worth of gigs across North America with support from The Callous Daoboys. Just when you thought every clever tour name had been used, these guys came up with a good one: “There’s a Whole World ….” The website for arm’s length lists all the dates.

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10 Best Free Bandcamp Downloads #9: NORMANS, Aidan Baker, Nadja, Convulsing, Gloios, Twilight Sad

Posted in MP3s with tags , , , , , , , , , on 02/12/2026 by Kurt Orzeck

Strapped for cash but hungry for great music? The Bad Penny is here to help. Well, musicians and Bandcamp are the ones actually doing the heavy lifting, but we’re saving you some precious time by curating the best freebies we came across on the site since the last edition of this series. So here’s a rundown of 10 rad songs, albums and EPs – most of them released last month – that The Bad Penny decided to share because we love you.

(Note: If you’re financially capable of supporting any of these artists and/or labels, please consider doing so.)

1. Aidan Baker & Wario Pianesi – 4Rooms (January 2026)

From the Bandcamp description: “4Rooms is the improv session recorded live by Aidan Baker (Nadja) and Wario Pianesi (Mrs Bhutan) in Berlin at Hinterraum on Oct. 24, 2024. Mastered by Riccardo Gamondi at unSalice studio.”

2. Nadja – Seemannsgarn (Church In Session) (January 2026)

This is an ambient/drone live track that Nadja performed with Leah Buckareff on bass guitar and Aidan Baker on electric guitar and drum machine, They recorded the 42-minute song in a church in Berlin.

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10 Best Free Bandcamp Downloads #8: Gridfailure, Glorious Depravity, Be Nothing

Posted in Lists, MP3s with tags , , , , , , , , , on 01/15/2026 by Kurt Orzeck

1. Be Nothing – Be All the Nothing You Can Be EP (September 2023)

“This follow up to the trio’s 2020 self-titled album offers more of their signature riff heavy, sarcastic punk,” label Strange Mono said in a statement.

2. Gridfailure – Live Improv at the Kingsland – Brooklyn, NYC – 09/07/2024 (March 2025)

“Entire improvisational set from The Kingsland (RIP) in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, NY on September 7th, 2024,” label Strange Mono said.

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