This is a guide to finding free download links to albums online. The first method is to use a file-sharing search engine. The three that I mostly use are listed below:
About: Simple and easy to use, this handy little search engine just uses Google to find albums, and is always the first place I start looking. Most of the results are from MediaFire. Make sure to set the drop down box to "Music Album / Artist". When search button clicked, results will open in a new page. The first page of results are usually the legit ones. It's always my first choice because it's quick to get to the download page, however it doesn't always return that many download links.
About: If JimmyR can't find what I need this is where I go next. It brings back a wide range of results, and the sites favored in the results are 4shared, Fileserve and Filesonic although you can filter by sites in the sidebar. You can also filter by size, and it's useful to set this option to '20MB -> 200MB' if looking for albums. The downside is you have to go through three pages to get to the actual download page, including opening a new tab. It also shows source of link.
About: I like this site for it's simplistic and informative layout, however it usually doesn't return with as many options as Filestube. Although it does pick up a number of links that Filestube doesn't. It only searches Rapidshare, Megaupload and Hotfile. After searching, you have to go through two pages before reaching the actual download page, including enter a small four letter captcha. If you click on a link that's part of a multipart archive, it will list the links to rest of the parts alongside it. It also shows the source website and size in MB on the first results page.
If you can't find the albums in a file-sharing search engine, forums and blogs are a great place to turn to next. Blogs are the easier way to go, as a lot of forums now require you to register to access their database. This is usually a quick and easy process, and most forums are free. Here's a few to get you started:
http://thelastdisaster.blogspot.com/
A long running blog with a focus on metal and various sub-genres.
A blog with a focus on post hardcore and hardcore. It's a great place to discover new music as it has staff picks and a section to feature bands.
Two partnered sites with a wide variety of genres and album uploads, such as pop, acoustic, metal, punk, jazz, techno, rock, classical and many more.
A fantastic recourse if you're after gabber, speedcore, breakcore and any other fast electronic music. Have a browse if you're after something different.
Mediafire Shared Folders are also a great way to find easy direct links to similar artists or albums of the same artist. When downloading an album, check to see if there's a link saying 'Browser [username's] shared files' in the light blue bar above the download link. Here's a couple of examples:
A collection of albums from the progressive rock band 'Yes'.
A large collection of post hardcore and metal albums.
Some album downloading tips for you:
#1. Most full size albums will range in size from 20MB to 200MB. If a download link is smaller than this DO NOT DOWNLOAD. It's either spam, just one song from the album or a virus.
#2. Never click on links that say 'Sponsored Download' or 'Fastest Download'. They will NOT have the download you're after and they will try and spam you or steal all your money.
#3. Be suspicious of links that phrases their title the exact same way you phrased your search. For example if you search for an album using all lowercase, don't click the link that's all lowercase.
#4. If given the opportunity, ALWAYS download using MediaFire, because there's no pop up adds, no waiting time, no captcha, and you can resume a download if the internet freezes or drops out.
If you can't find download links through any of these methods, send me a request on the 'Review / Uploads Requests' page and I'll try and track one down for you. And if all else fails? Just google it :)
