Huldra

Huldra are one of those tight doom-death bands that fill out regional scenes and help to establish the depth of this kind of music. The tight riffing and majestic vibes are what define The Braindead EP, a nifty little three track record the band put out back in May. There is something strangely addictive about what these guys do - be it the black metal riffing in Buried Alive or the tormented doom metal madness of Bound. Huldra understand the wonderfully demented madness of the genre and fill their records with gloriously brutal odes to the fucked up realities we all must face. Filled with that truly American punk rock magic that makes this continent so fascinating to me Huldra perfectly balance this with a much more refined and epic polemic that leads to a sound that revels in duality and beats your head into the ground. Huldra are raw, evil, and strangely majestic - they reflect all that makes their scene great and are a truly enjoyable listen.

Find them on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/huldraband

Selene

There is a profound artistry to symphonic metal, and as much as jaded people like me like to poke fun at it, it's hard to deny that the folks in these bands are top notch musicians and songwriters. Selene get the inherent beauty that symphonic metal can have and guide their music ship wonderfully - rarely subdued but never over the top. Instead striking a nice and potent balance that is sure to attract all symphonic metal fans. The deeper you delve into what they do, the more you realize that Selene are the kind of metal band that the common man can get in too. They're epic, loud, but rarely alienating, instead drawing the whole world into their arms and guiding you forth with powerful choruses and a sense of rock and roll majesty that few of their peers can match. With every solo landing precisely on point and every harmony guiding the band ever further along it is impossible not to be charmed by Selene's sublime musical triumph.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/SeleneNI

ShadowStrike - Infinite Power

ShadowStrike are one of those gloriously over the top and triumphant power metal bands that make you smile and get you to shake your fist at the sky. Their debut record Infinite Power is the kind of stunning and strangely encouraging work that captures the inherent power of the genre. The fact of the matter is that though ShadowStrike are clearly facing the limitations of youth on their debut they can fucking play and they are set to create great things in the next few years of power metal madness - these guys fuckin' get it.

The over the top guitar solos and powerful choruses are a lot of fun and speak to the inherent innocence and joy of the genre. The touches of chiptune and classical music that accent a lot of these pieces help to keep the record interesting for its 40 minute duration. That being said - some of these tracks definitely end up feeling too long, and if the dudes in this band weren't so goddamn talented then Infinite Power would get old fast. As such - it's a minor defect in a record that is far too much fun and makes me think back to a happier and much more peaceful time. The point being - ShadowStrike carry you off on the wings of an eagle with this track and it's hard to forget their over the top power.

Top notch songwriters with a sense of humor and a genuine passion for the inherent power of their genre it's hard not to love the speed metal derived attack of Infinite Power. With Dragonforce inspired solos and soaring vocals coming together to help create a wholly unholy sound these guys will make you smile and show you that metal in the twenty first century doesn't need to be all doom and gloom. There is an undeniable potency to Infinite Power and I get the impression that this is one of the most talented up and coming power metal bands around today - expect big things.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/ShadowStrikePower?fref=ts

Absorb

Primal, fast, and fucked up Absorb understand what death metal is all about. Sure they have minimal production values but that doesn't cover up their utterly crushing sound. Absorb understand what it takes to unleash death metal madness unto the masses and make them suffer under a thumb of steel. With all sorts of tasty angular riffs swirling underneath guttural almost Max Cavalera-like vocals Absorb have a lot going for them. Regardless of anything else these guys are tight musicians and digging into what they have to offer is an absolute pleasure They reflect the might of the German scene in every extravagant drum fill and despairing riff. Sure they wear their influences on their collective sleeve but that's part of the fun. Absorb are face melting death metal turned up to eleven and even at their most contemplative moments have enough darkness to melt your face off. Diverse and unafraid to experiment (Just listen to the intro of Undead) Absorb reflect the power that originally put their scene on the map.

Find them on Facebook!
https://m.facebook.com/Absorbmetal

Bangladeafy - The Briefcase

I first encountered Bangladeafy a few weeks ago when I ended up seeing them live at a tiny warehouse show in the Kenzofish neighborhood of Philly. With a wholly unique sonic approach oriented around tapping this drum and bass two piece has a sound unlike almost anyone I have ever heard and have put together music that is incredibly powerful, inspiring, and strangely catchy. With 

The Briefcase Bangladeafy open up a bold new frontier for metal that could quite realistically push the whole genre forward.

Bangladeafy never cease to amaze me simply because... holy shit have you heard their music? The hyper melodic approach of the bands frontman Jon Ehlers is stunning. Toss in syncopated rhythms in all sorts of weird time signatures and you have yourself a band who rival Meshuggah in terms of braininess. Their fusion of thrash and world music is... unreal. The occasional vocals provide a wonderful sense of atmosphere to the music despite sounding at times a bit out of place. Overall though - the stellar production and sense of fun that you find on tracks like Show Me The Gold helps prove to me that Bangladeafy not only have a unique concept, but they enjoy delivering it.

The fact of the matter is that The Briefcase is prog metal for a new generation of fan. It pushes the genre forward and gives guidance in an increasingly confused world. Bangladeafy understand the very visceral power that these sounds can have and the deeper you delve into their completely unique soundscapes with insane bass playing and mind boggling drummer the more you realize just how fucking good these guys are. Bangladeafy are wholly unique and are set for great things - prepare your body.

Find them on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/Bangladeafy?fref=ts

Stone Em All

Well in terms of band names... this had to happen eventually right? At least a tight band got the name! And I really do mean that. Stone Em All is the kind of wonderfully concise and well put together stoner rock that makes the genre actually worth listening too. These guys show that they have a strong understanding of songwriting that extends far beyond pentatonic themed power chord riffs. While yes, they do have their share of burly 'dude rock' moments there are also more than a few powerful choruses and fun solos that reach into the ethos of the genre, but also seek to move the whole thing forward. What I'm saying is that Stone Em All are exactly the kind of well put together stoner rock act that gives me hope for this kind of music. These guys have full digested the work of bands like Black Sabbath and Sleep and have been able to conjure up a unique sound of their own tha is delicious and hard to forget.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/StoneEmAll

Shadow Flag

Shadow Flag are the kind of potent black metal band that will always be fascinating to me. Putting some newer ideas on top of an old school background, Shadow Flag have been able to put together a delicious piece of twenty first century black metal on their new record The White Grave. The shimmering soundscapes and visceral attack are nicely balanced by the occasional angular riff and striking melodic lines that provide a refreshing respite from the soul wrenching assault that defines most of the record. The fact of the matter is: Shadow Flag know how to craft tasty black metal tracks and they wash it all in barren guitar tones and wonderfully dry vocals. When the band breaks into more Bathory like clean vocal or quasi-clean passages the immensity of the sound is only expanded and you fall ever deeper in love. Maybe that's why black metal nihilism works... you have to suffer under a God that failed, but at least you have records like this to keep you going.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/shadowflag13

Betrayal

One of the first things that struck me about Betrayal (Asides from the fact that... wow that name hadn't been taken yet?) is their ability to hammer you with angular and fun Iron Maiden-esque riffs. While they may not have the finesse of a band like Maiden there is instead a sort of modern crush to the sound that is actually reminiscent of groups like Slough Feg. Toss in a few fun melodic solos that are just flashy enough to be exciting and you're staring down the barrel of the kind of band you and your buds love to go see on a Friday night. Betrayal play heavy metal in the grand old style and there is something distinctly poignant with that. Though, yes, they could evolve a bit and get more refined, I'm sure they will! These dudes haven't been around all that long, and this kind of music almost requires evolution. As for now, Betrayal are tasty to listen too with a beer in hand after a long day at work, and isn't that what metal was made for in the first place?

Find them on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/betrayalband

Earth Witch

There is something strangely charming to me about bands that put 420 in their Facebook URL. In a weird way it gives their stuff a sense of legitimacy and helps to guide the music forward. I happen to really dig this bands jam oriented vibes and crushing tones. That being said - there is also something inherently fascinating to me about the way that they are able to incorporate a few Yob-like ideas to give their two new tracks, Green Torch and Guts, a strangely esoteric feel. You find yourself throwing yourself into the music and letting the surreal greenery of what Earth Witch do overwhelm you. This is one of those bands where you can practically smell the dankness of their rehearsal space. It makes for music that fits well as anthems for years of poor choices. The fact of the matter is that Earth Witch fuse a lot of ideas and styles, even allowing bits of Motorhead to seep through now and again. It leads to a stoner rock sound that is distinctly their own and leaves me very curious to hear more material!

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/earthwitch420

Musket Hawk/Sunburster

There is a special place in my heart for seven inch splits, especially ones that showcase two bands as awesome as Musket Hawk and Sunburster. The kind of release that really provokes the listener into deep meditative thought about the very nature of sludge this is a split for the ages. Musket Hawk kick it off with some triumphantly vicious grooves and a guitar tone that will make a grown man weep. The way the bass drives the entire thing forward is instantly memorable and speaks to the enduring power of the band. Meanwhile, with their submission Prize Pig, Sunburster build on their legacy of cathartic heavy music that allows you to really delve into the raw vibes of the music. Sunburster are doing something fairly unique and their fucked up triumph is the kind of thing that has to be heard to be believed. Gloriously evil and seemingly proud of it's own demented glory Sunburster end the split as veritable champions of the genre in the making. Unholy Anarchy have done it again, so what more can you do than jam?

Find the bands on Facebook!

Musket Hawk: https://www.facebook.com/Muskethawk

Sunburster: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sunburster/356407564375908

Knightlife - Swell

One of the thing that always gets me about rock and roll is the youthful exuberance of the genre, so whenever you get a group of young guys excited to be making music and anxious about getting on the road for the first time - well... you know it'll be something immensely enjoyable. Knightlife get that, and they also get their musical limitations making Swell well... swell to listen too.  This is the product of a band who reek of rock and roll and only seek to bring their music to the masses one power chord at a time.

From the very first riff on Otherside you get a sense for what Knightlife are trying to accomplish, old school rock and roll with touches of heavy metal to make things exciting. Now, I'll be the first to admit there definitely are a few limitations, the songwriting is great, but every now and then the vocals feel out of place. MacKnight has a tendency to write Van Halen-esque riffs and their occasionally pop-punky vocals can feel strange at times. That being said it also helps to make Swell iconoclastic. It's a distinct formula and one that probably will be further developed over the years. As is, Knightlife have been able to make their ideas truly exciting and some of the most well constructed in modern rock.

The fact of the matter is that as much as Swell sounds like a bunch of teenagers playing loud music, it also has a distinct rock and roll beauty in its simple sense of power and fun. This is music for the fans, meant to get you pumping your fist and slamming beers. With delicious guitar tone and all manner of high power major key riffs (And a few minor key ballads) Swell is addictive, and every chorus will leave you with a smile on your face, reveling in the glory of a guitar, a bass, a drumkit and some kid pouring his heart into the microphone.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/Knightlife5150

Klaymore - Justifiably Pissed

Some people say that power metal is kind of played out and doesn't have exciting stuff going down. People say it's lost its spark and now it's just silly music for the metal masses. With Justifiably Pissed Klaymore seek to restore the faith with a ferocious attack that bites down to the bone with hard hitting thrashy vocals that are directly contrasted by wailing powerful singing. This is the crux of the music and it drives Justifiably Pissed hard, keeping the band exciting and potent, proving these guys are rock and rollers who will take your soul.

While at first the whole concept seems a little bit formulaic, Klaymore quickly settle into a groove creating interesting songs that use fancy guitar work and their trademark vocal attack to help refine something that will endlessly fascinate the listener. The only real drawback I find to these guys is that the production quality is a bit subpar, things feel ab it too raw and with the vibe the band seems to want – well, better production would just put it through the roof. As is though, there are lots of great hooks here that keep things exciting and will have you singing along, even from the first listen. Justifiably Pissed proves that Klaymore know how to write some tight songs that will get you bopping along, even if metal isn't your main shindig.

At the end of the day, Klaymore are just fun to listen too. These Pittsburgh rockers have an aural assault that comes across as far tastier and much more inspiring than that of their peers. When these guys reach out, their voices soaring, guitars blazing and drums crashing, you realize that they are turned on to something special. As they refine their sound and develop their hooks they could take what is already a very strong formula and make it into something great, the sort of grim salvation that will carry you through even the darkest nights.

Find them on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/fansofklaymore?fref=ts

Kaldera

Bristol based death metal with great guitar tone and fun riffs, what more could a guy want out of a band? Kaldera are an exciting new force with a extremely satisfying sonic approach that fits nicely into the world of death metal while also finding it's own idiom. Part of this comes in the vocalists approach, she has a bit of a thrash touch here and there, making her throaty death growls a little more interesting. While I feel that she could probably go a step further to really make the sound evolve, she certainly does well enough for a first record, it certainly gives the entire thing it's own flavor. that being said, the raw songwriting is tasty and the instrumental passages are usually very well done. Rarely relying on chugs or technical ecstasy Kaldera have a great sense of melody which really helps to differentiate the band from the pack. Certainly full of potential, I'm curious as to what these guys do next!

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/KalderaUKMetal?fref=ts

The Hallowed Catharsis - Organic Entrenchment

There is a certain surreal charm to music that revels in brutality and uses lots of notes to communicate a simple message, kill. I'm probably being reductionist, but that's the thing about The Hallowed Catharsis's new EP Organic Entrenchment it can be appreciated on multiple levels. There's this really cool tech death thing they have going on, with all sorts of squirrelly riffs, but you also have a sense of stripped down hatred fueling the music. The sublime sense of darkness, the taste of evil that defines Organic Entrenchment is easy to get lost in and speaks to the poetic magic of this band. Vancouver is a veritable hotbed of tasty metal these days, and The Hallowed Catharsis seem to only be getting better with a second EP that sees them more polished and ready to make their victims suffer. Sure things could be a bit more focused here and there, but I know the band will get tighter with time. Let your hair down and get into the pit, because the scatterbrained Canadians in The Hallowed Catharsis are bringing destruction in a glorious fashion

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/THCdeath

Raging Rob - Raging Mob

I used to manage this band back in the day, a band called Unscarred, I wrote about 'em on here a lot, go back in the archives, you'll be sure to find 'em. They had a similar sort of sound to what Raging Rob rock, a sort of teutonic thrash derived take on thrash metal that brings in enough other stuff to keep it exciting. The thing is, I can tell Raging Rob fucking kill, their live recordings are a genius audition and provide a stunning endcap to Raging Mob. Few bands have the same sense of glorious destruction that gives flavor to Raging Rob.

I think perhaps what really gets me with this band is the mix of super-exciting vocals and flashy lead work. The riffs are tight, pounding the listener forward as they headbang to redemption, but the thing is, Raging Rob are so much more than that. They get your body shaking as you try to get into mad riffs that understand the true magic of thrash metal. The record is wonderfully produced too, with just enough cushioning to keep things interesting and touches on explosive just enough to keep it dangerous. You never know when Raging Mob will blow up in your face, yet Raging Rob seem to have complete control of the situation.

At the end of the day, what can we do but bend our knee and honor the power of this band. Thrash metal is the ind of thing that unites fans across generations. Raging Rob understand this and have created a sound that just about any fan of heavy music can get in to. Wonderfully ferocious, it's fun to listen to Raging Rob because they understand the trial and tribulation of the common man and they help you to kick it right in the fucking ass. Let your hair down and dive into the pit, this is what metal is all about.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/ragingrob1

Acid Buffalo

Freaked out psych rock from a band who seem destined to fuck up minds across the globe Acid Buffalo are turned on to a much hazier sense of reality than the one that most of us abide by. Instead of traditional rhythms and clear riffs its easy to get lost in the waves of wah pedal madness and flashy improvised pentatonic solos. Acid Buffalo are a trip to listen too and as you fall into their sound you find yourself journeying down a sort of surreal dead end path a way forward can be found through the murk, but it requires a dedicated listener, one who loves the psychedelic madness of this band. With whiny vocals and a wonderfully improvised feel, Acid Buffalo feel very organic. It's easy to trace their lineage from bands like Black Sabbath or even Electric Wizard. Acid Buffalo are wholly fascinating and the two tracks they have online are both fun to listen too, they leave me begging for more. With a full length I think that Acid Buffalo will be able to put together the kid of sonic journey that their music deserves.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/acid.buffalo

Christgrinder

This band has a song called Smoke Crack, Worship Satan. Let's get that out of the way first. Christgrinder are pretty much by default more metal than you or any band you are a part of. They play a type of blackened death metal that has a certain inherent kvltness that suggests that you probably shouldn't fuck with these guys. Christgrinder are turned on to a much more profound darkness and they revel in the satanic mastery found in songs like The Faceless Monarch. Yet, within it all, Christgrinder have a sense of humor, tracks like The Grinding Of The Christ show that not all is blackened misery in the Christgrinder camp, they know how to poke fun at the tired tropes that define so much of the music we love. The buzz saw guitar riffs combine nicely with black metal vocals to get something that captures the imagination and holds the listener in thrall. Speaking to the power of the genre, the future seems bright for these evil freaks.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/Christgrinder666

Pohjast

Slow grooves and wolves involved in the cover art, Pohjast is a band for me. A doomy folk metal act from Finland, Pohjast have a wonderful sense of the epic. The way their songs trudge forward and the masterful production allows everything to ring out is beautiful. These are tracks that guide the listener through the fire and the flames, storms of wind and rain. Pohjast invoke powerful atmospherics with their new record Matused simply because this kind of music speaks to the more primitive soul. As the epic vocal lines ring out and you feel the bleak triumph of pieces like November you realize that Pohjast are turned on to something rather new. Folk metal has stagnated for years now, but these guys seems destined to rise up beyond the unholy grave and prove the genre still has something to say. With wonderfully intricate compositions that carry you on a glorious musical adventure, Matused hints at a bright future for these Finns!

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/Pohjast

Promethean Horde - Ashes of the Empyrean

Boxing Day is a weird day every year. It's like we still have the collective hangover of Christmas but have yet to embrace the true demented madness of the New Years celebrations. What better way to get jarred out of this than some harsh black metal in the form of Promethean Hordes new record Ashes of the Empyrean? Eleven tracks of blazing fury tempered with touches of pagan metal and even a little death metal here and there, Promethean Horde have created something truly interesting and memorable with their latest release.

The pagan touches help to make this record far more enjoyable. Though the basis is definitely black metal, the way that some of these grooves come together in black metal fury to get something wonderfully distinct is very tasty. Tampa Bay is usually more known for black metal, but the distinctly atavistic touches that these guys bring into their music show that the region deserves to be known for much more. Simply put, Promethean Horde are a blast to listen to and will keep your head banging for many a spin. These songs are wonderfully crafted and prove the sheer dominance these guys deserve to have over their genre.

As you head into bleak songs like Ordogszereto it is possible to get a glimpse of the truth. Promethean Horde are building towards something great and their sound, replete with bass frills and unholy grooves, is fairly unique. I get the sense that as they gallop into the sunset, the new dawn will see them rising above their peers and proving their mettle. I predict big things to happen for this band Ashes of the Empyrean, while not quite a masterpiece, is damn good, and I get the sense these guys will only get better from here.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/prometheanhorde

Unchained Beast - Guiding the Lamb

A thrash metal band who bring it loud and hard Unchained Beast are experts in the art of contrasting beautifully arranged classical portions with skin melting thrash. Toss in a few exciting guitar solos and you start to get a sense for the true destructive power of this band. With a little bit of everything giving flavor to the music, Unchained Beast show they understand what thrash is about. It makes their record a fun listen to, and with only five songs it's a bite size record that any thrash fan will be able to get in too.

While primarily influenced by American thrash it's hard for the band to deny their European roots. There is a certain rawness to the sound that nicely contrasts the more polished lines. One of the things that impresses me the most about this Norwegian trio is that they can so easily get a huge sound with just a few elements. As they plow through tracks like Gates of Dumbr it's hard not to want to get up and mosh. My only complaint is that at times the songs are too long, fortunately Unchained Beast introduce enough thematic material that Guiding the Lamb never gets dull. A particular highlight for me are the chuggy rhythm breaks which seem designed to get the pit started.

Fast, vicious, and vastly enjoyable, thrashers the world over will enjoy Guiding the Lamb. Sure it doesn't break new ground and certainly isn't part of the 'neo-thrash' or 'hyper thrash' movement, but for those of us who love it old school, there's nothing better. These guys get dirty in the pit and will break teeth wherever they go. So jump on in and feel the grooves. There is no other side, only darkness to come, but with Guiding the Lamb Unchained Beast guide you through the valleys with the hope of bringing you to those beautiful peaks.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/UnchainedBeastBand