This is the first edition of my many more to come (hopefully) list of bands that I feel, deserve more listeners.
None of the lists are in any particular order. These lists will be unbiased regardless of old-school, new-school and whatever label. It will also contain a whole mixture of sub-genres. I hope the bands get more fans through this article.
1. Mutant – I’m starting off with a very under-exposed, fun, Thrash Metal band from the UK, formed in 2004.
I personally feel many of the thrash bands out there sound generic, and don’t pack enough punch to sound refreshing, or different. Although there are bands like Vektor that fuse progressive and technical feels to thrash, Mutant is a band that plays straight up thrash metal and still manage to sound refreshing, giving you the overpowering feel that thrash should, and makes you want to mosh. They have released just two EPs so far, but I highly recommend their ’09 EP, Laserdrome. I hope they make some new music some time soon, and I can easily see them in the league of bands like Havok, Lich King, Violator, and so on.
This is my favourite song by them – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=te90Jx8aafI
Their official Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/mutantuk?ref=br_rs
2. Allegaeon – The next band is a Technical/Melodic Death Metal band from the US, formed in 2008.
They have grown to become one of my personal favourite bands. This band is so good, that although they have released just two full lengths, they’re still flawless, in my opinion. I mean I can find not one bad song by these guys, and neither do I get tired of playing these two albums over and over again. They have shades of progressive music, many acoustic solo sections, and some really hypnotic riffage, apart from their primary style of play. Apart from that, they’re a fun band and interact a lot with the fans. I’m really stoked to hear something new from them. I’ve not got any unsure/negative reactions from anybody I have recommended the band to. So do give them a shot.
My personal favourite track by them – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nK4mjx_A8G0
Their official Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/allegaeon
3. Ego Fall – Ego Fall is a Melodic Death Metal/Metalcore band with folk elements incorporated in their music, from China, formed in 2000.
If any of you thought I was going to leave out metalcore, you were wrong. Although predominantly melodeath, this unique band does have a lot of core elements in their music, and they mix it up with some folk music, like the famous, herculian throat singing sections, quite perfectly. They have three studio full-lengths under their belt and I’d say each one of them is brilliant. They released their third album this year, called Duguilang, which is certainly a diamond in the dust. If you want a refreshing take on your melodeath or your metalcore, give these guys a shot.
My personal favourite by them – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-t21F7dnfU
Their official Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ego-Fall/277242177534
4. Ne Obliviscaris – This multi-genre Extreme Progressive Metal band hails from Australia, formed in 2003.
This band deserves worldwide recognition, in my opinion. They blend so many polarized styles of music together so perfectly, that the feeling you get when you listening to their music, is eternal bliss. No kidding. Everything from raw black metal, shred guitar solos, violin solos, flamenco sections, to clean vocals, this band has it all. They have just one album released so far, but it has proved that they have plenty tricks up their sleeves already. Portal of I is not just an album, it is a journey you will not forget. I recommend this album to everyone out their with an open-minded music taste.
My personal favourite – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMRKBz89uRQ
Their official Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/NeObliviscarisBand
5. Crimson Shadows – They’re a Melodic Death/Power Metal band from Canada, formed in 2006.
It’s like a blast of powerful, in your face metal that will possess you, and turn you into a hellhound waiting to mosh. Crimson Shadows is power/speed metal meets melodeath. A different, and successful amalgamation of two different sub-genres. The vocalist especially, seems to have one of the best lung capacitities for anyone doing extreme vocals. Their debut, and only album so far, Glory on the Battlefield, is worth a hundred listens.
My personal favourite – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtqEiN6AmDI (This song is beastly.)
Their official Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/CrimsonShadowsBand
6. Apocynthion – This Spaniard quartet plays a wide range of Black Metal/Post Metal/Atmospheric Doom/Shoegaze, and was formed in 2010.
The lesser I reveal about this band, the better. I guess that’s how it goes with post-rock or even post-metal music. You feel it. This new surge of Blackgaze bands is really doing the job of consecutively releasing some quality metal music that is also really soothing and refreshing. With a space theme to their synonymous music style, Apocynthion provides a much needed break from the usual metal. Their latest album, Sidereus Nuncius is a stand out album of the year. Give it a shot.
My personal favourite – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKc5BAkTrB0
Their official Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/Apocynthion.Official
7. Stoned Jesus – Stoned Jesus, as the name suggests, is a Stoner/Doom Metal band from Ukraine, formed in 2009.
After a dragged along look out for a commendable Stoner metal band, I found Stoned Jesus. Although I have too many favourites in my list, Stoned Jesus is only one of the two Stoner metal bands in my collection. While their first album boasts of a brilliant reminiscent of Black Sabbath, their second album, Seven Thunders Roar, is a very original, grand display of this style of music. Unlike many other bands of the same style, the band has a lot of sludgy, yet melodic riffs, gruff Hetfield-like vocals, and enjoyable solos. I’d suggest you to give both the albums a shot.
My personal favourite – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iW1jxJ6ISks
Their official Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/stonedjesusband
8. Angel Vivaldi – Angel Vivaldi is a solo artist and also plays the lead for the star-studded band I Legion.
“If people don’t like instrumental music, I’m here to make them like it.”
Surely enough, I wouldn’t miss out on some magnificent, trippy instrumental progressive metal. Angel is a guitar virtuoso that brings together complex song structures, often “djent” styled with various odd time melodies. He frankly brought the faith in this math metal realm back in me, by playing world class music that didn’t sound monotonous and repetitive. If you never really got into instrumental metal or math metal, this guy might change it for you.
My personal favourite – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6EyfClK6to
His official Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/angelvivaldi
9. Earthcry – This is a Progressive Power Metal band from Italy, formed in 2010.
The above picture is an understatement for two reasons. One, not the best photoshop for such a brilliant, rising band, and two, there are nine more members as of now. Yes, Earthcry are a unique group of artists that have done a tremendous, extremely under-exposed job of fusing a new genre. Power Prog Opera. With six vocalists in totality, made full use of, the vocal melodies are obviously something to watch out for. Other than that, some really catchy, fun, and inventive prog power metal is at full display. All this in their debut full-length, Where the Road Leads. I strongly recommend this heavily unknown band, for I hope they don’t fizzle out with just one record in their name.
Although not my personal favourite, this song is still good – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXWTSiVX6rs (If you have the album, my favourite would be the last track, Inside. Personally one of my favourite progressive metal track of all time. For real.)
Their official Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/earthcryproject
10. Morbid Saint – They are a Thrash Metal band from the US, formed in 1982.
If you for even one second thought that I’d leave out an old-school under dog, you were wrong for sure. The reason I chose this band is not because I think they are unknown, but because I believe the thrashers of today should know about them. We have old-school thrash like Overkill and Testament, and modern bands like Havok and Lich King, but there are also the under dogs, like this band. Morbid Saint used to open for the famous Death, back in the day when I wasn’t even on this Spectrum of Death (pun intended). Easily one of the fastest, if not THE fastest thrash metal band I’ve come across (Maybe Demolition Hammer), they own the more brutal side of thrash metal. Spectrum of Death is their only album, but it is a thrash classic. They re-united in ’10, so let’s hope they come back with another sledge hammer of a record.
My personal favourite – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHulWnPnda8
Their official facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Morbid-Saint-Official/132339530166104
That’s all for now, folks! I hope I have provided you with enough music until next week!
If you want to let the bands know about me, or you want to stay updated on my blog, go here : https://www.facebook.com/BetweenMyMindAndMe
I will be posting more bands on a page I’m a part of, all things metal – https://www.facebook.com/ATMmetal