As the new year lands upon us, there is no doubt that twenty ten is going to be a huge year for metal. The festivals have already upped the game, in particular Sonisphere with their trouser creaming early lineup announcements, and speculation is rife about who will fill the Download slots and who other than Soundgarden will reform. But in amongst all these, we have a number of frighteningly talented bands that have been bubbling under over the last year or so. Here is the first part of a selection of OneMetal approved bands that you need to keep your eye on through out the year:
TesseracT
Who:
A ludicrously talented bunch of UK prog metallers who have already stirred things up within the rock world with their bold and creative brand of metal. Already having built a reputation of outstanding live performances they have appeared at the likes of Hammerfest and Bloodstock, plus 2009 saw them blood their new vocalist Dan Tompkins with a blinding set at Hellfire II at Brimingham NEC.
What:
“One” is the highly anticipated debut album from these boys hopefully due for release in April. “Lament” has already had an airing from a Metal Hammer cover CD (Nov 2009) and “Concealing Fate Part Two” another track from the album will get an airing on TotalRock.com, Tuesday 12th January between 18:00 and 21:00 as well as featuring on next months cover CD for Metal Hammer.
Why:
Bury Tomorrow
Who:
A bunch of UK Metalcore noiseniks, intent on showing that us Brits can duel with the best the United States can offer. Since self releasing their debut EP ‘The Sleep of The Innocents’, recorded at Outhouse Studios in Reading, UK (Architects, Enter Shikari, Funeral For A Friend), the lads have made it their continuing mission to rise through the ranks of the metal scene with blistering music and a massive connection with their fans.
What:
Already having taken the UK by storm with the belting debut album “Portraits” the guys have been snapped up by the Artery Foundation Management in the States. The album is being released over there in March to coincide with the US tour and then they will embark on a massive UK/European tour in April/May.
Why:
Imicus
Who:
Luton rockers Imicus signed to Transcend records in 2009 and promptly delivered a belter of a single “Visceral” in late October. The guys backed this up with crunching festival performances at the likes of Hellfire, The Bulldog Bash and Hard Rock Hell. Already described as a major band in waiting, these guys are ready to burst and 2010′s album and tour could be the turning point.
What:
Already having built a solid fanbase from touring alone, Imicus are now poised to explode through Transcend with an album and tour to follow. “Visceral” as a taster has more than whet the appetite. It’s a high velocity, explosive combination of Placebo colliding with Alice In Chains wrapped in a huge progressive tinged crunch. We at OneMetal cannot wait to see what these lads produce.
Why:
Carcer City
Who:
Carcer City are a Liverpudlian Hardcore five piece. Exceedingly polished beyond their years and capable of delivering the sort of punch and melody associated with giants such as Killswitch Engage. Their debut offering “The Life We Have Chosen” released in November 2009 landed with a hugely professional thud that made the metal scene sit up and take note.
What:
“The Life We Have Chosen”, whilst not particularly offering anything groundbreaking or new, delivered an acomplished take on the genre. We ourselves commented on the “thunderous low-end bludgeon”, “the sublime melodic lead-work” and the songs being “festooned with ear-grabbing riffs and dizzying structural twists”. So naturally we want to see how the guys follow up on this and with tour dates scheduled throughout January, February and March.. we’ll see you in the pit.
Why:
Dryll
Who:
Formed by none other than legendary Venom axe-weilder Jeff Mantas, Dryll are a quintet conjuring up a melodic mix combining metal, thrash and hardcore. The five guys have a foot firmly placed in the old school approach to metal but fully embrace the modern edge.
What:
Having only completed the current lineup featuring Antton Lant (Cronos’ brother) and ex-Def Con One bassist Craig Elliott in October 2009 the guys have already landed firmly on the OneMetal.com radar. These guys could shortly explode.
Why:
No Made Sense
Who:
Another bunch of progressive metal nutters from the UK. Bandying the “experimental” flag around wildly these boys created such a splash with their debut “The Epillanic Choragi” their next realease is one of pure intrigue and high expectations. They need to be watched to see if they can maintain the standard.
What:
“The Epillanic Choragi” was released to comments such as “Tool meets Meshuggah” and “one of the most intelligent ‘metal’ albums to come out of the UK in a long time” and when we caught up with the guys at Hellfire II they promised us more of the same with the follow up. At the very least these guys are not to be missed at Hammerfest on March 12 2010.
Why:
Never heard of any of these, I’ll check ‘em out though!
January 8, 2010 at 14:25 OneMetal Team Member
You should have heard of Carcer City – I bloody reviewed ‘em! :)
TesseracT are an amazing band, been keeping an eye on their development for a while now. I shall check out the others, too – gret article, Mark!
January 8, 2010 at 14:42
Thats coz they are wicked fresh, up coming and coming to you from the inside man himself Mr M Wrizzy
January 8, 2010 at 14:51 OneMetal Team Member
Have to say there were many I wanted to feature with this… Notable mentions also have to go to Your Demise, The Plight, Between The Screams, No Consequence, Sanctorum for starters… all bands I bloody love !
January 8, 2010 at 18:26
Imicus are fantastic live, playing in Cambridge soon – well worth checking out!!
January 9, 2010 at 00:09
I’d also like to add Talanas. Fantastic band and their debut album should be out this year:
http://www.myspace.com/talanas
(I’m not in the band either ;-) )
January 9, 2010 at 00:11
I’ve thought of a band I’d like to mention – The Hollow Earth Theory. Been following their fevelopment for a few years now, lovely lads with an excellent Toool/Earthtone9/modern metal sound – well worth a listen.
January 9, 2010 at 02:43
I meant ‘development’, not ‘fevelopment’, obviously… damnit
http://www.myspace.com/thehollowearththeory
January 9, 2010 at 02:45
Oooh Earthtone9 – I love that band – *goes to dig out album*
January 9, 2010 at 13:45
Dryll are by far the best band i have heard and seen in years, gotta see them live though as they truly shine in the live enviroment…..
I recommend them to the world and really hope they get the recognition they deserve….
January 18, 2010 at 16:24
1312 my friend. you are indeed correct and they should, by rights, be signed and touring. we can only hope. Let me take this opportunity to enlighten every one on another class act. check out a band called Insylum also from Newcastle. They are………..AWESOME.
January 18, 2010 at 17:01
How silly of me not to leave a link for INSYLUM. A gift to you all.
http://www.myspace.com/insylumaremetal
January 18, 2010 at 17:06
Tesseract are a good band, like you said, very talented
February 8, 2010 at 20:26
“the ocean pipes” are the greatest band i ever seen …..why arent they here ?? maybe because …the singer is dead???
January 14, 2011 at 04:18
the ocean pipes….yeah that band is fucking awesome!!
January 20, 2011 at 18:40
Good !
March 10, 2011 at 00:51
Im also promoting some new upcoming bands i found .
Here are some links :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2PqSlg-gcQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFwQX88UUUY&feature=related
May 16, 2011 at 01:28