It is not unusual to get overwhelmed by the sheer volume of music that is accessible to us these days. Getting heard amidst this horde of distortion can become painfully unendurable for bands and often leaves me wondering whether the Internet is a boon or a bane for them. Anyways, before I digress any further, here is my list of 10 bands that stand out from the clutter of mediocrity and deserve your attention right at this very moment!
10. Theorized
Theorized from Bangalore (India), carve out their unique identity by blending in throat ripping Thrash Metal with mind bending Progressive Metal twists. They released their debut album titled ‘Psychosphere’ early 2014 amidst widespread acclaim. Full of stupendous guitar work and mesmerizing solos, ‘Psychosphere’ will keep you hooked right from the first note. Theorized rise up from cliche Thrash Metal characteristics to deliver a sound that packs a powerful punch and sounds absolutely refreshing.
9. Chronosphere
Once you start listening to Chronosphere, you will find it difficult to put them down. Formed in 2009 in Athens (Greece), this four-piece thrash band unleash a mean Thrash Metal sound that is a mix of the old school Thrash Metal rawness and the crunch of its resurgence. They have released two full length albums till date with the latest one titled ‘Embracing Oblivion’. What I love the most about the band is the fast paced aggressive riffage and the oodles of groove in their compositions.
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8. Orator
This three-piece Death/Thrash band from Dhaka (Bangladesh) floored me with their manic buzz saw riffage and super crispy drum work, when I saw them live at Bangalore Open Air in 2015. Their debut album ‘Kalpagnosis’ is a rare gem that must decorate your shelves if you get a chance to grab a copy. Get lost in the whirlwind of Death/Thrash riffage and unrelenting drum work backed by impressive lyrics about tantric magic and Eastern mysticism.
7. Arkaik
Technical Death Metal is fast becoming an oversaturated genre brimming with countless, young energetic bands spawning as we speak. Although Arkaik from California (US), may get termed as a cliche by some Tech Death nerds, but I believe they execute the “cliche” flawlessly to create a unrelenting ambience of pummeling groove and frenzied riffage. Arkaik have released four full length albums and each one of them is a masterpiece in itself. Their latest offering ‘Lucid Dawn’ is an epitome of surgically precise guitar work dissipating sonic energy like none other which deserves your undue attention.
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6. Duskmourn
Duskmourn is a supremely exciting act from New Jersey/Pennsylvania (US) that must not be missed. This duo deliver a mesmerizing mix of Epic Folk and Melodic Death Metal, that does enough to help them carve out their own identity. Their compositions are rich, majestic and powerful and with just one full length album in their discography titled ‘Legends’, it will be interesting to see how they grow and evolve in the times to come.
5. Total Self-Hatred
Melancholic, brooding and supremely depressing; these are the adjectives that come to my mind as soon as I hear this band from Helsinki (Finland). Setting an supremely haunting ambience, Total Self Hatred conjure up an intense wave of despair in their compositions which put the listener through an emotional journey that is beautifully melancholic.
4. Temple of Baal
Temple of Baal started as a one man band by Amduscias in Paris (France), way back in 1992 before other members joined. Although active for more than twenty years, but they have largely lurked in the underground and surprisingly never really got noticed. They create an exciting mix of Blackened Death Metal which is intensely powerful and supremely epic. They have released five full length albums with ‘Mysterium’ being the latest one last year.
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3. Veld
Veld are from Poland and have been around for more than 20 years now. If you are a fan of evil, bone crushing Blackened Death sound popularized by Behemoth and the likes, check out Veld. With four full length album under their belt, Veld are a force to reckon with. Hauntingly ambient with symphonic and industrial elements, Veld deliver a sound that is a perfect mix of brutality and groovy mayhem.
2. Xenomorphic Contamination
Xenomorphic Contamination is a 2 man band from Turin (Italy) and deliver a brutal Death Metal sound that speaks (as the name suggests) about aliens and outer space. Largely modern in production and style, this band weaves a thick sound of crushing razor sharp riffage and pummeling drum work. Vocals are satisfyingly deep deathly growls that go well with the overall theme of the band. They have released their debut this year titled ‘Colonized from the Inside’ and hold a lot of promise.
1. Unfathomable Ruination
Unfathomable Ruination is what modern Death Metal should mutate to. Delivering a perfect mix of technicality, brutality and groovy aggression, this five member band from London (UK) are undoubtedly, the future torch bearers of the genre. Unfathomable Ruination dropped their sophomore release titled ‘Finitude’ this year which will make your head hurt (in a good way of course). Unrelenting, chaotic but never losing the groove, Unfathomable Ruination lay down the next logical direction for the genre. Period.
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8 comments
Great article. Discovered some gems. Xenomorphic Contamination, Unfathomable Ruination, Orator, Arkaik and Chronosphere…simply wow!
Fuckin’ A!! … VELD! \m/ and ORATOR!! \m/ \m/ .. where were these bands till now!?!
Fuck yeah. I’m glad Chronosphere was mentioned… One of my favorites right now.
Kickass list! \m/…this page is my bookmark now! Unfathomable Ruination kicks ass! \m/ … and Arkaik too.
I’ve been a big fan of Chronosphere for a few years. Here are a few more bands that should be added to the list in my opinion:
Running Death
Burning Nitrum
Space Eater
Tantara
YEAH!..this list beats meh-tallica’s new album 😀
All hail the underground! \m/ ARKAIK..where were you .. you beauty!?
just play them all at once and you get a new genre