Roncag
08-25-2006, 09:46 PM
The past two weeks have given us the chance to bring you 10 bands worth checking out. Listen to what we feel are some of the best bands you may have never heard of.
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/bandsyoushouldknow/inreverentfear.jpg In Reverent Fear
Website (http://www.inreverentfear.com/) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/inreverentfear)
For years, In Reverent Fear has been destroying audiences with their brutal combination of metal, hardcore, and screamo, all the while being far beyond ordinary. With their latest release, Stomacher, these Concord, California men have embraced yet another new angle to their musical approach. In Reverent Fear has found their way into the melodic rock genre and has quickly stolen the crown from any and all comers, creating one of the finest records of 2006 and crafting a few "song of the year" nominees in the process.
RIYL: Celebrity, Codeseven, Engine Down, Day Without Dawn, Bridges, Dredg
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/bandsyoushouldknow/proto1.jpg Proto
Website (http://www.protoprog.com) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/proto)
Proto, a prog band out of Chattanooga, isn't your typical definition of prog. Their songs are succinct, the complete anti-thesis of progressive music. The ideas presented in their three-minute opuses, however, are very much in the progressive vein. Think Tool, King Crimson, Oceansize, Genesis, and Clann Zu blended together, then throw all your preconceived notions of this band out the window, because that's just a jumping-off point. No longer shall a prog band be defined by keyboards, solos, or 12-minute dirges! It is time to stand up and take notice. Proto presents yet another interesting avenue for the advancement of music everywhere.
RIYL: Clann Zu, Genesis, Tool, Rain Fur Rent Project, Oceansize
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/bandsyoushouldknow/withdrawal.jpg Withdrawal
Website (http://www.withdrawalmusic.com) :: Listen ( http://www.myspace.com/withdrawal)
Long Beach-based quintet Withdrawal may, right now, be just some band you've never heard of. However, one spin of their debut album The Perfectionist Blacklist should turn Withdrawal into a band you wish you'd heard sooner. Taking their cues from nothing in particular, they've put together an album that rivals Paulson's All at Once and Codeseven's Dancing Echoes/Dead Sounds. The only question is, is anyone listening? You should be.
RIYL: Lake Trout, Dredg, Woven, Codeseven, Paulson, Kieskagato, Cursive
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/bandsyoushouldknow/swordfishtrombones.jpg Swordfishtrombones
Website (http://www.sft.cz/) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/sftzone)
These Czechs elected to choose the most ridiculous name, even though it was originally a Tom Waits album. Regardless of this questionable decision, this band could be, at the very least, an interesting if not terrific addition to your music collection. Singing in English, this fivesome utilizes some magnificent instrumentation and undoubtedly gets the most out of what they’ve got: vocals, guitar, harmonica, piano, accordion, horns, bass, and drums. Vocalist Miloš Rejsek is smooth and earthy, sounding like a deeper Bono or Something for Rockets’ Rami Perlman. The music, however, has some serious roots in ’80s college, goth, and indie rock, with a more refined twist, thanks to their unique instrumentation. Superb, poetic lyrics accompany the frequently beautiful melodies on the band’s debut LP Blood & Milk. Check this band out, and add them as your friend – they’ve got less than 10!
RIYL: U2, The Cure, Depeche Mode, The Police, Interpol, The Verve, Whipping Boy
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/bandsyoushouldknow/ifthesetreescouldtalk.jpg If These Trees Could Talk
Website (http://www.procedurerecords.com) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/ifthesetreescouldtalk)
In the tradition of Decoy’s never-ending love for post-rock and Explosions in the Sky – winners of our first Post-Rock Tournament – we proudly present to you If These Trees Could Talk. With obvious similarities to EITS, ITTCT has a certain heaviness not found in EITS, but at the same time, not as heavy – but with some similarity – as Pelican. As post-rock and post-metal’s popularity continues to grow, it’s hard to weed out the typical from the good because frankly, the margin can be very narrow. However, ITTCT is anything but typical. Sure, they wear their influences on their sleeves, but this Akron, Ohio act is a sonically sound addition to the growing genres. Transfixing, paranoid, agitated, bursting, and revitalizing are just some of the words you could use to describe ITTCT’s self-titled, six-song, 32-minute debut EP through Procedure Records.
RIYL: Explosions in the Sky, Mogwai, Red Sparowes, Pelican, Mono, Across Tundras
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/bandsyoushouldknow/acrosstundras.jpg Across Tundras
Website (http://myspace.com/acrosstundras) :: Listen (http://myspace.com/acrosstundras)
Across Tundras is another worthy addition to the 'thinking man's metal' genre. Releasing their debut album through Crucial Blast, Across Tundras follow the Neurosis blueprint, but like Pelican's latest full-length, pursued more melody, more dynamics, and more atmospheric influences. The band's debut, Dark Songs of the Praire is an apt title, as the music sounds just like that (and because they're from Denver, where - I assume - prairies are abundant). This album is so vivid, organic, and colorful that a story can unfold right before your eyes. Across Tundras makes music that - again, like Pelican - can be both crushing and huge and transfixing and ambient, while maintaining integrity, smooth transitions, and a noticeably deep thought process.
RIYL: Pelican, Isis, Explosions in the Sky, Cult of Luna, Jesu, Neurosis
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/bandsyoushouldknow/sleepparade.jpg Sleep Parade
Website (http://www.sleepparade.com) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/sleepparade)
One again the beautiful Australia has given us jaw-dropping music to drool over. This time it comes in the form of Sleep Parade, a melodic indie rock band with the chops to knock you off your feet. Much like A Perfect Circle, Cave In, and their fellow aussie's, The Butterfly Effect, they manage to poor on a gorgeous melodic croon, over the course of extremely thick and dark rock music. Their latest 5 track EP, You Are Here, should please almost anyone with ears.
RIYL: Cave In, Codeseven, Aireline, Karnivool, Cog, A Perfect Circle, Radiohead, Butterfly Effect
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/bandsyoushouldknow/northsoutheastwest.jpg Northsoutheastwest
Website (http://www.myspace.com/nsew) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/nsew)
Northsoutheastwest are a five piece who hail from Racine, Wisconsin, a tiny place located between two huge cities. From this quaint town, these guys have managed to create a sound as big as mountains that's as catchy as it is beautiful. Steering the ship over the sounds of progressive rock, gorgeous spiraling atmospheres, and near violent outbreaks, NSEW are most definitely onto something special. Less pretentious than Circa Survive or Dredg, and not near as mass ready as (newer) Incubus and Finch, they are straddling a fence that could take them somewhere near greatness.
RIYL: The Receiving End of Sirens, Dredg, Circa Survive, Incubus, Finch
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/bandsyoushouldknow/echohelstrom.jpg Echo Helstrom
Website (http://www.myspace.com/echohelstrom) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/echohelstrom)
This Portland, Oregon quintet includes a completely jazz or classically trained lineup, who, by their own words, “simulate a rock band.” Don’t let the band’s humbleness decieve you: Echo Helstom is a real, talented rock band. Giving influential nods to Leonard Cohen, Jeff Buckley, and Radiohead, Echo Helstrom’s sound accurately falls somewhere between all three via guitar, upright and electric bass, violin, drums, and two vocalists – one male, one female. Even though it’s remarkable that the band has just finished recording their debut album, The Veil, what’s even more remarkable is that Echo Helstrom has done so without any label support; that’s right ladies, gents, and record labels: Echo Helstrom is unsigned, so pull out those checkbooks and contracts, support this band, and watch them because they’re going to make waves in the indie-rock world:
RIYL: Leonard Cohen, Jeff Buckley, Radiohead, Murder by Death, A Whisper in the Noise, Clann Zu
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/bandsyoushouldknow/furlong.jpg Furlong
Website (http://www.universe.sonoma.edu/~devios/clients/furlong) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/furlongband)
Furlong have burst forth from the sunny side of Northern California to show the world how creative they can be. The four piece outfit tirelessly pummel the sound's of post-hardcore and progressive rock to spawn instantly addictive splendor to the ear. They are currently putting the finishing touches on their debut LP and hopefully the indie label's will come sniffing. Combining the mathy parts of Minus the Bear with the spaciness of Hum and the rage of Quicksand, they prove to be a musical beast worthy of your immediate attention.
RIYL: Minus The Bear, Q and Not U, Hum, The Life and Times, Quicksand, Sparta, Sunny Day Real Estate
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/bandsyoushouldknow/inreverentfear.jpg In Reverent Fear
Website (http://www.inreverentfear.com/) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/inreverentfear)
For years, In Reverent Fear has been destroying audiences with their brutal combination of metal, hardcore, and screamo, all the while being far beyond ordinary. With their latest release, Stomacher, these Concord, California men have embraced yet another new angle to their musical approach. In Reverent Fear has found their way into the melodic rock genre and has quickly stolen the crown from any and all comers, creating one of the finest records of 2006 and crafting a few "song of the year" nominees in the process.
RIYL: Celebrity, Codeseven, Engine Down, Day Without Dawn, Bridges, Dredg
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/bandsyoushouldknow/proto1.jpg Proto
Website (http://www.protoprog.com) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/proto)
Proto, a prog band out of Chattanooga, isn't your typical definition of prog. Their songs are succinct, the complete anti-thesis of progressive music. The ideas presented in their three-minute opuses, however, are very much in the progressive vein. Think Tool, King Crimson, Oceansize, Genesis, and Clann Zu blended together, then throw all your preconceived notions of this band out the window, because that's just a jumping-off point. No longer shall a prog band be defined by keyboards, solos, or 12-minute dirges! It is time to stand up and take notice. Proto presents yet another interesting avenue for the advancement of music everywhere.
RIYL: Clann Zu, Genesis, Tool, Rain Fur Rent Project, Oceansize
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/bandsyoushouldknow/withdrawal.jpg Withdrawal
Website (http://www.withdrawalmusic.com) :: Listen ( http://www.myspace.com/withdrawal)
Long Beach-based quintet Withdrawal may, right now, be just some band you've never heard of. However, one spin of their debut album The Perfectionist Blacklist should turn Withdrawal into a band you wish you'd heard sooner. Taking their cues from nothing in particular, they've put together an album that rivals Paulson's All at Once and Codeseven's Dancing Echoes/Dead Sounds. The only question is, is anyone listening? You should be.
RIYL: Lake Trout, Dredg, Woven, Codeseven, Paulson, Kieskagato, Cursive
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/bandsyoushouldknow/swordfishtrombones.jpg Swordfishtrombones
Website (http://www.sft.cz/) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/sftzone)
These Czechs elected to choose the most ridiculous name, even though it was originally a Tom Waits album. Regardless of this questionable decision, this band could be, at the very least, an interesting if not terrific addition to your music collection. Singing in English, this fivesome utilizes some magnificent instrumentation and undoubtedly gets the most out of what they’ve got: vocals, guitar, harmonica, piano, accordion, horns, bass, and drums. Vocalist Miloš Rejsek is smooth and earthy, sounding like a deeper Bono or Something for Rockets’ Rami Perlman. The music, however, has some serious roots in ’80s college, goth, and indie rock, with a more refined twist, thanks to their unique instrumentation. Superb, poetic lyrics accompany the frequently beautiful melodies on the band’s debut LP Blood & Milk. Check this band out, and add them as your friend – they’ve got less than 10!
RIYL: U2, The Cure, Depeche Mode, The Police, Interpol, The Verve, Whipping Boy
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/bandsyoushouldknow/ifthesetreescouldtalk.jpg If These Trees Could Talk
Website (http://www.procedurerecords.com) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/ifthesetreescouldtalk)
In the tradition of Decoy’s never-ending love for post-rock and Explosions in the Sky – winners of our first Post-Rock Tournament – we proudly present to you If These Trees Could Talk. With obvious similarities to EITS, ITTCT has a certain heaviness not found in EITS, but at the same time, not as heavy – but with some similarity – as Pelican. As post-rock and post-metal’s popularity continues to grow, it’s hard to weed out the typical from the good because frankly, the margin can be very narrow. However, ITTCT is anything but typical. Sure, they wear their influences on their sleeves, but this Akron, Ohio act is a sonically sound addition to the growing genres. Transfixing, paranoid, agitated, bursting, and revitalizing are just some of the words you could use to describe ITTCT’s self-titled, six-song, 32-minute debut EP through Procedure Records.
RIYL: Explosions in the Sky, Mogwai, Red Sparowes, Pelican, Mono, Across Tundras
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/bandsyoushouldknow/acrosstundras.jpg Across Tundras
Website (http://myspace.com/acrosstundras) :: Listen (http://myspace.com/acrosstundras)
Across Tundras is another worthy addition to the 'thinking man's metal' genre. Releasing their debut album through Crucial Blast, Across Tundras follow the Neurosis blueprint, but like Pelican's latest full-length, pursued more melody, more dynamics, and more atmospheric influences. The band's debut, Dark Songs of the Praire is an apt title, as the music sounds just like that (and because they're from Denver, where - I assume - prairies are abundant). This album is so vivid, organic, and colorful that a story can unfold right before your eyes. Across Tundras makes music that - again, like Pelican - can be both crushing and huge and transfixing and ambient, while maintaining integrity, smooth transitions, and a noticeably deep thought process.
RIYL: Pelican, Isis, Explosions in the Sky, Cult of Luna, Jesu, Neurosis
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/bandsyoushouldknow/sleepparade.jpg Sleep Parade
Website (http://www.sleepparade.com) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/sleepparade)
One again the beautiful Australia has given us jaw-dropping music to drool over. This time it comes in the form of Sleep Parade, a melodic indie rock band with the chops to knock you off your feet. Much like A Perfect Circle, Cave In, and their fellow aussie's, The Butterfly Effect, they manage to poor on a gorgeous melodic croon, over the course of extremely thick and dark rock music. Their latest 5 track EP, You Are Here, should please almost anyone with ears.
RIYL: Cave In, Codeseven, Aireline, Karnivool, Cog, A Perfect Circle, Radiohead, Butterfly Effect
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/bandsyoushouldknow/northsoutheastwest.jpg Northsoutheastwest
Website (http://www.myspace.com/nsew) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/nsew)
Northsoutheastwest are a five piece who hail from Racine, Wisconsin, a tiny place located between two huge cities. From this quaint town, these guys have managed to create a sound as big as mountains that's as catchy as it is beautiful. Steering the ship over the sounds of progressive rock, gorgeous spiraling atmospheres, and near violent outbreaks, NSEW are most definitely onto something special. Less pretentious than Circa Survive or Dredg, and not near as mass ready as (newer) Incubus and Finch, they are straddling a fence that could take them somewhere near greatness.
RIYL: The Receiving End of Sirens, Dredg, Circa Survive, Incubus, Finch
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/bandsyoushouldknow/echohelstrom.jpg Echo Helstrom
Website (http://www.myspace.com/echohelstrom) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/echohelstrom)
This Portland, Oregon quintet includes a completely jazz or classically trained lineup, who, by their own words, “simulate a rock band.” Don’t let the band’s humbleness decieve you: Echo Helstom is a real, talented rock band. Giving influential nods to Leonard Cohen, Jeff Buckley, and Radiohead, Echo Helstrom’s sound accurately falls somewhere between all three via guitar, upright and electric bass, violin, drums, and two vocalists – one male, one female. Even though it’s remarkable that the band has just finished recording their debut album, The Veil, what’s even more remarkable is that Echo Helstrom has done so without any label support; that’s right ladies, gents, and record labels: Echo Helstrom is unsigned, so pull out those checkbooks and contracts, support this band, and watch them because they’re going to make waves in the indie-rock world:
RIYL: Leonard Cohen, Jeff Buckley, Radiohead, Murder by Death, A Whisper in the Noise, Clann Zu
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/bandsyoushouldknow/furlong.jpg Furlong
Website (http://www.universe.sonoma.edu/~devios/clients/furlong) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/furlongband)
Furlong have burst forth from the sunny side of Northern California to show the world how creative they can be. The four piece outfit tirelessly pummel the sound's of post-hardcore and progressive rock to spawn instantly addictive splendor to the ear. They are currently putting the finishing touches on their debut LP and hopefully the indie label's will come sniffing. Combining the mathy parts of Minus the Bear with the spaciness of Hum and the rage of Quicksand, they prove to be a musical beast worthy of your immediate attention.
RIYL: Minus The Bear, Q and Not U, Hum, The Life and Times, Quicksand, Sparta, Sunny Day Real Estate