Welcome to our Bands to Know section. While there are hundreds of awesome bands out there, we've reserved this section strictly for bands that that we feel need more recognition. It doesn't matter if the bands are actually signed or not, if we think they are underappreciated, we feature them here. If you are in a band or know of a band that could use this help, please check out our Contact page and send us Demos/Albums/Press Kits/etc. We love to check out new music.

Band: Disphoria
Website: http://www.disphoria.net
MP3s: Existence and Inherent Dystopia

Disphoria is a jack-of-all-trades outfit hailing from France. Disphoria are to France what Caliban are to Germany, and that is the metalcore ambassadors for their country. Disphoria have a no-holds-barred approach which sets them apart from the pack. Within their sound one can hear traditional American metalcore, punk influences, soft emotional parts, a few keyboard effects, and even the occasional death metal growl. Anything from a soft lullaby song all the way to a brick in the face chug slammer is a possibility with these guys. Their wide array of influences is just what metalcore needs to break out of its monotonous chains it has come to have created…and who would have thought this fix would come out of Europe rather than America?

Band: Overloaded
Website: http://www.overloadedmusic.com
MP3s: War of the Worlds and Feeling Overloaded

Every 5 years or so a rock band comes along reminding us of the good old days of Rock N’ Roll. Sure there are countless rock outfits out there, some better than others, but rarely do we hear bands such as Overloaded that remind us of the glory Led Zeppelin and Guns N’ Roses days. Just pure and sweet rock that isn’t over-glorified, trendy, or fake. Sure many bands can copy the legendary greats, but few manage to pull off a unique sound while blatantly incorporating their influences like Overloaded can. Classic rock and roll with a modern touch of diversity is the game, and it’s played extremely well. Fans of 70’s and even 80’s rock will rejoice in finding this rock savior. This may in fact very well be what Guns N’ Roses fans were hoping to get from Velvet Revolver. It may be a bold statement, but then again so is Overloaded’s music. Look for them across airwaves and television within a few years!

Band: The Absence
Website: http://www.theabsence.com
MP3s: Seven Demons and I Deceiver

This is one of those bands that combine the best of many worlds. There is plenty of Gothenburg prog, metalcore, and neo thrash styles to be found in The Absence. The leads are impressive, as they mainly consist of harmonic melodies a la In Flames. Fans of technical guitar playing and drumming will especially love the musical craftsmanship that goes into each song. The Absence create music with feeling which is an aspect of heavy music that has been swept under the carpet too often these days. The clean vocals are done very well, and the amount of twists and turns the band brings forth are enough to keep any listener entertained. Fans of Darkest Hour, At The Gates, The Black Dahlia Murder, In Flames (Lunar Strain-Whoracle), Dark Tranquillity, and Shadows Fall just to name a few will love The Absence. Recently signed to Metal Blade Records, great things are ahead.

Click HERE to read our interview with Peter

Band: Yyrkoon
Website: http://www.yyrkoon.net/
MP3s: Doctor X and Surgical Distortion

Yyrkoon hail from France, and death metal is their weapon. They’ve begun amassing recognition in both Europe as well as North America. Their latest album, Occult Medicine, which was released in October of 2004 on Osmose Productions, was their third full-length album and it left the death metal as well as parts of the non-death metal communities in awe. Their form of death metal can be compared to bands such as Aborted, Carcass and Impaled. The band has both technicality and groove, making them very appealing to people unfamiliar with death metal: They are in fact a great introductory band to death metal. Gory lyrics haters are in luck since Yyrkoon’s lyrical themes are about the occult, death, evil, and re-animators rather than straight up gore. Catchy and brutal, are two words that can sum up the band, and it should be everyone’s duty to check them out, regardless of their pre-conceived notions of death metal. Those already into death metal shouldn’t overlook these guys either.

Band: Divercia
Website: http://www.divercia.com/
MP3s: Iron Hearted Cross and Of Steel and Man (Clip)

Divercia are exactly what fans of aggressive music need. Venturing into untouched boundaries, they will not only appeal to the fans of melodic death metal but to the gothic and doom communities as well. The gloominess of the beautifully sung vocals cast a shadow over listeners while the juxtaposed screaming will make any metal fan wonder how the two styles can be so meticulously entwined, and the instrumentation fights the darkness away with its upbeat emotion and fast pace. While comparisons are extremely vague, fans of Sentenced, and Evergrey are bound to find Divercia a piece of art, while all others owe it to themselves to give this metal craftiness known as Divercia a try.

Check out our review of Cycle of Zero HERE

Band: Monkey Hole
Website: http://www.monkeyholemusic.com/
MP3s: Message to the… and Fear and Loathing…

Monkey Hole is an insane band hailing from Spain. Hot off their Psychoponies from a Violent Party album they are poised to make a bigger name for themselves in Spain as well as to start spilling over into North America. The band quotes they are influenced by “twisted atmospheres of David Lynch and the madness of Monty Python” and it couldn’t be farther from the truth. Their blend of music is impossible to pin down, it is bound to strike fans of metal, hardcore, and possibly even jazz. Songs are equally brutal and insane as they are melodic. These Spaniards also have a striking resemblance to System of a Down with their odd time signatures and their melodic vocals. Non SOAD fans need not worry however, as a quick listen will prove they have a much different platter to offer. The bottom line is Monkey Hole deliver brutal throat tearing screams entwined with power driven guitars, and technical uncompromising drumming. Think loud, fast, heavy breakdowns, soft, sweet, and melodic.

Click HERE to read our review of their Psychophonies from a Violent Party album

Band: Lilitu
Website: http://www.lilitu.ws/
MP3s: Follow Through and Unhallowed be thy Name

This 5 piece from Atlanta, Georgia has graced the melodic death metal scene with their newest release The Delores Lesion. The key these days to writing memorable melodic death metal is including other influences, and that’s just what they have done. With the addition of gloomy keyboards, jazz like riffs, hardcore-like high pitched screaming, and even harmonious female vocals in one of their songs, they have ventured off into grounds untouched by other bands which make for a very refreshing sound. It has taken Lilitu a few years to find their true sound due to constant experimentation and ongoing changes in their line-up but they have finally uncovered a new genre that is bound to please fans of Amorphis, In Flames, and Type O’ Negative. This is a band that will be making a major impact on the heavy music scene in the years to come.

Click HERE to read our review of their The Delores Lesion album
Click HERE to read our interview with their vocalist/guitarist Derek

Band: Killwhitneydead
Website: http://tribunalrecords.net/
MP3s: Where There’s Smoke and I Already Have Friends (Take 2)

A common curse of metal and hardcore is bands and fans alike taking themselves and their music way too seriously. Killwhitneydead is definitely not one of these bands. While they take pride in their tongue in cheek blend of metalcore, which is laced with carefully placed samples from movies and other various things, the overall message seems to just have a good time. Killwhitneydead sounds cheesy enough to the point where it sounds good, it gets a laugh out of people, and it also allows people to think that maybe metal and hardcore are being taken a bit too seriously. Whether those are their intentions, or whether they just consumed a lot of drugs one night and decided to do something different…it’s taken off, and expect to hear more from them in the future.

Click HERE to read our review of their Never Good Enough for You album

Band: Ethereal Collapse
Website: http://www.etherealcollapse.tk/
MP3s: A Tragedy Divine and Fallen Hope

Hailing from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, Ethereal Collapse is a fructuous group of young individuals that strive to do nothing but propagate the true spirit of heavy metal. Throughout its existence, the band has attained a sort of musical punctilio, crafting songs that embody everything that heavy metal stands for. Melody, aggression, and other traditional elements are readily discernible throughout each Ethereal Collapse song, and it is clear that the band works hard to ensure that these elements are easily recognizable. The group has done well making a name for themselves, playing with such established acts as Exhumed, Mastodon, Uphill Battle, Dead To Fall, Premonitions Of War, and Vampire Mooose (they've also hooked up a date with Cattle Decapitation and Goatwhore). It's also interesting that the members are so young, with ages ranging from 19 to 21 (one of them just graduated from high school this past year). Melodic death metal is the overall style here, but the music has a propensity to thrash as well. The influences vary, and they blend well, creating a traditional yet unique brand of music. Ethereal Collapse exists to prove that heavy metal is not dead, and they are sure to carry the torch for years to come.

Click HERE to read our interview with their vocalist/guitarist
Click HERE to read our review of their “Fallen Hope” EP

Band: Within Y
Website: http://withiny.com/
MP3s: Injection and Sacred Lies

Within Y are reviving the lost and confused Swedish Melodic Death Metal scene and are bringing back the mid 90's with a sound as rapid as At The Gates and as heart-pounding as Carcass. They are on a mission to take the throne of Melodic Death Metal and they will let nobody stand in their way. Gothenburg, Sweden may be known for its at times generic melodic death metal, but Within Y are going against the grain and venturing into a sound unconceivable until now. With the thrash influences persistent throughout their latest record, this band should appeal to fans of many genres of metal. Determination and originality is what Within Y are using to ride the wave for the new era of bands. Within Y are taking no prisoners and are on a path to obliterate the pre-conceived notions of Melodic Death.

Click HERE to read our interview with Within Y

Band: Disharmonia Mundi
Website: http://www.disarmoniamundi.com/
MP3s: Morgue of Centuries and A Mirror Behind

The band With their most recent release “Fragments of D Generation” Disharmonia Mundi are bringing a mixture of pure melodic death metal with a splash of thrash. They may be natives of Italy which is a country known far more for their Power Metal and Gothic bands, but they are definitely pushing the envelope with their music. Their latest effort featured Bjorn "Speed" Strid (Soilwork/Terror 2000) as their session vocalist. Although Speed is not likely to be featured on another Disgarmonia album, the band will move on with their previous vocalist and the results should be nothing but excellent. This band is bound to please listeners of Soilwork, In Flames, and Dimension Zero. With the angelic melody and well executed vocal patterns, thrown into a fury of melodic death metal style music, sky is the limit for Disarmonia Mundi.

Click HERE to read our interview with main composer/guitarist Ettore
Click HERE to read our review of their album “Fragments of D Generation”

Band: Something Must Die
Website: http://www.somethingmustdie.net/
MP3s: Bleed for No One, Promise of War, and Let the World Crumble

The Bay Area is known for a lot of bands, maybe even the top spot in the country that helped to define American metal. Well, it’s time to add one more band to the list, Something Must Die. Having two independent releases already under their belt, “…Force Fed Shards Of Glass” and the visceral “Riding In Am Ambulance,” these Bay Area bashers are ready to take the world of heavy music by storm. They take amazing songwriting and structures, and combine them with pissed off molten metal with an intensity that even Phil Anselmo would cringe at. Breakdowns mix with nasty guitar pyrotechnics only to back up into a groove that ties everything together. Their dead on precision and turn-on-a-dime changes set the new standard, and so far they’re at the top of the pack.

Click HERE to read our reviews of their albums

Band: Arsis
Website: http://www.worshipdepraved.com/
MP3s: Face of Innocence and Sadistic Motives

Arsis hail from Virginia and are poised to be one of the best acts the metal scene will see in the future. The band may only have 2 members, Jim doing vocals/guitars/bass and Mike covering the drums, but that hasn’t slowed these guys down. While originally just a demo band that couldn’t perform live for obvious reasons, the band has gone on to sign with Willowtip Records and release their first full length “A Celebration of Guilt” and have put together a touring line-up in order to further their name into the scene. This band is bound to please fans of At the Gates, Dissection, as well as a handful of Melodic Death fans as well. Needless to say their sound is bound to hit various scenes. Undoubtedly the band can be compared mildly to The Black Dahlia Murder in style, but with more solos. Look for this band to blow up in your face in a city near you.

Click HERE to read our interview with vocalist/guitarist/bassist Jim
Click HERE to read our interview with drummer Mike
Click HERE to read our review of their album “A Celebration of Guilt”

Band: Hondo Maclean
Website: hondomaclean.com
MP3s: Animated Antics and Lola's Pictures

Straight of the UK comes another band intent to further the post-hardcore style of music. These boys, in a similar fashion as their label mates Funeral for a Friend, take melody, rock, and heaviness to a new level. Unlike their counterparts however, Hondo Maclean have not undergone any kind of change to rid themselves of the majority of their harsh vocals. Songs like "Mortal Kombat" and "Animated Antics" for example leave people wondering what exactly the band is trying to go for. While the recordings are a hard find in the US, it's only a matter a time before Hondo Maclean make their way onto US shores.

Click HERE to read our interview with vocalist Ben
Click HERE to read our review of their Ep Chasing Angels

Band: The Sky Between
Website: theskybetween.com
MP3s: This Door Is Your Exit and Collapse, Destroy, Ruin

Straight out of Nashville, TN. The Sky Between has become a very popular band in the local scene. Opening for the likes of Killswitch Engage and Poison the Well among other bigger bands that have played in the Music City area, The Sky Between plays a style of melodic hardcore similar to that of the aforementioned Poison the Well, among others. Their latest EP “Lamenting the Ways of Man” displays their unique style and talent, and it is currently out on the “Is This Trendy Music?” independent label. TSB has played shows everywhere from Texas to Ohio so catch one if you can; you won’t be disappointed. With new material already in the way and some bigger touring plans in the works, success is knocking at their door.

(Update: The band's vocalist has left to finish his schooling. The band is currently on hiatus and looking for a new vocalist in order to continue on)

Band: The Autumn Offering
Website: theautumnoffering.com
MP3s: Revelation and Bonds In Which We Break

These boys just might be the next best thing out of the Central Florida region. They've recently toured with Himsa, As I Lay Dying, and Sworn Enemy, as well as a short Southeast headlining tour with End of All. While the sound production on their 2003 demo leaves a lot to be desired, however it's good enough to give a good taste of what to expect. Having recently signed to Stillborn records (which features Hatebreed, Full Blown Chaos, etc) and already working on recording their full length (w/Jamey Jasta Producing), the band is ready for a full on attack against the masses. Fans of The Black Dahlia Murder, As I Lay Dying, and Himsa should have no trouble whatsoever in adding these guys to their music library.

(Update: The new album "Revelations of the Unsung" was released on July 27th through Stillborn Records. Two mp3s from the album have been added above to replace the old demos we originally had posted)

Click HERE for our interviews with The Autumn Offering

Band: 3 Inches of Blood
Website: www.threeinchesofblood.com
MP3s: Ride Darkhorse Ride and Destroy the Orcs

While most bands these days content themselves with creating music that’s already flooding their respective scene, 3 Inches of Blood are of a different species. It’s one thing to copy the styles of years past, but it’s another to blend it beautifully along with a modern day metalcore sound. This Canadian sextet’s sound can’t possibly be described, nor can it be compared to anything. While their unique sound may not be everyone’s taste, the talent alone is to be commended. Having recently toured with bands such as Himsa, The Black Dahlia Murder, and even The Darkness, great things are soon to come. Their release “Battlecry Under a Winter Sun” may not have an American release yet, but look for Orc splattered blood in a town near you very soon

(Update: 3 Inches of Blood recently signed to Roadrunner Records and are currently working on their first full length for the label)

Check out our interview with 3 Inches of Blood HERE

Band: Vampire Mooose
Website: www.vampiremooose.com/
MP3s: Adamantium Elbow and Colonize

Vampire Mooose…the only thing that rivals the band's name in terms of weirdness is the actual music. Many people enjoy straight forward metal as opposed to taking the experimental route; however these guys may be the exception. To call Vampire Mooose experimental wouldn’t be doing them justice. The Mooose manages to mix so many genres that one instantly forgets that he/she is listening to some of the most brutal metal he/she has ever heard. Yet out of this huge cluster of genres comes a very distinctive sound that will keep the head banging whether it is wanted or not. This is one of the best debut discs of 2003. For those that haven’t heard VM yet, or for people into bands like Meshuggah, Lamb of God, Strapping Young Lad, December, Living Sacrifice or Dillinger Escape Plan, and/or that like a little twist to their music.

Check out our interview with their guitarist Chuck HERE

Band: Dead Elizabeth
Website: www.deadelizabeth.com
MP3s: A Requiem in Remembrance of Her Ghost and Of Succubi in Violent Rapture