Monday, October 20, 2014

Independent Band of the Year Reader's Poll-2014

Post #299

-Her Name Is Mercy (Lebanon, IN)
https://soundcloud.com/her-name-is-mercyofficial
A hardcore/metalcore band from Indiana, these guys deliver intense hardcore metal is a similar vein to several of their influences, such as The Dillinger Escape plan and Between the Buried and Me. Check out:
-Oceans
-Hurricane

-The Phoenix Philosophy (Minneapolis, MN)
https://www.facebook.com/thephoenixphilosophy?fref=photo
This band's style is self-described as Pop/Rock/Electronic. Their execution of this vision takes a heavy rock guitar sound and pairs it with synth-electronic elements, all the while maintaining a catchy vocal melody in the top layer of the mix. I would be tempted to compare their sound to Skillet.
Check out:
-Up In Flames
-Going Down Swinging

-Dellacoma (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia)
https://www.facebook.com/dellacoma
This band is hot on the rise from 'down-under', already touring in the states while having formed less than a year ago... Simply put, their sound is straight up hard rock. Their influences stem strongly from any band Scott Weiland is associated with, and they emulate the vibes of both Velvet Revolver and Stone Temple Pilots with their live performances.
Check out:
-Change
-Dead Will Rise

-Grand Evolution (Boston, MA/Providence, RI)
http://www.grandevolution.com/

A female-fronted alternative rock band form the southern New England area. Their sound captures vocal melodies mixed with both clean and distorted guitar riffs. While their singer's voice reminds me of Liz Phair, their musical style rings true to the likes of their mid-to-late 90's influences, including Radiohead and Soul Asylum
Check out:
-Hello

-Amicus (Chicago, IL)
https://www.facebook.com/amicusofficial?fref=photo
This band follows more closely to the post-grunge genre of hard rock. They present a heavy-yet-melodic sound, tight grooves, and a voice that at times mirrors Staind's Aaron Lewis. You can catch them playing somewhere in the Chicago area supporting their new release 'Collapsing Chemistry'.
Check out:
-Collapsing Chemistry
-We Are the Truth

-False Hope Fades (Chicago, IL)
https://www.facebook.com/falsehopefades?fref=photo
A female-fronted heavy metal band that gives you heavy mid-tempo riffs and a bluesy melodic vocal. Perhaps best described as groove metal, this band keeps the sound heavy and the mood dark...
Check out:
-Coward
-Break

-Deadiron (Cleveland, OH)

https://www.facebook.com/deadiron

This band is one that gives you a bit of a throw-back sound and fit the 'traditional metal' subgenre, or maybe 'power metal' as well. Fast and technical guitar work is a perfect compliment to the vocals which are powerful without being screamed. 
Check out:

1 comment:

Nickolaus Pacione said...

My vote is False Hope Fades because what they did was in the wake of Sarah Deva losing all will to be inspired. This band when you see their drummer's video you have to really take notice and cheer them on -- I am trying to get them noticed by Ripley's and chasing around for someone to loan me a double kit for them to really show what 1.5 can do as a drummer as I heard their entire EP via Spotify.com. Groove Metal with Doomy elements. One of those bands that would be a good match for Benedictum in Chicago because they are what you imagine if Tina Turner was to front a band like Black Sabbath. False Hope Fades is what you imagine if Paradise Lost got with Heart. You want to also hear something cool check out Empyrean Sky. I hand picked False Hope Fades to support Tourniquet when they do Ted's homecoming.