2017 Independent Band of the Year Readers' Poll

Post #353
Another year, another 7 independent bands. Again, there is plenty of variety within the realms of heavy metal and hard rock music represented here. Discover a new band! Play the recommended songs available to stream online! Vote for your favorite band (or 2 or 3...) in the right-hand column of this blog. Voting is open from now through October 31st 'til midnight!



Sinister Fate (Chicago, IL Horror-Metal)

Sinister Fate are a Chicago-based heavy metal band that have been tearing it up (figuratively), and tearing flesh (literally), since 2005. Their lyrics are heavily influenced by horror and gothic imagery. Their stage-shows feature gothic make-up and DIY pyro effects, from flame-dancers to spark-throwers. Their sound is for fans of Rob Zombie, Alice Cooper (the heavier-side), and Wednesday 13/Murderdolls. Their latest release is titled Blood Pact.

Check out their new music video for
The Monster Within

Act Of Destruction (Chicago, IL Thrash Metal)

Act of Destruction also hail from Chicago, and their style is clearly thrash-metal influenced. They're famous for courteously asking their fans to "Get Destroyed!" Rough screamed vocals are not quite 'death metal', but closer to hardcore. Some of their songs really push the limit for fast-tempo, shredding metal. Their full-length album is titled Extinction.

Check out their song
Death Warriors
or stream on Facebook.

Whale Bones (Bloomington, IN  Alternative/Dreamo/Ambient)

Whale Bones, from Bloomington, IN, are an alternative rock band that bend genres with their sound. An ambient mood and a wide range of sounds are present as they utilize instruments from soft keyboards to amped guitars. This band would appeal to fans of Pink Floyd or Kings of Leon. Their latest EP is titled The Seaside.

Check out their song
Hiding From the Sea

War Gods Of The Deep (Chicago, IL Hard Rock/Metal)

War Gods of the Deep are a Chicago metal band that blend some genres together in their formula. Elements of metal, prog, and 'space-rock' can be heard. The songs are heavy, but still have strong hooks that catch your ear. Their latest EP is titled Robots, Rockets and Rampage.

Check out their song:
Mortal Cage

Revenge Season (Atlanta, GA  Hardcore/Metal)

Revenge Season are a hardcore metal band from Atlanta, GA. Their uncompromising style of brutally heavy hardcore metal is great for fans of bands like Unearth or Atreyu. They will have you headbanging and moshing within seconds. Their music is available to stream on bandcamp. Their newest single is Malfeasance/Scarred.

Check out their song
Malfeasance

Our Broken View (Chicago, IL Hard Rock/Metal)

Our Broken View, from Chicago's south side, are a hard rock/metal band that utilize mid-tempo, heavy groove tones, melodic vocals, and occasional screams. They remind me of a more mainstream Mudvayne. Maybe it's the clean vs scream tone of the singer's voice, or the deep tone of the drum and bass combination, or their ability to fuse brutal heaviness with infectious melodies. Their newest release is Applauding the Silence.

Check out the video for their song
Runaway

Windowpane (Seattle, WA  Hard Rock)

Windowpane hail from the Seattle, WA music scene. Their sound is a heavy variety of alternative rock. Their sound reminds me of Shinedown in some ways, Stone Temple Pilots in others. Their songs are infectiously catchy, and most are available to stream on soundcloud. They've been recording music sing 2006, but their newest, self-titled album was released just last year: Windowpane.

Check out their song
Words and Nothing More