Beardfish

Beardfish is an exceptional new prog rock band from Sweden. Their latest two concept albums are fuckin insanely good. If you like Gentle Giant, King Crimson, Zappa and good humor check them out.

They are great musicians but their song writing is what makes the difference. Once a while you hear some homages to Gentle Giant and Zappa ( more like homages, they are not ripping off them of course ) but their music stands out as one of the finest in prog rock.

I can see the RIO guys complaining about them, which makes things even funnier.

Heathen

When I was heavily into Thrash Metal ( 88 to 1992 ), Heathen was a band always mentioned but I have never heard them. You can check them at their page, they allow you to listen to their first 2 cds for free. I will most definitely buy their new upcoming album, as it sounds very very good.

The second CD "Victims of Deception", is really at the same level of "And Justice For All", with a plus, the singer sounds like John "The Man" Arch! Highly recommended band.

Symphony x

I saw them live back in 2000. They were kicking ass needless to say. They have not played some of my favorite tracks from "Divine Wings Of Tragedy", according to Jason Rullo because they were told that the audience was formed of true metal kids, which was true.

But Michael Romeo and Pinnella really play that well. Allen is a monster live too. Jason Rullo easily kicks the ass of the current Portnoy. Lepond got some chicks after the concert, which was the best thing he did ( yeah I am a Thomas Miller fan ).

But yeah, in the past I had sold all their cds because I needed money and last week I bought them all except "Paradise Lost". They are among my favorite bands most definetely. Their web site link is on the right side of this blog.

Martyr "Warp Zone" /"Feeding the Abscess "

I must have "Warp Zone" since 2003 or 2004. I had listened to it a few times in the past. I have never given it much credit besides an occasional "wow".

I was at emusic trying to find anything that I wanted to get from my monthly plan and previewed Martyr's cds out of curiosity. And Man! These guys have finally blown me away. I don't think there is any other better tech death metal band. They kick ass of any other band in the genre. I spent my credits on their both latest cds.

Daniel Mongrain( he has a great name we cannot disagree ) is a real genius in the genre and you realize that by listening to its works. He is also one of the most accomplished tech metal theoretical gurus. I really recommend their cds. Imagine Gorguts ( atonalism, dissonances and brutality ), King Crimson ( avant guarde, atonal, poly this and that, etc ) and Meshuggah ( riffs , grooves and atonalism, bizarrisms, tempo experiments).

They are the top of listenings lately. Their web site link is at the right side of this blog. And indeed one of my current favorite bands.