Our Ten Best: Up and Coming Thrash/Metal bands

In the digital age of music that we live in, many bands are signed rapidly and easier than ever. Unfortunately, many of them are overlooked or not promoted nearly as much as they should be. Also, many of them are a hell of a lot better than any mainstream bands being glorified as “the new face of metal.”

They’re wrong.

The true faces of metal are where they always were. Underground. This is our list of the 10 best new bands to check out.

1: Lich King– The self-proclaimed greatest thrash metal band of all time from Amhurst, Massachusetts. With great riffs, sick drums and one hell of a singer, Lich King is quickly proving to be just that. The band has three albums and are currently working on a fourth, as well as a silly compilation album of 8-bit versions of their songs. They recently purchased a passenger van, thanks to donations made by fans via kickstarter.com. The brains of the operation is Tom Martin, the band’s artist and graphic designer, who is slowly becoming the Ed Repka of the new wave of thrash metal. And they’ve done all this without the support of a label. Be sure to see them on tour of the northeast over the next few months.

2: Skull Hammer- Another ballsy band from MA. Probably the manliest band in existence. They feature a great cross between At War and Iron Maiden. It’s speed metal at its finest. Their debut album “Pay it in Blood” is phenomenal.

3: Vektor – Probably the most diverse band on the planet. The four-piece from Tempe, AZ is riffing heads off at maximum capacity. A wonderful marriage made in hell of Death and Voivod. These guys are talented musicians that really know what they want to play and how to play it. Their debut, “Black Future,” is as timeless and real as anything and almost frightening at times. Their new album drops this November, via Heavy Artillery Records.

4: Havok- Another wild band. These Denver, Colorado monoliths are earning a huge reputation for themselves as being a lethal live band as well as stellar musicians. The mosh pit stories about them are legendary. They recently toured with Forbidden and will be touring with Exhumed in support of their latest album “Time is Up,” which is getting rave reviews. This band should be around for awhile.

5: Vermefug– NY crossover at its finest. A fun live band with hilarious song titles such as “Raped by Satan.” The simplicity of the musicianship is overshadowed by their energetic performances. Their album, “Wet Nightmare,” is one not to be missed.

6: Insinnerator- This three piece from Dallas, Texas pulls no punches. Absolute crushing intensity is heard throughout their songs. The raw energy of their album “Stalagmite of Ice” is replicated perfectly live. Nothing but a thrasher’s dream of a band. In terms of tone, they have the “brown sound” that many bands look for.

7: Hexen– Where would this list of bands be without one from California? Hexen is one of the heaviest bands around with their crushing riffs and killer drumming. The band’s intensity is that of Slayer at their peak. Their album, “State of Insurgency,” has more brutality in one riff than most bands will in their entire career.

8: Terrorist– The black thrashers from El Paso, Texas sound as destructive as their name. A demented live band with a craving for horror movie nostalgia. Their album, “Blessed By the Beast,” is as sinister as it gets. You wouldn’t know they were a three-piece by hearing them. A full sound.

9: Bludvera– UK’s violent headbangers, Bludvera, have been making a big name for themselves overseas. They have a well-produced demo and are a energetic live band. Scott Clayton’s vocals are wild and chaotic; the way they should be. They are on the “Unsigned Bands” stage at this years Bloodstock Open Air, which is where fellow UK thrashers Evile got signed.

10: Hellcannon– Some heavy as hell thrash from Buffalo, NY. So heavy they cross the death metal line at some points. Intense band all around who’s influences are strongly rooted in the death metal bands that Buffalo is famous for. They will be playing a few shows with death metal legends Deceased in the fall in NY/NJ so hopefully you can see for yourself how brutal they are.

Honorable Mentions:

Mantic Ritual (PA)
Witchaven (LA)
Hatchet (LA)
Fatal (FL)
Fatality (CA)
Coffin Dust (PA)
Pizza Face (PA)
Horrifier (NJ)
Vindicator (OH)
Savagery (CH)