Avant garde metal
Encyclopedia
Avant-garde metal, also known as experimental metal, is a subgenre of heavy metal music characterised by the use of innovative, avant-garde elements, large-scale experimentation, and the use of non-standard and unconventional sounds, instruments, song structures, playing styles, and vocal
techniques. Though there is no convention or criteria to exactly define the genre, some experimentation in the music is generally a major criteria to define the genre. Avant-garde metal is related to progressive metal
, but avant-garde metal often has more experimentation, while progressive metal usually has a tighter focus on traditional metal instrumentation and higher levels of technical complexity. Avant-garde metal also uses unusual sounds, breaks conventions, and often includes new elements. The lyrics and visual presentation of the genre are eclectic as well. It has been called the most difficult heavy metal genre to define and describe, but it has been defined by integrating a wide variety of music like jazz
and fusion
added to aggressive music styles such as black metal
, and keyboards are widely used to create atmosphere. Usually avant-garde metal bands fall under another genre of music as well, as the term is similar to extreme metal
in how it is a loose term covering a wide variety of bands. The term "experimental metal" is often referred to as "atmospheric metal", although in this usage the terms describe "post-metal
", in reference to post-rock
.
, avant-garde metal emerged out of death metal
as a number of musicians "abandoned the tightly wound structure of the music and experimented with abstractions of its founding elements." Major pioneers of the genre include Celtic Frost
, Voivod
, Sunn O)))
, Fleurety
, Ved Buens Ende
, and Maudlin of the Well
. Most of these bands were part of the early black metal or progressive metal genres, or both. Two record labels which promote avant-garde metal are Holy Records
and The End Records
. Prominent regional scenes include the United States, with bands like Agalloch
, Maudlin of the Well, Naked City
, and Psyopus
, and Norway, with bands like Age of Silence
, Arcturus
, Ram-Zet
, Ulver
, and Ved Buens Ende. Also, in the United States, a local avant-garde metal scene has emerged in the San Francisco Bay Area
with bands such as Giant Squid
, Grayceon
, and Ludicra
.
Singing
Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
techniques. Though there is no convention or criteria to exactly define the genre, some experimentation in the music is generally a major criteria to define the genre. Avant-garde metal is related to progressive metal
Progressive metal
Progressive metal is a subgenre of heavy metal originating in the United Kingdom and North America in the late 1980s...
, but avant-garde metal often has more experimentation, while progressive metal usually has a tighter focus on traditional metal instrumentation and higher levels of technical complexity. Avant-garde metal also uses unusual sounds, breaks conventions, and often includes new elements. The lyrics and visual presentation of the genre are eclectic as well. It has been called the most difficult heavy metal genre to define and describe, but it has been defined by integrating a wide variety of music like jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
and fusion
Fusion (music)
A fusion genre is music that combines two or more styles. For example, rock and roll originally developed as a fusion of blues, gospel and country music. The main characteristics of fusion genres are variations in tempo, rhythm, i a sometimes the use of long musical "journeys" that can be divided...
added to aggressive music styles such as black metal
Black metal
Black metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music. Common traits include fast tempos, shrieked vocals, highly distorted guitars played with tremolo picking, blast beat drumming, raw recording, and unconventional song structure....
, and keyboards are widely used to create atmosphere. Usually avant-garde metal bands fall under another genre of music as well, as the term is similar to extreme metal
Extreme metal
Extreme metal is a loosely defined umbrella term for a number of related heavy metal music subgenres that have developed since the early 1980s. The term usually refers to a more abrasive, harsher, underground, non-commercialized style or sound nearly always associated with genres like black metal,...
in how it is a loose term covering a wide variety of bands. The term "experimental metal" is often referred to as "atmospheric metal", although in this usage the terms describe "post-metal
Post-metal
Post-metal is a music genre, a mixture between the genres of post-rock and heavy metal.Hydra Head Records owner and Isis frontman Aaron Turner originally termed the genre "thinking man's metal", demonstrating that his band was trying to move away from common metal conventions...
", in reference to post-rock
Post-rock
Post-rock is a subgenre of rock music characterized by the influence and use of instruments commonly associated with rock, but using rhythms and "guitars as facilitators of timbre and textures" not traditionally found in rock...
.
History
According to Ian ChristeIan Christe
Ian Christe is an author, disc jockey and publisher. He attended The Clarkson School's Bridging Year and Indiana University....
, avant-garde metal emerged out of death metal
Death metal
Death metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal. It typically employs heavily distorted guitars, tremolo picking, deep growling vocals, blast beat drumming, minor keys or atonality, and complex song structures with multiple tempo changes....
as a number of musicians "abandoned the tightly wound structure of the music and experimented with abstractions of its founding elements." Major pioneers of the genre include Celtic Frost
Celtic Frost
Celtic Frost was a metal band from Zürich, Switzerland. They are known for their heavy influence on the extreme metal genres. The group was first active from 1984 to 1993, and re-formed in 2001. Following Tom Gabriel Fischer's departure in 2008, Celtic Frost decided to break up again...
, Voivod
Voivod (band)
Voivod are a Canadian heavy metal band from Jonquière, Quebec, Canada. Their musical style has changed several times since the band's origin in the early 1980s...
, Sunn O)))
Sunn O)))
Sunn O))) is an American doom metal band known for its synthesis of diverse genres including drone, ambient, noise, and black metal. Supported by a varying cast of collaborators, the band has two core members: Stephen O'Malley and Greg Anderson .-History:Sunn O))) is named after the Sunn...
, Fleurety
Fleurety
Fleurety is a Norwegian avant-garde metal band. The band was formed in 1991 by Svein Egil Hatlevik and Alexander Nordgaren.-History:The band released their first demo Black Snow in 1993. After that came the 7" EP A Darker Shade of Evil in 1994, released via the English label Aesthetic Death Records...
, Ved Buens Ende
Ved Buens Ende
Ved Buens Ende is a Norwegian heavy metal band. Their sound is diverse with quiet instrumental jazz influenced sections and aggressive black metal blast beats and vocals...
, and Maudlin of the Well
Maudlin of the Well
maudlin of the Well is an avant-garde metal band from Boston, Massachusetts. Their music contains elements from many different genres including doom metal, indie rock, jazz, progressive rock, post rock, progressive metal, death metal, gothic metal, as well as chamber music, ambient music and New...
. Most of these bands were part of the early black metal or progressive metal genres, or both. Two record labels which promote avant-garde metal are Holy Records
Holy Records
Holy Records is a French metal label run by Misanthrope frontman Phillipe De L'Argilière. Aside from Misanthrope itself, the label has not signed many French bands, but also corresponds with several Greek bands.-Current and former artists:*Am'ganesha'n...
and The End Records
The End Records
The End Records is an independent record label, founded in 1998 in San Diego. Founder Andreas Katsambas initially wanted to bring attention to some underground bands he admired. In 2002, The End moved to Salt Lake City, when his wife took a job at the University of Utah. The label moved...
. Prominent regional scenes include the United States, with bands like Agalloch
Agalloch
Agalloch is an American metal band formed in 1995 in Portland, Oregon. The band is led by vocalist and guitarist John Haughm and so far have released four limited EPs, four full-length albums, two demos, one split album, one compilation album and one live DVD....
, Maudlin of the Well, Naked City
Naked City (band)
Naked City was an avant-garde music group led by saxophonist and composer John Zorn. Active primarily in New York City from 1988 to 1993, Naked City was initiated by Zorn as a "composition workshop" to test the limits of composition in a traditional rock band lineup...
, and Psyopus
Psyopus
Psyopus is a mathcore band from Rochester, New York. Formed in 2002, the band is noted for the unorthodox and extremely technical guitar techniques of Christopher Arp, often referred to as "Arpmandude"...
, and Norway, with bands like Age of Silence
Age Of Silence
Age of Silence is a Norwegian avant-garde progressive metal band formed in 2004 by Andy Winter of Winds.-Current members:* Lars Are "Lazare" Nedland - Vocals...
, Arcturus
Arcturus (band)
Arcturus is an avant-garde metal band formed in Norway in 1987. They named it Arcturus , after the Behenian fixed star Arcturus.-Biography:The band has released four official full-length albums...
, Ram-Zet
Ram-Zet
Ram-Zet is an extreme metal/avant-garde metal band formed in Norway in 1998. It began as a one-man project by singer and guitarist Zet, which later evolved into a full-grown band with the arrival of Küth and Solem , leading to the release of Ram-Zet's debut album Pure Therapy in September...
, Ulver
Ulver
Ulver is a musical group from Norway. Since their first, folklore-influenced black metal release entitled Bergtatt – Et eeventyr i 5 capitler , Ulver’s musical style has been fluid and increasingly eclectic, blending genres such as rock, electronica, symphonic and chamber traditions, noise and...
, and Ved Buens Ende. Also, in the United States, a local avant-garde metal scene has emerged in the San Francisco Bay Area
San Francisco Bay Area
The San Francisco Bay Area, commonly known as the Bay Area, is a populated region that surrounds the San Francisco and San Pablo estuaries in Northern California. The region encompasses metropolitan areas of San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose, along with smaller urban and rural areas...
with bands such as Giant Squid
Giant Squid (band)
Giant Squid is a post-metal band from San Francisco, California, currently signed to Translation Loss and Vega Vinyl. They were previously signed to The End Records.-Early years :...
, Grayceon
Grayceon
Grayceon is a three-piece metal band from San Francisco. They were formed in 2005. They were licensed on the label Vendlus Records from 2005–2009 and are currently licensed on the label Profound Lore Records...
, and Ludicra
Ludicra
Ludicra was a metal band from San Francisco. They originally formed in 1998 as a quartet and later expanded to five members. Ludicra's sound has been described as black metal or as avant-garde metal. Influences include bands such as Darkthrone, Gorgoroth, Dødheimsgard, and Bethlehem, and genres...
.
List of notable avant-garde metal artists
- AgallochAgallochAgalloch is an American metal band formed in 1995 in Portland, Oregon. The band is led by vocalist and guitarist John Haughm and so far have released four limited EPs, four full-length albums, two demos, one split album, one compilation album and one live DVD....
- Age of SilenceAge Of SilenceAge of Silence is a Norwegian avant-garde progressive metal band formed in 2004 by Andy Winter of Winds.-Current members:* Lars Are "Lazare" Nedland - Vocals...
- Altera EnigmaAltera EnigmaAltera Enigma is an experimental death metal supergroup formed by Jason De Ron, the former guitarist and front man of Paramaecium, and Jefray Arwadi, former guitarist, vocalist, and front man of Kekal. Both of these musicians have a career that has seen them record and release nearly 20 albums...
- Animals as LeadersAnimals as LeadersAnimals as Leaders is an American, Washington, D.C.–based instrumental progressive metal band, formed by guitarist Tosin Abasi in 2007 which now includes guitarist Javier Reyes and drummer Navene Koperweis. The self-titled debut album was released in April 2009 by Prosthetic Records...
- ArcturusArcturus (band)Arcturus is an avant-garde metal band formed in Norway in 1987. They named it Arcturus , after the Behenian fixed star Arcturus.-Biography:The band has released four official full-length albums...
- AtroxAtroxAtrox is an avant-garde metal band from Trondheim, Norway. The group originally formed under the name "Suffocation" but soon changed it because of numerous other bands with the same name. Formed in 1988, the band released its first material only in 1997, and followed it with two releases on notable...
- Black FlagBlack Flag (band)Black Flag was an American punk rock band formed in 1976 in Hermosa Beach, California. The band was established by Greg Ginn, the guitarist, primary songwriter and sole continuous member through multiple personnel changes in the band...
- Blut Aus NordBlut Aus NordBlut Aus Nord is a black metal band from Mondeville, Calvados, France, which has incorporated avant-garde elements in its music.-Biography:Vindsval began a solo project, under the name "Vlad", in 1994. He released two demos before changing the project's name to Blut aus Nord, before the release of...
- BorisBoris (band)is a Japanese experimental rock band, known for often combining and switching between different music genres including drone metal, sludge metal, noise rock, psychedelic rock, ambient and pop...
- BorknagarBorknagarBorknagar is a progressive black metal band from Bergen, Norway, founded in 1995 by Øystein Garnes Brun. The band's style combines folk metal and black metal with progressive and melodic elements...
- BreadwinnerBreadwinner (band)Breadwinner was a math rock-band based in Richmond, Virginia composed of: Pen Rollings , Robert Donne , and Chris Farmer . Rollings had previously been a member of hardcore punk outfit Honor Role...
- BucketheadBucketheadBrian Carroll , better known by his stage name Buckethead, is a guitarist and multi instrumentalist who has worked within several genres of music. He has released 34 studio albums, four special releases and one EP. He has performed on over 50 more albums by other artists...
- Buried Inside
- CandlemassCandlemassCandlemass are an influential Swedish doom metal band established in 1984 by Leif Edling , their leader and songwriter. The band is originally from Stockholm. After releasing five full-length albums and touring extensively throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Candlemass disbanded in 1994, but...
- CarcassCarcass (band)Carcass are an extreme metal band from England, who formed in 1985 and disbanded in 1995. A reunion was enacted in 2008 without one of its original members, drummer Ken Owen, due to health reasons....
- Cave In
- Celtic FrostCeltic FrostCeltic Frost was a metal band from Zürich, Switzerland. They are known for their heavy influence on the extreme metal genres. The group was first active from 1984 to 1993, and re-formed in 2001. Following Tom Gabriel Fischer's departure in 2008, Celtic Frost decided to break up again...
- The ChariotThe Chariot (band)The Chariot is an American mathcore band from Douglasville, Georgia, formed in 2003. The current lineup consists of drummer David Kennedy, bassist Jon "KC Wolf" Kindler, vocalist and bandleader Josh Scogin, and guitarists Brandon Henderson and Stephen Harrison. The band has experienced frequent...
- CronianCronianCronian is a progressive/avant-garde metal band from Norway and Sweden founded in 2004 by Øystein Brun and Andreas Hedlund, also known as Vintersorg...
- December WolvesDecember WolvesDecember Wolves are a Salem, Massachusetts - based black metal band formed in 1993. Their first demo appeared in 1994. So far December Wolves has released 3 albums. On newer material the group goes in a more experimental/industrial 'post-black' direction...
- Devilish ImpressionsDevilish ImpressionsDevilish Impressions is a Polish avant-garde black metal band. They were formed on November 1, 2000 by Quazarre, Turquoissa and Starash.-Biography :The band was officially formed on November 1, 2000 by Quazarre, Turquoissa and Starash...
- The Devin Townsend Project
- Dir En GreyDir en greyDir En Grey is a Japanese metal band formed in 1997 and currently signed to Firewall Div., a sub-division of Free-Will. As of 2011, they have recorded eight full-length records...
- Disharmonic OrchestraDisharmonic OrchestraDisharmonic Orchestra is an Austrian death metal/grindcore band that was formed in Klagenfurt, in 1987. Two demos were recorded. A gig in Germany with Pungent Stench led to a deal with Nuclear Blast in 1989. The first outcome of that deal was a split with country-mates Pungent Stench...
- DødheimsgardDødheimsgardDødheimsgard is a Norwegian heavy metal band formed in 1994. Dødheimsgard was originally a black metal band, but 1999's 666 International saw them change into an experimental and avant-garde / industrial metal band. In 2000, they shortened their name to DHG...
- Dog Fashion DiscoDog Fashion DiscoDog Fashion Disco was an experimental metal band, from Rockville, Maryland, that was active from 1996 to 2007.- Biography :Combining many different music styles Dog Fashion Disco was primarily considered an avant-garde metal band...
- DoomDoom (Japanese band)Doom was a Japanese thrash metal band by former Zadkiel members Takashi and Koh. Formed in Tokyo in 1985, the first line up included Takashi "Taka" Fujita , Koh "Pirarucu" Morota and Jouichi "Joe" Hirokawa . The group released their first EP Go Mad Yourself! in 1986, and the debut album No More...
- The End
- EnslavedEnslaved (band)Enslaved is a progressive black metal band formed in June 1991 in Sveio, Norway, and currently based out of Bergen, Norway.-History:Enslaved was formed in June 1991 by Ivar Bjørnson and Grutle Kjellson when they were 13 and 17 years old, respectively. The band name was inspired by an Immortal demo...
- Ephel DuathEphel Duath (band)Ephel Duath is an Italian progressive metal band, formed in 1998 in Padova, Italy. They have had a constantly changing line-up with guitarist and songwriter Davide Tiso, being the only original member. To date, they have released one demo, four studio albums, and two remix albums...
- Ewigkeit
- ExtolExtolExtol is a Christian progressive extreme metal band from Bekkestua, Norway, that was formed in 1993. In 2007, they announced they were splitting up to work on separate projects. The band is known for playing a variety of different styles of metal which include progressive death metal, melodic death...
- FactFact (band)Fact is a Japanese post-hardcore band which formed in 1999 in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. Their music makes use of common hardcore punk and punk rock elements that include fast guitar riffs and a highly melodic style. Clean and screamed singing styles are both used, and gang vocals are present in...
- The Flying LuttenbachersThe Flying LuttenbachersThe Flying Luttenbachers were an instrumental unit led by multi-instrumentalist / composer / producer Weasel Walter. The Luttenbachers have created a large body of work focusing on an agenda of musical extremity and dissonance...
- From a Second Story WindowFrom a Second Story WindowFrom a Second Story Window was a mathcore band that formed in 2000 as Aphasia in Ohio. By 2003, they had changed their name to From a Second Story Window. The band's first EP was self-released as The Cassandra Complex in 2003. It was repackaged and re-released by Black Market Activities as Not...
- God
- Genghis TronGenghis TronGenghis Tron is a three-piece experimental metal band formed in Poughkeepsie, New York, USA, and currently based in Brooklyn, New York and San Francisco, California. Genghis Tron signed to Relapse Records after releasing two recordings on Crucial Blast. The band is noted for its creative...
- Giant SquidGiant Squid (band)Giant Squid is a post-metal band from San Francisco, California, currently signed to Translation Loss and Vega Vinyl. They were previously signed to The End Records.-Early years :...
- GrayceonGrayceonGrayceon is a three-piece metal band from San Francisco. They were formed in 2005. They were licensed on the label Vendlus Records from 2005–2009 and are currently licensed on the label Profound Lore Records...
- GodfleshGodfleshGodflesh are an English industrial metal band from Birmingham, England. Originally known as Fall of Because, they formed in 1988 by Justin K. Broadrick and G.C. Green and disbanded in 2002. Godflesh's innovative music is widely regarded as a foundational influence on industrial metal and post-metal...
- Green CarnationGreen CarnationGreen Carnation is a band from Kristiansand, Norway formed in 1990 that has created songs from both the progressive rock and progressive metal genres. Some also describe their music as art rock...
- Horse the BandHORSE the bandHorse the Band is a band from Lake Forest, California who are best known for their 8-bit Nintendo-influenced sound combined with metalcore. Frontman Nathan Winneke once described their sound as "Nintendocore".-Biography:...
- Hortus AnimaeHortus AnimaeHortus Animae was a progressive black metal band from Northern and Central Italy. They formed in 1997 in the town of Rimini . After the release of their self produced debut The Melting Idols, they began an active live streak with bands like Lacuna Coil, Ancient and Napalm Death...
- Inhale ExhaleInhale ExhaleInhale Exhale is a Christian metalcore band from Cleveland, Ohio.-Formation/The Lost. The Sick. The Sacred.:The band was formed in 2005 by Guitarist John LaRussa and bassist Brian Pittman...
- Into AnotherInto Another (band)Into Another was an American rock band formed in 1990 in New York City, New York. They consisted of vocalist Richie Birkenhead , drummer Drew Thomas , bassist Tony Bono and guitarist Peter Moses. Into Another performed their first show at New York's Pyramid, sharing the stage with a budding...
- IsisIsis (band)Isis was a Los Angeles, California-based post-metal band, founded in Boston, Massachusetts, with a career spanning from 1997 to 2010...
- Kayo DotKayo DotKayo Dot is an American avant-rock/experimental music group that was formed in 2003 by Toby Driver. They released their debut album Choirs of the Eye on John Zorn's Tzadik Records label that year. Tzadik's descriptive label on that album reads: "Kayo Dot powerfully integrates elements of modern...
- The KovenantThe KovenantThe Kovenant is a Norwegian black metal band from Oslo/Hamar. The band originally formed as Covenant in 1993, but in 1999 were forced to change their name to The Kovenant due to a dispute with a Swedish electronic band of the same name....
- KekalKekalKekal is a heavy metal band formed in 1995 in Jakarta, Indonesia. According to Allmusic, Kekal was one of the first heavy metal bands from Indonesia to make international inroads, and according to Keith Kahn Harris was one of the few extreme metal bands from Southeast Asia to ever make more than a...
- LeprousLeprousLeprous is a Norwegian progressive metal band formed in 2001 in the metal town of Notodden, Norway, home of other bands such as Emperor, Ihsahn, Peccatum.-Biography:...
- LudicraLudicraLudicra was a metal band from San Francisco. They originally formed in 1998 as a quartet and later expanded to five members. Ludicra's sound has been described as black metal or as avant-garde metal. Influences include bands such as Darkthrone, Gorgoroth, Dødheimsgard, and Bethlehem, and genres...
- The Mars VoltaThe Mars VoltaThe Mars Volta is a Grammy award winning American progressive rock band from El Paso, Texas. Founded in 2001 by guitarist Omar Rodríguez-López and vocalist Cedric Bixler-Zavala, the band incorporates various influences including progressive rock, krautrock, jazz fusion, Latin American music, and...
- Master's HammerMaster's HammerMaster's Hammer are a black metal band from the Czech Republic. They were founded in 1987 and produced several demos, before releasing their debut album Ritual in 1990...
- Maudlin of the WellMaudlin of the Wellmaudlin of the Well is an avant-garde metal band from Boston, Massachusetts. Their music contains elements from many different genres including doom metal, indie rock, jazz, progressive rock, post rock, progressive metal, death metal, gothic metal, as well as chamber music, ambient music and New...
- MeshuggahMeshuggahMeshuggah is an extreme metal band from Umeå, Sweden, formed in 1987. Meshuggah's line-up has primarily consisted of founding members vocalist Jens Kidman and lead guitarist Fredrik Thordendal, drummer Tomas Haake, who joined in 1990, and rhythm guitarist Mårten Hagström, who joined in 1992...
- MotograterMotograterMotograter was an American Nu-Metal band formed in 1995. They are best known for their homemade instrument the "motograter" - designed with industrial cable and guitar pieces that creates a very deep bass sound...
- Mr. BungleMr. BungleMr. Bungle was an experimental band from Northern California. The band was formed in 1985 while the members were still in high school and was named after a children's educational film. Mr. Bungle released four demo tapes in the mid to late 1980s before being signed to Warner Bros. Records and...
- My Dying BrideMy Dying BrideMy Dying Bride are an English doom metal band formed in 1990. To date, My Dying Bride have released eleven full-length studio albums, three EPs, one demo, one box set, four compilation albums, one live album, and one live CD/DVD release. The band released their tenth studio album, For Lies I Sire,...
- Naked CityNaked City (band)Naked City was an avant-garde music group led by saxophonist and composer John Zorn. Active primarily in New York City from 1988 to 1993, Naked City was initiated by Zorn as a "composition workshop" to test the limits of composition in a traditional rock band lineup...
- Napalm DeathNapalm DeathNapalm Death are a death metal band formed in Birmingham, England in 1981. While none of its original members remain in the group, the lineup of vocalist Mark "Barney" Greenway, bassist Shane Embury, guitarist Mitch Harris and drummer Danny Herrera has remained consistent for most of the band's ...
- NeurosisNeurosis (band)Neurosis is a post-metal band, based in Oakland, California. They formed in 1985 as a hardcore punk band, and their sound progressed towards a doom metal style that also included influences from dark ambient and industrial music as well as incorporating elements of folk music...
- The Number Twelve Looks Like YouThe Number Twelve Looks Like YouThe Number Twelve Looks Like You was a mathcore band from Fair Lawn, New Jersey. Their music combined elements of grindcore, progressive metal, hardcore punk and jazz...
- The OceanThe Ocean CollectiveThe Ocean is an experimental metal band from Berlin, Germany. Their work combines elements of progressive metal and electronic soundscapes, occasionally incorporating strings to create their aggressive post-metal sound. The band often describes its sound as "ambient soundtrack doomrock".- History...
- OldOLD (band)OLD was a grindcore / industrial metal band from Bergenfield, New Jersey, signed to Earache Records...
- OrthrelmOrthrelm- Biography :Orthrelm is a duo with Mick Barr on guitar and Josh Blair on drums, experimenting in many forms of unconventional songwriting styles and musical concepts in general....
- PainkillerPainkiller (band)Painkiller is a band originally formed in 1991. Their style can be described as a mix of avant-garde jazz and grindcore; later albums also incorporated elements of ambient and dub....
- Pan.Thy.MoniumPan.Thy.MoniumPan.Thy.Monium was a Swedish avant-garde metal band formed and led by Dan Swanö with several members from another project of his, Edge of Sanity...
- PeccatumPeccatumPeccatum was an avant-garde metal band from Norway. Their influences range from black metal, progressive metal, industrial music, symphonic metal and gothic metal to European classical music and contemporary music.-Biography:...
- PelicanPelican (band)Pelican is a post-metal quartet from Chicago, Illinois.-Biography and description:The band is known for its dense combinations of different melodies and extended track lengths. Its distinctive sound draws from stoner rock, doom metal, post-rock, and other influences...
- PentagramPentagram (band)Pentagram is a American heavy metal band from Virginia, most famous as one of the pioneers of doom metal. The band was prolific in the underground scene of the 1970s, producing many demos and rehearsal tapes, but did not release a full-length album until reforming in the early 1980s with an almost...
- PsyopusPsyopusPsyopus is a mathcore band from Rochester, New York. Formed in 2002, the band is noted for the unorthodox and extremely technical guitar techniques of Christopher Arp, often referred to as "Arpmandude"...
- QuiQUIQui or QUI may refer to:*Qui , an American independent rock band*The Queen's University of Ireland...
- Samsas TraumSamsas TraumSamsas Traum is a band from Germany fronted by Alexander Kaschte now based in Austria. Their music consists of elements of Symphonic metal, Neue Deutsche Härte and Cantastoria. The name is derived from the 1915 novel The Metamorphosis's character Gregor Samsa by Franz Kafka.- Biography :Samsas...
- SighSigh (band)is a Japanese extreme metal band from Tokyo, formed in 1990. They are credited as being one of the first Japanese black metal bands, when the majority of black metal in early 1990s came from Scandinavia. They gradually shifted from a more traditional black/thrash metal sound, to a more...
- Sleepytime Gorilla MuseumSleepytime Gorilla MuseumSleepytime Gorilla Museum is an American experimental rock band, formed in 1999 in Oakland, California. The band fuses classical, industrial, and art-rock themes throughout their music...
- SolefaldSolefaldSolefald is a Norwegian avant-garde metal/black metal band that was formed by members Lars Are "Lazare" Nedland and Cornelius Jakhelln in August 1995, with Lars singing and playing keyboard/synthesizer/piano and drums, and Cornelius singing and playing guitar and bass. The meaning of the band's...
- StorkStOrkstOrk is an American avant-garde metal supergroup, formed by ex-Korn guitarist Shane Gibson and session drummer Thomas Lang in 2010. The band's debut album, stOrk, was released on January 11, 2011 via MUSO Entertainment.-Band members:...
- Sunn O)))Sunn O)))Sunn O))) is an American doom metal band known for its synthesis of diverse genres including drone, ambient, noise, and black metal. Supported by a varying cast of collaborators, the band has two core members: Stephen O'Malley and Greg Anderson .-History:Sunn O))) is named after the Sunn...
- TherionTherion (band)Therion is a Swedish symphonic metal band founded by Christofer Johnsson in 1987. The word "therion" comes from the Greek therion , meaning "Beast," i.e., that of the Christian Book of Revelation...
- Thought IndustryThought IndustryAmerican progressive metal band Thought Industry in Kalamazoo, Michigan in 1989 by vocalist/bassist Brent Oberlin, drummer Dustin Donaldson , guitarist Christopher Lee Simmonds , and guitarist Steve Spaeth who replaced original Desecrater guitarist, Dan Roe...
- ThronesThrones (band)Thrones is the solo project of bassist Joe Preston.-Biography:Thrones began in 1994 with an untitled cassette on the Punk in My Vitamins? label. He soon released the "Reddleman" single. In 1996, Thrones signed to Communion Records to issue the full-length album Alraune...
- TiamatTiamat (band)-Biography:Initially, the band played straightforward black metal under the name Treblinka. After having recorded the album Sumerian Cry in 1989, vocalist/guitarist Johan Edlund and bassist Jörgen Thullberg parted ways with the other two founding members, and subsequently changed the name to Tiamat...
- TombsTombs (band)Tombs is an experimental band from Brooklyn, USA. They have released albums under Relapse Records and Level Plane Records. Formed out of band Anodyne, Tombs combines an mix of multiple metal styles including sludge metal and black metal.-Albums:...
- Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza
- Treponem PalTreponem PalTreponem Pal is a French industrial metal band formed in 1986. Early tracks such as "Embodiment of Frustration" mix together the relentless hypnotic heaviness popularized by Swans and bursts of thrash metal and hardcore...
- TriptykonTriptykonTriptykon is a musical project of Thomas Gabriel Fischer, founding member of the pioneering heavy metal bands Hellhammer, Celtic Frost and Apollyon Sun. Fischer announced his departure from Celtic Frost in May 2008 and shortly afterwards revealed his new project would be entitled Triptykon...
- UlverUlverUlver is a musical group from Norway. Since their first, folklore-influenced black metal release entitled Bergtatt – Et eeventyr i 5 capitler , Ulver’s musical style has been fluid and increasingly eclectic, blending genres such as rock, electronica, symphonic and chamber traditions, noise and...
- UnexpectUnexpectUnexpect is an avant-garde extreme metal band from Montreal, Canada featuring a unique amalgamation of different styles of music, including black metal, death metal, thrash metal, progressive metal, melodic heavy metal, classical music, dark cabaret, opera, medieval music, jazz, funk, electro,...
- Ved Buens EndeVed Buens EndeVed Buens Ende is a Norwegian heavy metal band. Their sound is diverse with quiet instrumental jazz influenced sections and aggressive black metal blast beats and vocals...
- VintersorgVintersorgVintersorg is a Swedish band from Skellefteå, formed in 1994 under the name Vargatron . Musically, Vintersorg has covered a wide number of heavy metal genres; while the band is mostly rooted in extreme metal styles, particularly black metal and Viking/folk metal, it has also expanded into...
- VoivodVoivod (band)Voivod are a Canadian heavy metal band from Jonquière, Quebec, Canada. Their musical style has changed several times since the band's origin in the early 1980s...
- WaltariWaltariWaltari is a band from Finland, known for its diversity and combination of music styles, frequently combining alternative metal, progressive metal, death metal, hard rock, heavy metal, hip hop, industrial, pop, punk, rap, symphonic metal, techno and thrash metal.Most of the band's music is written...
- WindsWinds (band)Winds is a Norwegian neo-classical/progressive metal band formed in 1998. The music is largely influenced by classical music, with Andy Winter's piano work and Carl August Tidemann's guitar solos, often the central focuses...
- Wrench in the WorksWrench in the WorksWrench in the Works were an American Christian metal band originating from Hartford, Connecticut. The band is currently signed to Facedown Records and in the process of recording new music for their upcoming album...
- YakuzaYakuza (band)Yakuza is an avant-garde metal band, formed in Chicago in 1999. They have been acclaimed for their incorporation of jazz and world music elements.-History:...