BANDS TO CONSIDER HIGHLIGHTING
THE OCEAN, "MESOPELAGIC"
This band is underrated. This album, "Pelagic" carries a consistent theme of the descent deeper and deeper into the ocean, but it relates to personal and emotional feelings.
AMON AMARTH, "THE PURSUIT OF VIKINGS"
Amon Amarth is currently one of the most sought-after bands in modern metal. Powerful sound, beautiful lyrics.
OTEP, "CONFRONTATION"
Otep is featured on another music page, but truly deserves her own spotlight. Outside of metal, she is a hard-working advocate for so many causes. Her music carries a political message, and her personal ventures have solid support in art, individuality, and justice, especially for the LGBT community.
TESSERACT, "NOCTURNE"
Tesseract is very popular in the UK, but not as much in the United States. Their songs carry very important messages in reference to conscious thinking and human existence in general. They lean more towards "djent" metal, but still deserve a lot of recognition for their lyricism and musical composure.
IN THIS MOMENT, "ADRENALIZE"
In This Moment is a modern heavy metal band with a great female singer/screamer, Maria Brink. What separates her from many female metal vocalists is that she combines a raw sexual attitude with hardcore strength and powerful female presence.
FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, "LIFT ME UP" FEATURING ROB HALFORD
FFDP is a prominent name in metal today. Their live performance is as flawless as their records sound. Clean instrumental sounds and sharp vocals make them a force to be reckoned with. They are highly influenced by classic heavy metal acts like Judas Priest, Metallica, and Pantera.
GHOST B.C., "SECULAR HAZE"
Ghost B.C. is a unique band in that their identities are never revealed on or off stage. The members call themselves the Nameless Ghouls, while the vocalist refers to himself as Papa Emeritus. An endearing, dark twist on Catholicism, much of their music focuses on anti-Christian views and their performances are nothing less than theatrical.