{"id":2762,"date":"2016-12-25T11:35:13","date_gmt":"2016-12-25T19:35:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/articles\/?p=2762"},"modified":"2016-12-25T11:35:13","modified_gmt":"2016-12-25T19:35:13","slug":"best-emerging-bands-of-2016","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/metalassault.com\/articles\/2016\/12\/25\/best-emerging-bands-of-2016\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Emerging Bands Of 2016"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Andrew Bansal<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"bestemergingbands2016\"<\/a><\/p>\n

While we support and keep track of the older, more popular bands, discovering and unearthing new, hidden talent is our thing. The music listener stuck in decades past would tell you there are no good new bands, but I’m here to tell you otherwise. Here are my picks for the top 20 emerging artists of the year, i.e. bands that released a killer debut album\/EP, did their first successful tour, broke through to get noticed after a few years of obscurity, or created an indelible first impression in any other way, shape or form.<\/p>\n

(Band names are linked to their respective landing pages)<\/p>\n

20. Gabbie Rae<\/a>: <\/strong>Even prior to 2016,\u00a0teenage sensation Gabbie Rae had developed\u00a0quite the reputation for her incredible singing voice in\u00a0her performances of hard rock and heavy metal classics, but this year,\u00a0Rae and her band did their first US tour opening for Europe and reached out to audiences like they hadn’t before. Her amazing renditions of the songs she chooses to cover are better than perfect, and would make the original creators proud. But in addition to covers, she has also worked in an original tune or two of her own, and with a full album in the making, 2017 could be an even bigger year for Gabbie Rae and co.<\/p>\n

\"Gabbie<\/a>
Gabbie Rae – photo by Carsten Steinhausen<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

19. Skyeater<\/a>:\u00a0<\/strong>LA blackened doom quartet Skyeater made a mark for themselves through appearances as local openers at underground metal gigs in and around town that were headlined by touring acts, and those that turned up early enough to catch this band’s set were rewarded in full, as Skyeater held audiences captive with their ominous, ultra-dark, doom-meets-black metal sound. Their 12-14 minute compositions succeed in creating the exact kind of atmosphere they aim for. With just a two-song demo release to their name, this is only the beginning of much more to come from\u00a0Skyeater.<\/p>\n

\"Skyeater<\/a>
Skyeater – photo by Photophobic Reflections<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

18. Spirit Collector<\/a>:\u00a0<\/strong>LA instrumental power trio Spirit Collector released an excellent three-song debut EP called ‘Owls To Athens’ this year and put forth a splendid set opening for Pinkish Black at Complex, instantly garnering admiration from first-timers. Their brand of shoegazy sludge\/doom\/prog\/post metal is easy on the ear for anyone into heavy music, and the three members showcase great individual talent as well as combine excellently together to come up with music that does not need vocals to be compelling. Fans of instrumental music can add Spirit Collector to their list of must-listen, must-watch bands.<\/p>\n

\"Spirit<\/a>
Spirit Collector – photo by Jon Endow<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

17. Malison<\/a>:\u00a0<\/strong>San Diego quartet Malison present a delightful take\u00a0on galloping ’80s NWOBHM-style classic heavy metal, but with their own epic, original spin on it, and vocal stylings that show good range of highs, mids and lows, going beyond mere high-pitched Dickinson-Halford mimicry. Their 2015 debut EP ‘Impulses’ served as a stellar introduction to their talent, while in 2016 they brought out their epic, proggy tendencies on the new single ‘Final Ride’. But in the live setting is where Malison truly impress most, and\u00a0that is how they landed on Metal Assault’s radar. Look out for a debut full-length and many more great live shows from this band of righteous metalheads.<\/p>\n

\"Malison\"<\/a>
Malison<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

16. Furiosa<\/a>: <\/strong>After parting ways with Legal Tender, LA based artist\/songwriter\/multi-instrumentalist Jonah Nimoy started Furiosa in 2015 as his solo project wherein he writes and records all vocals and instruments, and also sketches the artwork himself. The unbound talent he showed in Legal Tender is being fully tapped into for Furiosa, as evident on the three-song ‘Outta Fox To Give’ EP release in 2016. Besides the studio recordings, Nimoy’s vision of this eclectic, all-encompassing hard rock\/heavy metal project is brought to life only in the live setting, and this year he was able to enlist some top-class musicians to help him do so. The scope and potential of Furiosa is vast, and should be realized to an even greater degree in 2017.<\/p>\n

Read more on Page 2<\/em><\/p>\n

If you like what you\u2019ve read, make a donation<\/a> of any amount and help keep Metal Assault running full time!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\"Furiosa<\/a>
Furiosa – photo by Karina Diane<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

<\/p>\n

15. Graveshadow<\/a>:\u00a0<\/strong>Sacramento-based female-fronted power\/symphonic\/gothic metal group Graveshadow was formed in 2012, and so far has released a self-titled EP (2014) and a full-length called ‘Nocturnal Resurrection’ (2015). But they had their first real breakthrough this year by creating an extremely strong first impression with their performances on a short run of US dates supporting Anvil. Graveshadow’s high-energy exhibition of skillfully crafted metal emphatically won over the audiences\u00a0at these shows and ensured that the band’s name would last very long in every single attendee’s memory. Even in a sub-genre of metal heavily pursued by many others, Graveshadow stand head and shoulders above the competition, simply because they’re great at what they do.<\/p>\n

\"Graveshadow\"<\/a>
Graveshadow<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

14. Authority Figure<\/a>:\u00a0<\/strong>LA sludge metal band Authority Figure released their six-song debut EP ‘Still Got It’ this year, presenting crushing\u00a0riffs,\u00a0a pounding rhythm section and fierce vocals with elements of hardcore punk, but the sheer monstrosity of these tunes is felt none more so than upon witnessing this band live, their set at Union in Los Angeles this year serving as the best possible example of it. It was one of the most extraordinarily intense performances\u00a0of the year, an exorcism of sorts, and established Authority Figure as a band to keep an eye out for, because you cannot possibly be more shocked, stunned and amazed than you will be\u00a0at your\u00a0first Authority Figure show.<\/p>\n

\"Auhtority<\/a>
Auhtority Figure<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

13. Aeonic Impulse<\/a>:\u00a0<\/strong>LA prog outfit Aeonic Impulse has been at it since 2011, playing local underground gigs and working on music in the meanwhile, constantly evolving and honing their creations in the process. Years of meticulous hard work and deliberation brought them to 2016 and the release of their debut full-length, a six-part concept album called ‘A Night For The Troubled’\u00a0which exudes top-class musicianship. The biggest fans of prog themselves, the musicians in Aeonic Impulse have channeled their musical influences and inspirations so beautifully, they\u00a0have successfully completed the transition from the front row to the stage, and have a lot more to offer in the years to come.<\/p>\n

\"Aeonic<\/a>
Aeonic Impulse – photo by Angelica Rose<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

12. Slow Season<\/a>:\u00a0<\/strong>Hailing from a place called Visalia in central California, psych rock quartet Slow Season released their third full-length ‘Westing’ this year and with the eight tunes they eventually put on this record, they hit the nail on the head in terms of mastering the classic ’70s hard rock sound which is really at the heart of all stoner\/psych rock that is so abundant\u00a0four decades later. Slow Season\u00a0expertly portray their Zeppelin-esque take on the genre through this album, and indeed on stage, complete with the look and mannerisms that go with the aesthetic. Delightfully laid-back yet unmistakably powerful, Slow Season stand tall as one of the finest young\u00a0psych rock bands to have emerged in 2016.<\/p>\n

\"Slow<\/a>
Slow Season<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

11. Weresquatch<\/a>:\u00a0<\/strong>Portland, Oregon thrash trio Weresquatch boast a debut full-length album that was produced, mixed and mastered by Joel Grind from Toxic Holocaust, but to present tunes from this 2015 release called ‘Frozen Void’, they needed a solid tour in 2016 and they sure succeeded in getting one this year, opening for Striker and fellow PDX band Spellcaster on a full North American run. Their straightforward approach to all things metal endeared and attracted first-timers straightaway, and with their scorching tunes, high-octane live shows\u00a0and awe-inspiring t-shirt artwork, Weresquatch are already a force to reckon with, and will only rise up from here.<\/p>\n

Read more on Page 3<\/em><\/p>\n

If you like what you\u2019ve read, make a donation<\/a> of any amount and help keep Metal Assault running full time!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\"Weresquatch\"<\/a>
Weresquatch<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

<\/p>\n

10. H\u00f8urs<\/a>:\u00a0<\/strong>San Diego based ambient doom metal group H\u00f8urs introduced themselves this year with the two-song debut EP ‘Different Executions’, but marked their real arrival\u00a0when they opened a SubRosa show in the Los Angeles area, leaving an entire audience absolutely spellbound. H\u00f8urs hasn’t popped up out of nowhere; its members pursue other musical endeavors\u00a0as well, some much far more experimental than H\u00f8urs, but in this band, they excel at creating something simple and relatively stripped-down, yet the magic is in the execution – in the tender, minimalistic vocal delivery, in the guitar tone, and in the steadiness of the rhythm section. H\u00f8urs’ inception is greatly welcome, and their next step in eagerly awaited.<\/p>\n

\"H\u00f8urs\"<\/a>
H\u00f8urs<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

9. Teeth<\/a>: <\/strong>LA-based quartet Teeth started out very promisingly in 2014 as perpetrators of dissonant doom\/death metal, and have only gone from strength to strength each time they’ve taken a stage since then, specially in 2016. They played some truly crushing sets, delivering such heaviness in the 30 minutes typically allotted to them, even bands getting much longer sets couldn’t have matched it. But there is a method and structure to their destructiveness, which is what makes them so powerful. Whatever it is that fuels the members of this band to create this type of music, they\u00a0are harnessing\u00a0and expressing it to perfection.<\/p>\n

\"Teeth<\/a>
Teeth – photo by Diana Lungu<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

8. Sweat Lodge<\/a>:\u00a0<\/strong>Austin, Texas stoner\/psych rock band Sweat Lodge take massive influence from ’60s and ’70s hard rock and the foundation of their sound is in blues-based rock, as evident on their 2015 debut LP ‘Talismana’. Those who listened\u00a0to this delightful set of retro-metal tunes were immediately impressed by Sweat Lodge, but this year the band took it beyond the mere local\/underground circles and did a full North American tour supporting Monolord and Beastmaker, expanding their outreach much further and enlightening\u00a0people all across the continent with their stellar jams. Watching them perform, it’s clear that the music comes naturally and organically to these guys, and there is nothing forced or contrived whatsoever. Sweat Lodge is in the zone at all times, and in studio as well as on stage, has all it takes to achieve absolute greatness.<\/p>\n

\"Sweat<\/a>
Sweat Lodge<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

7. Heaven Below<\/a>:\u00a0<\/strong>LA based metal group Heaven Below formed in 2008 and their potential was noticed by many early on in their career. They suffered through\u00a0several lineup changes which kept slowing them down, and Lita Ford took frontman Patrick Kennison as the second guitar player in her band in 2014.\u00a0But instead of it\u00a0ending Heaven Below, Kennison’s move only resulted in rejuvenating the band. In 2016, they released their third full-length album, the concept creation ‘Good Morning Apocalypse’, which in every sense comes across as the<\/em> album Heaven Below were always capable of, and with\u00a0the progress made through previous releases, they finally reached this point. The band’s current lineup of members is its best ever, and they can almost start afresh from here as a brand new entity, as the 2016 incarnation of Heaven Below is its most apt representation that does it full justice. Heaven Below\u00a0have claimed their rightful spot as saviors of no-bullshit heavy metal.<\/p>\n

\"Heaven<\/a>
Heaven Below<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

6. Substratum<\/a>:\u00a0<\/strong>Based out of Seattle, Substratum were formed in 2013 but rapidly gained a fan-following in the Pacific North West circles on the strength of their tremendous live performances, as they often served to be the ideal local support for touring bands coming through the area. They took three years to complete their self-titled debut full-length, finally releasing it in late 2016, and it has turned out to be worth the wait and more, a righteously epic slab of pure-as-gold, strong-as-steel heavy metal with some of the finest singing you’ll hear, and highly competent instrumentation to go with it. Substratum is the best new old-school metal band you hadn’t yet heard of and will keep listening to for years to come.<\/p>\n

Read more on Page 4<\/em><\/p>\n

If you like what you\u2019ve read, make a donation<\/a> of any amount and help keep Metal Assault running full time!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\"Substratum<\/a>
Substratum – photo by Holly Roa<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

<\/p>\n

5. Horrendous<\/a>:\u00a0<\/strong>Philadelphia PA extreme metal band Horrendous did their first full tour this year, opening for Tribulation and Youth Code across North America. Through this tour, many people got introduced to the sheer brilliance of Horrendous’ musicianship which decorates the three full-length albums they’ve already released in their short career thus far since forming in 2009. Focussing on the music rather than the look, Horrendous take metal to new extremes as their brand of death metal has layers of prog, tech and black metal. The power and dynamism of their music is felt as much upon listening to their studio album as it is when watching them live. With this band, it’s no gimmicks and all skill, and in 2016 they’ve stamped their authority as the worthiest young perpetrators of extreme heavy music.<\/p>\n

\"Horrendous\"<\/a>
Horrendous<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

4. Taarkus<\/a>:\u00a0<\/strong>Los Angeles based psych rock\/proto doom quintet Taarkus released their debut 7-inch single\u00a0in the early part of 2016\u00a0via Rise Above Records and played some fantastic, mind-blowing gigs locally throughout the year. In the past few years, this genre has witnessed the rise, reformation and return of countless\u00a0bands new and old, many of them simply riding the wave of what’s current and popular, but Taarkus is one band that’s presenting a fresh, unique take on all things psychedelic and doom. Very seldom will a flute hold a room of doom metal fans captive in the manner it does when Taarkus uses the instrument, and with a richly layered sound comprising the conventional instruments, a prominent role played by the organ, and dual female lead vocals, this band is nothing less than\u00a0love-at-first-listen. With a full-length album in the making, Taarkus will soon headline the very same rooms they played as opening act this year and bring their unparalleled live show experience to many more people in the near and distant future.<\/p>\n

\"Taarkus<\/a>
Taarkus – photo by Gina Canavan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

3. Khemmis<\/a>:\u00a0<\/strong>Denver, Colorado doom quartet Khemmis have started off their career on a prolific note, as they’re clearly motivated and inspired to create, quickly following up their 2015 debut LP ‘Absolution’ with a new\u00a0full-length called ‘Hunted’ in 2016. Khemmis also spent some time on the road performing these tunes live this year, and doom fans were stunned into the realization that this band exudes talent and means business.\u00a0As in any doom band, the riffs lay the platform for the music to be built on, but Khemmis’ clean-singing vocal delivery and the guitar harmonies are the most striking aspects in their tunes and garner the listener’s undivided attention instantly. Khemmis’ music is\u00a0as heavy and simple as it is\u00a0melodic and dramatic, and as ominous as it is uplifting. Khemmis not only satiate fans of the genre, but with their unconventional\u00a0approach, even\u00a0compel its detractors to take notice.<\/p>\n

\"Khemmis\"<\/a>
Khemmis<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

2. Oni<\/a>: <\/strong>Hailing from Toronto, Canada, modern progressive metal group Oni exploded onto the scene in a major way in 2016, releasing their debut full-length ‘Ironshore’ on Metal Blade Records and completing two highly successful North American tours, firstly with the Cavalera Brothers and then with Children Of Bodom to end the year, also making an appearance at Knotfest in San Bernardino along the way. With intricately arranged yet instantly catchy musicianship accompanied by cerebrally stimulating lyrical content and artwork, Oni check all the right boxes, and on stage, amplify the power of their musical expression tenfold. Clean-growling vocal interplay, guitar shred mastery, crafty drum fills, groovy bass lines, and a xylosynth player to boot, Oni has it all. This three-letter word will be on prog lovers’ minds, ears and lips for the next three decades and more.<\/p>\n

\"Oni\"<\/a>
Oni<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

1. Beastmaker<\/a>:\u00a0<\/strong>Fresno, California trio Beastmaker spread their gospel of horror doom far and wide this year, releasing their debut full-length ‘Lusus Naturae’ and touring all over North America and Europe, opening for the likes of Monolord, The Well and Blood Ceremony in the process.\u00a0Beastmaker’s interpretation of slow, riff-based Sabbath-worshipping heaviness\u00a0is quite simple yet presented so powerfully, it’s truly amazing to comprehend the sheer impact they’ve made with music so straightforward. Beyond any doubt, it shows their talent and expertise as composers and performers, utilizing every single note to its absolute maximum and placing great emphasis on the sound itself, which is so crucial in succeeding or failing to establishing the atmosphere it is aiming to create, whether it be through the studio recordings or in a room full of stoner rock lovers. On the one hand, heavy music is evolving into complex modern forms, but on the other side, Beastmaker is taking things back full circle and doing a mighty fine job of it.\u00a02016 was as much about the metamorphosis of Beastmaker as it was about anything else, and the trio beckons you to join their cult.<\/p>\n

If you like what you\u2019ve read, make a donation<\/a> of any amount and help keep Metal Assault running full time!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\"Beastmaker\"<\/a>
Beastmaker<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Andrew Bansal While we support and keep track of the older, more popular bands, discovering and unearthing new, hidden talent is our thing. The music listener stuck in decades past would tell you there are no good new bands, but I’m here to tell you otherwise. Here are my picks for the top 20 … <\/p>\n

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