The Safety Fire

Mouth of Swords (2013)
Torrent 

I must admit that I was a little skeptical about this release after hearing Yellowism and Red Hatchet, but this album quickly became one of my favorites of the year.  My original skepticism came from the lack of heavy vocals that were replaced with a high pitched voice with a little to much post production. I have heard rumors that the lead singer was loosing his screaming voice and therefore had to tone it down but who knows. Either way, upon hearing the whole album I fell in love. The title track "Mouth of Swords" is simply epic, rolling into the aggressive "Glass Crush." The album makes great use of melody, especially on tracks such as "Wise Hands" and "I am Time, the Destroyer." The album ends on such a perfect note too with the song "Old Souls." Oh, and how can I forget "Beware the Leopard?" This album has such a perfect flow on it between songs that Grind the Ocean just didn't have, not to say I don't love that album as well.

Plini

Other Things (2013)
Bandcamp


Chon-like instrumentals from Sydney, Australia. 

Halcyon

Pastures (2011)
Bandcamp 

Extremely talented one man jazz metal fusion band from Australia.  Reminds me in many ways of Jakub Żytecki. Awesome "background to life" music.

Chon

Newborn Sun (2013)
Bandcamp 

Finally, after 5 years of waiting, the Southern California progressive metal quartet Chon has released a new 8 song EP. It probably took them so damn long because they had to finish high school, these kids were really young when their first release came out. The drummer was 11 so he should be somewhere around 16-17 now.  But anyways, if you haven't heard of Chon you should really give them a listen, the lead guitarist, Mario, is certain to be recognized as one of the greatest guitarists on the scene right now.

Town Portal

Chronopoly (2012)
Bandcamp 

Math metal from the earliest stages of the Earth. Beauty amongst molten rock, shifting plates, and violent storms. This Copenhagen instrumental band chose to title their album Chronopoly. I would have to agree that it does quite dominate all of the chron. Heavy, melodic, progressive, math metal, GET IT.

True Champions Ride on Speed

True Champions Ride on Speed (2010)
Bandcamp 

Pretty ridiculous album art correlates to pretty ridiculous music.  Second track grinds.

Dumb Waiter

Is This Chocolate? (2013)
Bandcamp

 Just released today! This is a great album, really made my shower much more enjoyable this morning. Jazz math rock fusion.

Dionaea

Still (2011)
Bandcamp 


Today I learned that Post Grind exists, where the hell have I been? This is sick check it out. The first song is nearly fifteen minutes long but is jammed packed with just about every genre you can think of. This band gets spacey, eerie, melodic, chaotic, groovy, beaty, and best of all thrashy. 

Monsters of the Antipodes

Houses (2012)
Bandcamp 

Fast paced progressive metal with math rock influences. The second song "Circle Ponies" got me hooked and I just had to head bang through the rest of the album.  You should seriously check this out.

Father Figure

Congratulations on Your Loss (2012)
Bandcamp

"We are a four piece 'Jazz/Prog' instrumental fusion, paving new sonic pathways with odd meters and psychedelia, while paying tribute to more antiquated striations in movement and sound. Our main focus is being true to our shared musical connectivity, while bringing something dense, constructive, and original to a familiar and tangible flavor."

Jakub Żytecki

Demos 2010
RGhost 


Incredible musician from Poland, his music is a woven blend of jazz and metal styles. The music feels godlike and divine, the guitarist's talent is just off the charts. He seems to be rather unheard off, I hope he plans to release more music but I believe this is all there is, but it is more than enough to start with. The production quality is amazing considering its only a demo.

Myspace

Depths

Pizza Party EP (2012)
Bandcamp 

Shout out to I Just Got This Blog Goin' for finding this, awesome djent style instrumental band that incorporates hardcore style. Mg favorite track is the second one entitled "USG Ishimura."   Name your price!

Kit Fisto

      II (2011)
      Bamdcamp





This three song EP is incredible! I had the biggest smile on my face listening to the last song. After the final song ended, I was curious what the title of such a song might be, and I wasn't even surprised when I saw it was called "The Pursuit of Hapiness."  Awesome, powerful, uplifting, feel good progressive metal, fo free.

Io

Io (2012)
Bandcamp 

I'm a fan of all the jazz and progressive metal fusions that are hitting the scene, it just might be the next big thing. This band certainly does it well, and I believe this is just their first release.  Awesome album artwork.

 

Fall of Enosis

Empty Throne (2010)
Mediafire 

Heavy as hell with some very interesting breakdowns and experimentation.  Mac you were right this band's pretty awesome, here's a link if you don't have one.

Cold Night For Alligators

Singular Patterns (2012)
Bandcamp 

Cold Night For Alligators is a brutal djent style band that will often surprise you with unexpected experimentation. There's even a part with heavy guitar riffs backed by ambient dub experimentation. These guys deserve some love, so check them out and spread this album to your friends!

The Faceless

Autotheism (2012)
Mediafire 

New Faceless dropped today! I will be seeing this band tomorrow along with a few others at the Summer Slaughter, I'll be sure to let you know how it goes.

*Concert was raw, if you get the chance go see this band, and any other band that was on the Summer Slaughter tour, or is it the Summer's Laughter?

Cloudkicker

Fade (2012)
Bandcamp 

Ben Sharp is back again with his fifth full length album entitled Fade. This man is constantly redefining his sound, from the heavy and emotion packed album Beacons to the feel good shoegaze of Let Yourself Be Huge, he now releases a uniquely progressive album that seems to have a little of both. This is one of my top favorite bands, one of the bands on this blog that I would highly recommend listening to. Check out my older posts here to find the full Cloudkicker discography, you HAVE to hear Beacons.

Ben does a AMA on the post-rock subreddit here: Reddit

Bend the Sky

Origins (2012)
 Bandcamp

A symphony orchestra of metal, guaranteed to make your head bang on first listen. This album was just released this month for a pay as you go price on bandcamp.

The Faceless

Planetary Duality (2008)
 Mediafire

 Akeldama (2006)
Rapidshare

High probability of melting your face off, The Faceless are playing on this year's Summer Slaughter Tour and plan to release a new album on August 14th, one day before the Detroit show. Here we have their two previous releases, see you at The Slaughter!