The Live Lights

Origin:  Texas
Genre: Alternative / Rock
Recent Release: Self-titled album








The Live Lights are a band that plays a softer kind of rock (compared to the metal content I have posted thus far) but are far from being poppy. They explore a lot of different background sounds synched with their main rock foundation. It's different at first, but its pretty easy to get hooked on. But this is what gives this band their unique sound. I would place their sound somewhere in between RIBS and The Most Serene Republic. I can even sense a bit of British flavour in their music.

My favourite song of theirs is "Song For Strangers". An incredibly catchy tune that's easy to get into. Also check out "Lights Out" for more Live Lights goodness.

http://www.myspace.com/thelivelights

Pelican

Origin:  Chicago, Illinois
Genre:  Rock / Instrumental / Experimental
Recent Release:  What We All Come To Need






Pelican, like Co-pilot, plays mostly instrumental songs that don't contain vocals. You will also notice their songs are very long and mix a blend of softer and harder rock tunes. Having long songs can be a bad thing, but because the transitions are smooth and the flow is meaningful you will hardly notice the time fly.

So if you are interested in instrumentals check out these songs: "Lost In The Headlights", "The Creeper", "Dead Between The Walls", and "Last Day Of Winter"

http://www.myspace.com/pelican
http://www.pelicansong.com

Alaskan

Origin:  Ottawa, Ontario
Genre:  Metal / Hardcore
Recent Release:  The Weak & The Wounded







Alaskan is another intense metal band with a powerful sound and angry screaming vocals. So a warning, this is not for the faint at heart. Their style is very much akin to Mountains Unfold and Le Kraken, so if you liked them then Alaskan should be easy to get into.

Be aware that in some of their songs they use some weird (very weird) sound bites from some show or movie. I found these to be quite annoying and tend to just skip over them. Check out songs "Bludgeon", "Epicurus", and "Greed and Grievance". Give them a few listens and you should be into this band as much as I am.

http://www.myspace.com/alaskanband

The Most Serene Republic

Origin:  Milton, Ontario
Genre:  Alternative / Rock
Recent Release:  Fantasick Impossibliss









Here's a band a bit different from the others I have posted thus far. If you're a fan of Arcade Fire then I'm almost certain you will like The Most Serene Republic. They have a similar style and vibe, they are a large group which introduces various different (non-traditional) instruments playing a softer almost folk-like type of rock. Typically I wouldn't bother with this style, but their songs are pretty catchy and easy to digest.

Listen to the songs "Photocall" and "Jelly Chamber" to get an idea what The Most Serene Republic is all about.

http://www.myspace.com/themostserenerepublic

Dance Electric

Origin:  Mississauga, Ontario
Genre:  Punk / Rock









When I hear the name Dance Electric a punk band does not come to mind, more like something poppy. But these guys are far from any first impressions you may have.

Now I'm not normally a punk fan, as you can probably tell by the bands I have posted thus far, but these guys stand out from the other punk bands I've listened to. They definitely play a punk style with frantic fast paced jams and some crazy hardcore vocals (aka screaming). But they also seem to have a rock undertone which gives their sound purpose and flow. It's not just random sounds and screams.

The first song you must listen to is "Us vs. Them". This song is just unbelievably amazing. You just have to hear it. After listening to it I started liking these guys. Their other songs are not as good by comparison but are still good songs in general. Also check out "Wall Street Dracula" and "Stigmata Baby".

http://www.myspace.com/danceelectric

Gang of Coyotes

Origin:  Mississauga, Ontario
Genre:  Alternative / Rock
Recent Release:  FRNDS








Gang of Coyotes is a band new to the scene and as I write they are just preparing to release their first album. It's hard for me to describe their style in words but I'll try my best. They have a more laid back style playing cool smooth vibes not overpowering intensity. They have a bit of punk influence but on a much more tame level. They play a softer style rock but nothing resembling poppy.

I could try to compare them to some other bands, but I don't want to butcher that. You're better off sampling their music to understand their style. Check out songs "Monsters (Side A)" and "Monsters (Side B)" and judge for yourself if this is a style to your liking.

http://www.myspace.com/gangofcoyotes
http://www.gangofcoyotes.co.nr/ 

Milanku

Origin:  Montreal, Quebec
Genre:  Metal / Instrumental / Hardcore







Milanku is another metal hardcore band hailing from Montreal. Montreal is another city, like Toronto, that has a very strong and talented indie scene. Milanku is just another example of this.

Milanku plays a similar style as Co-pilot, in that their songs are for the most part instrumental, i.e. void of vocals. They start off with a slow quiet pace and build and build to a heavier louder sound more typical to metal standards. This band is more hardcore than Co-pilot as their songs progress to more heavier thrashing sounds with some traditional metal screaming. Might be a little different at first, but they have produced some amazing songs that blend the best of both extremes.

Check out songs "Sournoisement" and "Masse Synchronisee". I never bothered to check what the titles mean, but who cares when its some kick-ass music.

http://www.myspace.com/milanku

Beautiful Nothing

Origin:  Toronto, Ontario
Genre:  Alternative / Rock
Recent Release:  The Fruits of Youth








Beautiful Nothing is a tough band to label. They mix some soft acoustic-like songs, with some punk inspired songs, with some harder more catchy rock songs. From looking at their myspace page and seeing them live I can tell that they take their music seriously, like any other band, but still want to have fun with it. That is why they are able to take their music to many different styles without things sounding chaotic. Random might be a good word to describe them, cause you never know what to expect from the next song.

As for songs, I recommend you start off with "Crazy Tiger" and "Music Sells T-shirts". These are two great rock hits with greats beats that make them easy to enjoy. Next check out "Living For Tomorrow" for a more poppy flavoured song which is still pretty good.

http://www.myspace.com/beautifulnothing

c0ndu1t

Origin:  Burlington, Ontario
Genre:  Industrial
Recent Release:  c0ndu1t














I would classify c0ndu1t under the same genre as NIN, combining electronica with rock/metal. Its electronic music with a very dark presence; none of that poppy crap. That pretty much describes the band so I'll move onto the songs.

C0ndu1t's remix of Protest the Hero's "Sequoia Throne" is their first song I heard and what really got me into liking them. This song is simply amazing. Its fast paced, got a techno'ish background beat, and a metal flare on top that's right in your face. For their own songs I would start out with "Unfortunate", "Part of the Show", "Pill" and move onto the rest from there.

http://www.myspace.com/c0ndu1t

Le Kraken

Origin:  Montreal, Quebec
Genre:  Metal / Hardcore
Recent Release:  Exalt













Angry, raw, loud, gritty, and French (or at least I think it's French)? These are 4 or 5 words I would use to describe Le Kraken. Here is another heavy metal band not for the faint at heart. They pull off some intense sounds and metal screaming. Now if it were possible to make out the words to whatever he was saying I would let you know if lyrics are French or English. My guess is both.

"Archipel" and "Palimpseste" are two of my favourite songs from the Exalt album. They are both powerful and dark but also bring a great beat that just makes you want to head bang. "Aparte" is a cool instrumental song acting almost like an intermission between the first and second half of the album. Check this song out if you're not into the heavier affair.

http://www.myspace.com/krakenrockmusic