5 Bands/Artists You Should Be Following (#22)

1. 7 Stone Riot

Rock music from Alabama. For fans of Pearl Jam, Fuel, Like a Storm, etc. 7 Stone Riot released their Scratching the Surface EP earlier this year (read my review), and they have since been playing shows in support of the album. Check out “Buried” and “Talking in Circles.”

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2. Aboleth

Stoner/blues/desert/dirt metal from California. For fans of Janis Joplin, Led Zeppelin (if they had a female vocalist), Queens of the Stone Age, The Pretty Reckless, etc. Aboleth released their debut album Benthos back in May. Here are two tracks I’m rather fond of: “No Good” and “Wovenloaf.”

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3. Zombiesuckers

Horror punk from Sweden. For fans of The Misfits, The Murderdolls, Rancid, etc. Zombiesuckers have not been very active lately. However, they did post from their Facebook that there might be new music in 2018. Fingers crossed! For now, though, enjoy “I Turned Into a Monster” and “Endless Sleep” (ft. Michale Graves).

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4. Salems Lott

Shock metal from Hollywood, California. For fans of X Japan, Black Veil Brides, Mötley Crüe, etc. Salems Lott released Mask of Morality this year and have since enjoyed quite a bit of favorable press in regard to the album. Listen to “Shattered to Pieces” and “Royal Desperado,” both from this latest record.

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5. Famous Last Words

Post-hardcore/metal from Michigan. For fans of Falling in Reverse, Pierce the Veil, Asking Alexandria, etc. Famous Last Words is touring with Escape the Fate and Slaves, and they are also busy in the studio! Check out “The Show Must Go On” and “Pretty in Porcelain.”

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5 Bands/Artists You Should Be Following (#15)

1. Sisters Doll

A rock band from Australia. For fans of Poison, Thin Lizzy, the New York Dolls, etc. Sisters Doll just re-launched their single “Strutt,” and their album All Dolled Up is available now. Check out “Strutt” and “Good Day To Be Alive.”

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2. Sinful Lilly

Alternative/Hard rock from Kentucky. For fans of Rob Zombie, Alice Cooper, Wednesday 13, etc. Sinful Lilly has a few upcoming shows with Beasto Blanco, and they recently released their single “Wait Your Turn.” You can get their album, Moment of Clarity, on their official site. Sinful Lilly have also contributed to tributes for Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Aerosmith, and more.

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3. Daze of June

Melodic Metal/Hardcore from Denmark. For fans of Five Finger Death Punch, All That Remains, Killswitch Engage, etc. Daze of June will be supporting Northlane on August 15th. Listen to “It Stays” and the title track from their album Heart of Silver.

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4. AsFireFalls

Hard Rock/Electronic/Post-Hardcore from Idaho. For fans of Asking Alexandria, Blessthefall, I See Stars, etc. AsFireFalls is currently on the road. They will be playing JoshuaFest this year. Here are “World in Grey” and “Glass Skeleton.”

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5. Silent Theory

Hard rock from Idaho. For fans of Breaking Benjamin, Trivium, Tremonti, etc. Silent Theory will be playing Rockin’ on the River in Clarkston, WA, on July 28th. Their newest album, Delusions, is available on iTunes. Check out “Watch Me Burn” and “Fragile Minds.”

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5 Bands/Artists You Should Be Following (#11)

1. KAATO

A rock band hailing from Australia and Tennessee. For fans of classic rock such as Tom Petty, Rod Stewart, The Black Crowes, etc. Check out “High Time” from KAATO’s self-titled album.

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2. Awake At Last

A dark pop/hard rock/post-hardcore band from Delaware. For fans of Crown the Empire, Ice Nine Kills, Get Scared, etc. Awake At Last will be hitting the road in early July, including a few dates on Vans Warped Tour. Here are “King of the World” and “Never Be A Memory.”

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3. Relapse Symphony

A rock band from Washington DC. For fans of Black Veil Brides, Vampires Everywhere!, I Prevail, etc. Relapse Symphony is busy working on new things; meanwhile, vocalist Bret Von Dehl has released an EP with his side project, Heathens. Listen to “One More Yesterday” and “Born To Burn.”

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4. Betrayer (UK)

A hardcore band from England. For fans of Slipknot, Hatebreed, Killswitch Engage, etc. Betrayer’s EP, Body of Integrity, will be released on June 28th. Check out the first two singles from the EP, “Integrity” and “Embodiment.”

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5. Badflower

A rock band from California. For fans of Led Zeppelin, Greta Van Fleet, The Band, etc. Badflower is currently on the road. Listen to their latest single, “Ghost,” and my favorite of their songs, “The Jester.”

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Playlist Challenge, Day 406

My Chemical Romance — “Thank You For The Venom”

Playlist Challenge, Day 404

My Chemical Romance — “Famous Last Words”

Bands You Should Know: Hot Gospel

Hot Gospel reached out to me via Instagram, requesting that I give them a listen. What they didn’t know is…they were already on my list of bands to check out. Based on my love of Asking Alexandria, Every Time I Die, and others, Hot Gospel seemed to fit the bill nicely.

I jumped on YouTube and listened to the songs available there, just to get a taste. I started with “Thanks For The Blood.” The opening riff hooked me immediately, and while I fully appreciate the growling screams, the clean vocals were very nice, reminiscent of early era M. Shadows (Avenged Sevenfold) mixed with Ben Bruce (Asking Alexandria). Honestly, the track filled me with the urge to dive into a mosh pit.

I followed the link to their Bandcamp for more. The best thing about Hot Gospel, in my humble opinion, is the fact that they don’t fall into the standard metal/hardcore sound. Many bands tend to become complacent, but thus far, Hot Gospel is nowhere close. They include the elements of several genres, then add their own unique twist to tie it all together.

I would highly recommend Hot Gospel to anyone who appreciates a fresh approach to a favorite genre. The band is currently recording a new EP, to be released in August/September. A single and music video will be out even sooner, so keep your eyes peeled; you know I’ll be sharing it here!

Check out the songs below and be sure to visit Hot Gospel on Facebook, Instagram, Spotify, and their official site. If you sign up for their mailing list, you will get free stuff and merch discount codes!

5 Bands/Artists You Should Be Following (#6)

1. Midnight Blackout

A post hardcore/math rock band from France. For fans of Every Time I Die, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Converge, etc. You can listen to their debut EP, Hangover, on Spotify or YouTube. For a taste of what you can expect, check out “Lorenzo.”

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2. Amerakin Overdose

AOD is a mix of industrial, hard rock, metal, and even a bit of pop. They hail from Oregon. For fans of Nine Inch Nails, Mushroomhead, Static-X, etc. Amerakin Overdose will be hitting the road for a summer tour, kicking off June 29th. Here is my favorite song from them, “Letting Go.”

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3. Advocates

A hard rock/metal/post hardcore band from Australia. For fans of early Atreyu, Memphis May Fire, Blessthefall, etc. Check out “Destructive Tendencies” from 2016’s The Complex Truth.

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4. Values

A melodic metal/hardcore band from the UK. For fans of early Asking Alexandria, Mastodon, Beartooth, etc. Listen to the latest single, “Hopeless,” below!

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5. Marquis of Vaudeville

A truly unique band from Dallas. Best described as alternative/carnivalesque rock/psychedelic punk cabaret. I don’t know how to do a “for fans of,” but perhaps I can say if you liked the music from The Devil’s Carnival, or just Emilie Autumn, you’ll like Marquis of Vaudeville. I’m sharing the first song I listened to, and I highly encourage you to check out more.

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