Bands To Look Out For In 2015 // By Lotty Whittingham

2014 has provided me with the ideal opportunity to witness, hear and experience the latest […]

January 4, 2015

2014 has provided me with the ideal opportunity to witness, hear and experience the latest sounds in the Metal community. Whether these acts are signed or not, I would like to share with you some of those that have highlighted my year and that I think you should keep a careful eye out for. These bands could be right on your doorstep.

This year I was pleased to find that Brighton, UK is one of the ideal breeding grounds for the best underground metal; the first one to capture my attention was Technical Death Metal quintet HOLE IN THE SKY. I first witnessed them cause carnage and mayhem at Falmerfest which of course took place in Brighton on my birthday weekend. The way they capture their audiences with their aggressive yet amusingly titled songs such as "The Witch's Ballbag" and a prominent front man that would make any metal head bow before him, to say they will turn heads is an understatement.

Another lot from Brighton that impress me with their live shows every time is Progressive Doom Metal outfit KING GOAT. I mentioned in a previous review that Doom Metal was starting to become a favourite genre of mine, well KING GOAT are the reasoning behind this. I had the pleasure of catching them live at a friend's recommendation and they had me speechless from the word go. Everything from the haunting atmosphere reinforced by the incense stick on the end of the bass guitar to the entrancing melodies that will capture your soul wherever you happen to be, KING GOAT have a solid package. With an appearance at this year's Bloodstock Festival on the New Blood Stage under their belts, things can only get better from here.

Whilst we are still on the subject of Kings from Brighton, let me tell you about another. They come to us in the form of Melodic Death Metal quartet KING LEVIATHAN. Their music and shows provide us with fist pumping, foot stomping and head banging melodies that sit well with its loyal community and new fans such as myself. They are set to open up Metal Temple Festival next year on Sunday 15[sup]th[/sup] March, it would be a mistake to miss them.

A dark powerful storm has descended over Eastbourne in the form of Black Metal force VEHEMENT; taking a mixture of influences from bands such as Black Metal titans EMPEROR,VEHEMENT certainly don't need to mess around with stage tricks and corpse paint. They rely on the music they create and the chaos that comes with it. Their live performances leave a trail of destruction and misery, in Black Metal terms that's a compliment. If you wish to experience this Metal annihilation I strongly recommend checking them out.

I am feeling "Evil & Divine" with this next band and they are multinational Melodic Metal outfit EDEN'S CURSE. After witnessing their live show at The Underworld, Camden I have been hooked since. The group consists of endowed individuals from Thorsten Kohene (a.k.a. Germany's answer to JIMI HENDRIX) to the keymaster Steve Williamswhose chord and tunes provide a strong back bone to the group. I'm just ashamed it's taken me this long to find the spell that EDEN'S CURSE has bestowed upon me. With a new album release in 2015 it would be a foolish mistake not to look out for them.

Australian Hard Rock quartet MASSIVE are storming onto the scene like a hurricane. With their debut album released and nominated for Best New Band from Classic Rock they are certainly doing well for themselves already. They provide the perfect old school rock show via their live performances and give you the perfect excuse to let of steam in the form of their album "Full Throttle". If you would like to experience brilliant riffs and solos from Mr Ben Laguda (a.k.a Australia's answer to SLASH), brilliant rock tunes you can let your hair down to and fantastic shows then this is the band for you.

Providing you with some of the greatest Melodic Metal anthems that will sit well at arenas and stadiums, NEONFLY are turning heads in the metal community. I first witnessed them supporting Power Metal titans DRAGONFORCE; their passionate stage presence and fantastic music stood out in their performance. With their brand new album "Strangers In Paradise" making it to my top ten albums of 2014 I believe they will be a success in the new year.

I will now tell you of a brutal metal calling that are only on my doorstep; they are Death/Thrash Metal outfit LAID WASTED and they will bring pandemonium and chaos to a music venue near you. With this group you get the whole package of what you'd expect from a metal show; a bat shit crazy front man, some crazy heavy tunage provided with dirty guitars and thunderous drums that will shatter windows. I recommend experiencing their live show.

Another incredible band that are just on my doorstep are Melodic Death Metal quartet NEFARIOUS; watching them conquer the stage as the supported rising Thrash Metal stars SAVAGE MESSIAH was an epic treat for 2014. With their brutal beats, slick guitars and an energetic frontman whose dynamism passes round the venue like an infectious virus; things can only get better for this quartet.

Last but certainly not least I was lucky enough to catch Swedish Alternative Rock outfit SHERLOCK BROTHERS. I first caught a glimpse of them when they supported their fellow rockers H.E.A.T and I was completely taken by their high energy performance consisting of melodies that make you want to dance, beautiful guitar work and contagious vocals that are enough to make any rock chick swoon. I recommend checking out these Swedish rockers.