Some names within the metal community are well-recognized, while others fly a little under the radar despite the fact that you know their band well. So what are these guys and gals doing in the time they're not concentrating on the band that got the limelight pointed in their direction (or after they've moved on from said band)? Being prolific and artsy elsewhere with other musicians, of course!
Whether it's music that can be easily likened to their "main bands" or something a little further out there, we're going to dive into the bands that feature artists you've come to know and love over the years doing something a little different! Ready to have your ears stuffed with some great music?
Scarve
Who?
Drummer Dirk Verbeuren (Soilwork, ex-Aborted), guitarists Sylvain Coudret (Soilwork, ex-Anaon) and Patrick Martin (ex-Phazm), vocalist Lawrence Mackrory (Darkane, ex-Usurpress) and bassist Löic Colin (Indrama, ex-One Way Mirror) bringing forth the melodious heavies.
What Does It Sound Like?
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7QrCgfWET8[/youtube]
Is The Band Still Around?
Maybe. The band still appears to be a little active on its Facebook, and nobody's said anything about the group being over, though the last Scarve record we got was The Undercurrent in 2007.
Grab Scarve's music over at Listenable Records' website.
Svavelvinter
Who?
Christian Älvestam (Miseration, Solution .45) and newcomer guitarist Christian Larsson pumping out melodic death metal-tinged passages, a little black metal and viking riffs.
What Does It Sound Like?
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eN6NF5fUSiY[/youtube]
Is The Band Still Around?
Yes! Älvestam recently posted about Svavelvinter's future on his Facebook, stating that new material was being written for the project and he hopes for a full-length to be released sometime in 2016. Keep up with Svavelvinter on its Facebook page!
You can purchase Svavelvinter's CD via Dimout Productions, though in very limited quantities if they're even still available. Hurry!
Head Control System
Who?
Kristoffer Rygg (Ulver, ex-Borknagar) and Daniel Cardoso (Anathema, ex-Sirius) blurring the line between being heavy, riff-drenched metal and vocally hooky jams catchy enough to land itself on any radio's playlist.
What Does It Sound Like?
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDO-G3hrMmE[/youtube]
Is The Band Still Around?
Probably not. Head Control System put out one fantastic record in 2006 called Murder Nature and then fell silent, possibly forever. The band was signed to The End Records, though it doesn't appear as though they're currently on the roster anymore. Head Control System also has a Facebook that hasn't been updated since 2008 as well.
You can purchase Head Control System's only album via The End Records' store.
Malpractice
Who?
Guitarists Joonas Koto (Omnium Gatherum, ex-HateFrame) and Markus Vanhala (Insomnium, Omnium Gatherum), vocalist Aleksi Parviainen (Soulcage, ex-Euphrosyne), drummer Toni Paananen (Mystic Opera, Hevein) and bassist Jonas Mäki making power metal with a rock n' roll edge.
What Does It Sound Like?
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVA_CFfOJNE[/youtube]
Is The Band Still Around?
Yes! Turning Tides was released in 2014 and is basically the only release from the group that you'll be able to find in stores globally, though the group has been sporadically cranking out awesome music since 1994.
Grab two of the band's albums through Laser CD and be sure to keep up with them on Facebook!
Witherscape
Who?
Dan Swanö (ex-Edge Of Sanity, ex-Bloodbath) on vocals, keyboards and drums, and Ragnar Widerberg (Shadow Quest) on guitar making great progressive-flavored melodic death metal.
What Does It Sound Like?
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVWWEZ46l_M[/youtube]
Is The Band Still Around?
Yes! Witherscape shows no signs of slowing its roll after an album and EP. The duo is scheduled to drop a brand new record within the first half of 2016 and, with the way Widerberg and Swanoö work together, I wouldn't be surprised if they immediately get down to writing even more immediately afterward.
Check out the band's Facebook for more information on the upcoming record and buy their records from Century Media!
Cronian
Who?
Vintersorg (Borknagar, Vintersorg) handling bass, vocals and keyboards and Øystein Garnes Brun (Borknagar, ex-Molested) handling guitars and keyboards. The two combined create a very distinct Norwegian blackened-death-meets-progressive sound.
What Does It Sound Like?
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJjUoO5nDkQ[/youtube]
Is The Band Still Around?
Yes! Cronian has been around for ten years now and has three releases to its name, those being 2006's Terra, 2008's Enterprise and 2013's Erathems. You can follow the band on Facebook and grab physical and digital copies of its newest record on Bandcamp.
