The Northern Ontario Black Metal Preservation Society
Who?
David Gold (Woods Of Ypres, ex-Thrawsunblat) and Aaron Palmer (ex-Woods Of Ypres, ex-Arkayic Revolt) unfurling some frozen northern black metal from the icy bowels of Canada.
What Does It Sound Like?
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2cG-sYrtJk[/youtube]
Is The Band Still Around?
No, considering David Gold passed away in 2011. The project began in 2008 and only released on two-song EP titled Future Northern Prosperity before Gold's tragic death in 2011. You can still digitally purchase the EP on the band's Bandcamp page and listen to both of the songs, which frankly are and will forever be awesome.
Barren Earth
Who?
Sami Yli-Sirniö (Kreator, Waltari) and Janne Perttilä (Põhjast, Rytmihäiriö), bassist Olli-Pekka Laine (ex-Amorphis, Mannhai), drummer Marko Tarvonen (Moonsorrow, October Falls), keyboardist Kasper Mårtenson (Turisas [live], ex-Amorphis) and vocalist Jón Aldará (Clouds, Hamferð) being the best damn progressive doom metal unit humanly possible.
What Does It Sound Like?
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqqmQTCqz-o[/youtube]
Is The Band Still Around?
Yes! The band has been consistently putting out albums since 2010, and with three under its belt Barren Earth is finally getting the recognition it truly deserves. The band just put out On Lonely Towers this year and it's untouchably good!
Become a more barren person by following the group on Facebook and picking up their music via Century Media here (and the old stuff via Peaceville).
Wisdom Of Crowds
Who?
Jonas Renkse (Katatonia, Bloodbath) and Bruce Soord (The Pineapple Thief) peddling their particular brand of off-kilter, melancholy rock.
What Does It Sound Like?
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P66D8U7xxh8[/youtube]
Is The Band Still Around?
Yes! The duo only has one self-titled album released in 2013 to its name currently, though there have been rumblings of a new record from both Renkse and Soord over the course of the past year. So go ahead and the follow the band on Facebook and don't hesitate to grab yourself a physical copy of the record from KScope!
Doom:VS
Who?
Johan Ericson (Draconian, Shadowgarden) doing everything he can be a mournfully slow, one-man doom machine.
What Does It Sound Like?
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWiMQIuJGQY[/youtube]
Is The Band Still Around?
I think so? Doom:VS is listed as active on Encyclopaedia Metallum and there hasn't been any announcements of it ending, though Doom:VS has been dead silent since its release of Earthless in 2014. No Facebook updates, nothin'. I'd imagine Ericson is very, very busy with Draconian!
Doom:VS is glooming up Facebook here and provides with the world with slowness via Solitude Productions.
Hayaino Daisuki
Who?
Vocalist Jon Chang (Gridlink, ex-Discodance Axis), Takafumi Matsubara (Gridlink, ex-Mortalized), bassist Teddy Patterson III (ex-Burnt By The Sun, ex-Gridlink) and drummer Eric Schnee (Organ Dealer, ex-Paria) spewing  some insane, high-powered grindcore that felt like power metal on steroids and cocaine.
What Does It Sound Like?
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Q4aMQKpwIE[/youtube]
Is The Band Still Around?
No. Due to Matusbara's brain infection that has possibly left him unable to play guitar ever again, the fact that the project hasn't done anything in five years and the band's lack of presence online at all, I think it's safe to assume Hayaino Daisuki has been finished for a little while.
You can purchase the band's music digitally or physically on its Bandcamp page.
Necromancing The Stone
Who?
Guitarist James Malone (Arsis, Vermithrax), drummer Jeramie Kling (The Absence, Infernaeon), bassist Bart Williams (ex-The Black Dahlia Murder, ex-Ninety Minute Reflex), guitarist Justin Wood and vocalist John Williams throwing it back to the days of classic heavy metal.
What Does It Sound Like?
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFtlSC_4iZE[/youtube]
Is The Band Still Around?
Yes! The band only has one three-song EP out right now called Before The Devil Knows You're Dead released in 2014 and we've heard rumors of a full-length coming out in the future as well… you're just going to have to take our word for it!
Follow the band on Facebook for further updates and don't forget to grab yourself a digital copy of Before The Devil Knows You're Dead on Bandcamp!
