Unsigned and Unholy: Xanthochroid, Fall, Izeovasis

Submissions from unsigned bands swarm the MetalSucks inbox now more than ever, but there continue to be only a small handful of truly good bands out of every hundred serviceable but ultimately mediocre ones. Here are three of my recent favorites.

Xanthochroid play a technical form of extreme metal (but not tech-metal or tech-death!) with a flare for the neo-classical that calls to mind bands like Fleshgod Apocalypse and Behemoth. They’ve got a symphonic element that might turn off a few listeners, but if you’re one of said listeners you probably wouldn’t have been drawn in by the Fleshgod and Behemoth comparisons anyway. Stream new album Blessed He With Boils:

Fall are kind of in the same vein as Xanthochroid, but they swing both heavier and more melodic. “As Rust Collides” is the only song we have to judge by, but these guys sound pretty good and could be worth keeping an eye on if they have more in the tank. They might wanna consider a more SEO-friendly band name, though.

My first experience with techy Bay Area pummelers Izeovasis came when I joined the Metal As Art Tour for a few dares on the West Coast three years back and caught these guys as the local openers. They were also featured on the free Mecha Organa tech metal comp released in 2011. “Simulism” is their latest song, and it’s pretty fucking gnarly: