UNSIGNED AND UNHOLY: TOWN PORTAL, ANURYZM, SHTURM, A LITTLE BITTER

I’ve got some really special unsigned picks for you this week. I know what you’re thinking: “But your taste in music is impeccable, Vince, and your picks are great EVERY week!” I know, I know, I know! It’s tough being me and having to out-do myself every week, but just you wait until you hear this new music from Town Portal, Anuryzm, Shturm and A Little Bitter.

• Town Portal: Kind of like a stonier version of Scale the Summit. Big, circular, loping major-key guitar riffs and proggy, off-time drum beats… just fuzzier and stonier.

• Anuryzm: Atmospheric prog metal akin to Porcupine Tree or Opeth’s quieter side. This United Arab Emirates-based band’s debut album features Martin Lopez (Ex-Opeth, Ex-Amon Amarth) on drums and features a guest performance on one track by Textures keyboardist Uri Dijk.

• Shturm: “Solitude Beside,” this Russian band’s single — streaming below — gets off to a weird start. But stick with it, because things get interesting in a hurry. Shturm play some kind of unique hybrid of black metal, thrash and melodeath that’s got my head banging and definitely earns points in the “different” category.

• A Little Bitter: “Battle Song” reminds me of like a modern heavy metal version of Candlebox or something. And as one of the world’s only true lovers of Candlebox, I mean that in a good way.

-VN