Frequently we will stumble on a band that for whatever reason or another has yet to be
signed by a major label. When we say MAJOR LABEL, we mean that in the heavy metal use of
the term. For instance, one would think of Capital, Columbia, MCA, etc. when the words
MAJOR LABEL come to mind. In the heavy metal universe, a MAJOR LABEL would mean labels
like Massacre, Century Media, SPV, Nuclear Blast, AFM, Metal Blade, Limb, Sanctuary, etc.
Last year seemed to be the year of the indy release, with a ton of great bands releasing
self-financed records that in some cases rivaled releases from the bigger metal labels of
the world. With this new regime of indy madness, we have broken down the lot a bit and
showed you the bands that we would like to see signed, and which label we feel the band's
work belongs on.
CATCH 22 - This ferocious metal act dazzled the metal legions with their
2003 release "Awaken", bringing to mind 80s top-rung acts such as Savatage and
Overkill but mixing in their own modern sounds, creating a lethal formula that devastated
newer fans and pleased fans of the old world. Catch 22 are a fairly young group with three
professional recordings notched in their gunbelts, making them prime-time catches for just
the right promoter. These guys can be marketed in the same way as newer, popular bands
like Cage, Nevermore, Brainstorm, etc., keeping the modern doses of ground and pound, but
making it powerful enough to reach the classic audience. Century Media has proved to be
the label to do that, but in 2004 they look to be adding more death metal clones of In
Flames and Morbid Angel, and don't seem too impressed with many power metal acts right
now. This leaves the door open for Nuclear Blast, who still display the traditional metal
flag in all its glory (Edguy, Helloween, Manowar). The same can be said for smaller labels
like AFM, Limb, and even Massacre if the dollar amount works out. It's time for someone to
take a chance on these fine Americans. Nuclear Blast, AFM, Limb, or Massacre. All are good
choices for this group.
CIRCLE OF NERO - Trendy Nu metal is dying in the charts, but it's no
reason for modern sounding metal which weaves its way down the fine line between metal
genres of Nu, Prog, and Thrash to be dropped by the wayside. Circle covers a lot of ground
with their stutter bass and vocalist Gary McCaffery's lucid switching between a
Pantera-type growl and higher pitched Manson. Any fan of modern, heavy bass,
rhythm-oriented metal should do well with Circle of Nero and their amalgamated sound.
These guys from VA can appeal to more than a niche audience and should be recognized be a
label with ties to a more modern sound.
CONQUEST - Look out Godsmack, the new breed of crushing groove has
arrived. For those young fans that roam America's plains, delving into the mess that is
Godsmack, Linkin Park, Limp Bizkit, etc., there is now a new contender to smack those
heavy metal ropes. No more will the masses "unrock" to the likes of trendy,
"too uptight", talentless acts that make their money and take their toll on
America's youth, all forging ahead to tap the life and money from the real deal, bands
like Conquest, who break their backs making their own way, never following, always
innovating, taking the brutal chug-chug riff to the next realm of possibility, combining
Pantera, Priest, and power metal in a bone-crushing display of raw aggression. That is if
we can get some record exec out there to take a look at this band. Conquest are better
than Pantera, better than Damageplan, and better than the entire Roadrunner roster
combined. Lets make way for the new kings of pain, Conquest! So, lets see, now with the
ultimate introduction behind us, who can promote Conquest and move records for them? I
think the best choice here is Sanctuary. They have no problem with groove riffs, just look
at their roster which contains Super Joint Ritual, Jack Frost, Seven Witches, and Pissing
Razors. If that doesn't work, stick these guys with Century Media or even Nuclear Blast.
Forget labels like Limb, Remedy, and AFM because Conquest are going to be too damn heavy
for that. Stick to Sanctuary, Century Media, Nuclear Blast, or if push comes to shove, SPV
could be a home.
FRAISE - This young metal group from Sweden shows an extreme amount of
passion for the power metal genre. On their debut, indy pressed album
"Hellicornia", Fraise showoff an amazing ability to bring the sounds of German
power to the forefront, mad-dashing to the finish line with the likes of early Helloween,
Gamma Ray, Reactor, and even the early stages of Scanner. This band's future is certainly
full of promise, but a great deal of intrigue as well, with the right label or contact
making or breaking this band it is hard to say what the future will hold. It will be hard
for them to achieve immediate success doing their own promotion and financing, but with
the right label relationship, this band could be huge. I say Limb, SPV, Nuclear Blast,
could do great things for these guys. The most popular choice here, however, is Shark or
AFM, both which specialize in this sensational epic power sound. The labels should get on
board with "Hellicornia" since the album is brand spankin' new, and a real
keeper in the long run. I honestly believe you will see this album issued again later this
year on a "real" label.
JOHNNY LOKKE - Winter's Bane came and went. War Machine doesn't even look
like it will ever happen. The beast-like machine that was Wade Black and Seven Witches is
over. Agent Steel aren't doing anything remotely interesting right now. We don't even have
new Steel Prophet, Destiny's End, Crimson Glory, or Exciter material to cherish. Johnny
Lokke is all that is left, and in my opinion, should be all that one needs to fill the
void left when Priest and Maiden take their long vacations, or put out bad albums,
whichever comes first so to speak. Johnny Lokke is a talented, mostly one man metal
project that delivers the goods, speeding along like a bullet train aimed at the heart of
80s metal, Lokke bringing the noise like Rob Halford, Wade Black, and Tim Owens, hell-bent
for leather in all its shining glory. Putting out two awe-inspiring records and a
wonderful set of cover tunes that sees Lokke running the show, stepping up to the plate
and belting out classic tunes from his vision of the "metal gods". Now, with a
sort of absence right now for US/Canadian traditional metal, and all of the MTV/mainstream
publicity focusing all efforts on the next In Flames/Morbid Angel clone, Johnny Lokke is
pumping out fistfulls of good, hard working, blue collar metal, loud and proud &
forever free. Now, with Johnny Lokke proving he can put two very good back to back records
out, its time for label negotiations. I think Sanctuary is the place for this, with that
group seeming to focus attention to the high screams and melodic riffs that go with it.
Sanctuary/Noise have signed Seven Witches, Jack Frost, and Halford of all things, making
Johnny Lokke a nice fit to the roster. If that doesn't work, Nuclear Blast have had
success with Helloween and Primal Fear, which may work to Lokke's advantage. As a last
resort, AFM (U.D.O, Annihilator, Masterplan) could work, or even Limb.
SELFINFLICTED - Though the name suggests it, SelfInflicted is hardly
content to cause themselves harm. They come out from the opening to pound you through
round after round of modern metal with big slamming basslines and heavy throttling
guitars. Right when you think you have the patterns figured out, they take you off your
step with more bludgeoning riffs. It's a little disconcerting how the music can switch and
knock you in other looping directions each time you start to get your bearings. The
vocals, likewise, are also freed from the usual constraints of metal structure with some
looser delivery from lead vocalist Rob Berard. These guys pack a heavy punch a may do well
under a label that knows how to promote modern, sometimes quirky-paced metal.
SUPERVILLAIN - Hard rock is starting to come back around, as is the doom
genre that has been dormant for so long. New York doomers Supervillain are the logical
choice to carry this sound into the big-time. They have terrific vocals, great chemistry,
a pounding metal attitude, and a sure fire way to please all the metal maniacs out there,
ranging from the KISS soldiers to the Black Sabbath army that seems to have made its way
back out of the trenches. Even your hardcore and grunge fans will find something to like
here, with Supervillain reminding us why Soundgarden and Life Of Agony were cool. With
only one demo recorded, these guys are ready to be signed! So the question to ask now is,
which chef can serve up this nice dish? Well, Earache Records looks like they are in the
mood for doom, signing doom front-runners Cathedral for their last album. A smaller label
out there called Dead Teenager showcased the fantastic debut of Dirty Power while Nuclear
Blast unveiled their wicked monster last year with the Sabbath worship of Fireball
Ministry, and their debut record which made it all the way to Headbanger's Ball. I think
the logical fit here would be Nuclear Blast or Dead Teenager, both whom seem to show
genuine affection for this type of sound. If that falls through, possibly someone like
Century Media, who released three Marauder albums.
WINDSEEKER - Starting out as a classic power metal band, the
Italian-based Windseeker went through line-up change after line-up change until they
finally became what they are today, a power-thrash band with the sound of a young Iced
Earth with melodic influences from Maiden. Their lead guitar riffs are usually slower than
the backing rhythms which gives you a chance mentally to relax and get into the songs on a
listenable level. Regardless of a low-quality mixed demo, their demo "By the Seed of
the Same God" was surprisingly good. A good Euro-power metal label, maybe AFM
or Limb, could mold help pull these guys up to the next level.
WOLFS MOON - Man, will someone please take a chance on these guys! Wolfs
Moon plays the ultimate German power, keeping the pace of Grave Digger, Paragon, and
Accept while throwing out creative sci-fi storylines ala Primal Fear and Metalium. Wolfs
Moon is pure magic, with plenty of guitar frenzy that blends Overkill, Grave Digger,
Priest, and Sabbath in one entertaining batch of tunes that have been refreshing and
creative over all five professional albums. Having self-produced, self-recorded, and
self-promoted all of their work thus far, the load finally needs to be taken off the guys.
Let them concentrate on making quality music and leave the rest of the business to the
suit and tie guys that do it best. Best bets for Wolfs Moon are Remedy Records, which
shows a true passion for the gritty German sound, Iron Glory who manage the same type of
roster, and Limb who have signed other great power acts like Cryonic Temple, Gun Barrel,
and Dungeon.