also Temnozor is quite ok at some moments

except for these 2 bands there is a strong black metal scene in Russia and Ukraine (which I am pretty sure sounds like “in Russia and on Mars” to you Americans) so go on and check Lucifugum, Dub-Buk, Nokturnal Mortuum just to name a few

http://www.myspace.com/seducersembrace

Some decent melodic death

http://www.myspace.com/alleyroad

1659 bands according to the metal archives!

Slezy http://www.myspace.com/slezi
OK-ish metalcore that kicks ass live

Inexist http://www.myspace.com/inexistband
Your Russian In-Flames if you will

Catharsis http://www.myspace.com/catharsisofficial
Sypho metal stuff if there are any fans of this

Rasta http://www.myspace.com/rastabelarus
OK, so they are actually Belorussian but who can tell the difference here, right? :)

No Emotions http://www.myspace.com/noemotionswill
Nice tech black-death metal

Mazzar Records http://www.myspace.com/mazzarrecords
The biggest label dealing with metal in Russia

One more, Serdce http://www.myspace.com/serdceband
Simply love them, good tech music

I can go on like this for a long time actually, so tell me if you want this.
The thing is that in Russia itself there’s already somewhat of a market regarding heavy music and many bands are playing music that resembles American and European bands, which is more popular and lets them get some money from touring. I think it’s like in Japan, where there’s a real shitload of bands that are identical to anything you have in the West and are known only yo locals. That’s the effect of having a market. Of course there are good bands too, but you have to look very hard and they are usually not known to many people, because there’s no mass demand in something original. Of course there are bands like Arkona that are riding the pagan wave, adding some local folk flavor, but this happens pretty much all over the globe.

And there’s still the rest of the former Soviet Union, where there’s no market of metal music in its broad sense and where bands strive to be more creative and original just from the simple fact that no one gives a shit about their music and they aren’t doing it for the money. There are many bands in Ukraine, which is actually quite nice to tour, and some good bands in Belarus and Moldova (where I’m from).

If anyone’s interested, I’ll post some links to bands outside Russia that maybe will sound interesting

Unfortunately, all I can find is this fan page with shitty quality. The awesomeness of the music should still come through.

http://www.myspace.com/voskorbyah

http://www.myspace.com/scrambleddefuncts

http://www.myspace.com/uibnoise

Master – Talk of the Devil
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsD2ZrfPNv8

Master – Palachi (Executioners) (in Russian)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpdmKGxryM8&feature=related

Also, Black Obelisk – older stuff is good ol thrash as well.
Black Obeslik – Polnoch (Midnight)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pdz5ucPmr7c

And of course, Russian power metal sensation Epidemia. They are newer, but really technical and overall excellent.

Epidemia – Living in Twilight (english version)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tDFO2s3T3k

There are more…this is just off the top of my head