That’s Steve’s manly beard on the far left!

At this point Scion No Label Needed Contest winners Iron Thrones need no introduction. Their resulting debut full-length The Wretched Sun is fantastic, and you should check it out immediately if you haven’t already done so. We’re really happy that the band that won this contest is actually deserving of all the attention.

I caught up with Iron Thrones guitarist Steve Henningsgard via phone at the end of July when the band had just set out on their first East Coast tour with Last Chance to Reason. We spoke about the contest, the attention it’s brought them, the new album, working with a real producer, and the challenges and long road ahead the band still faces. Our chat after the jump.

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I know it’s a trite thing to say, but it really does seem like just yesterday that we kicked off this whole Scion No Label Needed Contest back in January — and now, nearly 7 months later here we are at the release day of The Wretched Sun, the amazing new album by contest winners Iron Thrones. In case you’ve somehow missed the gobs of praise we’ve heaped upon these Minnesotans, there really couldn’t be a more deserving band to win this contest. We wish ‘em all the best in the future.

To wrap things up we’re premiering a short EPK for Iron Thrones that wraps up their experience with the Scion No Label Needed Contest and recording their album. Make sure you also check out a premiere of the song “I Once Had the Crown” on Noisecreep and “Like A Moth to Flame” on MySpace.

Their two-week tour kicks off this Thursday in Chicago and rolls through New York on Monday, August 2nd with a very special one-night-only bill we’re beside ourselves for: Iron Thrones, The Binary Code, East of the Wall, Meek is Murder, Name and Last Chance to Reason — holy shite! Get the rest of the tour dates here.

-VN

[This exclusive has now ended.]

Photo credit: Jeremy Saffer

We know we’re a little late to the party here, but cut us some slack… we were way too busy being nice to everyone yesterday! Not that there’s any reason not to be nice to Iron Thrones. But, ya know, we were pre-occupied. So forgive us for being a little tardy to the party.

Two weeks ago we gave you samples of new Iron Thrones music, and today we give you an entire new song called “Like A Moth to Flame” (although it’s been posted since Wednesday). It’s the opening track on The Wretched Sun, and it’s a helluva way to start off an album. I’m really impressed with the absolutely GIGANTIC sound captured courtesy of the production, recording and mixing wizardry of Will Putney… this record sounds absolutely massive, powerful and clear, just the way it should to capture the dense sound of this band. The composition, of course, speaks for itself… but we knew it would, as these are a massively talented bunch of dudes which is why we chose them (or helped to, anyway) to win this contest in the first place.

Stream “Like a Moth to Flame” on their nifty new Sons of Nero-designed MySpace page. The Wretched Sun comes out on July 27th. You WANT this record. Though we’ve had the music digitally for a while, I just got my physical copy of The Wretched Sun in the mail and it looks fucking sweeeeeeet!

-VN

I have heard the entire new Iron Thrones album, The Wretched Sun. And it is good. Very good.

Now you can get a taste of it too in a “making of” clip video premiered by our proteges at The Number of the Blog. The track “I Once Had the Crown” serves as the background music for the 3-minute clip, which features various shots of the band in the studio and goofing around. It sounds fantastic, courtesy a stellar mixing job by Machine Shop producer Will Putney.

I’ve only had a chance to listen to The Wretched Sun once since I got my hands on it, but it’s definitely the kind of the album that’s going to take multiple listens to fully wrap my head around. It’s what we’ve been waiting for since we started this Scion “No Label Needed” business back in January, and I think the results are definitely worth the wait.

-VN

As part of our ongoing coverage of the Scion No Label Needed series, today we’ve got the latest video documenting the music industry crash-course bestowed upon much-deserved contest winners Iron Thrones. In this installment, Iron Thrones drummer Pete Clarke lays down drum tracks with Machine Shop producer Will Putney behind the boards.

Remember in Some Kind of Monster when Lars bitches about having to play his drums for too long? Well, in this video, Pete says he’s gonna have to spend nine hours playing to meet the day’s recording schedule. If only aging rock stars could hold onto that youthful joie de vivre, maybe we’d be able to avoid stuff like Death Craptastic.

Stay tuned for continuing video updates from Metal Injection.

-AR

As part of our ongoing coverage of the Scion No Label Needed series, today we’ve got the latest video documenting the music industry crash-course bestowed upon much-deserved contest winners Iron Thrones. In this installment, the band gets to take some new pics with renowned metal photographer Jeremy Saffer.

I love this kinda shit, ’cause I’ve never been to a band photo session, and, in all likelihood, I will never go to a band photo session; I also know little to nothing about photography (hell, until five minutes ago I’d never actually seen a photo of Saffer or heard his voice). So getting to listen to Saffer talk about his methods for shooting bands… well, that’s some vicarious livin’ for me.

Stay tuned for continuing video updates from Metal Injection.

-AR

Hey, unsigned bands: pay attention to this post! You could learn something.

As part of our ongoing coverage of the Scion No Label Needed series, today we’ve got the latest video documenting the music industry crash-course bestowed upon much-deserved contest winners Iron Thrones. Today’s video features a mentoring session with Big Machine Media PR honchos Jamie Roberts and Leo Lavoro, who offer the band members tips about how to effectively market themselves and what makes a good PR campaign. (full disclosure: we regularly work with Big Machine Media and their artists, but they really are some of the best in the biz). How do you make the best use of your band’s social networking sites? How do you write a good bio? How do you get the attention of journalists? Answers to these questions and more in the above video.

There are some really good tips in here that a band at any level can benefit from, so if you’re in an unsigned band out there I recommend paying close attention. It’s amazing how many publicists and bands get it so, so wrong. Big Machine Media will also be handling the PR for Iron Thrones’ new record once it’s been recorded. It goes without saying that we can’t wait to hear the record!

-VN

After their mentoring session with Shadows Fall, Scion No Label Needed Contest winners Iron Thrones visited New York City a few weekends ago for a little fashion upgrade. Blasko and Maria Brink came along to offer fashion advice and Scion provided the dollar bills for the whole affair. Even if the dirty metal dudes in Iron Thrones took the fashion tips with a grain of salt, how can you complain about getting to shop for new clothes on someone else’s dime? Watch Iron Thrones on their shopping escapade below, and stay tuned for continuing video updates from Metal Injection.

-VN

It’s been a month since MetalSucks-faves Iron Thrones were announced as the winners of the Scion No Label Needed contest. So what have the dudes been up to since?

Our Stuck Bro-jos over at MetalInjection have been documenting the band’s life since winning the contest, including a mentoring sessions with Shadows Fall, a recording session at world-famous Machine Shop studio, a style consultation with Maria Brink (blue dress not included) and the rest of the paid-for perks that come with their contest prize package.

MetalInjection published two videos over the past couple of days. The first is an introduction to the band that provides a glimpse into their motivations and aspirations as artists, and the second is their sit-down with Shadows Fall, in which Iron Thrones ask questions about life in a band and the industry in general that many of you in unsigned bands are probably wondering as well.

-VN

The contest portion of the Scion No Label Needed Contest and Series is over! Earlier today our friends over at Metal Insider announced Iron Thrones as the winners. The band will now be mentored by Shadows Fall, record an EP that will be produced by The Machine Shop’s Will Putney and Machine, have new merch and website designs created for them, and much more. The band’s ongoing journey will be documented in both videos and (web) print, so hopefully all you other would-be metal stars can continue to learn a little sumpin’ sumpin’ for this whole shebang. So congrats to the dudes in Iron Thrones! Their victory is well-earned, and we’re sure a certain MetalSucks instigator is very pleased.

And on somewhat of a side note, we’d like to remind you that many other excellent bands participated in this contest. Each MetalSucks staff writer selected one to endorse; you can read those blogs here. There’s always more great unsigned bands out in the world…

-Axl, Vince, and Everyone at MetalSucks

Although the editors of MetalSucks get a vote in the Scion No Label Needed Contest, the staff of MetalSucks, alas, does not. Thus, over the course of the next few days, each MetalSucks writer will post an endorsement for his favorite finalist for the contest. You can check out all the finalists, and vote for your personal favorite, here.

There’s nos black metals ins this stupids contest! The judgeses are prejudiceds against BMs likes sanes peoples are againsts Michelle Bachmann, onlys with nos reals reasons.

But, fines, this Hemoptysis bands is prettys evil. Theys plays deathrash and theys does its pretty goods. You likes Skeletonwitch, don’ts yous? Hemoptysis sounds like Skeletonwitch! Also, their names means “coughings ups the blood,” which is disgustings. I likes disgustings.

Bonus: pictures of nakeds Asian girl covered only bys a cymbal. Now I’m going to gos plays with my penis.

-NC

Listen to and vote for Hemoptysis here. You can also visit them on MySpace.

Although the editors of MetalSucks get a vote in the Scion No Label Needed Contest, the staff of MetalSucks, alas, does not. Thus, over the course of the next few days, each MetalSucks writer will post an endorsement for his favorite finalist for the contest. You can check out all the finalists, and vote for your personal favorite, here.

I like Iris Divine less because of the music they’re writing right now — which on its own is really fucking good, yes — but more because of the music they can and will write given the opportunity. Iris Divine are a band with an immense amount of raw musical and songwriting talent, and given the proper resources, attention and room to develop, this band can grow into something truly special and unique that transcends anything we know today. Think a career arc like genre-busting bands such as Between the Buried and Me, Tool or Radiohead. Too often in the A&R process these days the concept of artist development is pushed aside in favor of what’s trendy and ready to go right now – but Iris Divine are the kind of band that two or three albums down the road are going to be leaps and bounds better than any of today’s scene bands can ever be.

Vote for Iris Divine because you believe in pushing our genre forward instead of rewarding the status quo.

Listen to more ID tunes on MySpace.

-DG

Although the editors of MetalSucks get a vote in the Scion No Label Needed Contest, the staff of MetalSucks, alas, does not. Thus, over the course of the next few days, each MetalSucks writer will post an endorsement for his favorite finalist for the contest. You can check out all the finalists, and vote for your personal favorite, here.

When I received my latest homework assignment from the mansion (thanks, Gary), I knew there was only one way to go about it — completely blind. I was determined to only listen to the twenty tunes up for grabs. I had no interest in looking at band photos, music videos, or websites that gave me any background information on the bands involved. I wanted this to strictly be about the music.

As a result, only three bands actually caught my ear: Reciprocal, Scorched-Earth Policy, and Iron Thrones.

It’s been far too long since I’ve gotten a solid dose of a new Godspeed! You Cult of NeurIsis fix. I can safely say that Iron Thrones’ 12-minute post-apocalyptic acid-drenched gutter sludge track, “Cover of Smoke,” has sated my jones.

Amidst the swirling chaos of crunching guitars and throat-shredding vocals hovers a hint of melodic beauty that can’t quite disguise the band’s apparent love of cinematic soundscapes ala Explosions in the Sky.

It’s brutal. It’s beautiful. Brutiful.

Hands down, Iron Thrones “smokes” the competition.

Be sure to vote for Iron Thrones here.

Download their entire album at the Iron Thrones website.

-CM

Corey Mitchell is a best-selling author of true crime books and founder of In Cold Blog. Join him on Facebook and Twitter. His next book, SAVAGE SON, can be pre-ordered now.

Although the editors of MetalSucks get a vote in he Scion No Label Needed Contest, the staff of MetalSucks, alas, does not. Thus, over the course of the next few days, each MetalSucks writer will post an endorsement for his favorite finalist for the contest. You can check out all the finalists, and vote for your personal favorite, here.

If the twenty bands in the running for Scion’s No Label Needed contest represent the future of metal, then we may as well jump ship now and start listening exclusively to Renaissance madrigals (Have you heard William Byrd? He’s the polyphonic-est! ). It’s not that these bands are all talentless, more that there’s nary an original sound in the bunch. Choosing amongst them amounts to picking whether you like Suffocation, In Flames, Black Dahlia Murder, Neurosis or Tool best.

That’s why I’m throwing my considerable weight behind Electric Horsemen, who at least have the good sense to crib from Eyehategod and Crowbar — well-cribbed Southern sludge generally retains the genre’s sloppy soul and untouchable heaviness even when they can’t touch their forebears’ songs. And a pleasantly seamy job Electric Horsemen do of conjuring up unwholesome bayou voodoom, even though they hail from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, seat of the state’s peaceable Amish community. The track they uploaded to the Scion contest page, “Milk Coma,” has that lazy Louisiana boogie DOWN (pun intended). The other tracks on their MySpace page are even better, showcasing bits of melody and through the groaning muck. Vote for these guys, if only because they sound nothing like their competitors.

-SR

Listen to and vote for Electric Horsemen here. You can also visit them on MySpace.

Although the editors of MetalSucks get a vote in he Scion No Label Needed Contest, the staff of MetalSucks, alas, does not. Thus, over the course of the next few days, each MetalSucks writer will post an endorsement for his favorite finalist for the contest. You can check out all the finalists, and vote for your personal favorite, here.

It goes without saying that there’s a reason most of the bands in the No Label Needed Contest are unsigned at the moment. Now, that’s not to say that they’re all bad; several bands caught my attention immediately. However, the one band that I found most interesting and worthy of a record contract was Lorus. I first noticed them because they’re clearly the oddball in this contest. While every other band plays (mostly boring) fairly standard styles of metal ranging from hardcore to death, Lorus plays experimental progressive rock reminiscent of a heavier version of Maserati, a band I fell in love with the instant MetalSucks presented them.  But they’ve also got their own distinctive metal flavor. Lorus is by far the worthiest band of a record contract on the list, so go vote!

-DM

Listen to and vote for Lorus here. You can also visit them on MySpace.

Although the editors of MetalSucks get a vote in the Scion No Label Needed Contest, the staff of MetalSucks, alas, does not. Thus, over the course of the next few days, each MetalSucks writer will post an endorsement for his favorite finalist for the contest. You can check out all the finalists, and vote for your personal favorite, here.

Most of the bands competing in this contest are so underwhelming or otherwise not-to-my-liking that, were they to open for a group I’d actually want to see, I’d bust out my UNO cards. (I kid! I kid!) Much to my surprise, however, I found one group in the running that I think is pretty fucking great: Portland, Oregon’s Proven.

-GS

Listen to and vote for Proven here. You can also visit them on MySpace.

Although the editors of MetalSucks get a vote in he Scion No Label Needed Contest, the staff of MetalSucks, alas, does not. Thus, over the course of the next few days, each MetalSucks writer will post an endorsement for his favorite finalist for the contest. You can check out all the finalists, and vote for your personal favorite, here.

The great thing about the No Label Needed contest is how it answers the question that we’ve all asked ourselves and each other about countless bands: “How on earth did these wankers get a record deal?” Sometimes the band seems too shitty to interest fiscally-minded music businesspeople. Just as often, I ask that when I’m just wondering why one featureless, unoriginal band landed a contract as opposed to the forty other turd merchants clad in identical clothes and writing the exact same retarded songs. But of course everybody knows that the answer, in each case ,is blowjobs. That’s how crappy/pointless bands get their chance at the big time. B to the lowjobs, people. Don’t look so surprised.

But do stop and realize the magnitude of our voting power in the No Label Needed contest. Though a panel of metal, ahem, experts (including MetalSucks’ own Vince Neilstein and Axl Rosenberg, natch) comprises 80% of the vote, our 20% could decide which hard-working and interesting band will be granted the support that enables them to give the fewest blowjobs possible on the hairy boner-strewn road to success. To the undecided, might I suggest you direct your vote to Scorched-Earth Policy, whose deceptively tasty “Dropping Names” hints at the riffage and the prettiness of Ozzy’s Black Sabbath? Now, this band might get signed anyway. But give them your vote if not for their well-punctuated name, then in hope that once they win, their new team of hard-ass metal consultants will advise them to de-Layne-ify their singer. Vote vote vote!

-ADF

Listen to and vote for Scorched-Earth Policy here. You can also visit them on MySpace.

Although the editors of MetalSucks get a vote in he Scion No Label Needed Contest, the staff of MetalSucks, alas, does not. Thus, over the course of the next few days, each MetalSucks writer will post an endorsement for his favorite finalist for the contest. You can check out all the finalists, and vote for your personal favorite, here.

Sure, the requisite 80s thrash, jagged-logo-concept-thing might not sell Hammerlord’s 2008 self-titled debut alone, but their music should. And while these cats might have spent time with the likes of The Esoteric and The Blinding Light, among others, the band’s moniker comes from drummer Adam Mitchell’s handle during his time with The Esoteric. Plus, Scott Hull found it metal enough to man the knobs for the debut, so they must have been doing something right, right?

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Although the editors of MetalSucks get a vote in he Scion No Label Needed Contest, the staff of MetalSucks, alas, does not. Thus, over the course of the next few days, each MetalSucks writer will post an endorsement for his favorite finalist for the contest. You can check out all the finalists, and vote for your personal favorite, here.

Reciprocal initially hearken back to the halcyon days of 2005, where if you got a free jazz/fusion shredder guitarist, talented bassist and drummer, and… well, admittedly generic singer, and listened to a lot of Atheist, Calculating Infinity-era DEP, and/or Cynic, you had a shot at getting on Black Market Activities or even Relapse. But to reduce them to riders of a bygone trend would be really unfair: the band are excellent at what they do, and simply relegating them to a cluster of bands that combine brutal death metal with noodly Psyopus/Behold… the Arctopus parts would be stiffing them. These guys are the real deal: death metal dudes partaking in as much awesomeness as possible, managing to weld together parts that normally wouldn’t gel particularly smoothly.

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