MetalSucks

Or is that black-body? Whatever it is, it’s fucking cool-looking. We’re not sure if there’s any kind of socio-political commentary in the lyrics for “The Grotesque,” (perhaps a more patient lyric-listener than myself can pipe in), but one thing’s for sure: the dudes in Johnny Truant are some of the pastiest bunch of white motherfuckers ever.

Johnny Truant’s new album No Tears For The Creatures dropped September 30th in the U.S. on Ferret Music.

-VN

In my ongoing crusade to stop beating the same Metallica/Disturbed/DEP/whatever canon to death, here are some new(ish) bands you might not know about that are currently making the rounds in my playlist:

Johnny Truant – Recently signed to Ferret Music, this UK technical metalcorish (not always a bad word!) outfit has slogged it out in the underground since 2001. The band are excellent musicians but certainly don’t beat you over the head with it — think a slightly techier version of All Shall Perish. Their new album No Tears for the Creatures drops September 30th in the US.

Mors Principium Est – Progressive melodic death metal from Finland that somehow manages to keep this waning genre fresh. Given I’m a big sucker for melodeath, but still… These cats are solid. [Thanks: Chris C.]

Tracedawn (pictured above) – More Finnish melodeath; more progressive and more melodic than Mors Principium Est, and definitely more epic, but still distinctly Scandinavian. They are the Children of Bodom to your In Flames, the Firewind to your Mercenary. Get it? [Thanks: Dean C.]

-VN