Unexpect’s Fables of the Sleepless Empire is a good album that got lost in the shuffle that was 2011. It’s also an example of the risks of self-releasing a record, showing that record labels do still serve a purpose in an age where distribution is available to everyone.* It’s not that bands aren’t capable of doing on their own all the things record labels normally do, it’s just that many of them don’t have the time, inclination or expertise to do so. When there’s no marketing staff to set up cool exclusives and contests, no publicist to pester magazine writers and bloggers like us, no one to coordinate the filming of a music video, etc., those things tend not to happen at all. For every Cormorant — a band that’s totally on the ball and has done quite well independently — there’s an Unexpect, a good band that doesn’t get the attention they deserve. It doesn’t help that they didn’t tour on this record, either.

Thankfully blogs like The Number of the Blog don’t need no stinkin’ publicists to pester them about Unexpect. Check out this video of Unexpect bassist ChaotH being awesome on the bass to a backing track of their own song “Words” from Fables of the Sleepless Empire. This guy is incredible; IMNs and ponytail betas should be slobbering all over this band.

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*(inb4 someone calls me a hypocrite for saying record labels are important when I’ve allegedly said the opposite in the past. I’ve always maintained that the industry as a whole serves a critical function; what I dispute is that record labels [as opposed to managers or other important players] need to be at the financial center of that equation anymore).

We’re not quite sure what went south between The End Records and Montreal, QC progressive metal weirdos Unexpect, but it seems like these insanely talented Canadians are releasing their new record Fables of the Sleepless Empire themselves, not that self-releasing in this day and age is a bad thing at all. And a band as good as Unexpect is certainly capable.

When it comes to “outside the box” Unexpect are pretty much the textbook definition. The best description I’ve heard of their sound is “circus metal,” but that term seems to belittle the band’s talent and certainly doesn’t speak to their variety. But enough yapping. Check out the music:

Stream the entire album for free at Unexpect’s Bandcamp and purchase it there (digital) or via their official website (physical).

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It must be that time of year, because new metal is seemingly streaming from every orifice of the Internet. So much music, in fact, that it’s increasingly difficult to keep up with it all (first world problems, we know)… so I’ve decided to pool ‘em all together in one handy-dandy post.

Québécois avant-garde metallers Unexpect have a freakishly fervent cult following; within minutes of new song “Orange Vigilantes” going live on Unexpect’s website earlier this week we had a swarm of emails from excited readers. It’s been nearly five years since Unexpect’s last album In a Flesh Aquarium dropped on The End Records, so I can understand why folks are so excited. And then there’s that other thing: this band is awesome. They’re kind of like extreme metal’s answer to Mr. Bungle, but nerdier, or as reader Chris Dávila calls them, “crazy circus metal.” Look for a release date for Unexpect’s new still-untitled album to be announced soon.

The March 29th release of Surtur Rising draws ever closer, but you don’t have to wait any longer to hear another new song by Swedish viking cock-metallers Amon Amarth.

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Instead of continuing to debate back and forth about the new Metallica album, why not devote some time to metal that won’t suck donkey nuts and then lick up every last drop of the gravy like it’s an oasis in the desert?

Japan’s premiere black metal outfit, Sigh are having a big week; their Tribute to Venom is released today, and then their MetalSucks co-sponsored tour with Unexpect starts on Saturday. Brooklyn Vegan has an mp3 of their version of “Black Metal” for free download, which means, at the very least, you have no excuse not to check it out before you go back to pretending that “Cyanide” is a good song. Then skip after the jump for Sigh’s complete U.S. tour itinerary with Unexpect.

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Zimmers Hole have backed out of their MetalSucks co-sponsored U.S. tour with Sigh and Unexpect. I know because I read about it on Blabbermouth. I feel about as well informed as the Bush administration right now.

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Speaking of tours we’re co-sponsoring, Sigh hit the road in just a few weeks for a U.S. trek with Zimmer’s Hole and Unexpect. While you wait with baited breath for this kick-ass tour to begin, why not consider putting your high school marching band dork skills to some good use and help out one of the best black metal acts in the world today?

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So I’m a day late on this one, but when it comes to a band as cool as Sigh, better late than never.

Sigh have officially announced a September 2 release date for their aptly titled Venom tribute, A Tribute to Venom, via The End Records. A one-pressing-only limited edition will be available, with an LP with an etching as well as the CD. And, oh yeah, as if all of that wasn’t cool enough, Napalm Death’s Shane Embury and Brutal Truth’s Dan Lilker also make guest appearances on the album.

You know what? That cover art is fucking bad assed, man. What a perfect amalgamation of Sigh and Venom’s personalities. In fact, I wanna start a petition for that son of a bitch to be on a t-shirt, pronto. If the band managed to get that kind of sensibility into the music, too, this fucker is gonna slay.

Sigh are also gonna hit the road with Zimmer’s Hole (who are awesome) and Unexpect (who I don’t know but hear very good things about). Get tour dates after the jump.

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