UNSIGNED AND UNHOLY: IN MOURNING, IRIS DIVINE, MILK WHITE THROAT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6XiSQHchLg

Ready for a few more unsigned gems? Here are the best of the bunch in this week’s mailbag:

• Die-hard reader always provides us with a good laugh here at the Mansion because he always titles his emails “metal,” as if somehow his email is an aberration from our usual dose of emails about easy listening music and that subject line alone is sure to grab our attention. But every now and then the guy hits the nail on the head with a recommendation as is the case with Falun, Sweden’s In Mourning. Let’s keep things simple here: for fans of Opeth, Insomnium, Daylight Dies, etc, perhaps a touch heavier than any of those. These guys remind me a whole lot of Iron Thrones. In Mourning are signed to Pulverised Records on their home turf but remain free agents in the U.S. Get on that, The End Records!
• Iris Divine: Scion No Label Needed Contest alumni and Vince Neilstein faves Iris Divine are back with their new album Convergence. The album features some re-worked versions of older songs with tighter performances and crisper production as well as a few new tunes that stay true to Iris Divine’s mix of musical creativity, prog tendencies and ace songwriting. Stream the whole thing or download it for free on Bandcamp.
• Milk White Throat: Mastodon might sound something like these dudes if they had Dysrhythmia’s Colin Marston and Kevin Hufnagel in the band. And if Mastodon had better vocalists. Come to think of it, I’m pretty sure “a lot like Intronaut” is what I’m really looking for. A potent mix of fuzzed-out crusty grooves and prog sensibilities.