There are plenty of people who think that the metal genre is dying, that everything’s been done already, and that there are few (if any) new leaves to turn over. While certain new bands are creating things that are incredibly unique, you also don’t have to reinvent the wheel to be a successful and critically praised band.
The six bands on our list are shaping the present and future of metal. Whether with hardcore or death metal influences, you will likely see all of these musicians around for a long, long time. Established veterans and relative newcomers are both here.
Novelists (France)
With their 2nd full-length dropping via rising label Sharptone Records, it’s only a matter of time before France’s Novelists hits the big time. The French progressive metalcore band combines hard hitting screams with melody and technicality behind the drumkit and guitar, and while they fit well with bands like Northlane and the like, Novelists are their own special entity at this point. Debut full-length Souvenirs was a borderline revelation upon its release in 2015, and its attention to detail while letting the listener “breathe” a bit during calmer, post-rock/ambient influenced passages won the band plenty of points, too. It’s that dichotomy between heavy and light, calm and destructive that will see the band gain a worldwide fanbase if they play their cards right. This is a progressive metalcore band with serious crossover potential.
Erra (Alabama, USA)
Taking clear influence from important scene cornerstones like Misery Signals and Hopesfall, the Alabama progressive metalcore band has gone from strength to strength over the course of nearly a decade, 3 full-lengths, multiple EP’s, and two venerated record labels in Tragic Hero Records // Sumerian Records. The contrast of vocalist JT Cavey’s mid-range screams mixed with Jesse Cash’s serene (but never whiny) vocal range and inventive guitar playing is an event that’s not to be missed. Their best album is probably 2013’s Augment (which was the band’s 2nd of 2 full-lengths with vocalist Garrison Lee – now a graphic designer), but any of their music is worth checking out. Erra is a band that is constantly evolving and doing special things. The best is yet to come. The 7+ minute closer “Dementia” (from Augment) is a true work of art, but so then is the closer from Drift, “The Hypnotist”. It’s impossible not to get the chills.
Venom Prison (United Kingdom)
Female-fronted death metal/hardcore hybrid from the UK. That little fact doesn’t matter, though. These guys (and gal) are undoubtedly on the map. Put them on a tour with Black Breath or Suffocation – they’ll kill it either way. Venom Prison’s 2016 album Animus was a frighteningly good combination of the spirit of modern hardcore filtered through a 90’s death metal sound. They also won a Metal Hammer award for Best New Band. And given that this is a band who is at home playing Download Festival as much as they are playing a rowdy house show, don’t miss out on Venom Prison. They’ve got important messages to bring, too.
Alcest (France)
Whether you consider Alcest’s music post-rock, black-metal, shoegaze, or something in between (it’s definitely some hybrid of all of these and more), the fact remains that Alcest are one of the most influential bands around right now. Clearly an influence on the influx of post-black metal bands you see today (Deafheaven, Heretoir, and a hundred more), 2016’s Kodama might just be the highwater mark in a 5 full-length career of standouts. Pretty, bleak, but also hopeful, Alcest clearly are not through improving and expanding their sound.
Employed To Serve (UK)
Championed by everyone from Kerrang to Metal Hammer, the UK’s Employed To Serve are one nasty and righteous hardcore band. It’s hard to categorize them, though – one minute, you hear some serious Alice In Chains influences, and then you notice their ballsy cover of Norma Jean’s “Memphis Will Be Laid To Waste”. This is a band that is versatile and can fit on just about any bill, and their brand of crunchy, riff-heavy hardcore will keep them relevant for a long time – proving that the UK is chock full of essential metalcore heavyweights right now (Holy Roar Records? Yes).
Polaris (Australia)
Your first though when listening to Polaris’s EP The Guilt And The Grief might be that last few Architects albums have had a profound influence on them. And while that’s likely true (listen to this and then Daybreaker back to back), the songs on this breakout EP are likely only a prelude to what Polaris will do on their upcoming material. Riff-heavy tech-metal with clear melodic hardcore influence? Washes of ambience while not skimping on aggressiveness and ferocity? Australia has bred plenty of important metal and hardcore bands in the last decade – you can add Polaris to that list, too.
