Progressive Metal these days, at least the sort that flies into my inbox, seems to be more about chugging a la Meshuggah than anything else. In other words, it’s all turned into this thing called Djent. Or at least that’s my modest impression.

Wings Denied isn’t all that different. They call themselves a Progressive Metal band and they’ve got plenty of down-tuned guitar jamming going on. But for once they’ve got something that isn’t just a bad copy of the above mentioned Swedes. ‘Progressive’ is a stupid name any way. It suggests the band in question completely redefines the Metal genre. Such is not the matter with Wings Denied, but neither is it with 99% of the other bands that call themselves Progressive. However, they do play themselves a decent piece of Metal that cuts out their own distinctive sound.

Awake, a three-song EP, is the recently released evidence of that. Independently released and downloadable on a name your price basis through Bandcamp you ought to give it a spin.

Knowing that you will have picked up this news already some time ago, I still deemed it just for me to serve you this. You know, there may always be people that missed it and shit.

7 Horns 7 Eyes, from Seattle, is an absolute novelty to me, but I guess that’s because their first record is yet to be released. Still, the band are leaving a major buzz across the web already. Quite an achievement, and I’m not quite sure what’s fueling it. Other than that the upcoming shit sounds hot, of course.

There are many bands that can be lauded for their innovation and eccentricity, able to meld together seemingly opposing styles into a unique blend that feels more like an adventure than a collection of songs. Unfortunately, UK groove metallers Place Of The Hidden God have not quite reached this plateau, although certainly not for want of trying. The band describe the album as a journey fully open to interpretation both lyrically and musically, symbolizing struggle against control either as a personal or government-wide vendetta (appropriate enough in this current political climate). Taking two parts polyrhythmic rumbles of Meshuggah / The Ocean with one part Down / Lamb Of God, they tread the line between groovy Math Metal and Djent with their début album In Liberating the Conscience, We Free Ourselves from Restraint. Go read/watch!

The power of humor should not be underestimated. I got this request today to check out a band’s (actually it’s a one-man project from what I gather) new album. There was a link to a ”silly commercial for it”. I clicked it, thinking I’d get to hear a few tunes that would allow me to let the guy know either ”no, sucks!” or ”yes, but don’t fuckin’ wait for it”. Instead, this thing cracked me up and landed Zelophilia an instant post.

A short one though, ‘cause I gotta run. But I’ll feed you the commercial first. Watch it and then see if you’d care to check out the music after the jump.

According to Facebook, this Canadian Prog Death outfit is led by Sharlie Cheen. If that means their practice space is crowded with skanky bitches, I say these guys are living it. However, I doubt these chaps will need the US’ number one alcoholic and drug abuser to get their daily shot of tits and ass. They’re in a band, and a damn good one too. That pulls chicks across the line.

Anyfuck, what I like to focus your attention is the music they make: a richly filled cocktail of viciousness, brutality,melancholy and ass-kickery. The band has released a few tracks throughout 2011, available on their BandCamp. One of those we wrote about earlier.

Another one from Bridger’s pack. American again, from one of the various towns throughout that nation called Elizabethtown. No clue which.

Another similarity is that we’re dealing with ‘cory’ stuff again, though not quite as obviously this time. It’s crunchier, more brutal and will touch upon more progressive / technical forms of Metal, meaning it’s got a certain Djentiness to it, in addition to a strong focus on melody in the choruses. It’s good eating listening!

With the sixth issue of this series, we continue to stay true to the series’ title, aswe’re still dealing purely with One Man Shows. Still female perpetrators as of yet. If you’ve got a good suggestion, drop us a line!

And while we’re in India, let’s just stay there for another quick one. This one’s called Artillerie and was also delivered to us by Adam. Compared to Exhumation this band carries a little less punch and a tad more melody. Take those quantifiers literally though, this still isn’t suitable for your poor old aunty in geriatric park.

Artillerie formed in 2004 in New Delhi and after an EP and a split, both in 2008, 2010 gave the world their debut, Eradefiled. Chugging is a good descriptor, with a certain Thrashiness to it, combined with an ample supply of groove and thrusting vocal work.

[In early November we published an article written by contributor Havik Incarnate. It was about an unsigned Swedish band called Mudpusher, a band that has been rocking his boat for a while now. Today Havik returns with a full-blown interview with the band. This is going to be a hell of a long read, but it’s definitely worth your time! You might want to play the music at the end of the article while you read though.]

Mudpusher is as Metal as Metal can get. It’s been 3 years since its inception, and the 3/4^th Swedish machine has kept turning. In a clichéd and decaying Metal scene, few bands have provided the sledgehammer impact that this band has, making them a breath of fresh air. They have successfully continued to draw a distinct line between evolution and straight up rip-off, in terms of sound. After all, who else can match the sacred element of groove?

The plethora of ‘screamo’ bands these days? Please, their priorities are about what side they should don a fringe on every morning. The cavalry of mindless ‘Black Metal’ warriors? That sub-genre is a perpetual popularity contest to see who’s more evil, and nothing else. Mudpusher emanate more conviction on a plain ol’ bad day, than all those bands do when all combined on their best.

I recently had the pleasure to sit down with the band to talk about what exactly fuels their drive.

According to Misguided Aggression’s Facebook, their music has been described as ”combining the power of Pantera, the aggression of Lamb of God and the precision of Meshuggah”. I don’t know who said that, but the person had it spot fuckin’ on! The band from Woodstock, Ontario plays its material loud, chugging and aggressive, with staccato, syncopated and perhaps even polyrhythmic riffage.

Their material isn’t particularly accessible, but let me tell you, once you get into it, it just absolutely mashes your brain to pulp. Flood the Common Ground (2011) is the band’s follow-up to their 2009 debut Hatchala. From that, we’ve got some face melting lined up for you after the jump.