5 Band You Feel Are Underrated

Tico TyrantThu, 28/07/2011 - 19:28

Hi. I find as a metal community, people often talk about bands that are overrated, or too "mainstream" but what about bands, both old and new, that are underrated? I think while it is hard to prove either, this sort of situation can be a reality.Let's try and expose some great music!
So, List 5 bands(try to) that you feel deserve more attention,*include the genre if possible*, *you may include a short description why, or you may just choose to list the band* Keep in mind the idea is to spread word of bands that are either known, but not very well, or ones that are relatively new...if you list bands that are *extremely* well known then what would be the point....of course this could be up to opinion, so there is some room for bend in judgment.
I'll start(keep in mind I don't expect many to have crazy long descriptions like me, I just happened to be a bit bored on a Thursday night and got the munchies so felt like writing a bit)

1)Blasphemy-BC,Canada, genre: black metal/death/grind.~ To me Blasphemy was way ahead of their time, their style and chaotic approach, would later reflect emerging bands such as Beherit, and was a stepping stone in the sound known as "war metal". I always felt that this BC band never had as much attention as it deserved, at least not in the black metal world. They pushed beyond boundaries, and created a sound that can only be summed up as such " this band will drag you to the chaos realms, leave you to rot and die and spit on your fetid corpse" basically for this first time listener, though raw, this is one of the most desecrating bands ever.Start at Fallen Angel of Doom.

2)Evil Dead-California, United States, genre: thrash metal.~ Evil Dead, summed up ...is what you would call a hidden gem in a world full of thrash bands. To say the least their music is pure adrenaline. Though the band only released a few full lengths and some ep's, they left a great mark on the thrash world around them.Their first album is probably their best, and they were certainly a big influence to me, and with songs like "Gone Shooting" and "Annihilation Of Civilization " I was surprised a few of my thrash loving buddies hadn't heard of them yet. Definitely check out the band!

3)Midnight-Ohio, United States, genre: speed/black/thrash/epic?~ How to explain Midngiht...hmnn..how to explain. Ok, take black metal, now take speed metal and thrash elements, combine the two, and inject them with steroids...the result is something that revives the sounds of the past, that can only make one nod in sheer awe inspired approval. Midnight is just a pure, dirty, fast and blasphemous black speed machine! This has the same intensity and genuine quality that one would would get out of Venom's Welcome to Hell! It's not often now a days I find a band that really revives a great basis in musical roots, and has their own great take on it......Midnight is one of the few bands that did so. Primarily focused around the vocalist Jamie Walters and some other members including Count Zigar on drums, this bands music is worth the purchase.....if you are fortunate enough to get any copy remaining!

4) Mütiilation-Grabels, Languedoc-Roussillon, France. Genre-Black Metal~ Whether or not Mütiilation’s Meyhna’ch would want people to spread the word of his art or not, I have no clue. What I do know, is that based the one album I have been fortunate enough to sit through and listen to, and a few leaked songs to youtube, this was a very respectable black metal release. His project is from France. France in the black metal world is typically known for the bands that have emerged or created music in the name of “Les Legions Noires”, with groups like Vlad Tepes, Torgeist and Belketre. The songs I heard from Mütiilation, are from the album- Grimly Reborn. The songs in his later music, vary quite differently from songs like Black Wind of War from “Hail Satanas We Are The Black Legions”....however what I detect in all the music he has created so far is a very intense sense of reality with his vocals. The production on his albums, though raw , are heavy and clear with intent. His music though bleak, disturbing and sometimes melancholic, leading some to think its “depressive black metal”, may be nothing more than a reflection of the darker recesses of mankind. Meyhna’ch is a man with his own problems in life, but his music caries forward in a true unrelenting manner. This is probably black metal at its most primal form, and yet at its most musically deep. One who listens to Mütiilation should be aware that this is music meant to be taken seriously, though raw, it is by no means music in which to indifferent to, nor is it music to not reflect upon. The first albums from his music that people should probably start with are “Hail Satanas We Are The Black Legions(EP)” and “Vampires of Black Imperial Blood”.

5)Immolation-New York, United States. Genre- Death Metal.~ Ok, for all I know maybe they are extremely well known and popular, but the more I talk to people who love death metal, or are interested in discovering bands from that genre, the less I find of people sharing Immolation songs. I guess they are basically legends and I’m sure many know of Immolation I just think more people outta discover them, so for this one I am sharing a band that really deserves that extra salute! Immolation in a nutshell, is a death metal band that from their first full length “Dawn of Possession” all the way up to their latest” Majesty and Decay”, have simply not let down or slowed down. They have been a band that has always released great death metal. Ross Dolan and Robert Vigna really bring it all together, with themes regarding the rejection of religion, concepts of horror and philosophy, this death metal band has not only created some of the best head banding riffs and brutal drum lines, but has released some of the most well thought out material. The song structures and balance of both straight forward destruction, and thought out technicality, make their sound impressive. Some of their best songs include “Father, You’re not a Father”, “Here in After” and “Dawn of Possession”, “Of Martyrs and Men” and “Majesty and Decay”.

Tico Tyrant on Thu, 28/07/2011 - 19:29

I meant to say 5 *bands* you feel are underrated. Hahaha I love 'Engrish' fails.

bls-georg-pantera on Thu, 28/07/2011 - 20:42

executer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J42qTQVHSGI
acid reign: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKb3ahfyf88
evildead: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPw9JfBgLUk
inferal majesty: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1RJv-AscSw
attomica: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUHqG4ksPwM

Tico Tyrant on Fri, 29/07/2011 - 00:30

yes, Infernal Majesty, yet another band from Canada people would like to know about! I get to seem them play a live set of their album None Shall Defy later in August!

eddiethehead666 on Fri, 29/07/2011 - 16:57

Executer is way underrated. acid reign and attomica too. i like this list haha

dioDEATH on Thu, 28/07/2011 - 21:51

This list of underrated bands is basically based on.. hmm.. in my hometown, not many people know them.

1. Immolation (Death Metal)
One of my biggest influence ever ! Agreed with you, this band isn't as popular as bands like, for example, Cannibal Corpse, Deicide, or Morbid Angel. But I think they're legend ! I consider Immolation as one
of the first wave death metal band. They deserve more attention.

2. Gorefest
(Death Metal)
Also one of my biggest influence. I think their style of death metal music is really original. All their albums (except maybe Soul Survivor) are all awesome.

3. Angel Corpse
(Death/Thrash/Black Metal)

Yes maybe their latest released (in 2007) Of Lucifer and Lightning is suck. But back to their old albums, like Exterminate
, or Hammer of Gods is still awesome.

4. Cerebrum (Progressive Death Metal)
They're still new, just released one album in 2009, Spec
tral Extravagance. But this album, which featured George Kollias from Nile, is pretty cool.

5. Solstice (Death/Thrash Metal)
I don't need to say a word, their albums (Solstice, Pray, To Dust) are simply awesome.

Tico Tyrant on Fri, 29/07/2011 - 00:39

I'm gonna check out Gorefest, I'm actually pretty familiar with Angel Corpse, they definitely have some great songs.

dioDEATH on Fri, 29/07/2011 - 04:42

That's why I said "in my hometown" :D. These are some of Gorefest's songs:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25Wgpi7JVaY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdODeet-NKo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUHH3mNfHhs

and this is my favourite song from Gorefest (can't find it on youtube, so..)
http://www.filesmap.com/mp3/LIJm/07-a-grim-charade/

eddiethehead666 on Fri, 29/07/2011 - 16:57

Solstice rules

dioDEATH on Mon, 01/08/2011 - 02:37

Yeah !

thrashinqueef on Thu, 29/09/2011 - 05:30

yes they do. and they are underrated, anyone ive ever mentioned them to have no idea who they are. same with evildead.

eddiethehead666 on Tue, 25/10/2011 - 10:52

really? no one knows who evildead are?? I guess i always kind of thought of them as an essential 80's thrash band

TerrorZone on Sat, 30/07/2011 - 22:27

yeah Gorefest fucking rules. Chapter 13 also isn't a really good album (except for the title track, wich is awesome)

dioDEATH on Mon, 01/08/2011 - 02:38

Yes man, too bad they've already disbanded.

DevilzForce on Fri, 20/07/2012 - 20:33

happy as fuck that they did disband again... i know ed personally and no' one in the band was happy with themslves or eachother.... best thing they could do !

Tico Tyrant on Fri, 29/07/2011 - 00:31

Tank eh? I better give em a check out! I definitely know what you mean about Razor!

PrinceAdam on Fri, 29/07/2011 - 10:56

Tank is one of the best metal bands in my opinion, massively underrated.

NocturnalOccultist on Thu, 28/07/2011 - 22:54

1)Razor - (Thrash) - Razor is an awesome band and i love the old album from evil invaders to shotgun justice and i just really like there results
2)Kataklysm - (Death) - I really like the old albums but the new albums with Maurizio is kinda dull but there ok
3)Annihilator - (Thrash) - I like the Alice in Hell and Never, Neverland but the rest was complicated about their sound but there fine at least.
4)Toxik - (Techinical Thrash) - I really like both albums World Circus and Think This. But the Think This album has more Progressive elements and the World Circus is more Thrash,I like both of them, imo i prefer the World Circus
5)Blasphemy - (Black,Death) - I agree with Tico about the album and the scene. Fallen Angel of Doom is awesome but the Gods of War is like big changes with the sound and the effects but the scene is like pretty gone almost in Canada.
I think that's all folks!

Tico Tyrant on Fri, 29/07/2011 - 00:35

Yes, Toxik is another great thrash band. When people first listen to them, they get thrown of a bit by the vocals, but some of their songs are just downright clever, really awesome stuff! Annihilator is great too. Kataklysm isn't my all time favorite death metal band, but I agree they need some more exposure despite their following, because this band is just crushing live, they really play it all out, I had to sit through several death core bands before they went on, but it was worth the painful wait.....!

NocturnalOccultist on Fri, 29/07/2011 - 04:45

Agree with the Kataklysm they really suck alot when Maurizio cover all songs from the old albums and suddenly screwed up alot.

DevilzForce on Fri, 20/07/2012 - 20:34

i disagree on blasphemy, they have a HUGE cult following in black metal and are one of the most wll known warmetal bands...

BeefCakeAssThrash on Thu, 28/07/2011 - 23:30

1. Razor (Thrash). Razor just packs so much power in their songs, it hurts to see so many Metalheads still scratching their heads when you mention Razor.

2. Rigor Mortis (Thrash). The thing about Rigor Mortis, that attracts me most, are the mindblowing solo's. People who've never heard of RM, are missing out..

3. Fastkill (Thrash). Amazing Speed, mindblowing vocals, awesome solo's, dark and agressive atmosphere, yup, that pretty much sums it up.

4. Toxik (Prog/Tech Thrash). HEART HEART HEART HEART HEART ATTACK!!!

5. Morbid Saint (Thrash). Morbid Saint was all about sheer power. I personally feel, that if Morbid Saint would've continued their work and inspired some bands, it would've kept Thrash away from the mainstream.

Tico Tyrant on Fri, 29/07/2011 - 00:36

I'm going to check out Rigor Mortis for sure! I keep hearing the name...but I've never yet listened to them....I don't think......What album would you recommend is a good start with them? I'm probably going to my local record store this weekend to pick up a few new albums that people suggested.

BeefCakeAssThrash on Fri, 29/07/2011 - 02:33

ok dude :D
here are a few songs by RM you'll havve to check for sure:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6Sh4-IUflM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktbPhGpfryA&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ooz1XIfZpvY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRQU6T9g6Hk&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMnKPRkhsQU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-x3mqTu3GcI

I'm sure you're gonna LOVE this amazing band! :D

BeefCakeAssThrash on Fri, 29/07/2011 - 03:17

my fav stays Shroud Of Gloom xD
but yeah, forgot about reanimator :\ fuck my life

Tico Tyrant on Fri, 29/07/2011 - 00:28

right on everyone, keep em coming! I see some bands I now have to check out!

ultmetal on Sat, 30/07/2011 - 07:30

Blackend (Germany) thrash metal band from the 1990's that released three albums before calling it a day. They were thrash metal when thrash metal was uncool in metal circles.

The Moshketeers (USA) an 80's thrash metal band from New Mexico, USA that got screwed by a record company and never were able to release a proper album on a label. They recorded tons of demos and a full length album that was released in 1991 titled "The Downward Spiral". FINALLY last year a record company released "The Downward Spiral" on CD. They use to draw huge crowds at their shows and toured the country opening for bands like Vengeance Rising, Testament and others.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONZLy_Jomr0

Raven (England) one of the pioneers of speed metal and thrash. They started to gain some popularity in the early 80's but shot themselves in the foot when they signed to Atlantic Records and were forced into a more commercial direction. What is criminally underrated are all the albums they have released since then, including last years fantastic album.

Accu§er (Kreuztal, Germany) thrash metal band. Overlooked in favor of bands like Kreator, Sodom & Destruction. All great band in their own right, but I still think Accu§er were a great band too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZW_p7_1tjw&feature=related

TT Quick (East Coast, USA) classic heavy metal band that were before their time musically. Their EP and "Metal of Honor" are bonafide classics. Vocalist Mark Tornillo is currently singing for Accept and proving why he is a criminally underrated metal vocalist.

A few others I considered:
Equinox (Norway), Heathens Rage (USA), The Rods (USA), Artch (Norway), At War (USA).

BabyEviscerator on Fri, 29/07/2011 - 05:42

My 5:

1. Sacred Reich
-The only album by them that was famous was Surf Nicaragua, no one has heard Ignorance, or The American Way, or any other album, which is kind of sad.

Sacred Reich - Death Squad
http://youtu.be/9MsiHRPiXCI

2. Raven
-They pretty much helped invent Speed Metal, and pack so much into their songs, which is beautiful, for such an underated band. :/

Raven - Hard As Nails
http://youtu.be/vla4OdXv37o

3. Toxik
-As I said with Raven, they pretty much invented the Technical thing with all metal subgenres, like with World Circus and Think This. The singer has a beautiful voice, and the band excels at what thhey do, but not much people like them...

Toxik - Shotgun Logic
http://youtu.be/_MawT5aZl_o

4. Razor
-Pepole made there albums hard to find, cause not alot of people took the time to check them out, which is really weird. Armed And Dangerous, to me, was there best album, and today, it's their rarest, which really sucks, cause I can't find it anywhere. :(

Razor - Take This Torch
http://youtu.be/UKM_cU_38Uw

5. Hell
-Hell are NWOBHM legends, and are SO underrated, they just released a "debut" album a couple months ago! These guys have been around since, what, the 80s? Ever since Mauseoleom records shut down, no one has heard ANY of their music. Im glad to see that the original fathers of Occult Metal are rising again.
~R.I.P. David Halliday~

Hell - On Earth As It Is In Hell
http://youtu.be/EpkuYxyYM2A

NocturnalOccultist on Fri, 29/07/2011 - 05:58

I listen Ignorance and The American Way sometimes when i get bored listen all day to Surf Nicauragua

BabyEviscerator on Fri, 29/07/2011 - 06:18

Me too...

ultmetal on Fri, 29/07/2011 - 06:37

Totally agree with Raven. \m/

COTHRASHER on Fri, 29/07/2011 - 05:57

1. Razor (Thrash Metal from Canada)
2. Nocturnus (Death Metal from Tampa Bay Florida)
3. Atrophy (Thrash Metal from Arizona)
4. Forbidden (Bay Area thrash)
5. Exmortus (New death/thrash band from California)

eddiethehead666 on Sun, 31/07/2011 - 08:58

Nocturnus is one of the best death metal bands ever in my opinion. they are soo underrated

meaningless on Fri, 29/07/2011 - 09:28

omg..i saw this question, many times so far, and again, i dont see 1 special band on this list.
Totaly Underrated - AVULSED from Spain!!!!

AVULSED - are better then the most popular bands, but nearly no1, it seems, notice 'em. Dave Rotten is a fucking great & nice guy and Avulsed playing Death Metal like it should sound!!
Every Death Metal Maniac should have this guys on the radar, Avulsed are fucking amazing!!

ALTAR - fantastic Death/Thrash from Netherlands. Long time ago that i was listen to releases which have a punch-in-the-face like the 'Provoke' Album or 'In the name of the father'. Great!

POSTMORTEM - Top quality Death/Thrash from Germany. Exists since 1991. If you like Altar - you'll love Postmortem. No matter if you check out 'Screams of blackness' from 1993 or 'Constant hate' from 2008. This guys blow many of the more popular bands away like nothing.

GOD DETHRONED - I guess, all know G.D. but they dont got the respect and the following, as they should have - imo.
God Throned - just fucking great!

FLESHCRAWL - Swedish Death Metal in old school vain like nothing else. Better then the most stuff which comes from Sweden itself these days. Fleashcrawl never changed the style and are live a god damn killer.

Adrian on Fri, 29/07/2011 - 13:27

Anacrusis - Some really interesting stuff, I don't know any other band that quite sounds like them

Reverend - David Wayne's band with the guys in Heretic

Viking - All around excellent thrash

Exciter - Yeah, people know the name, but they never seem to actually listen to them!

Flotsam and Jetsam - Once again, they're well known because of Jason Newsted and the first album, but they've done some outstanding stuff since then that nobody ever talks about!

ultmetal on Sat, 30/07/2011 - 02:17

All GREAT choices!

Tico Tyrant on Sat, 30/07/2011 - 13:28

I agree, especially with regards to Exciter and Viking!

CommunistKruzher on Sun, 31/07/2011 - 07:53

totally agree, anacrusis is one of my fvorite bands and in my own opinion they dont have the credit that they deserve, lot of stupid thrash metal bands like violator, municipal waste are obtaining teh credit that anacrusis deserve

Adrian on Sun, 31/07/2011 - 10:29

Indeed, there's so many new thrash bands that are popular but then you have older bands that are far more original and interesting sounding that nobody seems to know about

eddiethehead666 on Sun, 31/07/2011 - 09:00

Yeah Anacrusis and Viking never seem to get the credit they deserve. I haven't really gotten around to checking out Reverend yet, i'll have to get at it.

CommunistKruzher on Sun, 31/07/2011 - 09:04

rverend is an awesome band, world wont miss you is an awesome album

Adrian on Sun, 31/07/2011 - 10:31

Definitely check them out, it's pretty much a thrashier Metal Church

eddiethehead666 on Fri, 29/07/2011 - 17:17

Amboog-A-Lard (thrash) - crazy si-fi thrash band from Florida, US. Jeordie White played bass in this band before he joined a band which shall not be named here.... they got caught up with the many very good thrash bands of the mid 90's and subsequently never seem to get any attention

Ildjarn (black metal) - one man band type project that seems to be forgotten among all the other Black metal bands in Norway. Had some really good demos/ep's/albums in the early - mid 90's

Defiance (thrash) - Excellent bay area thrash band that seems to get lost in the shuffle of all the other great bands at the time. Product of Society, Void Terra Firma, Beyond Recognition are great albums

Uncle Slam (crossover) - Great crossover band from venice. mostly overshadowed by Suicidal tendencies, excel, etc.

Realm (progressive thrash)- amazing band from wisconsin. unfortunately only had a couple albums

Adrian on Sat, 30/07/2011 - 09:05

YES, Defiance are great! I finally got ahold of Product of Society a couple weeks back and that album kills!

I also have their new album, but I didn't really find it quite as outstanding, though not bad in the slightest

eddiethehead666 on Sun, 31/07/2011 - 08:55

ha yeah its is a great album. unfortunately the only one i have!

and i was thinkin of getting that album, but since you said that i think i will search for Void Terra Firma, from what i have heard i really like that one lol

Ravishing Grimness on Wed, 25/07/2012 - 22:14

Just spinning it right now!So someone cares? :P

Jimmh on Fri, 29/07/2011 - 20:25

Artillery - Fear of Tomorrow came out in Denmark at the same year with Bonded by Blood. They made their first and the best album at the same time as many of the other thrash bands in the US. Maybe that is the reason why they never came that big. One of the best songs uploaded by my friend:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4ocDfUsHms&feature=related

Hell - I'm not sure is Hell underrated because they got their fist full-lenght album out last year and I think their repultation is growing but I still have to mention them. It's a dam badass N.W.O.B.H.M. and David Bower is one of the best and funniest vocalist. I've never seen that energetic singer and he can beat so many singers out there. The show in Tuska just blowed my mind and I hope to see them again soon.

Raven - First three and Life's a Bitch albums are pure N.W.O.B.H.M and Speed Metal attacks. They were fast and IMO one of the pioneers with Venom. I just bought Life's a Bitch LP and I'm waiting for postman to deliver it ;)

I have to go now so I'll add two others on the list later.

kertalaaki on Tue, 23/08/2011 - 04:36

HELL on vitun hyvä :D

BeefCakeAssThrash on Fri, 29/07/2011 - 22:24

I also think Shell Shock from Japan should be more known
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1ZIpQdDVeA

they have an amazing sound

Tico Tyrant on Sat, 30/07/2011 - 13:29

yeah that kicked some ass!

lowriderskin on Sat, 30/07/2011 - 06:00

Exhorder
DeadHead
God Dethroned
Fear of God
Extreme Noise Terror

Tico Tyrant on Sat, 30/07/2011 - 13:30

+1 for Extreme Noise Terror, they are fucking awesome! all the others are great choices too, except I am not familiar with "Fear of God" so I will check them out

lowriderskin on Thu, 04/08/2011 - 06:01

Fear of god with Dawn Crosby(RIP) on vocals check the rare within the veil record!

meaningless on Mon, 01/08/2011 - 09:20

+1 also for God Dethrone, never got this following that they should have.

ultmetal on Sat, 30/07/2011 - 07:31

Ladies and gentlemen, THE MOSHKETEERS! \m/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONZLy_Jomr0

ultmetal on Sat, 30/07/2011 - 07:34

And a Moshketeers cover by Ultimatum:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIcIMFaQmUY&feature=related

CommunistKruzher on Sun, 31/07/2011 - 09:06

what a great band!!!!! the downward spiral is awesome!!!!

mayhempunk666 on Sat, 30/07/2011 - 07:56

Kataklysm
Sacred Reich
Overkill
Necrophagia
Goatwhore

Tico Tyrant on Sat, 30/07/2011 - 13:33

Goatwhore is really talked about where I live. I fucking love that band,they are great live too! I used to think they were from somewhere in eastern Canada.

Terroristic-Ham... on Mon, 01/08/2011 - 04:14

goatwhore is awful! and the time I seen them open for another band they sucked!

eddiethehead666 on Sun, 31/07/2011 - 08:56

Necrophagia is way too underrated

NocturnalOccultist on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 12:18

Kataklysm really a good band in the early days since the original vocalist (Sylvain) left and later ones with Maruizio, i tell you this! they suck!

meaningless on Wed, 10/08/2011 - 16:06

imo - Kataklysm - totaly overrated
same - Necrophagia :P totaly overrated - imo
Sacred Reich - underrated

whiteravenmetal on Sat, 30/07/2011 - 08:20

RAVEN
RAVEN
RAVEN
RAVEN
RAVEN

Tico Tyrant on Sat, 30/07/2011 - 13:37

My friend recently recommended some albums from them, and I keep seeing their name. I for one love speed and thrash metal and NWOBHM, but for some reason I just never came across this bands music until now, so I listened to "Firepower" and I was sold! It's great to get back to the roots and really see how thrash and speed sounds were influenced and carved out!

Deathcore.Is.No... on Sat, 30/07/2011 - 13:23

I don't mind when bands are underrated. It makes it so that only the die-hard fans (for the most part) of the genre know about the music. I know that if any of my 5 underrated bands were as popular as Slayer, then that would be a HUGE disappointment. It always makes sure that they will never compromise their music for money, which has happened to almost every overrated band out there...

Anyways, here's the list

Exumer
Demolition Hammer
Dark Angel
Morbid Saint
Atrophy

NekroDesekrator666 on Sat, 30/07/2011 - 23:55

1) Mefisto - Swedish black/thrash band from 80's. They did only 2 demos in 1986. A killer old school black metal band that is way too underrated. Mikael Åkerfeldt and Fenriz have both mentioned them in interview. One of my favourite bands!

2) N.M.E - American black/thrash from 80's. They made one of the best album ever called Unholy Death (1986). Their guitarist Kurt Struebing went to jail cause he killed his adoptive mother while he was on drugs. One of my fav bands too.

3) Flames of Hell - black/thrash band from Iceland. They have only released one album called Fire and Steel. (1987) When some guy was having an interview with band's relative, he said that Flames of Hell are making a new album. And the interview is from 2002 so we are still waiting!!

4) Demolition Hammer - American thrash band. They released 3 full-length albums between 1990-1994.

5) Toxik - It seems that more people have mentioned this band in this forum so i dont put anything here :D

CommunistKruzher on Sun, 31/07/2011 - 07:56

flames of hell, what an asesome band!!!!

NekroDesekrator666 on Wed, 03/08/2011 - 01:15

it sure is!

dennis221 on Sun, 31/07/2011 - 23:42

Bands that are really underrated are:

Angel Witch - NWOBHM !

Loudness - Heavy metal from japan

Warlock - Heavy metal from germany !

Vortex - Dutch steel !

Violent Force - Thrash metal from germany!

lak89 on Mon, 01/08/2011 - 04:26

Threshold - Progressive Metal from England. These guys formed in 1988, have 8 albums under their belt and still are relatively unknown, even in the Progressive Metal. Sonically they're on the lighter spectrum of prog metal, even though the technical facility of the instrumentalists aren't on the same tier as the big name prog metal bands like Dream Theater, Symphony X etc, they have a great ear for melody, each member's playing and soloing is controlled and they don't resort to wankery ever. Good if you like Prog Metal with some Alternative elements.

Revocation - Death/Thrash from the US. I can't say they're underrated as they're still quite new in the metal scene, only releasing their second album this year. What I can say is they're an absolutely original sounding band, seamlessly blending death and thrash together with a very melodic and unique style of guitar soling I have not heard in any other death or thrash metal band, I swear I feel like I'm listening to a hard rock band at times. What's more impressive is that they're a three-piece.

Pagan's Mind - Prog/Power Metal from Norway. Also a unique sounding band that is still relatively unknown in the prog/power circle, apart from being very melodic and heavy when need be, they also include a futuristic sounding element in their music, they're influenced by Stargate the TV show which explains that.

Fleshgod Apocalypse - Brutal Tech Death Metal from Italy. Definitely a band that's under represented on this site and a band that needs to be more well known in general. Think Death Metal and Beethoven/Mozart tastefully combined and played at a million bpm, you'll get the picture.

Transatlantic - Progressive Rock supergroup from the US. Not a metal band, but I feel they deserve a mention. The members consist of Mike Portnoy, Neal Morse, Pete Trewavas and Roine Stolt. Musically they are in the realm of 70's progressive rock, very musically sophisticated, the hammond organ is also heavily used in their music. If you like Rush, Genesis, King Crimson and the like you'll like this band.

CommunistKruzher on Mon, 01/08/2011 - 07:58

THRESHOLD!!!!!!!! awesome band,decaying ice and Co-walker are my favorites songs!!!

lak89 on Mon, 01/08/2011 - 19:06

I don't think we're talking about the same Threshold here :P

CommunistKruzher on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 12:26

hahaha sorry i was talking about Threshold from france, i didnt read the description, sorry :P

dioDEATH on Fri, 05/08/2011 - 04:15

I'll add one more band:

Incubus (Death/Thrash)
Not to be confused with the pop band :D. This band has released 2 albums (Serpent Temptation and Beyond the Unknown) also a remastered version of Serpent Temptation before changed its name into Opprobrium.

Cannibal corpse fan on Fri, 05/08/2011 - 09:08

1.fleshcrawl-a underrated band that in my opinion kicks some major ass. 2.disasterous murmur 3.gorefest-I was blown away when I first heard their album False 4.toxik- they are fuckin awesome. 5. Hell- another awesome band

BeefCakeAssThrash on Thu, 29/09/2011 - 05:51

FINALLY! someone mentions Disastrous Murmur! really brutal Death!!

Phosphorous_Redeemer on Sat, 06/08/2011 - 00:26

Naglfar
Necrovore
Summon
Drawn and Quartered
Vulture Lord
Kult ov Azazel
Old Behemoth
Cyanide
Sanguis Imperem
Armagedda
Gravehill
Black Altar
Nominon

mayhempunk666 on Tue, 23/08/2011 - 07:37

Naglfar, Kult of Azazel, and Gravehill are all excellent bands. its shocking that so many people havent heard of em

overkill386 on Mon, 08/08/2011 - 18:39

slayer,metallica,megadeth,anthrax lol

megadeth1818 on Wed, 10/08/2011 - 16:46

off the top of my head witchfinder general, wrathchild america, granicus, grand funk railroad, cirith ungol

Overthewall2 on Fri, 09/09/2011 - 01:17

Love Witchfinder General <3 Great band. Never knew what genre they were.

TöxikTormentor on Tue, 23/08/2011 - 00:44

Vulture is a fucking great Band! Discover4ed them a few days ago!

lovecraft on Tue, 23/08/2011 - 07:17

I'm stoked that Midnight is on here so much as underrated, they totally were & they are awesome

Plague on Tue, 23/08/2011 - 15:38

I'm kinda going by bands I don't see mentioned much on here, so...

KRYPT (Norway): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTA0316dbdY

LORD BELIAL (Sweden): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-WDHPI3Cnc

REVOCATION (US): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C91g7iaElFU

LUX FERRE (Portugal): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcLcgIkDIBs

URGEHAL (Norway): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiOB62x7SsU

lak89 on Tue, 06/09/2011 - 12:27

Yes!! Revocation!!

Plague on Tue, 06/09/2011 - 16:09

\m/

NocturnalOccultist on Tue, 06/09/2011 - 11:19

No one heard Atrophy - they are the greatest bands

Adrian on Sat, 10/09/2011 - 15:46

Great band, I unfortunately only own the Violent By Nature album.

NocturnalOccultist on Thu, 29/09/2011 - 08:24

violent by nature is a great album! but Socialized hate is also great too!

MetalReece on Wed, 07/09/2011 - 05:59

Battleaxe(UK)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8ZokWYfc3s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFQ1k9KGIu0&feature=related

upcoming new album to hopefully be released oct.
http://www.battleaxemetal.com/

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

ThrashtillDeath on Sat, 10/09/2011 - 15:11

ATTOMICA!!!!!!!!!!!! Thet are so good. Those guys got some of the best fuckin beats ever. I wish they got more recognition.

ThrashtillDeath on Sat, 10/09/2011 - 15:13

Theres plenty of other bands aswell, except they are extremely unknown.

sfusyron on Sat, 10/09/2011 - 16:38

1.Meliah Rage http://youtu.be/T9LVpSxAoxQ
2.Lääz Rockit http://youtu.be/6AdltpKsb3s
3.Wrath http://youtu.be/kwkzI3MTkWs
4.The Accused http://youtu.be/VyNMxui6sh4
5.Broken Hope http://youtu.be/aWmJv3n74Pc

lowriderskin on Sun, 11/09/2011 - 06:02

Necrosanct
Merciless
Morbid
Necroschizma
Sinister

LaUlvenDrepe on Thu, 29/09/2011 - 07:08

1) Obtained Enslavement (Perhaps the MOST underrated Norwegian symphonic black metal band of all time). Their "Witchcraft" album is in my opinion the best of the symphonic sub-genre.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-OPe_AlDeM

2) Diabolical Masquerade - A Swedish avant-garde black metal project. "Nightwork" is their best album.

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

3) Storm - A folk metal side-project of Fenriz from Darkthrone and Satyr from Satyricon. I always hear people talk about Isengard, but damn it this is just as good if not better.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiyR9wT16UU

4) Arcturus - One of my favorite bands. Unfortunately they now fall under a genre that I dislike, well... except for Arcturus that is. Everyone of their albums is a masterpiece with the exception of the last one (which was good too). Their first album is atmospheric black metal, and the rest is avant-garde metal.

Here's some BM material:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ggo_1yexDY

And some avant-garde material:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVmF-HS8KyA

5) Dødheimsgard - I know most will not agree that this band is underrated, but I feel as if while not extremely underrated, they certainly don't have the following they should have. I don't like their non-black metal material, but the first two albums are just epic, especially Kronet Til Konge.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avWU7Ny_Qlg

Sorry if most bands on my list are mostly black metal related, but it's mostly what I listen to. I tried to keep the list consisting of older bands, because if you are a new band I don't think I can consider you "underrated" as you have not yet had time to develop a respectable following. You need time to gain recognition.

Deathbanger on Thu, 29/09/2011 - 10:23

Voor ( Canadian Thrash/Death )
An onslaught of some raw and evil trash from death metal pioneers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNZpkqd36WA

Jex Thoth ( American Doom )
Deep and engrossing Doom, creates one hell of an atmosphere. One of the best, if not the best Female fronted doom metal band.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCQTpUinZIU

Deathhammer ( Norwegian Thrash )
Fucking brutal onslaught of thrash madness!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57OEZzbKlhQ

Poison ( German Death/Thrash )
Complete and utter destruction of the ear drums that damn near perfects the mixing of Death and Thrash.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nQaFJXbA1E&feature=related

Morbid (Norwegian Thrash/Black )
Dead's first band, more thrashy/deathy then Mayhem but fucking killer as well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1i5l3f2Ho5c

Honorable Mentions:Savage, Raven, Exumer, Razor, Exciter, Toxik, Flames of Hell, Morbid Saint, Anacrusis.

Rocket_Propelle... on Thu, 06/10/2011 - 09:26

Vampire mooose (yep, with three O's)- I consider it "Mastodon meets death metal" Experimental groove with growls and comedy elements.

Fukpig- Mind-blowing Grindcore/Crust Punk/ Black Metal. Formed by members of Mistress and Anaal Nathrakh.

Lazarus A.D.- From the new wave of thrash metal.

OOMPH!- Creators of the genre that made Rammstein famous. So unfair that still kinda unknown. Listen to "Defekt", you'll love it.

Someone previously mentioned Dødheimsgard, they are cool.

morbidsaint on Mon, 17/10/2011 - 00:05

1.Massacra
2.Verbal Abuse
3.Abomination
4.Carnage
5.Sadus

metal_thrashing_dad on Mon, 17/10/2011 - 22:19

1. Armored Saint: What can you say for the band that has John Bush as their singer and Joey Vera as their bassist? One of the best US heavy metal bands ever. R.I.P. Dave Prichard.
2. Skyclad: Don't mean to offense anybody but everbody are praising mediocre bands like Turisas or Korpiklaani and they forget the real originators of Folk Metal. Listen to their albums and you will understand why.
3. Warrior Soul: Amazing band and their first 3 albums are essential listenings in my opinion.
4. Vio-Lence: Rob Flynn and Phil Demmel may have found success and recognition with Machine Head (i love them) but this where it started for them.
5. Hatesphere: This is a new band from Denmark, they play modern thrash metal and they are absolutelly killer. Check them out!!!

Maddolis on Tue, 18/10/2011 - 01:13

Winterhorde
Forefather
Lykathea Aflame
Kiuas
Disillusion

I'll cheat and also say Dominia, Lunatic Gods and Ruthless Order.

Maddolis on Sat, 22/10/2011 - 03:25

Their first is their best.

TheBerzerker2031 on Fri, 21/10/2011 - 07:38

Disrupt - great ass grindcore/crust band, they're amazing and have lots of talent, most mention should be of their lyrics. Very smart and creative/inspirational lyrics that really get you thinking when listening to the band's songs like "Protest, Victims of Tradition, No Values, Slave to Stupidity, etc.."

Gore Obessed - a one-man goregrind/death metal band, great songs which are catchy and fun. The instruments are very well done, and overall it gives you a old-school feeling when listening to songs like "Cannibal Holocaust, Buckets Of Gore-Slime and Puke, Maniac, etc."

Vile - Death Metal band, always thought they were pretty underrated, their instrumentals and the vocals work so well and smoothly it make you fall asleep(in a good way). I think they're catchy and brilliantly talented! Check them out!

"I beat the shit out of some kids today. But it was for a purpose. It made me feel good about myself. It was like I did something constructive with my life or something, I dunno, like I accomplished something" - Billy Bob Thornton(Bad Santa)

Goremaster666 on Fri, 20/07/2012 - 18:25

Gore obsessed!!!

smash-raptor on Sun, 23/10/2011 - 04:34

GWAR- because they dress up like aliens people dont take them seriously. Thier lyrics are sometimes ridiculous but i still like it and the riffs and live shows are amazing. Even if they never dressed up or threw blood at shows i still would like them.

Swashbuckle- a newer band death/thrash. Hometown band where im from. They have a piratical theme but have released 3 amazing CDs

Toxic Holocaust- Its only 1 dude, joel grind, recording all the instruments on the first couple records. They put on great live shows, and look like they came out right out of the 80s

Gama Bomb- thrash metal from somewhere around ireland. they play fast and crazy. party thrash

3 Inches Of Blood- power/thrash from canada. the best way i can describe it is world of warcraft the band. But these guys are amzing. bruce dickinson style singer, cam pipes is great. They are currently recording for thier 4th album that i cant wait for it to come out

Flammenkanonier on Sun, 23/10/2011 - 07:02

i think the only band who is listed here as underrated is CIRITH UNGOL!
But that`s my opinion.

my 5 underrated bands are...

- Gargoyle...a really great Heavy Metal Band
- Silent Scream...they released just one record, but this one is a insane masterpiece!
- Num Skull...one of the first bands who play death-thrash
- Witch Cross...great female Heavy Metal vocals
- Mass...War Law is such a catchy Neakbreaker...every title is a "hit"

eddiethehead666 on Tue, 25/10/2011 - 10:57

Silent Scream and Num Skull are great bands!!

MoreNecromansy on Tue, 24/07/2012 - 21:49

Have to agree there. Cirith Ungol's first two records should be in everyone's collection.

Witch Cross's vocalist is a guy by the way.

laurensgrFCDB on Wed, 26/10/2011 - 06:04

1. Cranium (Swedish speed/thrash metal)
2. Merciless (swedish death/thrash metal)
3. God Dethroned ( dutch black/death metal)
4. Order of Ennead ( US black/Death metal) with steve Asheim from deicide at drumms!!!
5. Centurian ( dutch death metal)

Mental-Vortex on Fri, 20/07/2012 - 21:00

Bestial Butcher!

Seany Genovese on Thu, 27/10/2011 - 13:05

Unleashed - Underrated Swedish Death Metal. They've recently been gaining more attention, which fackin racks.

Officium Triste - Death Doom from the Netherlands. Shite lyrics, but great music otherwise.

陰陽座(Onmyouza) - Japanese Heavy/Power Metal band that like to bring a traditional Asian flavor to their style. They'll make you feel good inside. ;D

Golem - German Progressive Blackened-ish Death Metal. Sounds like Carcass + Gorguts + Immortal. It's fucked up and awesome.

Volbeat - Damish Metal'n'Roll band that sounds like the collective child of Elvis, Johnny Cash, Danzig/The Misfits, Pantera, early Metallica, and occasionally other small influences will creep in.

lowriderskin on Sat, 29/10/2011 - 08:44

Eyehategod
Mercyful Fate
The Accused
Abbatoir
Y&T
Exhorder okay not all metal bands but still very much underrated

slaytanic1 on Tue, 14/02/2012 - 08:11

SACRIFICE
ARTILLERY
COVEN
ACID REIGN and
CORROSION OF CONFORMITY

Metal_James on Wed, 15/02/2012 - 11:05

I really like God Macabre...
I don't hear their name too often.

Mental-Vortex on Fri, 20/07/2012 - 21:02

Damn,The Winterlong kicks so much ass!

Ironbound on Wed, 15/02/2012 - 11:46

Angel Witch-NWOBHM
Damascus-NWOBHM
Lust (U.S)- Heavy Metal
Wikka- Heavy/Power Metal
Goat Horn- Heavy/Doom Metal

Oby Machado on Wed, 15/02/2012 - 18:49

sentinel beast
necronomicon
satan
virtue
accussed

meaningless on Fri, 20/07/2012 - 19:00

I forgot 1 more band:

JUNGLE ROT!!! ..how i can forget that :P

DevilzForce on Fri, 20/07/2012 - 20:42

-Possessed USDM (the real godfathers of deathmetal, severely underrated as they deserve recognition, cuz without possessed a lot of old bands would have never been in existence including Death !)
-God Dethroned NLDM (amazing band, amazing albums, finally got a little bit of recognition... after they quit.)
-Sinister NLDM (well known abroad, here in holland the band barely gets a second glance)
-Thanatos NLDt (first dutch deathmetalband ever ! barely gets recognition although angelic encounters and emerging from the netherworlds are amazing albums)
-PENTACLE NLDM(wannes outdoes asphyx at their own game time and time again yet gets barely noticed !! if you guys like asphyx go and check out asphyx's former bassplayer wannes gubbels's band Pentacle... you will not be dissapointed!)

DevilzForce on Fri, 20/07/2012 - 20:37

double..

Mental-Vortex on Fri, 20/07/2012 - 20:59

Armoured Angel
Rottrevore
Hellwitch
Iron Monkey
Blood Farmers

Just to name only a few..

DragonSlayer 666 on Sat, 21/07/2012 - 10:16

saint vitus!!!

Wrathchylde666 on Mon, 23/07/2012 - 07:19

I agree with RAVEN, EXCITER, and OVERKILL, who, even tho theyre a big band, still dont seem to get the props they deserve.

Ill add WITCHERY, who really took the blackened thrash thing to perfection. Skeletonwitch is cool, but Witchery were there first. Toxines vocals on those early records were just perfect for that.

Another is THE SWORD...too often wrongly lumped into hipster, indie or retro categories, those first two records are as metal as anything Ive ever heard. Doom, with elements of groove, sword and sorcery and lots of Black Sabbath. Totally underrated band.

Ravishing Grimness on Mon, 23/07/2012 - 07:45

Too many too mention,but here are some:

Vinterland
The Black
Funeral Winds
Tsjuder
Gehenna

Ravishing Grimness on Mon, 23/07/2012 - 09:25

Haha still underrated though:P Also never got much of respect 'bout their music for that matter!Still a great band in my book.

LeprosyWillTake... on Tue, 24/07/2012 - 06:38

Atrophy

MoreNecromansy on Thu, 26/07/2012 - 16:01

Bands I feel are underrated:

1. Manilla Road: Quite simply that greatest epic heavy metal band of all time. Although the band have been very active lately, playing a lot of underground shows all over Europe and North America and releasing a new LP a few months back (Bringing their total full length album tally to 15!), yet I still feel that they don’t get the recognition they deserve. Mark “The Shark” Shelton is a guitar god and his commanding & fantastical voice will make you believe in every myth, Lovecraftian horror, a certain Cimmerian’s adventures and legend known to man. Stand-out tracks: The Deluge, Dreams of Eschaton, Divine Victim, Mystification, Masque of the Red Death, Witches Brew, Necropolis, The Riddle Master, Tree of Life, The Book of Skelos, Riddle of Steel.. There are too many to mention.

2. Blood Farmers: Jimi Hendrix meets Saint Vitus… A killer mix of acid jams and doom metal. Band split up in the 90’s after two demos and one album, but are now back thanks to Tatsu Mikami (Church of Misery) and the guys from Ogre raising awareness about the band. They’re apparently working on a new record at the moment, but someone needs to release their earlier stuff on vinyl first! Fans of long solos and B-movie gore inspired lyrics sung by quite possibly my favorite doom metal vocalist need to take note. Stand-out tracks: The Deathmaster, Bullet In My Head (Permanent Brain Damage version), Veil Of Blood (Scream Bloody Murder), Albino, Orgy of the Rats, The Holy Chalice & Twisted Brain (Part 2).

3. Pagan Altar: NWOBHM/Doom metal cult legends. The Jones brothers have been at it since ’81, but have only released 3 LPs so far as well as “The Time lord” EP, each of which is a classic in its own right. The most interesting aspect of the band is the atmosphere they seem to create which seem to transport the listener to a Wiccan Sabbatical rite. Stand-out tracks: Judgement of the Dead, In the Wake of Armadeus, Black Mass, Samhein, Daemoni na Hoiche (Demons of the Night), Highway Cavalier, March of the Dead & Sentinels of Hate.

4. Omen: Another under-appreciated epic heavy metal band from the states. Between Kenny Powell’s riffs which are reminiscent of Maiden at times and J.D. Kimball’s awesome voice, the band had a unique sound all to their own, releasing 3 albums which are quite possibly some of the greatest heavy metal records ever made with “Battle Cry” in particular standing out. Although The band did end up losing it somehow after the “Nightmares” EP with the latter material being quite mediocre in comparison and that is due in no small part to the departure of vocalist J.D.Kimball (R.I.P). Stand-out tracks: Dragon’s Breath, Die by the Blade, Be My Wench, Teeth of the Hydra, Kill on Sight, Make Me Your King, Don't Fear the Night & Termination.

5. Sabbat (Japan): What’s there to say about the beasts from the east? They’re basically Japan’s answer to Venom and some would say they took what Cronos & co. were doing and made it better! The only constant member since the band’s inception is Gezolucifer (Who also went on to start the Heavy Metal Bulldozing machine that is Metalucifer), but despite the line-up changes, one thing has remained consistent and that’s the quality of the music. Combining everything from Speed Metal, Death Metal, Thrash Metal, Black Metal & the occasional Japanese folk influence to create something that always sounds unique and no other band can match. These guys are considered gods in Asia and it’s about time they took their rightful throne everywhere else! Stand-out tracks: Darkness and Evil, Samurai Zombies, Envenom Into the Witch's Hole, Black Metal Volcano, Mion's Hill, Black Fire, Satan Bless You, Death Zone, Black Metal Scythe & The Dwelling (Epic hour long track)

Other bands of note:

Riot (Just listen to "Wings of Fire")
Elixir ("Sons of Odin" is one of the greatest heavy metal records ever!)
Cirith Ungol ("Frost & Fire" and "King of the Dead" are essential records. Epic Heavy/Doom metal with 70's sensibilities)
Stormwitch
Fist
Destructor
Ashbury (Like Pagan Altar going country with Bob Seger on vocals)
Twisted Tower Dire (Tony Taylor-era)
Orodruin (Crushing Doom)
Revalation
Iron Man (If the soundtrack to Shaft was written by a doom metal band, it would be by these guys)
Savage Grace
OZ
Satan
Salem's Wych

NocturnalOccultist on Thu, 26/07/2012 - 07:46

Gehennah!

Evilution E5150 on Thu, 26/07/2012 - 12:36

some of the later wave of thrash

Forbidden
Heathen
Vio-lence
Evildead
Toxik

KorgullTheExter... on Thu, 26/07/2012 - 19:18

Voivod
Razor
Sacred Reich
Tankard
Overkill

In my opinion ;)

KorgullTheExter... on Thu, 26/07/2012 - 19:18

Voivod
Razor
Sacred Reich
Tankard
Overkill

In my opinion ;)

eschaton.777 on Sun, 09/12/2012 - 18:39

1. Fukpig, I believe was mentioned earlier
2. Loinen, weird Finnish sludge/doom/hardcore band, that just did a crazy weird collaboration with the Finnish free jazz musician Paanin Kuoro.
3. Immortal, I dunno why but I just feel like they aren't talked about enough.
4. Scythe, really cool doomy progressive death metal from Germany, one of my favorite albums is On My Way Home
5. Jute Gyte, crazy noisey one man black metal from Missouri. If you like the black metal noise combination, this guy's music is definitely worth a listen on band camp

eschaton.777 on Sun, 09/12/2012 - 18:42

but also beware that half of jute gyte's albums are experimental electronic music, so I'd suggest checking out young eagle or impermanence

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