Electric Metal: Artists

"There is a certain subset of musicians who for reasons unknown adhere to the false premise that "electronic" music or the tools involved imply a lack of creativity or inspired performance. Technology in the hands of creative, intelligent individuals is a tool for art, not a hindrance."
~ Filter

[51 Peg]

- style: electronic rock
- from: Washington D.C., USA
- description: Influenced by NIN, Depeche Mode, Faith No More and Pink Floyd, amongst others, 51 Peg are described as the future of electronic rock, a totally electronic band with a dark, synth-driven sound that is difficult to categorize.
- major releases:
-- "Strange Appointments"
- weblinks:
-- www.51peg.com
-- 51 Peg Yahoo! Group
-- 51 Peg @ iuma.com

[616 Abortions]

- description: formerly known as Squid, a band compared to Marilyn Manson and NIN, 616 Abortions are said to have "nasty basslines, dirty synths and dead-inside guitars".
- from: Preston, UK
- weblinks:
-- www.616abortions.net

[Aesthetic Meat Foundation]

- style: power electronics/ritual drone
- description: influenced by NON, SPK, Brighter Death Now, Diamanda Galas, etc
- from: Long Beach, CA, USA
- weblinks:
-- www.a-m-f.org

[Bile]

- style: industrial/industrial-metal
- description: "horror industrial" influenced by The Clash, David Bowie, NIN, Depeche Mode, Skinny Puppy, etc
- from: New York, USA
- major releases:
-- "Teknowhore"
-- "Sex Reflex"
-- "Nightmare Before Krztoff"
-- "Demonic Electronic"
-- "The Copy Machine"
- weblinks:
-- www.teknowhore.com

[Cell]

- style: experimental, IDM
- description: similar artists: Autechre, Aphex Twin, Mouse on Mars, Squarepusher, Boards of Canada, Plaid, Download
- from: Toronto, Canada
- weblinks:
-- www.rephlex.com

[The Divine]

- style: electronic/industrial rock
- description: "the poster boys of alt.sex.fetish... the "Barbie dolls" of the underground industrial goth world... armed with crunching guitars, pounding drum loops, melodic vocals, sinful synths..." Influences include NIN, Marilyn Manson, Ministry, KMFDM, Sisters of Mercy
- from: Ontario, Canada
- major releases:
-- "All Things Godlike"
-- "Sinthetic Inside"
- weblinks:
-- www.virtualdivinity.net
-- www.garageband.com/artist/thedivine

[Droom]

- style: synthpop
- description: a recently formed electro-pop musical collaboration between Graham Jackson and Bill Hansen from the Vancouver based industrial/noise band aLUnARED
- from: Vancouver, Canada
- weblinks:
-- www.droom-music.com
-- Droom @ newmusiccanada.com
-- www.electrogarden.com/artists/droom/

[Empusae]

- style: industrial, experimental, rhythmic noise
- description: sci-fi and horror movie soundtrack music mixed with the most abrasive and mechnical rhythmic industrial music, compared to Tarmvred, Winterkalte, Komplex and Synapscape, melody meets noise, beauty meets darkness
- from: Belgium
- major releases:
-- "Funestus"
- weblinks:
-- www.empusae.com

[Fainting in Coils]

- style: electronic, industrial
- from: Hollywood, USA
- weblinks:
-- Fainting in Coils site

[Fierce Culture]

- style: "Electro-industrial darkwave terror"
- description: Fierce Culture fuse many musical styles together including industrial, goth, electro, darkwave, punk, black metal and experimental. Influences include Front Line Assembly, Ministry and Project Pitchfork
- from: Connecticut, USA
- weblinks:
-- www.fierceculture.com
-- www.garageband.com/bands/fierceculture

[Firewerk]

- style: industrial-metal
- description: Firewerk plays a unique brand of industrialized gothic metal, utilising a blend of analogue and sampled instruments, synthesisers and drum machines. Influences include Rammstein, Metallica, Skinny Puppy, Ministry
- from: Detroit, Michigan, USA
- major releases:
-- "Amplified Fragments"
- weblinks:
-- www.firewerk.com
-- www.garageband.com/artist/firewerk

[Ghost in the Machine]

- style: electronica
- description: GITM fuse elements of techno, rock, industrial, R&B, etc
- from: Wisconsin, USA
- major releases:
-- "Ghost in the Machine"
-- "The Haunting Begins..."
- weblinks:
-- www.gitm.net
-- www.garageband.com/artist/gitm

[Gilla Bruja]

- style: death metal/grindcore/industrial
- description: Gilla Bruja, named after a Mexican death cult, incorporate elements of death metal, grindcore and industrial on their first album with the second album being more metal oriented
- from: UK
- major releases:
-- "Tooth and Nail"
-- "6 Fingered Jesus"
- weblinks:
-- www.retributerecords.com

[God Project]

- style: industrial
- description: formerly known as Assembly of God, changed to God Project as of May 2003
- weblinks:
-- www.godproject.net

[Haarp]

- style: powernoise, IDM, experimental
- description: similar to: Noisex, Imminent Starvation, PAL, Hypnoskull, Converter, Autechre, Aphex Twin, Whitehouse, Skinny Puppy, Lustmord, Nurse With Wound, Can, Coil
- from: Mason, TN, USA
- weblinks:
-- www.failinglife.com/haarp

[-Halo-]

- style: Death rock/industrial/noise
- description: Similar to: Neurosis, Swans, Godflesh, Eyehategod, Skullflower, early Napalm Death and other noisecore, harsh noise and power electronics acts
- from: Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
- weblinks:
-- http://halo.antisound.net/

[Imbue]

- style: electronic-tinged hard rock
- description: "Post-industrial trip-pop" influenced by Jane's Addiction, NIN, Tool, The Cure, Depeche Mode
- from: Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- major releases:
-- "Resurrected"
-- "Filth Parade"
-- "Ritual In Bloom"
- weblinks:
-- www.imbuenet.com
-- www.garageband.com/artist/imbue
-- Imbue Yahoo! Group

[Imminent (Imminent Starvation)]

- style: powernoise/rhythmic noise
- description: Beautiful noise with shades of Autechre, Throbbing Gristle and Einsturzende Neubauten that sounds both industrial and oddly organic
- from: Belgium
- major releases:
-- "Human Dislocation"
-- "Nord"
- weblinks:
-- www.ant-zen.com/imminent/

[The Intricate Unit]

- style: industrial-rock
- description: influenced by Skinny Puppy, NIN, Leaether Strip, etc
- from: USA
- major releases:
-- "Denial"
--- "D e t a c h e d"
- weblinks:
-- www.intricateunit.com
-- Intricate Unit @ Soundclick.com

[Iszoloscope]

- style: ambient / experimental / industrial / rhythmic noise
- major releases:
-- "Coagulating Wreckage"
-- "Aquifere"
-- "Au Seuil du Neant"
- weblinks:
-- www.iszo.com

[Katscan]

- style: electropunk-industrial
- description: Influenced by, amongst others, Fad Gadget, Prodigy, Pitchshifter, NIN, Front 242, Dead Kennedys, Big Black, Coil, Sex Pistols, etc, Katscan are described as dirty industrial electropunk
- from: UK
- major releases:
-- "Feral Bios"
- weblinks:
-- www.katscan.net

[Klisk]

- style: experimental
- description: weird experimental music inspired by various genres, from rock and metal to post-techno
- from: New Jersy, USA
- weblinks:
-- www.klisk.com
-- Klisk @ iuma.com

[Lamp Leaking Dead Flies]

- style: "seizurecore"
- description: sounds like Venetian Snares on crack, maybe? It's described as seizurecore so go figure...
- weblinks:
-- Mile 329

[Leichenfeld]

- style: powernoise
- description: militaristic powernoise influenced by Ant-zen artists, Laibach, Feindflug, old Front Line Assembly, etc
- from: Minneapolis, MN, USA
- weblinks:
-- Leichenfeld @ iuma
-- http://thirdwavecollective.com

[Mindless Faith]

- style: industrial
- description: a combination of electronic arrangements, grinding textures and explosive beats making a dynamic post-industrial sound
- from: Pennsylvania, USA
- major releases:
-- "The Silence"
-- "Manifest Destiny"
- weblinks:
-- www.mindlessfaith.com
-- www.artistforum.com/mindlessfaith/
-- www.alterculture.com

[Morfiouz]

- style: industrial/techno
- from: Detroit, MI, USA
- major releases:
-- "Decayed Metropolis Pt.1: Daybreak"
-- "Decayed Metropolis Pt.2: Nightfall"
-- "Social Revolution: Music for Hunger"
- weblinks:
-- www.morfiouz.com

[Naked Intruder]

- style: experimental
- description: experimental electronic music that sounds like it came off the soundtrack to some really warped computer game
- weblinks:
-- http://www.nakedintruder.net/
-- Mile 329

[Neutralizing Force]

- style: experimental electronic
- description: video game music meets metal percussion
- weblinks:
-- http://www.nf3.org/
-- Mile 329

[Occupational Hazard]

- style: techno-metal
- description: Influences include Pitchshifter, Fear Factory, Clawfinger, Nailbomb, Rammstein
- from: the Midlands, UK
- weblinks:
-- www.occupationalhazard.co.uk
-- OH @ vitaminic

[ohGr]

- style: electronic, "bubblegum industrial"
- description: originally known as W.E.L.T., ohGr was formed after the demise of Skinny Puppy by Puppy vocalist Nivek Ogre in collaboration with Mark Walk.
- major releases:
-- "Welt"
-- "Sunnypsyop"
- weblinks:
-- www.ohgr.com
-- www.spitfirerecords.com

[Scrape[DX]/Scrap.edx]

- style: rhythmic noise/powernoise
- description: post-industrial rhythmic noise influenced by Venetian Snares, Gridlock, Autechre, Converter, Synapscape
- from: Connecticut, USA
- major releases:
-- "Non Linear Interfacing"
- weblinks:
-- www.scrapedx.com
-- www.dtarecords.com

[Serious Black]

- style: electronic-gothic-industrial
- description: 80s influenced genre-crossing electronic-goth industrial music
- major releases:
-- "Barbican"
- weblinks:
-- www.seriousblack.com

[Sister Kill Cycle]

- style: industrial metal
- description: a combination of techno pulses, grinding guitars and an outrageous image, SKC have stirred interest all over the US with their psychotic stage performance and presence
- weblinks:
-- www.sisterkillcycle.net

[Stormdrain]

- style: industrial rock
- description: influences include NIN, Filter, Portishead, Skinny Puppy, Prodigy
- from: San Jose, CA, USA
- weblinks:
-- www.stormdrain.net

[Suicidal Teddy Bear]

- style: grindcore
- description: 2 piece grindcore band from Birmingham, Alabama.
- from: USA
- weblinks:
-- Suicidal Teddy Bear @ audiostreet.net
-- www.cheesetoastrecords.cjb.net

[Sulpher]

- style: electronic/industrial rock
- description: Sulpher are an electronic/industrial rock band compared to bands such as Ministry and NIN and who have done production work on Gary Numan's album "Pure"
- from: UK
- major releases:
-- "Spray"
- weblinks:
-- www.sulpher.co.uk

[Survival Unit]

- style: power electronics/noise/harsh industrial
- from: Sweden
- weblinks:
-- www.survivalunit.cjb.net

[Sutur]

- style: electronic/industrial rock
- description: Sutur feature "sampled guitars, aggro-vocals, infectious drum loops and walls of electronic aggression." Influences include Dessau, The Cure, Godflesh, Skinny Puppy
- from: Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- major releases:
-- "Cured by Porno"
- weblinks:
-- www.elementalmedia.net
-- www.garageband.com/artist/sutur

[Suture Seven]

- style: industrial rock
- description: "Among Elton's best known work is his stint with the goth band Advent Sleep. He was the band's original guitarist/programmer, and integral in the recording of their album "Egos and Eros", which spawned four international singles and opening slots for top bands in the genre. Elton has shared the stage with the likes of Switchblade Symphony, Christian Death, Coal Chamber, and Rozz Williams. Jamie has received great reviews for his vocals on the band's debut cd "Aversion", and continues the excellent work on their follow-up "A Stitch to Mark the Wound". He has been a staple in the local music scene, and long time friend of Elton's. He is truly a veteran and intense performer, drawing from his wealth of stage experience. Though this is his first foray into the national spotlight, it surely won't be his last. Gregory, from the project "rightwingdeathsquad", was added to the Suture Seven roster in April 2002. His guitar work and freakish appearance have added so much to the live show. He gets better with every show he plays. Josie, from Elton's side project "The Hollowed", and with a voice that would compete with anyone in music today, was added to the lineup in April to play keyboards for the live show."
- from: USA
- major releases:
-- "Aversion"
-- "A Stitch to Mark the Wound"
- weblinks:
-- www.sutureseven.com

[The Synthetic Dream Foundation]

- style: experimental
- description: experimental electronica with elements of industrial, dark ambience, neo-classical and D'n'B, similar artists include Front Line Assembly, Download, Coil, VNV Nation, Haujobb, Enigma, Enya, Leaether Strip, Delerium, Snog, Brian Eno, Covenant, Wumpscut, Nurse With Wound, Synaesthesia, Funker Vogt
- from: Oklahoma, USA
- weblinks:
-- www.tsdf.net

[Tarmvred]

- style: rhythmic noise
- description: "Who has said Swedish industrial is only dark and slow? Tarmvred is here to prove the contrary. With his self released demo "Ileus", Jonas Johansson has proved last year that hard hitting beats, innovative patterns and a solid club/techno appeal can be mixed together in utterly enthusiastic tracks.

Energy, speed, complexity, diversity. Here are the keywords of "Subfusc", an album that surprises a lot of people and seduce even more listeners. A highly crafted album that sets a new standard for the rhythmic noise genre, and definitely offer more than the usual release of this kind."

- from: Sweden
- major releases:
-- "Subfusc"
- weblinks:
-- www.tarmvred.net
-- www.adnoiseam.net

[Terror Organ]

- style: industrial/noise
- from: Florida, USA
- weblinks:
-- www.holyterror.com/terrororgan

[Void II Void]

- style: experimental electronic with elements of industrial and black metal
- from: Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- major releases:
-- "The Symbol and the Shrine"
- weblinks:
-- www.voidsector.com
-- www.garageband.com/artist/voidiivoid

[Voltage Control]

- style: electro-industrial soundscapes
- from: Canada
- major releases:
-- "Higher Power"
-- "Oscillation Over-Thruster"
- weblinks:
-- www.voltage-control.com

[Wreathy]

- style: electronic/experimental/ambient/noise
- description: a mixture of slow to mid tempo ambient and symphonic sounds, distortion and noise, acoustic instruments, processed electric guitars and pure electronic sounds
- from: Sweden
- major releases:
-- "Leviathan"
- weblinks:
-- www.wreathy.com

Most of these I only know mp3.com addresses for. Whether they have other sites or not, I don't know. mp3.com is currently either being overhauled or screwed up for good depending on your viewpoint at this point in time so mp3.com links are no good. Also some of the bands may not be around any more (I'm not sure) and that explains why they've got no other sites... Just bear them in mind anyway, should you happen to hear of them...

The Beyond (Romanian ambient-industrial-noise)
Breansick Terror Brigade ('terrorcore' electronica from Florida, USA)
Dienstag (Noise from Dallas, TX, USA)
Fornix (industrial rock with similarities to NIN)
Modulate (Manchester, UK based dancefloor-oriented harsh industrial tech-noise similar to Winterkalte, Converter, Noisex, Asche, Feindflug, Hypnoskull, etc)
Oozish (Austin, TX, USA based industrial-metal influenced electronica influenced by Ministry, Crystal Method, Prodigy, Rob Zombie, early Metallica)
The System Boot (IDM/glitch/computer noise, related project to Haarp (see above) from Mason, TN, USA)

Many of the bands featured are ones I've come across during the course of my life. Some are suggested by fans. Some are suggested by the artists themselves. I can't vouch for the quality of them all. I don't personally like them all. They're just listed for you to check out, m'kay? M'kay...

"Underground" is open to interpretation. Maybe I mean bands on independent labels. Maybe I mean ones who aren't even signed anywhere. Maybe I also mean just the ones who are signed to a major label (or one that used to be independent, but is now a subdivision of a major label) but they get buggar all marketing so when some little black clad kid is standing there wondering what new CD to buy, [insert artist name here] is not going to automatically spring to mind. I just say that if they're less famous than, say, Marilyn Manson or NIN or something, they can be on this site. Or if you have to order their albums online because your local CD store doesn't sell their albums (I don't know about anywhere else, but here in the UK try even getting an Autechre CD from most CD stores without ordering it - it can be a pain in the ass) I think that also counts as underground...