Discovering Underground Metal Bands: A Comprehensive Guide

Looking for a fresh take on underground metal? This guide will help you find legitimate, up-and-coming metal bands that are not yet mainstream. Whether you enjoy death, black, or another subgenre, you'll find recommendations and tips for discovering new sounds. From YouTube to niche websites, we've got you covered.

Exploring Online Metal Environments

Metal has a rich, diverse community online, which serves as an excellent platform to discover new music. YouTube is a great place to start, but it's also beneficial to look beyond it. Consider these suggestions for a more in-depth exploration:

YouTube

Listen to bands you like on YouTube. Scroll down for a variety of other options and new album releases. Look up similar content and new playlists.

Kerrang! Website

Check out the Kerrang! website for more recommendations. This platform is renowned for featuring underground metal bands and indie concerts.

Starting in Your Own Backyard

Exploring local music can provide you with unique underground metal experiences. Here are some ideas:

College/University Radio Stations

Most campuses or community radio stations in Canada have a metal radio show. These stations are dedicated to playing music by local and Canadian artists, which means you'll hear something new and underground. Here are a few examples of such bands from around the world:

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Spotify Recommendations

Spotify provides personalized recommendations based on your listening history. Curated playlists on Apple Music also feature numerous underground metal bands. These playlists cover a wide range of subgenres, ensuring you won't miss out on any hidden gems.

Metal Archives

Metal Archives, a comprehensive online database, is an invaluable resource. Run by a Quebecois couple and maintained by a vast network of volunteers, it offers extensive information on bands, releases, and reviews. This site also features obscure and long-forgotten bands.

Despite its wealth of information, Metal Archives can have some drawbacks. For instance, newly discovered bands might not be easily found, as was the case with Tribulation, a band I recently discovered on Spotify but couldn't locate on the archives. Additionally, they have strict views on what counts as metal and exclude metalcore, such as Jinjer.

In conclusion, discovering underground metal bands is as exciting as it is challenging. Utilizing resources such as YouTube, college radio stations, and online metal archives can lead you to hidden treasures in the metal world. Happy hunting and enjoy the journey!