Capitalising on the fast-rising post-rock sound was the sadly now-defunct Pitchblend, who beside soaring atmospheres and awe-inspiring guitar tones wrote possibly some of the most emotionally-charged songs I have ever heard. Sirens is likely to be their most memorable, with yelling out to the outermost edges of the universe so passionate, it’s genuinely moving. What’s even more moving is the fact this fantastically talented musicians never got the recognition they properly deserved for their astonishing songwriting abilities and their 200% heart and soul deliveries.

If there was an award for the most authentic Aphex Twin clone ever, then surely William Snavely a.k.a. Diagram Of Suburban Chaos would be the winner.The several shades of ambience and atmosphere to the schizoid percussion to the numerous textures of synths are all present and accounted for in Cryhsat from Status Negatives. This recalls arguably my favourite AFX works from double album Drukqs, which has many a standout moment and is a tremendous bar to be measured against and should be commended as so.

Cult Colombus, Ohio EBM act The Azoic have been working their craft since 1996 and have very little to show for it. This culminates the song title of this track quite nicely as in the lack of attention they’ve been shown. Not Justified is an incredibly well-written, synth-heavy stomper, addictive yet tangled in bondage tape all the same. Almost sounding like it was sown together from 80’s electronica remnants, the pulsing hypnosis this causes is second to none and the darkness it dwells within is delicious. I’m also a fan of the Madebelief remix of this song, both of which are featured on the joint CD Forward + Conflict of which the remix is an even mistier but decidedly more intimate affair. However, the original takes some beating, even if it is with whips and chains.

Sometimes you just need a short concentrated burst of fury and Philadelphia hardcore outfit Blacklisted deliver that by the bloodbucket full. Just falling under the two minute mark, I Am Weighing Me Down (which is a song title I take great pleasure in screaming at times) is a cleverly calculated tirade on religion but is by no means a looker. Savage, uncompromising and relentless, you’ll have no room whatsoever to breathe in the 27 minutes of 2008’s Heavier Than Heaven, Lonelier Than God as body after body after body will fly at you during their vicious attacks.

Hannah Davidson, better known as Mrs Jynx, is an incredibly talented producer. Scratch that. Astonishingly talented. Whilst in the vein of Aphex Twin, Mrs Jynx blends achingly beautiful ambience but with a true emotive touch that you simply cannot precision engineer. Extrafusion has a human-like warmth that radiates throughout once it gets going and it seems to be somewhat of an irregularity that a synthetic atmosphere can sound so organic, and more so, alive.

You can think of Golem! as Gogol Bordello’s more traditional but sexier younger cousin. Meat Street, from second album Citizen Boris, is a whirling dervish of Slavic heritage and up-lifitngly upbeat klezmer spirit that still retains the well-informed tongues of the punk ethic. Albeit in the language of their own culture. The harmonies are delightful, the brass steals the show and surely you can’t not listen without having a smile on your face. In fact, I dare you not to.

Anyone remember Ignominious Incarceration? Or even heard of them? If you answered yes to either of those questions, then The Soulless is what formed out of the ashes of that band. If you said no, then what you’re getting is perhaps uninspired metalcore, but you get great technical playing at a take no prisoners pace, throwdowns by the bucket full, drums that change pace more than a schizophrenic on a treadmill and passionate growls about staying true to yourself, which needs to be rung home a lot more these days.

Septiclfesh were once thought dead and buried until 2007 bought them back to life and with a new vision. The Greek symphonic death metal band with a 100-member orchestra and choir crafted Communion, an album that flirts frivolously with Egyptian mythology but still clamp firmly down with the mandibles of darkness. Sangreal speaks volumes about Septicflesh, it is a 5-minute epic of captivating storytelling, non-guttural growls, memorable guitar assaults and headbanging moments, an inspiring drum performance with more double kicks than a martial arts contest and you finish, feeling fulfilled with the journey taken place. Surprisingly accessible but incredible all the same.

If you recognise the name Dog Fashion Disco, then you may be aware of the prolific adventures of their vocalist Todd Smith. If not, then here is a collaboration between him and members of a lesser known nu-metal band Nothingface. Essentially, it’s an angry stabbing (see what I did there?) at the Christian church, with the throwdown switch firmly jammed in the on position and the guarantee that bodies will line the rafters. Hide In The Sky is all that great about modern metal but with the homage back to nu-metal’s finest and debut Black Mass Hysteria is full of it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_OMV6bqC8o

As much as the resurrection of vintage sounds is becoming a bore, some sounds seem to age incredibly well and one I find is that of psychobilly and garage punk. Enter Montreal’s The Hypnophonics. Having had several of their tracks upon critcally divided game WET including this song, The Hypnophonics blend both sleazy grindhouse ballads with 200mph punk headcharges whilst yelping and gang vocals put a smile on your face. Expertly executed and endless fun.