Valis – Fantastic stoner / hard rock band. They are about to release a new album called Dark Matter soon. (and by the time you read this, it will have released a year ago) For now you can check out their excellent debut Vast Active Living Intelligence System, or their easier to find Head Full of Pills or Champions of Magic. Or… you can just check their myspace page – http://www.myspace.com/valis

Dozer – From Sweden, these stoner rockers have gone from Kyuss imitators (in a very good way) to a more psychedelic and original sound. Their new album Beyond Colossal reminds me a bit of Soundgarden in intensity and creativity. http://www.myspace.com/dozerrock

Sig:Ar:Tyr – Canadian folk metal with whispered-like vocals and excellent guitar work. Their debut, Sailing the Seas of Fate, is far more acoustic than their later more eastern sounding Beyond the North Winds. http://www.myspace.com/sigartyr

Let me know what you think.

Candlemass ‘Death Magic Doom’ – One of the few new releases this year that has me excited. I had not heard much of Candlemass before this but it is time to search for the older releases. This is not typical doom, has a bit more thrash. Great vocalist.

Primordial ‘Imrama’ 2009 edition – I had yet to hear the black metal days of Primordial. The massive epic structures of their newer work is present here but tangled within their blackened roots. Excellent album.

Static-X ‘Cult of Static’ – Quite a bit of an improvement over their last few albums and hints at their earlier and less nu metal influenced work. Some of the songs sound similar to eachother but this will iron itself out in relistens.