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.

Saros – Progressive black metal. Similar to how Arch Enemy has a female vocalist do death growls, Leila in Saros does a more Black Metal style vocal approach. Latest album is Acrid Plains (Profound Lore Records) released earlier this year.

Centurion’s Ghost – After coming out with their excellent album in 2007 titled ‘The Great Work’, which is a blend of doom, sludge, with some excellent technical writing, I still have yet to find any of these albums anywhere. Currently writing their third album for release later this year.

Anael – Absolutely fantastic German black metal band. Their latest release ‘From Arcane Fires’, based on an old German poem about the end of the world, features great writing and atmosphere with an epic story.

Asva – Their last release was a fair album but ‘What You Don’t Know Is Frontier’, released late 2008, showcases their talent in writing and musicianship. This 8 member drone/doom band writes some emotionally powerful and haunting music.

Feel free to send me comments or suggest some bands.