Doom metal fans should keep watch for new music coming from Russian metalheads Forest Stream. They broke through barriers with their six track 1999 demo release of Snowfall. Last Season Purity, another demo, followed in 2000. In 2003 the band had their first full length release titled Tears of Mortal Solitude. The nine track album had about 70 minutes worth of decent atmospheric sounding death metal, which I respected more after listening through a few times. The symphonic elements of their music is quite fitting. Forest Stream is working on their second full release The Crown of Winter, to be released on Candlelight Records.

Listen to “Snowfall” by Forest Stream:

Visit Forest Stream at Myspace

I’ve been listening to the music Leaves’ Eyes recently. For some reason I didn’t fully appreciate their sound at first, but it didn’t take long for their music to grow on me. Leaves’ eyes formed in 2003 when vocalist/lyricist Liv Kristine was no longer part of Theatre of Tragedy. Liv’s husband Alexander Krull formed Leaves’ Eyes with members of the band Atrocity, and have successfully combined their unique metal and classical elements to produce an outstanding genuine symphonic metal sound. Leaves’s Eyes will be touring with King Diamond, Kreator, and Cellador in 2008. I personally think this will be one of the best tours for metal fans who appeal to this genre of music. For those in Belgium, don’t miss the band headlining October 20th as part of the Metal Female Voices Fest. They will be recording a special DVD which is pretty exciting. They are building a massive viking ship for their set which will also include some awesome special effects. Sounds cool!!

The Official Website of Leaves’ Eyes
Visit Leaves’ Eyes at Myspace

Fans of gloom Gothic metal might want to take notice of the band Eeriness if you haven’t already.  Eeriness, who hail from Switzerland, have been around for a little over ten years. During that time they have focused on accenting their music more and more.  The band has both lost and gained members over the years, but their core elements of sound remain strong. This can be found on their latest release “Paths”.  I love the blend of edgy metal riffs along with the operatic vocals of Sirkka Skald.  They have the ability to create a gloomy but beautiful sound.  If this type of music interests you, I suggest you learn more about the band at their official sites I have listed below.

Official Website of Eeriness
Visit Eeriness at Myspace

Finally, something new, something fresh, something amazing.  This is my easy way of describing the music of the band “3″ which I am quite fascinated by.  I generally am well focused and up to date on what I consider to be some of the best music out there today, but for some reason I have seem to missed this extraordinary group of musicians…but not for long.  I’m spreading the word, simply because this band based out of Woodstock NY deserves the recognition.

Their music can be described as a bit dark, but it’s the true energy and passion of what they put forth that really grabs my attention.  Those interested in progressive rock and melodic metal will absolutely love “3″.. I guarantee it.  Well, okay, I’m not much for placing a guarantee on anything, but I am well convinced that the genuine music coming from “3″ is easily well respected.

If you are a fan of the band Porcupine Tree, you may already be familiar with the band, seeing that they were on the road together earlier this year, and have some more upcoming dates together.  The group is made up of Joey Eppard on vocals, Billy Riker on guitar, Gartdrumm on the drums, Joe Stote on percussion and keys, and Daniel Grimsland on bass.

The band is out and about supporting their latest release “The End is Begun” on Metal Blade Records.  Check out their website and take a look at their tour dates below.  Catch them on the road with “The Scorpions” or “Porcupine Tree” if you can, you won’t be disappointed.

Official Website of 3
Visit 3 at Myspace

Listen to “All That Remains” by the band 3:

Upcoming Tour Dates:

Sep 10 2007    Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium – Calgary, Alberta
Sep 12 2007    PNE Forum – Vancouver, British Columbia
Sep 14 2007    Konocti Harbor – Kelseyville, California
Sep 15 2007    Gibson Amphitheater – Universal City, California
Sep 18 2007    AVA Amphitheatre – Tucson, Arizona
Sep 20 2007    The Clubhouse     Tempe, Arizona
Sep 21 2007    The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel – Las Vegas, Nevada
Sep 22 2007    Grand Sierra Theatre – Reno, Nevada
Sep 26 2007    Beacon Theater – New York, New York
Sep 27 2007    Mercury Lounge with The Bakerton Group – New York, New York
Sep 28 2007    Chevrolet Theatre – Wallingford, Connecticut
Sep 29 2007    Orpheum Theatre – Boston, Massachusetts
Oct 09 2007    City Hall – Nashville, Tennessee
Oct 10 2007    The Orange Peel – Asheville, North Carolina
Oct 11 2007    Lincoln Theatre – Raleigh, North Carolina
Oct 12 2007    State Theater – Falls Church, Virginia
Oct 15 2007     Salle Albert-Rousseau – Sainte-Foy, Quebec
Oct 16 2007    Phoenix Theater – Toronto, Ontario
Oct 18 2007    The Egg – Albany, New York
Oct 19 2007    Webster Theater – Hartford, Connecticut
Oct 20 2007    The Shell at Trump Marina – Atlantic City, New Jersey
Oct 22 2007    House of Blues – Cleveland, Ohio
Oct 23 2007    Bogart’s – Cincinnati, Ohio
Oct 24 2007    Uptown Theater – Kansas City, Missouri
Oct 27 2007    Meridian – Houston, Texas
Oct 28 2007    House of Blues – Dallas, Texas
Oct 29 2007    Roxy Theatre – Atlanta, Georgia

I completely love finding and sharing the unique musical talents of others. Another recent discovery is the music of the Diablo Swing Orchestra from Sweden. This avant garde metal / classical metal band formed in 2003 and have been releasing some amazing creations ever since. The band consists of Annlouice Loegdlund(vocals), Daniel Håkansson (vocals and guitar), Pontus Mantefors (guitars and effects), Andy Johansson (bass), Johnnes Bergion (cello), and Andreas Halvardsson (drums).

The band displays their raw emotion throughout all their songs and leave nothing behind. In 2003 they released an EP and followed that up with their first full length album in 2006 titled “The Butcher’s Ballroom”. They are working on new material and hope to have a new release in mid 2008. The Diablo Swing Orchestra honor the legacy of their ancestors through their music, and their music is worth experiencing. To read their ancient history and learn much more about the band, visit their website listed below.

Listen to Poetic Pitbull Revolutions from Diablo Swing Orchestra:

Visit the Official Website of the Diablo Swing Orchestra

Visit Diablo Swing Orchestra at Myspace