The Alaya Conscious is redefining a genre. That's no small claim, but the three young men from Chicago, IL have the size to match such statements. With inspiration stemming from a diverse multitude of artists residing in literally any existing style, The Alaya Conscious exhibits a youthful and modern instrumental sound that is progressive while maintaining a distinct density to their aggressiveness that only an act from the city of broad shoulders could produce.

The Alaya Conscious was initially formed in the summer of 2006 by three closely knit friends seeking to create a vocal centric sound. Following the departure of their vocalist during the production of their 2007 debut release, “Seventy One Percent”, The Alaya Conscious would take bigger strides to take the Chicago scene by storm, this time with a different view. By 2008, The Alaya Conscious line-up was back to where it all began. Recharged to evolve from its roots into something completely against the grain, the original three had something new and unexpected.

Armed with a new record, The Alaya Conscious brings a fresh new sound to the instrumental genre. Inspired by forging their own voice and the exploration of poly rhythmic and metric arrangements, The Alaya Conscious has carved three flawlessly flowing movements into their new ep, “RED”. Recorded by Ben Soleim (Skinless, Wilco, The Lifeline, Macabre) at The Sterling Group Studios in New Lenox, IL, "RED" is the result of an experimental and organic writing and recording process, a concept new to the band. Released on June 9th, 2009, the new record exhibits a broad range of dynamics and timbres not often used in the instrumental genre to produce a sound of melodic, inspiring backdrops grounded in aggressive, carefully sculpted rhythms. "RED" symbolizes the process of this trio getting back to writing the music they love, driven by raw emotion and talent.

The Alaya Conscious is currently writing and recording their third record and first full length album, due out the fall of 2010. The material represents a lot of changes and new musical directions for the band...stay tuned.

Read more: http://www.myspace.com/thealayaconscious#ixzz0uv7B3Ail

Iron Thrones is an epic/progressive melodic metal band from Minneapolis, MN. Previously performing under the name “Everest” and releasing the “Where Earth Meets The Sky” EP through Mascaret Records in 2006, their debut album as Iron Thrones, titled “Visions of Light”, was self-released on November 21st, 2008 as a free digital download on their website, and as a short run “Limited Edition” CD. Soon after its release, “Visions of Light” garnered many positive reviews on underground websites, leading to a nation-wide re-release in early 2009 by Tribunal Records. Shortly thereafter, guitarist Adam Shaleen would amicably leave the band to pursue other interests outside of the music industry. The band has performed and recorded as a four-piece since then.

In Fall 2009, the band began the process of writing their follow-up album. In Spring 2010, just before they were to enter the studio, Iron Thrones was announced as the winner of Scion’a “No Label Needed” Contest. They were flown out to the East Coast to record what would end up being a 6-song, 40+ minute EP with Will Putney of The Machine Shop. In addition, they received mentoring from several high-profile musicians and PR/music-related companies, with the intention of giving the band everything they’d need in order to succeed as an independent band.

In late June 2010, the band announced “The Wretched Sun” would be released on July 27th, 2010, both digitally and as an eco-friendly Digipak through their online store. “Like A Moth To Flame” was posted on their Myspace page as promotion for the new record.

Their sound is primarily influenced by other progressive metal acts such as Opeth, Burst, Mastodon, and Between the Buried and Me, as well as post-metal such as Cult of Luna and rock bands such as Cave In and Thrice.

Craving fulfillment? Is your body thirsty for an unfiltered taste of Heavy Metal and Rock ‘N Roll? In need of a wake up that is like a kick in the teeth, to break up any of life’s monotony? Well Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls welcome to YOUR escape; welcome to HËSSLER!

Fueled by music to leave you feeling an overdose of adrenaline equivalent to a lightning strike, HËSSLER is an all out onslaught created to give the music world what it has been deprived of for far too long: live performances soaked in raw energy. HËSSLER is a heart pounding, blood pumping, over the top trip into an exhibition of carnage and excitement. This straight out of hell, natural disaster will deliver a show unprecedented and never replicated; a show that will melt you to the core and will bring the world of entertainment and music to its knees.

Level 2 is a new take on both the concept album and the videogame. It is a melding of both arts into a unified experience. In Level 2 you will battle through fully interactive interpretations of Last Chance to Reason’s futuristic progressive metal. The game/album’s story unfolds through thematic riffs, stirring vocal hooks and progressive virtuosity while the player blasts his way through viscous gameplay inspired by classics such as R-Type, Contra, and Super Metroid. Level 2, a collaboration between LCTR and indie game developer Tom Vine is slated for release in 2010.

Thunderunderus sounds like Van Halen, Cheap Trick, Heart, Ronnie James Dio, Deep Purple, Judas Priest, Scorpions, Thin Lizzy, Pat Benatar, Boston, Kiss, Iron Maiden, Motorhead, ACDC, ZZ Top, Foreigner