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Unearthing The Metal Underground: The New Zealand Metal Scene Part 2

Each week in "Unearthing the Metal Underground," we'll be putting a few quality underground bands in the spotlight in an attempt to get the word out about them. Today I'm taking a look at some bands from my home country whom are centered around the growing doom/sludge/rock/drone scene in New Zealand. (You can check out some other previously unearthed bands from New Zealand here.)

Made In China

Dunedin based band Made In China has been slogging away sincerely in the student ghetto for some time now and is currently in the studio recording for their upcoming album, but until then you can check out their myspace. Made In China combine Alice In Chains style grunge with a heavy groove and a great live show, below is a snippet of their live antics.

Black Boned Angel

Next is Wellington droners Black Boned Angel. The comparisons to Sunn O))) and Earth are undeniable and band admitted but Black Boned Angel has a unique and creepy enough musical
outlook to earn them a spot in any drone fans heart. They have been crafting their strange aural works since the start of the decade and have picked up somewhat of an underground reputation as a drone connoisseurs band so here's some recognition of that. You can see them below, but like most drone bands, they are best seen live or on a stereo set to 11 in the dark.

Soulseller

Last but not least with all the heart of Sabbath and a touch of grunge, southern band Soulseller has been playing hard around the South Island promoting their brand of heavy tunes. They have some great recordings on their myspace which shows off a catchy and atavistically heavy syle with great vocals.

Certainly there are more quality metal bands in New Zealand, and more heavy bands emerging all the time, especially in these genres (Salamander Brandy, Osmium, House of Capricorn and more). So if you'd like to recommend some other good underground bands from around the area, please feel free to discuss them in the comments below. Also if you're looking to join the NZ scene make sure to head over to www.stonerdoom.co.nz for more bands and info.