UtF Looks Back on 2011 – and Looks Ahead at 2012

Yup, it’s that time of year: to take a look back on the year that was 2011. In female-fronted rock and metal music, of course. However, while every other media outlet out there shares Top 10 or Top 20 lists of favorite albums, we decided to do a different kind of year-end wrap-up.

Instead of highlighting albums, we chose to highlight bands. All of us at Unleash The Furies discovered a wealth of female-fronted rock and metal bands this past year – some of which didn’t actually release any albums in 2011, but got heavy rotation in our music players regardless. With this idea in mind, four of our staff writers sat down and picked their favorite discoveries of 2011. They also shared their predictions for up-and-coming bands who could make major breakthroughs in 2012.

Let’s start with…

Our Band of the Month for January 2012 Is…

Cassandra Syndrome

We had an awesome turn-out for our tribute poll to Flight of the Valkyries V! Most of it was due to the top two vote-getters: Benedictum, and Cassandra Syndrome. Benedictum jumped to an early lead in December, but Cassandra Syndrome gradually caught up to take the lead. In the end, the difference was 202 votes – in Cassandra Syndrome’s favor. That’s why the operatic metallers from Maryland are our first Band of the Month for 2012!

Click here for Cassandra Syndrome’s Band of the Month page.

Just one vote shy of 4,000 were cast this month! Here is how the results shaped up:

1. Cassandra Syndrome – 1946 votes (48.66%)
2. Benedictum – 1,744 votes (43.61%)
3. Brave– 110 votes (2.75%)
4. Serpent Witch – 60 votes (1.5%)
5. Desdemon – 56 votes (1.4%)
6. Echoterra – 48 votes (1.2%)
7. Flames of Fury – 35 votes (0.88%)

Now, it’s time to announce the nominees for February 2012 Band of the Month. Here they are:

• Evenoire, a gothic folk metal band from Cremona, Italy. Evenoire’s full-length debut album is due out later this year and features guest appearances by German soprano singer Gaby Koss and Derdian keyboardist Marco “Garry” Garau.
• The Mariana Hollow, a progressive/alternative metal band from London, United Kingdom. The Mariana Hollow will release their second album, Velvet Black Sky, on February 13th and is in the midst of planning a headlining tour across the UK to promote the album.
• Modified, a hard rock trio from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Modified’s self-titled full-length debut album, which was released at the end of December, is now available on CD Baby.
• Opus Doria, a symphonic metal band from Aquitaine, France. Like with Modified, Opus Doria released its debut album Infraworld at the end of December.
• Voices of Destiny, a melodic/symphonic metal band from Germany. Voices of Destiny’s second album, Power Dive, will be released on January 27th in Europe via Massacre Records.

As always, visit our WordPress site and scroll down to find the poll on the right-hand sidebar. Vote once a day, every day through Tuesday, January 31st!

Which bands would you like to see featured in our next Band of the Month Poll? Let us know by sending an email to unleashthefuriesmetal@gmail.com.

Oh, by the way – Happy 2012 from Unleash The Furies!

Check It Out: The Mariana Hollow

I discovered The Mariana Hollow last year, but they’ve quickly become one of my favorite up-and-coming bands.  This UK quintet fuses alternative and progressive metal to create a sound that’s unpredictable and complex yet surprisingly accessible.  Just about any aspect about TMH’s music will grab your attention: the memorable refrains, the emotional lyrics, or the dynamic guitarwork courtesy of Danny Russell (ex-Season’s End) and Richie Walden.  And no one should forget singer Rebecca “Spinky” Spinks.  Her voice is one of the fiercest and most versatile on the scene.

The Mariana Hollow’s debut album, Coma Heart, was released in 2010 via Plastic Head Distribution.  It’s a moody album with a great balance of heavy and soft moments, impressive songwriting, and intricate nuances that you don’t normally hear from other bands.  And if you like guitar soundscapes, you ought to give Coma Heart a listen.

Believe it or not, The Mariana Hollow is already almost finished their second album.  The band plans to release it later this year and has described the new music as more intense and immediate than Coma Heart.  I’ve already listened to a few tracks – and they sound fantastic!  Can’t wait for more!!

The Mariana Hollow is:

• Rebecca Spinks – Vocals
• Danny Russell – Lead Guitars
• Richie Walden – Rhythm Guitars
• Scott Chesworth – Bass
• Adam Stanley – Drums

Check them out at Facebook, Myspace, or ReverbNation.

Buy Coma Heart on iTunes or Amazon, or a physical (and autographed!) copy at the Sonic Cathedral Store.

~ Sara