I’ve been a fan and supporter of Royal Bliss for many, many years. When I think of this ban, the words “criminally ignored” comes to mind. They constantly grind out some of the most consistent, hooky, melodic rock on the planet – completely devoid of pretentiousness and Nickelback-Shinedown-esque jingles. Their eighth studio album, Waiting Out The Storm, was released January 24th and features the awesome balled “Crazy.” Take a couple of minutes and investigate these guys. You won’t be sorry.

This is nothing more than a public service announcement for one of my favorite bands…ever. After nearly 15 years, they’ve reunited for a series of show, two of which are at a sold out Terminal 5. Yours truly will be in attendance both nights. I miss being a fan. So few of you are aware of this band, which is unfortunate. Let me do my job, as someone with an audience, to fill you in on what you’ve been missing.

“Blue October mastermind Justin Furstenfeld has made a career out of wearing his heart on his sleeve, a tradition that is carried over onto the band’s sixth studio offering.”

“It’s an unpredictable, confrontational assault on the senses. Guided, yet frenetically chaotic. Screamo was never my thing, and granted, maybe this review should have been written by someone who has an appreciation for the genre, but There’s Something I Can’t Tell Anyone captivated me.” -AB

My first introduction to the music of Christopher Hall was in 1996 when I acquired a copy of Wither Blister Burn & Peel, the second album by his former band, Stabbing Westward. Now, a decade and a half later, I’m talking to him about Puppet, the second album from his current band, The Dreaming. You’ll find this show strays from the interview format and is more of a conversation. I’m sure you’ll all enjoy it. -AB

Disciple’s sound is built on layers of ferocious guitars, screamingly passionate vocals, a hard-charging rhythm section, and a flair for surprisingly melodic choruses. They’ve been around for nearly two decades, and even though the Gospel always takes center stage, they do a darn good job of kicking your teeth down your throat.

I was listening to terrestrial radio a few days ago. 103.9 in Albany, to be exact. Apparently, they think it’s 1993. Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Temple Of The Dog, Tool, Spacehog and Green Day. Not one song from the last decade. Yep, that’s your rock station Albany. Check this out instead. It’s 2011 on AKF. -AB

“If a band could ever lay claim to being criminally overlooked, it’s The Sheila Divine. Their 1999 album New Parade is a masterpiece. Angry pop rock at its best, a vocal amalgam of straightforward screaming and a light falsetto. Infectious, timeless, and will grow on your with each successive listen.”

“When longtime friends and neighbors Chino Moreno and Shaun Lopez announced their joint pet project earlier this year, no one could have expected it to have come to fruition as quickly as it has. The debut EP from Crosses, featuring the aforementioned Deftones frontman and Far guitarist, has all the urgency you would expect from such a seemingly spontaneous collaboration and yet all the focus and professionalism you have come to expect of the duo.”

It’s been a good week so far. When you get to see the best live band in metal twice in three days, it’s safe to say that things are going pretty well.