You’ve asked, so here’s my opinion of who represents the best in Michigan metal bands. Look these bands up online and give them a listen; you may need to re-think an outdated animosity toward local metal. And yes, you have some – unless you’re in a local band. Because if you didn’t harbor suspicions about the quality of original Michigan metal, more people would be at local shows.
The only difference between local bands and the big dogs are that the big guys spend all their time focusing on their music, and have the financial backing to create great production quality. Local bands work day jobs and scrape money together to record a CD or find gas money to play a show.
Many of these bands played the first MoshPitNation outdoor music festival and the crowd response was overwhelming. Many veteran metal fans at the festival said it was one of the best local lineups they had ever seen.
So our cold metal hearts are now set on topping that lineup for Mosh Pit Boot Camp, taking place Sept. 13 and 14 at Moreland’s Motorcross in Stanton. If you want to sample the best of Michigan metal in one place, this will be the time and place. Get details online at www.MoshPitNation.com.
Progressive & Technical Metal
- Flood the Desert (GR)
- Drawing Down the Moon (GR)
- Society Kills (Greenville)
- Orukai (Ludington)
Modern Metal
- Bury the Silence (Muskegon)
- The Severed Process (Muskegon)
- Mindrought (Detroit)
Death Metal
- Infinite Design (Muskegon)
- Konkeror (Detroit)
- Withhold the Blood (Muskegon)
Groove Metal
- Mine Enemies Fall (Kzoo)
- 6 Prong Paw (GR)
- Know Lyfe (Lansing)
Cover Bands
- Harry Manback (Tool, GR)
- Bulls on Parade (Rage Against the Machine, GR)
Sludgy Metal
- Tru-Burn
- Beast in the Field
