SIBYL VANE
'Love, Holy Water And TV'
I LOVE YOU

Estonia has had a rich history of producing talented rock and metal bands, fresh off the block and on the international scene is trio Sibyl Vane and their unique mix of pop rock with alternative twists and turns. 'Love, Holy Water And TV' was released last year and with it comes a sound that should get attention from all corners of Europe, already a hit in the Baltic nations, Sibyl Vane have earned their merit as the natural successor to Vanilla Ninja on the Estonian rock stage. I doubt they would be wanting to go into Eurovision anytime soon, but they tick all the boxes for that as far as I'm concerned. From 'Love, Holy Water And TV' expect an explosion of funky beats, happy upbeat tunes and a whole lot of fun.

Download This: "Quit Tellin' Me Crazy"

For Fans of: Muse, System of A Down, Paramore

[9] RHYS STEVENSON

FOR ALL THE WRONG REASONS
'We're Not Losing, We're Just Not Winning'

Finally a band that the UK can call upon to send to the Eurovision Song Contest, only joking. They'd never stoop so low (oops), but when you are talking about For All The Wrong Reasons you are talking about one of 2013's most anticipated pop punk releases, 'We're Not Losing, We're Just Not Winning'. Currently unsigned, the Lincolnshire five-piece summon up a sound that should get the British rock scene buzzing, they are sure to get a wealth of attention in the months ahead. Heavy hitting percussion marred by sharp vocals and crunchy riffs, the forthcoming EP is sure to cause chaos across the breadth of the nation and as For All The Wrong Reasons gear themselves up for the awaiting release, the storm is brewing.

Download This: Who Died And Made You King Of The Zombies?

For Fans of: Sum 41, Deaf Havana, Story Of The Year, The Hype Theory

'We're Not Losing, We're Just Not Winning' is out 26th August via iTunes, Amazon and Google Play.

[8.5] RHYS STEVENSON

THE FRIGHT
'The Fright'

You have to admit at times, gothic-style rock is best left to the Germans, after all they tend to pull it off as well as the Finnish. For example take Horror Punk Rock 'N' Rollers The Fright and their self-titled album, instantly you can detect influences from bands like The Misfits, Murderdolls and the era when punk rock emerged into Gothic rock, nay Bauhaus, etc. 'The Fright' is a fangtastic album that spews out everything there is expected of a dark rock album, with chunky and electrifying riffs mentally strangling your senses until you wish to pass out and the vocals and drums finishing you off, 'The Fright' is a truly remarkable album and band. We may well see this lot explode on European rock scene in the very near future, definitely a GMA 'one to watch'.

Download This: "Cemetery Of Hearts"

For fans of: Bauhaus, Murderdolls, The Misfits, Masters of Dark Fire, Ashestoangels

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

ELKUPE
'Uzaust'

Where on earth do I start, ok besides the fact being Elkupe is from Latvia and is supposedly a sound project, that is all we know about this artist. Sure the project's release 'Uzaust' dropped sometime this year, not much else is known about the artist. So all that can be said is that it features seven songs that are sung in the Latvian language and ideally feature a more rock-based feel to the music, on the other hand we would leave the critical judgement to the listeners because I for one cannot get my head round what this is meant to be, sure it seems a bit folk-like at times, but overall it would take a mathematician to decipher this one.

[6.5] RHYS STEVENSON

SHOUTING SIGNALS
'Stand Your Ground'

Essex in the recent year or so has become once again a hot spot for emerging rock bands, the next band to join the ranks of The Hype Theory and co is Chelmsford rockers Shouting Signals. Featuring an array of uniquely assorted rock tunes on their debut EP 'Stand Your Ground', the five-piece do not mess about in creating a sound that will take them to dreams beyond their current dreams. Producing a line of delicious riffs that spark off the release with such power you will want to have your ears insured against the ferocity that lies in wait for you on 'Stand Your Ground'. With this charismatic sound now firmly set in stone and the band readying themselves for a hectic 2013, there is nothing to stop the band from Shouting Signals at the British rock scene.

Download This: "Breathe In, Breathe Out"

For Fans of: The Hype Theory, Mallory Knox, Deaf Havana

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

CIRCLE OF REASON
'A Favour For A Stranger'

Lashing multiple music styles together is no easy task, it's just not a simple way of constructing an underbelly and smothering it with a covering of another music style, it just doesn't happen. Even if bands like Circle Of Reason come on the block and find their middle ground between post-rock and alternative rock, it takes that little bit of magic just to exercise any layered sound to the masses, something of which this Southampton lot seem to have nailed on the head. Take their EP 'A Favour For A Stranger' and fully dissect it, right down to the individual riff and you'll find a multitude of different elements surging throughout, it will be interesting to see where this lot go on from here because they've certainly got a hard release to follow up to.

Download This: "Sea Of Voices"

For Fans of: Muse, Coheed & Cambria. QOTSA

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

ARC LIGHT
'Arc Light'

It has finally come, the anticipated debut by unsigned Liverpudlian rockers Arc Light, their debut self-titled album comes brimming with a whole host of different rock styles to appeal to a variety of rock fans, from the upbeat 'You Will Not Believe' to the almost ballad-like 'The Cherry Tree' this release will almost certainly turn heads. 'Arc Light' features eleven tracks of scintillating music that you will not find anywhere else, well in modern times that is. Influenced by the likes of the Foo Fighters and Rage Against The Machine, you can clearly compare this music to said bands and ultimately realize that we could have on our hands a band that will become the next big rock act to emerge Liverpool since The Beatles made their famous mark on British rock history.

Download This: "Conspiracy (Safe With Me)"

For Fans of: Foo Fighters, Rage Against The Machine, Audioslave

[9] RHYS STEVENSON

KLOGR
'Till You Turn'

Klogr (pronounced Kay-log-are) delivered their latest release last year in the form of their album 'Till You Turn', expelling a beautiful mix of harsh vocals, unrelenting and furious music and an atmosphere designed to mindf*ck you till you wish you dead, Klogr set the tone for their future and it is that tone that will get them noticed across the abyss of Europe. 'Till You Turn' spews out a poisonous musical matter that will intoxicate you throughout. Since the band's name refers to the law of Weber-Fechner, developed in the second half of the 800s, which is known as the fundamental psycho-physical relationship (S = K log R), it would seem that this band has an avid interest in science. Well let's ope you know your chemistry and physics, because as this lot mix musical elements it will almost certainly conclude with an anti-gravity feel.

Download This: "Silk & Thorns"

For Fans of: Marilyn Manson, Evanescence, My Chemical Romance

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

VULGARRITY
'Funkeology'

This duo would be an instant hit in the UK no doubt, VulGarrity's elaborate mix of classic rock sounds with electronic elements and a heavy metal attitude is an intricate crossover result that will get everyone reeling with enjoyment. The Rhode Island siblings have delivered a phenomenal release entitled 'Funkeology', think Nine Inch Nails meets David Bowie meets Rage Against The Machine and you get some sense of what they sound like, however that is just the top layer of this duo as they implore a sound that is hard to find, epic synths in the background poise as an absolutely sensational foundation for the vocals to power through and the guitars and drums to add that all important beat to each track. 'Funkeology' is the futuristic sound of rock and rock fans everywhere should listen up, VulGarrity are making tracks to unleash on the world and aim for global domination.

Download This: "Karma's Got A Gun"

For Fans of: Nine Inch Nails, Joy Division, Led Zeppelin, Talking Heads

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

BARBE-Q-BARBIES
'Breaking All The Rules'
SOUND OF FINLAND

With all the feelings in the world, nothing comes down to this. The all Finnish female rockers Barbe-Q-Barbies unleash pure classic rock 'n' roll with their second album 'Breaking All The Rules' in such a way that you can instantly dub this Finnish rock album of the year, without any second thoughts occurring. The new album comes brimming with all of the elements you would expect from an explosive rocking album and features a sublime finish to the sensational sound the girls develop through their 80's rock sound, by carefully combining a powerful booming array of vocals with cutting-edge riffs and unrelenting dynamics on the drums, Barbe-Q-Barbies are set to follow the Finnish greats of HIM, The Rasmus, The 69 Eyes and Hanoi Rocks and take this world by storm.

Download This: "Breaking All The Rules"

For Fans of: Vanilla Ninja, AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, 80's rock.

[9] RHYS STEVENSON

STEAK
'Corned Beef Colossus'

Early assumptions would be that these four lads were once aspiring butchers until their selection of luxury meats were found to contain 100% horse meat in them, then again that's nothing for Londoners Steak as they unleash their latest serving of Stoner Rock in the form of their EP 'Corned Beef Colossus', a juicy and crunchy rocking sound that will get anyone off their feet and doing air guitar movements oppan gangnam style. Besides the intentional puns, 'Corned Beef Colossus' is a decent enough release that should appeal to a myriad of rock and metal fans alike, featuring a host of slick riffs that gently glide over the percussion and over rough, thick bass tunes whilst the vocals deliver the all important final blow, listeners in the end should consider themselves mince meat.

Download This: "Acid Dave"

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

DEAD CULT DIARIES
'The World Is Too Small'
WARNER MUSIC FINLAND

Considered to be a breath of fresh air for the Finnish rock scene, pop punk rockers Dead Cult Diaries get down to business with their debut album 'The World Is Too Small' released back in April, what separates female-fronted five piece from the Paramore trap is that they stick to their guns and create their own phenomenal sound that can only be described as a whipped up pot of The Rasmus, Vanilla Ninja and The Birthday Massacre via the stark similarity of riffage on 'Boys And Toys' which can be likened to the intro of 'First Day of My Life' by The Rasmus. The comparison with Estonia's Vanilla Ninja derives from the heavenly angelic vocals both vocalists share, as for the link with The Birthday Massacre, simply the electronic feel here and there. All in all, 'The World Is Too Small' is a factual statement and Dead Cult Diaries is the most anticipated Finnish rock export since the glory days of HIM, The 69 Eyes and The Rasmus.

Download This: "The Story's Over"

For Fans of: The Rasmus, HIM, Vanilla Ninja, The Birthday Massacre, Evarane

[9] RHYS STEVENSON

MEKA-NISM
'The Dance At The End Of The World'
FU RECORDS

When it comes round to mixing different music styles to create something it can be a tricky business, but bands like Meka-nism make light work of it, instead they lauded the foundations of metal and rock music with a plethora of different elements including electronic music, opera, Japanese pop, folk, etc etc - basically experimental music. 'The Dance At The End Of The World' serves well as the band's latest release and explodes in a radioactive spectrum of colorful sounds, from the blackness of the evil vocals that drive the red-hot riffs and drumbeats, whilst the icy blue chilling atmosphere serves well for the green fading away on the heart monitor, after all this Floridian four-piece are the more softer and sharper kind than their fellow countrymen Deadstar Assembly, none the less it's a breath of fresh air.

Download This: "Tyranny Reigns"

For fans of: Ayria, Exilia, Deluhi, Alien Vampires

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

KAMIKAZE TEST PILOTS
'Kamikaze Test Pilots'

English / Zimbabwean rockers Kamikaze Test Pilots sounded off last year with their highly anticipated debut self-titled album. Mixing together different elements taken from the Hard Rock, Punk Rock and Heavy metal music styles, the four piece (now three piece) fuse together a unique sound of traditional Zimbabwean rock with the brutality of the English metal. 'Kamikaze Test Pilots' takes listeners on a magical and bizarre journey that cannot be felt elsewhere, talk about ethnic music. This is a music style that no one else has ever mustered, think of the ragga style of Skindred being mixed with the traditional African music, you get the idea. A truly cosmopolitan release that should appeal to rock fans everywhere.

Download This: "Dinosaur"

[7.] RHYS STEVENSON

THIS DEVASTATED FAN
'Plot & Debauchery'

Hailing from the North-West, Alternative rockers This Devastated Fan made light work of conjuring up a winning score for their third album 'Plot & Debauchery', squeezing out a delinquent array of melodies and sensational sounds that shows similarities with bands like Placebo and Biffy Clyro, whilst inevitably caressing and harnessing their own style of powerful rock. 'Plot & Debauchery' is a soundtrack that speaks more than a thousand words and illuminates up as one of those releases that should be in any rock fan's collection. An essential classic sits right here and has a lot of elegance going on that smothers the production so nicely, it sets the tone for future as a bright and prosperous one.

Download This: "Barricade"

For Fans of: Biffy Clyro, Muse, The Horrors and Placebo

[7.5] RHYS STEVENSON

WHERE THE SKELETONS PLAY
'Blue Serotonin'

Let's be honest if you're looking for a duo that look like they come from Hollywood Undead, play music that would be apt on The Matrix soundstrack or have riffs that would be associated with a Nu Metal band and develops an atmosphere of eternal bliss, chances are Where The Skeletons Play are your right choice. Their latest effort 'Blue Serotonin' demolishes the rules set in stone and plays rock their own way, dragging into it a feeling of calmness and tranquility, which in hindsight is hard to do as rock is meant to be energetic, but this London duo do the exact opposite. It's the sort of music you could listen to and fall asleep too much more easily and without the need for sleeping pills. So on a dark night Where The Skeletons Play, a specific type of Blue Serotonin may be available... a blue pill.

Download This: "Perspex Queen"

For Fans of: Deftones, NIN, Razorlight

[8] RHYS STEVENSON

PAABEL
'Üle Järve'

Now this is something different, imagine this: mixing the traditional music elements of your home nation with contemporary music and then producing it as one musical masterpiece. Such a music group is Paabel who hail from Estonia, their 2012 album 'Üle Järve' is enriched with the classical sounds of traditional Estonian music with lashes of rock, folk and ballads. Funnily enough it is the sort of music that you could easily drive to, fall asleep to, you know easy listening? With some songs having an upbeat feel to them whilst others simply (with the beautiful aid of the Estonian language) sooth and calm the mind, leaving a tranquil emotion behind in the listener's repertoire. Paabel may as well be one of a kind, but even so they are an absolute delight to listen to if you like the softer side of folk and rock, 'Üle Järve' is an absolute essential for those who love soft music.

Download This: "Kosjalaul"

For Fans of: Gregorian, Eluveitie, Tyr, Dropkick Murphy's

[8.5] RHYS STEVENSON

FUCKSHOVEL
'This Is What We Are'

Is this the Sex Pistols reincarnated? It would seem that way, well yeah Fuckshovel might as well be haha. Here we have their epic debut album 'This Is What We Are', a solid display of ballsy punk rock that would get the holiest of priests blaspheming all the way down to the pub, for proper holy water, er-hem. The great thing about the album and indeed this band is that both don't follow the Sum 41 root, that watered down version of punk rock aka pop punk, they stick to their guns and let the bullets do the talking, shredding out riffs and shrapnel-like vocals like no tomorrow. Given due that it took around three years for the first album to see the light, it was well worth the wait and at the same time the band have managed to prove themselves as proper modern punk rockers, 'This Is What We Are' has the middle finger written all over it.

Download This: 'Black'

For Fans of: Sex Pistols, Pantera, The Clash

[8.5] RHYS STEVENSON

BLACK MAGIC SIX
'Brutal Blues'

You would need to be bloody drunk to appreciate this music, sure Black Magic Six are a decent enough Punk rock duo, but the verses in the lyrics are so damn repetitious, they need not to learn each song! 'Brutal Blues' is the latest offering by the Finnish two-piece and quite frankly, it's a little bit of a mockery at times when there are far more better bands out there that sound greater, perhaps it's ones opinion but the overall feeling from this release is utter disappointment. Credit for the attempt but for the overall product to actually reach a reasonable level, this duo would have needed double studio time just to adjust the corrections!

[4] RHYS STEVENSON

SOUNDS & SCENARIOS
'Teenage Tendencies'

Pop punk these days seems to be as common as emo and scene girls, they are everywhere. But it's always the first wave that are the best, just ask Sounds & Scenarios. The Northamptonshire pop punk boys deal justice with their latest release 'Teenage Tendencies', it takes the very essence of early pop punk bands to the modern day and keeps the true sound going. Bouncy beats form the basis for the guitars to layer a happy smacking of riffs in time with the vocals. 'Teenage Tendencies' is a release that should put Sounds & Scenarios on the map, how long before Kerrang! sniff this lot out is anyone's guess, but they certainly are that sort of material, you can see this lot at Download in years to come.

Download This: "A Girl I Know"

For Fans of: Sum 41, Bowling For Soup, Busted, Mallory Knox

[8] RHYS STEVENSON