"Bands You Need To Know, But Probably Don't"

Freya

The Syracuse-based straight-edge hardcore band Earth Crisis formed in 1991 and in 10 years became the best-selling band on the biggest hardcore label in the business, Victory Records. For those 10 years, they were one of the mainstays of the genre, selling oodles of albums and touring world-wide with the likes of Slayer and Pantera. Singer Karl Buechner wrote lyrics in reference to the benefits of straight edge lifestyle and the band's willingness to go to war for animal rights.

In 2001, about two years after the release of their most polished offering, "Slither," Buechner et company decided they had achieved all they could trying to spread the word about their beliefs. (In 1998, Buechner addressed the US Congress about the dangers of drug use among American youth.)

Shortly after ending the Earth Crisis era, Buechner, guitarist Erich Edwards and the bassist known as Bulldog found other talent and formed a new group which has taken on a number of names over the past several years, including Nemesis, End Begins and finally Freya.

Freya's debut LP, "As the Last Light Drains," is the musical equivalent of "Slither." Buechner's telltale indecipherable and guttural screams have given way to a more melodic approach in many of the choruses. They have also come to accept new members in the band who share different lifestyle beliefs. This is a far cry from the band who assaulted a man who jumped onto their stage wearing a fur coat.

Sounds like Biohazard with better vocals and lyrics.

Salem

As Friends Rust recently began again within the genres of punk and indie rock, replacing their vocalist and changing their name to Salem. They have also reinvented their sound completely, dismissing their mediocre pop-punk rock for a much more romantic sound.

A change in singers is the finest difference. Instead of the too-oft heard Social Distortion sound-alike voice of Damien Moyer, they have opted for the smoother sounds of Adam Randall d' Zurilla. The best possible comparison vocally is Glenn Danzig, formerly of Misfits, and later Danzig.

The shift from poor, uninspired punk rock to innovative indie is one that serves Salem well. Instead of thin and furious strumming of minimal chords, they now produce an ambient sound and take unexpected but pleasurable turns in song structure.

Their demo, of no apparent title, features only three songs and is only available at their shows, but is an excellent listen. There is no list of song titles included in the homemade packaging, but that just adds to the charm of catching a band on their way up.

D' Zurilla, when complemented upon his performance Monday at Broadway Joe's, said "I try...as long as the asthma doesn't kill me."

Sounds Like U2 with some aggression.

36 Crazyfists

36 Crazyfists is not a new band, they have not changed their name, and are signed to a relatively major label, Roadrunner Records. Why is it then that no one seems to have heard of them? Giving the public hands-down the best nu-metal album of 2002, "Bitterness the Star," doesn't seem to be enough to get the band's name out.

Perhaps it's because they're from Alaska, leaving Portland, Oregon as their big venue to kick off tours. It'd be difficult to imagine a really hopping Anchorage scene.

Brock Lindow's vocals alone should be enough to put them on the map, much like Aaron Lewis' did for Staind. This is not to say Lindow sounds like Lewis; his delivery is much more wavering, always sounding like he's going to crack from the strain, but never doing so.

Even without the impressive mic work, 36 Crazyfists could make a listenable album. Guitarist Steve Holt and bassist Mick Whitney have the nu-metal crunch down pat, but are wise enough to use it sparingly. The melodic intro to their single "Slit Wrist Theory" shows fine use of delay, and more importantly, that they know how to make a mid-tempo rocker rock, something that has escaped their compatriots in recent years.

The dynamics between Whitney and drummer Thomas Noonan are such that they bring the "roll" back into rock 'n' roll. It may be exactly what makes 36 Crazyfists different from so many nu-metal bands that simply grind out riff after riff with no dynamics, save for some sappy, acoustic single. Their intricate chops allow them to slide into a groove without boring the listener.

Sound like Deftones.