4. Journal
The Lowdown: Nintendo inspired, fantasy laced, shredding metal from the depths of California. The band's debut 2010s Unlorja was about one of the most creative examples of modern metal I heard that year. Like Painted in Exile, Journal is all over the place musically, delivering spazzy arpeggio filled, epic shredding craziness, tech metal spurts, death metal chops and experimental flare with an 80 minute run time, including a 30 minute song. Phew. The band is working on new material, so let's hope something new surfaces soon. RIYL: Protest the Hero, Between the Buried and Me, Horse the Band, The Dillinger Escape Plan. http://youtu.be/lQDrWKF5fY4