Jack Ketch
Genre: Death metal
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Sacramento has a surprising number of death metal bands. At the forefront of them is the band Jack Ketch. They are named after a executioner from the 1600's and they are just as brutal.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GTgXKr2gfg[/youtube]
Journal
Genre: Mathcore
Bandcamp
The band desribes themselves as "Cohesively Chaotic Video-Game Inspired Metal," and no one could describe this band better. They are clearly influenced by The Dillinger Escape Plan and the likes, but this batch of nerds hid mini nods to classic video games in the form of audio Easter eggs in their album Unlorja, and they even releases an 8-bit version of the album. Who the fuck even thinks of that? That album is unbelievable, and in a recent episode of The Dan Sucks Podcast, they stated they've got the follow-up written and are eyeing a 2015 release.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQDrWKF5fY4[/youtube]
Plague Widow
Genre: Deathgrind
Bandcamp
Deep, far away from the depths beneath the melody and the prog that'd I've discussed so much so far is Plague Widow. They lead the charge of this darker side of Sacramento's grimy deathgrind underbelly. They often remind me of Anaal Nathrakh, but without the epic singalong parts. I'm not usually the biggest grind fan, but I am a fan of this band.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUNHufICeJ4&index=2&list=TLHFnkSgp3Q9zD9BBb2PjB-vMgvR3v0fBy[/youtube]
Salythia
Genre: Melodic thrash
Bandcamp
A genre this town is severely lacking in is thrash. While I'm sure Salythia isn't the only band playing fast and shredding like animals, they are one of the more vocal and known in the area. Also, I have to give it to them that they aren't afraid to throw is some over-the-top melody, or slow it down to crush the listener when not thrashing about. The band is currently recording an EP called Death D' Core.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hg_W8PQdt8c[/youtube]
(waning)
Genre: Psychedelic doom
Bandcamp
Now for a little more doom to bookend this batch of Sacramento metal. This band is less about Sabbath and more about Isis. They began as an ambient duo and slowly morphed into the sludgy beast they are today. They are a mainstay in the doom community here, but I'd be so happy to see this band grow and lurch into a town near you. I did a review of their latest record here.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8F5MA4pQdw8[/youtube]
