The Best Band in Alaska is Terraform
Last month we asked you to help us find the best unsigned bands in America. After listening to hundreds of submissions, we’ve finally narrowed down our pick for the coldest state in this grand nation. Today, we proudly present our pick for the best unsigned band in Alaska: Terraform.
Many score and some odd weeks ago, the founding fathers saw fit that our nation be divided into many slices of states; not unlike a massive free-for-all of a pizza with varying geographic and economic toppings. Then they died and a bunch of weird stuff happened culminating in the addition of Alaska, the first non-contiguous state, to the union. I think we stole it from those shiftless Canadians but I’m not totally positive as I haven’t watched the History channel in a long time.
What I’m trying to say is that not every state is created equally. Some states have fruitful meadows chock-full of heavy metal flora and fauna, and some states just have endless desolate fields. Alaska is the latter. For weeks we were concerned that we wouldn’t find a single worthy representative for the largest state in the United States. Fortunately, what the state’s metal scene lacks in quantity, it more than makes up for in quality with Anchorage’s own thrashers Terraform.
There are more polished bands in Alaska, to be sure, but none of them excited our judges like the brazen thrash contained in Terraform’s small handful of rough recordings. The tracks are wild and careening thrash affairs with a pinch of death thrown in. If you’re a guitar nerd (like me), the fretwork at play will thrill you; the riffs on “Shark Bite” are savage, son. Most importantly, the songs here function as actual songs, a higher accolade than many metal bands will ever achieve. If you dig higher BPM strains of metal and you don’t mind rough recordings, you’re gonna jam on Terraform. Check it out:
Here’s what the judges had to say:
Guacamole Jim: “Right off the bat, Terraform comes out with an aggression that makes you want to punch babies–and the guitars haven’t even started. They exude an energy that instantly pulls you into the music. The raw production and somewhat loose performance, rather than hindering, aids the songs. A great high energy band!”
MoshOff: “They sound like a death metal band playing thrash, in the best way possible. Vocals aren’t typical thrash vocals (re: not fucking annoying), riffs have plenty of technical wizardry. And most importantly, the fast parts are FAST. Just as a point of reference for any thrash nerd, they remind me of Hellwitch with more coherent riffing. And the lyrics aren’t about partying, beer, moshing or thrash. They’re everything thrash should be.”
HessianHunter: “It’s party thrash with a brain.”
Go like these dudes on Facebook and say hi. If they ever hit the lower 48, I wanna thrash.
HONORABLE MENTION:
Lamplighter (Anchorage, AK)
Lamplighter offer up bowel-shaking grindcore and noise that is refreshingly headbangable. Get ripped at their Bandcamp.
The Toilet ov Hell is on an absurd quest to find the best unsigned band in each state of this glorious union. The purpose? To shine some the spotlight on bands that deserve more exposure. Also, we’re going to determine once and for all the greatest state in the nation. Each state winner is decided by a collection of 25 judges. After we’ve announced the winner of each state, we’re gonna throw them all in a winner-take-all bracket and leave the votes up to you. Who will be the best unsigned band in the United States? Which state is superior? We can’t wait to find out.
Previous winners:
Alabama – Phylum
