Pandabear

^ I don't know that many Japanese instrumental bands, however if they don't have to be Japanese, I can recommend a bucket load of amazing stuff. I'm a guitar nerd so I actively listen for technical guitar artist's/bands. Here are some I enjoy. Those should get you started.

Agree with the Born Of Osiris ones. And here are some I can think of. Mastodon has pretty awesome covers for their albums. Marilyn Manson's Mechanical Animals cover. Rings of Saturn's Dingir is pretty sick. Deftones have some nice ones. I like Raunchy Confusion Bay, which also happens to be one of their best albums. Brand New has some interesting covers too. They might not have a lot going on visually, but they are intriguing And of course Iron Maiden has all the covers with Eddie.

Hell yes, on the guest vocals by Howard Jones on this.

Finished Catcher In The Rye, by J.D Salinger. Should have read this sooner. Starting on Fydor Dostoevsky's The Idiot.

I agree with this, but I'd say part of the problem has to do with trends, age and environment. I mean if someone listen to lousy or questionable music all the time, they'll have a hard time figuring out what they're listening is bad, if they've never actually heard good music. I think this is also when age comes into play. I think as most people mature, their music tastes do as well. They discover new genres, new sounds, new bands, old bands, etc and it starts to reflect the quality of the music they listen to. Which is why sometimes people have that moment when they go " I can't believe I used to like XX band or song, they suck." Luckily for me, I never had something like that happen. I stand by everything I listen to, but as I matured over the years, I did start to appreciate and enjoy other genres that I would have not when I was younger. Then the other important factor is how a person discovers new music. They either have to be active in listening to new or different music, or be exposed to new and different sounds through their environment or another person. But if neither of those things ever happens, then I guess they're stuck listening to "crap" music. I also agree with sai, about not being a dick to people because they like something you don't. Actually, that part and the following ensuing rant wasn't directed at you, but was just me venting to no one in particular about some of the frustrating things I see in the metal scene. But I do see you're point about the members of BABYMETAL. On to another topic. I actually have no problem with pop artists having other people write their music for them. Back when I first discovered this, it sickened me and I was even disappointed in some pop artists I enjoyed. Now I really don't mind it as much. In fact some pop groups and artists I Immensely enjoy practice this, but at least they make good music. I see no harm in a artist who can sing, but may lack the skills in composing msuic hiring someone to do it for them, or having a songwriter, producer or whatever seeking out someone who wants to perform their music. The pop stuff I really can't stand is the soulless bland stuff that's usually on the radio. I think I despise those songs twice as much because it's just bad music and it wasn't even made by the artist pushing it. I do have tons of respects for pop artist who don't do this and actually write/compose their music or at the very least collaborate with a producer and make some sort of musical contribution.

Haven't really played that many games in this genre, but one of the few titles I recently finished playing that I loved was Alan. Wake. I wouldn't call it survival horror, but it does have of those elements along with thriller, action, and shooting components. The gameplay and plot keep you interested at all times and the mood and atmospheres in this game are really spooky. It's really fun to play at night with the volume turned up. I wouldn't just recommend this game to horror/thriller fans but to any gamer out there. It launched on the xbox but it's available on pc and steam too now I believe.

Misha Mansoor & Tosin Abasi - Optimist

Need a new album by them soon.

I'm buy this either way. Death Throne was amazing and I expect 8:18 to be as well. According to the band it's suppose to darker than Dead Throne and the guitar parts are even more aggressive.

I have to disagree with Arithmetica on the BABYMETAL not being metal. To me they are. Sure they may not be your typical metal band, and are on the poppy side, but they still are metal. Which brings me to my other point. Metal is metal. Djent is metal, VK is (can be) metal, progressive metal is metal, metalcore is metal, deathcore is metal, alternative metal is metal, death metal is metal, industrial metal is metal, grindcore is metal, symphonic metal is metal, powermetal is metal, black metal is metal. Electronic-posthardcore-bleep-bloop-w/e is metal. I’m so tired of metal fans bashing other sub-genres of metal and refusing to acknowledge them as metal simply because they don’t fit their own personal description of the genre, or because they don’t like a certain band. I see people bashing any type of metal that has clean vocals as utter crap simply because the band chooses not to use BROOTAL growled vocals all the time. Likewise I see death metal gets flak for “generic,” or “indistinguishable” growled vocals. Technical/progressive metal bands with crazy instrumental and composition skills get crap for “useless instrumental wankery”, symphonic for lack of heaviness, metalcore for breakdowns/pedal point riffs, and metal fusion bands for using other genres of music that aren’t metal, electronica, post-hardcore, pop etc. This type of narrow mindedness is even present in the Japanese music scene. More traditional heavy metal acts from Japan don’t consider VK bands who actually play a style of metal (usually a variation on metalcore) metal simply because said VK band may use poppy choruses or dress in colorful visually striking attire. It might not be traditional metal, but VK can certainly still be metal, as can any other sub-genre can. The numerous incarnations metal has taken is actually what I love about the genre. The crazy amount of sub-genres it has and how each sub-genre has its own awesome interpretation and take on metal. Sure there are crap bands in each scene, but that goes for any genre. More importantly, there are plenty of amazing bands from each sub-genre. And I don’t except everyone to like every sub-genre of metal there is, or every metal band out there, but to be open minded enough to respect and accept other sub-genres. I will never understand when people say “that’s not metal”, when clearly the band is, or “that’s fake/poser metal", There’s no such thing as fake metal. It’s either metal or it’s not. So yeah, that’s my opinion. Metal is metal.

Good news from the band. They're new album called 8:18 comes out September 17, 2013. And this album might actually be closer to their Zombie EP in heaviness than Dead Throne was. The Devils Wears Prada - Martyrs

Seriously can't wait for the new AA album. Only a couple more days to go. Asking Alexandria - The Death Of Me

Evan Brewer - Microscopic Scale Guy is like one the best bassist around. His new album is like Animals Leaders with the progressives synths of The Faceless. Instant win.

Evil Dead. The 2012 remake. It was pretty good. Better than expected even. However, I still prefer the original.

And this is why Guthrie is the bomb. Guthrie Govan - Waves

Cool, guitarist here, I fit your criteria. I've been looking to start/join a band. I'm not all that big on vk but I am big on rock and metal. Also I like some of your influences, mostly the personally stuff like despair's ray, blood stain child and the gazette. I do have some questions. Like is your sound vk or is it your image or both? Would there be rehersals and what would be your goals for the band? To put out out a ep, an album, do live shows etc.. And when would writing begi and will the vocals be in English or Japanese?

I See Stars - Digital Renegade

New single is out. It's amazing. Dead Letter Circus - Lodestar And they've finally announced their new album. It's called The Catalyst Fire and comes out August 9th.

Attila - Party With The Devil

Also can't mention spanish rock and not mention Mana. They're like the biggest modern Spanish rock band out there. Mana - Angel de amor Mana - En el muelle de San Blas Some Powermetal Warcry - Que vengan ya And this one is in English. Dark Moor - Maid Of Orleans

I actually know a bit since I was curious about Spanish music a few years ago. Discovered a lot of good stuff, but it was mostly pop-rock stuff. However, spanish rock music from the 80's and 90's is totally magical. Examples: Caifanes - Viento Love the bass playing on this track. La Union - Hombre Lobo En Paris http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBHO9M6WX-w Enanitos Verdes - Lamento Boliviano Hombres G - Te Quiero Soda Stereo - Persiana Americana

All I could come up with. Hizumi (De'spairs Ray) Ryo (9Goats Black Out) Kyo (Dir en grey) Junpei ( ACID) Danchou (NoGod) Ken Lyod (Oblivion Dust, Fake?) Sophia (Blood Stain Child)

^ Album of the year for me is Rings Of Saturn's Dingir. I always keep coming back to that release. I haven't heard any other album that comes close to topping in its perfection. So much technicality, speed, brutality, and general epicness with just the right amount of melodic touch. Love the sick artwork for the cover too.

Brilliant and magical. Jorge Elbrecht feat. Tamaryn - 1/4 Circle Black