Orbit Culture
The Shadowing
Melodic Death Metal
Orbit Culture is one of my favorite bands and I absolutely love everything they've been putting out lately. They've such an intensity and progression to their songs that really evokes a sense of aural evolution. I greatly appreciate just how wide Niklas' vocal range has become. He's managed to keep his guttural lows, have crisp screams, grimey cleans, and everything seemingly in between.
YukueshirezuTsurezure (Not Secured, Loose Ends)
REDERA
Still Roaring
Alt-Idol / Rock / Metal
These girls are wonderful. I've been listening to them for a few years now and they continually put out great music. They're a mixture of pop, rock, metal, hardcore, and electronic. Their latest double-single also produced two videos, both of which are beautiful. Kotetsu's solo bridge is really pretty and I'm glad she got the chance to shine. Normally I'd lament the lack of growls, but they tend to come back extremely heavy with some near melodeath levels of music, so I'm eager awaiting their upcoming works.
Unlucky Morpheus
瀧夜叉姫
Melodic Metal / Symphonic
Fuki (vocals) and Jill (violin) are incredibly talented. I believe Fuki is one of the best vocalists in the metal scene currently. Jill's violin adds a haunting symphonic melody to everything and really elevates the group. The instrumentation is fantastic and the guitarwork is top notch as always. The song has a real Onmyouza vibe and Wagakki vibe to it with a touch of melodeath.
DUSTCELL
LILAC
Pop / Eletronic
Every since I came across DUSTCELL a few months back, I'd adored everything they've put out. There's a real melancholy tone to everything while having a catchy and serene melody to it. Every video seems to tell a story and the lyrics are quite touching, if a bit unsettling at times. I think fans of Daoko would like them, though DUSTCELL is a bit less chaotic/insane. Still, the raps and beats are lovely.
The Black Dahlia Murder
Child of Night
Melodic Death Metal
I'm kinda kicking myself for sleeping on TBDM for so long. At first I thought they just recently (as of 2017) started writing great stuff, but on a few listens of their previous works I realize I was wrong. They've always been pretty great, I just didn't appreciate their style for quite some time. Their new stuff continues to highlight just how they continue to progress as musicians and writers, leading to some very technical melodeath that has a real black metal tinge to it.
Trivium
What The Dead Men Say
Melodic Metal
I've been listening to Trivium since their first album and have enjoyed most of their works, though they do have a few trash albums. Thankfully, their 2017 release was a real return to form while also progressing what is their signature style these days. There's a nice progressive aura around all their latest works, incorporating every bit of their styles over the years to make something new but still Trivium. I think this song is up there with the works of Shogun, their most popular and progressive album.