Danko Jones and his eponymous band have a sound driven by sex, aggression, and metal that’s had success in Europe and in the burgeoning Canadian metal scene. It’s no surprise that Jones has been listening to music with some primitive power. The band’s first US release, We Sweat Blood, comes out on April 19 on Razor & Tie, and then they’ll get out on the road to show the States what they’ve been missing.

Brant Bjork- You’re Alright

If rock and roll was indeed a high school and all band members were just students in its halls, then Brant Bjork would be the coolest kid in school. From drumming in the classic “Sky Valley” and “Blues For The Red Sun” Kyuss line-ups to Fu-Manchu, Bjork has only recently started carving out a name for himself as frontman. His recent records have left people like me wondering why the hell he didn’t do this sooner. “Local Angel” is a bottle of rock pills and “You’re Alright” the ultimate rock sedative. This song relaxes the muscles, calms the nerves and soothes the soul.

[visit the website here, buy things here]

Cursed- Head Of The Baptist

You can’t describe this Hamilton/Toronto metal-core five piece without saying the F-Word and using a big exclamation mark for emphasis so…FUCK! You want heavy? This album defines the word but “Head Of The Baptist” is so heavy it’ll act like a sonic laxative, so watch what you eat before you put this on the stereo.

[visit the website here, buy things here]

Mclusky- To Hell With Good Intentions

They just broke up, but their music remains. I have to admit I didn’t really know too much about this Welsh trio until we kinda played alongside them at the Leeds and Reading festivals last year. Heavy tirades over heavy bass and drums with delicate guitar ala The Jesus Lizard. Track 8 on Mclusky Do Dallas is what Eminem would sound like if he hooked up with Rowland S. Howard and Tracy Pew.

[visit the website here, buy things here]