ISIS

The Los Angeles-via-Boston-based metal band Isis are one of the most popular outfits working in heavy metal's more avant-garde sectors. While some hard rock acts would flinch at being saddled with arty descriptors and qualifiers, frontman Aaron Turner has himself referred to what the band plays as "thinking man's metal." Certainly, Isis' highly technical, concept-driven experimental sound doesn't immediately call to mind more familiar genre standard-bearers. Still, the band has the requisite musical elements to keep even the most meat-and-potatoes metalheads satisfied. ~ Nate Knaebel