Stream Kylesa's new album

You can now thrash about to Georgia-based stoner metal outfit Kylesa's newest album, Spiral Shadow, over at the band's myspace. Though I haven't heard much from these guys (Last.fm's been pestering me non-stop with their recommendation for the last few months), their unique blend of male and female vocals set them apart from the genre's usual Precambrian churn. They're also currently touring with stoner metal titans High on Fire and Torche.

Spiral Shadow drops October 25th.

Torche

Torche may be a stoner metal band, but strip away the layers of drop-tuned, crunchy guitars and you have songs built on a foundation of pop hooks. Tracks like "Grenades" from 2008's rollicking Meanderthal channel skyscraping major-key harmonies and upbeat guitar leads instead of the genre's typical aggression. This is metal that will make you smile as you rock out.

Torche's vinyl split with experimental drone/metal band Boris, Chapter Ahead Being Fake, drops June 29th.

Torche - "Grenades"