Impulsive is a word that comes to mind when thinking about Wilmington, NC band He Is Legend. Their sound is best described as rock and roll although; it can be difficult to predict what direction their next album might take. Refusing to be pigeon holed into one sub genre, they choose to write songs that can be unique and polar opposites of each other, but still assuring you that you’re listening to He Is Legend. Pulling influences from bands like Nirvana and Smashing Pumpkins, they crafted an aggressive and faster sound with those defining elements.

The name He Is Legend is an adaptation of the 1954 book I Am Legend by Richard Matheson. After releasing their first EP in June 2004 entitled 91205, the band signed on with Christian based label Solid State Records which has fueled many debates among fans about whether or not they are a Christian group. While members of the band have claimed to be followers of Christ, He Is Legend has made it clear that they are not collectively a Christian band stating, “We are in no way a Christian band… We all enjoy music; we all enjoy playing our instruments, so if we had to be classified as anything it would be a ‘band’ band or ‘music’ band.” They released their full length albums I Am Hollywood and Suck out the Poison, which were followed by extensive touring in the United States and Europe with acts like Norma Jean, Atreyu, Chimaira, Dragonforce, and Killswitch Engage.

The group’s current line up of Schuylar Croom (vocals), Adam Tanbouz (guitar), Matt Williams (bass), Sam Huff (drums/percussion), and Denis Desloge (guitar), signed to Tragic Hero Records in 2009 to release It Hates You. The album was produced by ex-Filter guitarist Mitchell Marlow and Allen Jacob at Warrior Sound in Chapel Hill, NC, with additional production by Kit Walters. “The difference (with this album) is that we were the ones calling the shots,” says Croom. “It was a little more laid back and comfortable for us because we were in surroundings we were used to and had our friends with us. We were just making a record that we wanted to hear. As opposed to being out of our element and in a city we’re not used to, we were in a place we love. North Carolina is our home. It was easier for us to work there.” He Is Legend is currently working on a new full-length album that is being produced once again by Mitchell Marlow and will be mixed by Jim Wirt at Crushtone Studios. No release date has been scheduled.

Must Be The Holy Ghost (MBTHG) is the latest vehicle for North Carolina’s longtime sonic traveler Jared Draughon. Layeredelectronic rhythms fuse with thick looping guitars and soaring vocals, a sound both intricately crafted but with ever shifting landscapes.

Killing gods is a rock based band that formed in the late summer of 2012 on the south side of Chicago. Currently, Killing gods are gaining interest with their live performances that contain a lot of stage presence, soul and big explosive sounds. Their EP is available on iTunes, Amazon MP3, Bandcamp, Spotify and more! Killing gods is Jordan Gomer, Danny K, Ozzie Rodriguez and Greg Sturmon.

Though properly formed in the spring of 2013, Still Lives began as early as 2010 with front man Steve Early and his array of sing along tunes occupying coffee shops and dive bar stages. A few years later Andrew Contreras and Josh Riede joined the three of them began performing under the name Still Lives. They played as a three piece for a year until the spring of 2014 when Jack Schwent and Blake Early joined the roster. Since then Still Lives has been rocking dive bars and music venues across the Midwest. If you’re into gritty alternative acoustic rock then Still Lives is right up your alley!