An Epic, No Less – “Mercy Light”:  This new BEC Recordings band, I predict, will be a key factor in determining whether the sugary electronic pop introduced by Owl City is a fad or here to stay for a while.  This worship band isn’t the first to sign to Brandon Ebel’s empire – he also signed Swimming With Dolphins to Tooth and Nail.  But, the slower, worshipful tune ought to appeal to youth groups and soccer moms across the nation.  The intro is a bit weird and the lyrics simplistic, but its ultimately earnest and genuine.  With the right marketing and perhaps a more peppy choice for a second single, this band will be on their way!

House of Heroes – “Touch This Light”:  The first single off Cold Hard Want marks new, yet natural territory for the band.  The dance-inducing song has a huge hook and outro.  Tim Skipper and company have never sounded better.  The song might not blow you away upon first listen like their earlier hit “In the Valley of the Dying Sun” but it WILL grow on you.  Count on this one being a live favorite at shows.  Shoot, it wouldn’t surprise me if this became their breakout hit.  Let’s hope!  Early reviews of the new record peg this song as being one of the lesser ones – whoa.

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=934-gzsCe-M]

Junius – “Betray the Grave”:  This category defying metalgaze quartet recently put out a single and music video that can only be described as epic.  With the ambient guitars and power-metal like drums kicking in, I can’t get this image of a Gregorian Monk group chanting out of my head.  Maybe this is what they’re going for.  Joseph Martinez would almost fit in with such a choir, minus the Catholic part.  Scratch that, if he were born in the right era he definitely would have been in one.  Never has power-metal-esque music been so transcendent!

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JU3W9itQXY]

Abandon Kansas – “Chariot”:  This new standalone single from the Wichita rockers straddles the line between power ballad and the pensively catchy sound they’re known for.  The more poppy, electronic-ish beat is unexpected, but doesn’t detract much from the song.  All in all, it’s simply a solid pop-rock tune sung from the point of view of a loving God, and Jeremy Spring solidifies his place in my head as one of the most consistently good vocalists in the underground circuit.  Time will tell on whether this is indicative of the direction the band is headed with future releases.