I discovered quite a few fantastic artists in 2014. In fact, so many new names came across my radar that I decided to document the best in my second year end list.

12. SAUL

An exclusive Loudwire premiere back at the beginning of the year is what got me first acquainted with these Iowa natives. Their progressive tendencies set them apart from many of their hard rock peers.

11. Eden Circus

While I’m talking progressive music, I can’t forget about the group from Germany that just put out their debut full-length in September. A tip of the hat goes to 99.7 The Blitz personality Hales for sharing them.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNWF9Rh1WIg[/youtube]

10. ÆGES

I’m still not completely sure how I found ÆGES, but one thing is for certain: I’m glad I did. These sludgy metallers know how to bring the riffs.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CA5wLRgufaM[/youtube]

9. ENOVA

Random Twitter users favoriting my tweets usually don’t phase me, but when I saw ENOVA citing a couple of my favorite artists as their influences, namely Chevelle and Incubus, I couldn’t pass up giving them a shot. As it turns out, their heavier brand of alternative rock is actually pretty good.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcQz5gMdlKk[/youtube]

8. Socionic

Sometimes it pays to check out a band you hear about in a Facebook advertisement. While 2014 was quiet for Los Angeles-based hard rockers in terms of new music, the band is gearing up for a big 2015, prepping for their debut full-length and the follow-up to 2012’s EP Epiphany.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1XngYPEH3Y[/youtube]

7. Too Many Zooz

How about a discovery that deviates quite a bit from its predecessors? This “brass house” trio made its name playing in the bustling subway tunnels of New York City, and as time goes on, the band only continues to increase in popularity.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/166505372″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

6. Big Data

My disdain for radio only increases over time, but even I can admit that it resulted in one of the coolest breakthrough artists of the year in electronic music producer Alan Wilkis, better known under the moniker Big Data.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8b4xYbEugo[/youtube]

5. Smokey Joe & the Kid

A collaboration with long-time rap collective The Procussions is what put this French duo on my radar. Blending swing and electro with hip hop effortlessly is what Smokey Joe & The Kid do best.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/167972906″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

4. Marmozets

It’s tough to categorize this young British band, who strikes a fine balance between the unrelenting chaos and a catchy sensibility. Fun and yet aggressive, these rockers put out a stellar full-length debut in September.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afX5kz9hfHI[/youtube]

3. Kings Kaleidoscope

Toby and Matt from Emery began their label Bad Christian Music at the beginning of the year, and have since become the home to bands like The Classic Crime and Abandon Kansas. One of their very first signings, however, was the 10-member worship group, innovative Seattle natives Kings Kaleidoscope.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nmFovPbZBk[/youtube]

2. Royal Blood

Spotify gave UK duo Royal Blood their first break with the addition of “Out of the Black” to a modern rock playlist. Since then the rock and roll upstarts have toured all over the US and even released their full-length debut in August. Their simple makeup (comprised solely of drums and bass) is really what’s impressive though.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_3mNCaJgNM[/youtube]

1. Royale

I typically follow back on my Twitter account, especially when I get a follow from an up and coming band. I’ve discovered several great artists this way, the most significant one being Chicago-based Royale. The quartet has branded their music as “progressive sci-fi yacht metal”, or just “yacht metal” for short, a sound sure to intrigue listeners, no matter what their stylistic preference may be.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/142694424″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Honorable Mentions

Fauntella Crow (folksy pop from Los Angeles)

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqlDVoBPIm4&[/youtube]

Sturgeon (progressive hard rock, also from LA)

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/110966073″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Young Fox (indie rock from Pittsburgh)

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dN8oa3Q21Vc[/youtube]