Official Website: www.chore.com Label: Sonic Unyon Recordings Location: Dunnville, ON Similar To: Hum, dredg, Failure Audio: "The Wall Burns" "Superville" "Hennessy"

Chore: Hailing from a rural area in Southern Canada, Chore were forced to take inspiration not from a burgeoning local scene or the current "in" trends, but rather more intellectual endeavors. Luckily enough for them this pop culture deprivation of sorts certainly paid off as they've managed to craft a unique sound for themselves that is as refreshingly unique as it is cerebral. With 3 releases, the latest of which was produced by none other than Alex Newport (At The Drive-In, Sepultura), already under their belts and extensive Canadian tours completed, its about time the rest of the world get to enjoy one of the great white north's best kept secrets.

Official Website: Click Here Label: One Day Savior Records Location: Chicago, IL Similar To: Boy Sets Fire, At The Drive-In, Stetch Arm Strong Mp3's: "Them's Fighting Words" "Violets Are Blue"

The Killing Tree: Originally forming with members of Rise Against, Arma Angelus, Synnecrosis and more within their ranks, The Killing Tree established themselves with a solid independent EP offering dubbed "Bury Me at Make-Out Creek". Now, with a new full-length debut through One Day Savior on the horizon and a re-release of the aforementioned EP in the works as well, it looks as though The Killing Tree are in the position to firmly plant their roots.

Official Website: Click Here Label: Independent Location: Tulare, CA Similar To: Incubus, Gruvis Malt, Mad At Gravity Audio: "Incredible Douche" "Capacity" "Gravity"

Nomy 5: Originally forming under the moniker of 5 Knuckle Shuffle, Nomy 5 have yet to really attempt to make a name for themselves on the internet and as such will likely be unknown to most. But despite their lack of effort in this area they've already gone onto to establish themselves a loyal local fan base through steady gigs, plus their recently released self-titled full-length effort. With an indulgent sound that traverses through various genres from Jamiroquai like funk all the way to chunky modern metal, Nomy 5 are a band with the ability to appeal to a wide range of audiences and will likely really begin to turn heads as they refine their material and eventually focus on a common goal.

Official Website: www.openhandmusic.com Label: Independent Location: Los Angeles, CA Similar To: Helmet, Juliana Theory, Jimmy Eat World Mp3's: "626" "Someday" "The Dream"

Open Hand: Open Hand have already established themselves on the west coast with 2 releases and countless shows unleashed upon the masses. But for the past while the band remained relatively quiet and now, having undergone some lineup changes they have returned and taken their reinvigorated sound straight to the nation, playing shows with From Autumn To Ashes and Taking Back Sunday earlier this month, while more shows with bands such as Hopesfall, This Day Forward and Not Waving But Drowning will take them through the summer. Easily a band on the rise.

Official Website: www.seethingsonline.com Label: Independent Location: Uppsala, Uppland - Sweden Similar To: finger eleven, A Perfect Circle, Tool Audio: "Ascending" "Slow Healer" "Navian" "Illuminate Me"

Seethings: Originally forming under the moniker of Forcefeed, Seethings eventually underwent enough important lineup changes that they decided a new name and direction would be best. Now, with the band firmly cementing their new sound and an EP produced by Daniel Bergstrand (Meshuggah, Stuck Mojo) in their possession, they look to break out of their native land of Sweden and take their powerfully emotional material worldwide.

Comment On The Learning Curve (Last Updated 5:27 PM PST 06/25/2002)