Official Website: www.astaticlullaby.com Label: Independent Location: Chino Hills, CA Similar To: Finch, Thursday, Glassjaw Audio: "The Shooting Star That Destroyed Us All" "A Sip Of Wine Chased With Cyanide" "Love To Hate, Hate To Me"

A Static Lullaby: Multiple failed bands and various line-up changes spawned what has now come to be known as a A Static Lullaby, a fastly up and coming California based outfit who managed to sell 5000 copies of their EP offering "Withered" on the strength of their live shows and word of mouth alone. Touring extensively across America in recent months, the band look to align themselves with a new label by the fall and will begin recording their full-length debut in October with an early 2003 release in the cards.

Official Website: www.stairland.cjb.net Label: Fuel Music Location: ????, ?? Similar To: Strapping Young Lad, Chimaira, Meshuggah Mp3's: "Clone" "Shapeless"

Stairland: Its by no surprise that a band like Stairland hail from overseas as music as depraved and outright violent as that which they create is rarely birthed on North American shores. Flush with crushing industrial undercurrents that collide with prog and technical metal in an unorthodox fashion, the music they put forth batters the listener into blissfully experimental auditory submission. Such beatings should only continue as the band are presently gearing up for the re-release of their indie EP "Shapeless" through Fuel Music on October 08th, followed by their full-length outing "Chung" in early 2003.

Official Website: www.mindlikewater.org Label: Bongiovi Records Location: ????, FL Similar To: Jane's Addiction, A Perfect Circle, Tinfed Audio: "False Angel" "Lost Without You" "I Dream Of Machinery"

Mindlikewater: In a world where heavier bands seem to define themselves by cliche musical directions all too often, Mindlikewater stand out as an anomaly. Progressive and melodic, their songs exude a sense of depth and artistic expression that feels pure enough to almost sound foreign. With rampant touring of their local scene and two releases already under their belts, the unique sound this group possess should easily make listeners take notice and embrace them all the more.

Official Website: http://209.104.0.64/itf/ Label: Independent Location: Tucson, AZ Similar To: Sevendust, 40 Below Summer, Alien Ant Farm Mp3's: "Pale" "Blissful"

Is To Feel: Arizona's talent has begun to emerge over the past few years and these Tucson natives are living proof that something special is definitely boiling under the surface. With their self-titled demo recently completed and the band now forging their presence on the web, the future looks bright for this band as their music has something to offer to many people with its surprising versatility.

Official Website: www.yakuzadojo.com Label: Century Media Records Location: Chicago, IL Similar To: Dillinger Escape Plan, Candiria, System Of A Down Audio: "Chicago Typewriter" "T.M.S."

Yakuza: Named after the Japanese equivalent of the Mafia, Yakuza is a fitting name for this Chicago, IL based quartet as they have been operating in the shadows for the last few years, devastating audiences and listeners with little mention from the public at large. Such practices will assuredly change soon however as the band are currently gearing up to issue their second full-length offering "Way Of The Dead" through Century Media on October 15th. With an increased cognition and a clearer example of their abilities displayed upon it, these avant garde metallers look to begin to carve out their own fan base whether it be done with a clean and precise slice from a Katana or other less than scrupulous tactics.

Comment On The Learning Curve (Last Updated 5:13 PM PST 09/03/2002)