The Vans Warped Tour was the first festival for many of us back in the day. As young'ns, it's likely we didn't necessarily think about all that went into figuring out the bands to book and play the whole shebang. Part of that process, at least locally, seems to be through a series "battle of the bands" style competitions specifically for landing a spot on the fest. Quite a few Portland bands have been furiously playing against one another for said spot, and djent/prog metal act Vow of Volition are one of the acts that made it to the finals.

Warped Tour was always the type of festival that included much in the realm of pop punk, punk punk, emo and metal, so Vow of Volition's advancement to the final round is no surprise. Their incredibly technical, at times jazzy metal stands out in Portland's pretty linear popular music scene, and is much worthy of the attention its getting.

Those that want to support Vow of Volition in driving home the permanent spot can go to the Battle for Warped Tour finals Saturday at the Hawthorne Theatre.

Veil Of Maya have released the latest single, "Red Fur", from their forthcoming album, [m]other, which is due out May 12th Via Sumerian Records.

This is the genre-bending metal of Marc Okubo (guitar), Sam Applebaum (drums), Lukas Magyar (vocals), and Danny Hauser (bass).

You can catch Veil Of Maya at House of Blues on May 15th.

Post-Doom metal group ARRIVER recently released the lead single, "Only On", from their forthcoming album, Azimuth, which is due out on March 4th.

This is the work of Joe Kaplan (drums, percussion), Dan MacAdam (electric guitar, 12 string electric guitar, backing vocals), Dan Sullivan (vocals, electric guitar, baritone and acoustic guitars), and Rob Sullivan (vocals, bass guitar, synthesizer).

You can catch ARRIVER at The Burlington on March 11th with Doom Flower and Black Cross Hotel.

Sludge metal group Barren Heir recently released the first single, "Some of its Parts", from their forthcoming album, Died Down, which will be released on March 3rd.

This is the work of David Kirsch (guitars), Eddie Limperis (bass, vocals), and Adam Thorsness (drums).

You can catch Barren Heir at Livewire Lounge on March 2nd with Dust Biters and LA's Early Moods.

Anatomy Of Habit are preparing to release their fourth album, Black Openings, on February 24th. You can currently hear the album's nearly ten minute closing track below.

This is the Doom Metal of Alex Latus (guitar), Isidro Reyes (metal percussion), Skyler Rowe (drums, vibraphone), Mark Solotroff (vocals, analog synth), and Sam Wagster (bass, lap steel, piano, keyboard).

You can help the group celebrate the release of their album February 11th at Cobra Lounge with Kill Scenes and Twice Dark.