A to Z Band Challenge : The Letter E

It is getting harder and harder to stay on target with this challenge. For some letters I have way too many bands to include here. For a few, there may wide up being a shortage, though I haven't run across that yet. Perhaps if I do, I can go back and hit a few I missed, but I will probably just do an "honorable mention" on all of those at the end. "Z" may be a bit harder anyway...we shall see.




The letter "E" is not a problem. I can easily think of five bands right of the top of my head. There are many good death and black metal bands with "E", but I am trying not to go there. Though I love the music, I am only focusing on bands that actually sing here. I should mention bands like Exodus and Extreme here, but I'm just...not. Well, okay, I will give Exodus kudos because they are still kicking, and, hey...they DID come to my mind!

Exodus - For starters, Exodus was formed in part by Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett, who named them, but left to play with Metallica, of course. The band has carried on for decades without him, however. The closest I ever REALLY came to getting past their vocals however, was probably during the era of "The Toxic Waltz" Sorry, guys, but I just like actual vocals as opposed to growls and screams. Screams and growls are fine. I actually dig them, but at least SHOW me you CAN sing!

Earshot - You may remember these guys, even if your into this type of music. That might be because when they first came out in the 1990's, everyone thought they were Tool, or some Maynard based incarnation thereof. Personally, although I can hear a major Tool influence...I don't get it. I don't think they sound THAT much like Tool. In fact, a lot of there stuff sound far more mainstream than Tool to me. I like "Not Afraid", "Get Away", and "Wait". I have to admit that "Get Away" does sound a lot like Tool, but if you listen to their other stuff, you will hear a definite difference.

Emerson, Lake, and Palmer - Ah, an oldie but a goodie. These guys get knocked a lot, but few musicians can deny their influence. They probably a little mellow for any list of mine, but I even liked them as Emerson, Lake, and Powell. I was a huge Cozy Powell fan, though. I am also a huge Yes fan, so I obviously like the keyboards too. My favorite of all time by ELP is without a doubt "Still, You Turn Me On".

Eisenfunk - I love my keyboards, so it is obvious that I love industrial music, as well. Eisenfunk are one of the best at it. They made industrial dance about as much of a household word as it's going to get with "Pong". I love "Pentafunk", "Super Space Invaders", "Pestilenz", and "Medieval Bit"

Exciter - Like Exodus, this thrash metal band is still kicking it! I always thought their vocals were better though. They have also been a bit more consistent than Exodus, so I actually like them better. They stay true to their sound, and core, or semi core members. A scan of the band changes in Exodus looks much like the back of the Uriah Heep "Best of"album, with all the member changes.

I could mention a few more, but I'd just start complaining about the vocals, so you should probably just go listen for yourselves.