Raleigh’s native sons Corrosion of Conformity pretty much put North Carolina on the metal map with the release of Animosity back in ’85.  And while the state hasn’t sprung forth a well of heavy riffage like neighbouring Georgia and Virginia of late–to say nothing of the Florida death metal scene–there are at least a handful of bands from the Tarheel State that, well, if you like COC, you’d probably be into them too.  So cook up some grits and lace up those powder blue Air Jordans as I list ‘em off over the next few days.  (Oh, and COC are playing the Opera House on Thursday–but I’m sure you knew that already…)

Black Skies

Hailing from Carrboro, a suburb of Chapel Hill, this three-piece sludge band has been sweating it out on the Tobacco Road scene since 2005.  Last year saw the release of their debut full-length, On the Wings of Time, which makes use of both male and female vocals to bolster its dynamic attack.  Lying somewhere between Neurosis and Baroness, this band would surely be getting more buzz had they come from a certain college town in Georgia instead of the home of UNC–but that’s no reason for you not to check ‘em out.  Here’s “Technologicon,” a choice cut from their recent record: