During the Kid Rock traffic jam at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally last year, the Rapid City, South Dakota-based metal band EY3LESS played an impromptu concert on the roof of a house on Lazelle Street to a captive audience of frustrated motorists.

EY3LESS is Zack Weedo on guitar, Duane Suedmeier with drums, Aaron Ales on bass and vocals by Tracy Steiner. All four are fans of Rapid City's other heavy metal acts, but they say their own music is less heavy and more intricate than other bands' full-throttle sound.

Steiner doesn't only scream and growl — he sings as well, and his powerful voice can easily be compared to James Hetfield or Dave Mustaine.

Each song is forceful and deliberate, without lulls or repetitiveness. No frills, no watering down, just old-school metal. If this band were a drink, it would be something flammable, on the rocks.

A shifting rhythm and tempo keeps listeners on their toes. In a world where many rock bands simply recycle their hits every few years