Best Local Punk Act

At a time when many of Atlanta’s best underground rock bands are sticking with a defined sound, be it metal, noise, or hardcore, WYMYNS PRYSYN remains almost impossible to pin down. It’s noisy and obtuse, yet also catchy and melodic. In the past few years, WP’s full-volume live assault has improved with each new release, culminating in this year’s four-song 7-inch for local label No Breaks. The band’s sound, image, and touring practices are all rooted in a strong DIY ethic. After shuffling through a number of drummers, WP settled on the skill and experience of Bobby Michaud (Brain Flannel, Double Negative). Bassist Josh Feigert’s artwork is incorporated into every release for a blitz that pummels the eyes as well as the ears. www.wymynsprysyn.bandcamp.com. less...

Punk rock is best when it’s channeled through one man confronting the things that keep him awake at night. Greg King’s nightmares manifest in the murky punk energy, lacerating riffs and warped field recordings of G.G. King. With the arrival of his debut LP, Esoteric Lore (Rob’s House/Scavenger of Death), the former Carbonas frontman transcends the buzzsaw blitzkrieg of his previous band. By marrying crisp, driving melodies and demonic incantations with a damaged sound that could shake itself to pieces at any minute, he’s created the most compelling avant-garage punk statement this town has ever known. myspace.com/ggkingband.

Listen: G.G. King “Want”

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PREDATOR pounds every bit of angst and aggression into its songs with the power of a machine driven by three chords and pure, wall-punching fury. Sure, any punk-rock band can organize such disparate pieces into a manly tirade. But the trio of Mike Beavers (bass/vocals), John Necro (drums) and Brannon Greene (guitar/vocals) does it with style by stripping songs to their essentials, then drawing out a steady, aggressive plod with clean, razor-sharp edges that are minimalist by design but saturated with unadulterated catharsis. www.myspace.com/atlpredator. less...