Band - Sleep Parade
Kinda sounds like - Porcupine Tree on steroids
Album to listen to - Things Can Always Change
Songs to start with - Carry On, One Track Mind, Passengers

I'm happy to announce a new weekly themed post, exorbitantly named "I know this band and you don't!". On a regular basis I will summon upon bands that are just extraordinary, other than the fact that nobody has ever heard of them. And by "nobody" I mean me, and a random amount of other people. And by "random" I mean - shut up.

The opening salvo of bands will include several really good bands in the Australian hard Alternative\Progressive rock scene. Why Australian? There's actually an interesting story behind that, but lets leave some of the good stuff for #2.

Hailing from Melbourne (Or Mhel-bharn, while chewing a bubblegum, if you're trying to get the accent right) are Sleep Parade. Other than having a really cool nonsense name (Solstice Coil much?), this three piece group released in 2008 a brilliant debut album optimistically titled "Things Can Always Change". I found them through last.fm and after listening to One Track Mind I was thoroughly surprised that they are not on any major label. Their style is defined as Alternative Progressive Rock, but it's very rhythm driven and atmospheric. Amidst walls of distortion and syncopated beats they create weary soundscapes that combined with cool electronic motifs kind of makes you want to both headbang and curl up somewhere warm to sleep all at the same time. 

You should definitely check them out!