White Mice - Noisecore that will pretty much destroy your ears. Brilliant.
White Mice are awesome. They're signed to Load, so that's already a sign of quality.
The Plan. Obscure math-meets-hardcore-meets-jazz-meets-indie band from Halifax (Nova Scotia), released two albums. Defunct now. Featured members of North of America.
The Holy Shroud. Another math/indie band from Halifax, also featuring North of America members.
Halifax is pretty good source for good but obscure bands, I guess.
Also, Yacopsae. Power violence from Germany I was recently introduced to. Pretty good band.
And good bands from California? Jesus, man, think 90s San Diego scene. Drive Like Jehu, Heroin, Mohinder, Clikitat Ikatowi. Also The Locust, The Flying Luttenbachers, Burmese...