Dresden Dolls, Avenged Sevenfold head down under

Boston's avant-garde rockers the Dresden Dolls.

For a two-piece, Boston's Dresden Dolls can make a racket. Made up of pianist/singer/songwriter Amanda Palmer and drummer Brian Viglione the Dolls' music is a mix of cabaret, avant garde and ferocious rock'n'roll.

You think Chris Martin from Coldplay head bangs when he plays the piano. Huh, you wait until you see Palmer attack hers.

They are on tour in support of their second album Yes, Virginia which came out earlier this year.

Meanwhile, it's going to get even more rowdy by year's end.

First up, Californians Avenged Sevenfold bring their rampant Pantera-meets-Guns N' Roses metal to Auckland for one show at the Powerstation on August 22.

Then, on September 13, at the St James, New Zealand faves Fear Factory return.

The band, who play a form of industrial death metal, are touring in support of their latest album Transgression but local audiences know them best for albums like Soul Of A New Machine and the mighty, Demanufacture. They are supported by DevilDriver.

Finally, on December 7 at the St James, rousing punk rockers Rise Against hit town. Phew.