Hesperia, California death metal band Cicada Swarm pile on savage riffs and hammering rhythms in the tradition of American brutality. Their sound is straightforward and crushing, built around the kind of riff density that defines underground death metal.

St. Louis death/thrash outfit Cicatrix blend the punishing velocity of thrash with the heaviness of death metal, delivering razor-sharp riffs and aggressive rhythmic attack. Their sound sits in the classic crossover tradition between the two genres.

New Lenox, Illinois death/progressive metal act Cimmerian build technically demanding compositions that push death metal heaviness through intricate progressive structures. Their writing is dense and ambitious, rewarding repeated listens.

Colorado Springs melodic death metal outfit Circaic weave aggressive riffing and harsh vocals with melodic lead guitar work and dynamic songwriting. Their sound bridges the intensity of death metal with the melodic sensibility of the Scandinavian tradition.

Pennsylvania brutal death/grind veterans Circle of Dead Children have been one of the most extreme and uncompromising acts in American underground metal since the mid-1990s. Their hyper-blasting, caustic assault blurs the line between brutal death metal and grindcore with relentless ferocity.

Denver death/grind band Circle of Defeat deliver short, explosive blasts of grindcore-informed brutality that tear through songs in under two minutes. Their approach is no-frills and merciless, with the intensity of both genres concentrated into compact, devastating form.

Paulsboro, New Jersey death metal act Circle of Fear lean into the punishing, riff-focused side of the genre with a straightforward, aggressive approach. Their music is rooted in the American death metal underground tradition.

New Orleans trio Circling Vultvre conjures a suffocating blend of black, death, and doom metal steeped in Southern Gothic dread. Their music circles decay and darkness with relentless, unhurried menace.

Simi Valley death/thrash band Circumsodomy deliver blunt-force riffs and caustic vocals in the tradition of early Bay Area savagery. Their no-frills approach keeps the brutality honest and unrelenting.