Fargo, North Dakota's Chronocide brings groove metal's locked-in rhythmic chug to the Great Plains, fusing it with traditional heavy metal songcraft. Their music is accessible but heavy, built for arenas their region rarely hosts.

Philadelphia's Chulainns Hound draws on Celtic mythology and traditional heavy metal song structures to craft doom-tinged metal with an old-world character. Their music blends the weight of doom with the accessibility of classic heavy metal.

Chum formed in Huntington, West Virginia in 1992, founded by vocalist and guitarist John Lancaster and drummer Chuck Nicholas following the dissolution of their previous band Guru Lovechild. The band released their debut album Dead to the World, recorded beginning in November 1995, which circulated in the regional hard rock and heavy metal underground. Their early output also included two self-financed cassette EPs, Postblisstheory and Godgiven, both from 1994.

Washington state heavy/stoner metal act Churt blend riff-driven grooves with a heavier, more abrasive edge than typical desert rock fare. Their sound sits somewhere between the swagger of classic heavy metal and the haze of stoner rock.

Raleigh, North Carolina's Château blend traditional heavy metal songcraft with black metal atmosphere, resulting in music that feels both nostalgic and unsettling. Their songs carry melodic hooks beneath a layer of occult darkness.

Lancaster, Pennsylvania folk/heavy metal band Cimmerian draw on ancient mythology and pagan tradition to craft melodic, epic metal with a raw folk undercurrent. Their sound evokes the savage world of the Hyborian Age that inspired their name.

Philadelphia progressive/heavy metal band Cipher combine classic heavy metal songwriting with adventurous, prog-influenced arrangements and sophisticated harmonic choices. Their music rewards close listening while never sacrificing heaviness for complexity.

Ventura legends Cirith Ungol helped define American doom and epic heavy metal in the late 1970s and '80s with their dark, Tolkien-inspired sound and Tim Baker's instantly recognizable wail. Rediscovered by a new generation of doom devotees, they reunited in 2015 and continue to record.

Evansville, Indiana heavy metal act Citadel Besieged plant their flag in traditional metal soil, delivering anthemic songs built on honest riffs and a love of the classic form. They wear their influences openly and without apology.