A solo melodic heavy/thrash metal outfit from North Sioux City, South Dakota, J.T. Banks blends the hook-driven energy of traditional metal with the aggressive forward momentum of thrash, carving out a sound that feels both familiar and driven.

New York guitarist Jack Starr is a veteran of the classic heavy metal era, known for his early work with Virgin Steele, whose later output spans from hard rock to blues-tinged territory while never abandoning the melodic sensibility that defined his early career.

Columbus-based Jack the Ripper brings a heavy/power metal approach to their craft, marrying thick, traditional riffwork with the soaring ambition of power metal since forming in 2022.

Formed in Colorado Springs in 1981, Jag Panzer are one of the longest-running American power metal acts, having helped establish the U.S. power metal scene alongside their debut Ample Destruction in 1984. The band's catalog includes the ambitious 2000 concept album Thane to the Throne, a full adaptation of Shakespeare's Macbeth, and extends through The Deviant Chord (2017) on SPV/Steamhammer, maintaining vocalist Harry Conklin as a central constant across decades of activity.

Sonoma, California guitarist Jeffro Hunter blends neoclassical shred with traditional heavy metal, a recently active solo project that draws on deep familiarity with the classical guitar canon and channels it through high-voltage metal performance.

Out of Brattleboro, Vermont, Jeopardy play hard-nosed thrash with a crossover edge that tips its hat to the genre's hardcore roots, forging a pit-driven, riff-forward sound since 2011 that doesn't waste a second on subtlety.

Jacksonville, Florida's Jeremy Aitken delivers power and heavy metal with a hard rock sensibility, a solo project built around strong melodic hooks and the kind of guitar-forward songwriting that draws equally from traditional metal and classic rock.

Los Angeles veterans Jesters of Destiny carry a psychedelic undercurrent through their heavy metal and hard rock, a band whose long history lends them a distinctive eccentric quality — equal parts carnival chaos and riff-driven power.

Formed in 2015, Jim Breuer and the Loud & Rowdy is the musical project of veteran stand-up comedian Jim Breuer, backed by a band featuring producer and guitarist Rob Caggiano of Anthrax and Volbeat. Their 2016 debut Songs from the Garage on Metal Blade Records channels the classic hard rock of AC/DC and Judas Priest, with AC/DC vocalist Brian Johnson contributing guest vocals to two tracks on the album.