Heavy metal band from New Jersey, formed in 2012, continuing the tradition of hard-driving, riff-based metal in the tri-state area's active underground scene.

Heavy and power metal band from Kent, Washington, formed in 2010, delivering melodic, guitar-driven metal in the classic American power metal tradition, part of the Pacific Northwest's active heavy metal community.

Baltimore, Maryland band formed in 2010, working across heavy, power, and thrash metal styles with a broad approach that spans the melodic grandeur of power metal and the aggressive drive of thrash.

Progressive and heavy metal band from Bowling Green, Ohio, formed in 2010, incorporating grunge and progressive rock influences alongside traditional heavy metal, yielding a sound that is more eclectic than most of their namesakes.

Heavy and power metal band from Cleveland, Ohio, formed in 1992, part of the city's established metal underground, delivering the melodic twin-guitar attack and anthemic songwriting of classic American power metal.

Heavy and power metal band from Fort Myers, Florida, formed in 1992, drawing on the NWOBHM-influenced tradition of American power metal, active in the Southwest Florida metal scene.

Iconic Christian heavy metal band from Orange County, California, originally formed in 1983 and among the most commercially successful acts in the genre's history, known for their yellow-and-black imagery, arena-ready anthems, and outspoken faith-based lyrical content. The band experienced a significant resurgence after reuniting in the 2000s, continuing to record and tour into the 2020s.

Heavy metal band from Cleveland, Ohio, formed in 2012, part of the city's enduring heavy metal tradition, drawing on classic riff-driven metal in a scene with deep roots going back to the earliest days of American heavy metal.

Heavy metal band from Leesburg, Virginia, formed in 2020, working within traditional metal frameworks with a modern edge.

Minneapolis heavy metal and hard rock band formed in 2018, blending classic metal muscle with accessible hard rock hooks in the tradition of the genre's golden era.

Detroit thrash and heavy metal band formed in 2016, channeling the Motor City's hard-edged tradition into a sound that honors classic metal while maintaining contemporary urgency.

Toms River, New Jersey heavy and power metal band formed in 2023, working in the tradition of classic metal with a focus on strong melodic songwriting and heavy riffing.

SubtleFeud is a heavy metal band from Columbus, Ohio, formed in 2008, playing hard-edged traditional heavy metal with a hard rock sensibility rooted in the Midwest club circuit.

Suckerpunched is a heavy/thrash metal band from Galesburg, Illinois, formed in 2011, mixing classic heavy metal and punk-influenced thrash into a raw, no-frills assault from the Illinois underground.

Sudden Deaf is a heavy/doom metal band from Austin, Texas, formed in 2022, crafting slow, crushing riff-driven music that taps into the Lone Star capital's fertile heavy underground.