Portland, Oregon deathcore project. The incomplete name invites the listener to fill in what's missing — hope, perhaps, or mercy.

Boston deathcore project. The name's monochrome imagery strips away color and nuance, leaving only stark extremes.

A((wake)) is a melodic progressive metal band from Portland, Oregon. Active in the mid-2000s, the band released two EPs — "The Crescent" in 2005 and "Northern Lights" in 2007 — showcasing introspective, layered progressive metal.

A-Z is an American hard rock and progressive metal supergroup formed in 2020, the project of former Fates Warning and Warlord drummer Mark Zonder — the band name standing for Alder through Zonder. The core lineup features Fates Warning vocalist Ray Alder, bassist Philip Bynoe (Steve Vai, Warlord), guitarist Joop Wolters, and keyboardist Vivien Lalu, releasing their self-titled debut on Metal Blade Records in 2022 with artwork by Hugh Syme. A sophomore album, A2Z², followed with guitarist Nick Van Dyk (Redemption) and Simone Mularoni (DGM) joining the collaboration, continuing in a melodic, AOR-influenced progressive metal direction.

Buffalo, New York doom metal project. Solo artist carrying Western New York's heavy music tradition forward.

Dix Hills, Long Island groove metal project. Suburbia channeled through rhythmic heaviness from one of New York's wealthiest communities.

A.D. 4 is a traditional heavy metal band from Staten Island, New York. Their 2025 debut full-length "Year Of The Dragon" delivers eight tracks of classic heavy metal with no-frills, fist-raising energy.

A.I.D.S. is a black metal band originally from Fort Wayne, Indiana and later based in Casper, Wyoming. Active since 2004, the band has released three full-lengths and a demo spanning nearly two decades of raw, uncompromising black metal, from early lo-fi provocations to the more refined assault of 2022's "MALEFICUS SABBATUM."

Monmouth County, New Jersey thrash metal project. Jersey Shore thrash delivered in abbreviated form.