Both emerging from Richmond, Virginia's extraordinarily fertile doom scene, Cough and Windhand joined forces for the 2013 split LP Reflection of the Negative, a 37-minute immersive descent through suffocating sludge and narcotic stoner doom that earned an effusive Pitchfork review and positioned Richmond as a center of American heavy music. Separately, Cough — formed in 2005 — trafficked in harrowing, noise-infused doom, while Windhand — formed in 2008 — developed a more melodic, hypnotic strain of the genre, their collaboration distilling both bands' strengths into a landmark document of 21st-century doom.

Baltimore technical deathcore act Couldcareless push brutal complexity to the forefront, blending technical death metal precision with the breakdown-driven structure of deathcore. Their playing is dense and demanding, rewarding close attention.

Detroit's Couloir operate in the atmospheric and post-black metal space, crafting expansive, textured compositions that move between glacial beauty and blasting ferocity. Their music reflects the industrial isolation and sprawl of their city.

Tampa death metal veterans Council of the Fallen carry on the city's storied brutal tradition while weaving in melodic death metal leads and hooks. Their releases show a band committed to craft and sonic impact in equal measure.

New Jersey's Count Dirtbagulous take avant-garde black metal in strange and confrontational directions, subverting genre conventions with dark humor and genuine musical weirdness. The name says something about their approach — serious art wearing a ridiculous costume.

Out of Kinder, Louisiana, Count Szar lay down oppressive walls of drone and doom metal, favoring ritual repetition and maximum low-end density. Their music feels rooted in the bayou's sense of isolation and slow-moving dread.

Jacksonville doom/sludge duo Count the Dead play with the kind of bleak economy that the genres demand — slow riffs, heavy hearts, no excess. Their Florida roots add a sun-bleached desolation to the characteristic sludge murk.

Wilmington, Delaware's Count von Count deliver heavy sludge metal that doesn't take itself too seriously while still hitting hard. Behind the tongue-in-cheek name is a band that knows how to craft a slow, grinding assault.

Sanford, Florida thrash band Counterattack play straight-forward, riff-driven metal in the Bay Area tradition — fast picking, aggressive drumming, and no patience for filler. They're a reliable fixture in Florida's underground thrash circuit.