Maple Grove, Minnesota depressive black metal project formed in 2024, working within the DSBM tradition of minimalist, emotionally raw black metal with an emphasis on atmosphere over aggression.

San Diego death metal band formed in 2022, contributing to the active Southern California extreme metal underground with a straightforward approach to the genre.

Venice, California's Suicidal Tendencies, led by the irrepressible Mike Muir, are one of the most important bands in the history of crossover thrash, having bridged the gap between hardcore punk and thrash metal since their 1983 self-titled debut and its iconic anthem 'Institutionalized.' Their influence extends across punk, metal, and funk metal through the groundbreaking work of members like Robert Trujillo (now in Metallica) and guitarist Rocky George. Four decades in, Suicidal Tendencies remain a furious, unpredictable live force whose impact on heavy music's cross-pollination of genres cannot be overstated.

Monolithic Stoner / Doom Metal from Austin.

Connecticut band formed in 2025 that began with thrash metal influences and shifted toward a doom-oriented sound, exploring the heavier and slower end of the metal spectrum.

Tucson, Arizona atmospheric and depressive black metal band formed in 2013, named after the notorious Aokigahara forest in Japan and drawing on themes of isolation and despair across bleak, fog-laden compositions.

St. Louis, Missouri sludge and groove metal band formed in 2023, merging the grimy heaviness of sludge with the rhythmic punch of groove metal.

Suicide Letters are a depressive black metal band from Chile whose debut EP Happiness Faded Away was released in 2026. The band's lyrical focus centers on themes of suicide, operating in the rawer, introspective tradition of the DSBM subgenre.

Tempe, Arizona black/death metal and crust band formed in 2009, fusing the raw hostility of crust punk with black and death metal extremity in the tradition of the American bestial underground.