Williamston, New Jersey speed/thrash metal project formed in 2019 that weaves neoclassical shred into an otherwise aggressive thrash framework, drawing on the guitar-centric tradition of classical-influenced metal in the vein of Yngwie Malmsteen filtered through the raw energy of the genre's underground. The project's emphasis on technical fretwork sets it apart from the straight-ahead thrash common to the region's underground.

Laguna Niguel, California death/thrash metal band formed in 2022 by guitarist and founder Travis Derby, who built their sound around classic thrash touchstones like Exodus, Testament, and Coroner before incorporating death metal darkness in the vein of Death and Pestilence. Their album The Cycle of Darkness is a self-described DIY effort that bridges old-school thrash precision with the heavier, more ominous atmosphere of early death metal.

Ripping Melodic Death Metal / Metalcore from Dallas.

Sandusky, Ohio's The Plot In You have undergone one of metalcore's most dramatic transformations under the creative vision of vocalist-producer Landon Tewers, evolving from the unrelenting aggression of early albums like 'Could You Watch Your Children Burn' into the dark, electronic-tinged alternative rock of 'Dispose' and 'Swan Song.' Tewers's willingness to completely reinvent the band's sound with each release, moving from screaming metalcore to haunting, atmospherically dense rock, has won them a broader audience while retaining the emotional intensity that has always defined their work. His prolific solo production work has further established Tewers as one of the scene's most talented multi-hyphenate creators.

The Pretty Reckless, fronted by actress-turned-rock-vocalist Taylor Momsen, defied every expectation leveled at a celebrity-fronted band by delivering genuinely excellent hard rock fueled by Momsen's commanding voice and producer Kato Khandwala's sleek production. Their albums 'Going to Hell' and 'Death by Rock and Roll' produced multiple number-one rock singles, making Momsen the first female artist to have five chart-toppers on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart. Rooted in classic rock traditions but delivered with modern edge, The Pretty Reckless have earned their credibility the hard way: through great songs and relentless touring.

New York black metal duo formed in 2016 by Frank Fisicaro and Sean Gabler, who named the project after Peter Cushing's ominous character in the 1974 Amicus horror anthology From Beyond the Grave. Their debut full-length For Nothing is my Own draws on atmospheric and traditional black metal while keeping one foot in the horror-obsessed cultural tradition that has long defined the genre's American underground.

Corona, California melodic death metal solo project by A.C. Riddle, formed in 2013 and notable for a prolific early run that produced four albums in under two years across releases like The Dark Realms and Makeria. Norse mythological themes anchor the lyrical content, and the project draws on the melodic death metal tradition with layered guitar work and dense sonic arrangements released through Senseless Life Records.

Murfreesboro, Tennessee doom/stoner metal band formed in 2015, dealing in fuzz-drenched, Sabbath-worshipping heaviness built on crushing low-tuned riffs and powerful groove-oriented rhythms. Released through Ripple Music, their LP Looking for Today pairs psychedelic stoner rock atmosphere with the slower, heavier pulse of traditional doom metal, making no apologies for their deeply roots-minded approach.

The Red Chord formed in Revere, Massachusetts in 1999 and carved out a distinctive position in extreme metal by combining death metal brutality, grindcore velocity, and metallic hardcore chaos in a way that presaged the deathcore genre before that term solidified. Their 2002 debut Fused Together in Revolving Doors introduced a fanbase to their erratic, high-density approach, and Clients (2005) sold over 50,000 copies in the United States. Prey for Eyes (2007) and Fed Through the Teeth Machine (2009) both charted on the Billboard 200. After a period of inactivity beginning around 2015, the band returned to live performance in 2022.