Emerging from San Franciscos vibrant underground in 2020, Snuffed on Sight delivers a brutal sonic assault. This death metal and beatdown hardcore fusion band is renowned for its aggressively crushing sound, a potent blend of heavy riffs, slam, and metalcore influences. Despite the violent lyrical themes, the bands distinctive style incorporates unexpected elements of humor and hip-hop aesthetics.

Hailing from Los Angeles, Return to Dust exploded onto the American rock scene in 2022. Their raw energy quickly solidified with the July 2023 release of their debut EP, Black Road, a fiery precursor to their self-titled debut album, Return to Dust, which dropped in May 2024. Following the album`s release, the band hit the road, opening for the legendary Sevendust. Clearly channeling the grunge gods, Return to Dust showcases a heavy Alice in Chains influence, forging their own path within the modern rock landscape.

This bands ferocious sound is tailor-made for hardcore punk aficionados – a genre they readily embraced in the past, and one that remains perfectly descriptive. Razor-sharp guitars underpin brutally detached vocals, delivered with stark intensity. Coles drumming, in particular, is a relentless force, driving the music forward with a visceral, almost martial energy.

SPY`s recent European tour, a well-earned triumph, is the stuff of envy. Witnessing their progress from city to city, I was captivated by the untamed energy they unleashed in each packed, shadowy venue.

Born of Osiris: A Progressive Metalcore Powerhouse

Born of Osiris, a progressive metalcore band hailing from Palatine, Illinois (a Chicago suburb), burst onto the scene in 2003. The band`s current lineup features founding member and drummer Cameron Losch, vocalist Ronnie Canizaro, and multi-instrumentalist Nick Rossi (guitar, bass, keyboards). Their impressive festival resume includes multiple appearances at Summer Slaughter Tour (2008, 2009, 2015, 2018) and the Music as a Weapon Tour 4, solidifying their status as a major player in the genre.

The band`s journey to their final name involved several iterations, ultimately settling on Born of Osiris in 2007, a moniker inspired by the Egyptian deity Osiris and the myth of his son Horus.

Early Years and The New Reign (2003-2007)

Emerging from the vibrant Northland Chicago metalcore scene alongside bands like Veil of Maya, Oceano, and For All I Am, the members of Born of Osiris honed their skills together at Fremd High School. Initially known as Diminished, they released their first five-song demo EP, Your Heart Engraved These Messages, in 2003. Notably, this was their only release featuring dual lead vocalists. This demo then served as the inspiration for their subsequent name change to Your Heart Engraved, under which they released a twelve-song demo titled Youm Wara Youm. The band`s early work laid the foundation for their future success, showcasing the raw energy and musicianship that would define their sound.

Hailing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Nonpoint exploded onto the heavy metal scene in 1997. Forged from the ashes of Robb Riveras earlier project, Nonpoint Factor, the band solidified its lineup with vocalist Elias Soriano, laying the foundation for a career spanning decades. Initially cutting their teeth with independent releases in the late 90s, Nonpoints 2000 major label debut, Statement, marked their arrival on the broader metal landscape.

Since then, theyve unleashed a torrent of albums, culminating in 2018s X, showcasing their relentless energy and evolving sound. Their extensive touring schedule has cemented their status as a live powerhouse, while their music has infiltrated video games, movies, and soundtracks, further expanding their reach. In a bold move, Nonpoint launched their own independent label, 361 Degrees Records, in April 2021, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to their art and their fans. The current lineup features Soriano on vocals, Rivera on drums, Rasheed Thomas on rhythm guitar, Adam Woloszyn on bass, and Jaysin Zeilstra on lead guitar. From their humble beginnings to their self-sufficient present, Nonpoint`s legacy continues to resonate with a generation of metalheads.

Hailing from Portland, Oregon, Dying Wish is a metalcore force to be reckoned with. The band – vocalist Emma Boster, guitarists Sam Reynolds and Pedro Carrillo, drummer Jeff Yambra, and bassist Jon Mackey – emerged onto the scene in 2016. After honing their craft, they dropped a demo in 2018, laying the groundwork for their ascent.

2019 saw the release of "Enemies In Red," a killer track featuring Bryan Garris of Knocked Loose, showcasing their explosive sound and securing attention within the genre. Signing with SharpTone Records in 2020, they followed up with "Innate Thirst," further solidifying their presence. Their highly anticipated debut album, Fragments of a Bitter Memory, arrived on October 1, 2021, after its announcement in July of that year.

Already looking to the future, Dying Wish announced in 2023 that they were hard at work on their second full-length. This was punctuated by the release of "Torn From Your Silhouette" and the July 2023 single, "Watch My Promise Die," both of which precede the upcoming album release. The band continues to build momentum, proving they are a major player in the modern metalcore scene.

Xibalba: A Pomona Hardcore Juggernaut

Hailing from Pomona, California, Xibalba emerged in 2007, injecting a potent blend of hardcore punk with the dark undertones of death and doom metal into the scene. Their distinct sound, punctuated by lyrics in both English and Spanish, quickly established them as a force to be reckoned with.

A Career Forged in Darkness:

Founded by longtime friends Nate, Brian, Jason, and Bryan—all veterans of the hardcore scene—Xibalba sought to create music that was both brutally heavy and uniquely eccentric. Their debut album, Madre Mia Gracias Por Los Dias (2010), released via A389 Recordings, laid the groundwork for their signature style. Hasta La Muerte (2012), released by Southern Lord, further cemented their reputation, leading to tours across the globe. Notable tours included an Australian run with Warbrain and Incendiary in 2012, and the US "No Way Out" tour in 2013 alongside heavyweights like The Acacia Strain, Within the Ruins, Fit for an Autopsy, and American Me. Further solidifying their touring prowess, they also hit the road on the "Die Knowing" US tour with Comeback Kid, Backtrack, Downpresser, and To the Wind.

The Lineup:

The band`s current lineup features a solid core:

• Nate Rebolledo: Vocals (2007-present)
• Brian Ortiz: Guitar, Backing Vocals (2007-present)
• Jensen Huncle: Guitar (2007-present)
• Jason Brunes: Drums, Backing Vocals (2007-present)

Past members include Mike Salazar (guitar, 2014-2015) and Bryan Valdvia (bass, 2007-2014).

Discography:

Xibalba`s discography showcases their evolution and relentless intensity:

Studio Albums:

• Madre mía gracias por los días (2010)
• Hasta la muerte (2012)
• Tierra y libertad (2015)
• Años en infierno (2020)

EPs:

• Diablo, Con Amor...

Xibalba`s enduring legacy is testament to their unwavering dedication to their powerful, uncompromising sound, and their relentless touring schedule. They remain a cornerstone of modern hardcore, influencing a new generation of bands with their unique blend of aggression and melody.

Hailing from Memphis, Tennessee, Saliva emerged onto the rock scene in 1996. This hard-hitting band quickly made a name for themselves, garnering six Grammy nominations and claiming an MTV Award. Their breakthrough came with Every Six Seconds, which achieved gold certification in 2001. Signed to Island Records, Every Six Seconds marked their second studio album, solidifying their position in the rock world.

The band continued to build momentum with their third studio album, Back Into Your System (2002), which peaked at #19 on the Billboard 200. This album spawned one of their biggest hits, "Always," which climbed to #51 on the Billboard Hot 100 and conquered the Modern Rock Chart at #1. Following Survival of the Sickest, Saliva released Blood Stained Love Story in 2007, mirroring the chart success of Back Into Your System.

Hailing from Sacramento, California, Trash Talk exploded onto the hardcore punk scene in 2005. Their raw energy and relentless touring quickly garnered international attention, with shows spanning Japan and Europe, and festival appearances cementing their status. This hard work earned them critical acclaim, including recognition from publications like Rolling Stone.

Their history is a whirlwind of activity. Following a 2005 demo release via Sell Our Souls Records and a 2006 split with Bay Area`s Steel Trap on Spiderghost Pressgang, they signed to Rumble Records to record their debut album, Walking Disease. A subsequent signing with Malfunction Records (a Deathwish Inc. imprint) in 2007 saw the release of the Plagues EP, later compiled with Walking Disease. Extensive touring, including dates with influential acts like Cruel Hand, followed before they opted to independently manage their career via their own label, Trash Talk Collective.

In 2008, they collaborated with legendary producer Steve Albini in Chicago on their full-length album. 2009 brought the release of the single "East of Eden," featuring the iconic Keith Morris (Off!, Black Flag, Circle Jerks) on vocals. This track also appeared on Shame, a UK compilation showcasing their earlier material. From their early demos to their international acclaim, Trash Talk’s rise is a testament to their raw power and relentless drive within the hardcore punk scene.

Demon Hunter, the Seattle-based Christian metal band, emerged from the ashes of the Clark brothers previous musical endeavors. Formed in 2000 by Don and Ryan Clark, the band initially operated under a veil of secrecy, obscuring their identities in photos and interviews. Their sound, initially drawing influence from Coalesce and Neurosis, evolved from the experimental rock of their earlier band, Training for Utopia. Ryans background included a stint in the hardcore band Focal Point, which released Suffering of the Masses on Tooth & Nail Records in 1996.

Their breakthrough came with the inclusion of their song "Through the Black" on This Is Solid State Vol. 3 in 2002. This led to the release of their self-titled debut album later that year on Solid State Records (a Tooth & Nail subsidiary). The Clarks wrote and performed the majority of the instruments themselves, with Ryan handling vocals as he had in Training for Utopia. Drummer Jesse Sprinkle (Poor Old Lu) was brought in for recording. While initially a project band, Demon Hunter’s success propelled them to significant recognition within the Christian metal scene. By the 2010s, they had sold over 600,000 albums. Don Clark`s departure in 2009 left Ryan as the sole remaining original member.