Dry Kill Logic, the Westchester County, New York heavy metal band, exploded onto the scene in 1995, initially operating under the names Hinge and Hinge AD. Their journey to becoming a force in the metal world is marked by three full-length albums, but their story begins much earlier.

The Psychodrama Records Era (1997-1999):

Four years into their existence, Hinge self-released their debut EP, Cause Moshing is Good Fun, via their own label, Psychodrama Records, in 1997. This was followed by their second EP, Elemental Evil, in 1999, also self-released. This nine-track effort proved pivotal, propelling them to open for major acts like Coal Chamber, Incubus, Anthrax, and System of a Down, showcasing their raw power and establishing their presence in the burgeoning metal scene.

The Darker Side of Nonsense (2000-2003) and Beyond:

2000 marked a significant turning point. Hinge signed with Roadrunner Records, a major label deal. However, this came with a crucial caveat: a name change. A recording studio held the copyright to the name "Hinge," forcing the band to rebrand. After briefly using "Hinge AD," they ultimately settled on the moniker Dry Kill Logic after facing legal threats.

Under their new name, they released their debut album, The Darker Side of Nonsense, on June 5th, 2001. The album featured a guest appearance by J-Sin (vocals) and Bobby Burns (guitar) of Primer 55 on the track "Give Up, Give In, Lie Down," adding another layer to their already compelling sound. The band`s subsequent releases further solidified their reputation in the heavy metal genre.

The Ataris, a punk rock band hailing from Anderson, Indiana, exploded onto the scene in 1996. Their distinctive sound, forged in Kris Roes bedroom using a four-track and drum machine, landed them a record deal with Kung Fu Records—a stroke of luck facilitated by a demo tape making its way to Joe Escalante of The Vandals. Between 1997 and 2007, they released five studio albums, achieving mainstream success with their 2003 gold-certified album, *So Long, Astoria*. This albums standout track, a high-charting cover of Don Henleys "The Boys of Summer," catapulted them to a wider audience. While the bands lineup fluctuated, the sole constant throughout their history was the singer, songwriter, and guitarist Kris Roe. Their humble beginnings, from bedroom demos to a Kung Fu Records deal, is a classic underdog story in the punk rock pantheon.

Cattle Decapitation, the San Diego deathgrind titans, emerged in 1996. While the original lineup—featuring vocalist Scott Miller, guitarist Gabe Serbian, and drummer Dave Astor—is long gone, the bands legacy endures. Their early work, including the ferocious *Ten Torments of the Damned* demo (1996), laid the groundwork for their brutal sound. A pivotal moment arrived with Travis Ryans 1997 recruitment, solidifying his position as a deathgrind icon. The subsequent Human Jerky (1999) and Homovore (2000) EPs, both recorded at Double Time Studios with engineer Jeff Forrest, further honed their signature style. By 2001, all founding members had departed, with Serbian moving on to The Locust. Despite the significant lineup changes, Ryan, along with guitarist Josh Elmore (a later addition), remain the only constants throughout Cattle Decapitations eight-album discography, cementing their status as the bands core creative force.

High on Fire, the Oakland, California-bred heavy metal titans, emerged from the ashes of the late summer of 1998. Founded by Sleep guitarist Matt Pike, alongside drummer Des Kensel and bassist George Rice (formerly of Dear Deceased – who initially auditioned as vocalist!), the band quickly established a ferocious reputation.

Their initial foray was a three-track EP in 1999, released via 12th Records. These tracks were later resurrected and formed the core of their debut full-length, The Art of Self Defense (Mans Ruin Records, March 7, 2000). Following Mans Ruin`s demise, Tee Pee Records re-released the album with bonus tracks in 2001.

That same year marked a significant turning point: High on Fire signed with Relapse Records, unleashing Surrounded by Thieves on May 28, 2002. This solidified their place in the heavy metal scene, paving the way for a prolific career spanning nine studio albums, culminating in their latest release, Cometh the Storm, in 2024. Their impact reached a global peak with their 2019 Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance, earned for the blistering "Electric Messiah." From humble beginnings to Grammy glory, High on Fire’s legacy is cemented as a cornerstone of modern heavy metal.

Hailing from Salt Lake City, Utah, Chelsea Grin emerged from the ashes of the band Ahaziah in 2007, quickly establishing themselves as a major force in the American deathcore scene. The original Ahaziah lineup – vocalist Alex Koehler, guitarist Chris Kilbourn, bassist Austin Marticorena, and lead guitarist Michael Stafford – underwent a significant transformation with the addition of Andrew Carlston and a name change. Marticorena played a crucial role in this transition, contributing to the songwriting and helping shape the band`s new sound.

Their self-titled debut EP, initially released online via iTunes before receiving a worldwide CD release in July 2008, showcased their brutal yet melodic deathcore style. Early singles like "Crewcabanger" and "Lifeless" garnered significant attention on Myspace, building a dedicated fanbase. The addition of guitarist Dan Jones and bassist David Flinn solidified their lineup, leading to the creation of their acclaimed full-length debut, Desolation of Eden (2010), followed by My Damnation (2011) and the Evolve EP (2012). While the band has seen numerous lineup changes since its inception – with no founding members remaining since 2018 – bassist David Flinn stands as the sole constant across all their studio albums, a testament to his enduring contribution to Chelsea Grins legacy. Over their career, theyve released two EPs and seven full-length albums, cementing their place as deathcore veterans.

Mom Jeans. (stylized as Mom Jeans.), the Berkeley, California-bred alternative/indie rock band, emerged in early 2014. Founded by drummer Austin Carango and vocalist Eric Butler, the duo initially recorded the six-track Spring Demo EP. Released in May 2014 on cassette via Fourth Row Records (Northern California), this acoustic-only effort showcased the band`s nascent sound.

The self-titled debut EP followed, featuring expanded instrumentation. Josh Perline joined on bass/vocals and David McDowall on drums, though McDowall`s tenure was short-lived. Allergic, their next EP (also pre-dating their first LP), saw Carango transitioning to drums, Perline to guitar, and bass duties shared between the remaining members. This lineup shift also saw the departure of Perline (amicably) and the addition of Gabe Paganin on bass for live performances.

Mom Jeans. independently released their full-length debut, Best Buds, on July 3, 2016, initially on cassette through Fourth Row Records. Counter Intuitive Records (Massachusetts) then picked up the album, issuing a vinyl pressing in November 2016. A split EP with Fresnos Graduating Life followed on March 7, 2017, solidifying Mom Jeans. growing presence in the indie rock scene.

Godsmack is an American rock band from Lawrence, Massachusetts, formed in February 1995. The band`s current lineup consists of lead singer and rhythm guitarist Sully Erna and bassist Robbie Merrill. Throughout their career, Godsmack has released nine studio albums, an EP, four DVDs, a compilation album, and a live album, with their final album, Lighting Up the Sky, released in 2023.

Since their formation, Godsmack has participated in various major tours and festivals, including multiple appearances at Ozzfest, and has also headlined their own arena tours. They have achieved significant commercial success with three consecutive number-one albums on the Billboard 200 (Faceless, IV, and The Oracle), and have had 25 top-ten rock radio hits, with 12 reaching number one. In recognition of their achievements and the release of their sixth studio album, 1000hp, August 6 was declared Godsmack Day in Boston by Mayor Marty Walsh.

Currents, the Connecticut metalcore quintet, emerged from Newtown in 2011, founded by drummer Jeff Brown. While the lineup has undergone significant turnover—no original members remain since 2018—the current iteration features vocalist Brian Wille, guitarists Ryan Castaldi and Chris Wiseman (also a founding guitarist of Shadow of Intent), bassist/backing vocalist Christian Pulgarin, and drummer Matt Young.

Their journey began with the independently released Victimized EP in January 2013. Two years later, they followed up with the Life // Lost EP, featuring a guest appearance by Ricky Armellino of This or the Apocalypse. A pivotal moment arrived in March 2017 when Currents signed with SharpTone Records. This led to the release of their debut full-length, The Place I Feel Safest, in June 2017, followed by an instrumental version in May 2018. SharpTone also released their I Let the Devil In EP, including an instrumental version, in December 2018. Their critically acclaimed second album, The Way It Ends, dropped via SharpTone in June 2020, solidifying their place in the metalcore scene.

Starset, the Columbus, Ohio-based rock band, exploded onto the scene in 2013, the brainchild of Dustin Bates. Their debut album, Transmissions (2014), marked the beginning of their unique approach – crafting concept albums and expanding their narrative through innovative multimedia strategies. This savvy use of social media and YouTube generated significant revenue, exceeding $230,000 in YouTube ad revenue alone by November 2016, a testament to their engaged fanbase. Their breakout single, "My Demons," amassed over 280 million YouTube views during the same period.

The bands ascent continued with *Vessels* (2017), featuring the commercially successful track "Monster," which climbed to #2 on the US Billboard Mainstream Rock chart in May 2017. Further solidifying their position in the rock landscape, they released *Divisions* in 2019 and *Horizons* in 2021, consistently building upon their signature blend of cinematic soundscapes and intricate storytelling. Bates, the bands lead vocalist, songwriter, and keyboardist, draws inspiration from his background in electrical engineering, research for the US Air Force, teaching at the International Space University, and a fascination with astronomy, all woven into the rich fictional lore that underpins Starset`s musical universe.

Las VegasPalaye Royale: A Rockn` Roll Dynasty

Palaye Royale, the American rock band known for their theatrical style and dramatic sound, emerged from the Las Vegas scene in 2008. Initially formed as Kropp Circle by brothers Remington Leith (vocals), Sebastian Danzig (guitar/keyboards), and Emerson Barrett (drums), the trio honed their skills in their early years. Their youthful energy was evident even then, as their mother, following advice from Paul Weller of The Jam, supported their decision to leave school and pursue music full-time.

Kropp Circles early work showcased a softer, acoustic rock sound, culminating in the release of their four-track EP, *Who We Really Are*, in 2010. This release included the singles "Who We Really Are" and "Cant Stop the Rain," each accompanied by a music video. The band also gained early exposure through appearances on online platforms like Radio Disney`s N.B.T. (Next Big Thing) in 2009.

However, their sonic evolution was still underway. In 2011, a pivotal rebranding occurred with the adoption of the name Palaye Royale, a tribute to the Palais Royale dance hall in Toronto, where their grandparents met. This name change signaled a shift towards a more mature and distinct sound. Their debut single under the new moniker, "Morning Light," dropped in March 2012. Since then, signed to Sumerian Records, Palaye Royale has built an impressive discography, releasing five full-length albums and four EPs, solidifying their place as a force in modern rock.