Hailing from Memphis, Tennessee, Sleep Theory exploded onto the rock scene in 2020. Fronted by vocalist Cullen Moore, a US Army veteran, the band—completed by guitarist Daniel Pruitt, bassist Paolo Vergara, and drummer Ben Pruitt—initially started as Moore's solo project before expanding its ranks. Sleep Theory's unique sound seamlessly fuses the raw energy of metal with the soulful groove of R&B. Their 2023 debut EP, Paper Hearts, preceded by the singles "Another Way" and "Numb," quickly amassed over 33 million streams, showcasing the band's undeniable potential and establishing them as a force to be reckoned with in the modern rock landscape.

August Burns Red: A Metalcore Juggernaut from Pennsylvania

Hailing from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, August Burns Red exploded onto the metalcore scene in 2003. The band's current lineup – guitarists JB Brubaker and Brent Rambler, drummer Matt Greiner, vocalist Jake Luhrs, and bassist Dustin Davidson – solidified in 2006, forming the core of their enduring success. This powerhouse quintet has consistently delivered blistering performances and intricate compositions, earning them two Grammy nominations: Best Metal Performance for "Identity" (from 2015's Found in Far Away Places) and "Invisible Enemy" (from 2017's Phantom Anthem).

Their decade-spanning career boasts ten studio albums, culminating in their latest release, 2023's Death Below. This prolific output showcases their evolution and mastery of the metalcore genre.

Early Days and Thrill Seeker

The band's origins trace back to March 2003, with all members still in high school. Their early rehearsals took place in a rather unconventional venue – drummer Matt Greiner's old egg house and basement on his family's farm. After honing their skills in the Lancaster scene, they released their debut EP, Looks Fragile After All, via CI Records in 2004. This period also saw vocalist Jon Hershey depart, replaced by Josh McManness. The lineup shift proved pivotal, leading to a signing with Solid State Records in 2005 and setting the stage for their ascent to prominence. Hershey would later find success in the post-rock band Bells.

Dayseeker, the Orange County, California post-hardcore quintet, exploded onto the scene in 2012. Originally featuring vocalist Rory Rodriguez, guitarists Alex Polk and Gino Sgambelluri, bassist Andrew Sharp, and drummer Mike Karle (all veterans of the local scene, with Rodriguez and Polk previously in Arms Like Yours), the band quickly built momentum. Their early work, including demos like "What It Means to Be Defeated," "Collision.Survive," and "Resurrect," showcased their raw energy and emotional depth. This led to a record deal with InVogue Records, resulting in the release of their debut full-length, What It Means to Be Defeated, on October 29, 2013 (mastered by Joey Sturgis). A re-release followed on November 24, 2014. The band's lineup has since evolved, with current members Rodriguez, Sgambelluri, bassist Ramone Valerio, and drummer Zac Mayfield, solidifying their position as a major player in the post-hardcore landscape. Now signed to Spinefarm Records, they boast a prolific discography, releasing six studio albums, culminating with their latest effort, Replica, which dropped April 19, 2024.

All That Remains, the Springfield, Massachusetts metal titans, emerged in 1998, forging a career built on nine studio albums, a live CD/DVD, and over a million records sold worldwide. While vocalist Philip Labonte remains the sole original member, the band enjoyed a remarkably stable lineup from 2008's Overcome through 2015's The Order of Things, spanning four albums. This era ended with bassist Jeanne Sagan's departure in September 2015, replaced by Aaron Patrick. Tragedy struck in February 2019 with the death of original lead guitarist Oli Herbert, resulting in Jason Richardson joining the ranks. Further lineup shifts saw Patrick's exit in 2021 to focus on Bury Your Dead, with Matt Deis taking over bass duties in 2022. Labonte's journey to All That Remains began after his departure from Shadows Fall (appearing on their seminal Somber Eyes to the Sky), where "musical differences" led him to fully commit to his side project, releasing their debut album, Behind Silence and Solitude, in 2002 via Prosthetic Records.

Alesana (pronounced AL-iss-AN-a) is a post-hardcore band from Raleigh, North Carolina, currently signed to Revival Recordings and Artery Recordings. Formed in the fall of 2004 by Shawn Milke, Dennis Lee, Patrick Thompson, Steven Tomany, and Daniel Magnuson, the quintet has built a substantial catalog, boasting five full-length studio albums and three EPs.

Their debut, On Frail Wings of Vanity and Wax, quickly garnered underground buzz, showcasing a unique blend of pop, punk, metal, and classic rock influences. This eclectic sound became a cornerstone of their identity.

Early Days: From Baltimore to Raleigh

The band's origins trace back to early 2000s Baltimore, Maryland, where founding members Shawn Milke and Patrick Thompson, both veterans of separate local bands, began collaborating. Milke, previously a member of the punk rock band The Legitimate Excuse (formed in 2001), spent a year searching for bandmates and developing early demos under the Alesana moniker. Seeking a broader pool of talent, the duo relocated to Raleigh, North Carolina, where they recruited Dennis Lee as vocalist after a chance encounter – Milke famously recalling, "he looked like a band guy." Steven Tomany and Daniel Magnuson completed the initial lineup.

Sunami: From Bay Area Hardcore Joke to Zeitgeist Dominators

Sunami, the San Jose hardcore punk band, exploded onto the scene in 2019, initially conceived as a tongue-in-cheek project by veterans of the vibrant San Francisco Bay Area hardcore scene. Their 2019 Demonstration demo served as a satirical jab at the perceived cluelessness within certain segments of the hardcore community. However, a brutally energetic debut live performance catapulted them to notoriety, extending their lifespan far beyond their initially intended short run.

Since then, this powerhouse quartet has released three EPs and their self-titled debut album on June 14, 2023. Their ascent has been meteoric, with Revolver magazine placing them "in the upper echelon of bands dominating the hardcore zeitgeist" in 2023.

History:

The members, all seasoned musicians with past experience in prominent Bay Area bands like Gulch, Hands of God, Drain, Spinebreaker, and Lead Dream, first connected through the local hardcore scene. The band's formation in 2019 stemmed from a joke, an idea proposed by Josef Alfonso, with the name "Sunami" – conceived a decade earlier by bassist Theo Dominguez – quickly adopted. Mike Durrett then began crafting the instrumental tracks at their friend Charles Toshio's home studio, with Toshio contributing drums and structuring the instrumental arrangements for the early material. What started as a parody quickly evolved into a major force in hardcore punk.

Hailing from Houston, Texas, Blue October emerged in 1995, solidifying their place as a cornerstone of the city's legendary rock scene. The band – currently featuring Justin Furstenfeld (vocals/guitar), Jeremy Furstenfeld (drums), Ryan Delahoussaye (multi-instrumentalist), Matt Noveskey (bass), and Steve Schiltz (lead guitar) – boasts a formidable catalog. Across twelve studio albums, they've amassed twenty Top 40 singles on the alternative rock charts, achieving platinum status with hits like "Hate Me" and "Into the Ocean" from their acclaimed 2006 album, Foiled. Their latest project, the ambitious triple album Spinning the Truth Around, is being released in three installments, with the first dropping October 14, 2022, and the second on October 13, 2023.

Blue October's impact extends beyond their chart success. Their accolades include numerous Houston Press Music Awards, recognizing them as Best New Act (1998) and repeatedly as Best Pop/Rock Artist (1999, 2000, 2002, 2003), culminating in the Album of the Year award for History for Sale in 2003.

Early Years and The Answers (1995-1998):

Formed by Justin Furstenfeld, his brother Jeremy, and Ryan Delahoussaye, Blue October's breakthrough came in 1998. A chance performance at Houston's Pappadeaux Cafe caught the attention of former Kid Rock manager Michael Rand. Recognizing their potential, Rand's agency orchestrated an aggressive marketing campaign, booking over 350 dates for the then-unsigned band, providing crucial publicity and artist development. This strategic push laid the groundwork for their future success.

Candlebox: A Seattle Grunge Legacy

Hailing from Seattle, Washington, Candlebox emerged in 1990, quickly establishing themselves as a force in the burgeoning grunge scene. Their self-titled debut album, released in July 1993, catapulted them to immediate success. Fueled by the powerful singles "Change," "You," "Far Behind," and "Cover Me," the album achieved quadruple platinum certification from the RIAA. "Far Behind," in particular, cracked the top 20 charts.

Following up with the gold-certified Lucy (1995) and Happy Pills (1998), Candlebox’s trajectory was unfortunately interrupted by label disputes, leading to their disbandment in 2000.

However, the Seattle sound wasn't silenced for long. The band reunited in 2006, proving their enduring appeal. Their post-reunion output includes five more studio albums: Into the Sun (2008), Love Stories & Other Musings (2012), Disappearing in Airports (2016), Wolves (2021), and their final album, The Long Goodbye, released August 25, 2023. Beyond these albums, their catalog also includes a compilation album and a CD/DVD release.

Early Days (1990-1992):

Initially comprised of vocalist Kevin Martin, guitarist Peter Klett, bassist Bardi Martin, and drummer Scott Mercado, Candlebox honed their craft in Seattle’s vibrant music scene. By 1992, they were regular fixtures in renowned clubs like RKCNDY and Farside, building a dedicated following. An eight-song EP caught the attention of Maverick Records, sealing their deal with the label and setting the stage for their breakthrough.

The Black Dahlia Murder, a melodic death metal powerhouse from Waterford, Michigan, exploded onto the scene in 2001. Their name, a grim nod to the infamous 1947 unsolved murder of Elizabeth Short, instantly set a dark and captivating tone. Initially fronted by the late Trevor Strnad, the band's lineup has seen significant changes over the years, with Brian Eschbach remaining a constant. Following Strnad's tragic passing in 2022, Eschbach assumed lead vocal duties, while Ryan Knight – the band's lead guitarist from 2009-2016 – stepped in on rhythm guitar. Current members also include Max Lavelle (bass), and Alan Cassidy (drums) along with Brandon Ellis (guitar).

Their journey began with a 2001 demo, What a Horrible Night to Have a Curse, and the A Cold-Blooded Epitaph EP in 2002, quickly gaining attention. This led to a pivotal signing with Metal Blade Records in 2003 and the release of their debut album, Unhallowed, the same year. Since then, they've unleashed nine studio albums, eight of which charted on the US Billboard 200, a testament to their enduring popularity. Their 2011 release, Ritual, reached a high of #31, solidifying their status as a leading force in contemporary American extreme metal. Their latest offering, Servitude, dropped on September 27th, 2024, continuing their reign of melodic death metal mastery.

Hailing from Gilbert, Arizona, Scary Kids Scaring Kids (SKSK) emerged in 2002, their name a nod to the Cap'n Jazz track of the same name. This post-hardcore quintet, originally featuring Tyson Stevens (vocals/bass), Chad Crawford (guitar), DJ Wilson (guitar), Steve Kirby (guitar), Pouyan Afkary (keyboards), and Peter Costa (drums), initially self-released their After Dark EP while still in high school. After a near-disbandment, they committed to music full-time, securing a deal with Immortal Records. This led to their breakthrough debut album, The City Sleeps in Flames (2005), establishing them as a force in the post-hardcore scene. With Stevens as the driving creative force, the band went on to release their self-titled second album in 2007 before disbanding in 2010 following a farewell tour. A highly anticipated reunion in 2019 culminated in the release of their third studio album, Out of Light, in 2022.