Memphis May Fire, the Denton, Texas metalcore titans, have carved a significant path since their 2006 inception. Currently signed to Rise Records, the band—featuring vocalist Matty Mullins, guitarist Kellen McGregor, bassist Cory Elder, and drummer Jake Garland—boasts a formidable discography: seven studio albums and two EPs. Their impact is undeniable, with Unconditional, their fourth album, reaching #4 on the Billboard 200 and topping the Alternative Albums chart.

The band's history is a compelling story. Initially known as Oh Captain, My Captain, the group solidified their name and lineup in early 2007 with original members Chase Ryan (vocals), Ryan Bentley (guitar), and Tanner Oakes (bass). A self-released EP quickly built a local buzz, catching the ear of Josh Grabelle, president of Trustkill Records. Grabelle's enthusiastic response in a press release—comparing their compelling songwriting to Bullet for My Valentine's Hand of Blood—highlighted their early promise and cemented their potential for greatness.

Fit for an Autopsy, the Jersey City deathcore titans, formed in 2008, have cemented their place as a force to be reckoned with in the extreme metal scene. The current lineup boasts Pat Sheridan, Will Putney, and Tim Howley on guitars; Josean Orta on drums; Joe Badolato on vocals; and Peter "Blue" Spinazola on bass. Signed to Nuclear Blast, they've unleashed seven devastating studio albums since their inception.

Their journey began with a 2008 demo, followed swiftly by the Hell on Earth EP in 2009. 2011 saw the release of their debut full-length, The Process of Human Extermination, a brutal introduction to their signature sound. Hellbound, their second album, dropped in September 2013, further solidifying their position. The band experienced a vocalist change in 2014 with the departure of Nate Johnson, temporarily replaced by Greg Wilburn of The Devastated. Early 2015 brought another shift, with Wilburn's exit and the arrival of current vocalist Joe Badolato, paving the way for the band's next creative chapter.

Sanguisugabogg, the Columbus, Ohio death metal behemoth, erupted onto the scene in 2019, the brainchild of guitarist Cameron Boggs. The band's name—a gruesome blend of the Latin word for "leech" and British slang for "toilet"—is as fittingly visceral as their music. Since their inception, they've unleashed a demo, Pornographic Seizures with Maggot Stomp, a live album, and two studio LPs, leaving a trail of sonic carnage in their wake.

Currently, the lineup features vocalist Devin Swank, drummer/percussionist Cody Davidson, and the dual-threat guitar/bass players Cedrik Davis and Drew Arnold. Their early years (2019-2021) saw the band quickly gain momentum. Following the departure of original bassist Steph Barnes in 2020, Sanguisugabogg toured relentlessly, sharing the stage with Creeping Death and headlining their own US tour supported by Undeath, Vomit Forth, and Graveview (on select dates). The band solidified their position in the death metal underground with the release of their debut full-length, Tortured Whole, via Century Media Records in March 2021, preceded by the single "Menstrual Envy." Their rise is a testament to their raw power and uncompromising brutality.

The Plot in You, a post-hardcore powerhouse hailing from Hancock County, Ohio, exploded onto the scene in 2010. Initially a side project for Landon Tewers, formerly of Before Their Eyes, the band solidified its lineup with guitarist Josh Childress, bassist Ethan Yoder, and drummer Michael Cooper.

Their explosive journey began with the raw and controversial 2010 EP, Wife Beater, released under InVogue Records – the same label as Tewers' previous band. This release proved pivotal, prompting Tewers to leave Before Their Eyes and fully commit to The Plot in You. The band quickly followed up with their debut full-length, First Born (2011), solidifying their intense, emotional sound. Could You Watch Your Children Burn (2013) further cemented their position in the post-hardcore landscape.

The band's trajectory shifted with their signing to StaySick Recordings in 2015, resulting in the release of Happiness in Self Destruction. However, after a successful run, they parted ways with StaySick in 2017, quickly signing with Fearless Records and unleashing Dispose in February 2018. Their fifth studio album, Swan Song, arrived in September 2021, marking another significant chapter in their impactful career. The Plot in You's discography also includes three EPs, showcasing their consistent evolution and unwavering dedication to their emotionally charged, heavy sound. The band's original name, "Vessels," reflects their early evolution into the force they are today.

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.