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.

Dying Fetus, the purveyors of brutal death metal, emerged from Upper Marlboro, Maryland in 1991. The project, founded by guitarist/vocalist John Gallagher and bassist/vocalist Jason Netherton, quickly established a notorious reputation. The band`s name, deliberately chosen for its offensiveness by the young musicians, has become synonymous with their extreme sound.

Initial lineup shifts saw guitarist/vocalist Nick Speleos join in 1992, with Gallagher temporarily handling drums. This period culminated in the 1993 demo Bathe In Entraills. The arrival of drummer Rob Belton and guitarist Brian Latta in late 1993, replacing Speleos, solidified the classic Dying Fetus lineup – Gallagher returning to full-time guitar and vocals. This four-piece then unleashed the Infatuation with Malevolence demo in early 1994. Both demos were later compiled and released in 1995 by Wild Rags Records, marking a significant early chapter in the bands history. Gallagher remains the sole original member, the undisputed driving force behind Dying Fetuss nine studio albums and enduring legacy.

Forbidden: Bay Area Thrash Titans

Hailing from the fertile San Francisco Bay Area thrash metal scene, Forbidden emerged in 1985 as Forbidden Evil. The band, initially featuring Robb Flynn (later of Vio-lence and Machine Head) and drummer Jim Pittman, solidified their lineup with Craig Locicero (guitar), Russ Anderson (vocals), and John Tegio (bass). Flynn christened the band after a War Cry song on the Metal Massacre IV compilation. They shortened their name to Forbidden in 1987.

Throughout their existence, Forbidden have endured multiple breakups and reunions, along with significant lineup changes. Their initial split occurred in 1997, only to be followed by a reunion in 2007. After an indefinite hiatus starting in 2012, they triumphantly returned in 2023 with a lineup comprised of Norman Skinner (vocals), Craig Locicero (guitar), Matt Camacho (bass), and Chris Kontos (drums).

Forbidden quickly earned their stripes alongside Bay Area giants like Exodus (featuring original Forbidden drummer Paul Bostaph), Testament, Death Angel, Vio-lence, and Defiance. They cemented their place as one of the "Big Six" of the Bay Area thrash scene, later joined by Lȧȧz Rockit. Their influence on the underground metal community is undeniable.

Their debut, Forbidden Evil (1988), is widely considered a thrash classic. The follow-up, Twisted into Form (1990), is a tech-thrash masterpiece, showcasing their technical prowess. While initially rooted in technical thrash, Forbidden later explored alternative and groove metal elements, most notably on their 1997 album, Green. Their legacy remains firmly etched in the annals of thrash metal history, securing their status as true Bay Area legends.

Winds of Plague, the pioneering deathcore band from Upland, California, burst onto the scene in 2002, initially under the name Bleak December. Their unique blend of brutal deathcore and symphonic elements quickly set them apart, establishing them as early innovators in the genre. The bands name, adopted in April 2005, is a direct quote from Unearths "Endless": "Growing wings of sorrow/have brought you to the winds of plague."

Their independent 2005 demo, A Cold Day in Hell, showcased their raw talent and foreshadowed their future success. Several tracks from this demo would later find their way onto their debut full-length.

In 2008, Winds of Plague signed with Century Media Records and unleashed Decimate the Weak, featuring re-recorded material from A Cold Day in Hell alongside new, devastating tracks. This solidified their position in the deathcore scene. Following up with The Great Stone War on August 11, 2009, the band continued to evolve their sound amidst lineup changes.

Silence, the Pittsburgh metalcore quintet, exploded onto the scene in 2015. Their initial sonic assault, the *Unrequited, Unrefuted, and Undeniably - Im Alone* EP, laid the groundwork for their 2016 debut full-length, *And Everything Was Beautiful*. However, a significant lineup overhaul preceded their 2018 release, *Undercover Scumbag*, marking a pivotal shift in the bands trajectory. This reinvigorated Silence went on to unleash Irrational Pull in 2020 and Narrative in 2022, solidifying their place in the metalcore landscape.

Their 2024 album, People Watching, represents a powerful evolution, showcasing a heavier, more distinctly metalcore sound, a departure from their earlier hardcore roots. Tragically, the band announced the unexpected passing of bassist Lukas Booker in March 2025. Despite this devastating loss, Silence bravely committed to their upcoming tour supporting Silent Planet and Invent Animate, a testament to their resilience and dedication to their music and fans.

Hailing from Layton, Utah, Get Scared emerged onto the post-hardcore scene in 2008. Their initial foray involved the 2009 EP Cheap Tricks and Theatrics, followed by a self-titled EP in 2010. The band solidified their presence with their debut full-length, Best Kind of Mess, in July 2011. A brief period of lineup instability ensued when guitarist Nicholas Matthews temporarily departed to join Blacklisted Me. This resulted in the surprise release of Cheap Tricks and Theatrics B-Sides in December 2011. Matthews absence was filled by Joel Faviere, leading to the 2012 EP *Built for Blame, Laced With Shame*. However, Favieres tenure was short-lived, and Matthews returned to the fold a few months later.

Reunited and signed to Fearless Records, Get Scared unleashed their second album, *Everyones Out to Get Me*, in 2013. Their 2015 release, *Demons*, marked a significant stylistic shift, trading their earlier post-hardcore sound for a more metalcore-influenced approach. The bands final album, The Dead Days, arrived in 2019, coinciding with a hiatus that ultimately ended in their disbandment. Vocalist Nicholas Matthews later confirmed the breakup, citing irreconcilable differences between the members.

Death Angel, the seminal thrash metal band from Daly City, California, exploded onto the scene in 1982, leaving an undeniable mark on the Bay Area and beyond. Initially active until 1991, their legendary status solidified through a relentless touring schedule and a string of critically acclaimed albums. Their discography boasts nine studio albums, two demos, a box set, and three live albums – a testament to their enduring legacy.

While the lineup has seen significant changes over the decades, guitarist Rob Cavestany remains the sole constant member. He and vocalist Mark Osegueda (who joined in 1984) are the only members to appear on every studio album, forming the core of Death Angel`s signature sound.

In the 1980s, Death Angel reigned supreme as a Bay Area thrash titan, sharing stages with heavyweights like Megadeth, Metallica, Slayer, Exodus, Testament, Overkill, D.R.I., Mercyful Fate, and Possessed. Their impact is undeniable; often cited as a leader of the second wave of thrash, they’re considered part of the genre`s "Big Eight" (alongside Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Anthrax, Testament, Exodus, and Overkill) and the "Big Six" of Bay Area thrash (with Exodus, Testament, Lȧȧz Rockit, Forbidden, and Vio-lence).

Following the underground success of The Ultra-Violence (1987) and Frolic Through the Park (1988), Death Angel signed to Geffen Records in 1989, releasing Act III the following year. Tragedy struck during the Act III tour when drummer Andy Galeon was severely injured in a bus accident, leading to the band`s initial disbandment in 1991.

Death Angel triumphantly returned in 2001 (minus original rhythm guitarist Gus Pepa) at the "Thrash of the Titans" benefit concert for Testaments Chuck Billy. Since then, they’ve released six more albums, including 2019s Humanicide, which earned them a Grammy nomination. With a tenth studio album tentatively slated for 2025, Death Angel continues to prove their enduring power and influence on the thrash metal landscape.