Sepultura, meaning "grave" in Portuguese, exploded onto the global metal scene in 1984, formed by brothers Max and Igor Cavalera in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Initially making waves in thrash and death metal, they quickly became a major force in the burgeoning groove metal movement of the late 80s and early 90s. Their influence extended far beyond these genres, however, with later albums incorporating elements of alternative, world, nu-metal, hardcore punk, and industrial metal. Considered key players in the second wave of thrash, Sepultura`s relentless innovation cemented their legacy.

Their journey began with 1986s *Morbid Visions*, followed swiftly by *Schizophrenia* in 1987, which attracted the attention of Roadrunner Records. Signing with the label in 1988, they released *Beneath the Remains*, their international breakthrough. The powerhouse trio of *Arise* (1991), *Chaos A.D.* (1993), and *Roots* (1996) solidified Sepulturas status as one of the most influential and successful heavy metal bands of the 90s, selling over three million albums in the US and nearly twenty million worldwide. This success translated into multiple gold and platinum certifications across the globe, from France and Australia to Indonesia and their native Brazil.

Sepultura`s story is not without its significant lineup changes. While the band has endured, both Max and Igor Cavalera eventually departed, Max in 1997 and Igor in 2006. Their "classic" lineup, featuring Max, Igor, and bassist Paulo Jr., reigned for nearly a decade, leaving an indelible mark on the history of extreme metal. With fifteen studio albums to their name, Sepultura’s legacy continues to resonate with metalheads worldwide.

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.