Suicidal Tendencies, a seminal crossover thrash band, emerged from Venice, California in 1980, spearheaded by vocalist Mike Muir. While the lineup has seen significant turnover, Muir remains the sole constant member. Currently, the band features Muir, guitarists Dean Pleasants and Ben Weinman, bassist Tye Trujillo, and drummer Jay Weinberg. A veritable who`s who of musicians have graced the stage and studio over the years, including guitarists Rocky George and Mike Clark; bassists Louiche Mayorga, Robert Trujillo, Ra Díaz, Josh Paul, and Stephen "Thundercat" Bruner; and drummers Amery Smith, Jimmy DeGrasso, Brooks Wackerman, David Hidalgo Jr., Thomas Pridgen, Ron Bruner, Eric Moore, Dave Lombardo, Brandon Pertzborn, Greyson Nekrutman, and session ace Josh Freese.

Often cited alongside D.R.I., Corrosion of Conformity, and Stormtroopers of Death as a foundational force in crossover thrash, Suicidal Tendencies boasts a prolific discography. Their output includes fourteen studio albums (four comprised of re-recorded or previously released material), two EPs, four split albums, four compilations, and two long-form videos. Their self-titled debut in 1983 launched them into the spotlight, thanks in no small part to "Institutionalized," one of the first hardcore punk videos to receive significant MTV airplay. The band’s influence exponentially grew throughout the following decade. Their 1987 album, Join the Army, marked their Billboard 200 debut and showcased their evolving, heavier sound instrumental in shaping the crossover thrash genre. Their subsequent releases on Epic Records—*How Will I Laugh Tomorrow When I Cant Even Smile Today* (1988), *Controlled by Hatred/Feel Like Shit...Déjà Vu* (1989), and *Lights...Camera...Revolution!* (1990)—were critically acclaimed within the thrash and heavy metal scenes, with the latter two achieving RIAA gold certification. *The Art of Rebellion* (1992), their sixth studio album, became their biggest chart success, peaking at #52 on the Billboard 200 and featuring hits like "Asleep at the Wheel," "Nobody Hears," and "Ill Hate You Better."

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.

Terror: A Hardcore Juggernaut

Terror, the Los Angeles-based hardcore punk band, has been a driving force in the scene since 2002. Founded by vocalist Scott Vogel and drummer Nick Jett, the band's relentless energy and powerful sound have made them a cornerstone of modern beatdown hardcore.

While their lineup has seen several changes throughout the years, the core of Terror remains intact. The current roster features the ferocious vocals of Vogel, the punishing drum work of Jett, and the razor-sharp guitar riffs of Martin Stewart and Jordan Posner. Chris Linkovich holds down the low end on bass, completing the sonic assault.

Terror has released eight studio albums, their latest being the impactful "Pain Into Power" (2022). This prolific output has solidified their position as one of the most influential bands in their genre, a fact acknowledged by Stereogum who called them "an institution within their genre."

Early Days: From Garage to Global Stage

The band's journey began in February 2002, with Vogel, guitarist Todd Jones, drummer Jett, and bassist Matt Smith forming the initial lineup. Their name, however, didn't come until April 2002, just before their first shows supporting Death Threat, American Nightmare, and Striking Distance on a West Coast tour. Those early gigs were preceded by a warm-up show with Diehard Youth in Ventura, California.

Their debut album, "One with the Underdogs," proved to be a massive success, selling over 40,000 copies. Terror's reach has extended far beyond their Los Angeles roots, with tours across Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Korea, Mexico, and South America, spreading their explosive sound and captivating a global hardcore audience.

The Armed: A Force of Unpredictable Noise in the Hardcore Scene

The Armed, often represented by the symbol 🔪, are a shrouded American hardcore punk collective hailing from Detroit, Michigan. Their identity is as elusive as their music, with no official members publicly revealed. However, the enigmatic project is often associated with creative director and advertising guru Tony Wolski, formerly known as Adam Vallely.

Their sound is a chaotic blend of hardcore punk, metalcore, post-hardcore, and experimental hardcore, infused with a potent dose of self-deprecating humor. The Armed have embraced a cult-like presentation, often referring to themselves as "the world's greatest band" and employing the mantra "refract" as a recurring motif.

Their music thrives on collaboration, featuring guest appearances from a rotating roster of musicians, including Chris Pennie, Nick Yacyshyn, Ben Koller, Troy Van Leeuwen, and Urian Hackney. Converge guitarist Kurt Ballou has also been a consistent presence, lending his expertise to the recording and production of most of their releases.

From Slicer Dicer to "These Are Lights"

Wolski claims The Armed emerged from the ashes of a Detroit band called Slicer Dicer. Their debut album, "These Are Lights", mixed by Kurt Ballou, was released for free in 2009. Wolski explained this unconventional release strategy to Thrash Hits: "Wanting people to actually hear the music made us give it away for free. We've all played in other bands for a while now, and whether it is good or not, it's undeniable that for the most part young people do not place the same sense of monetary value on recordings as they once did."

This move epitomized The Armed's approach: unconventional, unpredictable, and unafraid to challenge the norms of the music industry. Their music, like their identity, is a mystery waiting to be unraveled, leaving audiences both intrigued and bewildered.