Caskets: A Leeds Post-Hardcore Powerhouse

Caskets, hailing from Leeds, England, burst onto the scene in 2018, initially under the name Captives. These post-hardcore titans emerged from the ashes of the band Faultlines, fueled by the creative drive of founding members bassist Christopher McIntosh (who initially played rhythm guitar), lead guitarist Benjamin Wilson, and bassist Lee Horner. The lineup was completed by drummer James Lazenby and vocalist Matthew Flood.

The band made their explosive debut with the single "Ghost Like You" in September 2018, unleashing it upon the world via the Dreambound YouTube channel. Their self-titled EP was announced for release in April 2019, building anticipation with the singles "Signs" and "Find a Way." The EP, a testament to their raw energy and powerful sound, dropped on April 26, 2019.

Caskets wasted no time in hitting the road, embarking on a European tour with fellow post-hardcore powerhouse Hands Like Houses. They also opened for Bad Omens in Hannover, showcasing their electrifying live performance to a growing fanbase.

Summer saw them conquering the festival circuit in Germany and Sweden, spreading their music across Europe. They also supported the Japanese metalcore giants Crystal Lake on a German tour, further solidifying their status as a force to be reckoned with.

September 2019 witnessed Caskets headlining their first UK tour, sharing the stage with fellow rising stars Acres and Parting Gift. This tour was a defining moment, where they debuted the powerful new single "Falling Apart" to an enthusiastic crowd.

Unfortunately, founding member Lee Horner departed the band shortly after the tour due to personal reasons. Despite this setback, Caskets' journey has been marked by resilience and a dedication to their craft. With a passionate fanbase and a sound that's both raw and evocative, Caskets are poised to continue their ascent in the post-hardcore world.

Converge, the Salem, Massachusetts-born metalcore titans, exploded onto the scene in 1990, forged from the creative fire of vocalist Jacob Bannon and guitarist/producer Kurt Ballou. Their early lineup solidified in 1991 with the addition of bassist Jeff Feinberg and drummer Damon Bellorado. While the band's early work laid the groundwork, it was their landmark 2001 album, Jane Doe, that cemented their legacy. The recording of Jane Doe marked a turning point, ushering in a new era with the departure of guitarist Aaron Dalbec and the arrival of bassist Nate Newton and drummer Ben Koller – a lineup that remains intact to this day.

This incredibly influential quartet, pioneers of both metalcore and its mathcore subgenre, unleashed a ferociously aggressive and relentlessly innovative sound, blending hardcore punk's raw energy with the heaviness of metal. Their impact is undeniable: Jane Doe earned accolades as the best album of 2001 (Terrorizer), the best of the decade (Sputnikmusic), and eventually landed at #61 on Rolling Stone's list of the greatest metal albums of all time.

Following the success of Jane Doe, Converge transitioned from Equal Vision Records to the larger Epitaph Records, resulting in increasingly elaborate and expensive productions. Special releases often found a home with Deathwish Inc., Bannon's own label established in 1999. The band’s prolific output continues with their ninth studio album, The Dusk in Us (2017), and their first full-length collaboration, Bloodmoon: I (2021), with Chelsea Wolfe. AllMusic aptly describes them as "one of the most original and innovative bands to emerge from the punk underground," a testament to their enduring influence and groundbreaking sound. The individual members have also actively contributed to various side projects, including Supermachiner (Bannon), Old Man Gloom (Newton), and Mutoid Man (Koller), further showcasing their diverse musical talents and commitment to pushing creative boundaries.

Emerging from the vibrant music scene of New York City, Deadlands is a metalcore band carving their own path in the world of post-hardcore. Fronted by founding member Kasey Karlsen, their sound is a raw and potent fusion of traditional post-hardcore with a distinctly modern edge. Karlsen's lyrics, penned since her high school years, delve into the complexities of toxic relationships, the highs and lows of friendships, personal hardships, and contemporary societal issues.

The band's sonic tapestry is further enriched by CJ Arey, known professionally as NO SHADE, who masterfully crafts melodies for both guitar and bass. Arey's unique blend of trap and cinematic influences adds layers of depth and dynamism to their music, pushing the boundaries of traditional metalcore.

Behind the driving force of Deadlands' music is Kyle OBraitis, who brings the power and precision of his drumming to every song. His masterful rhythmic patterns and strategic placement of beats are the heart and soul of their sound, shaping the emotional trajectory of each track.

The band's musical DNA is heavily influenced by a lineage of metalcore giants such as Asking Alexandria, Motionless In White, Escape the Fate, Falling in Reverse, Wage War, and Bring Me The Horizon, but Deadlands ultimately forge their own path, breathing fresh life into the genre with their distinctive sound and powerful lyrical narratives.

ERRA: A Heavy Hitter in the Progressive Metalcore Scene

ERRA, the American progressive metalcore band hailing from Birmingham, Alabama, burst onto the scene in 2009. Named after the Akkadian god of war and plague, ERRA's music reflects this fierce, untamed spirit. Since their inception, they've dropped six studio albums and three EPs, amassing a loyal following with their intricate song structures, soaring vocals, and explosive energy. Their latest release, "Cure", dropped on April 5th, 2024, and has already made waves within the metal community.

ERRA's journey has seen them share the stage with some of the biggest names in the genre, including As I Lay Dying, August Burns Red, TesseracT, Born of Osiris, Ice Nine Kills, Glass Cloud, Within the Ruins, Bad Omens, I See Stars, and Texas in July. This extensive touring has cemented their place as a force to be reckoned with in the live music scene.

Early Days and "Impulse" (2009-2011)

The band's origins can be traced back to a group of high school friends – Alex Ballew, Jesse Cash, Adam Hicks, Garrison Lee, and Alan Rigdon. Their self-titled debut EP in 2009 and subsequent release, "Andromeda" in 2010, caught the attention of Tragic Hero Records, who signed them in 2011. Later that year, ERRA unleashed their debut studio album, "Impulse", followed by tours with titans of the scene like Born of Osiris and Upon a Burning Body.

"Augment" and Line-Up Changes (2012-2014)

A turning point in ERRA's history came in 2012 when Adam Hicks left the band to pursue other career endeavors. This spurred a period of creative evolution, with Jesse Cash taking on the double duty of guitar and bass for their second album, "Augment." The release of "Augment" in 2013 saw the band solidify their unique sound and showcase their growing songwriting prowess.

From "Augment" to "Cure": A Story of Growth and Evolution

This shift in lineup marked the beginning of a new chapter for ERRA. Their subsequent releases, "Augment," "Drift," "Neon," and "The Score," demonstrate their continuous evolution and refinement of their musical style. Their latest album, "Cure," represents the pinnacle of their artistic journey, showcasing a band that has not only grown musically but also matured as storytellers.

ERRA's story is a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and the shared vision of talented musicians. They have established themselves as a cornerstone in the progressive metalcore scene, and with each release, they continue to push boundaries and redefine the genre. Their journey, marked by line-up changes, creative breakthroughs, and unwavering dedication, is one that will undoubtedly continue to inspire future generations of metalheads.

Hailing from Las Vegas, Nevada, Escape the Fate emerged onto the scene in 2004, originally from the nearby town of Pahrump. The band's current lineup features vocalist Craig Mabbitt, guitarists Matti Hoffman and TJ Bell, bassist Erik Jensen, and drummer Robert Ortiz – the sole remaining founding member.

Their journey began with the 2006 debut album, Dying Is Your Latest Fashion, fronted by original vocalist Ronnie Radke. However, Radke's 2006 legal troubles led to his dismissal and replacement by Mabbitt (formerly of Blessthefall). This shift marked a turning point, resulting in This War Is Ours (2008), their first album with Mabbitt. The album debuted strongly at #35 on the Billboard 200, selling 13,000 copies in its first week.

Escape the Fate's self-titled third album (2010) reached a career high of #25 on the Billboard 200. Ungrateful (2013), their fourth studio album, further solidified their position, boasting "One for the Money," their highest-charting single on the US Mainstream Rock charts. The band's history is marked by both musical evolution and significant lineup changes, with Ortiz as the steadfast anchor through it all.

Fit for a King (FFAK), the Tyler, Texas metalcore quintet, exploded onto the scene in 2007. Initially featuring Jared Easterling, Aaron Decur, Justin Juno, Jared McFerron, Alex Danforth, and Jed McNeill, the band honed their ferocious sound through relentless local and regional gigs, culminating in the release of two self-released EPs. A pivotal moment arrived in 2009 when the band committed to full-time touring, leading to the departure of McNeill and McFerron to focus on their studies. The lineup solidified further in 2010 with the addition of vocalist Ryan Kirby (formerly of Fort Worth's Bodies Awake), replacing Mason Wilson, who himself had previously filled the vocalist role after Danforth's exit. This lineup – Kirby on vocals, Bobby Lynge and Daniel Gailey on guitars, Ryan "Tuck" O'Leary on bass, and Trey Celaya on drums – would go on to define the band's sound. Their independent era yielded the 2008 Fit for a King EP, the 2009 Awaken the Vesper EP, and the 2011 full-length Descendants. This independent foundation propelled them to a major label deal with Solid State Records, launching their next phase of explosive growth. Following the signing, they released a redux of their debut album and subsequently six critically acclaimed studio albums: Creation/Destruction (2013), Slave to Nothing (2014), Deathgrip (2016), Dark Skies (2018), The Path (2020), and The Hell We Create (2022). Fit for a King’s journey showcases a band that not only persevered through lineup changes but also evolved their sound, cementing their place as a major force in modern metalcore.

Blake Ibanez returns with a new band, Fugitive, and the aggressive pit detonation Thrash he’s known for in Power Trip, now with an even rawer and looser ferocity. Joined by Seth Gilmore (Skourge), Lincoln Mullins (Creeping Death), Victor Gutierrez and Andy Messer, Ibanez and co. cohere in intensely violent crossover fashion with Fugitive; a product of long earned experience in the studio and on the stage.

After the ripping introduction of the ‘Maniac’ EP in 2022, Fugitive’s follow-up 7” is their best two tracks to date. The A-side features ‘Blast Furnace’, a mid-paced onslaught of anthemic Crossover aggression and throat-shredding Thrash. On the B-side the motor-charged ‘Standoff’ displays the hunger and frantic energy of a new band full of forceful vigor, with the writing, production and arrangement chops of seasoned live vets. With this EP and the debut 12”, the stage is now set for a Fugitive takeover.

Gates To Hell is a Louisville, Kentucky based band who released their debut self-titled album in September of 2022. The band consists of vocalist Ryan Storey, bassist Dustin Cantrell, guitarists Seth Lewis, Stephen Price, and Eli Hanson, and drummer Jared Barron.

Hailing from Port Neches, Texas, Invent Animate (formerly stylized as Invent, Animate) exploded onto the metalcore scene in 2011. This quintet—vocalist Marcus Vik, lead guitarist Keaton Goldwire, rhythm guitarist Trey Celaya, bassist Caleb Sherraden, and drummer Brody Taylor Smith—quickly made a name for themselves. Their debut EP, Waves, a six-track powerhouse recorded at 456 Recordings with producer Brian Hood (ex-My Children My Bride), dropped in March 2012. Building a fervent following through relentless regional touring and a strong online presence within the djent community, the band caught the attention of Tragic Hero Records, signing with the label in February 2014.

This led to their debut full-length, Everchanger, released August 2014. They followed up with Stillworld in July 2016, solidifying their position in the metalcore landscape. Greyview, their third album and the first featuring Marcus Vik on vocals, arrived in March 2020. Most recently, Invent Animate unleashed Heavener in March 2023 via their new label home, UNFD, showcasing their continued evolution and mastery of the genre.

Hailing from Southfield, Michigan, I Prevail emerged onto the scene in 2013. Their initial breakthrough wasn't from their own compositions, but rather a surprisingly successful metal reimagining of Taylor Swift's "Blank Space." Released in December 2014, this audacious cover climbed to #90 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #23 on the Mainstream Rock Songs chart, eventually achieving platinum certification. This viral hit propelled the band's 2014 debut EP, Heart vs. Mind, into the spotlight, showcasing their raw energy and distinct metalcore sound. Building on this unexpected success, I Prevail solidified their position with the release of three full-length studio albums: Lifelines (2016), Trauma (2019), and True Power (2022). Their original material proved equally potent, with tracks like "Breaking Down" and "Hurricane" dominating rock radio. The band's critical acclaim culminated in Grammy Award nominations for "Bow Down" (Best Metal Performance, 2019) and Trauma (Best Rock Album, 2019), cementing their status as a major force in the modern metal scene.