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.

Hailing from Dayton, Ohio, The Devil Wears Prada exploded onto the metalcore scene in 2005. Initially known for their Christian-themed lyrics, the band—originally featuring Mike Hranica (vocals, guitar), Jeremy DePoyster (rhythm guitar, vocals), Kyle Sipress (lead guitar, backing vocals), Mason Nagy (bass), Jonathan Gering (keyboards, backing vocals), and Giuseppe Capolupo (drums)—quickly gained traction. While they maintained their original lineup for a significant period, the departure of keyboardist James Baney marked a shift.

Their potent blend of aggressive metalcore and intricate musicianship has fueled eight studio albums: Dear Love: A Beautiful Discord (2006), Plagues (2007), With Roots Above and Branches Below (2009), Dead Throne (2011), 8:18 (2013), Transit Blues (2016), The Act (2019), and Color Decay (2022).

Early Days and Dear Love: A Beautiful Discord

Formed in 2005, the band—named after the novel— initially performed with a fill-in bassist and only one guitarist. Jeremy DePoyster (rhythm guitar) and bassist Andy Trick soon joined the ranks. After cutting their teeth playing local Dayton gigs, they released their Patterns of a Horizon demo. This demo, however, didn't meet their standards. Following a successful trial with Rise Records, they secured a contract and re-recorded the entire demo for their debut full-length, Dear Love: A Beautiful Discord. This marked the official launch of a band destined for major success within the metalcore genre.

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.

Trivium, the Orlando, Florida-bred heavy metal titans, exploded onto the scene in 1999. The quartet—vocalist/guitarist Matt Heafy, guitarist Corey Beaulieu, bassist Paolo Gregoletto, and drummer Alex Bent—have since carved a formidable path through the metal landscape.

Their debut album, Ember to Inferno (2003), a seminal release via Lifeforce Records, established their raw talent. A swift signing to Roadrunner Records in 2004 cemented their ascent, a relationship that continues to this day. Over the subsequent years, Trivium unleashed a blistering ten studio albums and over twenty singles, solidifying their position as a major force in the genre. Their latest offering, In the Court of the Dragon (2021), further demonstrated their evolution and continued mastery. The band's impact is undeniable, boasting over one million albums sold worldwide and a Grammy nomination for Best Metal Performance ("Betrayer") at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards in 2019.

Early Days: From Talent Show to Ember to Inferno

The band's origins trace back to a 1999 eighth-grade talent show, where a young Matt Heafy's Metallica cover ("No Leaf Clover") caught the eye of singer Brad Lewter. Lewter subsequently invited Heafy to audition for his band, igniting the spark that would become Trivium.

Buffalo, New York's post-hardcore/metalcore band, Until I Wake, unleashed their highly anticipated debut album, Inside My Head, on September 9th via Fearless Records. Discovered in early 2022, their early releases piqued my interest. The album, produced by Nick Matzkows and Jon Eberhard (known for their work with I Prevail, Conquer Divide, and The True Blue), draws influence from artists like Pierce The Veil, Linkin Park, Underoath, blessthefall, and Bring Me The Horizon. While the band cites multiple influences, Linkin Park's impact is particularly evident in Until I Wake's incorporation of rap vocals. Inside My Head is a solid debut, though future projects would benefit from enhanced mixing and mastering.

Veil of Maya: A History of Metalcore Mayhem

Veil of Maya, hailing from the heart of Chicago's metal scene, emerged in 2004 with a sound that would redefine the landscape of metalcore. Forged from the ashes of melodic death metal act Insurrection, the band's core lineup – guitarist Marc Okubo, drummer Sam Applebaum, and bassist Danny Hauser – quickly attracted talented musicians, crafting a unique blend of technical riffs, punishing breakdowns, and melodic vocals.

From Humble Beginnings to a Searing Debut:

Their early years saw a whirlwind of lineup changes, with guitarist Timothy Marshall and vocalist Adam joining the fold, followed by a brief but impactful stint with guitarist Scott Okarma. This period saw the band honing their craft through local gigs and their self-released 2005 demo, a raw testament to their burgeoning talent. The departure of both Marshall and Okarma led to the arrival of Bryan Ruppell, solidifying their lineup as a five-piece force to be reckoned with.

All Things Set Aside: A Defining Moment:

Armed with their signature blend of heavy and melodic, Veil of Maya unleashed their self-produced debut album, "All Things Set Aside," in 2006 through Corrosive Recordings. This record served as a blistering introduction to their signature sound, a fusion of technical proficiency and emotional depth. It cemented their place as pioneers of a new wave of metalcore, pushing boundaries and garnering critical acclaim.

The Common Man's Collapse: A New Era of Brutality:

Following the release of their debut, Veil of Maya continued to evolve. The band's sophomore album, "The Common Man's Collapse," in 2009, marked a significant shift in their sound. The album showcased a more brutal and aggressive direction, further cementing their reputation for powerful and uncompromising music.

A Legacy in the Making:

This is just the beginning of Veil of Maya's story. The band has gone on to release six more critically acclaimed albums, consistently pushing the limits of metalcore and solidifying their place as a force to be reckoned with in the genre. They have captivated audiences worldwide, becoming a cornerstone of the modern metal scene. Their latest album, "Mother," released in May 2023, exemplifies their continued evolution, leaving fans eager to see what the future holds for this relentless and innovative metalcore juggernaut.