Hailing from Lowestoft, England, The Darkness exploded onto the hard rock scene in 2000. The lineup, fronted by the flamboyant Justin Hawkins (vocals, guitar) alongside his brother Dan Hawkins (guitar), Frankie Poullain (bass), and Rufus Tiger Taylor (drums), quickly gained notoriety. Their 2003 debut, Permission to Land, became a phenomenon, fueled by anthemic singles like "I Believe in a Thing Called Love," "Growing on Me," "Get Your Hands off My Woman," and "Love Is Only a Feeling." The album achieved quadruple platinum certification in the UK, selling over 1.3 million copies. This success translated into three Brit Awards in 2004: Best British Group, Best British Rock Act, and Best British Album.

However, the whirlwind success took its toll. Extensive touring led to bassist Frankie Poullains departure in 2005, replaced by Richie Edwards. Their follow-up album, *One Way Ticket to Hell... and Back*, released in November 2005, failed to replicate the debuts success. Further compounding matters, Justin Hawkins struggles with alcohol and cocaine abuse culminated in his departure the following year after completing rehab. This, combined with the albums disappointing sales, resulted in Atlantic Records dropping the band in October 2006. The Darkness` story is a classic tale of meteoric rise, internal struggles, and the volatile nature of the music industry.

Hailing from Sydney, Australia, Polaris exploded onto the metalcore scene with a sound that transcends genre limitations. This powerhouse quartet – vocalist Jamie Hails, guitarist Rick Schneider, bassist/vocalist Jake Steinhauser, and drummer Daniel Furnari – quickly garnered attention. Their debut album, The Mortal Coil (November 3, 2017), earned critical praise and a 2018 ARIA Award nomination for Best Hard Rock. Building on this success, their sophomore effort, The Death of Me (February 21, 2020, Resist/SharpTone Records), yielded another ARIA nomination, solidifying their position as a force to be reckoned with.

Tragically, the band suffered a devastating loss in June 2023 with the passing of lead guitarist Ryan Siew. The announcement of their third studio album, Fatalism, was overshadowed by this heartbreaking news.

Polaris`s distinctive sound blends the intensity of metalcore with progressive and ambient elements, incorporating electronic textures and memorable melodic hooks. Their deeply personal lyrics explore themes of anxiety, depression, and loss, resonating with a generation grappling with similar experiences.

History:

Formed in 2012, Polaris’s genesis traces back to a high school battle of the bands, where drummer Daniel Furnari and guitarist Jake Steinhauser discovered a shared passion for metal and alternative music. Their initial lineup included vocalist Josh OLoughlin. Through mutual friends, they recruited guitarist Rick Schneider and vocalist Jamie Hails. Completing the early lineup were Jakes brother, Matt Steinhauser on bass, and James West on synth/keys, laying the foundation for the band`s future evolution.

Currents, the Connecticut metalcore quintet, emerged from Newtown in 2011, founded by drummer Jeff Brown. While the lineup has undergone significant turnover—no original members remain since 2018—the current iteration features vocalist Brian Wille, guitarists Ryan Castaldi and Chris Wiseman (also a founding guitarist of Shadow of Intent), bassist/backing vocalist Christian Pulgarin, and drummer Matt Young.

Their journey began with the independently released Victimized EP in January 2013. Two years later, they followed up with the Life // Lost EP, featuring a guest appearance by Ricky Armellino of This or the Apocalypse. A pivotal moment arrived in March 2017 when Currents signed with SharpTone Records. This led to the release of their debut full-length, The Place I Feel Safest, in June 2017, followed by an instrumental version in May 2018. SharpTone also released their I Let the Devil In EP, including an instrumental version, in December 2018. Their critically acclaimed second album, The Way It Ends, dropped via SharpTone in June 2020, solidifying their place in the metalcore scene.

Hailing from Blacktown, Australia, Northlane emerged in 2009 as a metalcore powerhouse. The current lineup features Jon Deiley and Josh Smith on guitars, Nic Pettersen on drums, and vocalist Marcus Bridge. This formidable quartet has crafted a formidable discography, releasing six studio albums: Discoveries (2011), Singularity (2013) – which peaked at #3 on the ARIA Albums Chart – the chart-topping Node (2015), Mesmer (2017), Alien (2019), and Obsidian (2022). Their dominance in the Australian metal scene is undeniable, evidenced by their three ARIA Music Awards for Best Hard Rock or Heavy Metal Album, won for Node (2015), Mesmer (2017), and Alien (2019).

Early Years and Lineup Changes:

Initially formed in 2009, Northlanes original lineup included Jon Deiley (lead guitar), Brendan Derby (drums/percussion), Adrian Fitipaldes (lead vocals), Alex Milovic (bass), and Josh Smith (rhythm guitar). The bands name is a tribute to Architects 2007 track, "North Lane." Fitipaldes later recounted their formation as a largely internet-driven collaboration, with Deiley and Milovic initiating contact to begin songwriting. The bands current success showcases a journey of evolution and relentless creativity within the metalcore genre.

The Dublin-based band The Scratch are pioneers of a unique sound, forging a potent fusion of Irish traditional music and heavy metal. Born from the ashes of Perrystown heavy metal act Red Enemy (three of whose members form The Scratch`s core), the band exploded onto the scene in 2016.

Their debut album, *Couldnt Give a Rats*, dropped in 2020, laying the groundwork for their critically acclaimed sophomore effort, *Mind Yourself*, released in 2023. The latter earned a coveted nomination for the Choice Music Prize, solidifying The Scratchs position as a major force in the Irish music landscape.

Starset, the Columbus, Ohio-based rock band, exploded onto the scene in 2013, the brainchild of Dustin Bates. Their debut album, Transmissions (2014), marked the beginning of their unique approach – crafting concept albums and expanding their narrative through innovative multimedia strategies. This savvy use of social media and YouTube generated significant revenue, exceeding $230,000 in YouTube ad revenue alone by November 2016, a testament to their engaged fanbase. Their breakout single, "My Demons," amassed over 280 million YouTube views during the same period.

The bands ascent continued with *Vessels* (2017), featuring the commercially successful track "Monster," which climbed to #2 on the US Billboard Mainstream Rock chart in May 2017. Further solidifying their position in the rock landscape, they released *Divisions* in 2019 and *Horizons* in 2021, consistently building upon their signature blend of cinematic soundscapes and intricate storytelling. Bates, the bands lead vocalist, songwriter, and keyboardist, draws inspiration from his background in electrical engineering, research for the US Air Force, teaching at the International Space University, and a fascination with astronomy, all woven into the rich fictional lore that underpins Starset`s musical universe.

Within Temptation, the Dutch symphonic metal titans, emerged from the ashes of April 1996, forged by vocalist Sharon den Adel and guitarist Robert Westerholt. While often categorized as gothic and symphonic metal, their sound defies easy genre classification, showcasing a remarkable versatility and experimental spirit across their discography. Den Adel herself has described their music as atmospheric melodic symphonic metal/rock, acknowledging gothic elements while rejecting a purely gothic label.

Their 1997 debut, Enter, initially established them within the Dutch underground. However, it was their 2001 single "Ice Queen" from Mother Earth that catapulted them into the mainstream, reaching #2 on the Dutch charts. This success marked the beginning of their phenomenal run, culminating in an unprecedented five Conamus Exportprijs awards (four consecutive wins, and a fifth in 2016), solidifying their status as Dutch music royalty.

Hailing from Eksjö, Sweden, Orbit Culture emerged in 2013 as a melodic death metal force. The current lineup features Niklas Karlsson on vocals and rhythm guitar, Richard Hansson on lead guitar, Fredrik Lennartsson on bass, and Christopher Wallerstedt on drums. The band`s history also includes former members Maximilian Zinsmeister (lead guitar), Christoffer Olsson (bass), and Markus Bladh (drums). Their discography boasts a formidable four studio albums and four EPs, showcasing their evolution within the genre.

Early Days (2013):

Orbit Culture`s genesis lies in the collaboration between vocalist/rhythm guitarist Niklas Karlsson and former guitarist Maximilian Zinsmeister. Meeting through mutual friends at age 17, they forged a partnership, establishing a rehearsal space in a repurposed power plant. Zinsmeister, concurrently a member of local act Abstract Noise, brought in drummer Markus Bladh, with bassist Christoffer Olsson joining the ranks later.

The Odyssey Begins (2013):

Quickly following their formation, Karlsson began composing material for their debut EP. Throughout the summer of 2013, the band immersed themselves in the recording, mixing, and production of their first songs. By August 2013, Odyssey was unleashed, marking the beginning of Orbit Culture`s journey.

Don Broco: A Rock n Roll Story from Bedford to Number One

Don Broco, the British rock band hailing from Bedford, England, exploded onto the scene in 2008. The quartet – Rob Damiani (lead vocals), Simon Delaney (guitar), Tom Doyle (bass and programming), and Matt Donnelly (drums, lead and backing vocals) – have since carved a significant path in the UK rock landscape.

Their journey began even before university, honing their skills at Bedford Modern School. While initial gigs laid the groundwork, it was after their time at Nottingham University that they solidified their commitment to becoming a band. Early iterations saw them cycle through names like "Summer Fall" and "Club Sex" before settling on "Don Loco," a moniker swiftly transformed to Don Broco following a football-related wrist injury to guitarist Simon Delaney.

Their meteoric rise began with a UK tour in November 2008, hitting cities like Leeds, Birmingham, Manchester, and more. Early festival appearances at Camden Crawl and Download Festival (2009) and supporting slots for Enter Shikari further amplified their presence. They also graced the stage at the Underage Festival in London`s Victoria Park in both 2009 and 2010, solidifying their reputation on the burgeoning UK music scene.

The bands hard work culminated in the release of four studio albums: *Priorities* (2012), *Automatic* (2015), *Technology* (2018), and their chart-topping *Amazing Things* (2021), which achieved the coveted No. 1 spot on the UK Album Charts – a testament to their enduring appeal and undeniable talent. Don Brocos story is a vibrant example of a band`s dedication transforming into mainstream success.

Hailing from Leeds, West Yorkshire, Static Dress exploded onto the UK rock scene in 2018. This quintet, currently comprised of vocalist Olli Appleyard, drummer Sam Ogden, bassist George Holding, guitarist Vincent Weight, and the enigmatic masked guitarist known only as Contrast, has quickly built a reputation for their intense and eclectic sound. Their journey began with a different lineup, featuring Appleyard (who previously honed his skills as a photographer and videographer for other bands), bassist Connor Reilly, and guitarist Tom Black, along with original drummer Sam Ogden. These members, some hailing from a previous band called Galleries, experimented with various styles, initially dabbling in hardcore punk before solidifying their distinctive sound. Although their early hardcore explorations remained unreleased, their trajectory was set. The band first grabbed attention with the release of their debut single, "Clean," on August 14th, 2019, complete with a striking music video directed by Appleyard and Ogden. Since then, they`ve unleashed a full-length studio album, three EPs, and a collection of powerful standalone singles, solidifying their place as a force to be reckoned with in the modern rock landscape.

Hailing from Liverpool, Loathe (sometimes stylized as LOATHE) are a heavy-hitting force in the modern metal scene. Formed in 2014, the quartet—vocalist Kadeem France, guitarist/vocalist Erik Bickerstaffe, drummer Sean Radcliffe, and bassist Feisal El-Khazragi—have quickly carved a unique niche. Signed to SharpTone Records, their sonic journey began with the 2015 EP Prepare Consume Proceed, re-released by SharpTone in 2016 as the label`s inaugural release.

Their ascent continued with the 2017 debut album The Cold Sun, followed by a collaborative split EP, This Is as One, with labelmates Holding Absence in 2018. The band solidified their status with their second full-length, I Let It In and It Took Everything (2020), and further expanded their sound with the entirely ambient The Things They Believe (2021), a fascinating companion piece to its predecessor.

Loathe defy easy categorization, blending the aggression of metalcore and nu-metal with experimental flourishes of shoegaze, progressive metal, and industrial influences. This unique sonic tapestry has garnered significant critical acclaim, earning them nominations for Best UK Breakthrough Band (Heavy Music Awards) and Best New Band (Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards) in 2018. Their potential for mainstream success was further highlighted in a 2020 Revolver magazine poll where they were voted the third most likely contemporary band to break through.

Las VegasPalaye Royale: A Rockn` Roll Dynasty

Palaye Royale, the American rock band known for their theatrical style and dramatic sound, emerged from the Las Vegas scene in 2008. Initially formed as Kropp Circle by brothers Remington Leith (vocals), Sebastian Danzig (guitar/keyboards), and Emerson Barrett (drums), the trio honed their skills in their early years. Their youthful energy was evident even then, as their mother, following advice from Paul Weller of The Jam, supported their decision to leave school and pursue music full-time.

Kropp Circles early work showcased a softer, acoustic rock sound, culminating in the release of their four-track EP, *Who We Really Are*, in 2010. This release included the singles "Who We Really Are" and "Cant Stop the Rain," each accompanied by a music video. The band also gained early exposure through appearances on online platforms like Radio Disney`s N.B.T. (Next Big Thing) in 2009.

However, their sonic evolution was still underway. In 2011, a pivotal rebranding occurred with the adoption of the name Palaye Royale, a tribute to the Palais Royale dance hall in Toronto, where their grandparents met. This name change signaled a shift towards a more mature and distinct sound. Their debut single under the new moniker, "Morning Light," dropped in March 2012. Since then, signed to Sumerian Records, Palaye Royale has built an impressive discography, releasing five full-length albums and four EPs, solidifying their place as a force in modern rock.