Deafheaven, the groundbreaking San Francisco post-metal band, emerged in 2010 as a raw two-piece: vocalist George Clarke and guitarist Kerry McCoy (formerly of grindcore act Rise of Caligula). Their initial self-released demo quickly garnered attention, leading to the recruitment of a full band and a signing with Deathwish Inc. before the year's end. Their debut, Roads to Judah (2011), marked the beginning of their ascent, showcasing a unique sonic tapestry that blended the aggression of black metal with the ethereal beauty of shoegaze and the atmospheric textures of post-rock. This innovative fusion, later dubbed "blackgaze" by critics, established Deafheaven as pioneers of a new subgenre.

Sunbather (2013) catapulted them to international acclaim, receiving widespread critical praise and solidifying their position as one of the year's most lauded albums in the US. Subsequent releases, New Bermuda (2015) and Ordinary Corrupt Human Love (2018), further refined their sound. Their fifth album, Infinite Granite (2021), however, saw a significant departure, dramatically scaling back the signature screamed vocals and exploring a more nuanced sonic landscape. The band's journey, from a self-recorded demo to critically acclaimed albums, showcases a consistent evolution within their genre-bending sound.

Abilene, Texas's own Dexter and The Moonrocks have established a distinctive musical identity, seamlessly fusing Southern Alternative, red dirt country, and alternative rock. This innovative sound has resonated deeply with fans, who have coined the aptly descriptive term "Western Space Grunge" to encapsulate their unique genre.

Hailing from Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, Scotland, Bleed from Within emerged onto the heavy metal scene in 2005. This quintet—featuring vocalist Scott Kennedy, drummer Ali Richardson, bassist Davie Provan, lead guitarist Craig Gowans, and rhythm guitarist/clean vocalist Steven Jones—has solidified its place in the genre, releasing six studio albums and three EPs, culminating in their latest offering, Shrine, released June 3, 2022, via Nuclear Blast.

Their journey began in Glasgow, honing their skills in a youth club by covering Lamb of God. A pivotal moment arrived in 2010 when they supported Sylosis and While She Sleeps on the Metal Hammer Razor Tour, catapulting them into the wider metal consciousness. Early touring highlights included sharing stages with metal heavyweights Soilwork, All That Remains, After the Burial, Suicide Silence, Caliban, and Rise to Remain.

A major turning point occurred in August 2012 when Bleed from Within inked a deal with Century Media Records. This opportunity arose after a standout performance at the 2011 Graspop Metal Meeting in Belgium, where they stepped in as a last-minute replacement. The band enthusiastically embraced the partnership, stating that Century Media "have always been a powerhouse in bringing cutting-edge new music to the world," pledging to uphold the label's reputation. The band capitalized on this momentum, supporting While She Sleeps across the UK (September-November 2012) and co-headlining a European tour with Bury Tomorrow. Further UK dates supporting Miss May I followed before they entered the studio to record their next release.

Butcher Babies, the Los Angeles-based heavy metal band, exploded onto the scene with a ferocious blend of metal, punk, and thrash. Fronted by the powerhouse vocalist Heidi Shepherd, and featuring guitarist Henry Flury (formerly of Amen), bassist Ricky Bonazza, and drummer Devin Nickles, their sound has been compared to Pantera, infused with the theatrical horror showmanship of Alice Cooper and Rob Zombie.

Their debut album, Goliath, released in July 2013 via Century Media Records, made a significant impact, selling 3,300 copies in its first week in the US. This impressive showing landed them at #3 on the Billboard Heatseeker chart and #112 on the Billboard 200.

Butcher Babies' journey began in 2010, founded by vocalists Heidi Shepherd and Carla Harvey. They self-released their first EP in 2011, further establishing their presence with a self-published comic book released at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2011, written by Harvey and illustrated by Anthony Winn. Even early on, their live performances were legendary, with rock journalist Keith Valcourt noting their "loud, crashing blend of heavy metal, punk and thrash," and their captivating stage show, a clear nod to horror-rock icons.

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.

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.

Municipal Waste: Richmond's Crossover Thrash Titans

Hailing from Richmond, Virginia, Municipal Waste exploded onto the scene in 2000, igniting a firestorm of crossover thrash fury. Since their inaugural gig at a New Year's Eve keg party (a fittingly chaotic start!), the band has carved a legendary path. Their sound, a potent blend of D.R.I., Suicidal Tendencies, Corrosion of Conformity (Animosity era), Nuclear Assault, and Attitude Adjustment, has cemented their place as crossover thrash royalty.

Over their career, Municipal Waste have unleashed seven studio albums, three EPs, and four splits, consistently delivering high-octane energy and infectious riffs. While the lineup has seen some changes, vocalist Tony Foresta and rhythm guitarist Ryan Waste remain the steadfast core, providing unwavering consistency to the band's chaotic brilliance. Currently, they're joined by bassist Philip "Land Phil" Hall, drummer Dave Witte, and lead guitarist Nick "Nikropolis" Poulos, forming a formidable unit. Their early years included extensive touring throughout the US and Mexico, and the release of multiple split albums (notably a 7" with Bad Acid Trip and a 12" with Crucial Unit), as well as contributions to various compilations, solidifying their presence in the underground. Municipal Waste aren't just a band; they're a testament to the enduring power of crossover thrash.

Hailing from Westerville, Ohio, Attack Attack! burst onto the metalcore scene in 2007, initially operating under the moniker Ambiance. Their self-released debut EP quickly caught the attention of Rise Records, leading to a record deal that same year. The band's potent blend of metalcore aggression and catchy melodies propelled them to release three full-length albums through Rise: Someday Came Suddenly, their self-titled effort, and This Means War. After a successful run with Rise, Attack Attack! parted ways with the label in 2012 and ultimately disbanded the following year, concluding with a farewell tour. However, the Ohio five-piece's legacy proved far from over. A highly anticipated reformation was announced on October 19, 2020, featuring a mix of original members and new recruits, igniting renewed interest in this influential metalcore act.

The band's genesis involved a convergence of talent from various local high school bands. Johnny Franck, Andrew Whiting, Nick White, and Andrew Wetzel connected with Austin Carlile, eventually recruiting Caleb Shomo on keyboards. This lineup solidified as Attack Attack!, and the band immediately hit the ground running, self-recording material and leveraging MySpace to build momentum and generate buzz before signing to Rise Records.

Hailing from Phoenix, Arizona, blessthefall (stylized as such since 2013) are a metalcore force to be reckoned with. Signed to Rise Records, the band, formed in 2004, initially featured guitarist Mike Frisby, drummer Matt Traynor, and bassist/vocalist Jared Warth. Their debut, His Last Walk, dropped on November 7th, 2006, showcasing the powerful vocals of original frontman Craig Mabbitt.

Mabbitt's departure in 2007 paved the way for his replacement in Escape the Fate, while blessthefall soldiered on. Beau Bokan stepped up as the permanent vocalist in 2008, lending his distinctive voice to their sophomore effort, Witness, released October 6th, 2009. Subsequent albums solidified their status: Awakening (October 4th, 2011), Hollow Bodies (August 20th, 2013), To Those Left Behind (September 18th, 2015), and Hard Feelings (March 23rd, 2018), showcasing their evolution and continued impact on the metalcore scene.

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.

Memphis May Fire, the Denton, Texas metalcore titans, have carved a significant path since their 2006 inception. Currently signed to Rise Records, the band—featuring vocalist Matty Mullins, guitarist Kellen McGregor, bassist Cory Elder, and drummer Jake Garland—boasts a formidable discography: seven studio albums and two EPs. Their impact is undeniable, with Unconditional, their fourth album, reaching #4 on the Billboard 200 and topping the Alternative Albums chart.

The band's history is a compelling story. Initially known as Oh Captain, My Captain, the group solidified their name and lineup in early 2007 with original members Chase Ryan (vocals), Ryan Bentley (guitar), and Tanner Oakes (bass). A self-released EP quickly built a local buzz, catching the ear of Josh Grabelle, president of Trustkill Records. Grabelle's enthusiastic response in a press release—comparing their compelling songwriting to Bullet for My Valentine's Hand of Blood—highlighted their early promise and cemented their potential for greatness.