Hailing from San Antonio, Texas, Union Underground exploded onto the nu-metal scene with a raw energy that quickly garnered attention. Founded by guitarist Bryan Scott and guitarist Patrick Kennison, who’d been making music together since junior high, the band built a solid foundation, independently selling 5,000 copies of their EP and generating enough buzz to catch the eye of Hollywood manager James Jeda. This led to a major label deal with Portrait Records, a Sony/Columbia imprint. Rounding out the lineup with drummer Josh Memolo and bassist John Moyer, Union Underground unleashed their debut album, ...An Education in Rebellion, in July 2000. The album, a potent blend of hard-hitting riffs and aggressive vocals, charted for four months, propelled by the hit single, "Turn Me On 'Mr. Deadman.'" Despite their initial success, the band ultimately dissolved in 2002. Their legacy, however, remains a significant chapter in the nu-metal genre's history.

Hailing from Toronto, Evans Blue emerged onto the Nu Metal scene in 2005. This Canadian quintet, initially formed from members of three different bands who connected through a local musician's online forum, quickly made a name for themselves. Lead singer Kevin Matisyn coined the band's name, a reference to the medical dye used to measure blood volume – a fittingly dark and intriguing moniker for their sound.

Their unique blend of aggressive riffs and melodic hooks caught the attention of producer Trevor Kustiak (Cool for August) and Mari Dew of The Pocket Studios. Despite the departure of their original lead guitarist, Kevin Smith, before securing a record deal, the band persevered. They honed their sound, crafting three demo tracks – "Black Hole," "Saturnalia," and "Starlight" – which would later feature on their debut.

By November 2005, Evans Blue had completed their seminal album, The Melody and the Energetic Nature of Volume. The album’s release was bolstered by their debut single, "Cold (But I'm Still Here)," accompanied by a music video, further propelling the band's rise. Their success story continued with over a million albums sold worldwide, encompassing five studio albums and a live album, solidifying their place in the Nu Metal landscape.

Snot: A Nu-Metal Tragedy and Resurrection

Hailing from Santa Barbara, California, Snot exploded onto the nu-metal scene in 1995. The band, forged from the ashes of local punk and metal acts (Lethal Dose and Kronix, respectively), quickly gained a ferocious following thanks to the raw energy of vocalist Lynn Strait and guitarist Mikey Doling. Their hard-hitting live shows in Los Angeles earned them a deal with Geffen Records, culminating in the release of their seminal debut album, Get Some, in May 1997. Produced by T-Ray, Get Some cemented their place in the burgeoning nu-metal landscape.

Tragedy struck during the band's 1998 Ozzfest tour. On July 9th, 1998, Strait's life was tragically cut short following an incident in Mansfield, Massachusetts, where he was arrested after emerging nude from a large toilet prop used by Limp Bizkit during their performances. His death brought the band to an abrupt and devastating end.

Despite the loss, Snot's legacy endured. In 2008, the remaining original lineup – Doling, bassist John Fahnestock, drummer Jamie Miller, and rhythm guitarist Sonny Mayo – reunited. They eventually formed a new band, Tons, in 2009, with vocalist Brandon Espinosa. However, the enduring power of Snot proved too strong, and the band announced another reformation in February 2014. The story of Snot is a testament to the raw power of their music and the enduring impact of Lynn Strait, tragically cut down in his prime.

DOROTHY, the hard-rocking Los Angeles quartet, exploded onto the scene in 2014. Fronted by the powerhouse vocalist Dorothy Martin, and featuring Jake Hayden on drums, Sam Bam Koltun on guitar, and Eliot Lorango on bass, their self-titled debut EP instantly garnered attention. Rolling Stone, recognizing their raw talent, hailed them as a "band you need to know," placing them #14 on their 50 Best New Artists of 2014 list.

Their origins trace back to early 2013, when Martin, through a connection with her cousin, met producer/guitarist Mark Jackson and his production partner Ian Scott. Hearing Martin’s voice, Jackson recalls, "We were blown away. We knew that pairing her vocals with some serious old-school metal riffs would be huge." He envisioned a sound reminiscent of AC/DC and Black Sabbath—stripped down, raw power, focusing on "one guitar, one bass, and drums, and bad-ass vocals." Martin herself quipped, "Basically, we want to make songs Beavis and Butt-head would like." Bassist Gregg Cash joined the initial lineup.

A piano ballad Martin initially showcased evolved into their explosive debut single, "After Midnight." The accompanying music video premiered on Noisey (Vice) in June 2014, instantly declared "the perfect modern rock concoction." This marked the beginning of DOROTHY's electrifying journey through the rock world.

Hailing from Oxnard, California, Nails are a hardcore punk force of nature. Formed in 2009 by vocalist Todd Jones (ex-Terror guitarist), bassist John Gianelli, and drummer Taylor Young (formerly of Disgrace), the band unleashed their brutal sound on the world with the Obscene Humanity EP. This was swiftly followed by the devastating full-lengths Unsilent Death (2010), Abandon All Life (2013), and the critically acclaimed You Will Never Be One of Us (2016). Adding to their discography, they also released a split EP with Full of Hell, and most recently, Every Bridge Burning in 2024.

Nails' savage intensity and relentless energy have earned them widespread notoriety and critical acclaim within the hardcore scene. Their career, however, took an unexpected turn in 2016. Following the release of You Will Never Be One of Us, the band abruptly cancelled a European tour, with promoters citing an indefinite hiatus and the cessation of live performances and recording. While promoters claimed a hiatus, Todd Jones later refuted this, stating that the band had never officially gone on hiatus. The band's eventual return and release of Every Bridge Burning has solidified their status as a major player in the hardcore punk landscape.

Hailing from central Massachusetts, Wind Walkers blend the intensity of post-hardcore and alternative metal with the accessibility of pop, creating a unique sound within the modern metal landscape.

Pain of Truth, a hardcore punk band from Long Island, New York, exploded onto the scene in 2020. Emerging from the ashes of Michael Smith's previous band, Hangman, Pain of Truth quickly built a reputation for their raw energy and collaborative spirit. Formed in the crucible of the COVID-19 lockdowns, Smith, initially a solo project, laid down the groundwork with the No Blame… Just Facts demo in July 2020. He then assembled a formidable lineup: himself on vocals, Chris Rini on drums, Nik Hansen and Ridge Rhine on guitars, and Zach Stachura on bass.

Their sound is defined not only by their aggressive hardcore punk foundation but also by their innovative use of guest vocalists. Notable hardcore heavyweights such as Freddy Cricien, Scott Vogel, and Justice Tripp have graced their recordings, adding layers of intensity and influence. This collaborative approach cemented their place in the scene. The band's hard work culminated in their debut album, Not Through Blood, released September 8th, 2023, following a split EP and solidifying their status as a force to be reckoned with.

Smith's journey to hardcore punk began with witnessing his older brothers, Chris and Danny's band, Backtrack, live. This ignited his passion, leading him through various bands – Stand Your Ground (guitar), Numbskull (vocals), and finally Hangman (guitar). Hangman's 2019 debut, One By One, proved short-lived due to the pandemic, but the experience fueled Smith's drive to create Pain of Truth. The lockdown became a breeding ground for the band’s raw, intense sound, transforming isolation into a creative catalyst.

Hailing from Dallas, Texas, Frozen Soul delivers a brutally direct death metal assault. The band's genesis lies in a 2016 encounter between guitarist Michael Munday and Chad Green at a comic book store. A shared passion for music and gaming forged their connection, leading them to compose riffs too extreme even for their previous band, End Times. This creative excess ultimately birthed Frozen Soul.

Hailing from Tampa, Florida, Nevertel exploded onto the scene in 2014. Forged from the friendships of high school classmates and seasoned by years of playing together in previous bands, the trio—vocalist Jeremy Michael, guitarist/rapper Raul Lopez, and guitarist Alec Davis—delivers a potent blend of metalcore, hip-hop, and EDM influences. Their sound is a dynamic fusion, showcasing the band's diverse musical backgrounds and a shared passion for pushing creative boundaries.

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.

Left to Suffer: A Deathcore Force from Atlanta

Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, Left to Suffer burst onto the deathcore scene in 2019. The band's current lineup is a powerhouse: vocalist Taylor Barber, bassist Christian Nowatzki, guitarists Peter Higgs and Jacob Gordon, and drummer Alex Vavra.

Their journey began with the release of their debut album, A Year of Suffering, in 2020, immediately establishing them as a force to be reckoned with. This was preceded by the single "Burden," featuring then-Lorna Shore vocalist CJ McCeery, a collaboration that generated significant buzz. The band's early success wasn't without its challenges; in early 2021, drummer Levi Dunn amicably departed to pursue a career as a tattoo artist. Alex Vavra quickly stepped in, seamlessly integrating into the band's ferocious sound.

Following A Year of Suffering, Left to Suffer unleashed their second full-length album, Feral, in 2023, solidifying their position within the deathcore genre. They continued their prolific output with their third studio album, Leap of Death, in 2024, showcasing their relentless evolution and undeniable talent. Left to Suffer's impact on the deathcore landscape is undeniable, and their future looks incredibly bright.

Saving Abel, the Mississippi rock band forged in the crucible of Corinth in 2004, emerged from an unlikely meeting of minds. Founding members Jason Null (lead guitar) and Jared Weeks (lead vocals) – initially rivals in separate local bands – found common ground, their collaboration ignited when Null stumbled upon the phrase "there was no saving Abel" while researching the Cain and Abel story. This morbidly poetic line became the band's name, a fitting moniker for their raw, emotionally charged sound.

Weeks' departure in late 2013 to pursue a solo career briefly fractured the lineup, but his return in 2021 rekindled the flame. However, a second departure in 2024 necessitated the return of Scotty Austin, adding another chapter to the band's evolving history.

Their early journey began with impromptu rehearsals and quickly escalated. By early 2005, their demos had caught the attention of producer Skid Mills, leading to recording sessions at his prestigious 747 Studio in Memphis. The band solidified its lineup with the additions of rhythm guitarist Scott Bartlett, bassist Daniel Dwight, and drummer Blake Dixon. Weeks' audacious demo-dropping tactics – tossing CDs onto the stages of touring acts passing through Corinth – proved effective, even amidst a lineup shuffle that saw Dwight replaced by longtime friend Eric Taylor. This relentless drive and unwavering determination cemented Saving Abel's place in the Southern rock landscape.