Death Angel, the seminal thrash metal band from Daly City, California, exploded onto the scene in 1982, leaving an undeniable mark on the Bay Area and beyond. Initially active until 1991, their legendary status solidified through a relentless touring schedule and a string of critically acclaimed albums. Their discography boasts nine studio albums, two demos, a box set, and three live albums – a testament to their enduring legacy.

While the lineup has seen significant changes over the decades, guitarist Rob Cavestany remains the sole constant member. He and vocalist Mark Osegueda (who joined in 1984) are the only members to appear on every studio album, forming the core of Death Angel`s signature sound.

In the 1980s, Death Angel reigned supreme as a Bay Area thrash titan, sharing stages with heavyweights like Megadeth, Metallica, Slayer, Exodus, Testament, Overkill, D.R.I., Mercyful Fate, and Possessed. Their impact is undeniable; often cited as a leader of the second wave of thrash, they’re considered part of the genre`s "Big Eight" (alongside Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Anthrax, Testament, Exodus, and Overkill) and the "Big Six" of Bay Area thrash (with Exodus, Testament, Lȧȧz Rockit, Forbidden, and Vio-lence).

Following the underground success of The Ultra-Violence (1987) and Frolic Through the Park (1988), Death Angel signed to Geffen Records in 1989, releasing Act III the following year. Tragedy struck during the Act III tour when drummer Andy Galeon was severely injured in a bus accident, leading to the band`s initial disbandment in 1991.

Death Angel triumphantly returned in 2001 (minus original rhythm guitarist Gus Pepa) at the "Thrash of the Titans" benefit concert for Testaments Chuck Billy. Since then, they’ve released six more albums, including 2019s Humanicide, which earned them a Grammy nomination. With a tenth studio album tentatively slated for 2025, Death Angel continues to prove their enduring power and influence on the thrash metal landscape.

Alestorm, the Scottish pirate metal powerhouse, formed in Perth in 2004, have carved a unique niche in the heavy metal scene. Their sound is instantly recognizable: a potent blend of heavy metal riffs and hilariously bawdy lyrics all centered around a swashbuckling pirate theme. This has earned them a dedicated following and widespread critical acclaim as a leading act in the subgenre.

The current crew consists of vocalist/keytarist Christopher Bowes, bassist Gareth Murdock, drummer Peter Alcorn, keyboardist/harsh vocalist Elliot Vernon, and guitarist Máté "Bobo" Bodor.

Since signing with Napalm Records in 2007, Alestorm have consistently plundered the charts with a string of successful albums: Captain Morgan`s Revenge (2008), Black Sails at Midnight (2009), Back Through Time (2011), Sunset on the Golden Age (2014), No Grave But the Sea (2017), Curse of the Crystal Coconut (2020), and Seventh Rum of a Seventh Rum (2022). Their consistently high-energy performances and infectious brand of pirate metal have cemented their status as a must-see live act and a cornerstone of the genre.

Failure: A Deep Dive into the Alternative Rock Pioneers

Failure, the Los Angeles-based alternative rock band, carved a significant niche in the 90s scene and enjoys a fervent resurgence today. Active from 1990 to 1997, and again since 2014, their discography boasts six studio albums and five EPs, solidifying their status as influential alt-rock innovators.

1990-1997: From Comfort to Cult Status

Their journey began in earnest in 1992 when they inked a deal with Slash Records (distributed by Warner Bros. in the US). They decamped to Minnesota’s Pachyderm Studio to record their debut, Comfort, with legendary producer Steve Albini. Released that September, Comfort marked their introduction, coinciding with early tours supporting the influential band Tool.

However, the band found themselves dissatisfied with Comfort`s raw, almost documentary-style production, clashing with their vision. Seeking a more polished and produced sound, they took matters into their own hands for their second album. In 1993, during the recording process for Magnified, drummer Will Gauss departed, forcing guitarist Greg Edwards to step in temporarily until Kellii Scott joined. The self-produced Magnified, released in March 1994, showcased a significant leap in sonic ambition. While a promotional video for "Undone" garnered little mainstream attention, critical acclaim followed, acknowledging their evolution and attracting the attention of fellow musicians. Magnified, in particular, became highly influential within the wider alt-rock community.

Hailing from Ipswich, England, Basement emerged from the ashes of pop-punk act In This for Fun in September 2009. Initially opting for a simple, unassuming moniker – "Basement" – the band quickly made their mark, releasing their debut EP, Songs About the Weather, in May 2010. This led to a record deal with Run for Cover Records, culminating in their critically acclaimed full-length debut, I Wish I Could Stay Here, in 2011.

Following the release of their sophomore effort, Colourmeinkindness (2012), which saw them break into the US Billboard Top 200, the band took a hiatus. However, their hiatus proved temporary. Reuniting in 2014, they dropped the Further Sky EP, and then delivered their third studio album, Promise Everything, in 2016, achieving chart success in Australia, the UK, and the US. Rounding out their impressive discography is their fourth studio album, Beside Myself, released in October 2018. From their humble beginnings to their international success, Basement`s journey showcases a band with enduring appeal and remarkable staying power within the emo/post-hardcore scene.

Turnstile, the Baltimore hardcore punk powerhouse, exploded onto the scene in 2010. Since then, theyve built an impressive discography: five EPs and four full-length albums, showcasing their evolution from raw energy to genre-bending innovation. Their breakout moment arrived with 2021s Glow On, a critically acclaimed and commercially successful album that catapulted them into the mainstream. The singles "Holiday" and "Blackout" earned them three Grammy nominations at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards, solidifying their status as a major force in modern music.

Early Years and Nonstop Feeling

Emerging from Baltimore`s vibrant hardcore scene, Turnstile released their debut EP, Pressure to Succeed, in 2011, followed by Step 2 Rhythm in 2013, both via Reaper Records. Their full-length debut, Nonstop Feeling, dropped in 2015, produced by Brian McTernan at Salad Days Studios. Extensive touring followed, including East and West Coast runs with Superheaven (the "Nonstop Feeling Tour") and support for New Found Glory. This period also marked a lineup change, with guitarist Sean Coo departing and being replaced by Pat McCrory of the Maryland hardcore band Angel Du$t.

A Perfect Circle, the American rock supergroup, emerged from the Los Angeles music scene in 1999, a collaboration between guitarist Billy Howerdel and Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan. Their prolific early 2000s period yielded three studio albums: the debut Mer de Noms (2000), followed by Thirteenth Step (2003), and the innovative covers album Emotive (2004). However, the band`s activity has always been punctuated by extended hiatuses. Following Emotive, Keenan focused on Tool and his Puscifer project, while Howerdel released a solo album under the name Ashes Divide.

Though the band reunited for sporadic live performances between 2010 and 2013, culminating in the release of Three Sixty (greatest hits) and A Perfect Circle Live: Featuring Stone and Echo (live album box set), another significant break followed. A revival in 2017 led to the recording and release of their fourth studio album, Eat the Elephant (2018), followed by a supporting tour. The band remained largely inactive until a brief 2024 tour and the release of the single "Kindred."

The ever-shifting lineup, a consequence of Keenans other commitments, has seen a revolving door of musicians. While Keenan and Howerdel remain the only constant members, the initial lineup featured Paz Lenchantin on bass, Troy Van Leeuwen on guitar, and Tim Alexander on drums (the latter appearing on only a single track before being replaced by Josh Freese). Danny Lohner and Jeordie White also contributed significantly during the bands early years. This fluid membership, alternating between periods of creative output and extended silence, has become a defining characteristic of A Perfect Circle’s unique history.

Dry Kill Logic, the Westchester County, New York heavy metal band, exploded onto the scene in 1995, initially operating under the names Hinge and Hinge AD. Their journey to becoming a force in the metal world is marked by three full-length albums, but their story begins much earlier.

The Psychodrama Records Era (1997-1999):

Four years into their existence, Hinge self-released their debut EP, Cause Moshing is Good Fun, via their own label, Psychodrama Records, in 1997. This was followed by their second EP, Elemental Evil, in 1999, also self-released. This nine-track effort proved pivotal, propelling them to open for major acts like Coal Chamber, Incubus, Anthrax, and System of a Down, showcasing their raw power and establishing their presence in the burgeoning metal scene.

The Darker Side of Nonsense (2000-2003) and Beyond:

2000 marked a significant turning point. Hinge signed with Roadrunner Records, a major label deal. However, this came with a crucial caveat: a name change. A recording studio held the copyright to the name "Hinge," forcing the band to rebrand. After briefly using "Hinge AD," they ultimately settled on the moniker Dry Kill Logic after facing legal threats.

Under their new name, they released their debut album, The Darker Side of Nonsense, on June 5th, 2001. The album featured a guest appearance by J-Sin (vocals) and Bobby Burns (guitar) of Primer 55 on the track "Give Up, Give In, Lie Down," adding another layer to their already compelling sound. The band`s subsequent releases further solidified their reputation in the heavy metal genre.

The Ataris, a punk rock band hailing from Anderson, Indiana, exploded onto the scene in 1996. Their distinctive sound, forged in Kris Roes bedroom using a four-track and drum machine, landed them a record deal with Kung Fu Records—a stroke of luck facilitated by a demo tape making its way to Joe Escalante of The Vandals. Between 1997 and 2007, they released five studio albums, achieving mainstream success with their 2003 gold-certified album, *So Long, Astoria*. This albums standout track, a high-charting cover of Don Henleys "The Boys of Summer," catapulted them to a wider audience. While the bands lineup fluctuated, the sole constant throughout their history was the singer, songwriter, and guitarist Kris Roe. Their humble beginnings, from bedroom demos to a Kung Fu Records deal, is a classic underdog story in the punk rock pantheon.

Thrown (stylized in lowercase) are a Swedish metalcore/hardcore band from Stockholm, formed in 2019. Signed to Arising Empire, they exploded onto the scene with their 2022 EP, Extended Pain, which has amassed over 50 million Spotify streams. Their debut album, EXCESSIVE GUILT, dropped August 30th, 2024, packing eleven tracks into just over twenty minutes of blistering intensity. The album debuted at #3 on the Swedish Hard Rock Albums Chart, with Kerrang! praising its "suffocating brevity and nü-metalcore bite."

History

Formation and Early Writing (2019-2021)

Vocalist Marcus Lundqvist and guitarist Andreas Malm began collaborating in 2019, quickly adding producer/drummer Buster Odeholm (Vildhjarta, Humanity`s Last Breath) and guitarist Johan Liljeblad to the lineup. Much of their debut EP was demoed remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Extended Pain Cycle (2022-2023)

• March 11, 2022: Release of the single "New Low."
• April 8, 2022: Release of the Extended Pain EP via Arising Empire.

Cattle Decapitation, the San Diego deathgrind titans, emerged in 1996. While the original lineup—featuring vocalist Scott Miller, guitarist Gabe Serbian, and drummer Dave Astor—is long gone, the bands legacy endures. Their early work, including the ferocious *Ten Torments of the Damned* demo (1996), laid the groundwork for their brutal sound. A pivotal moment arrived with Travis Ryans 1997 recruitment, solidifying his position as a deathgrind icon. The subsequent Human Jerky (1999) and Homovore (2000) EPs, both recorded at Double Time Studios with engineer Jeff Forrest, further honed their signature style. By 2001, all founding members had departed, with Serbian moving on to The Locust. Despite the significant lineup changes, Ryan, along with guitarist Josh Elmore (a later addition), remain the only constants throughout Cattle Decapitations eight-album discography, cementing their status as the bands core creative force.

Ozzy Osbourne (December 3, 1948 – July 22, 2025), the iconic "Prince of Darkness," reigned as one of heavy metals most influential figures. Co-founding Black Sabbath in 1968, he spearheaded the bands meteoric rise through the 1970s, delivering powerhouse vocals on seminal albums like Black Sabbath, Paranoid, and Master of Reality. His tumultuous tenure, however, ended in 1979 amidst struggles with substance abuse.

Launching a wildly successful solo career in the 1980s, Osbourne, alongside Randy Rhoads and Bob Daisley, crafted classics like Blizzard of Oz and Diary of a Madman. His outrageous stage presence and offstage antics fueled controversy, with accusations of Satanism from religious groups adding to his legendary status. He released thirteen platinum-selling solo albums, seven achieving multi-platinum status in the US alone.

Osbournes relationship with Black Sabbath remained complex. He rejoined the band in 1997, remaining until 2005, and again in 2012, contributing vocals to their final studio album, *13* (2013), before embarking on a farewell tour concluding in 2017. His final performance, on July 5, 2025, at Birminghams "Back to the Beginning" concert, marked a poignant end to a career that irrevocably shaped the landscape of heavy metal.

Hailing from Sydney, Australia, SPEED are a hardcore punk powerhouse formed in 2019. The band features Jem Siow (vocals), Joshua Clayton and Dennis Vichidvongsa (guitars), Aaron Siow (bass), and Kane Vardon (drums). SPEEDs origins trace back to Jem Siows earlier involvement in Your Ghost Is a Gift (later Endless Heights), a band he fronted as lead guitarist alongside vocalist Joel Martorana. Endless Heights enjoyed a significant run, releasing two albums and five EPs before disbanding in 2019. That same year, Siow assembled SPEED, recruiting his brother Aaron, Clayton, Vichidvongsa, and Vardon.

The band quickly gained traction, releasing a demo EP on Last Ride Records in October 2019. Their raw energy and potent sound caught the attention of Flatspot Records, who signed SPEED in April 2020. Their debut single, "A Dumb Dog Gets Flogged," dropped in June 2020, a politically charged track born from frustration with the Australian governments response to the devastating 2019-2020 bushfires. Siow stated the songs creation was a call for empathy and compassionate action. This single was quickly followed by the 2020 Flex two-song EP, featuring "A Dumb Dog Gets Flogged" and "Devil U Know," solidifying SPEED`s place in the burgeoning Australian hardcore scene.