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.

Hot Milk, the Manchester-based rock band, exploded onto the scene in 2018, formed by the dynamic duo of singer/guitarists Hannah "Han" Mee and Jim Shaw. Their unique sound defies easy categorization, blending genres seamlessly while tackling complex social and political themes in their lyrics. Since signing to Music For Nations in 2021, they`ve rapidly built momentum, releasing three EPs and culminating in their debut studio album, A Call to the Void, on August 25th, 2023.

Their ascent has been meteoric. Sharing stages with giants like the Foo Fighters and You Me At Six, they’ve conquered major festivals including Download and Lollapalooza, and garnered significant airplay on BBC Radio 1 and Kerrang! Radio. Alternative Press has rightfully recognized them as key players in Manchester`s burgeoning new wave of artists.

History: 2018-2019 – Origins and Are You Feeling Alive

The Hot Milk story began in Manchester in 2018, a testament to the power of unlikely connections. Mee and Shaw, who met on Tinder and dated for four years before remaining close friends and housemates, both possessed deep roots in the Manchester music scene. Having played in various bands since the age of 16, they brought a wealth of experience to the project; Mee as a tour promoter and Shaw as a lighting director, their backgrounds providing a strong foundation for their burgeoning musical partnership. This unique blend of experience and their undeniable chemistry propelled Hot Milk into the spotlight, laying the groundwork for their future success.

High on Fire, the Oakland, California-bred heavy metal titans, emerged from the ashes of the late summer of 1998. Founded by Sleep guitarist Matt Pike, alongside drummer Des Kensel and bassist George Rice (formerly of Dear Deceased – who initially auditioned as vocalist!), the band quickly established a ferocious reputation.

Their initial foray was a three-track EP in 1999, released via 12th Records. These tracks were later resurrected and formed the core of their debut full-length, The Art of Self Defense (Mans Ruin Records, March 7, 2000). Following Mans Ruin`s demise, Tee Pee Records re-released the album with bonus tracks in 2001.

That same year marked a significant turning point: High on Fire signed with Relapse Records, unleashing Surrounded by Thieves on May 28, 2002. This solidified their place in the heavy metal scene, paving the way for a prolific career spanning nine studio albums, culminating in their latest release, Cometh the Storm, in 2024. Their impact reached a global peak with their 2019 Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance, earned for the blistering "Electric Messiah." From humble beginnings to Grammy glory, High on Fire’s legacy is cemented as a cornerstone of modern heavy metal.

Hailing from Salt Lake City, Utah, Chelsea Grin emerged from the ashes of the band Ahaziah in 2007, quickly establishing themselves as a major force in the American deathcore scene. The original Ahaziah lineup – vocalist Alex Koehler, guitarist Chris Kilbourn, bassist Austin Marticorena, and lead guitarist Michael Stafford – underwent a significant transformation with the addition of Andrew Carlston and a name change. Marticorena played a crucial role in this transition, contributing to the songwriting and helping shape the band`s new sound.

Their self-titled debut EP, initially released online via iTunes before receiving a worldwide CD release in July 2008, showcased their brutal yet melodic deathcore style. Early singles like "Crewcabanger" and "Lifeless" garnered significant attention on Myspace, building a dedicated fanbase. The addition of guitarist Dan Jones and bassist David Flinn solidified their lineup, leading to the creation of their acclaimed full-length debut, Desolation of Eden (2010), followed by My Damnation (2011) and the Evolve EP (2012). While the band has seen numerous lineup changes since its inception – with no founding members remaining since 2018 – bassist David Flinn stands as the sole constant across all their studio albums, a testament to his enduring contribution to Chelsea Grins legacy. Over their career, theyve released two EPs and seven full-length albums, cementing their place as deathcore veterans.

Mom Jeans. (stylized as Mom Jeans.), the Berkeley, California-bred alternative/indie rock band, emerged in early 2014. Founded by drummer Austin Carango and vocalist Eric Butler, the duo initially recorded the six-track Spring Demo EP. Released in May 2014 on cassette via Fourth Row Records (Northern California), this acoustic-only effort showcased the band`s nascent sound.

The self-titled debut EP followed, featuring expanded instrumentation. Josh Perline joined on bass/vocals and David McDowall on drums, though McDowall`s tenure was short-lived. Allergic, their next EP (also pre-dating their first LP), saw Carango transitioning to drums, Perline to guitar, and bass duties shared between the remaining members. This lineup shift also saw the departure of Perline (amicably) and the addition of Gabe Paganin on bass for live performances.

Mom Jeans. independently released their full-length debut, Best Buds, on July 3, 2016, initially on cassette through Fourth Row Records. Counter Intuitive Records (Massachusetts) then picked up the album, issuing a vinyl pressing in November 2016. A split EP with Fresnos Graduating Life followed on March 7, 2017, solidifying Mom Jeans. growing presence in the indie rock scene.

Godsmack is an American rock band from Lawrence, Massachusetts, formed in February 1995. The band`s current lineup consists of lead singer and rhythm guitarist Sully Erna and bassist Robbie Merrill. Throughout their career, Godsmack has released nine studio albums, an EP, four DVDs, a compilation album, and a live album, with their final album, Lighting Up the Sky, released in 2023.

Since their formation, Godsmack has participated in various major tours and festivals, including multiple appearances at Ozzfest, and has also headlined their own arena tours. They have achieved significant commercial success with three consecutive number-one albums on the Billboard 200 (Faceless, IV, and The Oracle), and have had 25 top-ten rock radio hits, with 12 reaching number one. In recognition of their achievements and the release of their sixth studio album, 1000hp, August 6 was declared Godsmack Day in Boston by Mayor Marty Walsh.

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.