Morbid Angel is an American death metal band based in Tampa, Florida, formed in 1983 by guitarist, primary composer and sole remaining original member Trey Azagthoth, vocalist and bassist Dallas Ward, and drummer Mike Browning. Widely considered one of the most influential bands in the genre and important in the transition of death metal from its thrash metal roots, they were one of the first bands to incorporate guttural vocals, up-tempo blast beats, multiple tempo changes and a dark atmosphere. They have been described as one of "the most influential and emulated bands in death metal", alongside Obituary, Death, Cynic, Autopsy and Deicide, and have been cited as an influence by many later bands. They were also the first death metal band to experience mainstream success in connection with being signed to Giant Records in 1992, heavy rotation of their music videos on MTV, and having the music video for the song "God of Emptiness" shown on an episode of Beavis and Butt-Head. Their first three albums – Altars of Madness (1989), Blessed Are the Sick (1991), and Covenant (1993) – are considered classics in the genre.
Dying Fetus is an American death metal band originally from Greater Upper Marlboro, Maryland, which formed in 1991. Various line-up changes throughout the years have left John Gallagher as the sole remaining original member, as well as the band's driving force. According to Gallagher, the band name was chosen while the members were young and was intended to be offensive. To date, Dying Fetus has released eight studio albums.
Pig Destroyer is an American grindcore band formed in 1997 in Alexandria, Virginia. The band was formed by vocalist J.R. Hayes, guitarist Scott Hull, and drummer John Evans. Throughout the band's earlier history, they were a three-piece group until sampler Blake Harrison joined in 2006, notably had no bassist until the inclusion of John Jarvis in 2013, and went through 2 past drummers with the role currently held by Adam Jarvis. Pig Destroyer is one of the most well-known grindcore bands in the genre due to Hayes's poetic lyrics, Hull's incorporation of thrash, punk, and doom influences in songwriting, and technical drum work.
Arsis is an American death metal band from Virginia Beach, Virginia, formed in 2000. The band is currently signed to Nuclear Blast.
Erik Rutan is an American heavy metal musician and producer from New Jersey. He is the guitarist and lead vocalist of death metal band Hate Eternal and lead guitarist for Cannibal Corpse, who he fully joined in 2021 after acting as a fill-in guitarist during their 2019 tour. Rutan has also spent time with Morbid Angel and Ripping Corpse. When not performing, Rutan operates his own recording studio in Florida called Mana Recording Studios.
Daniel Seagrave is a British artist, who created many record covers for death metal bands especially in the early 1990s. He lives in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He grew up in Ravenshead, near Nottingham.
Make Them Suffer is an Australian metalcore band from Perth, formed in 2008. They are currently signed to SharpTone Records. Their debut studio album, Neverbloom, peaked at No. 56 on the ARIA Album charts in June 2012, and showcased the band's earlier mix of metalcore, blackened death metal, and symphonic metal. Its follow-up Old Souls debuted at No. 30 upon release in May 2015 and displayed the band beginning to transition from death/black metal to a more progressive metalcore sound. After the band signed with Rise Records, the label released an expanded version of Old Souls in August 2016, containing also an EP from their death metal era Lord of Woe and a new track, "Ether".
Decrepit Birth is an American technical death metal band from Santa Cruz, California. They have released two studio albums through Unique Leader Records and two through Nuclear Blast, and a demo independently. All of their studio albums feature artwork by renowned fantasy artist Dan Seagrave.
Polarity is the third studio album by the American death metal band Decrepit Birth.
Ghost is a Swedish rock band that was formed in Linköping in 2006. In 2010, they released a three-track demo followed by a 7-inch vinyl titled "Elizabeth", and later their debut full-length album Opus Eponymous. The song "Ritual" was chosen by Kerrang! as one of "The 50 Most Evil Songs Ever". The Grammis-nominated album was widely praised and significantly increased their popularity. Their second album and major label debut, Infestissumam, was released in 2013, debuted at number one in Sweden, and won the Grammis Award for Best Hard Rock/Metal Album. The band released their third studio album, Meliora, in 2015, reaching number one in Sweden, and number eight in the US. Its lead single, "Cirice", earned them the 2016 Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance. The band released their fourth studio album, Prequelle, in 2018. The band released their fifth studio album, Impera, in 2022.
Monolith of Inhumanity is the fifth studio album by American death metal band Cattle Decapitation, released on May 8, 2012. Upon its release, it was met with positive reviews praising the addition of melody into their sound.
Killer Be Killed is an American heavy metal supergroup founded by Dillinger Escape Plan vocalist Greg Puciato and Soulfly frontman Max Cavalera in early 2011. The lineup also features Mastodon bassist and co-vocalist Troy Sanders and Converge drummer Ben Koller. The band had slowly been working on material before announcing its name in October 2013, along with their signing to Nuclear Blast. The group's self-titled debut record was released in 2014. In September 2020, the group returned with a new single, and released their second album Reluctant Hero in November of that year.
Black Fast was an American thrash metal band from St. Louis, Missouri, United States. The band's original members are Aaron Akin on vocals and rhythm guitar, Ryan Thompson on bass, Trevor Johanson on lead guitar, and Ross Burnett on drums. They have released one EP, Black Fast EP, and one independently released and produced album, Starving Out The Light. They signed with eOne Music in 2014 and released their second studio album, Terms of Surrender, the following year. In 2018, the band released their third studio album, Spectre of Ruin.
Rivers of Nihil is an American technical death metal band from Reading, Pennsylvania. They are currently signed to Metal Blade Records. To date the band has released two EPs and four studio albums. Their most recent release is 2021's The Work. Their 2018 album Where Owls Know My Name debuted at number 61 on the Billboard 200, selling 2,750 copies in its first week.
"Red Cold River" is a song by American rock band Breaking Benjamin. It was their lead single from their sixth studio album Ember. The song peaked at number two on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart.
"Bulletproof" is a song by American rock band Godsmack. It was the first single off of their seventh studio album When Legends Rise.
Devouring Radiant Light is the sixth studio album by American extreme metal band Skeletonwitch. It was released in July 2018 by Prosthetic Records.
Where Owls Know My Name is the third studio album by American technical death metal band Rivers of Nihil. The album was released on March 16, 2018 through Metal Blade Records and was the band's first effort to chart on the Billboard Top Sales chart, debuting at number 61 and selling 2,750 copies in its first week. It is the third album in the band's tetralogy based around the four seasons; it represents autumn.
Gidim is the fifth studio album by American deathcore band Rings of Saturn. It was released on October 25, 2019, through Nuclear Blast. The album features the return of Dingir and Lugal Ki En guitarist Joel Omans According to figures provided by MetalInsider, the album sold 4,850 units in its first week. The album debuted at #22 on the Billboard Top Current Albums chart.
Monarchy is the second studio album by American technical death metal band Rivers of Nihil. The album was released on August 21, 2015, via Metal Blade Records. It is the second album in the band's tetralogy based around the four seasons; it represents summer.
