TOOL at Kentucky Exposition Center

Tool is an American progressive metal band formed in Los Angeles in 1990. The group consists of vocalist Maynard James Keenan, guitarist Adam Jones, drummer Danny Carey, and bassist Justin Chancellor, who replaced founding member Paul D'Amour in 1995. Tool has received multiple Grammy Awards, undertaken international tours, and achieved commercial success with several chart-topping releases. The band has released five studio albums, one EP, and one box set. Tool first gained attention with a heavy metal-influenced sound on their debut full-length album "Undertow" in 1993, following the earlier EP "Opiate" in 1992. They became associated with the progressive metal movement with their second album "Ænima", released in 1996. Their later work, including "Lateralus" in 2001 and "10,000 Days" in 2006, incorporated elements of musical experimentation, visual art, and thematic exploration of personal development, contributing to both critical and commercial success. Their fifth studio album, "Fear Inoculum", was released on 30 August 2019 and received widespread critical acclaim. Prior to its release, the band had sold more than 13 million albums in the United States. Tool has been described as a style-transcending act, drawing from progressive metal, avant-garde metal, post-metal, psychedelic and art rock. The band has maintained a complex relationship with the music industry, including disputes over censorship and a preference for privacy. The members of Tool relocated to Los Angeles during the late 1980s. Maynard James Keenan and Adam Jones met in 1989 and began collaborating musically, later joined by Danny Carey and Paul D'Amour. After performing locally, the band signed with Zoo Entertainment and released the EP "Opiate" in 1992, featuring tracks such as "Hush" and "Opiate". The band toured extensively in support of the release. In 1993, Tool released "Undertow", which expanded their sound and included singles such as "Sober" and "Prison Sex". The album achieved commercial success and was certified platinum. During this period, the band performed at major festivals including Lollapalooza. In 1995, Paul D'Amour left the band and was replaced by Justin Chancellor. The following year, Tool released "Ænima", produced by David Bottrill. The album was dedicated to comedian Bill Hicks and included tracks such as "Stinkfist" and "Ænema". Despite issues with censorship, the album achieved commercial success and was later certified multi-platinum. The band toured internationally and headlined major festivals. During the late 1990s, Tool became involved in legal disputes with their record label and management, which delayed further releases. In 2000, the band issued the box set "Salival", which included live recordings, a new track, and reinterpretations of earlier material. In 2001, Tool released "Lateralus", which marked a further development in their progressive and experimental style. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and earned a Grammy Award for the track "Schism". The band supported the album with extensive touring, including a series of performances with King Crimson. Their fourth studio album, "10,000 Days", was released in 2006 and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. The album included the single "Vicarious" and continued the band’s commercial success, although it received a more mixed critical response compared to its predecessor. Touring continued throughout this period, despite some interruptions. Between 2012 and 2019, Tool worked intermittently on new material while touring. Delays were attributed to legal issues and other commitments. In 2019, the band released "Fear Inoculum", their first album in 13 years. The album topped charts internationally and won a Grammy Award for the track "7empest". Around the same time, the band made their catalogue available on digital streaming platforms. In 2020, Tool postponed and cancelled tour dates due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, they released a re-recorded version of "Opiate" titled "Opiate²". From 2022 onwards, the band began developing material for a sixth studio album, with members indicating ongoing writing and recording activity and a possible release targeted for the late 2020s. Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tool_(band) Studio albums Undertow (1993) Ænima (1996) Lateralus (2001) 10,000 Days (2006) Fear Inoculum (2019)

Gojira is a French heavy metal band from Ondres. Founded as Godzilla in 1996, the band's lineup – brothers Joe and Mario Duplantier (drums), Christian Andreu (guitar), and Jean-Michel Labadie (bass) – has been the same since the band changed its name to Gojira in 2001. Gojira has been known for its progressive and technical death metal styles and lyrics that often feature themes of spirituality, philosophy, and environmentalism. The band has gone "from the utmost obscurity during the first half of their career to widespread global recognition in the second".

The Prodigy are an English electronic dance music band formed in Braintree in 1990 by producer, keyboardist and songwriter Liam Howlett. At their commercial and critical peak, the group also included MC and vocalist Maxim, dancer and occasional live keyboardist Leeroy Thornhill, and dancer and occasional vocalist Keith Flint. The Prodigy have been described by AllMusic as “the premiere dance act for the alternative masses” and “the Godfathers of Rave”. They are regarded as pioneers of breakbeat-driven genres such as breakbeat hardcore and big beat, and Howlett has described their style as electronic punk. The band emerged from the UK rave scene and first achieved major success in 1991 with the singles “Charly” and “Everybody in the Place”, both of which reached the UK top five. Their debut album “Experience” (1992) established them within the rave movement and later gained recognition as an influential British electronic release. Their second album “Music for the Jilted Generation” (1994) marked a stylistic shift towards heavier breakbeat and techno influences and entered the UK Albums Chart at number one. Their third album “The Fat of the Land” (1997) became a major international success, reaching number one in 16 countries including the UK and the US, and producing hit singles such as “Firestarter”, “Breathe” and the controversial “Smack My Bitch Up”. The latter drew criticism for its lyrical content and music video. Leeroy Thornhill left the group in 2000, and Keith Flint died in 2019, leaving Howlett and Maxim as the remaining core members. The Prodigy have sold an estimated 25 million records worldwide, including over 4.7 million albums in the UK, and have achieved seven consecutive UK number one albums. They have received multiple awards including Brit Awards for Best British Dance Act, MTV Video Music Awards, MTV Europe Music Awards, and Grammy nominations. Liam Howlett returned to Braintree in 1989 after leaving the hip-hop group Cut 2 Kill, where he had worked as a DJ. He began producing music influenced by hip-hop, house and the emerging rave scene. He met Keith Flint and Leeroy Thornhill at a local nightclub performance, where Flint requested a mixtape. Howlett recorded material on cassette, labelling it “Prodigy” after the Moog Prodigy synthesiser. Flint, Thornhill and Howlett began performing together, later joined briefly by dancer and vocalist Sheila Burke (Sharky). The group’s first live performance took place in 1991 in London, organised by promoter Ziggy (Ziad Sabir Chowdry). MC Maxim (later known as Maxim Reality) joined after improvising vocals at an early live show. After initial resistance from some labels, the group signed to XL Recordings, which released their early material including the EP “What Evil Lurks” (1991). Their breakthrough came with “Charly”, which sampled material from the “Charley Says” public information films and reached number three on the UK Singles Chart. Its success contributed to a trend of sample-heavy rave tracks often criticised as “kiddie rave”. Their follow-up “Everybody in the Place (Fairground Edit)” reached number two in the UK Singles Chart, being kept from number one by a reissue of “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen following Freddie Mercury’s death. Their debut album “Experience” was recorded primarily by Howlett and released in 1992, reaching number 12 in the UK and later achieving platinum certification. It incorporated extensive sampling and became influential in both UK and international electronic music scenes. The follow-up “Music for the Jilted Generation” (1994) was partly written in response to the UK Criminal Justice Act and reflected a more aggressive, structured sound. The album included collaborations with Pop Will Eat Itself on the track “Their Law” and was widely praised for its expansion of dance music into a more stadium-oriented form. Following this period, the group expanded their live lineup with guitarists including Jim Davies and later Gizz Butt of Janus Stark. In 1996, “Firestarter” marked the band’s first single featuring Keith Flint as lead vocalist. The track became their first UK number one single and established Flint’s new punk-influenced image. It was followed by “Breathe”, which also reached number one in the UK. Both singles achieved significant international success and contributed to the group’s mainstream breakthrough. “The Fat of the Land” (1997) became the band’s most commercially successful album, debuting at number one in both the UK and US charts. It incorporated a more stripped-down style compared to earlier releases. The album sold over 10 million copies worldwide and became the fastest-selling dance album in UK chart history at the time. The band toured extensively, including headline performances at Glastonbury and Lollapalooza. The single “Smack My Bitch Up” generated significant controversy due to its lyrics and video, with criticism from organisations such as the National Organization for Women and restrictions on radio play in some regions. The phrase was sampled from Ultramagnetic MCs’ “Give the Drummer Some”. In 1999, Howlett released “The Dirtchamber Sessions Volume One”, a DJ mix album based on a BBC Radio 1 set. In 2000, Leeroy Thornhill left the group, citing creative differences and dissatisfaction with live performances. In 2002, the group returned with “Baby’s Got a Temper”, which again drew controversy for lyrical references to the drug Rohypnol. Their fourth studio album “Always Outnumbered, Never Outgunned” (2004) topped the UK Albums Chart and included tracks such as “Girls” and the limited-release “Memphis Bells”, which was distributed in multiple user-configurable digital versions. The band also released the compilation “Their Law: The Singles 1990–2005”, which included remixes by Audio Bullys and Pendulum. The reissues of “Experience” and “Music for the Jilted Generation” in 2008 included remastered audio and bonus material. In 2009, the album “Invaders Must Die” was released on the band’s own label and featured contributions from Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters and co-production from James Rushent of Does It Offend You, Yeah?. The album reached number one in the UK and produced singles including “Omen”, “Warrior’s Dance” and “Take Me to the Hospital”. The track “Immunize” was later co-produced by Howlett for Pendulum’s album “Immersion”. The band released their first live album and concert film “World’s on Fire” in 2011, documenting a 2010 performance in Milton Keynes. Work on new material continued in the early 2010s, with preview performances of tracks such as “A.W.O.L”, “Dogbite”, “Jetfighter” and “Rockweiler”. The album “The Day Is My Enemy” was released in 2015 after an extended production period, with singles including “Nasty”, “The Day Is My Enemy” and “Wild Frontier”. The album was described as having a darker, more aggressive sound. Their seventh studio album “No Tourists” was released in 2018 under BMG Rights Management. In March 2019, Keith Flint died at his home in Essex, leading to the cancellation of upcoming tour dates. Following his death, fans promoted campaigns such as “Firestarter4Number1” to return “Firestarter” to the charts in his memory. Despite Flint’s death, the group continued under Howlett’s direction. In 2021, plans for a documentary directed by Paul Dugdale were announced. In 2022, the band returned to live performance with UK shows marking the anniversary of “The Fat of the Land”, and later resumed international touring. In 2025, the band confirmed that new material was in development and announced plans for a 2026 UK tour with Carl Cox as support. The group has also indicated that a new album is planned for 2026, described by Howlett as having an “evil rave” direction, alongside associated live events such as a “Warrior Dance” festival. Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Prodigy Studio albums Experience (1992) Music for the Jilted Generation (1994) The Fat of the Land (1997) Always Outnumbered, Never Outgunned (2004) Invaders Must Die (2009) The Day Is My Enemy (2015) No Tourists (2018)

Daniel Robert Elfman is an American film composer, singer, songwriter, and musician. He came to prominence as the lead vocalist and primary songwriter for the new wave band Oingo Boingo in the early 1980s. Since scoring his first studio film in 1985, Elfman has garnered international recognition for composing over 100 feature film scores as well as compositions for television, stage productions, and the concert hall.

The Mars Volta is an American progressive rock band formed in 2001. The band's only constant members are Omar Rodríguez-López and Cedric Bixler-Zavala, whose partnership forms the core of the band. The band's current line-up also includes founding member Eva Gardner (bass), Omar's brother Marcel Rodríguez-López, Leo Genovese and Linda-Philomène Tsoungui (drums).

Mastodon is an American heavy metal band from Atlanta, Georgia. Formed in 2000, the band's lineup of Troy Sanders (bass/vocals), Brent Hinds, Bill Kelliher, and Brann Dailor (drums/vocals) remained unchanged for 24 years. Hinds departed Mastodon in March 2025, and died five months later in a motorcycle accident in Atlanta, Georgia.

Ministry is an American industrial metal band formed in Chicago in 1981 by Al Jourgensen. The group began as a synth pop project and later became one of the early contributors to industrial rock and industrial metal during the late 1980s. Ministry has undergone frequent lineup changes, with Jourgensen remaining the only consistent member. Contributors to the band’s studio or live work have included Nivek Ogre, Chris Connelly, Gibby Haynes, Burton C. Bell, Jello Biafra, Mike Scaccia, Tommy Victor, Cesar Soto, Paul Barker, Paul Raven, Jason Christopher, Tony Campos, Paul D Amour, Jimmy DeGrasso, Bill Rieflin, Martin Atkins, Rey Washam, Max Brody, Joey Jordison, Roy Mayorga, Aaron Rossi, John Bechdel, DJ Swamp and Arabian Prince. The band achieved commercial success in the late 1980s and early 1990s with the albums "The Land of Rape and Honey" (1988), "The Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Taste" (1989) and "Psalm 69" (1992). The first two received gold certifications while "Psalm 69" was certified platinum. The follow-up album "Filth Pig" (1996) represented a stylistic shift and reached number nineteen on the Billboard 200, but it received mixed critical response and marked the beginning of a commercial decline. "Dark Side of the Spoon" (1999) was also met with limited success and resulted in Ministry being dropped by Warner Bros. Jourgensen later entered rehab, and the band went on hiatus. Ministry returned in 2003 with "Animositisomina," the final album to feature Paul Barker. The band then released a set of politically themed albums known as the Bush Trilogy: "Houses of the Molé" (2004), "Rio Grande Blood" (2006) and "The Last Sucker" (2007). Although intended as the final release, Ministry reformed in 2011 and issued "Relapse" in 2012. Guitarist Mike Scaccia died in December 2012 and appeared posthumously on "From Beer to Eternity" (2013), which was again expected to be the band’s last album. Ministry later continued with the releases "AmeriKKKant" (2018), "Moral Hygiene" (2021) and "Hopiumforthemasses" (2024). Discussions about another potential breakup have taken place since 2022. Ministry has been nominated for six Grammy Awards and has performed at major festivals such as Lollapalooza in 1992, Big Day Out in 1995 and Wacken Open Air in 2006, 2012 and 2016. Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministry_(band) Studio albums With Sympathy (1983) Twitch (1986) The Land of Rape and Honey (1988) The Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Taste (1989) ΚΕΦΑΛΗΞΘ (1992) (aka "Psalm 69") Filth Pig (1996) Dark Side of the Spoon (1999) Animositisomina (2003) Houses of the Molé (2004) Rio Grande Blood (2006) The Last Sucker (2007) Relapse (2012) From Beer to Eternity (2013) AmeriKKKant (2018) Moral Hygiene (2021) Hopiumforthemasses (2024)

Black Veil Brides is an American post-hardcore band based out of Hollywood, California and formed in 2006 in Cincinnati, Ohio . The group is composed of Andy Biersack (vocals), Jake Pitts (lead guitar), Jinxx (guitar, violin), Christian (CC) Coma (drums) and Lonny Eagleton (bass), who replaced their former bassist, Ashley Purdy, in 2019. Released on StandBy Records, the band's debut album, We Stitch These Wounds was released in July 2010 and sold nearly 100,000 copies in its first week, ranking at #36 on the Billboard Top 200 chart, and #1 on the Billboard Independent chart. Black Veil Brides are known for their distinct appearance, mainly being inspired by Kiss's famous stage persona as well as numerous 1980s glam metal acts. On June 14, 2011, Black Veil Brides released their second album, "Set The World On Fire", via label "Lava Records". This is the first album to feature new drummer, Christian Coma. Band: Andy Biersack (formerly Andy Six/Sixx) - Vocals Lonny Eagleton - Bass Jake Pitts - Guitar Jinxx - Guitar / Violin Christian "CC" Coma - Drums font: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Veil_Brides

Underoath is an American rock band from Tampa, Florida. It was founded by lead vocalist Dallas Taylor and guitarist Luke Morton in 1997 in Ocala, Florida; subsequently, its additional members were from Tampa, including drummer, singer and last remaining original member Aaron Gillespie. The band's current lineup consists of Gillespie, keyboardist Christopher Dudley, lead guitarist Timothy McTague, bassist Grant Brandell, and lead vocalist Spencer Chamberlain. Originally, the band identified as a Christian group; they have since distanced themselves from Christianity.

Animals as Leaders is a Washington, D.C. based instrumental/progressive-metal project formed by guitarist Tosin Abasi in 2007. Their self-titled debut album was released in April 2009 by Prosthetic Records. Animals as Leaders was formed "out of the ashes" of guitarist Tosin Abasi's previous band, Reflux. The heavy metal record label Prosthetic Records saw Abasi's guitar work and asked him to create a solo album for them. Abasi initially declined, feeling such an endeavor would be "egotistical and unnecessary". When Reflux disbanded, Abasi decided to take the label's offer. The name Animals as Leaders was inspired by Daniel Quinn's 1992 novel Ishmael, which addresses anthropocentrism. Abasi coined the name as a reminder "that we're all essentially animals". The project's first album, Animals as Leaders, was recorded in early 2008. Abasi recorded all guitar and bass tracks on the album; drums and various synthesized effects were programmed by engineer Misha Mansoor. The album was released April 28, 2009 by Prosthetic Records. Their second album, Weightless, was released November 8, 2011, with the addition of Javier Reyes and Navene Koperweis on rhythm guitar and drums, respectively. After touring in support of the record, it was announced that Navene Koperweis would be leaving the band. He was replaced by Matt Garstka for further touring duties. It was announced in late December of 2012 that Animals As Leaders had signed a deal with Sumerian Records, who released band's next album in 2013. The album was produced by Misha Mansoor, from Periphery. Following, "The Madness Of Many" was released in 2016, with "Parrhesia" releasing in mid-2022. Members: Tosin Abasi: 7 ,8 and 9 String Guitars Javier Reyes: 7 and 8 String Guitars Matt Garstka: Drums http://www.myspace.com/animalsasleaders

Thrice is an American post-hardcore band that formed in Irvine, California in 1998. The lineup consists of Dustin Kensrue (vocals and guitar), Teppei Teranishi (guitar, keys), Eddie Breckenridge (bass), and Riley Breckenridge (drums). In 2000, Thrice signed with Sub City Records and released two LP's. The first, Identity Crisis (2000), only received 1.5 stars in the AMG review and little buzz. The second, The Illusion of Safety (2002), was widely acclaimed and received attention from major record labels. Even though Thrice's music has always included metal influences, The Illusion of Safety contained a heavier metalcore sound. The album was recorded in Beltsville, Maryland and the track The Beltsville Crucible reflects this. In 2003 Thrice signed up with Island Records and released The Artist in the Ambulance, which featured more metal oriented songs while keeping true to their hardcore influences. In 2005 a DVD outlining their entire career to date was released under the title If We Could Only See Us Now. It included a CD with live tracks from the Apple Store and various b-sides. Thrice released their fourth full-length album, Vheissu, on October 18, 2005. The album was characterized by many critics as being experimentally different, using non-traditional Thrice elements in the process. From keyboard melodies ("For Miles") to Japanese music-box undertones ("Music Box") to chain gang chant choruses ("The Earth Will Shake"), Vheissu introduced a new sound to the band's post-hardcore roots. UK producer Steve Osborne, whose past credits include many Brit-pop hits, was sought by Thrice to gain a new perspective on the songwriting process, enabling the band to expand their musical influences and produce a different album. The album garnered widespread critical acclaim and peaked at #15 on the Billboard 200. The band releasedRed Sky, an EP comprised of various b-sides as well as live recordings, shortly after Vheissu. Thrice released the first and second volume of The Alchemy Index, a highly experimental project based on the four traditional elements (fire, water, earth, and air), on October 16th 2007. Over the summer Thrice parted ways with Island records and signed with Vagrant. The Alchemy Index Vols. I & II - Fire & Water was released on October 16, 2007, and sold 28,000 copies in its first week. The album consists of the first two volumes, Fire and Water, and features 12 songs, 6 on each disk. The third and fourth volumes, Air & Earth were released on April 15, 2008. The "Fire" disc features the heavier post-hardcore sound traditional Thrice fans will quickly embrace, harking back to their pre-Vheissu albums. The "Water" disc, however, is comprised of ambient songs similar to those found in Vheissu, Thrice's previous album release. The "Air" disc brings a whole new element of electronic elements and delayed guitar riffs to Thrice's sound. In "Earth", much like Dustin Kensrue's solo album, "Please Come Home", Thrice introduces an indie-folk sound combining intricate piano and acoustic guitar. Thrice's sixth studio album Beggars was released digitally through Vagrant Records in the UK on August 9, 2009 and in the US on August 11 with a physical release containing bonus material pencilled in for September 15. These dates deviate from the original proposed release date of October 13 because of a leak via Vagrant Records web player, which has meant the artwork for the album has also changed. The first single to be taken from the album is All the World Is Mad and was first made available through Guitar Hero: World Tour on July 23. Dustin Kensrue has described the album as being "more visceral and more raw - both in the songwriting and in the overall sound. It moves with a different energy than any of our past records. It was born out of us playing together in a room, almost as a backlash to the giant headgame that was The Alchemy Index" and has been well received critically. The seventh studio album Major/Minor came out on September 20, 2011 through Vagrant Records. Yellow Belly, Promises and a few other songs were made available for the listeners to stream online before the release date. The album received extremely positive reviews from many online websites. Alex Djaferis of Absolutepunk.net gave Major/Minor a rating of 95%. Tracks like Promises and Listen Through Me reflected a natural progression from the sound Thrice created in Beggars, which was widely appreciated by the early listeners. Thrice decided to take a break from being a full time band on November 21, 2011. In late spring/early summer Thrice announced the 'Farewell' tour for the spring/summer of 2012 , which would be the bands final tour before going into an indefinite hiatus. In early 2015 it was announced that the band intends to release new music and tour again. Announcements were done via the bands website http://www.thrice.net/ and social media outlets with an accompanying picture with "Thrice 2015" text.

Fun, energetic, and bringing pop-punk/pop-rock to the forefront, The Home Team is ready to take the country by storm. Hailing from Seattle, WA, this 4-piece band consists of Brian Butcher (vocals), John Baran (guitar), Ryne Olson (bass), and Daniel Matson (drums). Working diligently to make a name for themselves, The Home Team released an EP, Black Sheep, in early 2014 and tour consistently bringing their electrifying live performance with them. The hard work, dedication to their craft, and ultimately catchy music caught the eyes of many fans. In early 2018, The Home Team signed with the Revival Recordings and released their debut label single, “Fashion Forward.” When discussing the signing and the single, the band said, “We spent about a year working on this record, and we’re very proud of it. Fashion Forward is one of our favorite songs off of the record, and we’re so thankful that Revival believes in us as a band.” Since their signing, the band has released several singles including "Ageless," "She's Quiet," and "Since We All Fell Apart." In July 2018, The Home Team released their debut full-length album, Better Off. In 2020, The Home Team hit the studio with Skyler Acord and Seb Barlow to record the follow up to Better Off. New album, Slow Bloom, is available on all digital platforms. In the summer of 2022, the band a deluxe version of Slow Bloom featuring new tracks “FOMO (Bored of You)” and “Grievance Pay.” Slow Bloom (Deluxe) is available everywhere now!

From metalcore-like breakdowns to bluesy grooves, all brought together by a pop sensibility that’s pushed the band into sudden stardom, Sleep Theory formed officially in 2020 with their blend of metal, R&B, and pop has already made Sleep Theory a local sensation. “Another Way,” the band’s debut single, has amassed over 1.5 million streams across all platforms and is as promising of a start as a young band could ask for. Since retiring from the US Army several years ago, Moore’s dedicated his entire life to carving his own path in the music industry. Officially starting Sleep Theory in 2019, the current incarnation of his musical journey began as a solo studio project to fuse his love of hard rock, funk and R&B. Then came a chance meeting with bassist Paolo Vergara, who had just moved from the Philippines and was looking to buy a microphone on Facebook Marketplace. The two immediately hit it off, and Sleep Theory became a duo. Fast-forward to 2023, when they expanded to a full band with the familial rhythm section of drummer Ben and guitarist Daniel Pruitt. Vocalist : Cullen Moore Guitarist : Daniel Pruitt Bassist : Paolo Vergara Drummer : Ben Pruitt

Sunami is an American hardcore punk band formed in San Jose, California in 2019. Originally intended as a short-lived joke band by members of various San Francisco Bay Area hardcore bands, Sunami sought to parody the ignorant style of many hardcore bands on their 2019 demo Demonstration. However, after gaining notoriety for their violent debut live performance, the band continued past their planned time frame. They have since released four EPs, with their debut self-titled album being released on June 14, 2023. A 2023 article by Revolver credited them as "in the upper echelon of bands dominating the hardcore zeitgeist".

Filter is an American rock band formed in 1993 in Cleveland, Ohio, by singer Richard Patrick, along with guitarist and programmer Brian Liesegang. The band was formed when Patrick desired to start his own band after leaving Nine Inch Nails as their touring guitarist. Their debut album, Short Bus (1995) received platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), supported by the single "Hey Man Nice Shot". After the album, the band would go through the first of many lineup changes, leaving Patrick as the only consistent member across all releases.

Between the Buried and Me is a progressive metal band from Raleigh, North Carolina, comprised of former members of metalcore acts Prayer For Cleansing and Glass Casket. They have recorded eleven albums in addition to a covers album and an EP. Their style is diverse, with influences ranging from thrash, death metal, jazz, math rock and melodic hardcore, to progressive or experimental artists such as Dream Theater, Mike Patton, King Crimson, Queen, and The Mars Volta. Members include vocalist/keyboardist and co-founder Tommy Giles Rogers, Jr. (Thomas Giles; ex-Prayer For Cleansing, Undying, From Here On); lead guitarist and co-founder Paul Waggoner (ex-Prayer For Cleansing, Undying); Glass Casket guitarist Dustie Waring and drummer Blake Richardson; and bassist Dan Briggs (Trioscapes, ORBS). Formed in 2000, the band signed to Victory Records in 2003, before catching the attention of Metal Blade Records and singing to that label in 2012. In late 2014, it was revealed that the band was writing material for their seventh original studio album, "Coma Ecliptic," described on the band's twitter as a "rock opera." Recording began in early 2015 with long-time producer Jamie King, and it is scheduled to be released on Metal Blade records on July 7, 2015. The first single, "Memory Palace", was made available in April. Former members include: guitarists Marc Duncan (ex-Prayer For Cleansing), Nick Fletcher (ex-Empire Falls, Azazel), and Shane Blay (Oh, Sleeper, Wovenwar; ex-Evelynn, Die Trying); bassists Jason King (ex-Azazel), and Kevin Falk (The Material, ex-Every Time I Die); and drummers Will Goodyear (Voids; ex-Prayer For Cleansing, Lobbyist), Jason Roe (ex-Evelynn, Mauled by a Cougar), and Mark Castillo (Emmure; ex-Crossfade, The Acacia Strain, Bury Your Dead, Hamartia). Their material consists of the following albums: Between The Buried And Me (2002) The Silent Circus (2003) Alaska (2005) The Anatomy Of (2006, covers album) Colors (2007, plus live DVD) The Great Misdirect (2009) The Parallax: Hypersleep Dialogues EP (2011) The Parallax II: Future Sequence (2012, plus live dvd) Coma Ecliptic (2015, plus live dvd) Automata I (2018) Automata II (2018) Colors II (2021) The Blue Nowhere (2025) [url=http://[officialsite]betweentheburiedandme.com/]http://betweentheburiedandme.com/

Toadies are an American rock band formed in 1989 in Fort Worth, Texas, best known for the song "Possum Kingdom". The band's classic lineup consisted of Vaden Todd Lewis, Lisa Umbarger, Darrel Herbert, and Mark Reznicek (drums). The band released two studio albums before disbanding in 2001 after Umbarger left the group. The band reformed in 2006 and released their third album No Deliverance two years later. In 2010, they re-released the album Feeler with Kirtland Records. The band's most recent album, The Charmer, was released in May 2026.

Haste the Day is an American metalcore band formed in Carmel, Indiana in 2001 and signed to Solid State Records. Their name is derived from a lyric in the hymn "It Is Well with My Soul" by Horatio Spafford. The band released an EP titled That They May Know You, in 2002, followed by five studio albums: Burning Bridges (2004), When Everything Falls (2005), Pressure the Hinges (2007), Dreamer (2008), and Attack of the Wolf King (2010). The group disbanded in March 2011 but reformed in 2014 and released their sixth album, Coward, in 2015. Their seventh and latest album, Dissenter, was released in May 2026.

Holywatr began as a solo act formed by self named member Holy in Los Angeles in 2020. The musical project soon transformed into a trio, finding success opening up for major artists including Steve Aoki. With the release of their second album, "Red Heifer," Holywatr has accumulated fans of grunge, metal, and shoegaze alike.

I See Stars is an American electronicore band from Warren, Michigan, formed in 2006. It consists of lead vocalist Devin Oliver, guitarist Brent Allen, keyboardist and co-vocalist Andrew Oliver, and bass guitarist Jeff Valentine. The band has released all six of their studio albums, and other releases, through Sumerian Records.

The Word Alive is an American melodic metalcore/alternative metal band from Phoenix, Arizona, formed in 2008, the band is currently signed to Fearless Records. Their 2009 label debut, Empire reached position 15 on the Top Heatseekers, meeting a great amount of positive acclaim upon its release in 2009. The following year, the group recorded and released their debut full-length album, Deceiver on August 31, 2010, which reached 97 on the Billboard 200 and 15 on Independent Albums. The Word Alive has gained renown praise for their innovative style of modern metalcore; blending alternative metal and ambient elements into their overall delivery. The Word Alive was founded in 2008 by Craig Mabbitt (lead vocals) with Zack Hansen (lead guitar) and Tony Pizzuti (rhythm guitar) who were former members of the bands Calling of Syrens and Clouds Take Shape. As a side-project of Mabbitt during his part in Escape the Fate, the remaining required members he recruited to start The Word Alive were chosen to be Nick Urlacher (bass), Dusty Riach (keyboard) and Tony Aguilera (drums). The group recorded songs with the intention of releasing them as a self-titled EP, despite that it never surfaced. Later on, the band forced Mabbitt to leave due to their dissatisfaction with Escape the Fate's schedules, which required Mabbitt to work as a full-time member. The day after, Mabbitt posted a blog to his fans via his Myspace account explaining that leaving the band was not his decision and that "[The Word Alive] pretty much replaced me while I was on the road due to the fact that they wanted to tour and couldn't until I was available, I started that band with those guys and I'm very hurt at how they replaced me while I was touring...it's bullshit." On December 3, the band officially announced that Tyler "Telle" Smith, who was formerly one of the vocalists for In Fear and Faith and bassist for Greeley Estates, joined The Word Alive as their new frontman. Feeling somewhat stagnant in their progression beforehand, the addition of Smith catapulted the band’s ambitions to the forefront. With this initiation, their goals and aspirations were much more a reality, and they set to work on what would become their record label debut, Empire. During March 2009, the band were taken in with a contract by a new label, later on during the 26th of that month the group officially confirmed that the label they were then signed to was Fearless Records. Smith stated "We hope to just keep touring, touring, touring... we couldn't be happier or more appreciative to be on tour right now, I think despite having some of the worst luck in the early beginnings of being a touring band yet never missing a show, we always have a positive attitude and that will make us a stronger band." The band set out to create an EP to be released through the label wherein it was titled Empire and was recorded with producer Andrew Wade in Ocala, Florida. It was released on July 21, 2009 where it reached #15 on the Billboard Heatseeker chart. During February the band reached an agreement to leave founding drummer, Tony Aguilera out of the group. Both parties (Aguilera and the rest of the band) shared their concerns and reasoning for the matter publicly. It was overall described that the band wanted to pursue a different percussionist of alternate talent than the founding member. Aguilera was replaced with Justin Salinas, whom previously was a part of the bands Scars of Tomorrow and Catherine as well as serving as a past live drummer for MyChildren MyBride. In April 2010, The Word Alive entered the studio in Ocala, Florida with Andrew Wade to record their debut full-length album, Deceiver. By June, Deceiver was fully mastered and engineered. On June 23, 2010 the band premiered their first single from the album, “Epiphany” as streaming media online.The following day, Fearless Records released their 2010 Summer Sampler which also featured the track "Epiphany". A week later, the album's album art and track listing was released. Guitarist Zack Hansen explained upon this premiere that "We all felt like that was going to be the best choice considering how comfortable the recording process is with Andrew. The tracking was a lot of fun and everyone had a good time. We got the opportunity to stay in a house while we recorded and surprisingly we didn't party as much as I thought we would haha." Hansen later followed along explaining that his favorite track on the record is “The Hounds of Anubis”, which was written by him and Pizzuti and stated that he "wrote this song with an 'Egyptian feel' to it and I think we got our point across." Smith described that its lyrics describe the times of when The Word Alive overcame their hardships that they face with the help and support from their fans. "The Hounds of Anubis" was released as the album's second single on July 26, 2010. It premiered on the official Revolver website. By November of 2011, the band made plans to return to the studio on February 7, 2012 with Joey Sturgis to begin recording their next album, with an expected recording session lasting from that time until mid-March. However by February (and before the date of entering the studio), the announcement of two members leaving occurred; keyboardist, Dusty Riach and drummer, Justin Salinas were simultaneously confirmed to no longer be a part of the band. Salinas stated his reason was because he grew tired of touring, although Riach's reason was preferred to be kept silent. In regards to the band's second studio album, it was reported that 17 songs were recorded in its process. 13 of those will be on the standard edition of the album, while the another three will be included on the deluxe edition. The name of the album will be Life Cycles and both editions will be released the same day.On March 23rd of the year, the group issued a statement that 18-year old Arizona resident Luke Holland has joined as the new drummer, however, Holland was not included for the recording sessions of Life Cycles. The drumming for the record was done by a friend of the band named Matt Horn wherein Holland joined after these sessions were already completed. On March 18, 2014, the band released a new single entitled "Play the Victim." Along with the song, they also announced their third full-length album Real. would be released on June 10. The album would be the first to feature Luke Holland on drums. The band released their fourth album, Dark Matter, on March 18, 2016. The band also revealed the tracklist and a headlining North American tour with support from Fit for a King and Out Came the Wolves. The album's lead single, "Trapped", was released January 8. In November 2016, Luke Holland announced he would be leaving the band at the end of 2016 after finishing their last tour of the year to pursue other musical endeavors. In February 2017, the band announced that Matt Horn would be taking Holland's place as drummer. Shortly after, a new single "Misery" was released. On August 7, 2017, The Word Alive and Daniel Shapiro mutually announced they were parting ways due to a "new musical adventure" of Shapiro's. The next day, The Word Alive announced that they would be joining I Prevail on their Rage on the Stage Tour along with We Came as Romans & Escape the Fate.

Since forming at the University of Florida in 2017, [arist]Arrows in Action (singer/guitarist Victor Viramontes-Pattison, guitarist Matthew Fowler, and drummer/founding member Jesse Frimmel) have ascended from undergrads to underground buzz band on the back of a swirling blend of angular indie-rock, ‘80s electric sheen, and saccharine alt-pop – attracting more than a half-million Spotify listeners to their effortless melodies, vulnerable lyricism, and rich sonic ear candy. Now, their debut full-length, Built To Last, finds the fast-tracked Nashville trio at their most poignant and personal. Produced and mixed by longtime collaborator Dan Swank, the independently released Built To Last is the soundtrack to new beginnings and next chapters.

The Pretty Wild is a Metal band from Las Vegas, NV comprised of sisters Jyl and Jules. Their music dissolves genre boundaries and consistently represents rebellion intertwined with heartfelt lyrics. This audacious spirit creates an electrifying force that defies convention. The Pretty Wild captivates audiences hungry for something different, singing of disillusionment, the struggles of the industry, and the pursuit of authenticity beyond social constructs. The sisters view their key to success as a journey that cannot be bound by the restrictions of the traditional industry ways.

Formed in 2009 in Reading, USA, RIVERS OF NIHIL – which can be can be defined as the continuation of a neutral flow of retaining emptiness; humble, egoless…. Took shape after Jake Dieffenbach (vocals), Ron Nelson (drums), and Jon Kunz (guitars) got together to create a band to push the boundaries of death metal. Formed out of the ashes of their previous band, Jake, Ron, and Jon played their first show as a three piece, but soon after the band recruited Adam Biggs (bass/vocals) and Brody Uttley (guitars) who had both recently exited their own old band. RIVERS OF NIHIL went on to self-release two EPs. 2010′s Hierarchy and 2011′s Temporality Unbound. The band played several shows and toured throughout the East Coast and Midwest, including stops at Midwest Fuckfest with Dying Fetus, Misery Index and Arsis, and Akron Deathfest with Complete Failure. RIVERS OF NIHIL continued to tour in support of their EPs, sharing the stage with Suffocation, The Faceless, Despised Icon, Revocation, Beneath the Massacre, Dysrhythmia, Decapitated, Six Feet Under, and Decrepit Birth, logging over 50 dates in the US alone. Enter the summer of 2012; RIVERS OF NIHIL and Metal Blade Records began talks, and in September the band was officially signed to the label. In March of 2013 RIVERS OF NIHIL entered the studio with death metal master Erik Rutan (Hate Eternal, ex-Morbid Angel) at MANA RECORDING STUDIOS (Cannibal Corpse, Goatwhore, Exhumed, Mountain Goats) in St. Petersburg, Florida to begin the recording of their first full-length studio set for release before the end of 2013. Once RIVERS OF NIHIL finish recording they will hit the road to play in front of as many metalheads as possible during the summer and fall to support their upcoming Metal Blade Records debut.

200 Stab Wounds is a brutal death metal band from Cleveland, Ohio. They formed in 2019. The band consists of Steve Buhl (vocals, guitars), Lance Buckley (guitars), Ezra Cook (bass) and Owen Pooley (drums). Their lyrical themes include death and decay. They released their debut EP Piles of Festering Decomposition in 2020. In 2021, they released their first album named Slave to the Scalpel through Maggot Stomp. They are currently signed to Metal Blade Records.

sace6 is an alternative metal/rock band based in Los Angeles, California. Initially the solo project of lead singer Sace, now a duo with best friend & longtime collaborator, vocalist/guitarist Noah Thomas. Their sound can be described as a clash between elements of r&b and modern alternative metal. In January of 2026 it was announced that they had signed to Sumerian Records. With that came the release of the single ego, which in March of 2026 was followed up by covet alongside the announcement of their debut full length album brutalist set to release on May 8th, 2026.

Vianova is a German metalcore band from Berlin, formed in 2014 by brothers Felix and Paul Vogelgesang. The band initially focused on metalcore, but has since expanded their sound to include elements from other genres, resulting in a more diverse and dynamic style. So their sound has evolved over time, incorporating influences from soul, jazz, R&B, and 80s synths. Vianova has experienced line-up changes over the years, including the addition of bassist Raoul Zillani in 2020. The band is known for their energetic and visually engaging live performances, injecting a sense of fun into the metalcore scene.

Future Palace is a German post-hardcore band founded in 2018, hailing from Berlin. The band was formed at the end of 2018 by vocalist Maria Lessing, guitarist Manuel Kohlert, and drummer Johannes Frenzel. The latter had years of experience in bands like Redcraving, Whoeverthouart, and 8BCC. They met Maria Lessing when she provided a feature for their former band. With the idea of forming a new band later, the three created a WhatsApp group named "Future Palace," which eventually became the band's name. On March 26, 2019, the band released their debut single "Maybe" that was made in collaboration with Christoph Wieczorek (Annisokay/Sawdust Recordings). The corresponding music video was published on Future Palace's YouTube channel on April 11, 2019. The sophomore single, "Anomaly," followed on May 31, 2019. The band played their first concerts on August 29 and 30, 2019, in Berlin and Hamburg. On March 6, 2020, Future Palace signed with Arising Empire. On the same day, their third single "Illusionist," featuring Tobias Rische of Alazka, was released along with a music video. With the release of their single "Ghost Capter" on July 17, 2020, the band announced their debut album "Escape," which was released on September 18, 2020. The album tells the story of how all people are naturally social beings. If people feel lost or lonely, those they trust will support them. They seek sympathy and understanding from their loved ones, feeling needed in their embrace, even during the most difficult times. Additionally, at the beginning of 2021, the band announced a headline tour throughout Germany, which was later canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On November 5, 2021, the band released their single "Paradise" along with a music video. The single "Heads Up" was released on December 16, 2021. It focused on the fight against depression, which arose above all in the hopeless impression of the pandemic and thus creates a profound relevance. In April 2022, the band embarked on their first headlining tour, titled the "Take Me to Paradise" tour together with Annisokay. The album "Run" was released on June 10, 2022. It talks about the aftermath of a toxic relationship and shows in a visually stunning and vulnerable way that the struggle with one's own salvation is only the beginning, even after escaping from a dramatic situation. Traces of post-hardcore, electronica, and growling vocals can also be heard. On April 20, 2023, Future Palace released their single "Malphas." Their blend of post-hardcore and alternative rock with lyrics written by vocalist Maria Lessing, delve into personal experiences, particularly depression, inner conflicts, and toxic relationships. It gives an insight into their hopes, their tomorrow and future - it is a diary of omnipresent vulnerability and the search for a remedy.

Corpse Pile is a brutal death metal band from Houston, Texas that formed in the year 2019. The band consists of Jason (vocals), Landry (guitars) and Nikolie (drums). They have only released two demos and a split with Snuffed on Sight. They are not signed to any record label. Spotify Bandcamp Metal Archives Facebook Instagram Twitter

Bodybox is an American brutal death metal/deathcore band from Orlando, Florida. Formed in 2021 and known for their aggressive, "doublewide" sound blending death metal, grindcore, and hardcore with crushing riffs, guttural vocals, and heavy breakdowns. Tackling themes of addiction, violence, and societal decay. Led by vocalist Harrison Brown, they've gained traction in the underground scene with high-energy shows and releases on labels like Maggot Stomp, releasing their debut album "3" in 2025.

No Resolve is an American rock band from Detroit formed in 2005 by lead singer Oscar Pegorraro, lead guitarist Jason Hatmaker, drummer Derek Bjornson, and bassist Dennis Patterson. Their debut EP, A New Beginning, was released in 2012 and their breakout single Get Me Out came out in 2013. Their full-length debut album Unity (2017), The Divide (2019), Shivers (2021), and Take Cover (2022) followed. The group signed their first record deal with Noise Machine Records in 2020. The band gained significant mainstream recognition for their cover songs, releasing rock versions most notably with Garth Brooks' The Thunder Rolls, and Sia's Unstoppable, which both reached #1 on Billboard's Hard Rock Digital Song Sales chart.