Damnation Festival 2025 LINE‑UP
AFSKY
Afsky are a Danish black metal project founded in 2015 by Ole Pedersen Luk, also known for his work with Heltekvad and formerly Solbrud. The name Afsky, meaning "disgust" or "aversion" in Danish, reflects the project's exploration of themes like death, despair, and Danish history. Afsky's music combines traditional black metal with elements of folk and doom, creating a sound that is both raw and melancholic. The discography includes the debut album Sorg (2018), followed by Ofte jeg drømmer mig død (2020), and Om hundrede år (2023), each delving deeper into introspective and emotive territories. Luk's compositions often draw inspiration from personal experiences and Danish cultural elements, resulting in a unique blend of aggression and sorrow.
Genres: Black Metal, Atmospheric Black Metal, Folk Metal
AMENRA
Amenra are a Belgian post-metal band formed in 1999 in Kortrijk. Known for their emotionally intense music and performances, they blend elements of doom, sludge, and hardcore to create a sound that is both heavy and spiritually resonant. Their discography includes the Mass series and the album De Doorn (2021), which debuted at No. 3 in Belgium. Amenra's live shows are renowned for their immersive experience, often incorporating visual art and rituals that reflect themes of pain, healing, and human struggle. They are also the founders of the Church of Ra collective, fostering collaboration among like-minded artists.
Genres: Post-Metal, Doom Metal, Sludge Metal, Hardcore
ANAAL NATHRAKH
Anaal Nathrakh are a Birmingham-based extreme metal band renowned for their uncompromising fusion of black metal, grindcore, industrial, and noise elements. Formed in 1999 by multi-instrumentalist Mick Kenney and vocalist Dave Hunt (aka V.I.T.R.I.O.L), the band have cultivated a reputation for sheer sonic aggression and apocalyptic atmosphere. Their music is marked by intense blast beats, piercing shrieks, harsh electronics, and layered vocal styles that alternate between operatic cleans and guttural screams. Lyrically, they delve into themes of nihilism, misanthropy, and cultural collapse, offering a bleak critique of humanity. Despite their abrasive sound, Anaal Nathrakh’s compositions often exhibit a surprising sense of melody and grandeur, creating a chaotic yet captivating listening experience. They have remained fiercely independent, continually pushing the limits of extremity while maintaining a cult following within the underground scene.
Genres: Black Metal, Grindcore, Industrial, Extreme Metal
AUTHOR & PUNISHER
Author & Punisher is the innovative project of Tristan Shone, a mechanical engineer and artist based in San Diego. Established in 2004, Shone crafts a unique blend of industrial and doom metal using custom-designed instruments he fabricates himself, known as "Drone Machines" and "Dub Machines." This approach allows him to produce a distinctive sound that merges heavy, mechanical rhythms with atmospheric textures. Over the years, Author & Punisher has released several albums, including Melk en Honing (2015) and Krüller (2022), each showcasing Shone’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of metal through technological innovation and artistic expression.
Genres: Industrial Metal, Drone Metal, Doom Metal
BRODEQUIN
Brodequin are an American death metal band known for their brutal sound and historical themes. Their music is characterized by relentless blast beats, guttural vocals, and complex guitar work. Brodequin's lyrical content often delves into medieval torture methods and historical atrocities, providing a grim backdrop to their intense musical style. Their albums, such as Instruments of Torture and Festival of Death, have solidified their reputation in the underground death metal scene.
Genres: Brutal Death Metal, Historical Death Metal
CASTLE RAT
Castle Rat are a Brooklyn-based band formed in 2019, self-described as a "medieval fantasy doom metal" ensemble. Led by the enigmatic Rat Queen, the band combines traditional doom metal with theatrical storytelling, creating a rich narrative universe involving characters like The Count, The Plague Doctor, and The Druid. Their debut album, Into the Realm (2024), immerses listeners in a world of fantasy and darkness, blending heavy riffs with a cinematic flair. Castle Rat's live performances are known for their elaborate costumes and immersive atmosphere, offering a unique experience that bridges music and mythology.
Genres: Doom Metal, Traditional Heavy Metal, Fantasy Rock
CODE
Code are an English black metal band formed in 2002. The band originated from guitarist Aort's solo project, Seasonal Code, and solidified its lineup with vocalist Kvohst (Mat McNerney) and bassist Vicotnik. Their debut album, Nouveau Gloaming (2005), showcased a blend of traditional black metal with avant-garde elements. Over time, Code's sound evolved, incorporating progressive and experimental influences, as evident in albums like Resplendent Grotesque (2009) and Augur Nox (2013). The band's lineup has seen changes, with Aort remaining the consistent member, guiding Code through its stylistic evolution. Their discography reflects a journey from raw black metal roots to a more avant-garde and progressive metal approach.
Genres: Black Metal, Avant-Garde Metal, Progressive Metal
COILGUNS
Coilguns are a Swiss post-hardcore band known for their unrelenting energy, raw live sound, and experimental approach to heavy music. E merging from the remnants of The Ocean Collective in 2011, Coilguns quickly forged an identity rooted in chaotic song structures, angular riffing, and politically charged lyrics. Their sound draws heavily from hardcore punk, sludge, and mathcore, frequently delivered with an improvisational spirit that borders on the anarchic. Often recorded live in single takes, their music captures a sense of urgency and confrontation, bolstered by visceral performances and a disdain for overproduction. Their DIY ethos and relentless touring schedule have earned them a dedicated fanbase across Europe’s underground circuits, where their shows are as volatile and unpredictable as their records.
Genres: Post-Hardcore, Mathcore, Sludge, Noise Rock
CONJURER
Conjurer are a British metal band formed in 2014 in Rugby, Warwickshire. Their music blends elements of sludge, doom, and post-metal, creating a sound that is both heavy and atmospheric. Their debut album, Mire (2018), received critical acclaim for its dynamic compositions and emotional depth. In 2022, they released their second album, Páthos, further establishing their reputation in the metal community. Conjurer's live performances are known for their intensity and the band's ability to convey profound emotion through their music.
Genres: Sludge Metal, Doom Metal, Post-Metal
CORROSION OF CONFORMITY
Corrosion of Conformity are an American heavy metal band from Raleigh, North Carolina, formed in 1982. Initially emerging from the hardcore punk scene, they transitioned into a sludge and stoner metal sound, blending Southern rock influences with heavy riffs and groove-laden rhythms. Their breakthrough came with the album Deliverance (1994), featuring hits like "Albatross" and "Clean My Wounds." The band's lineup has seen various changes, with guitarist Woody Weatherman and bassist Mike Dean as consistent members, and vocalist/guitarist Pepper Keenan contributing significantly to their signature sound. COC's fusion of punk energy and metal heaviness has earned them a dedicated following over the decades.
Genres: Sludge Metal, Stoner Metal, Southern Rock, Hardcore Punk
CRIPPLING ALCOHOLISM
Crippling Alcoholism are a Boston-based band blending gothic rock, noise rock, and post-punk to create a dark and brooding sound. Drawing inspiration from artists like Swans, Nick Cave, and late-period Daughters, as well as classic singer-songwriters like Scott Walker and Leonard Cohen, their music merges morbid themes with gloomy synths, trudging rhythms, and haunting hooks. Their 2022 debut album, When The Drugs That Made You Sick Are The Drugs That Make You Better, delves into the darker facets of human nature, offering a unique take on introspection and despair. In 2024, they released With Love From A Padded Room, a concept album set in a fictional prison, with each track reflecting the perspective of an inmate in solitary confinement. The record explores harrowing narratives, from vulnerable addicts to sadistic characters, painting vivid pictures of human fragility and malice. Known for their dissonant crescendos and goth-inspired refrains, Crippling Alcoholism’s music strikes a balance between melody and chaos, cementing their place in the gothic and noise rock scenes.
Genres: Gothic Rock, Noise Rock, Post-Punk
DEADGUY
Deadguy are a seminal American hardcore band who played a pivotal role in shaping the sound of metalcore in the mid‑1990s. Formed in New Jersey in 1994, their music is characterised by discordant riffing, aggressive rhythms, and unrelenting vocal ferocity. Their sole full‑length studio album Fixation on a Co‑Worker is widely regarded as a landmark release in the development of chaotic hardcore, blending the brutality of metal with the raw urgency of hardcore punk. Known for their confrontational lyrics and stark aesthetic, Deadguy brought a sense of calculated dissonance and unpredictability that influenced a generation of bands including Converge and Botch. Although their original run was short‑lived, their impact has been long‑lasting, and their 2020s reunion has reignited interest in their uncompromising, confrontational sound.
Genres: Metalcore, Hardcore, Chaotic Hardcore, Noise Rock
DEAFHEAVEN
Deafheaven is an American band formed in 2010, known for blending elements of black metal, shoegaze, and post-rock to create a distinctive sound often referred to as "blackgaze." Their breakthrough album, Sunbather (2013), received critical acclaim for its expansive compositions and emotive intensity, challenging traditional black metal norms. Subsequent releases like New Bermuda (2015) and Ordinary Corrupt Human Love (2018) further explored this fusion, incorporating more melodic and atmospheric elements. Deafheaven's willingness to experiment across genres has solidified their reputation as innovators within the contemporary metal scene.
Genres: Blackgaze, Post-Black Metal, Shoegaze
DEVASTATOR
Devastator are a UK blackened thrash metal band forged in the spirit of raw aggression and unrelenting speed. Emerging with a sound steeped in the venom of first-wave black metal and classic thrash, they channel the ferocity of bands like Venom, Bathory, and Sodom while infusing it with a distinctly modern edge. Their music is defined by blistering riffs, feral vocals, and a relentless energy that captures the essence of underground extremity. Since their formation, Devastator have become known for their high-intensity live performances and unapologetic devotion to chaos and darkness, marking them as one of the UK’s most uncompromising heavy acts.
Genres: Blackened Thrash Metal, Black Metal, Thrash Metal
DEVIL SOLD HIS SOUL
Devil Sold His Soul are a British post-metal band formed in London in 2004, known for their emotionally charged sound that blends crushing heaviness with soaring ambience. Their music is defined by expansive post-rock textures, atmospheric layering, and cathartic crescendos that sit alongside moments of delicate introspection. Vocally, the band employ a balance of anguished screams and melodic cleans, creating a dynamic interplay that heightens their sense of drama. Lyrically, their work often grapples with grief, resilience, and the struggle for meaning in adversity, delivered with a sincerity that has become a hallmark of their identity. Albums such as A Fragile Hope and Blessed & Cursed established them as one of the UK’s most compelling heavy bands, and later releases like Loss have reaffirmed their relevance, showcasing both power and vulnerability in equal measure.
Genres: Post-Metal, Post-Hardcore, Ambient Metal, Metalcore
DIN OF CELESTIAL BIRDS
Din Of Celestial Birds are a UK-based post-rock band known for expansive, cinematic compositions that weave together soaring guitar melodies, atmospheric textures, and dynamic crescendos. Formed in the late 2010s, they draw inspiration from the emotional intensity of bands like Explosions In The Sky and This Will Destroy You while carving out their own distinctive voice within the post-rock genre. Their debut album The Night Is For Dreamers introduced a sweeping, evocative sound that balances fragility with overwhelming catharsis. Through live performances, they immerse audiences in soundscapes that feel both intimate and vast, cementing their reputation as one of the UK’s most promising new post-rock acts.
Genres: Post-Rock, Atmospheric Rock, Instrumental Rock
EF
EF are a post-rock band from Gothenburg, Sweden, formed in 2003. Known for their emotive compositions and dynamic arrangements, EF utilize a wide range of instruments to create expansive soundscapes. Their discography includes albums such as Give Me Beauty... Or Give Me Death! (2006), I Am Responsible (2008), and Ceremonies (2013), each showcasing their ability to blend delicate melodies with powerful crescendos. EF have toured extensively across Europe and Asia, earning a dedicated following within the post-rock community.
Genres: Post-Rock, Instrumental Rock
GAEREA
Gaerea are a Portuguese black metal band formed in 2016, known for their atmospheric and intense music. Their sound blends traditional black metal with elements of post-metal and shoegaze, creating a dense and immersive listening experience. Gaerea's discography includes albums like Unsettling Whispers (2018) and Limbo (2020), both of which received critical acclaim for their emotional depth and sonic complexity. The band is also recognized for their enigmatic image, often performing in masks to maintain anonymity and focus attention on their music.
Genres: Black Metal, Atmospheric Black Metal, Post-Metal
GOST
Gost is an American synthwave project that incorporates elements of metal and horror-inspired themes into its music. Known for blending dark electronic sounds with heavy guitar riffs, Gost creates a unique fusion that appeals to fans of both electronic and metal genres. Albums like Behemoth (2015) and Valediction (2019) showcase Gost's ability to craft intense and atmospheric tracks that evoke a sense of dread and excitement.
Genres: Synthwave, Industrial, Darkwave
HIGH ON FIRE
High on Fire are an American heavy metal band formed in Oakland, California in 1998 by guitarist and vocalist Matt Pike following the breakup of his previous band, Sleep. Fusing stoner metal, sludge, and thrash into a thunderous blend of heaviness, the band gained early attention with albums like The Art of Self Defense and Surrounded by Thieves. Their 2018 release Electric Messiah won a Grammy for Best Metal Performance, further cementing their legacy. With relentless riffing, pounding rhythms, and Pike’s gritty vocal delivery, High on Fire are known for their powerful live shows and ability to combine ferocity with groove.
Genres: Stoner Metal, Sludge Metal, Thrash Metal
HELLRIPPER
Hellripper are a Scottish black/speed metal band founded in 2014 by multi-instrumentalist James McBain. Originally conceived as a solo project, Hellripper channels the spirit of classic blackened thrash, drawing inspiration from early acts like Venom, Bathory, and Motörhead. Their sound is marked by rapid riffs, infectious solos, and themes steeped in the occult, witchcraft, and folklore. Albums such as Coagulating Darkness (2017), The Affair of the Poisons (2020), and Warlocks Grim & Withered Hags (2023) showcase McBain’s ability to fuse melody and ferocity with relentless energy. Though studio work remains a solo effort, Hellripper’s live performances feature a full band lineup, delivering blistering sets across the global extreme metal scene.
Genres: Black Metal, Speed Metal, Thrash Metal
HIDDEN MOTHERS
Hidden Mothers are a UK-based band who straddle the boundaries between post-black metal, shoegaze, and post-hardcore, forging a cathartic and atmospheric sound that is both melancholic and ferocious. Emerging from Sheffield’s alternative scene, the band blend reverb-drenched guitars, screamed vocals, and ambient textures with bursts of visceral aggression. Drawing inspiration from bands like Deafheaven and Oathbreaker, they explore themes of loss, identity, and existential struggle. Their music often builds from delicate introspection into overwhelming crescendos, balancing chaos and beauty with a cinematic sense of scope. Hidden Mothers have quickly gained attention for their emotionally intense live performances and are part of a growing wave of UK acts redefining the boundaries of blackened heavy music.
Genres: Post-Black Metal, Blackgaze, Post-Hardcore, Screamo
MANTAR
Mantar are a German sludge metal duo formed in 2012, known for producing a massive, raw sound despite consisting of just two members. Their music draws from black metal, punk, and doom, creating a style that is heavy, gritty, and unrelenting. With albums like Death by Burning, Ode to the Flame, and Pain is Forever and This is the End, Mantar blend abrasive energy with memorable songwriting. Their live performances are renowned for intensity and volume, with the band maintaining a minimalist but thunderous presence on stage.
Genres: Sludge Metal, Blackened Doom, Punk
MERYL STREEK
Meryl Streek is a solo Irish artist whose music fuses punk and post-punk with raw political commentary and a lo-fi aesthetic. With lyrics addressing corruption, trauma, and social injustice, his work is both confrontational and emotionally resonant. His debut album 796 tackles harrowing historical and personal themes with uncompromising honesty. Combining spoken-word intensity, distorted beats, and punk urgency, Meryl Streek’s sound sits somewhere between protest music and sonic catharsis, establishing him as a distinctive voice in modern underground music.
Genres: Punk, Post-Punk, Alternative
MESSA
Messa are an Italian doom metal band formed in 2014, known for their evocative fusion of doom with ambient, jazz, and dark folk influences. Their music is rich with atmosphere, often layering haunting female vocals over heavy, blues-inflected riffs. Albums like Belfry (2016), Feast for Water (2018), and Close (2022) reveal a progression toward increasingly experimental territory, without losing their deep, melancholic core. Messa’s compositions are both meditative and immersive, drawing listeners into a deeply emotional and often spiritual listening experience.
Genres: Doom Metal, Experimental, Ambient
NAPALM DEATH
Napalm Death are a pioneering English extreme metal band formed in 1981, credited with creating and defining the grindcore genre. Their groundbreaking debut album Scum (1987) introduced a blend of hardcore punk, death metal, and politically charged lyrics — along with the record-breaking track "You Suffer," clocking in at just over one second. Over decades and numerous lineup changes, the band — anchored by bassist Shane Embury and vocalist Mark "Barney" Greenway — have continued to evolve, integrating death metal, crust, and even avant-garde elements. Their commitment to aggressive musical innovation and social critique has made them one of the most enduring and influential names in extreme music.
Genres: Grindcore, Death Metal, Crust Punk
NECROT
Necrot are a death metal band from Oakland, California, formed in 2011. With a raw, old-school sound, the band channels the energy of classic death metal while injecting it with their own focused brutality. Their debut full-length Blood Offerings (2017) received praise for its crushing riffs and unrelenting pace, followed by Mortal (2020), which further established them as a force in modern death metal. Necrot’s music is marked by a commitment to riff-driven ferocity, with lyrical themes revolving around mortality, destruction, and personal struggle.
Genres: Death Metal
NORDIC GIANTS
Nordic Giants are an English post-rock duo formed in 2010, renowned for their immersive and cinematic soundscapes. Performing in anonymity under the monikers Loki and Rôka, they combine atmospheric music with visual storytelling, often using short films and elaborate stage design in their performances. With albums such as A Séance of Dark Delusions, Amplify Human Vibration, and Symbiosis, the band crafts instrumental pieces that blend piano, bowed guitar, and thunderous percussion to evoke themes of nature, humanity, and transformation. Their work invites reflection, emotion, and awe — both aurally and visually.
Genres: Post-Rock, Ambient, Instrumental Rock
ONSLAUGHT
Onslaught are an English thrash metal band formed in the early 1980s, emerging from the UK hardcore punk scene before pivoting into thrash metal. Their early albums like Power from Hell and The Force captured a raw, aggressive style that helped define the UK’s contribution to the global thrash movement. Known for politically charged lyrics and relentless energy, the band made a powerful return in the 2000s with albums like Killing Peace and Generation Antichrist. Onslaught continue to be recognised for their uncompromising speed, heaviness, and loyalty to the genre’s core.
Genres: Thrash Metal, Speed Metal
ORBIT CULTURE
Orbit Culture are a Swedish metal band formed in 2013 in Eksjö, known for their fusion of melodic death metal, groove metal, and thrash. Spearheaded by vocalist and rhythm guitarist Niklas Karlsson, the band has developed a signature sound that balances crushing aggression with anthemic choruses and atmospheric textures. Their discography includes In Medias Res (2014), Rasen (2016), Nija (2020), and Descent (2023), each release showcasing an evolution in songwriting and production. Drawing comparisons to bands like Gojira and Metallica, Orbit Culture stand out for their dynamic songwriting, technical proficiency, and emotionally charged lyrics.
Genres: Melodic Death Metal, Groove Metal, Thrash Metal
ORYX
Oryx are a blackened sludge metal band from Denver, Colorado, known for their dense, punishing sound and oppressive atmosphere. Formed in 2012, the trio crafts music that merges slow, crushing riffs with moments of chaotic aggression and raw, guttural vocals. Their album Lamenting a Dead World exemplifies their ability to fuse bleak, heavy tones with dynamic compositions. With a live show that emphasises volume and sonic weight, Oryx have carved out a niche in the sludge and doom underground, delivering music that is both emotionally draining and viscerally powerful.
Genres: Blackened Sludge Metal, Doom Metal
OVERHEAD, THE ALBATROSS
Overhead, The Albatross are a Dublin-based instrumental post-rock band formed in 2009. Their music is cinematic in scope, weaving intricate guitar melodies with orchestral flourishes and dynamic song structures. Known for emotionally rich arrangements and live shows that blend visuals with immersive sound, the band gained widespread recognition with their debut album Learning to Growl (2016). After a hiatus, they returned with I Leave You This (2024), further refining their expansive and textured sound. With influences ranging from progressive rock to modern classical, Overhead, The Albatross stand as a key figure in Ireland’s post-rock scene.
Genres: Post-Rock, Instrumental
PANZERFAUST
Panzerfaust are a Canadian black metal band formed in 2005, known for their atmospheric density, aggressive riffing, and philosophical themes. Based in Ontario, their The Suns of Perdition album series explores the darker recesses of human nature, warfare, and spiritual decay. Albums like Chapter I: War, Horrid War and Chapter III: The Astral Drain blend traditional black metal ferocity with cinematic passages and ominous spoken word interludes. Panzerfaust’s live performances are confrontational and immersive, marked by a sense of ritual intensity. They continue to gain recognition as one of the most ambitious and uncompromising acts in modern black metal.
Genres: Black Metal, Atmospheric Black Metal
PERTURBATOR
Perturbator is the alias of James Kent, a French electronic musician whose dark synthwave compositions are heavily inspired by cyberpunk aesthetics and 1980s sci-fi. Blending retro-futuristic synths with industrial and ambient textures, Perturbator creates music that feels both nostalgic and dystopian. Albums such as Dangerous Days, The Uncanny Valley, and Lustful Sacraments chart a journey from neon-drenched outrun to post-industrial darkness. While rooted in electronic music, Perturbator’s aggressive tones and cinematic compositions appeal strongly to metal audiences as well, bridging genre divides with style and intensity.
Genres: Synthwave, Dark Synth, Industrial, Cyberpunk, Electronic
PIG DESTROYER
Pig Destroyer are a legendary grindcore band from Virginia, USA, formed in 1997. Known for their blistering speed, poetic lyrics, and genre-defying experimentation, they’ve become one of the most respected names in extreme metal. Albums such as Prowler in the Yard, Terrifyer, and Phantom Limb have pushed grindcore into new realms of intensity and thematic depth. While rooted in the abrasive speed and brevity of grindcore, Pig Destroyer incorporate doom, noise, and even groove elements, constantly evolving while maintaining a confrontational core. Their lyrics often explore isolation, violence, and personal trauma through vivid, narrative imagery.
Genres: Grindcore, Extreme Metal, Noise
PORTRAYAL OF GUILT
Portrayal of Guilt are an American band from Austin, Texas, formed in 2017. Blending black metal, screamo, grindcore, and post-hardcore, their sound is harrowing, chaotic, and emotionally intense. Their debut Let Pain Be Your Guide (2018) was praised for its raw catharsis, and follow-ups like We Are Always Alone and Christfucker pushed their sound further into bleak and experimental territory. In 2023, they released Devil Music, which featured classical reinterpretations of their own songs alongside their standard chaotic arrangements. Portrayal of Guilt continue to challenge genre conventions while embracing a grim and visceral sonic identity.
Genres: Blackened Screamo, Grindcore, Post-Hardcore, Black Metal
PRIMORDIAL
Primordial are an Irish metal band formed in 1991, whose sound is an evocative fusion of black metal, Celtic folk influences, and epic heavy metal grandeur. Emerging from Dublin, they initially embraced the raw aesthetics of black metal before evolving into a band defined by sweeping, atmospheric compositions that channel themes of history, nationalism, and cultural identity. Their frontman Alan Averill (Nemtheanga) is known for his commanding, bardic vocal delivery that moves between anguished howls and impassioned clean singing, giving their music a uniquely narrative quality. Albums such as The Gathering Wilderness and To the Nameless Dead are acclaimed for their blend of ferocity and melancholy, placing the band among Europe’s most distinctive voices in extreme metal. Primordial’s music resonates with a sense of ancient tragedy and defiance, making them both historically rooted and timelessly powerful.
Genres: Black Metal, Pagan Metal, Folk Metal, Extreme Metal
PSYCHONAUT
Psychonaut are a Belgian progressive post-metal band formed in Mechelen in 2013. Known for their expansive and atmospheric approach, they merge crushing riffs with psychedelic textures, drawing comparisons to bands like Mastodon, Tool, and Cult of Luna. Their music explores themes of consciousness, spirituality, and human existence, often delivered through lengthy compositions that build from meditative passages into towering climaxes. The 2020 album Unfold The God Man established them as a rising force in European heavy music, praised for its ambitious scope and philosophical depth. With dynamic live performances that balance ferocity and transcendence, Psychonaut have earned a reputation as one of the most compelling new acts in modern post-metal.
Genres: Post-Metal, Progressive Metal, Psychedelic Metal
RAGING SPEEDHORN
Raging Speedhorn are a British sludge and hardcore band from Corby, Northamptonshire, formed in 1998. They are renowned for their feral intensity, dual-vocal attack, and a sound that merges the grimy aggression of sludge metal with the raw urgency of hardcore punk. Their self-titled debut and follow-up We Will Be Dead Tomorrow captured the chaotic energy of late 1990s and early 2000s UK heavy music, with songs steeped in themes of violence, excess, and disillusionment. A staple of the UK festival circuit, the band gained a reputation for unrelenting live shows that embodied both menace and catharsis. Despite lineup changes and a period of inactivity, they reunited in the 2010s, releasing Hard to Kill and returning to stages with their trademark venom intact. Raging Speedhorn remain cult favourites for their uncompromising sound and unfiltered approach.
Genres: Sludge Metal, Hardcore Punk, Metalcore, Groove Metal
SPECTRAL WOUND
Spectral Wound are a black metal band from Montréal, Canada, known for their ferocious sound steeped in traditional second‑wave black metal aesthetics while embracing a visceral, contemporary energy. Formed in 2014, they channel raw aggression through icy tremolo‑picked riffs, relentless drumming, and scathing vocals, all wrapped in a cold yet melodic atmosphere. Rejecting the ambient or symphonic tendencies found in some modern black metal, Spectral Wound favour a lean, stripped‑down approach that emphasises physicality and intensity. Their work explores themes of decay, violence, and transcendence, with a lyrical bent that is more poetic than overtly ideological. Albums such as Infernal Decadence and A Diabolic Thirst have received critical praise for their unflinching delivery and fierce sense of identity, positioning the band at the forefront of the current wave of underground black metal.
Genres: Black Metal, Atmospheric Black Metal
STAMPIN’ GROUND
Stampin’ Ground are a British hardcore/metalcore band known for fusing the aggression of hardcore punk with the heaviness and structure of thrash and metal. Active primarily in the late ’90s and early ’00s, albums such as Carved from Empty Words and A New Darkness Upon Us captured their ability to combine pit-worthy breakdowns with razor-sharp musicianship. Their lyrics often address political unrest, societal failure, and inner struggle, delivered with ferocity and conviction. Though their output has been limited in recent years, Stampin’ Ground remain influential in the UK’s heavy music underground.
Genres: Hardcore, Metalcore
TED MAUL
Ted Maul were a genre-bending extreme metal band from London, active primarily between 2002 and 2007. Their music combined elements of death metal, hardcore, industrial, and drum & bass to create a chaotic and innovative sound. Their only album, White Label (2007), showcased an experimental approach that pushed the boundaries of genre, using unconventional song structures and digital textures alongside crushing riffs and aggressive vocals. Despite their brief run, Ted Maul left a lasting impression on the UK metal scene and are remembered for their fearless, boundary-breaking attitude.
Genres: Deathcore, Industrial Metal, Hardcore, Drum & Bass
THE HAUNTED
The Haunted are a Swedish metal band formed in 1996, known for their aggressive blend of thrash and melodic death metal. Emerging from the ashes of At The Gates, The Haunted quickly established themselves with their self-titled debut album in 1998. Over the years, they've released acclaimed albums such as Made Me Do It (2000) and rEVOLVEr (2004), showcasing their ability to evolve while maintaining a ferocious sound. Their lineup has shifted over time, but their commitment to delivering intense, high‑energy music remains constant.
Genres: Thrash Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Groove Metal
THE WORLD IS A BEAUTIFUL PLACE & I AM NO LONGER AFRAID TO DIE
The World Is A Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid To Die are an American band known for their sweeping, emotionally resonant sound that fuses post‑rock, emo, and indie elements. Formed in Connecticut in 2009, the band have become a prominent figure in the so‑called “emo revival,” though their music extends far beyond traditional genre boundaries. They are characterised by dynamic, multi‑layered instrumentation, shifting song structures, and a large, rotating lineup that contributes to their orchestral feel. Their lyrics explore themes of existentialism, grief, connection, and resilience, delivered with vulnerability and a poetic sensibility. With albums like Harmlessness and Always Foreign, the band have earned acclaim for their ability to balance grand, cathartic crescendos with moments of delicate introspection. Their name, often abbreviated to TWIABP, reflects the band’s expansive and emotionally immersive approach to music.
Genres: Emo, Post‑Rock, Indie Rock, Post‑Hardcore
WARNING
Warning are a British doom metal band formed in the late 1990s, known for their emotional weight and minimalist compositions. Their cult classic album Watching from a Distance (2006) is widely regarded as one of the most emotionally devastating doom releases of all time, with its slow tempos, mournful melodies, and introspective lyrics. Led by Patrick Walker, Warning eschewed theatrics in favour of sincerity, focusing on themes of loss, longing, and sorrow. Their influence can be felt across modern doom and post-metal, where emotional resonance is as crucial as sonic weight.
Genres: Doom Metal, Traditional Doom
WIEGEDOOD
Wiegedood are a Belgian black metal trio formed in 2014, best known for their De Doden Hebben Het Goed trilogy and their emotionally intense compositions. They fuse atmospheric black metal with raw aggression, creating a bleak yet immersive sound. In 2022, they released There’s Always Blood at the End of the Road, a conceptually darker and more experimental record exploring the filth of human nature. Connected to the Church of Ra collective (alongside Amenra and Oathbreaker), Wiegedood stand out for their relentless intensity and refusal to dilute the power of black metal.
Genres: Black Metal, Atmospheric Black Metal
WORMROT
Wormrot are a grindcore band from Singapore, formed in 2007, and are considered one of the most vital forces in modern grind. Their early albums like Abuse and Dirge delivered raw, concise bursts of fury. With Voices and Hiss, they expanded their palette to include experimental and atmospheric elements, without losing the genre’s trademark speed and aggression. Wormrot’s lyrics often tackle themes of societal collapse, anxiety, and personal alienation. They have earned global acclaim for revitalising grindcore with innovation and ferocity, and are one of Southeast Asia’s most respected extreme metal exports.
Genres: Grindcore, Hardcore Punk, Extreme Metal
ZERUEL
Zeruel are a Baltimore-based band who fuse elements of post-metal, hardcore, and atmospheric sludge into a sound that is both crushingly heavy and emotionally expansive. Emerging from the city’s underground heavy music scene, they have gained attention for their ability to balance ferocity with ambience, layering colossal riffs over immersive textures. Their lyrics often reflect themes of existential struggle, resilience, and the search for meaning, delivered through a combination of harsh vocals and soaring melodies. With an evolving discography and an intense live presence, Zeruel have positioned themselves as one of the most promising acts in the US post-metal and hardcore crossover movement.
Genres: Post-Metal, Hardcore, Sludge Metal, Atmospheric Metal