One of the most beautiful things I think is available in music is discovering new bands and finding them to be of your liking. Over the last few years I have been able to be exposed to many talented artists and bands. Through that exposure, I have found so many bands that I feel are either underrated or just in general deserve more hype.
I’d like to say again – the following are my opinions and take-a-ways and in no way am I trying to pretend to be an expert in the genres, of the band, or anything of that nature. Just simply a girl who enjoys the chugs and riffs, death growls, screams, some clean vocals here and there and just raw emotion being portrayed through my favorite genre of music. I also am not going to sit here and use words I found as synonyms for the real words I originally used to make me seem smarter, more elegant or anything of that nature. You get what you get – so let’s get into this.
We can start with those who are lesser known. Now, I’d like to clarify that this is based off of monthly listens on Spotify but the list, like I said, is just MY opinion.
22) dead7 (8K listens) – Originally from St. Louis, MO with a numetal/metalcore sound. I originally found dead7 through their song tape mouth and got such a good vibe from them. They reminded me of a little combination between Deftones and, for some reason, Twenty One Pilots. They bring a very unique tone to their music and the emotions portrayed while singing are just absolutely insane. The clean vocals are nearly angelic, the screams come out effortlessly and the musical production of the song for the instrumentals just itch a spot in my brain. If you choose to explore this band, I recommend listening to tape mouth, womb, or let me drown and just close your eyes, listen to the song, and let it transcend you to a near-ethereal plane.
21) Backbiter (16.4K) – I honestly don’t know much about this band and from my understanding they’re still pretty small of a band comparatively speaking. Backbiter is hardcore. I found them by hearing their song Dog Eyes. Backbiter gives me such Kublai Khan TX vibes, and I am a big fan of them big boys. Backbiter released a new EP about a year ago called Demonstration of Decimation and honestly? It’s pretty sick. They are on tour right now and I’m hoping to see them live at the show coming near me because I think they would actually rock my face off. Recommended songs to listen to – dog eyes, I Don’t Want to Feel Anymore or crown of sin.
20) Stepson (29.6K) – Y’all… They are SLEPT on. Eraser is an incredible song that introduced me to Stepson. Honestly, I think they came across my page from just a random song that played on the Spotify radio after what I was actually listening to finished playing and Spotify was just recommending based on ~ vibes ~. I was not disappointed at all. Stepson is originally from Australia and if Australia was gatekeeping this incredible hardcore metal band, I honestly get it because Stepson’s been making music for like 10 years and it’s been pretty good music at that. Stepson’s newest single is called Discover Lonely and it’s a great song – so go listen to it!
19) Blood Youth (40K) – Unfortunately, Blood Youth is no longer making music together BUT the music that has been produced is stellar. Blood Youth originated from England and began a hiatus from music in 2023. Blood Youth was a hardcore ish metalcore band that literally rocked my ears from the first day I heard them. Kaya Tarsus has a voice I think is unlike any other and maybe I need more exposure but their sound just is different than what I feel like is out there. Recommended songs – Iron Lung, Playing the Victim, Something to Numb The Pain and Spineless.
18) Banks Arcade (51.3K) – Okay… hear me out on this one. Banks Arcade classify themselves as a heavy metal boy band from Australia and though I agree a bit, I feel they are just a little lighter than heavy metal – I think they remind me so much of Chester Bennington from Linkin Park, NF, and also a little Northlane-esque similarities and it just isn’t a super heavy vibe but more of just melodic metalcore. I am actually seeing them live in April and I’m excited to see how they are in a performance. In 2022 and 2023, Banks Arcade CONSUMED my Spotify. Literally every song by them was in my playlists. I have kept up with their releases since then and have rarely been disappointed. Recommended songs to listen to – Sick, Don’t Start, Be Someone, Chosen, Drown, honestly, any song you can’t go wrong.
17) The Gloom in the Corner (61.4K) – We’re getting further into the more well-known artists but I still believe The Gloom In The Corner is so underrated. I don’t know if maybe I just have it bad for Australian bands but here we are with another! I discovered them by their song From Heaven To Hell and immediately fell down their rabbit hole. Their album Trinity has absolutely INCREDIBLE artists featured on it, which makes me like them even more because good recognizes good. Recommended songs to listen to – Ronin, Witch Hunt, The Jericho Project and my favorite song by them, New Order.
16) Knosis (63.5K) – Frontman of Crystal Lake, Roy Kinoshita, departed the band in 2022 and had a bit of time to himself before forming his band Knosis. Ryo is SO talented and his individual work with Fit for A King, Spiritbox, Afterlife, The Gloom in the Corner, Left to Suffer, and Darkos US are just brilliant so when I discovered the birth of Knosis I was already a fan. Ryo is from Japan and he stays true to who he is in his music. I cannot type with Japanese wording or alphabet but literally just go listen to ANY song, especially FUHAI.
15) VCTMS (94.1K) – Meredith is so cool? I discovered VCTMS through their song Stab // Twist on TikTok and remember thinking “this is different.” I immediately looked them up. Their lyrics are dark and emotional and to some, relatable? VCTMS originated from Streamwood, IL, which was also so strange to me because I was living near there when I found them. I think their breakdowns are heavy, their lyrics have actual meaning and their sound is good. What more can you want? On top of Stab // Twist, my top songs by VCTMS are Carefully // Caged and Hell IS Other People.
14) Half Me (132K) – Oh brother…. Half Me is SO underrated. I discovered Half Me the same day I discovered Stepson and they’re so fucking good. They exhibit some cleanish vocals, as well as clear screams, incredible breakdowns, and stellar instrumentals as well and it always comes together so well. Half Me recently released an EP and Concrete Ceiling is in my daily playlist currently and has been since its release. Half Me is relatively new, with their debut album releasing in 2023 but Soma, is a no skip album for me. Go give Ex Negativo, Wraith, Blacklight or Trauma Culture a listen!
13) Fox Lake (158.1K) – Probably one of the coolest bands I’ve ever seen live with just straight down to earth people. More of a rap-metal vibe from them but also, I don’t think they have put out a bad song since their origin. It’s no secret that I am a fan of Paleface Swiss and so I actually found Fox Lake through their song Gaslight, which featured Paleface and I’ve been following them since. They show how vast the genre of metal goes and I appreciate that. Recommend songs – Dog Eat Dog, Blood of the Machine, Higher, and 484.
12) Spite (194.4K) – Literally coming up in my backyard, Kalamazoo, MI, Spite is rips. They’ve been in the scene for quite a while now but I think they are so under hyped in the deathcore and hardcore sub-genres. Their album Dedicated To Flesh hits so hard for NO reason. Kill or Be Killed is my favorite song by them but on top of that I think everyone should be listening to Caved In or Dedicated To Flesh.
11) The Halo Effect (224.7K) – The second most favorite melodic death metal band to ever exist (I will not betray Amon Amarth, sorry). Venturing from Sweden, The Halo Effect was formed by former members of In Flames, who are also a top favorite band of mine. The Halo Effect just released a new album, March of The Unheard, in February and it is a masterpiece. I personally feel melodic death metal is underrated in general but I would love to see The Halo Effect become bigger than they are now. Recommended songs – Shadowminds, Feel What I Believe and A Death That Becomes Us.
10) Gideon (230.5K) – The good ol’ boys from Alabama, Gideon, has been in the scene for a MINUTE, but the evolution of their band was needed. I personally believe Gideon has grown the most since the release of they were signed to Equal Vision Records and they became more known in 2019 when their album Out of Control was released. Bite Down got me into Gideon and multiple songs from More Power. More Pain are in my playlist for when I go to the gym. Recommended songs – Bite Down, Take Off, Too Much is Never Enough and, of course, More Power. More Pain.
9) Aviana (289.9K) – Another incredible Swedish band, Aviana is a metalcore band that has been releasing banger after banger since their origin. Their album Corporation is another no skip album for me. I thiiiiiiink they’re gearing up to release a new album soon because Aviana has been releasing new singles since the beginning of the year. Aviana is heavy, has lyrics that express so many emotions and struggles, and the breakdowns often put in their songs are typically unlike anything I have ever heard. Recommended songs – Rage, Anomoly, DELIRIUM, and As Above, So Below.
8) Alien Weaponry (252.4K) – Hailing from New Zealand, these kids IMPRESS the shit out of me. Alien Weaponry formed when the members were literally kids in 2010. The members of Alien Weaponry are Māori and sing in their Māori language showing that thrash metal is incredible in any language. Releasing in just a few short days, Alien Weaponry will be releasing their album Te Ra with a combination of songs in their Māori language as well as English. Alien Weaponry is the future, so take a listen to Kai Tangata, 1000 Friends and Kai Whatu.
7) Thousand Below (270.1K) – I love this band and everything they produce. They are originally from San Diego, California and have been active for nearly 10 years at this point. I believe they are gaining traction within the scene due to their involvement with Bad Omens but I think they have so muc more exposure that can be had. Recommended songs – Sabotage, No Place Like You, Gone to Me, 171 xo, and Blue Roses Don’t Fade.
6) Orbit Culture (404.7K) – My second to last Swedish band involved in this list is an incredible melodic death metal band that sound the same live as they do when they are recorded. I cannot recommend this band enough to people who are looking for a sound in the melodic realm, these people are IT. I think they’re a fresh sound and showcase their talent in every single song. Recommended songs – Saw, I, The Wolf, North Star of Nija and Mast of The World.
I understand that there are people on here with a large number of listens but I believe they are extremely underrated and MORE people need to know them. The next five are larger artists that I believe are underhyped. Agree to disagree – they all are bands I think everyone should know.
5) Left to Suffer (438.6K) – Literally blew up out of NOWHERE!!! Taylor Barber is a monster and quite literally is on the trajectory to run. this. shit. Left to Suffer hails from good ol’ HOTlanta (Atlanta), describe themselves as nu-deathcore, and collaborate with all kinds of artists. Though I enjoy their features and collaborations, their own sound is so holistically good too. Recommended songs – Anger, Disappoint Me, Overwhelming Power, Fixated.
4) Thornhill (479.2K) – These groovy mfers have me HOOKED. Thornhill is about to drop a new album in April and the early releases they have put out have me stoked for BODIES. I discovered them just after their inaugural album, The Dark Pool, and have released banger after banger. They are also from Australia and just further proves my point that Australia gets DOWN with the metalcore genre. Recommended songs – Nurture, Obsession, Where We Go When We Die and nerv.
3) thrown (1M) – Rounding out my list for Swedish bands is thrown. Similar to Aviana, thrown is classified as metalcore as well but they have different sounds from each other and thrown is doing something right. I discovered thrown in 2021 proceeding the release of their single Grayout and as they have continued to release music they just get better. thrown released their first full album last year and their brilliance shined. I can’t wait for them to come to the US where I will be seeing them at Louder than Life in September and I am STOKED. Recommended song – dwell, guilt, on the verge, and fast forward.
2) LANDMVRKS (1M) – You do not understand how obsessed I am with this band. You won’t believe where they’re from considering the list before now. Australia? NO. Sweden? NO. This incredible band is from FRANCE. Their incorporation of French into their music is amazing to me too. Flo (Florent Salfati, the lead singer) is not only a musician, he is an artist. From their album Fantasy to their early releases in their upcoming album The Darkest Place I’ve Ever Been every step I have seen LANDMVRKS take is brilliant. I saw them play live in the tiniest little venue for their first tour in the US near Chicago, IL and even live they’re insane. If I could recommend every single song by them I would but to narrow it down, my recommended songs would be – Lost in A Wave, Self-Made Black Hole, Visage, Sulfur, Scars, and Paralyzed.
1 ) Zero 9:36 (1M) – Rounding it out with a hip-hop alternative metal group from Pennsylvania I will also be seeing this year is Zero 9:36. I remember discovering them while I was playing video games back in 2020 and was like “okay who are these guys I need more of this sound!” I love when genres are able to come together and just defy the expectation of societal pressure. Recommended songs – The End / Undead, Self-Destruct, WWYDF, and Underneath.
If you have made it this far, thanks for sticking around and listening to some good music. This was a long post, I know but I genuinely enjoy all of these bands and think you might too, if you don’t know them.
Her Metal Manifesto 
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