Between the Buried and Me (BTBAM):
- Genre: Progressive Metal / Heavy Metal
- Origin: Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
- Formed: 2000
- Key Info: Known for their expansive sound incorporating diverse influences like metal, jazz, djent, and electronica. They've released critically acclaimed concept albums like "Colors", "The Parallax," and "Automata". Their latest album, "Animals", came out in 2021 and explores themes of environmentalism and societal critique. Currently touring North America.
The Acacia Strain:
- Genre: Death Metal / Metalcore
- Origin: Chicopee, Massachusetts, USA
- Formed: 2001
- Key Info: Pioneers of "beatdown hardcore" blending brutality with mosh-inducing breakdowns. Their lyrics often touch on dark themes like violence, alienation, and societal decay. Their most recent album, "Truth and Control", was released in 2021 and showcases their aggressive sound and socially conscious message. Currently touring North America with Dying Fetus and 200 Stab Wounds.