Formed in 2015 by Matt Reynolds and Tom Marsh, former members of UK noise-hardcore band Heck, Haggard Cat initially operated as a side project before becoming their primary creative vehicle following Heck's dissolution. Their sound trades Heck's frantic extremity for a rawer, blues-influenced hard rock attack informed by Jack White and Death from Above 1979, documented on the 2018 Earache Records debut Challenger and its follow-up Common Sense Holiday (2020). The duo self-released further material including the Cheer Up EP in 2021.

Formed in London in November 1969, Hawkwind are among the earliest and most influential space rock bands, fusing psychedelic rock, proto-punk energy, and science fiction mythology into an immersive live experience built on synthesizers, tape loops, and electronic noise. Their 1971 album In Search of Space was a landmark critical success, while the 1972 single 'Silver Machine' — recorded during the tenure of bassist Lemmy Kilmister — reached number one in the UK. With more than two dozen studio albums across six decades and Dave Brock as their sole continuous member, Hawkwind remain an active and foundational force in heavy psychedelic music.

Gothenburg quartet Honeymoon Disease formed in 2014 and built their boogie-infused hard rock sound around twin harmonizing guitars and the throaty, commanding vocals of singer Maria Linden. Their debut album The Transcendence appeared on Napalm Records in 2015, followed by Part Human, Mostly Beast on The Sign Records in 2017, with production on the latter handled by Ola Ersfjord. Their primary touchstones are classic hard rock acts including Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, and Thin Lizzy, filtered through a distinctly Scandinavian sensibility.

Gothenburg's Horisont formed in 2006 as a self-described revivalist act drawing from the sprawling prog and proto-metal of the 1970s, with influences ranging from Blue Öyster Cult and Yes to Judas Priest and Iron Maiden. Their debut Två Sidor Av Horisonten arrived on Crusher Records in 2009, followed by Second Assault (2012) and Time Warriors (2013), the latter bringing them to a wider international audience through Metal Blade Records. The band distinguishes itself through fearlessly inventive song structures that sit comfortably alongside both classic hard rock and traditional metal.

Jönköping, Sweden's Hällas formed in 2011 and built a concept-driven 'adventure rock' sound rooted in 1970s progressive rock and hard rock, centered on a fictional medieval universe populated by knights and seers. Their discography progresses from the self-titled 2015 debut EP through Excerpts from a Future Past (2017) and Conundrum (2020), each album adding greater compositional complexity and darker tonal texture. Isle of Wisdom (2022) and Panorama (2026), both released on Napalm Records, have expanded their international profile among listeners drawn to acts like Uriah Heep and early Iron Maiden.