In existence since 2018, this Levanger Black Metal outfit delivers tremolo-picked fury and blast-beat savagery. Their place within the frozen north that birthed an entire genre speaks to the depth of the region's heavy music culture.

Progressive metal solo artist from Limerick, Ireland, active since 2019 and exploring the technical and compositional depths of progressive metal. His approach favors intricate guitar work and complex arrangements.

Five-piece death metal/grindcore outfit from the Stadtlohn/Munster/Essen corridor, shredding and blasting since 1999 with an extensive catalog including Ascension, Where The Light Ends, and a tribute to Nasum. Over two decades of relentless touring and recording have made them veterans of the German extreme metal circuit.

In existence since 2019, this Stockholm Death Metal outfit delivers labyrinthine song structures built on chromatic riff mazes. Their place within the Gothenburg school's homeland speaks to the depth of the region's heavy music culture.

Melodic thrash metal band from Valencia, active since 2013 and delivering hook-laden aggression from Spain's Mediterranean coast. Their sound channels Scandinavian-influenced melodic sensibility through the intensity of thrash metal.

Pushing the boundaries of power metal, this Norwegian outfit from Oslo has been refining their craft since 2019. Their sound hinges on Helloween-school optimism forged in twin-guitar brilliance, delivered with militant precision.

Drawing from Nova Gorica's musical fabric, this Slovenian act forges Thrash Metal built on galloping rhythms and shredding leads that recall metal's golden age. Razor-edged guitar tone and barked vocals recall thrash's golden era.

Death metal and death 'n' roll band from Pavia in Lombardy, active since 2014 and merging death metal's guttural intensity with the swagger and groove of death 'n' roll. Their sound rolls between crushing brutality and infectious, groove-laden momentum.

Kells is a Lyon-based French symphonic metal band formed in 2001, distinguished by vocalist Virginie Goncalves's range from melodic singing to harsh growls and by writing all lyrics in French. Their debut Gaïa arrived in 2005 on an independent label, blending orchestral arrangements with nu metal and electronica, before the band signed to Season of Mist for Lueurs (2009) and Anachromie (2012). The latter was mastered by Ted Jensen and came packaged with a behind-the-scenes DVD.