According to founder Sean Miyashiro, 88rising is a “hybrid management, record label, video production, and marketing company.” This explains why it’s just as likely to discover flagship artists Joji, Rich Brian and NIKI on YouTube channels like First We Feast rather than those artists’ respective music. The collective works tirelessly to put…

The Devil Wears Prada didn’t ride the early 2000s, late 2010s wave of metalcore for long. After dropping its seminal third album, 2009’s With Roots Above and Branches Below, the Ohio sextet looked beyond  cartoon monster graphics. Along with two concept EPs, 2011’s Dead Throne and 2013’s 8:18 aged considerably well.…

For a movement often maligned as cookie monster goofery, the death metal underground’s diversity is undeniable. With distinct regional scenes there’s many legendary forebearers to inspire newer acts like Arizona’s Gatecreeper. Whether it’s the Swedish guitar tone and melodies or chunky American riffing, these guys have no problem crossing…

Japanese trio Boris has taken the vanguard of experimental metal through a balance of deafening heaviness and delicate meditations. The band is known for the former, but cuts like “The Sinking Belle” and “Resonance”—from collaborative albums with Sunn O))) and Merzbow—emphasize a more ethereal approach. This contrast runs deep…

The release of 2016’s My Woman marked a pivotal moment in Angel Olsen’s musical progression. The record expanded her indie folk roots both instrumentally and lyrically, distinguishing her from many of her contemporaries. Olsen describes the years following that album as a time of reflection and healing. Her fourth…

Greta Thunberg is at the forefront of a new wave of eco-metal. As former President Barack Obama pointed out, Finland holds the most metal bands per capita—but neighboring Sweden also sports a robust underground tradition. From death metal pioneers Entombed and melo-death titans At The Gates and black metal blasphemers…

Post-punk has a darker side that many choose to overlook. While revivalists like The Killers and The National scrape the tip of the iceberg, plunging into the turbulent depths reveals the likes of Ireland’s Girl Band. Like Killing Joke and The Pop Group, these guys throws punk rock’s ugliest…

After distancing itself from its acoustic roots in favor of ‘80s synth-pop—to varied results—twin sister duo Tegan and Sara updated its pop elements and reincorporated them into its original indie folk sound palette. Hey, I’m Just Like You will be a pleasant surprise for those who’ve followed the sisters’…

Sweden’s Opeth has written some of death metal’s most forward-thinking albums, but at this point almost half of its discography centers on progressive rock. The transition remains divisive within the fanbase, but the illustrious body of work that followed proves its success. Opeth’s incredible consistency keeps expectations high going…

M83, “Digital Shades Vol. II.” Few frustrations can compare to that of an artist who suspects his audience didn’t fully resonate with his work. French ‘80s revivalist Anthony Gonzalez wrestled with that feeling with Junk in 2016. As M83, his combination of shoegaze and synth-pop earned praise from multiple camps. Even…