Unto Others’ blend of goth-rock meets classic heavy metal has been burning brightly in the underground for years. With two immaculate records under their belt – 2019’s Mana and 2021’s Strength – they’ve shared the stage with the likes of King Diamond, Arch Enemy, Behemoth, Napalm Death and Carcass. They have a sound that’s inspired and unique, as well as the songwriting chops to become the next favorite band for legions of headbangers. All they need is the right exposure, which they may be getting thanks to their newly minted deal with Century Media Records. Look for Unto Others to have the massive breakout they’ve long deserved in 2024. - Jon Garcia 

This fearsome British foursome don’t even have a full-length record out yet and the metal world is already drooling for more. But take one listen to how they cohesively combine hardcore, metal, noise, atmosphere and extremity and it’s easy to see why. 2022’s Profound Morality EP executed more artistic vision in 20 minutes than most bands muster in 45. Debbie Gough is emerging as a genuine guitar superstar while also pairing her dynamic shrieks and croons with bassist/vocalist Jack Packer for an extra raw punch. They’re heavy as hell with songs that keep you engaged and surprised from the drop. Heriot is one of the most exciting bands in metal and if you don’t know this by now, you will soon. - Jon Garcia

This hyper-power-violence trio from Boise, Idaho, has been simmering away in the underground for a few years, with an excellent album, Gun, released in 2021. Now signed to Closed Casket Activities  they've released a slash ‘n’ burn EP called Cold Steel and in 2024 look set to smash the mold left by Trap Them, Nails, All Pigs Must Die and their ilk. - Dan Franklin 

In the wake of Unto Others and Creeper's massive 2023, the goth metal resurgence is firmly on. Zebra are a British duo with a mystique which is more tongue-in-cheek than Sleep Token, and their concoction of doom, gloom and eighties synth pop should see them reach a much bigger audience in 2024. - Dan Franklin

Arguably they've already had a couple of successful breakthrough years, mixing it with hardcore crowds and supporting the death metal greats. With superb, emetic debut album Slave to the Scalpel recently reissued, the forthcoming follow-up record on Metal Blade will be vital in slicing their chainsaw into wider consciousness. 200 Stan Wounds, amirite? - Dan Franklin

Known for their chaotic and emotional screamo style, Wristmeetrazor has been making a name for themselves in the metal community. Their previous releases, "Replica of a Strange Love" and "Misery Never Forgets," have set a high bar, and they are expected to continue this trend in 2024. - Cori Westbrook

CAPRA is a band known for their intense energy and powerful live performances. Their music combines elements of hardcore punk and metal, creating a unique and ferocious sound. They have been gaining momentum with their high-octane shows and are definitely a band to watch. - Cori Westbrook

A standout in the cybergrind genre, ZOMBIESHARK! has been gaining attention with their latest singles. With a new album announced for early 2024, the band is expected to make a significant impact in the metalcore scene. - Cori Westbrook

Part of Vein’s .fm school of associated artists, Fleshwater recently have developed into an exciting proposition in their own right with a buzz off the back of the campaign for debut album We’re Not Here to Be Loved that seems set to snowball further into their second. Combining the kind of rusty scalpel blade cacophony of their other band with the reflective melody of grunge, shoegaze, and post-hardcore, the result is already a lot more distinctive and compellingly Frankenstein-ish than most “hardcore band go alternative” projects already out there, and they’re as good a bet as anyone else right now for a breakout year taking them to the upper reaches of that genre. - Perran Helyes

In the few years where the unfortunate loss of Power Trip from the world stage have opened up a kind of power vacuum for the leaders of that school of crossover thrash, Vicious Blade’s 2022 Siege of Cruelty EP is arguably the single most promising document, a rip-roaring collection that plays almost like a 14-minute best-of in that style traversing everything from Kill ‘Em All to Midnight-style blackened speed metal, with vocalist Clarissa Badini also of Castrator leading the charge with a performance you can somehow hear the denim and spikes poking through. Currently recording their full-length debut, you can expect that when it arrives to join the cream of the crop. - Perran Helyes

I had the pleasure of seeing MØL perform in Manchester, UK in 2023 and they grabbed my attention and haven’t let go ever since. The heaviness of metal really shines when it is counteracted with ebbs and flows of softness. The band beautifully incorporates shoegaze influences from Slowdive and My Bloody Valentine into their special brand of metal and it’s thanks to those elements that their songs have truly touched my heart. Rumor has it that they are working on new music this year to follow up their 2021 release, Diorama - Tori Kravitz

Doom metal has a new queen and it’s Gwyn Strang. Her ethereal, melancholy vocal performances combined with the gut wrenchingly heavy guitars creates a symphony that sounds like the darkest depths of my soul. They made their rounds at a few big festivals in 2023 where their head-turning, magnetic stage presence caught a lot of people’s attention - including mine. Their haunting, feminine take on doom metal is a much-needed refresher for the genre. - Tori Kravitz

Set to make their full length debut later this month via Century Media Record with Dead Mother Moon, the San Fernando Valley standouts combine muscle and melody into their brand of death metal. Earning the professional cosigns from the likes of producer Taylor Young and Shadows Fall's Brain Fair who guests on the album, the emerging collective has positioned themselves as one of the most promising new bands in modern heavy music. - Ramon Gonzales

Arguably one of the most inventive bands among the resurgence of deathcore, Brand of Sacrifice are long overdue for a massive breakout year. Earning accolades for their 2020 opus, Lifeblood the band reemphasize their gargantuan sound with last year's Between Death and Dreams EP -  a sonic wallop that challenged the conventional troupes of deathcore with cinematic scope. The band have recently signed with Nuclear Blast Records and are no doubt on the verge of releasing one of the most anticipated albums of 2024. Their most recent single "Purge" offers testament to that. - Ramon Gonzales