Los Angeles' Slizard bring a reptilian swagger to heavy metal since their 2021 formation, working within the genre's traditional structures in a city whose underground supports both massive arena acts and basement-level metal diehards. Their sound channels the raw, riff-forward approach that has always been heavy metal's backbone.

San Diego, California heavy metal band formed in 2025, carrying on the traditions of classic American heavy metal in Southern California.

Los Angeles heavy metal band formed in 2009, operating in the Southern California underground with a direct, no-frills approach to traditional metal songwriting.

Traditional heavy metal band from Castro Valley, California, active since 2014, drawing on classic NWOBHM and American power metal influences with a straightforward, riff-forward approach.

Los Angeles band formed in 2003 that began as a provocative nu-metal act before evolving toward heavier stoner and hard rock territory, known for theatrical stage performances and confrontational imagery.

Sonic Angel is a heavy metal band from Hayward, California, formed in 2004, rooted in the melodic and traditional sensibilities of classic American heavy metal.

Sonic Medusa is a heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 2010, drawing on the classic traditions of the genre with a sound informed by decades of LA metal history.

Soraya are a heavy, speed, and thrash metal band from Palmdale, California, formed in 2021, channeling the raw energy of classic 80s metal into a modern context with an emphasis on speed and traditional song structures.

Sound Barrier is a heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California, active since 2017. They carry on the tradition of melodic, hard-driving American heavy metal rooted in the West Coast scene.