The Barbarians of California is the heavy side project of AWOLNATION's Aaron Bruno and longtime producer Eric Stenman, born from their shared roots in late-'90s California hardcore and skate culture. Rounded out by AWOLNATION members Zach Irons and Isaac Carpenter, the project strips away pop pretense in favor of raw, thrashy aggression that reconnects Bruno with his hardcore origins in bands like Insurgence.

Assembled in Los Angeles in 2019 by vocalist Jordan Tyler and drummer Mark Hylander, The Bites are a Hollywood hard rock outfit devoted to the sleaze and swagger of 1980s glam and arena rock. Their debut album Squeeze channels Mötley Crüe-style hooks and Van Halen-influenced guitar work through a contemporary production sensibility, landing them tours supporting Sebastian Bach and The Dead Daisies. The band established themselves quickly on the LA club circuit before expanding to international audiences.

The Violent Hour is the new project of former Butcher Babies vocalist Carla Harvey and Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante, blending old-school rock and roll, indie, alternative soul, and heavy metal into an eclectic, genre-defying sound. Their 2025 debut EP features an all-female lineup and guest appearances from guitar legends John 5 and Zakk Wylde, with tracks spanning from punk-tinged metal to 70s Southern rock aesthetics. Harvey's reinvention beyond the Butcher Babies framework, paired with Benante's versatile musicianship, creates a fresh creative partnership unconstrained by either artist's previous work.

Tom Morello is one of the most innovative and politically engaged guitarists in rock history, having revolutionized the instrument's possibilities through his work with Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave, and Prophets of Rage. His ability to coax turntable scratches, helicopter sounds, and otherworldly textures from a standard guitar setup, combined with his Harvard-educated political activism, made him a singular figure in both music and social justice movements. As a solo artist and collaborator, Morello continues to push the boundaries of what the electric guitar can do while using his platform to champion workers' rights and progressive causes.

Tommy's RockTrip is the passion project of drummer Tommy Clufetos, best known as the final touring drummer for Black Sabbath and a longtime member of Ozzy Osbourne's band. The project celebrates the heavy metal and hard rock legacy of Sabbath and Ozzy through electrifying live performances and original material, including the 2021 debut 'Beat Up By Rock 'N' Roll' on Frontiers Records.