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Blackie Lawless digs into his pre-W.A.S.P. past at the Fox Theater in Riverside, KK's Priest locks in a 2026 Los Angeles date, and California's nu-metal roots get a fresh look as the scene barrels toward 2026.
Suicide Silence's 'Graceless' title track, a Deathgrave review from MetalSucks, and W.A.S.P.'s El Cajon tour kickoff anchor a week that shows California's deathcore, grindcore, and NWOTHM scenes are all quietly thriving heading into 2026.
Nekrogoblikon's 20th anniversary, new MetalSucks columns, and a wave of heavy metal veteran activity offer a wide-angle look at how California's comedy metal, NWOTHM, and industrial scenes are all quietly evolving heading into 2026.
AFI's Davey Havok opens up about retiring 'Miss Murder' from the setlist, sparking a wider look at how California legacy acts — from The Kinison's reunion tour to the Sammy Hagar/Alex Van Halen feud — wrestle with the songs and stories that define them.
All Shall Perish's long-awaited comeback single and Slayer's 40th anniversary Reign in Blood set anchor a week that also spotlights FYA Fest's stacked hardcore lineup and California's under-covered NWOTHM underground.
Deathchant's emotional new video, a brutal MetalSucks review of Deathgrave's 'Hell Is Evil,' and 80s metal nostalgia via Magnum and Anthrax all point to a California scene still finding new ways to hit hard.
Oxnard grindcore unit NAILS signs to Closed Casket Activities as Godflesh's final album, System of a Down's Toxicity reissue, and Exodus's 70000 Tons booking all point to a California metal scene refusing to sit still heading into 2026.
From a haunted police officer's PTSD confession to John Christ's health scare and REV3RENT's deathcore resurgence, this week's metal news is a study in resilience — and California's underground speed metal, heavy metal, and deathcore scenes have plenty to say about it.
California Metal Index's data shows the state's 25 busiest touring bands have 178 combined upcoming shows — but only 3 of them have their next date booked inside California itself.
GWAR's political satire, a Bad Wolves lineup shakeup over a posthumous Dolly Parton cover, punk royalty reuniting for the Ramones' 50th, and Dark Funeral's 30-year milestone all collide this week — with California's black metal underground and heavy metal revivalists tying it all together.
Southern California deathcore titans Carnifex announce 'More Than Misery,' while Beartooth's Caleb Shomo opens up about backlash to coming out and legacy acts like Great White and Twisted Sister keep proving metal's elder statesmen aren't done yet.
Party Cannon's off-dates from a run with California's Nekrogoblikon turn into a headlining tour, while new music from Darkest Hour, Clutch, and Pain — plus a wave of archival reissues — offers a snapshot of where California's touring and legacy scenes stand heading into fall.
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