Self-reliance and musical integrity are two principles which Dying Fetus have always lived by. The band formed in 1991, during the height of the death metal explosion of the early ’90s, and have matured into one of the premiere extreme death metal/grind-core acts ever to come out of the massive global metal underground. The band is recognized worldwide as a prime example of songwriting perfection, combining an innovative mix of technical virtuosity and catchy song structures to create the ultimate blend of death metal, hardcore, and grindcore. Intensity unparalleled, and musical power unrivaled, they are the leaders of the new generation in extreme music. Their sounds and lyrics are a brutal response to the everyday stress and pressures of reality in our age, while also providing the ultimate escape from it.

It can be said that some bands truly embody a certain spirit or emotion. Without a doubt, Massachusetts’ long running juggernauts, THE ACACIA STRAIN, truly embody anger. And that shows more than ever on their newest full length, “Wormwood.” The band’s actual sound and vibe are more ferocious than ever on this, their fourth full length for Prosthetic Records and fifth effort overall. Even the successes of their previous full-length, “Continent,” which debuted at #2 on Billboard’s “Heatseekers” chart in 2008 and their DVD, “The Most Known Unknown,” which debuted at #10 on Billboard’s Top Video Sales Chart in the February of its release, have not assuaged front man and lyricist Vincent Bennett’s turmoil. For “Wormwood,” the band returned to the scene of the creation of “Continent;” producer Zeus’ of Planet Z Studio in Hadley, MA, who has previously worked with the likes of Hatebreed, The Red Chord, All That Remains and more, engineered, mixed and mastered the slab of vitriol. This time around, we find guitarist, D.L. experimenting with 8 string guitars, adding further depth and low end to the band’s already stomach-turning low end sound. “Wormwood” peaked at #67 on the U.S. Billboard charts, signaling metal fans’ increasing affinity for the band’s sheer musical passion and vicious brand of heaviness. The band appeared on last year’s “Cool Tour” with As I Lay Dying, Underoath, Between the Buried And Me, Blessthefall, Architects, Cancer Bats and War of Ages. The band’s extensive tour history has them on the road with acts such as Whitechapel, Unearth, Bleeding Through, Killswitch Engage, Despised Icon and August Burns Red. They have also appeared on The Sounds of the Underground Tour and will be a must-see addition to this summer’s Vans Warped Tour. THE ACACIA STRAIN were formed in 2002 in Western Massachusetts, and have gone through a variety of line ups, even, at one point having three guitars, but have played in their current incarnation since 2006. That line up consists of vocalist Vincent Bennett, bassist Jack Strong, guitarist Daniel “DL” Laskeiwitz and drummer Kevin Boutot.

Jungle Rot unravel unregulated aggression in a purely candid style. As if set to an egg-timer, it never takes more than a heartbeat for this four-piece from Chicago to go straight to the fuckin’ point. Their songs are known for hostility and tightly infectious riffs. They have an impressive ability to deny sounding “reused” or “recycled”. Throaty, but understandable vocals have long been a trademark of Dave Matrise all throughout the nine years JR has been shoveling forth their particular brand of underground demolition. About the best thing going for Jungle Rot is their versatility. Referring mostly to musical style, their capacity to be a welcome addition to any bill is almost without question. Be it Sodom, In Flames, or the Beastie Boys, Jungle Rot is destination unto themselves.

Black Crown Initiate is the sound of a sentient being at war with itself and everything else; an entity holding on for dear life as its inner and outer world dies.

PROSTHETIC RECORDS has signed Minneapolis based tech-death metallers, REAPING ASMODEIA. Formed by former members of With Dead Hands Rising, REAPING ASMODEIA self-released their debut album, “Poison of the Earth,” a year later. The album was mixed and mastered by Zack Ohren (All Shall Perish, Suffocation) and received high press in the death metal community. The band spent most of that year touring in support of the album, playing shows all across America with the likes of Abiotic, Beyond Creation, Boris The Blade and many more. They also appeared at the Texas independence Fest, Orange County Death Fest and Austin’s Hoodang Festival. Their intense live show and unrelenting work ethic, made them the go-to regional metal band in the Minneapolis area, having been chosen to support artists like Veil of Maya, The Faceless, The Contortionist as well as last year’s Summer Slaughter. With the signing to PROSTHETIC and a new album planned for Summer 2016, expect REAPING ASMODEIA’s reach to expand worldwide.