Formed in Ottawa in 1978, EXCITER are recognized as one of the original speed metal bands and a seminal influence on the thrash movement which emerged in the early 1980s. Early classics including their 1983 debut ‘Heavy Metal Maniac’ and 1984’s ‘Violence And Force’ cemented the band’s reputation, bolstered by tours with Mercyful Fate, Motorhead, Megadeth, Manowar, and Accept. Loudwire name-checked Exciter in its ‘Top 10 Speed Metal Songs Released Before Thrash’ stating ‘Heavy Metal Maniac’ preceded Metallica’s thrash-defining-line-in-the-sand ‘Kill ‘Em All’ by a matter of weeks in 1983.’ The band currently consists of original members Dan Beehler (drums/vocals) & Allan Johnson (bass) who are joined by guitarist Daniel Dekay. Known for their energetic, tight, and deafening performances, the band plays material from across their entire legendary Beehler fronted catalog & have remained active with shows all over the world.

The notorious and prolific Cleveland cult, Midnight, have been slaying the metal/punk underground with their own, highly addictive brand of lust, filth, and sleaze dating back to the band’s inception in 2003. Filthy, belligerent and obnoxious, Midnight make music to start fights to. One-man-band, Athenar, has been churning out an ungodly racket, dropping countless demos, splits and EPs, and in 2024 he returns with Midnight’s sixth full-length, Hellish Expectations.

Wraith is a blackened speed metal band that hails from Northwest Indiana. Matt Sokol, the founding member, on guitars and vocals. Mike Szymendera on drums, Chris Petkus on bass and Jason Schultz on leads

Hellwitch is a Technical Death/Thrash Metal band from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States of America, formed in 1984.