Flatwounds, Identity Crisis & Moon Rules Apply — The Future Sounds Fierce

If you find yourself hunting for riffs thick with mood reminiscent of the '90s alternative scene, here are three emerging bands that deserve a permanent spot in your rotation. These artists bring that raw emotional edge, somewhere between post-hardcore, grunge revival, and sludgy alt-metal, that hit in all the right ways.

Flatwounds

Aggressive and atmospheric in equal measure, Flatwounds ride the wire between sludge and hardcore. Their sound is gritty, but not aimless; every track feels like it's crawling towards something.

Start with "Drenched" 

RIYL: Alice in Chains, Helmet, Whores

Identity Crisis

A fusion of post-punk textures with metallic edges, there's chaos in their music that feels controlled. The vocals are jagged and human, with a sense of urgency that pulls you in.

Start with "Nature" 

RIYL: Hum, Turnstile, Title Fight

Moon Rules Apply

Grunge bones with spacey overtones. There's a touch of shoegaze in the way their guitar work swirls, but the core is still raw and heavy. Oddly enough, I find myself looking at them like a brooding cousin to King Gizzard with psychedelic vibes over a sludge metal center.

Start with "Office Papers" 

RIYL: Mother Love Bone, Malfunkshun, early Soundgarden

These are the kinds of artists that remind me why I love music in the first place—loud, unpolished, and honest. Keep your ears on ‘em.