Three Massachusetts Metal Bands You NEED to Hear

New England has been home to a plethora of brilliant musicians and artists. In the mid 2000s the scene was dominated by metalcore, but now there is a whole slew of different genres from stoner and doom metal, black metal, power metal, death metal, and more. Here are a few MA metal bands we think you need to scope out first.

Black Pyramid

You probably wouldn’t think of Massachusetts as the state that delivers high-quality stoner/doom, but I think we're doing pretty well between bands like ELDER and BLACK PYRAMID over here.

Much like the funeral doom subgenre, stoner doom has to have something interesting going on for it to hold my attention. Bands like Electric Wizard are at the bottom of the heap for me because they get too comfortable in their fuzzed out space.

Black Pyramid's most recent album - The Paths of Time Are Vast (2024)

On the other side of the spectrum you’ve got bands like Sleep, delivering highly dynamic song compositions and records that are guaranteed to bust out both indica and sativa, giving you a full gamut of audio domination.

Black Pyramid sits comfortably in the middle of this stoner spectrum, as they deliver strong, neck-breaking riffs alongside that droning, introspective sort of free-jam you expect from bands that indulge in the devil’s lettuce.

Dunno what their tour schedule looks like by the time this comes out, but if you see their name pop up on a bill near you, definitely jump on that. This is something you’re going to want to see live.

Seven SpireS

I've been lucky enough to share the stage with this incredibly talented cohort that met while they studied at Berklee College of Music. Adrienne Cowan, a multi-talented musician, leads their marvelous take on symphonic power metal with soaring vocals, even introducing harsh screams to the mix.

Their 2020 record, Emerald Seas is a real treat.

The songwriting from this band is masterful, showcasing a level of talent you'd only expect from graduates of the prestigious Boston area music school. Not only do they have a knack for showcasing their flair, they also can write hook driven songs that will become ear worms after a few listens.

The band has a handful of albums out. My recommendation for a first time listener is their 2020 sophomore record, Emerald Seas. It's a 50 minute opus for fans of Symphony X, Avantasia, or Rhapsody of Fire. Expect those blistering speeds you'd expect from speed metal, blended with the beauty of symphonic power metal. This band is a real treat.

Astronoid

Last and certainly not least are post-metallers Astronoid. Of the three bands, this one is the most accessible given their vocals, musical approach, and songwriting. Yes, they're certainly heavy, however, you can expect to hear tropes you might otherwise hear in more radio friendly acts.

A plethora of genres clearly inspired the band, including black metal, shoegaze, punk, and thrash. They often approach their songs like an epic, atmospheric dreamscape, filled with floating melodies, dreamy vocals, and cracking snares that ring out for days.

These guys are going on their ten-year anniversary in 2026 and with three albums under their belt, they're on a fantastic trajectory. Their last album was 2022's Radiant Bloom, a well-received piece of art that showcases the band's highly capable musicianship.

Are you looking for more metal bands? We've got you covered at Forgemaster Metal. Go check out YouTube page out for more amazing bands.