Havok

Formed in Denver, Colorado amid the mid-2000s resurgence of American thrash metal, Havok arrived on the scene in 2004, unleashing a ferocious, head-whipping approach modeled on Bay Area icons Exodus, Metallica, and Testament. The group crashed the Billboard 200 with their lauded third studio album, Unnatural Selection, in 2013, then sharpened their unyielding approach across subsequent releases Conformicide (2017) and V (2020).

Havok coalesced in 2004 and began circulating their throwback thrash wares through independent outlets, issuing a demo in 2005, a single the following year, and the 2007 EP Pwn 'em All. Those recordings secured a deal with Candlelight Records, which put out the band's first full-length, Burn, in 2009 before dispatching them on tours alongside Exodus, Anthrax, Destruction, Primal Fear, and Hammerfall. The extensive live work honed the quartet's technical precision, readying vocalist-rhythm guitarist David Sanchez, lead guitarist Reece Scruggs, bassist-backing vocalist Jessie de los Santos, and drummer Pete Webber for the follow-up Time Is Up. Produced by veteran James Murphy (Death, Obituary, Disincarnate, Testament), the album surfaced in early 2011.

For 2013's Unnatural Selection, Michael Leon took over bass duties; the record garnered favorable notices and marked Havok's Billboard chart entry. The band maintained a rigorous touring schedule that year before moving to Century Media. After Leon's departure three years later to join Soulfly, Nick Schendzielos of Cephalic Carnage stepped in and appeared on Conformicide, released in March 2017. Three years after that, bassist Brandon Bruce joined and the group delivered their fifth album, V.