Coheed and Cambria with Mastodon and Periphery

Atlanta's Mastodon, formed in 1999, are influential in American metal, blending genres like stoner, sludge, and metalcore. Known for complex riffs and conceptual albums like Leviathan, they've received Grammy recognition for hits like "Sultan's Curse." Albums like The Hunter and Emperor of Sand showcase their diverse influences. They often collaborate with Neurosis' Scott Kelly and teamed up with Lamb of God in 2024 for "Floods of Triton."

Claudio Sanchez, lead of NY prog rockers Coheed and Cambria, blends sci-fi epic tales with raw personal storytelling. Known for "The Amory Wars" saga, the band’s powerful sound fuses emo, metal, and prog.

Periphery, hailing from Washington, D.C., are renowned for their boundary-pushing progressive metal. Founded by Misha Mansoor, they utilize djent and complex instrumentation, with standout albums like Juggernaut and Periphery III, which earned a Grammy nod. Their innovation is evident in acclaimed releases like Periphery IV and V.