Death Valley High — “Batdanse,” from the album Positive Euth (2013).
California rock bands
Weekly Focus: Death Valley High, Day Three
Death Valley High — “Doomsday in the Disco,” from the Survival Program EP (2012).
Weekly Focus: Death Valley High, Day Two
Death Valley High — “Multiply,” from the album Doom, in Full Bloom (2010).
Playlist Challenge, Day 428
Neon Coven — “No One Knows You’re Dead”
Weekly Focus: Death Valley High, Day One
Death Valley High — “Vincent Price,” from the album The Similarities of the Loveless and the Undead (2007).
Album of the Week — Death Valley High: Doom, in Full Bloom
I discovered Death Valley High via Instagram and decided to feature them in an installment of “5 Bands/Artists You Should Be Following.” As I listened to as many songs as I could find, I fell in love with “Multiply” from Doom, in Full Bloom. And so, here it is, my album of the week.

5 Bands/Artists You Should Be Following (#11)
1. KAATO
A rock band hailing from Australia and Tennessee. For fans of classic rock such as Tom Petty, Rod Stewart, The Black Crowes, etc. Check out “High Time” from KAATO’s self-titled album.
2. Awake At Last
A dark pop/hard rock/post-hardcore band from Delaware. For fans of Crown the Empire, Ice Nine Kills, Get Scared, etc. Awake At Last will be hitting the road in early July, including a few dates on Vans Warped Tour. Here are “King of the World” and “Never Be A Memory.”
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3. Relapse Symphony
A rock band from Washington DC. For fans of Black Veil Brides, Vampires Everywhere!, I Prevail, etc. Relapse Symphony is busy working on new things; meanwhile, vocalist Bret Von Dehl has released an EP with his side project, Heathens. Listen to “One More Yesterday” and “Born To Burn.”
4. Betrayer (UK)
A hardcore band from England. For fans of Slipknot, Hatebreed, Killswitch Engage, etc. Betrayer’s EP, Body of Integrity, will be released on June 28th. Check out the first two singles from the EP, “Integrity” and “Embodiment.”
5. Badflower
A rock band from California. For fans of Led Zeppelin, Greta Van Fleet, The Band, etc. Badflower is currently on the road. Listen to their latest single, “Ghost,” and my favorite of their songs, “The Jester.”
5 Bands/Artists You Should Be Following (#10)
I can’t believe this is the tenth installment! Thank you to the fans and the bands for the response!
1. American Grim
Rock band from New Jersey. For fans of The Murderdolls, Marilyn Manson, etc. American Grim is currently on the Beauty and the Beast Tour with Hail Sagan. Check out “Freakshow,” from the album of the same name, and “Burn Hollywood.”
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2. Davey Suicide
Goth rock from California. For fans of Wednesday 13, Deadstar Assembly, Dope, etc. Davey Suicide will be touring this winter in support of their latest record, Made From Fire. Here is the third single, “No Angel,” along with my favorite Davey Suicide song, “Hustler Queen.”
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3. Throw the Fight
A rock/metal/alternative band from Minnesota. For fans of Thrice, early Black Veil Brides, Nonpoint, etc. Throw the Fight is playing the Music Fights Back Festival in Wisconsin on June 23rd. Listen to “Don’t Let Me Down” and “Bury Me Alive.”
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4. TrueHeights
An alternative rock band from the UK. For fans of You Me At Six, 30 Seconds to Mars, I Prevail, etc. TrueHeights just released their second EP, Days We Found, in April. Here are the tracks “Exit Route” and “Still Moving Colour.”
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5. Bitch Queens
A punk rock band from Switzerland. For fans of Turbonegro, The Stooges, the Ramones, etc. Bitch Queens will be playing Marina Basel in July, then they’re heading to the UK in September. Enjoy their latest single, “Techno is Dead,” featuring David Baguetta!
And “Anti-Social,” the first song by Bitch Queens I heard:
5 Bands/Artists You Should Be Following (#9)
I decided to do a post honoring female-fronted bands. Most of those listed probably don’t need my help, but maybe this will help them gain a few new fans.
1. City of the Weak
A rock/alternative band from Minnesota. For fans of Paramore, The Distillers, Fit For Rivals, etc. City of the Weak is releasing their debut album, Pulling Teeth, on June 22nd. Check out their cover of Incubus’s “Pardon Me” and 2017’s “Ungrateful.”
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2. Hail Sagan
An electronic rock band from California. For fans of Bring Me the Horizon, Flyleaf, The Relentless, etc. Hail Sagan is currently on The Beauty and the Beast Tour, alongside American Grim.
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3. New Years Day
A hard rock band from California. For fans of Evanescence, The Pretty Reckless, etc. New Years Day will be on the road with In This Moment and Halestorm later this summer!
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4. Stitched Up Heart
A rock band from California. Of a similar vibe to New Years Day, so if you like Evanescence, Halestorm, etc., give Stitched Up Heart a chance. The band has begun writing new stuff.
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5. Butcher Babies
A metal band from California. For fans of Arch Enemy, Cradle of Filth, In This Moment, etc. Butcher Babies are playing the Gathering of the Juggalos, which is taking place July 18th – 21st in Ohio. They also just released their album Lilith. Check out the title track below.
5 Bands/Artists You Should Be Following (#7)
This installment could get rather lengthy. I saw three of the featured bands a few weeks ago, so I have a lot to say.
1. Locust Grove
A hard rock band from Oklahoma. These guys put on a kick ass live show, and they mean it when they say they’re bringing heavy guitar riffs back to rock. Lots of hair, gritty yet melodic vocals, and riffs reminiscent of Five Finger Death Punch, Sevendust, etc., Locust Grove could easily be your new favorite band. Check out the tracks “Monster” and “Menace of Society” below.
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2. Joyous Wolf
A rock band from California. These guys have been setting the world on fire this spring, being signed to a major label and playing such festivals as Carolina Rebellion and Rocklahoma. Joyous Wolf puts on one of the most energetic performances I’ve ever seen, in addition to their raw talent. I will not compare them to anyone else, but I will tell you they blend rock-n-roll, blues, and southern rock masterfully. The guys have currently left the road to record their first album. Here’s a taste of what you can expect.
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3. Blacktop Mojo
A hard rock/Southern rock band from Texas. You may have heard their cover of Aerosmith’s “Dream On,” thanks to Sirius XM Octane. Blacktop Mojo employs all the best elements of classic rock, rock-n-roll, and Southern rock to bring fans a sound that is pure joy to the ears. They put on a fantastic show, doing whatever it takes and giving 110% every time. It’s no wonder they have already cultivated quite the following. You can look at their tour dates on Facebook…and if you’re going to Louder Than Life in September, you will see them there!
4. Icon For Hire
A pop/rock/alternative band from Tennessee. For fans of Paramore, Pink, PVRIS, etc. Icon For Hire just finished a spring tour. Listen to them below and keep your eyes open for updates/announcements!
5. Dead Like Juliet
A hard rock/metal band from Italy. For fans of Bring Me the Horizon, The Amity Affliction, early Asking Alexandria, etc. You can get Dead Like Juliet’s latest album, Stranger Shores, now! Here is the most recent single, “Unwanted.”
And just because I like it…