Image: Metallica [Official Press Photo]
Since 1981, Metallica have been shaking up the metal scene. The thrash metal powerhouse is one of the scene’s giants and has influenced countless younger acts—not just musically. From an initial underground tip to one of the biggest stadium bands in the world, it’s been a long journey, and many contemporary musicians are now following a similar path at a rapid pace. These seven acts from today’s scene, in our opinion, have the potential to become as big as Metallica.
Sleep Token
From small clubs to the world’s biggest venues: Sleep Token have followed this path too. The masked UK collective, active since 2016, started out as an underground secret. Their 2023 album Take Me Back To Eden made them known worldwide beyond the scene’s boundaries. By 2025, with their follow-up Even In Arcadia, they had already reached absolute headliner status. They topped festival lineups at Rock am Ring, Rock im Park, and even headlined Download Festival in their home country, the UK. Their anonymously performing group around frontman Vessel sells out their own tours in record time and tops the charts with their releases. A Metallica-style career in fast-forward.
Parkway Drive
From Byron Bay to the world’s biggest stages: Parkway Drive have achieved it. The Australian band is known for their hands-on music, evolving over the years from classic metalcore to modern metal. While singer Winston McCall and the rest had to establish themselves in small clubs at the start, tours today are self-running. Especially in terms of live production, PWD is unmatched: fire, pyrotechnics, lift platforms, a rotating drum kit, or simply five incredibly talented musicians—here, you get it all and more.
Architects
What Metallica are to thrash metal, Architects are to metalcore. The British band has been shaping the sound since their formation in 2004, with every album pushing the envelope, and by now Architects have already opened shows for Metallica on their M72 World Tour. From production to intricate sound to meaningful lyrics, Architects have grown year after year. If James Hetfield and co. defined thrash, Sam Carter and the band have shaped modern metalcore into what it is today.
Lorna Shore
Big, wide, full, epic. If these were sound attributes, you’d think of Metallica—and Lorna Shore. The deathcore band around frontman Will Ramos has risen to the top over the past five years. If you enjoy the darker side of Metallica’s sound and like things heavier, Lorna Shore’s anthemic songs are definitely for you.
Knocked Loose
Raw sound and pure energy—if that’s what draws you to Metallica, check out Knocked Loose. The hardcore crew has made a name for themselves beyond the hardcore scene in recent years, including appearances on US television and mainstream festivals. Guitar music on TV? Not just a Metallica thing. If you love the raw energy of Hetfield and co.’s early days, dive into A Different Shade Of Blue or You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To by Knocked Loose.
Turnstile
Speaking of hardcore and meteoric rises, Turnstile can’t be overlooked. Frontman Brendan Yates and his band have gone from small clubs in Baltimore to major venues worldwide. They’re far from reaching their peak, as every release broadens their fanbase. A trajectory Metallica have already completed and one you can witness live with Turnstile.
Paleface Swiss
Carving out a unique musical niche? Metallica did that as one of the “Big 4” of thrash metal. Paleface Swiss have also found their own place in the scene. The Swiss band started as a classic beatdown band and quickly incorporated other influences into their sound: a little deathcore here, some nu-metal there, creating the mix we now love from Zelli and co.! Defining your music through experimentation—and finding success doing it—takes truly skilled musicians.
