Roots of Darkest Hour

In Flames is a Swedish heavy metal band from Gothenburg, formed in 1990. They are considered one of the pioneering acts of the Gothenburg metal scene, which also includes bands such as At the Gates and Dark Tranquillity. Their lineup has changed several times, with vocalist Anders Fridén and lead guitarist Björn Gelotte being the only consistent members since 1995. Since the departure of Jesper Strömblad in 2010, no original members remain with the band. The band has sold over two million records worldwide.

Dark Tranquillity are a Swedish melodic death metal band from Gothenburg, formed in 1989. They are considered one of the pioneering acts of the Gothenburg metal scene, which also includes bands such as At the Gates and In Flames. After a nearly three-decade long collaboration of four founding members frequent lineup changes between 2015-2021 have left only vocalist Mikael Stanne as an original member, together with long-time keyboardist Martin Brändström. The current lineup of the band consists of Stanne (vocals), Brandstrom, Johan Reinholdz, Peter Lyse Karmak, Christian Jansson (bass), and Joakim Strandberg Nilsson (drums).

Van Halen was an American rock band formed in Pasadena, California, in 1972. Credited with restoring hard rock to the forefront of the music scene, Van Halen was known for their energetic live performances and the virtuosity of their guitarist, Eddie Van Halen.

Shadows Fall is an American metalcore band from Springfield, Massachusetts, formed in 1996. Although Shadows Fall has experienced several line-up changes, for most of its recording career, Shadows Fall has been composed of guitarists Jonathan Donais and Matt Bachand, bassist Paul Romanko, lead vocalist Brian Fair and drummer Jason Bittner.

Megadeth is an American heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles in 1983 by vocalist and guitarist Dave Mustaine. Known for their technically complex guitar work and musicianship, Megadeth is one of the "big four" of American thrash metal—along with Slayer, Anthrax, and Metallica—and is credited with helping to develop and popularize the genre. Their music features intricate arrangements, fast rhythm sections, dual lead guitars, and lyrical themes such as war, conflicts, politics, religion, death, and personal relationships.

Slayer is an American thrash metal band from Huntington Park, California, formed in 1981 by guitarists Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman, drummer Dave Lombardo and vocalist/bassist Tom Araya. Slayer's fast and aggressive musical style made them one of the "big four" bands of thrash metal, alongside Metallica, Megadeth, and Anthrax. Slayer's current lineup comprises King, Araya, drummer Paul Bostaph, and guitarist Gary Holt, who initially joined as a touring musician in 2011 before joining the band permanently after Hanneman's death in 2013; the drummer Jon Dette is a former member of the band.