Few bands have the tenure of Nacogdoches' Vampyre Deth, who have been stalking the East Texas underground since 1987. Decades into their existence, they remain committed to old-school death metal — raw, lurching, and stubbornly resistant to modern polish.

Cavernous, Incantation-worshipping death metal duo split between Dallas and Atlanta. Released the devastating 'Crypt Born & Tethered to Ruin' on Profound Lore in 2010.

Crushing Death Metal / Grindcore from Dallas.

San Marcos' Vex have spent twenty years evolving from death-thrash roots into something far more intricate, arriving at a progressive and melodic death metal sound that rewards close attention. Few Texas bands can claim such a deliberate, documented arc of artistic growth across two decades.

Devastating Slam / Brutal Death Metal from Dickinson.

Houston's Vipra arrived in 2022 bringing a melodic death-thrash hybrid that fits naturally into the city's historically brutal metal landscape while pointing outward toward the melodic Scandinavian tradition. Their riffing is tight and purposeful, threading Gothenburg-style lead work through a framework of punishing Texan heaviness.

One of the bands that helped put Houston on the brutal death metal map in the late 90s. Spawned Shawn Whitaker's solo project Insidious Decrepancy. Reunited in 2022 after a decade-long hiatus.

Ruthless Death Metal out of Texas.

Ruthless Slam / Brutal Death Metal out of Texas.

Doom/death collective formed during the pandemic from ex-members of Azoth, Shitstorm, and Drainbow. Signed to Everlasting Spew Records.

Ruthless Slam / Brutal Death Metal from San Antonio.

Ripping Death / Thrash Metal from San Antonio.