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The sprawling cities of the Sun Belt are already known for their homegrown metal scenes: New Orleans sludge, Savannah post-metal and Charlotte’s young (and in the way) but growing blackcrust stable. Because of this and because of its lower population by comparison (about 84,000 in the 2010 census), North Carolina's most western metropolis, Asheville is often overlooked in discussions of Southern scenes. However, in spite of a dearth of recognition, the small but rapidly growing city has become home to a tight-knit, growing extreme metal scene.

The Asheville scene is notable in many ways, in part because of its size relative to the city's comparatively small population and in part because of the sheer diversity of sub- and sub-subgenres represented in the local scene. From technical death metal to crust punk to doom to old-school black/thrash, you can find it in Asheville, often at the same show.

As a resident of Asheville, I feel it important to share this unique scene with the metal community at large, and thus offer this 2016 scene report for the greater Asheville metropolitan area, from Weaverville to Canton to Hendersonville to Black Mountain. I'm focusing mainly on the extreme metal bands because, let's face it, this is an "extreme music" blog, and though there are many, more mainstream-sounding acts in the area, it's time to give the Asheville underground the attention it deserves. I'm also limiting myself to acts that have recordings, since to go through the litany of side-projects and once-offs would make this list impenetrably long.

Be forewarned, the lifespan of Asheville bands is notoriously brief, so you should check these acts out as soon as possible. Recording quality may vary, but through all of the bands on this list are the common themes of competency, passion, and a resiliently do-it-yourself work ethic.

—words by Rhys Williams, artwork by Madison Klarer

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