DEAD HEAT: California Crossover Collective Signs To Metal Blade Records; Live Dates Announced

Photo by Luis Hernandez

Metal Blade Records is pleased to welcome Oxnard, California crossover collective DEAD HEAT to its iconic roster.

Forged in 2016 in, DEAD HEAT is known for their high-energy live performances and aggressive sound that draws influence from various subgenres of thrash, punk, hardcore, and metal. DEAD HEAT’s music is characterized by fast, thrashy riffs, driving rhythms, harmonious leads, and intense vocals that often veer into screamed or shouted terrain. Thematically, the band delves deep into social and political issues, as well as personal struggles and experiences.

In addition to crafting pulverizing music, the DEAD HEAT crew is notorious for their DIY approach to punk/metal culture and their involvement in the broader hardcore scene. The band members are regularly involved in booking shows and events in their local scene, as well as supporting various social and political causes.

Comments vocalist Christian Ramos of the band’s union with Metal Blade Records, “To be part of a label that has put out some of our favorite records and has had some of our favorite artists is without words an absolute honor!

Adds rhythm guitarist Justin Ton, “We’re on the same label that birthed Slayer and put Metallica on the map. It’s an honor.”

States Metal Blade’s Ryan Williams; US A&R, “DEAD HEAT fucking slays; it’s an honor to welcome them to the Metal Blade family.”

Over the course of their eight-year existence, DEAD HEAT has released a split with New York heavyweights Mindforce, two full-length albums, and several EPs including their most recent EP, Endless Torment, issued in 2023 on Triple B Records and Tankcrimes to critical acclaim. Wrote Revolver of the five-track bruiser, “The Nardcore torchbearers have only gotten heavier and nastier in the last two years, and on this joint, the barreling double-bass kicks and sawtooth guitar tones make their crossover thrashiness hit harder than it ever has.” Decibel concurred hailing songs that are “built for pit action: side-to-side riffs alongside driving bass, dive bombs, [and] fist-pumping vocal sections,” while Noizze hailed, “one of the best thrash records of the Summer for sure.”

DEAD HEAT has toured extensively, playing shows across the United States, Europe, and Japan. The band will play a one-off show supporting Bodycount later this month before joining Drain, Terror, Angel Dust, and End It for a short run of shows in June. In July, the band will bring their onstage bedlam to European stages. The latest stretch of live dates follow the band’s successful run supporting Municipal Waste, Ghoul, and Necrot on the inaugural Brainsqueeze Tour earlier this year. See all confirmed dates below.

DEAD HEAT Live:
5/22/2024 House Of Blues – Anaheim, CA w/ Bodycount, Vio-Lence, Damnage
6/03/2024 Portal – Louisville, KY w/ Drain, Terror, Angel Dust, End It
6/04/2024 Brooklyn Bowl – Nashville, TN w/ Drain, Terror, Angel Dust. End It
6/06/2024 Rev Room – Little Rock, AR w/ Drain, Terror, Angel Dust, End It
6/07/2024 The Factory – Dallas, TX w/ Drain, Terror, Angel Dust, End It
6/08/2024 Empire Control Room – Austin, TX w/ Drain, Terror, Angel Dust, End It
6/22/2024 Superbowl Of Hardcore – Rennes, FR
6/23/2024 L’Esspace – Paris, FR
6/24/2024 Dynamo – Zurich, CH
6/25/2024 Juha West – Stuttgart, DE
6/26/2024 Cassiopeia – Berlin, DE
6/27/2024 AJZ – Erfurt, DE
6/28/2024 Cafe Pawlow – Dresden, DE
6/29/2024 Abyss Festival – Fribourg, CH
7/01/2024 Gangeviertel – Hamburg, DE
7/02/2024 Cinetol – Amsterdam, NL
7/03/2024 R25 Kulturschlachthof – Dusseldorf, DE
7/04/2024 Forum – Bielefeld, DE
7/05/2024 Pitfest – Emmen, NL
7/06/2024 Ieperfest – Ieper, BE
7/07/2024 New Cross Inn – London, GB
7/08/2024 Cluny 2 – Newcastle, GB
7/09/2024 TBA – Glasgow, GB
7/10/2024 Muthers Studio – Birmingham, GB