As self-described proprietors of “disgusting music from Tokyo,” Kruelty have perfected a righteous combination of heavy hardcore and death doom, possibly the most “skull t-shirt” combination of four words one could put together. The band is definitely heavy as hell, with sinister growling vocals over bluesy chord progressions and a relentless double bass kick. Joining them on the penultimate date of their US tour are San Jose/Taipei-based death metallers Ripped to Shreds, whose own brand of heavy old school death metal inspired by East Asian history has emerged as the South Bay heavy sound to get hip to.

Kruelty + Ripped to Shreds
Sat, 8pm, $20
The X Bar, Cupertino

Been itching for some old school Bay Area thrash metal? 40ish years in, the scene pioneered by acts like Exodus, Testament, and yes, Metallica, lives on in bands like Phantom Witch. Razor-sharp riffs layer on top of drummer/bandleader Q Minor’s pounding double-kick bass drums and crashing cymbals, providing the perfect stage for vocalist Zach Fox’s menacing growl. The band manages to keep thrash’s anti-establishment edge in songs like last year’s single “Guillotine.” In keeping with the spirit of 1986, Phantom Witch brings the riffs, speed and brings the danger to the X-Bar.

Phantom Witch
Fri, 8pm, $10
The X-Bar, Cupertino