Dim Mak

The self-described "cobracore" metal band Dim Mak formed in the late '90s from the ashes of death metal cult favorites Ripping Corpse, a band in which three of Dim Mak's members -- vocalist Scott Ruth, guitarist Shaune Kelley, and drummer Brandon Thomas -- played (the other member is bassist Dennis Carrol). Not surprisingly, Dim Mak's music is largely a continuation of Ripping Corpse's, but with a slightly more hardcore-ish feel to the vocals and, lyrically, an overriding martial arts theme that also includes frequent references to snakes. (The name "Dim Mak" itself comes from...