Zulu

It almost feels reductive to call Zulu a metallic hardcore band, because their music is so much more than that. Both their 2019 and 2020 EPs are packed with emotional lyrics, spoken-word poems and tearful audio clips about the systemic violence that Black Americans are forced to endure under the rule of our country's white nationalist patriarchy. Their nasty riffs, cop-crushing mosh parts and speckles of powerviolence blast beats are tremendous, but they mostly function as a compelling medium to host their urgent message to white audiences: "It's up to you/And you alone/Make that change."