For decades, propagating creativity within genres of heavy and loud music has been a mainstay in Ybor City and surrounding parts of central Florida.

  Since the glory days of heavy metal in the mid-1980s, many bands have come and gone. While many internationally acclaimed metal bands who began locally in Tampa still continue to tour, a new wave of younger, cutting-edge Bay area metal bands have landed on the shore.

  One such group is Unsung Destroyer. Hailing from Crystal River, Florida, Unsung Destroyer creates havoc with their groove-soaked riffs, aggressive drumming and defiant abrasive vocals.

  “People in the world go about doing good things without recognition. But it’s not about the recognition, it’s about doing the right thing regardless,” lead guitarist and co-founder Logan Flake elaborated, shedding some light on the message behind the band.

  Flake says, “[Drummer] Zach Chilton and I both grew up in small towns with only a small group of friends, including bassist Thomas Lackner and frontman Brent Jonika, who also enjoy heavy metal, punk, grunge and industrial music.”

  The four members of Unsung Destroyer, avid music fans themselves, each collectively pull from a wide range of influences in order to construct such engaging heavy metal.

  Each members’ diverse palette of musical tastes help play into not only the creative process of song writing, but also the passion they evoke through their delivery.

  “Everything we hear as a collective influences us one way or another, but the main inspiration for Unsung Destroyer are bands like Pantera, Helmet, Ministry and the Ramones. We also enjoy everything from Miles Davis to Die Antwoord, Trash Talk to Skinny Puppy,” says Flake. “We just love music.”

  Since forming in 2011, Unsung Destroyer has quickly risen in popularity within the local Florida metal scene, performing at numerous venues and clubs around the Tampa and Ybor area.

  According to Flake, “Since 2015, we have been honored to be a part of the Tampa metal community. Bands like Slikk Wikked, Lacerate, and Toxic Shock have helped contribute to the forward movement and success of Unsung Destroyer, be it coming out to our shows or helping us book gigs, we cannot thank them enough for their support.”

  With the inception of the first-ever Florida Metal Fest here in Ybor City, Unsung Destroyer has earned a chance at mass exposure.

  In search for local bands to open the fest, FMF organizers held two “battle of the bands” contests at local venues, with concert-goers voting for the band that brought the house down the most.

  As a result of their headbanging, mosh-crazy anthems, Unsung Destroyer took the title of the second competition, landing a slot on the bill for the first Florida Metal fest.

  Their clear-cut musical chemistry and passionately unique stage presence will leave you begging for more scorching rhythms and ear-assaulting guitar shredding.

  “Unsung Destroyer delivers an engaging and electrifying performance. Their dedication to revitalizing the local Tampa metal scene is evident in their music and adds to the overall experience,” fan and follower Matt Mion commented.

  If brutal riffage and adrenalized vocals are your cup of tea, Unsung Destroyer is one show you do not want to miss. For a taste of the madness, you can check Unsung Destroyer out on souncloud.com/unsungdestroyer.