Signs of metal's resurgence are everywhere, from the vitality of Bay Area bands like High on Fire and Saviours to the reemergence of Metallica, reissuing their early LPs on vinyl (and doing their first in-store appearance in almost a decade on April 15 at Rasputin Music in Mountain View). The latest movement is fueled by the revival of first-wave local thrash combos Exodus and Testament, along with Death Angel and Forbidden. And hot on their heels are a new generation in the form of Hatchet; underground stalwarts such as Walken; comers like Animosity and Floating Goat; and hard-rocking women like Leila Rauf of Saros. (Kimberly Chun)

>>The return of the kings
Bay Area thrash is on the comeback as Exodus and Testament rouse new fans with new recordings
By Ben Richardson

>>Rock of ages, for all ages
A youthful Hatchet picks up the thrash where the older bands left off
By Cheryl Eddy

>>Just keep Walken
Multiple maniacs won't deter these metal vets
By Duncan Scott Davidson

>>Metal maidens
Women represent, thrash-wise, and metal purveyor Shaxul Records throws open its dark doors
By Kimberly Chun

>>See you in the darkness
Metal for ravenous headbangers: Floating Goat, Black Cobra, and more
By Ben Richardson

>Throw them horns!
Metal hands: A gestural glossary
By G.W. Schulz

>>Color me heavy, Junior
The Heavy Metal Fun Time Activity Book
By Todd Lavoie

>>High time for Hightower
San Francisco skate-metal-punk contenders step up
By Kimberly Chun

>>The family that headbangs together ...
A selective metal timeline from 1980 to 2008 (PDF)