District hardcore and metal fans often find themselves having to traipse to our grimier sister cities to the north (Baltimore) and south (Richmond) for shows, but this fall has a diverse roster of new and old to keep most heavy music enthusiasts satisfied. 

Babe Haven at DC9 on Sept. 12

7 Seconds once asserted hardcore is “not just boys fun” and, 40 years on, it’s heartening that shows (mostly) no longer feel so starkly masculine. North Carolina’s Babe Haven are a testament to that. The queer all-women hardcore band plays a full frontal attack that is both familiar and contemporary. The show starts at 8 p.m. at DC9, 1940 9th St. NW. $15. 

Inter Arma, Antichrist Siege Machine, and Pyrrhon at Atlas Brewery on Sept. 27

We are extremely lucky to have Ripping Headaches Promotions in our city, and this show is a perfect example as to why—three amazing metal bands playing in a DIY space that will sound good and be run professionally. No small feat—the District will be in real trouble when Hasan Ali retires. The show starts at 7 p.m. at Atlas Ivy City, 2052 West Virginia Ave. NE. $20.

King Diamond at Fillmore Silver Spring on Oct. 28 

King Diamond and spooky season go together like corpse paint on faces. It’s hard to imagine better scheduling than seeing the King just a few days before Halloween. The show starts at 7 p.m. at the Fillmore, 8656 Colesville Rd., Silver Spring. $75–$300.

Touche Amore, Soul Glo, and Portrayal of Guilt at the Black Cat on Nov. 1 

Quite possibly the show of the fall—a smorgasbord of heaviness that runs from the political pissed to discordant doom plus a dash of melody and atmosphere. The show starts at 8 p.m. at the Black Cat, 1811 14th St. NW. $25–$30.

Enforced, All Out War at Songbyrd on Dec. 7

Two metallic titans square off like a Kaiju battle set to destroy the District. Hailing from New York City, All Out War will warm things up with their brand of metallic hardcore while Richmond’s Enforced finish things off with their tight crossover thrash. The show starts at 8 p.m. at Songbyrd, 540 Penn St. NE. $18–$20. 

The Jesus Lizard at the Black Cat on Dec. 15 

Just about everyone in this roundup owes something to David Yow and the Jesus Lizard, the gold standard for pummeling volume and antagonism. Having just seen them in June at No Values, I can attest to Yow having only grown more menacing as he enters his golden years. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Black Cat, 1811 14th St. NW. $40.

Check out more of our 2024 Fall Arts Guide here.

And for more fall music recs: Forty Shows To See and the Best World, Roots, and Jazz Music To See Live