The Band
Tetrarch is an American nu metalcore (nu metal + metalcore) band from Atlanta, Georgia, now based in Los Angeles. The band was formed in 2007. They have released three albums and EPs. Their most recent album, The Ugly Side of Me, was released in 2025.
The band name refers to the governor of one of the country’s four divisions or provinces.
Band members
- Josh Fore – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
- Diamond Rowe – lead guitar
- Ryan Lerner – bass
- Ruben Limas – drums, percussion
Josh and Diamond were school friends, and that’s how they started the band, playing locally at any place they could.
Diamond Rowe became the First female Jackson Guitars Signature Artist and the first African American Female Signature Artist in Heavy Music history, the Diamond Rowe Pro Series Jackson DR12. This guitar has a resemblance aesthetically to the Gibson Les Paul, but it has a more metal sound.
She’s breaking barriers and stereotypes by playing an instrument in a metal band in an incredible way, and by the way, I love her solos. Female musicians in metal are usually the singers or bassists (many of them amazing), and even though there are exceptions, there aren’t many guitarists with her level of visibility and influence, especially women and African American musicians.
She’s a great role model for other girls to follow and to feel more included in the metal community. A group where we are mostly inclusive, at least that’s what I like to think, it’s not always like that, and there’s also a lot of prejudice, close-mindedness, and gatekeeping. Yet I’m always happy to discover, enjoy, and promote bands that defy those paradigms because I believe that metal is impressive, and it deserves all its phenomenal musicians and fans. The more, the better. And we have to support them and ourselves to keep growing and thriving as a genre.
Tetrarch has an industrial sound, that kind of sound like Korn and other 90s nu metal bands, with vocals that remind Linkin Park, but Josh also does some harsh vocals. The bassist Ryan sings backing vocals and growls, and Diamond sings some parts too, and has a great voice.
Bass lines by Ryan and drums by Ruben are solid at maintaining that sludgy, dense tone that takes us to older bands, bringing a lot of nostalgia, but also adapting it to modern and current times.
Their lyrics usually deal with mental health struggles and personal stories.
Even though they have been a band for a long time, I feel like they’re getting traction thanks to social media. In my case, I’ve discovered them through some reels on Instagram of Diamond Rowe shredding like crazy, and I started watching and listening to some of their stuff and became a fan.
I’m hopeful to see this band and other younger musicians and bands that have a great future in music ahead of them, and it makes me think that the future of metal is in good hands.
I’ve heard many of their songs, yet my favorite so far is Live Not Fantasize, since I find it more melodic and catchy. You can start with this if you’re new to them.
If you’re into Korn, Linkin Park, or nu metal in general, this band is worth your time.