My Chemical Romance (MCR) was founded in 2001 in Newark, New Jersey, by vocalist Gerard Way, bassist Mikey Way, guitarist Ray Toro, and drummer Matt Pelissier, shortly after the September 11th attacks, which inspired Way to start the band as a way to create something positive from tragedy. Guitarist Frank Iero joined later, just before their 2002 debut album, I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love, was released.

Pierce the Veil was founded in San Diego, California, in 2006 by brothers Vic and Mike Fuentes, following the breakup of their previous band, Before Today (formerly Early Times). They signed with Equal Vision Records and released their debut album, A Flair for the Dramatic, in 2007, with Jaime Preciado and Tony Perry joining the lineup that year.

Dashboard Confessional was founded in 1999 in Boca Raton, Florida, by Chris Carrabba, initially as a solo acoustic side project from his band Further Seems Forever; he recorded the first album, The Swiss Army Romance, in 2000, launching the emo band's career.

Linkin Park was formed in Agoura Hills, California, in 1996 by high school friends Mike Shinoda, Brad Delson, and Rob Bourdon, initially under the name Xero, later becoming Hybrid Theory before settling on Linkin Park when Chester Bennington joined as lead vocalist in 1999, leading to their iconic debut album Hybrid Theory in 2000.

Finnish metal band Wintersun was founded by Jari Mäenpää in Helsinki, Finland, around 2003-2004, emerging as his solo project after leaving Ensiferum; the band's debut album, Wintersun, was released in 2004, establishing their blend of melodic death, power, and folk metal.