Paper Cardinal is a five-piece band from Chicago blending metal, punk, post-metal, and progressive metal. The band fuses crushing riffs and atmospheric textures inspired by Loathe, Russian Circles, Avenged Sevenfold, Mastodon, and Blink-182.

After dropping two singles that captured their raw energy and genre-bending style, the group released their debut EP in September 2025. Known for intense live sets that swing from chaotic punk aggression to expansive prog-metal soundscapes, Paper Cardinal is carving a space in Chicago’s heavy music scene and beyond.