The greatest hard-rock producer of the ’80s and the greatest hard-rock producer of the ’90s have both continued to stay ahead of metal’s curve in the 21st century, as can be seen in a pair of bands headed to town this week. New-metal architect Ross Robinson, who helmed At the Drive-In’s sole major-label album, helped focus the Blood Brothers’ spindly screamo attack on their recent Burn, Piano Island, Burn (ArtistDirect). The Brothers are at the Palladium tonight (July 17) and at the Met Café (401-861-2142) in Providence on Friday. And Slayer/Danzig champion Rick Rubin helmed ex-ATDI dudes the Mars Volta’s scurrilous prog-punk debut, De-Loused in the Comatorium (Universal; Sean Richardson’s review is on page 18 of Arts). The Mars Volta’s six-date US tour hits Axis (617-423-NEXT) in Boston on Saturday.

DC indie faves the Dismemberment Plan pulled a Cher by announcing their final tour and then booking another; they swear, though, this is it. They’re at Pearl Street (413-584-7810) in Northampton on Tuesday and the Middle East (617-864-EAST) in Cambridge on Wednesday. Swedish death-metal heroes Opeth quiet down for a tour with British jam/prog icons Porcupine Tree that hits Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel (401-272-5876) in Providence on Friday and Berklee Performance Center (617-931-2000) in Boston on Saturday. The Pink Floyd cover band the Machine corral a few guest stars including Gov’t Mule’s Matt Abst for " Dead Floyd, " which splices Floyd songs with, yes, those of the Grateful Dead. It’s presented Sunday at the Paradise (617-423-NEXT) in Boston and Tuesday at Higher Ground (802-654-8888) in Winooski, Vermont.

Meanwhile, the Green River Festival (413-773-5463), at Greenfield Community College in Greenfield, hosts the Asylum Street Spankers, Balfa Toujours, and Terrance Simien on Friday and They Might Be Giants, Patty Griffin, and Josh Ritter on Saturday. And the Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival (888-946-8495), on Rothcross Farm in Ancramdale, New York, has the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Sam Bush, Del McCoury, Jerry Douglass, Rhonda Vincent, and many more, tonight through Saturday.