Progressive metalcore

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Progressive metalcore (also called technical metalcore or ambient metalcore) is a fusion of progressive metal and metalcore characterized by highly technical lead guitar, "atmospheric" elements, and complex instrumentation. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] Some notable practitioners take influence from djent. [3] [9] [10] [11] [12]

Contents

History

Progressive metalcore band After the Burial in Toronto in 2012 Anthony NotarmasoAfter the Burial.jpg
Progressive metalcore band After the Burial in Toronto in 2012

Progressive metalcore evolved from progressive metal and metalcore in the 90s. [1] After the Burial is a pioneer of the genre, forming in 2004 and promoting "a sound that pushed the boundaries of heaviness through the use of extended-scale guitar work." [4] According to the digital ticketing corporation AXS, "After The Burial play progressive metalcore and have been a key contributor to the sound of djent." [13] Erra has been referred to as "the spearhead of the whole modern/progressive metalcore movement" and noted for their "balance between involved riffs, beautiful clean moments and tasty solos." [5] They were formed in 2009 and express their unique version of "progressive technical metalcore" by utilizing "precise stop-and-start arrangements." [14]

Born of Osiris in 2012 in Shakopee, Minnesota Born Of Osiris.jpg
Born of Osiris in 2012 in Shakopee, Minnesota

According to Metal Insider in 2010, "progressive metalcore bands are now appearing all over the place." [15] I, the Breather "weren’t exactly the first" to perform "technical metalcore," but are noted for their "well constructed" instrumentation; they have influenced the style alongside For Today and Born of Osiris, [16] [17] who have been referred to as "the bastions of modern technical metalcore" for their 2013 release Tomorrow We Die Alive . [18] Carcer City is a progressive metalcore band that showcases "technical riffs amid more prominent atmospheric sections." [8] They have been described as "ambient metalcore." [19] According to Corey Deiterman of the Houston Press, Northlane is a primary contributor of the style, and is "making waves with their particular brand of progressive metalcore, which features ... interesting use of space and ambiance." [20] Invent Animate is a progressive metalcore band that formed in Texas in 2011. [21] They have been compared with Northlane and Erra. [6] [7] They focus on "syncopating their music to help build ... ambient soundscapes." [7] The band I Am Noah  [ de ] formed in 2015; rooted in "ambient metalcore," their debut album was "defined by its progressive riffing and percussive assault." [22] Volumes is a djent-influenced progressive metalcore band that has received critical acclaim for their "career-defining" song "Edge Of The Earth," and their 2017 release, Different Animals . [23] [24]

Characteristics

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"Seven" by Erra
"Seven" from Erra's debut album, Impulse , demonstrates progressive metalcore's signature emphasis on technical guitar work, distorted riffing, and atmospheric breakdowns.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

Progressive metalcore can be distinguished by a marked emphasis on technical guitar-driven songs, sometimes featuring guitar solos. [4] [5] [25] Often "intricate guitar playing dominate(s) the rest of the instruments." [26] Like progressive metal in general, unconventional song structures and varying tempos may be used. [12] Singing may be included, but death growls are more prevalent. The genre is also reliant on the incorporation of "atmospheric sections," ambient instrumentation and repetitive melodies. [6] [7] [8] Progressive metalcore songs often feature intense breakdowns with heavily distorted palm-muted riffs. Some bands utilize keyboard or piano sections as a backdrop. [8]

See also

Related Research Articles

Progressive metal is a broad fusion music genre melding heavy metal and progressive rock, combining the loud "aggression" and amplified guitar-driven sound of the former with the more experimental, cerebral or quasi-classical compositions of the latter.

A number of heavy metal genres have developed since the emergence of heavy metal during the late 1960s and early 1970s. At times, heavy metal genres may overlap or are difficult to distinguish, but they can be identified by a number of traits. They may differ in terms of instrumentation, tempo, song structure, vocal style, lyrics, guitar playing style, drumming style, and so on.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deathcore</span> Fusion of death metal and metalcore genres

Deathcore is an extreme metal subgenre that combines death metal with metalcore. The genre consists of death metal guitar riffs, blast beats, and metalcore breakdowns. While there are some precursors to the concept of death metal fused with metalcore/hardcore elements seen in the 1990s, deathcore itself emerged in the early 2000s and gained prominence beginning in the mid-2000s within the southwestern United States, especially Arizona and inland southern California, which are home to many notable bands and various festivals.

Djent is a subgenre of progressive metal, termed for an onomatopoeia of the guitar sound that characterizes it. While sources such as The Guardian and Guitar World describe djent as a genre, some notable musicians including Randy Blythe and Stephen Carpenter (Deftones) say it is not.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">UNFD</span> Australian music label

UNFD is an independent record label based in Melbourne, Australia. The label is home to a number of Australian artists including Thornhill, Ocean Grove, Hellions and In Hearts Wake, and international artists ERRA, Stray From the Path, Silverstein, Invent Animate, and more. The label has offices in London and Los Angeles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Betraying the Martyrs</span> French metalcore band

Betraying the Martyrs were a French metalcore band formed in Paris in 2008. The band's final lineup consisted of vocalist Rui Martins, guitarists Steeves Hostin and Baptiste Vigier, bassist Valentin Hauser, drummer Boris le Gal, and keyboardist Victor Guillet. At the time of their breakup in 2023, they were signed to Out of Line Music. Through their previous label, Sumerian Records, Betraying the Martyrs released four studio albums: Breathe in Life (2011), Phantom (2014), The Resilient (2017), and Rapture (2019). They also released two EPs: The Hurt the Divine the Light (2009) and Silver Lining (2022).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northlane</span> Australian heavy metal band

Northlane are an Australian heavy metal band from Blacktown, formed in 2009. The band comprises guitarists Jon Deiley and Josh Smith, drummer Nic Pettersen and vocalist Marcus Bridge. Northlane have released six studio albums: Discoveries ; Singularity, which reached No. 3 on the ARIA Albums Chart; Node, a number-one album; Mesmer, Alien and Obsidian. At the ARIA Music Awards of 2015 the group won the Best Hard Rock or Heavy Metal Album category for their album Node. At the ARIA Music Awards of 2017, the band won again with Mesmer. The band won the Best Hard Rock or Heavy Metal Album category for the third time at the ARIA Music Awards of 2019 for their 2019 album Alien.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reflections (Minnesota band)</span> American metalcore band

Reflections is an American progressive metalcore band formed in the Twin Cities, Minnesota in 2010. Their logo is the Japanese Kanji 王, meaning king.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eve of Alana</span> German-Argentinian band

Eve of Alana is a German-Argentinian alternative metal, nu metalcore and djent band from St. Pauli, Hamburg, Germany, formed in 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Erra (band)</span> American progressive metalcore band

Erra is an American progressive metalcore band from Birmingham, Alabama, formed in 2009. The band was named after the homonymous Akkadian god of war and plague. The band has released six studio albums and three EPs to date. Their latest album, titled Cure, was released on April 5, 2024. They have toured with bands such as As I Lay Dying, August Burns Red, TesseracT, Born of Osiris, Ice Nine Kills, Glass Cloud, Within the Ruins, Bad Omens, I See Stars, and Texas in July.

<i>Life Reaper</i> 2014 studio album by I, the Breather

Life Reaper is the third studio album by the American metalcore group I, the Breather. It was released on July 15, 2014, by Sumerian Records. It was produced by band and Century band members Ricky Armellino, Grant McFarland, Carson Slovak.

Invent Animate is an American metalcore band formed in Port Neches, Texas, in 2011. The group consists of vocalist Marcus Vik, lead guitarist Keaton Goldwire, rhythm guitarist Trey Celaya, bassist Caleb Sherraden, and drummer Brody Taylor Smith. They self-released their debut EP titled Waves on March 13, 2012. After a number of regional tours and increasing popularity in the online djent community, the band was signed up by Tragic Hero Records in February 2014. The band announced they would release their debut studio album titled Everchanger on August 26, 2014. Their sophomore album, Stillworld, was released on July 8, 2016. Their third album and first with Marcus Vik, Greyview, was released on March 13, 2020. Their most recent studio album, Heavener, was released through their new label, UNFD, on March 17, 2023.

<i>Mesmer</i> (album) 2017 studio album by Northlane

Mesmer is the fourth studio album by Australian heavy metal band Northlane. It was released on 24 March 2017 through UNFD, with no announcement prior to the release. It was produced by David Bendeth and recorded at The Barber Shop Studio in Hopatcong. It follows the group's slight departure from their metalcore roots and towards a more alternative and experimental sound, as established on their previous release, Node. It peaked at No. 3 on the ARIA Albums Chart. It is the last Northlane album to feature their founding bassist Alex Milovic as a member of the band.

<i>Equinox</i> (EP) 2017 EP by Northlane and In Hearts Wake

Equinox is a collaborative EP by Australian heavy metal band Northlane and metalcore band In Hearts Wake. It was released on 20 April 2016 through UNFD. It was produced by Will Putney and recorded in January 2016 at Holes and Corners recording studio in Southbank, Victoria, although the drumming was recorded at Sing Sing Recording Studios in South Yarra. It peaked at No. 75 on the ARIA Charts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Novelists (band)</span> French metalcore band

Novelists are a French progressive metalcore band from Paris who formed in 2013. They are currently signed to Out of Line Music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carcer City (band)</span> UK musical group

Carcer City were a metalcore band from Liverpool, UK. In total, they released three EPs and three full-length albums. They toured both nationally and internationally with well-known artists such as While She Sleeps, Hacktivist, Loathe, Still Remains, Attila, the Word Alive, and more.

<i>Erra</i> (album) 2021 studio album by Erra

Erra is the fifth studio album by American progressive metalcore band Erra. It was released on March 19, 2021 through UNFD. The album was produced by Carson Slovak and Grant McFarland. It is the band's first studio release with the label and the last album to feature guitarist Sean Price before he left the band in March 2022.

<i>Cure</i> (album) 2024 studio album by Erra

Cure is the sixth studio album by American progressive metalcore band Erra. It was released on April 5, 2024 through UNFD and was produced by Daniel Braunstein. It is the first album to feature guitarist Clint Tustin.

References

  1. 1 2 "The History Of Progressive Metal - Metal Storm". www.metalstorm.net. May 21, 2013. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  2. ↑ Giffin, Brian (2015). Encyclopaedia of Australian Heavy Metal. Australia: DarkStar. ISBN   9780994320612.
  3. 1 2 "Quick Review: AURAS Heliospectrum - Metal Injection". Metal Injection. October 3, 2016. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  4. 1 2 3 "After the Burial | Biography & History | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  5. 1 2 3 "12 Reasons Why Metalcore Isn't Dying". www.itdjents.com. Archived from the original on May 29, 2017. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  6. 1 2 3 "Album Review: Invent, Animate - "Everchanger" - New Noise Magazine". New Noise Magazine. August 28, 2014. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "Invent, Animate - Stillworld (album review ) | Sputnikmusic". www.sputnikmusic.com. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "Album Review: Carcer City - 'Infinite//Unknown' - New Noise Magazine". New Noise Magazine. September 19, 2016. Retrieved May 25, 2017.
  9. ↑ "EXPLORING THE WORLD – AUSTRALIA'S RISING METAL SCENE | The Circle Pit". www.thecirclepit.com. Retrieved May 31, 2017. ... the djent-influenced progressive metalcore band Northlane ...
  10. ↑ "Momentary - The Inside - EP Review". www.rocksins.com. April 12, 2016. Retrieved May 31, 2017. The songwriting is tight and the guitarists certainly know what they're doing, but their djent-meets-metalcore formula is something that we've all heard a hundred times before.
  11. ↑ "REVIEW: Solace – Call and Response [2012] | New-Transcendence". new-transcendence.com. August 30, 2012. Retrieved May 31, 2017. ... a riveting adventure in groovy, progressive metalcore which is equal parts spacey and brutal and is dynamic enough to immerse the listener in galactic calm whilst drowning them slowly in crushing heaviness. Instrumentally, Solace function as a well-oiled machine crafting an almost-djent influenced melodic and fluid sound.
  12. 1 2 Tovey, Steve (December 2, 2015). "Novelists - Souvenirs". Ghost Cult Magazine. Retrieved December 14, 2017.
  13. ↑ "Albuquerque's The Co-Op welcomes After the Burial and more". AXS. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  14. ↑ "Erra | Biography & History | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  15. ↑ "Our Contributors' Year End Lists". Metal Insider. December 17, 2010. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  16. ↑ "I, the Breather: These Are My Sins | Mind Equals Blown". mindequalsblown.net. Retrieved May 29, 2017.
  17. ↑ "I, The Breather | Biography & History | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  18. ↑ "Metalcore band Born Of Osiris to perform in Singapore". Metalcore band Born Of Osiris to perform in Singapore | Editorial | Bandwagon - Live music, bands and concert guide for Singapore, Manila and Jakarta. April 3, 2017. Retrieved May 29, 2017.
  19. ↑ "Carcer City vocalist explains how condition causes him to write music in colors - Features - Alternative Press". Alternative Press. August 12, 2016. Retrieved May 25, 2017.
  20. ↑ Deiterman, Corey (October 14, 2013). "Today's 10 Most Promising Young Metal Bands". Houston Press. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  21. ↑ "Invent, Animate | Biography & History | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  22. ↑ "Album Stream: I Am Noah - 'The Verdict'". New Noise Magazine. May 9, 2016. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  23. ↑ "Different Animals: The new Volumes album is destined for greatness | The New Fury". thenewfury.com. June 12, 2017. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  24. ↑ "Volumes - Different Animals [REVIEW] - Musicology". www.musicology.uk.com. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  25. ↑ "Animals As Leaders @ Irving Plaza". The Aquarian. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  26. ↑ "REVIEW: ERRA – 'Augment' | Under the Gun Review". underthegunreview.net. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  27. ↑ Magazines, SPH (July 2008). "The High Chancellor of Rumours". GameAxis Unwired. SPH Magazines. ISSN   0219-872X.
  28. ↑ Simms, Kelley. "Obscura Interview". About.com. Archived from the original on November 5, 2013. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
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