Metalcore is a fusion genre combining elements of extreme metal and hardcore punk, that originated in the late 1980s. Metalcore is noted for its use of breakdowns, which are slow, intense passages conducive to moshing, while other defining instrumentation includes heavy guitar riffs often utilizing percussive pedal tones and double bass drumming. Vocalists in the genre typically perform screaming, more popular bands often combine this with the use of standard singing, usually during the bridge or chorus of a song. However, the death growl is also a popular technique within the genre.
Melodic metalcore is a fusion genre, incorporating elements of melodic death metal and metalcore; it has a heavy emphasis on melodic instrumentation, distorted guitar tones, palm muting, double bass drumming, blast beats, metalcore-stylized breakdowns, and vocals that range from aggressive screaming and death growls to clean singing. The genre has seen commercial success for employing a more accessible sound at times compared to other forms of extreme music. Many notable melodic metalcore bands have been influenced by At the Gates and In Flames.
We Came as Romans is an American metalcore band from Troy, Michigan. Formed in 2005, the band has gone through one name change and multiple line-up changes, and signed to SharpTone Records in 2016 after having been on roster of Equal Vision Records since 2009. They have released six studio albums – To Plant a Seed (2009), Understanding What We've Grown to Be (2011), Tracing Back Roots (2013), We Came as Romans (2015), Cold Like War (2017) and Darkbloom (2022) – and two EPs in 2008 titled Demonstrations and Dreams.
To Plant a Seed is the debut studio album by American metalcore band We Came as Romans. It was released by Equal Vision Records on November 3, 2009 and was produced by Joey Sturgis. Artwork for the album was done by Paul Romano to which coincides to We Came as Romans' positive message as explained by guitarist Joshua Moore that the lyrical themes on To Plant a Seed are based-up spreading this message. A deluxe edition of the album was released on January 18, 2011 which includes one bonus track and a DVD entitled To Plant a DVD.
Of Mice & Men is an American rock band formed in Costa Mesa, California, in 2009. The band's line-up currently consists of drummer Valentino Arteaga, guitarists Phil Manansala and Alan Ashby, and bassist and lead vocalist Aaron Pauley. The group was founded by former lead vocalist Austin Carlile and former bassist Jaxin Hall in mid-2009 after Carlile's departure from Attack Attack!. Carlile departed from the band in December 2016 citing that a long-term health condition prompted his exit. After Carlile's departure, the band continued to pursue creating music with Pauley as the band's bassist and lead vocalist.
Tracing Back Roots is the third studio album by American metalcore band We Came as Romans. It was released on July 23, 2013, through Equal Vision Records. The album is noted for the band's shift from their signature metalcore sound to a more melodic, clean vocal driven sound, while still maintaining metalcore elements throughout. The album has been received with favorable reviews which praise the band's “go out and do something with your life with purpose” message.
Restoring Force is the third studio album by American rock band Of Mice & Men. This is the band's first album to feature bassist and clean vocalist Aaron Pauley. It was released on January 24, 2014, in Europe and Australia, January 27, 2014, in Japan and the UK and January 28, 2014, in the US through Rise Records. It was produced by David Bendeth. A deluxe edition of the album, titled Restoring Force: Full Circle, was released on February 20, 2015. It featured four bonus tracks, including an acoustic version of "Feels Like Forever".
Gideon is an American metalcore band formed in Tuscaloosa, Alabama in 2008. The group are currently signed to Equal Vision Records, having formerly been with Facedown Records and Strike First Records. They have released a total of six studio albums and two EPs.
Ire is the fifth studio album by Australian metalcore band Parkway Drive. It was released on 25 September 2015 through Resist and Epitaph Records, and was streamed online on 20 September. The album was produced by George Hadji-Christou. The band sought to change their established style with Ire, and reviewers have noted the inclusion of new influences.
Beating a Dead Horse is the debut studio album by YouTube comedian Jarrod Alonge, self-released on May 26, 2015. The album features seven different fictitious bands created by Alonge to satirize the tropes and characteristics of alternative music genres such as metalcore, post-hardcore, pop punk, emo, progressive metal, hardcore punk and others.
Knocked Loose is an American metalcore band from Oldham County, Kentucky, formed in 2013 and currently signed to Pure Noise Records. The band released its debut studio album, Laugh Tracks, in September 2016 through Pure Noise Records which was followed by A Different Shade of Blue in 2019. Their 2021 EP ATear in the Fabric of Life incorporated elements of death metal and was released to widespread critical acclaim.
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.
Lotus Eater were a Scottish heavy metal band from Glasgow. Playing a style that puts a heavy emphasis on rhythm and downtuning, they have been cited by publications such as NME and Metal Hammer as helping to lead the new wave of heavy music in Britain alongside groups like Loathe and Holding Absence.
I Let It In and It Took Everything is the second studio album by British heavy metal band Loathe. It was released on 7 February 2020 through SharpTone Records. The album received positive reviews; Metal Hammer named it as the 12th-best metal album of 2020.
Jesus Piece is an American metalcore band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, formed in 2015. The band signed to Southern Lord Records in 2018 with the release of their debut Only Self. They have since toured with acts such as Code Orange, Knocked Loose, and Ghostemane. Their second studio album, ...So Unknown, was released in 2023.
"The War Is On" is a song by Japanese rock band Coldrain. It is the second single for their third studio album The Revelation, produced by David Bendeth, written by Masato Hayakawa and Ryo Yokochi, and was released on 25 July 2013.
Tawny is an extended play released by American post-hardcore band, Drug Church. The band's fifth overall EP, it was released on June 25, 2021 through Pure Noise Records.
Darkbloom is the sixth studio album by American metalcore band We Came as Romans. It was released on October 14, 2022, and is their first album in five years. This is the band's first album without clean vocalist/keyboardist Kyle Pavone, after his death from an accidental drug overdose in August 2018. The band chose not to replace Pavone out of respect for his memory; instead, they used synths written by producer Drew Fulk and recorded by Pavone before his death, and unclean vocalist Dave Stephens, who had occasionally performed clean vocals alongside Pavone, took over on clean vocals full-time.
The Hell We Create is the seventh studio album by American metalcore band Fit for a King. It was released on October 28, 2022, through Solid State Records and was produced by Drew Fulk. It is the band's first release with drummer Trey Celaya.
Earth Is a Black Hole is the second studio album by American alternative rock band, Teenage Wrist. The album was released on February 12, 2021, through Epitaph Records.
