Metalcore

Metalcore
Stylistic origins	Thrash metal Melodic death metal Hardcore punk
Cultural origins	late 1980s North America
Typical instruments	Vocals − Guitar − Bass guitar − Drums (double bass)
Subgenres
Moshcore − Mathcore (complete list)
Fusion genres
Deathcore − Melodic metalcore
Other topics
Breakdown

Metalcore is a fusion genre that incorporates elements of thrash metal, melodic death metal and hardcore punk. The term is a portmanteau of heavy metal and hardcore punk. Due to the rise in popularity in the United States during the early 2000s the genre is also described as the New Wave of American Heavy Metal (as an allusion to the New Wave of British Heavy Metal of the late 1970s).

It is rooted in the crossover thrash style developed by bands such as Suicidal Tendencies, Dirty Rotten Imbeciles, and Stormtroopers of Death in the mid-1980s. Through the 1990s, metalcore was mostly an underground phenomenon, but by 2004 bands like Killswitch Engage and Shadows Fall were present on the Billboard album charts. Some notable bands in modern metalcore are Hatebreed, Killswitch Engage, As I Lay Dying and Shadows Fall.

Origin and development

Crossover thrash, as played by Dirty Rotten Imbeciles and Suicidal Tendencies, would have an influence on many of the metalcore bands in the New York hardcore scene, such as New York's Madball (which was formed by members of Agnostic Front) and Vision of Disorder. Biohazard, another band in the late 1980s and early 1990s New York scene, also helped to shape the metalcore genre.

In Scandinavia, parallel to the development of early 1990s metalcore, melodic death metal would arise. This classic metal-influenced death metal subgenre would incorporate melodic guitar hooks, polyphonic melodies, and high-pitched, guttural vocals. At the Gates, Dark Tranquillity, In Flames, and Carcass are considered influential melodic death metal bands.

In the late 1990s, some groups began combining metalcore and melodic death metal, resulting in a melodic fusion genre. Today, metalcore is most commonly used to describe bands of this type.

In the mid 2000s, metalcore emerged as a commercial force, with several independent metal labels, including Century Media and Metal Blade, signing metalcore bands. By 2004, metalcore had become popular enough that Killswitch Engage's The End of Heartache and Shadows Fall's The War Within debuted at numbers 21 and 20, respectively, on the Billboard album chart. Hatebreed and Lamb of God have also charted, with Lamb of God's Sacrament (2006) breaking the Billboard 200's top 10. Metalcore bands have also received prominent slots at Ozzfest, Download Festival, and Warped Tour.

Styles of metalcore

Although hardcore punk, thrash metal, and death metal are prominent influences, metalcore bands have been known to incorporate traits of groove metal, grindcore, post-hardcore, emocore or alternative metal. Metalcore subgenres and fusion genres include:

Moshcore

Main article: Moshcore

Moshcore is a subgenre of metalcore characterized by breakdowns. Due in large part to its hardcore punk-based riffing and cleaner vocals, moshcore is one of a few metalcore subgenres with a crossover appeal for fans of hardcore punk. Hatebreed is a well-known band in this genre.

Deathcore

Main article: Deathcore

Deathcore is an amalgamation of two musical styles: metalcore and death metal. While similar to the more abrasive death metal of recent years, deathcore's aesthetics and following are more closely related to metalcore. While remaining a subgenre of metalcore, deathcore is heavily influenced by death metal in its speed, heaviness, and approach to chromatic, heavily palm muted riffing, dissonance, and frequent key changes. Though lyrics are not always in the death metal vein, growls, pig-like squeals, and shrieks predominate, with metalcore vocals rarely being used. Job for a Cowboy's Doom EP is an example of deathcore.

Mathcore

Main article: Mathcore

Mathcore is a style of metalcore recognized for a high level of technical musicianship. The music is usually filled with discordant, technical riffing, and complex time signatures and song structures. Songs played by bands of this style tend to vary from mere seconds in length to over 15 minutes and rarely feature a conventional verse-chorus song structure. The Dillinger Escape Plan is a good example of mathcore.

Melodic metalcore

Melodic metalcore is a fusion of melodic death metal and early metalcore. The subgenre often makes use of a melodic lead and heavy rhythm guitar, as well as death metal-influenced vocals and metalcore drumming. Most of these types of bands also have softer vocals especially in their chorus. These bands are more mainstream than the other types and it's probably due to the fact that it combines an alternative/emo-pop sound with a heavy metal grunt/yell.

Electronicore

Electronicore is a mix of melodic metalcore and electronic music. This could include massive synthesizer usage and breakdowns. A good example of this is the band Shark Atttack! from Auburn, Kansas.