Updated date:

Feb 13, 2020

100 Best Metalcore Bands

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Metalcore is not just a passing phase, see which bands are the very best and will stand the test of time.
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In recent years, metalcore has evolved into a distinct global entity. This heavy metal subgenre has played a pivotal role in blending crust punk and grindcore with more traditional metal sounds.

Although metalcore purists are critical of new bands mixing genres to reach a wider audience, there is no denying that the genre's evolution has translated into widespread success.

The list below showcases an epic number of metalcore bands. If you are a fan of this extreme form of music, you'll definitely have a lot to say. Feel free to share your views and opinions in the comments section.

Top 10 Best Metalcore Bands

As I Lay Dying
Killswitch Engage
Parkway Drive
Bring Me the Horizon
Trivium
August Burns Red
Bullet for My Valentine
All That Remains
Underoath
Asking Alexandria

What Is Metalcore?

Metalcore, also referred to as metallic hardcore, is a heavy metal subgenre that incorporates diverse elements of hardcore punk and extreme metal. This genre is noteworthy for its use of intense breakdowns (which are slow and conducive for moshing). The instrumentation often features distorted guitar riffs, double bass drumming, stinging lead guitar solos, and the occasional use of blast beats. Vocal techniques used in this form of music range from death growls to clean falsettos. In fact, the vocals might be the most diverse element of the genre.

Metalcore bands have a knack for the dramatic.
Wikipedia Commons

Best Metalcore Bands #11—20

11. The Devil Wears Prada

12. Architects

13. The Dillinger Escape Plan

14. A Day to Remember

15. Lamb of God

16. Avenged Sevenfold

17. Hatebreed

18. Converge

19. Atreyu

20. Erra

How Did Metalcore Emerge?

While the metalcore scene came into prominence in the ‘90s, the roots of this genre emerged in the ‘80s, when bands started experimenting with a fusion of hardcore and heavy metal. The genre took shape in the ‘90s, reaching global audiences. While the majority of metalcore bands in this decade were influenced by the hardcore scene, later bands were more heavily influenced by melodic death metal.

While metalcore had an underground cult following in the ‘90s, bands associated with the genre achieved a considerable amount of mainstream success in the 2000s. Several independent metal labels started signing recording contracts with metalcore bands in the mid-2000s. Suddenly, metalcore emerged as one of the most popular heavy metal subgenres in the decade.

Best Metalcore Bands #21—40

21. Norma Jean

22. In Flames

23. Silent Planet

24. Every Time I Die

25. Born of Osiris

26. The Ghost Inside

27. Unearth

28. Within the Ruins

29. Fit For A King

30. Emmure

31. Texas in July

32. Knocked Loose

33. Shadows Fall

34. Earth Crisis

35. We Came as Romans

36. Between the Buried and Me

37. Of Mice & Men

38. Volumes

39. Northlane

40. Bleeding Through

Mainstream Success of Metalcore: 2000s and 2010s

In the ‘90s, the early metalcore scene emerged from hardcore punk. Although a large number of bands associated with the genre did not find mainstream success in the decade, they did garner a cult following in the underground movement. It was only after the year 2000 that many metalcore bands gained prominence. The melodic metalcore movement that came to life in the early 2000s became hugely popular with heavy metal fans. A number of metalcore acts released albums that were critically acclaimed and commercially successful.

The mainstream success of this genre continued post 2010. In fact, this form of music has changed drastically, raising the bar for heavy metal music by structuring songs in odd-time signatures with syncopated synthesizers. Certain bands have had tremendous chart success with this method of songwriting. Throughout the 2010s, the diverse soundscape presented in metalcore appealed to a wide variety of audiences.

Metalcore concerts are known to be incredibly high energy.
Wikipedia Commons

Best Metalcore Bands #41—60

41. Motionless in White

42. Code Orange

43. Memphis May Fire

44. Bury Your Dead

45. Zao

46. The Acacia Strain

47. Poison the Well

48. Beartooth

49. Dayseeker

50. Coalesce

51. The Human Abstract

52. Rorschach

53. After the Burial

54. Blessthefall

55. Integrity

56. Chimaira

57. Overcast

58. Bury Tomorrow

59. Heaven Shall Burn

60. The Amity Affliction

Characteristics of Metalcore

Metalcore is known for its signature breakdowns that eschew a verse-chorus format. Many bands use breakdowns while performing live to get crowds charged up to start moshing (also known as slam dancing). A number of bands use drop tunings to play heavy guitar riffs, which are further emphasized by percussive pedal tones. Although Drop D and A tunings are commonly used by bands, certain bands use lower tunings on seven and eight string guitars. Although a variety of drumming techniques are used in this genre, the double bass technique forms the crux of the overall sound. Blast beats are sometimes used to create a dramatic shift in tempos. Vocalists use varied screaming techniques in this form of music. Many of the later metalcore bands started to incorporate clean singing in their verses and choruses.

Metalcore guitarists love expensive guitars.
Wikipedia Commons

Best Metalcore Bands #61—80

61. Issues

62. Fear Before

63. Counterparts

64. Upon a Burning Body

65. Loathe

66. For Today

67. Becoming the Archtype

68. Darkest Hour

69. Abandon All Ships

70. Shai Hulud

71. While She Sleeps

72. Attila

73. The Chariot

74. Protest the Hero

75. Botch

76. Everytime I Die

77. Veil of Maya

78. Sleeping With Sirens

79. Cave In

80. After the Burial

Subgenres of Metalcore

The success of metalcore helped pave the way for a number of metal subgenres. Certain extreme metal bands combined elements of metalcore with death metal to create the deathcore sound. Another subgenre that became immensely popular with experimental musicians is mathcore, which emphasizes fluctuant rhythms and irregular time signatures, along with syncopations, polymeters, and abrupt tempo changes.

In the early 2000s, a number of bands were influenced by Swedish melodic death metal. These bands were categorized as melodic metalcore. Musicians in the 2010s began using electronic instruments to shape what became known as electronicore. Certain bands experimented with djent breakdowns and technical guitar parts. This led to the development of progressive metalcore. Post 2010, many bands started fusing metalcore with varied elements of nu metal. These bands started being identified as nu metalcore.