Deathcore

Deathcore is a musical genre that emerged in the early 2000s, combining elements of death metal, hardcore punk, and occasionally metalcore. The term "deathcore" is a portmanteau of "death metal" and "hardcore," and the term is often used to describe bands that incorporate both genres into their sound. The origins of deathcore can be traced back to the mid-1990s, when bands like Dying Fetus and Suffocation began incorporating hardcore punk elements into their music. These bands often played at hardcore shows, where they were initially met with resistance from the punk and hardcore crowds. However, these early deathcore bands slowly began to draw in their own fan base, and as the genre gained popularity, new bands began to emerge. One of the most influential early deathcore bands was The Acacia Strain, who formed in 2001 and released their debut album, "...And Life is Very Long," the following year. Other notable early deathcore bands include Suicide Silence, Whitechapel, and Despised Icon. These bands helped to establish the sound of deathcore, with their heavy use of breakdowns and intense vocals. Many of these early deathcore bands also lyrically focused on themes of death and violence, which further cemented the genre's reputation as one of the most extreme forms of heavy music. The popularity of deathcore continued to grow throughout the 2000s, with bands like Job for a Cowboy, Carnifex, and Chelsea Grin all releasing successful albums. Some of these bands also began to incorporate elements of black metal, creating a new subgenre known as "blackened deathcore." However, by the early 2010s, the popularity of deathcore began to wane, with many fans and critics accusing the genre of becoming stagnant and formulaic. As a result, many bands began incorporating new elements into their sound, with some incorporating elements of nu-metal, industrial, and even electronic music.

Chelsea Grin: This American deathcore band formed in Utah in 2007 and is known for combining death metal intensity with metalcore breakdowns. They gained recognition for their albums "Desolation of Eden" and "My Damnation". Their vocalist, Alex Koehler, has a distinct screaming and growling vocal style that sets them apart from other bands in the genre. Whitechapel: Hailing from Tennessee, Whitechapel is another American deathcore band that formed in 2006. Their music is known for its technical proficiency and brutal breakdowns. Their vocalist, Phil Bozeman, is known for his guttural growls and pig squeals. Their debut album "The Somatic Defilement" is a classic in the genre. Thy Art Is Murder: This Australian deathcore band formed in 2006 and quickly gained a following with their brutal and politically charged lyrics. Their music is characterized by chugging guitar riffs and breakdowns, and their vocalist, CJ McMahon, has a powerful growling voice. Carnifex: Founded in 2005 in California, Carnifex is a deathcore band that draws inspiration from black metal and death metal. Their music is characterized by rapid-fire drumming and melodic guitar lines. Their vocalist, Scott Lewis, has a deep, guttural growl. Suicide Silence: This American deathcore band formed in California in 2002 and gained mainstream success with their third album "The Black Crown". Their music is known for its intense breakdowns and harsh vocals. Their original vocalist, Mitch Lucker, tragically passed away in 2012, and their current vocalist, Eddie Hermida, joined the band in 2013. The Acacia Strain: Formed in Massachusetts in 2001, The Acacia Strain is a deathcore band that incorporates elements of sludge and doom metal into their music. Their lyrics focus on depression, anger, and nihilism. Their vocalist, Vincent Bennett, has a powerful and versatile voice. Job for a Cowboy: This American deathcore band formed in Arizona in 2003 and gained popularity with their debut album "Doom". Their music is characterized by blast beats, tremolo picking, and brutal breakdowns. Their later albums shifted towards a more technical death metal sound. Fit for an Autopsy: Formed in New Jersey in 2008, Fit for an Autopsy is a deathcore band that focuses on political and social issues in their lyrics. Their music is characterized by massive breakdowns and technical guitar work. Their vocalist, Joe Badolato, has a deep, guttural growl. Oceano: Hailing from Chicago, Oceano is a deathcore band known for their aggressive music and violent lyrics. Their sound is characterized by grinding down-tuned riffs and thundering breakdowns. Their vocalist, Adam Warren, has a powerful scream and growl. Lorna Shore: This American deathcore band formed in New Jersey in 2010 and gained recognition with their EP "Maleficium". Their music is characterized by atmospheric guitar work and crushing breakdowns. Their original vocalist, Tom Barber, left the band in 2018 to join Chelsea Grin, and they are currently looking for a new vocalist.

1. "Suicide Season" by Bring Me The Horizon 2. "Count Your Blessings" by Bring Me The Horizon 3. "Deathcore is Dead" by Despised Icon 4. "The Red Chord" by Fused Together in Revolving Doors 5. "Doom" by Job for a Cowboy 6. "The Diseased and the Poisoned" by Carnifex 7. "Eternal Enemies" by Emmure 8. "Desolation of Eden" by Chelsea Grin 9. "Kingdom of Giants" by Abominable 10. "Monument" by Aversions Crown 11. "Sumerian Records" by Born of Osiris 12. "The Heart of Hell" by Bound in Fear 13. "Infinity" by Dealey Plaza 14. "The Act" by The Devil Wears Prada 15. "Anthropocentric" by The Ocean 16. "The Last Recording" by Job for a Cowboy 17. "Reign of Darkness" by Thy Art Is Murder 18. "A Higher Place" by Born of Osiris 19. "Daybreaker" by Architects 20. "The Harvest Wombs" by Fallujah 21. "The Cleansing" by Suicide Silence 22. "Dead Throne" by The Devil Wears Prada 23. "The Discovery" by Born of Osiris 24. "Maelstrom" by Aversions Crown 25. "Hate Me" by Fit for a King

One of the authoritative books discussing Deathcore is “Sound of the Beast: The Complete Headbanging History of Heavy Metal” by Ian Christe. The book documents the evolution of heavy metal and its different subgenres, including Deathcore. In the book, Ian Christe describes Deathcore as a combination of “pit-crazed punk rock aggression and torture-chamber death metal.” He further writes that Deathcore is “like having flaming barbed wire threaded through your eardrums while being clubbed violently on the head.” Another notable book that provides insight into Deathcore is “The Philosophy of Metal” by Andrew Dunnett. Andrew Dunnett affirms that Deathcore is an intense genre that requires active listening and engagement from the listeners. He writes, “The brutal soundscapes and crushing breakdowns are an assault on death and all its connotations.” Andrew Dunnett also states that Deathcore is not music for the faint-hearted. Various artists and industry experts have also spoken up about Deathcore, offering different perspectives on the genre. In an interview with Revolver, Alex Erian, the frontman of Despised Icon, stated that Deathcore is “meant to be intense, facially disfiguring and unapologetically heavy.” He also mentioned that Deathcore is growing and attracting more crowds, indicating that the genre is here to stay. In an interview with Loudwire, Phil Bozeman, the frontman of Whitechapel, talked about the inspiration behind their music and the Deathcore subgenre. He mentioned that Deathcore is an intense genre that allows them to explore different themes and emotions, including depression, anger, and pain. He also noted that their music and the Deathcore genre as a whole act as a platform for people to connect and find solace in shared experiences. Ben Weinman, the guitarist of Dillinger Escape Plan, also shares his thoughts on Deathcore in an interview with MetalSucks. Weinman sees Deathcore as an expressive and dynamic genre that allows for experimentation and creativity. He further notes that Deathcore has changed over time and that artists are infusing different elements into the genre, such as jazz and classical music.

One of the key social and cultural conditions that helped bring deathcore into existence was the growing popularity of metalcore in the early 2000s. Metalcore had emerged as a fusion of hardcore punk and metal, with bands like Killswitch Engage and Shadows Fall breaking into the mainstream with their anthemic choruses and frenzied breakdowns. The success of these bands helped to create a new generation of metal fans who were hungry for even heavier, more aggressive music. At the same time, the broader cultural context of the early 2000s was marked by a sense of rebellion and disillusionment. The post-9/11 era was defined by ongoing wars and political polarization, and many young people were looking for an outlet for their frustrations and anger. In this context, metal and hardcore were seen as a way to channel these emotions, and the intense energy and catharsis of deathcore resonated with many fans. In addition to these social and cultural factors, the technological context of the mid-2000s also played a significant role in the emergence of deathcore. The rise of the internet and social media made it easier than ever for fans to connect with each other and with their favorite bands. This created a thriving online community of metal fans, who could share music and information across borders and continents. This new online community also led to the emergence of several notable record labels and journalists who helped to promote deathcore and other heavy music. One of the most influential labels was Sumerian Records, which was founded in 2006 and quickly became a home for many of the most popular deathcore bands, including Suicide Silence, Born of Osiris, and Veil of Maya. Sumerian’s innovative marketing strategies, including the release of concept albums and the use of social media to connect with fans, helped to elevate deathcore to a new level of popularity. Meanwhile, influential metal journalists like Ryan J. Downey and Brandon Stosuy were also championing deathcore and helping to bring attention to the scene. Downey, who wrote for magazines like MTV’s Headbanger’s Ball and Alternative Press, described deathcore as “a more extreme and intense version of metalcore,” while Stosuy, who wrote for The New York Times and Pitchfork, praised the genre’s “sheer brutality and technical skill.” Other notable figures in the deathcore scene included producers like Joey Sturgis, who worked on albums by bands like The Acacia Strain and Emmure, and artists like Mitch Lucker of Suicide Silence, whose powerful vocals and frenetic stage presence helped to make the band one of the most popular in the genre.