History
Mathcore is a unique style of heavy metal music that became popular in the early 2000s. It’s known for its intense musicianship, complex rhythms, and dissonant sounds. Its origins can be traced back to the late 1980s and early 90s when bands started experimenting with mathematical guitar riffs, odd time signatures, and other unconventional approaches to metal.
The term “mathcore” was first used to describe the music of bands like Botch and Coalesce. These bands were based in the US and gained popularity in the underground hardcore punk scene. Their music was characterized by its technical complexity and intricate arrangements, which became hallmarks of the mathcore style.
Other bands like Dillinger Escape Plan, Converge, and Norma Jean soon emerged as pioneers of the mathcore movement. Their music was faster, heavier, and more abrasive than previous metal subgenres, incorporating elements of jazz, funk, and avant-garde music. The lyrics also tended to be more personal and introspective than traditional heavy metal themes.
Despite its popularity in the underground metal scene, mathcore remained a niche genre until the early 2000s. That’s when bands like Between the Buried and Me, The Number Twelve Looks Like You, and Psyopus gained traction with their mathcore-inspired sound.
Mathcore continued to evolve and gain popularity throughout the 2000s, with bands like Sikth, Architects, and Ion Dissonance pushing the boundaries of the genre even further. These bands incorporated elements of electronica, grime, and other genres into their music, creating a sound that was both chaotic and futuristic.
However, the mathcore movement began to decline in popularity by the end of the decade. Many bands switched to other genres or broke up, while others evolved their sound into more accessible forms of heavy metal. Nevertheless, mathcore remains influential within heavy metal circles, inspiring a new generation of musicians to push the boundaries of musical expression.
Notable artists
Converge: This American band is known for their aggressive vocals and intense guitar riffs. Their album "Jane Doe" is often cited as an influence on the mathcore genre as a whole.
The Dillinger Escape Plan: Highly experimental and chaotic, The Dillinger Escape Plan has been a defining force in mathcore since the genre's beginnings. Their live performances are particularly renowned for their intensity.
Botch: Though short-lived, Botch's impact on mathcore is undeniable. Their approach to the genre involved incorporating elements of post-hardcore and noise rock for a unique sound.
Coalesce: Coalesce's sound is characterized by their blend of hardcore punk and metal, often with intricate time signatures and unconventional song structures. They are widely regarded as pioneers in the mathcore scene.
Car Bomb: With their use of machine-like guitar tones and electronic elements, Car Bomb has pushed the boundaries of mathcore further than most. Their intricate rhythms and unexpected shifts make for a constantly engaging listen.
Ion Dissonance: A Canadian outfit, Ion Dissonance has been noted for their use of dissonant guitar riffs and unconventional song structures. Their songs often feature erratic time signatures and complex rhythms.
Daughters: Daughters has been pushing the boundaries of mathcore since their inception over a decade ago. Their music incorporates elements of noise rock and industrial, with vocalist Alexis Marshall's abrasive delivery adding to their signature sound.
The Number Twelve Looks Like You: With their use of unpredictable time signatures and intricate melodies, The Number Twelve Looks Like You stands out as one of the most inventive mathcore acts of the 2000s. Their album "Nuclear. Sad. Nuclear." in particular is considered a classic of the genre.
The Locust: With their high-pitched vocals and fast-paced, abrasively technical instrumentals, The Locust is perhaps the most unorthodox outfit on this list. They have been known to incorporate elements of grindcore, noise, and electronic music into their sound.
Psyopus: Psyopus's music is characterized by their complex guitar work and use of dissonant, off-kilter melodies. Their early material was often compared to other mathcore acts like The Dillinger Escape Plan and Converge, but their sound has evolved significantly since then.
Broader context
One of the earliest books to touch on mathcore is "Choosing Death: The Improbable History of Death Metal and Grindcore" by Albert Mudrian. While the book primarily focuses on death metal and grindcore, it also covers mathcore as a related subgenre. Mudrian describes mathcore as "a paradoxically structured sound that defies the conventional parameters of songcraft and time signatures." He notes that the genre is influenced by free jazz and avant-garde classical music.
Another book that explores mathcore is "Swim Through the Darkness: My Search for Craig Smith and the Mystery of Maitreya Kali" by Mike Stax. While the book is primarily a biography of Craig Smith, a 60s musician who later became known as Maitreya Kali, it also touches on the mathcore band The Dillinger Escape Plan. Stax describes The Dillinger Escape Plan as "a ferocious union of jazz-like structures and dissonant, abrasive metal."
Many musicians and critics have also commented on mathcore in interviews and articles. Jake Bannon, the vocalist of the metalcore band Converge, has spoken about the influence of mathcore on his music. In an interview with Invisible Oranges, he said, "It's not just about showing off how good you are at playing your instruments. It's about using your skills to creatively make something that's very new." Bannon also noted the importance of experimentation in mathcore, saying, "If you don't change and evolve, you're irrelevant."
Ben Weinman, the guitarist of The Dillinger Escape Plan, has also spoken at length about mathcore. In an interview with Guitar World, he discussed the band's approach to writing music, saying, "We are trying to push ourselves out of our comfort zones and into something new. We are actively trying to challenge ourselves." Weinman also spoke about the importance of complexity in mathcore, saying, "It's important for the music to have depth and substance. If it's easy to digest, then it's probably not that interesting."
Critics have also weighed in on the genre. Stuart Berman of Pitchfork has praised The Dillinger Escape Plan's album "Miss Machine," saying, "The album's moments of jarring dissonance and aggressive virtuosity perfectly reflect its bleak, dystopian outlook." However, he also noted that the genre's complexity can be a turn-off for some listeners, saying, "Mathcore's emphasis on technicality can easily come across as masturbatory or pretentious if not pulled off just right."
The social and cultural context of mathcore can be traced back to the mid-1990s, when a new wave of experimental and avant-garde metal bands started to gain popularity. Groups like Dillinger Escape Plan, Converge, and Botch emerged from the underground scene and challenged the mainstream with their innovative and uncompromising sound. They rejected the conventions of traditional metal and punk, incorporating elements of jazz, prog rock, and noise into their music. These bands were highly influential in shaping the sound and ethos of mathcore, which can be seen as an extension of the experimental metal movement.
One of the key external conditions that helped bring mathcore into existence was the rise of independent record labels and DIY culture in the late 1990s. Many of the early mathcore bands, including Dillinger Escape Plan and Converge, were signed to small independent labels such as Hydra Head Records, Relapse Records, and Equal Vision Records. These labels provided a platform for the bands to release their music and build a dedicated fan base. They also encouraged a DIY ethic that emphasized self-reliance, independence, and artistic integrity.
In addition to record labels, mathcore was also supported by a network of journalists, critics, and bloggers who championed the genre and provided coverage and exposure. Writers such as Brandon Stosuy, Richard Martin, and J. Bennett helped to document and contextualize the mathcore scene, providing insight and analysis into its musical and cultural significance. They helped to create a sense of community and shared identity among mathcore fans and musicians, and fostered a sense of cultural legitimacy for the genre.
Another external condition that contributed to the emergence of mathcore was the technological advancements in music production and distribution. The availability of affordable recording equipment, digital editing software, and online distribution platforms allowed mathcore bands to create and distribute their music on a global scale. They no longer had to rely on the major label system to get their music heard, and could connect directly with their fans through social media and streaming services. This allowed for a greater diversity of voices and perspectives within the mathcore scene, and encouraged experimentation and innovation.
Notable figures within the mathcore scene include bands such as Dillinger Escape Plan, Converge, and Botch, as well as newer bands like The Number Twelve Looks Like You, Car Bomb, and iwrestledabearonce. These bands have helped to shape the sound and direction of mathcore, and have inspired countless imitators and admirers. Other important figures include record labels such as Hydra Head Records, which released seminal albums by Dillinger Escape Plan, Converge, and Botch, and critics such as Brandon Stosuy, who helped to popularize the genre and bring it to a wider audience.