Fusing elements of heavy metal and hardcore punk, metalcore is a genre that has it all. The genre boasts heavy characteristics, from intense breakdowns to intricate guitar riffs and a medley of harsh and melodic vocals. Bands have been experimenting with this genre fusion since the 1980s, and nearly 40 years later, metalcore is at its peak. In the past few years alone, the genre has introduced some of the most talented acts to the masses. With its unique sound, metalcore has brought a vast, more commercial appeal to heavy music.

For audiences unfamiliar with the genre of fusion, it can be intimidating to know where to find the best introduction. Hours upon hours could be spent scouring the internet for the best metalcore acts. With the endless array of bands and songs to choose from, pinpointing the essentials can prove challenging. From early innovators to experimental newcomers, metalcore's trailblazers prove to be the best place to start, offering a listening experience that can appeal to anyone.

9 Motionless In White - "Slaughterhouse (feat. Bryan Garris)"

Scoring The End Of The World (2022)

Motionless In White's Scoring The End Of The World brought the collaboration of the century on "Slaughterhouse," featuring Bryan Garris of Knocked Loose. The result is a rowdy, thrashing track that keeps you on your toes from start to finish. Kicking off with an aggressive hit, the song never falters in momentum, including multiple remarkable, in-your-face breakdowns. Chris Motionless and Bryan Garris trade off throughout the song, leaving no dull moments.

As a genre known for its breakdowns, "Slaughterhouse" packs a punch with a number of them scattered throughout, leading up to a massive finale. At its peak, Motionless' growling vocals call out one of the most hard-hitting moments, screaming "one mutilation under God." The song is a riveting example of everything that metalcore is, making it an essential listen for both newcomers and long-time fans of the genre.

8 Spiritbox - "Cellar Door"

The Fear Of Fear (2023)

Spiritbox is the female-fronted phenomenon making waves in the metalcore scene right now. The lead singer, Courtney LaPlante, is an absolute powerhouse of a vocalist. She exhibits an effortless range from ethereal, light vocals to relentless screams, making the band a must-listen for the genre.

2023's The Fear of Fear brought the hypnotizing single, "Cellar Door," which stands apart from any other Spiritbox release to date. The composition is beyond impressive, pushing the norms of the standard song structure with a unique pacing throughout. The opening verse picks up at a fast pace, easily enticing circle pits with live performances of the track. LaPlante carries the song with low, humming growls, marking "Cellar Door" as one of the heaviest songs the band has to offer. Earning the band a 2024 Grammy nomination for Best Metal Performance, this song is a must-listen, displaying the best of what metalcore has to offer.

7 Architects - "Whiplash"

The Sky, The Earth & All Between (2025)

A front-runner in the sphere of metalcore, British band Architects pulled inspiration from some of the most iconic names of the genre for "Whiplash." Lead vocalist, Sam Carter, boasts a range that is immediately recognizable, showing off his technical abilities on the track. What we're left with is a jaw-dropping, unapologetic single that displays the band in their greatest form yet.

In an exclusive interview with NME, Carter chats about the influences behind the song, noting:

"We were talking about having a bouncy, Limp Bizkit-type party riff, and making a heavy song - in the world of Slipknot’s ‘Iowa’ era – that had a catchy chorus."

Notes of each are evident through the song, but it is the final breakdown that sets this track apart from the rest. Closing with an eerie, female robotic voice, the words "everything is going to be fine" are heard before one of the nastiest breakdowns of the band's entire discography kicks in. With this finale alone, "Whiplash" is a must-listen that truly displays everything metalcore has to offer.

6 Poppy - "The Center's Falling Out"

Negative Spaces (2024)

In a genre primarily dominated by men, voices like that of Poppy's radiate above the rest. Off of the record Negative Spaces, "the center's falling out" is fast-paced and angst-driven, halting listeners in their tracks. The song sees Poppy lean into the heavier side of the genre, carrying the melody with screams fueled by rage. "the center's falling out" is empowering and anthemic, marking the track as one of the best to come from the genre's current players.

The song's most jarring moment comes before an intense breakdown in which the singer effortlessly shifts from her fiery screams to a soft-spoken monologue. Chanting in an almost ritualistic tone, Poppy sends it off with the lyrics "through the cracks in the pale white, I watch you suffer and do nothing." What follows is a brutal, echoing breakdown driven by an echoing guitar riff, encapsulating all that metalcore is in the span of just 30 seconds.

5 Knocked Loose - "Suffocate (feat. Poppy)"

You Won't Go Before You're Supposed To (2024)

The long-time, riveting hardcore group Knocked Loose teamed up with metal's latest "it girl," Poppy, for the band's single, "Suffocate," and the result was nothing short of impressive. Earning the collaboration a Grammy nomination for Best Metal Performance in 2024, the song was quick to gain praise upon its initial release. After the band's record premiere for You Won't Go Before You're Supposed To, "Suffocate" even sured Taylor Swift on Spotify's Viral 50 USA playlist chart.

Melding Knocked Loose's traditional raw and aggressive sound with the dynamic range of Poppy's metal infused with pop, the internet raved over the track almost immediately following its release. The groove has a chaotic, yet cleverly crafted syncopation. It is the breakdown about midway through the song that had listeners buzzing though, featuring a reggaeton rhythm beyond comparison to anything else in the genre. "Suffocate" is a prime example and unique display of the range found within metalcore.

4 Bad Omens - "Dethrone"

Finding God Before God Finds Me (2019)

Every metalcore song deserves a good growl, and Bad Omens' "Dethrone" does not hesitate to deliver. Starting off strong, lead singer, Noah Sebastian, belts a 7-second scream to kick off the track, and it is not the only one that listeners will hear throughout. Though a driving force in the song, Sebastian's vocals are far from the only element that marks "Dethrone" as the band's most impressive display of artistry.

As depicted both in the unruly music video and during their live performances, bassist, Nicholas Ruffilo, plays the entirety of the song on one string. The riff is incredibly complex and, combined with the other elements of the song, is a representation of how unique and intricate a metalcore song can prove to be. "Dethrone" is a rowdy headbanger of a track, and deserves a listen based on the band's immense display of talent alone.

3 Sleep Token - "The Summoning"

Take Me Back To Eden (2023)

Sleep Token is one of the most experimental bands in the genre of metalcore, and "The Summoning" is a pure 6 minutes and 36 seconds of proof to back it up. The track jumps from its trashing, fast-paced djent guitar riffs to an unexpected, slow, funk groove to carry out the song's ending. Following its initial release, the drastic shift in tone caught the internet's attention immediately. Sleep Token became a viral sensation overnight, with listeners deeming "The Summoning" as one of the most innovative metal songs to date.

Due to their intense range and frequent fusion of genres, the band has an appeal stretching far beyond the typical sphere of metalcore listeners. Though their defining experimentation can be found in nearly every Sleep Token song, "The Summoning" in particular serves as a stellar representation for not only the band themselves, but metalcore as a whole.

2 The Plot In You - "Forgotten"

Vol. 1 (2024)

Fresh on the scene, The Plot In You have nothing left to prove after releasing the masterpiece that is "Forgotten." The track is one of the most emotionally driven of its genre, fueled with heavy energy and vulnerable lyricism. The lyrics of "Forgotten" dive into parts of life that are rarely found in topics of discussion, facing the reality of themes such as death and addiction and their impact on our lives. Lead vocalist, Landon Tewers, exhibits the most raw, powerful performance throughout the entire track, but it is the call-out prefacing the most prominent breakdown that makes this track one of the most memorable.

Tewers displays one of the most liberating moments in metalcore with the call-out, "I have spent my life chasing things that have only brought me pain. In the end, when I'm dead, hope it was for something." The line elicited an emotional response from fans at release, and the track continues to climb in the list of favorites for lovers of metalcore.

1 Bring Me The Horizon - "Kool-Aid"

POST HUMAN: NeX GEn (2024)

British rockers Bring Me The Horizon are no stranger to the genre of metalcore, and "Kool-Aid" saw the group revisit their heavy metal roots listeners were aching for. Kicking off with an electrifying and enticing guitar riff, the song is a hit right from the beginning. The group's lead singer, Oliver Sykes, shifts between clean, melodic vocals and his iconic "fry scream" without hesitation. The harsh, aggressive moments of the song are reminiscent of early Bring Me The Horizon tracks long beloved by fans. Carrying the listener on a thrilling journey, the song frequently revisits Sykes' impressive, airy vocal range with the anthemic chorus.

"Kool-Aid" is riddled with chilling moments throughout, especially in the song's main chorus. Sykes sings, "Come here and give me a hug," in a chilling manner, hinting toward a darker intention behind the phrase. With its master lyricism scattered with cult-like references and entrancing guitar riffs, "Kool-Aid" is an intricately crafted track that displays every element that makes metalcore what it is.