Recently a friend asked me to make an informational post about these sub- genres because it is sometimes confusing for people who have lives (unlike me) to understand. It is also hard considering that there is a lot of arguing when it comes down to it. This post will give brief summaries of multiple genres to let you make your own informed decisions. Here you go Xuian (go check out his sweetass blog at
here)
A little history-
Metalcore originally started as a joke term to describe hardcore with metallic elements. Coined by Shai Hulud if I remember correctly. Since, it has evolved into something so much more.
Metal-
A broad term used to describe many types of music with various sounds. Usually heavy and downtuned, with some technicality thrown in. Dark atmosphere. Too much to type really. Many sub- genres have been created to describe all kinds of different sounds. The music usually depends on the written music itself. Examples: Dream Theatre, Dark Tranquillity, Scar Symmetry.
Hardcore-
A deviation of punk music with a much more aggressive attitude. The music isn't based on any sort of theory or skill, it is all pure emotion; negative or positive. It is completely based on the attitude you put in. Beats are very simple and riffs are generally only chord- derived with shout- out choruses and much crowd participation.. Examples: Crime in Stereo, H2O, Comeback Kid
Metalcore-
An amalgamation of both aforementioned genres,
metal and hard
core, the genres tries to blend the best of both worlds. A metallic twinge with the musical skill and heaviness, plus the attitude and presentation of hardcore. Metalcore has a MASSIVE spectrum. Bands range from the more metal side (Killswitch Engage), to more hardcore (Earth Crisis), and everywhere in between. Elitism arises often on both sides, and for some reason don't like the other. They try and shove metalcore to a sub- genre of one or the other, but truth is, it is BOTH. Examples: August Burns Red, I Killed The Prom Queen, Parkway Drive.
Deathcore-
This can either be a mix of hardcore and death metal, or metalcore and death metal. The music almost always relies on it's brutality, and can either range from just very heavy and energetic, to blindingly technical or atmospheric. Vocals are typically a lot more death metal oriented. Utilizes tremolo picking, sweeping solos, fast double bass, blast beats and chromatic rhythms. Examples: Beneath the Massacre, Winds of Plague, Despised Icon.
Post- hardcore-
Generally utilizing any of the other core genres, and blending them with post- rock elements. Utilizes plenty of clean singing as well as screaming. Melodies are plentiful and often beautiful. The music is often very well written. Examples: Lower Definition, Dance Gavin Dance, Silverstein.
Djent-
Term coined by one of the Meshuggah guitarists to describe Catch 22. Not exactly a genre, but it is a sound you get when you mute notes in a certain manner. Instead of the usual "jun - juns", it comes out as a sharp muted noise "djent - djent." Pronounced like gent with a hard D sound. Examples: Periphery, Meshuggah, Permillisecond, Cloudkicker.
Tags-
Various extra tags can be thrown in before these genres to further describe their sound. Some included are: technical, melodic, progressive, generic.
Notes-
First of all, these should only be to describe the general sound of a band, and the band should not be pigeon- holed into sounding exactly like every other band like them. Debating is stupid, because most of the time it is a matter of opinion. Don't let the label keep you from listening. Secondly, and I will say this with some passion, NOTHING IS DEPENDENT ON BREAKDOWNS. Breakdowns have occurred in both father genres for decades upon decades. Only in the past decade have they been utilized in the manner specifically for the crowd to react to. They are just fun to throw down to.
