Top 10 Best Deathcore Bands

Deathcore is an intense and brutal genre that fuses the technical precision of death metal with the aggressive breakdowns and energy of metalcore. It's fast, it's heavy, and it's all about pushing the boundaries of extremity in both sound and lyrics.

You've got the blast beats, the guttural vocals, the crushing guitar riffs, and then, out of nowhere, the music drops into a slow, punishing breakdown that feels like it could crack the floor beneath you. That's deathcore.

Fans are drawn to the genre's ability to hit hard while still keeping things fresh. Many bands blend in elements from other styles, including black metal atmosphere, grindcore speed, symphonic touches, or progressive metal experimentation.

Deathcore also isn't afraid to embrace the theatrical side of brutality, whether through lyrical themes of destruction, nihilism, anger, or anti-religion, or through live performances that feel less like concerts and more like controlled structural damage. The mosh pits at deathcore shows? Absolute chaos, with a waiver form nobody remembered to sign.

So, who are the best deathcore bands out there? Maybe it's a band that helped lay the foundation for the genre, or maybe it's a newer group pushing it into more extreme and interesting territory. Either way, your vote counts just like the others that have helped shape this list.

The Top Ten

  1. Suicide Silence

    Suicide Silence is an American deathcore band from Riverside, California, formed in 2002. As of 2025, the band has released seven full-length studio albums, one EP, and numerous music videos. They are known for their aggressive sound and have been influential in the deathcore genre.

    Suicide Silence is by far the sickest and most talented deathcore band in history. They have the most talented instrumental technicalities out there, and Mitch will forever be #1 as far as screaming goes in this genre (contested only by Randy Blythe, if we were speaking in terms of metal as a whole).

    If I absolutely had to compare the two's voices, I'd say Mitch can get lower naturally, being in the deathcore genre. But Randy's highs AND his lows sound much cleaner because he takes the cake with his experience. Not to mention, I just love the power and uniqueness of his vocal cords.

    But to get back to the topic (sorry, I'm a vocals guy), Suicide Silence is most definitely the #1 deathcore band in existence. I hate anything mainstream, but there is a reason they are voted in at #1.

  2. Whitechapel

    Whitechapel is an American deathcore band from Knoxville, Tennessee. The band is named after the Whitechapel district in East London, known for the Jack the Ripper murders. Their music features aggressive instrumentation and often explores themes of violence and inner struggle.

    Whitechapel is the best deathcore band to walk the earth. Suicide Silence is great too, but I feel like their fan base just skyrocketed after Mitch died, and it was all a bunch of scene girls who thought he looked hot. They felt sorry for him because he had a wife and a 5-year-old girl and didn't give a damn about the music he made. They just liked Mitch for his looks and not his prowess as a deathcore vocalist.

    No disrespect intended for Suicide Silence whatsoever, and I'm in fact looking forward to their new album with Eddie Hermida (on Nuclear Blast!). But Whitechapel is just a far better band. Phil has an amazingly powerful and brutal voice and knows how to pump up a crowd at a show. Whitechapel's fans aren't a bunch of chicks that think Phil looks hot. They're the undisputed best deathcore band.

  3. Chelsea Grin

    Chelsea Grin is an American deathcore band from Salt Lake City, Utah. Formed in 2007, the band is known for its aggressive sound, incorporating elements of metalcore and death metal. They have released two EPs and five full-length studio albums.

    You can see that every band has comments saying they're the best, but everyone has their own tastes in deathcore. Some like the brutality, some like the evilness and stuff, so just try them one by one every day or two, and you'll probably love them all if you dig any of them. But after all, it just needs time. I mean, three years ago when I first tried Chelsea Grin, I hated everything about them, but eventually, I liked one thing, and one thing led to another. Now I have all of their albums and EPs.

    Anyway, after five years of listening to deathcore, my taste has evolved to appreciate all of those bands, like (Winds of Plague, Chelsea Grin, Make Them Suffer).

  4. Thy Art Is Murder

    Thy Art Is Murder is an Australian deathcore band from Sydney that formed in 2006. As of 2025, the band consists of guitarist Sean Delander, guitarist Andy Marsh, drummer Jesse Beahler, and vocalist Tyler Miller, who replaced CJ McMahon in 2023. The band is known for their aggressive sound, technical... read more

    When I first heard about them and listened to some of their songs, I thought they were super overrated. The only thing I liked was their "Infinite Death" EP (as I like mostly bands with both lows and highs).

    But then a few months ago, Spotify's Daily Mix played me "Holy War"...and I was blown away. I'm in love with the whole album. I even enjoyed some songs on "Hate" and can't wait for their next release.

    They are not the best deathcore band, in my opinion, but they are so much better than Suicide Silence and Chelsea Grin. That's why I'm voting for them.

    This is the band that got me into Deathcore back in 2008 with their Infinite Death EP. I didn't really understand it, but what I kept hearing was absolutely amazing to me.

    They made me feel like smashing stuff up, and still, even today, I maintain that feeling every time I hear these guys. Top 3 at least.

  5. Carnifex

    Carnifex is an American deathcore band from San Diego County, California. The band was formed in 2005 and is currently signed to Nuclear Blast, following previous deals with labels like Victory Records. They have released nine studio albums and three EPs, establishing themselves as one of the prominent... read more

    Carnifex is without a doubt the best band on this list, and they haven't released a bad song yet. No sell-out crap, just pure passion and anger poured into every meaningful song.

    If you are new to deathcore, then check this band out, and you'll be hooked. If you listen to their older material, it's more edging toward death metal than core, but not quite there.

    Carnifex is an awesome band. Just listen to Lie to My Face, In Coalesce With Filth and Faith (this song has some brutal breakdowns), or Until I Feel Nothing. Scott Lewis is an awesome vocalist, and Shawn Cameron is an awesome drummer. As previously stated, Carnifex is an awesome band.

  6. Born of Osiris

    Born of Osiris is an American deathcore band, formed in 2003 in Palatine, a suburb of Chicago. The group underwent several name changes, including Diminished, Your Heart Engraved, and Rosecrance, before finally settling on Born of Osiris in 2007.... read more

    Few bands in the deathcore genre stand out from the others. Although their first two albums may seem like some other generic deathcore, albums "The Discovery," "Tomorrow We Die Alive," and "Soul Sphere" add a unique component to the band. This addition, as well as phenomenal vocals, should put them in the top 3 along with SS and Whitechapel.

    If you don't believe me, check out the songs "Machine," "The Other Half of Me," and "Free Fall." I definitely suggest "Soul Sphere" and "TWDA" as those are two of my favorite albums in deathcore.

    Listened to a few of Suicide Silence's songs. Uh, yeah, not much talent there. If you want to hear badass Middle Eastern classical prog deathcore (thank you, other person, for classifying this band), listen to these beautiful songs: Abstract Art, The Takeover, Now Arise, Live Like I'm Real, Faces of Death, Two Worlds of Design/A Solution, Shaping the Masterpiece, and Regenerate.

  7. Despised Icon

    Normally, I'm not a fan of deathcore (though I do like some of it), but there's something about Despised Icon that I really like. Yes, they do breakdowns, and yes, the lead vocalist does a lot of pig squealing. But they somehow manage to keep the sound of original, organic death metal and make it sound much heavier.

    And unlike most deathcore bands, they have some kickass, tasty riffs. Honestly, Despised Icon is tied with Lorna Shore for my favorite band in the genre.

    I thought I'd heard deathcore at its best until I heard Despised Icon. Tight, precise performances. Well-timed breakdowns, actual riffs, the occasional melodic solo, and the only band where pig squeals are implemented well.

    Plus, their return has impressed me, which is rare in this genre but not surprising from them, seeing as they're innovators.

  8. Infant Annihilator

    Infant Annihilator is an English deathcore band from Hull, East Yorkshire. The band was formed in 2012 by drummer Aaron Kitcher and guitarist Eddie Pickard. Their music is known for its technical brutality and controversial lyrics.

    Despite them being an "internet band," I really feel like they prove their talent. I believe they're meant to be satirical and poking a bit of fun at extreme bands. But bless their hearts, if that's actually the case, they do it extremely well. The lyrics, while grotesque, certainly have a poetry about them. They do know how to weave a story.

    I fell in love after I heard "Soil the Stillborn," and I will go down with them, no matter what. Dickie Allen is one of my favorite vocalists now. Kitcher and Pickard are amazing. They have a dynamic in their songwriting that I think is hard to replicate. Love, love, love these guys.

    I can't decide on a favorite, but this band deserves the top 10. Although they were only a project, their sound is amazing. Dan Watson is an amazing vocalist, Eddie Pickard is an epic guitarist, and Aaron Kitcher's drumming is insane. The double bass is so fast you'd think he used a machine, but it was pure skill.

    For only one 16-track album and a couple of singles, this band owns and is seriously brutal. Deserves to be up there.

  9. All Shall Perish

    All Shall Perish is an American deathcore band from Oakland, California, formed in 2002. The band became known for combining elements of death metal and metalcore. They released five studio albums before disbanding, with their final active years extending into the early 2020s.

    ASP is an amazing band. Their songs are so different from each other, and each album has a complete style that's all its own within the genre. Eddie Hermida is also one of the best singers in deathcore, but he sadly moved to Suicide Silence. He does great work with ASP, though! Definitely my favorite.

    The fact that Suicide Silence is ahead of these guys is just ridiculous. Eddie is 10 times the vocalist Mitch ever was, and if you don't believe me, go listen to Eradication, Wage Slaves, Black Gold Reign, and When Life Meant More.

  10. Job for a Cowboy

    Job for a Cowboy is an American death metal band from Glendale, Arizona. Formed in 2003, the band released their debut album Genesis on May 15, 2007. The album peaked at number 54 on the US Billboard 200 and sold around 13,000 copies in its first week.

    God damn, I hate this genre. A bunch of kids who see themselves as the most brutal out there, yet they would piss their pants if they heard something really brutal, like Job For A Cowboy. The only deathcore band that I personally like. Also, one of the few deathcore bands that leans more toward the death metal sound than the hardcore side.

    Is this even a question? Deathcore is a mix between death metal and hardcore. This band is the only one on this damn list that is more death metal than hardcore. And seriously? Bring Me The Horizon? Bullet For My Valentine?

    11. The Newcomers
  11. ?

    Shadow of Intent

    SOI is a deathcore band even non-deathcore fans can enjoy. Especially in their latest release, Melancholy, they incorporate elements of symphonic death metal as well as metalcore into their music.

    I saw them live, and they were TIGHT! Plus, the vocalist Ben Duerr's gutturals and growls are outstanding, with amazing pronunciation. One of the very best metal vocalists right now!

    He said his main influences are Mikael Åkerfeldt from Opeth and Travis Ryan from Cattle Decapitation. Talk about learning from the best and iron sharpening iron...

    I don't even like deathcore but this band is sick. They kind of a mix between deathcore and tech death, but not in the weedly deedly Rings of Saturn way. Lots of symphonic elements on their new stuff but it's not front and center like most symphonic metal bands, it just adds melody in the background

  12. ?

    AngelMaker

    How is this band not in the top 5? This is absolutely ridiculous. AngelMaker has such clean and precise instrumentals, and the lead vocalist has as much talent as Phil. This dude is probably even a little more versatile.

    Very diverse vocals and some of the slowest and nastiest breakdowns you'll ever hear.

    They also have songs with a constantly changing sound and actual emotion you can hear.

    Love it. There's so much variety, considering it's deathcore, and it's incredibly heavy.

    Give them a chance, and they'll wow you.

    13. The Contenders

  13. Impending Doom

    Impending Doom is a Christian deathcore band from Riverside, California. The group has released five full-length studio albums and currently performs as a five-member ensemble. Vocalist Brook Reeves is one of the two original members still with the band.... read more

    Amazing deathcore band. If you want to hear their heaviest and best breakdowns, listen to "War Music," "Beyond the Grave," "Murderer," "Everything's Fake," and my personal favorite, "Death Will Reign."

    I thought I knew what heavy was until I found out about these guys. They make more than just one-hit wonders. They continuously release promising pieces. Check them out.

    Dark, very low, more growling than screaming, at least on their newer stuff. Awesome. Yes, they are Christian. So what! I have never heard another deathcore band that I enjoy as much as Impending Doom.

  14. After the Burial

    After the Burial is an American metalcore band from Minneapolis, Minnesota. They are signed to Sumerian Records and have released most of their full-length albums through the label. The band is known for its technical guitar work and heavy, progressive sound.

    They have a great combination of heaviness and technique. The guitarist is just so great, and the singer fits in perfectly.

    Justin Lowe's guitar work was the best part. And I'm not just saying that because he died - he honestly was an amazing guitarist. R.I.P.

  15. Oceano

    Oceano and Winds of Plague are the last on this list? I can't bear to see it.

    Vote for them, people! They're too awesome to be so low in the rankings.

    These guys are extremely heavy. They are the heaviest out of all the bands I have ever listened to. #1 for these guys.

    This band is mean, angry, and the music reflects that. Oceano is number one on my list.

  16. Bring Me the Horizon

    Bring Me the Horizon is a British rock band from Sheffield, Yorkshire. Formed in 2004, the group currently consists of vocalist Oliver Sykes, guitarist Lee Malia, bassist Matt Kean, drummer Matt Nicholls, and keyboardist Jordan Fish. They are signed to RCA Records globally and Columbia Records in the... read more

    Count Your Blessings = Deathcore

    Suicide Season = Metalcore (but partly deathcore)

    There Is a Hell was a good album, Sempiternal was amazing, and That's the Spirit sucks. They're deathcore for, let's say, 2 albums. After that, the music changed. I've loved the first 4 albums, but the latest one, "That's the Spirit," seems more like pop rock. There are some good lyrics in the songs on the album, but they changed because of Oli's ability to scream. Essentially, he can't anymore. That's why the music changed. Sucks! But that's the way things go sometimes. Still have much love for the band's old material, but the new stuff is not for me.

    Bring Me the Horizon only made 1 deathcore album: Count Your Blessings.

    Suicide Season was straight metalcore.

    There Is a Hell... was metalcore with some symphonic influences and a bit of electronic music.

    Sempiternal was a more experimental post-hardcore/metalcore album with a handful of electronic and ambient elements thrown in.

    Count Your Blessings was an awesome deathcore album, but know your genres. Suicide Season isn't a deathcore album. That aside, BMTH is an awesome band, possibly my favorite band in general, but not my favorite deathcore band.

  17. As Blood Runs Black

    Hands down the best deathcore band of all time. I voted for Born of Osiris, who are better in my opinion but not deathcore, so ABRB technically deserves to win.

    If you're looking for "not boring breakdowns," you should check out these guys.

    Their first album, "Allegiance," beats all deathcore bands' albums. Best breakdowns, double pedal speed, melodic guitar riffs. Unfortunately, they changed, but there are still a few great songs in their second and last album.

  18. Veil of Maya

    Veil of Maya is an American metalcore band formed in Chicago, Illinois, in 2004 by guitarist Marc Okubo and drummer Sam Applebaum. They are currently signed to Sumerian Records and have released seven studio albums. The band's music combines elements of deathcore and progressive metal, and they are known... read more

    The best band indeed, but they have slipped from deathcore like Suicide Silence to metalcore with deathcore-like vocals, such as Oceans Ate Alaska.

    Good band, though!

    Ok, I'm a Suicide Silence fan, and I thought they were the best deathcore band. But after listening to Veil of Maya, they just blew me away, and I was like, Whoa, ain't nobody got time for that!

    Easily one of the best bands I have ever listened to. The vocals are second only to those of Mitch Lucker of Suicide Silence, but the guitar is by far the best guitar I have ever heard, and the song Punisher is easily my favorite song.

  19. Lorna Shore

    I fell in love with this band pretty recently. I love the symphonic pieces they put in their later music to make it grand and dramatic. Will Ramos is one of, if not the most talented vocalists I've ever heard.

    The drummer is crazy fast, the guitarist shreds on every song, and their breakdowns are brutal.

    Absolutely brutal! Immortal is one of the best deathcore albums of all time.

    After their last album, this band should go way up to the top 15 at least.

  20. Heaven Shall Burn

    Heaven Shall Burn are a German metalcore band from Saalfeld, formed in 1996. The band includes vocalist Marcus Bischoff, guitarists Maik Weichert and Alexander Dietz, bassist Eric Bischoff, and drummer Christian Bass. Known for their aggressive sound and politically conscious lyrics, the band has released... read more

    Believe what you will, Suicide Silence isn't the best of them.

    I prefer Heaven Shall Burn's live performances over other deathcore bands'. Marcus' vocals are much more chaotic, and the guitars don't frequent around open strings because the riffs make them heavy.

    These guys are insane! I've seen them live, and it was one of the most awesome shows I've ever seen. I like that it's more like death metal and less like metalcore, but it still has breakdowns and stuff.

    This was an awesome band. Their deathcore is good, and their live performances sounded just like their studio recordings.

    Vote! Hope they were at least number 10.

  21. Fit for an Autopsy

    Seriously, 69? What the hell. These guys are still one of only three or four "deathcore" bands I religiously listen to (the others being Thy Art is Murder, Make Them Suffer, and Wage War if you can count them) because every other band on here sounds exactly the same. These are one of the only truly original bands in this genre.

    Such a great band. Should be higher on the list. If anyone listened to the albums Absolute Hope, Absolute Hell and The Process of Extermination, they would understand. Hellbound isn't that great, though.

  22. Winds of Plague

    Decimate the Weak is fantastic. The band's look has nothing on their music!

  23. Rings of Saturn

    Rings of Saturn is an American technical deathcore band from the Bay Area, California. The band was formed in 2009 and was originally a studio project. They are known for incorporating science fiction themes into their music and jokingly refer to their style as "aliencore".

    Sorry 23 guy, they got bumped down to 36. But I do agree that they are amazing and should be higher up on the list.

    I sadly can't say top 10 because honestly I haven't listened to enough. I am not one who really cares much for vocals. I just like how the instrumentation of a song sounds. But these guys oddly enough caused me to actually get into caring for the lyrics and vocals as a whole, which is kind of odd because now I can understand these kinds of vocals better than clean vocals sometimes... kinda weird...

    Lugal Ki En is insane! Their No Pity For A Coward cover was ten times better than the original! Senseless Massacre, Unsympathetic Intellect, and Godless Times are all amazing songs.

  24. Black Tongue

    Deathcore is basically guttural vocals and brutal breakdowns. You can't get any more brutal than Black Tongue. As they release more music, you will see them rise higher on this list.

    These guys have some of the heaviest breakdowns I've ever heard, and I've listened to almost every single band on this list. The only bands I think that could contend with the heaviness are The Acacia Strain and The Red Chord.

    My god, I just listened to some of their songs, and yes, their breakdowns are so amazing. Thanks for putting this band on the list!

  25. Glass Casket

    Listen to In Between the Sheets and Genesis before voting for anyone else.

    This is like the only good deathcore band.

  26. Suffokate

    Suffokate are one of my favourite bands, purely because they have brutal music, Ricky and Matt have incredible voices, and they are just plain awesome!

  27. Slice the Cake

    Beautiful consecutive tracks with great riffs.

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