Top 10 Best Metalcore Bands

The Top Ten

As I Lay Dying

As I Lay Dying is an American metalcore band from San Diego, California. The band was founded in 2000 by vocalist Tim Lambesis, and its first full lineup, including drummer Jordan Mancino, came together in 2001. As of 2024, the band has released seven studio albums, including Shaped by Fire, along with... read more

The indisputable superiority of As I Lay Dying is something to behold. The first time I heard them, it was a delirious experience. I knew they would be the metalcore band that would leave a mark on my life. The feeling was impossible to describe - deep, intense, and magical.
Their bright talent and outstanding creativity were evident. I appreciate the weight they bring to their music, the rhythmic guitar, the mind-blowing guitar solos, and the powerful growling vocals and drums. There is harmony in this band, as well as strength, good melodies, and beautiful compositions.
They are worth listening to. As I Lay Dying deserves a biography for their story. Their tragic separation in the end was unfortunate, but they made a major impact on contemporary metal. They have become unforgettable. Good night!
Trivium

Trivium is an American heavy metal band from Orlando, Florida, formed in 1999. The band's most consistent members are frontman Matt Heafy, lead guitarist Corey Beaulieu, and bassist Paulo Gregoletto, all of whom have appeared on every album since joining.... read more

This band is by far the best. In fact, I'd hardly call them entirely metalcore. They're more like straight-up metal.
Many of their songs have elements of thrash metal and even melodic death metal. Nonetheless, they make truly amazing music, and that's what really matters. Their guitarists are absolutely incredible, and Matt Heafy has a powerful voice.
Their album Shogun is one of my favorite metal albums ever, and I loved their straight-up thrash metal on The Crusade. They're like a modern version of Metallica mixed with Iron Maiden. This metal band will go down in history for their raw talent. Trivium rules.

Trivium in third place? They should be first. Their albums cover every range of metalcore you'd ever need. Shogun is a work of art. Ascendancy is a scream-along album, as is In Waves.
I'll admit The Crusade isn't the greatest, but it has good songs like Ignition, Detonation, Tread the Floods, and Contempt Breeds Contamination. Vengeance Falls is an album where you can sing along, and it really showcases Matt's amazing singing voice.
Trivium is one of the bands out there making proper music and writing from the heart and soul. This is unlike bands like Bring Me The Horizon. Why are they even on this list?
Killswitch Engage

Killswitch Engage is an American metalcore band from Westfield, Massachusetts. The band was formed in 1999 after the breakup of Overcast and Aftershock. They are considered one of the pioneering bands of the metalcore genre.

Metalcore is generally pretty subpar, but only a few bands are actually any good. Killswitch Engage is the best of those bands. They may not be the most technical on this list, but they are quite capable, and their songwriting is simply better. Not to mention, they've had not only the best vocalist in metalcore but also the second best.
I would say Jesse Leach is the best, but it's really a toss-up. Each is easily the best at their respective style. Howard has great lower "roaring" vocals, and Jesse has probably the most intense screams I've ever heard.
He's more of a mid-range vocalist, but I usually prefer him because his lyrics are better. Higher vocals aren't to my taste, so there's no best in that category, haha.
Bullet for My Valentine

Bullet for My Valentine are a Welsh metalcore band from Bridgend, formed in 1998. The band consists of Matthew Tuck (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Michael Paget (lead guitar, backing vocals), Michael Thomas (drums), and Jamie Mathias (bass guitar). Former members include Nick Crandle and Jason James,... read more

Bullet for My Valentine is a great band. I really like how they can sound both calm and aggressive. Listen to Watching Us Die Tonight and No Way Out for examples.
While they have some great albums, the weakest one is Temper Temper. In this album, there are almost no screams, and many songs sound quite similar. However, they did an excellent job with their latest album, Venom, which features many screams and good solos. I recommend this band to every metalcore fan because they have a great sound, can be both heavy and calm, and the solos are amazing.

There isn't a single Bullet for My Valentine song that I don't love. They just keep delivering.
Don't even get me started on "The Poison" album. It's the best album I've ever heard and has inspired me to keep producing music. I've been listening to Bullet for My Valentine for over seven years, and I've never once been bored by a song they've released. The singing, guitar, drums, and all the other elements are incredible.
I highly recommend Bullet for My Valentine to any metal lover.
Parkway Drive

Parkway Drive is an Australian metalcore band formed in 2003 in Byron Bay, New South Wales. As of 2025, the band has released seven studio albums, one extended play (EP), two DVDs, a split album, and a book titled Ten Years of Parkway Drive. They are known for their energetic live performances and have... read more

Jeff Ling is an amazing guitarist, and Ben Gordon is underrated for his drumming. He has killer blast beats. This band doesn't produce generic music. They are capable of creating complex, dynamic riffs while still delivering some of the greatest breakdowns in the genre.
Winston's vocals are incredible both recorded and live. Each of their records is god-like, and their lyrics are meaningful. Check out Breaking Point and Horizons for their best work.

The only differences between Parkway Drive and the other bands on this list are the publicity and soul in their music. Parkway Drive is an Australian band that has been around for over 10 years, and they have made their career with little support or publicity. Even so, they are still one of the biggest bands in their genre, which, personally, I believe Metalcore is the correct genre they should fall into.
Asking Alexandria and Avenged Sevenfold are not true Metalcore, though both fall into similar subgenres. AA is Post-Hardcore, and A7X is Hard Rock, although some of their earlier works are very Metalcore-derived.
Parkway definitely deserves to be higher, as well as Killswitch, ABR, All That Remains, and Northlane. These bands are true Metalcore, not Post-Hardcore or Deathcore. Parkway's music is also very soulful and complex.
Metalcore is the second-best subgenre of metal next to its precursor, Groove Metal! Pantera! M/
August Burns Red

August Burns Red is an American metalcore band from Manheim, Pennsylvania. The group was formed in 2003 while most of its members were still in high school.
They began performing in the Lancaster area and were first signed to CI Records. They later joined Solid State Records and most recently... read more

August Burns Red's music is incomparable to that of any other band. The excellent work of drummer Matt Greiner blends perfectly with the bass and guitars, as if there couldn't be any other way to play them. This is further complemented by Jake Luhrs' unique and superior scream and vocals.
Additionally, the lyrics are exceptional. The song Meridian includes some words from the Holy Bible, and they turn it into music in an excellent and incredible way. They deserve to be the #1 metalcore band.

To me, August Burns Red produces some of the most beautiful and dynamic music out there. With multiple instruments not specific to the metalcore/hardcore genre, they infuse many genres into their music, making every song a piece of art rather than just a number to complete the album. August Burns Red is going places where no other band has gone before, and they're doing so with excellence.
Sure, all the other bands on this list are great metalcore bands that deserve to be in the top 10, no matter the ranking. But when it comes to August Burns Red, they are the most unique. Some characteristics that set them apart include their bone-crushing breakdowns, intricate guitar riffs, expert drum work, and spot-on screaming. Examples can be found in songs like Internal Cannon, Empire, Spirit Breaker, Creative Captivity, Black Sheep, Composure, Crusades, Mariana's Trench, Animals, and Count It All as Lost.
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

Okay, they are no longer strictly Metalcore, but their first two albums were among the best the genre has ever seen. Now, they've evolved into something very different, yet entirely unique. There Is a Hell was the first step and introduced the electronic elements they were incorporating into their sound.
Sempiternal then took these elements and practically created a new genre. Their latest release, That's the Spirit, has left Metalcore behind entirely. However, the musicality of the instrumentals and the artistry of the lyrics are pretty much unequaled among these bands.
Plus, Oli has managed to go from one of the best screamers ever to a genuinely great clean vocalist. The transformation of the band is impressive and deserves recognition.
All That Remains

All That Remains is an American heavy metal band from Springfield, Massachusetts, formed in 1998. They have released nine studio albums, including The Fall of Ideals and Victim of the New Disease. The band has sold over a million records worldwide and is known for blending metalcore with melodic elements... read more

Many bands are blurring the lines between genres, such as Bullet For My Valentine, As I Lay Dying, and Caliban, to name a few. However, All That Remains excels at what they do, which is blurring the lines between Metalcore, Thrash, modern metal, death metal, and everything in between. They released one of the greatest albums, The Fall of Ideals, although many felt they betrayed their fanbase.
Setting Overcome aside, all their releases are excellent for those with a broad palette. A War You Cannot Win is fantastic. They are undoubtedly some of the best musicians on the planet and march to the beat of their own double-kick drum.
They are a Triple-A band.
Asking Alexandria

Asking Alexandria are an English metalcore band from York, North Yorkshire, initially formed in 2008 by lead guitarist Ben Bruce along with former lead singer Danny Worsnop, bassist Joe Lancaster, keyboardist and synth player Ryan Binns, and current members drummer James Cassells and rhythm guitarist... read more

Sure, if you consider the actual musical aspect of Asking Alexandria (AA), there are better bands on this list, like Escape The Fate. Not to say that they aren't talented. They definitely are. But Danny Worsnop can scream like nothing I've heard.
His lows are fairly average, on par with most of the bands on this list, but his highs are incredible. His high screams sound like he's screaming through a tube, and the sound seems to come from far away. He makes them sound almost unattached, as if he's throwing his voice. His performance at the Mitch Lucker memorial show was also one of the best.
But this band isn't just about Danny Worsnop. Ben Bruce can produce some pretty intense breakdowns, and his verses are pretty neat too. The topics they sing about are real. Sure, a lot of their songs are about women (wink, wink), but most focus on substance abuse and relationship problems. All in all, Asking Alexandria deserves to be in the top ten, especially after overcoming the many problems they've faced.
Converge

I had to go all the way to 40 to find a non-poser band. Haven't you people seen all your favorite bands wearing Converge shirts in band photos? It's because they all know Converge is better than they are.

Why is this number 22 when As I Lay Dying is number 1? Not to mention the other bands that are ranked above this one. This list is a joke.

Metalcore grew up and lost something: aggression. This band takes hardcore punk and metal, adds violence, and there you go.

The Newcomers

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Silent Planet

Incredibly underrated. This band more than deserves a spot on this massive list.
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Polaris

Such a great band, I really like how not all their songs build up to a breakdown, sometimes they just throw them in there like it's not a big deal.

Polaris is a beast of a band they haven't put out a single bad song ever and their Death Of Me album is their best album so far.

The Contenders

The Dillinger Escape Plan

The Dillinger Escape Plan was an American mathcore band from Morris Plains, New Jersey. The group was formed in 1997 following the breakup of Arcane, a hardcore punk trio that included Ben Weinman, Dimitri Minakakis, and Chris Pennie. They became known for their intense live performances, technical proficiency... read more

They're the best live band around. They may not be the best band overall, but they're definitely worth every penny to see live.

If you've seen this band live, you would know exactly why they deserve to be in the top 10.

They have more skill than any other band on this list. Also, Greg is probably the best vocalist in the entire scene.
The Devil Wears Prada

The Devil Wears Prada is an American metalcore band from Dayton, Ohio, formed in 2005. The band's lineup includes Mike Hranica on vocals, Jeremy DePoyster on rhythm guitar and vocals, Andy Trick on bass, and Daniel Williams on drums. Known for blending aggressive music with melodic elements, they have... read more

Their earliest works are like guilty pleasures for me, but around the release of 2009's With Roots Above, this band stepped it up big time. One year later, the 2010 Zombie EP shattered preconceptions about this band. They had crafted something insane.
Another year goes by, and the band releases Dead Throne in 2011, which I will say is their most significant record. 8:18 is also good, but the middle portion of the band's career has left a massive impact with these conceptual releases. This is miles above anything BMTH or AA could ever accomplish.

I don't understand why Asking Alexandria is considered to be better than them. The Devil Wears Prada has much better instrumentals and screams. The Devil Wears Prada is one of those bands that always surprises you with each new release.
Unearth

Unearth is an American heavy metal band from Boston, Massachusetts. Formed in 1998, the group has released six studio albums, including The Oncoming Storm and Watchers of Rule. They are known for their blend of metalcore and melodic death metal influences.

How is it that a band that never disappoints on any release ever gets a disappointing place in this "best metalcore" competition? Each and every single song Unearth has ever written is ten times better than most of these bands' entire careers' best work. If you skip past these guys, give them a chance. You'll realize that As I Lay Dying can't even compare in awesomeness.

By far, Unearth is the most underrated metalcore band. They have amazing riffs and songs, and they have never sold out. People saying As I Lay Dying or Bring Me The Horizon are good metalcore? You don't even know how much more influential this band has been on the genre.
Architects

Architects is a British metalcore band formed in 2004 in Brighton, East Sussex. The group currently consists of five members and is known for its intense sound and socially conscious lyrics. As of July 2025, Architects have released eight studio albums and continue to be a prominent name in the metalcore... read more

Why on earth is Architects ranked at 53? Are people going deaf? Dear Lord, they're an absolutely fantastic band and deserve to be much higher up the list. They've changed their sound slightly throughout their albums, but they've remained true to themselves. Their newest album absolutely rocks, not to mention the significant meaning it carries, especially after Tom's passing.
Sam Carter's vocals are as powerful, emotional, and strong as ever in Holy Hell. The instrumentation has always been top-notch as well. They also have this unique atmospheric element in a lot of their music.
Lyrics are always meaningful and carry just the right amount of political sting. They're one of my all-time favorite metalcore acts.
Between The Buried And Me

Between the Buried and Me is an American progressive metal band from Raleigh, North Carolina. Formed in 2000, the band originally featured vocalist and keyboardist Tommy Giles Rogers Jr.
The group is known for blending progressive, technical, and metalcore elements, and their conceptual albums... read more

These guys are amazing. Every instrument is on point. They have nice growling and clean vocals, insane technical skill, and they can pull it all off live. They also incorporate many different genres into their metal, and it leaves me in awe at how smoothly they can transition between them.

Jesus Christ. This list has made me lose faith in humanity. A bunch of third-string wranglers from a terrible metalcore subgenre are taking space away from good bands like Between The Buried And Me. Why are they so far down anyway? I thought they had actual popularity.
Memphis May Fire

Memphis May Fire is an American metalcore band formed in Denton, Texas, and currently signed to Rise Records. The band was formed in 2006 and is known for their energetic performances and emotionally driven lyrics. Their discography includes albums such as The Hollow, Challenger, and Remade in Misery... read more

Best singer ever. Seriously, this guy is amazing. As for the rest, it is just as good: powerful, efficient, and melodic when it comes to choruses.
It's hard to listen to an entire album in one sitting, but once you've sampled a few songs from other bands and then return to Memphis May Fire, you realize there's always something more. Something that most of today's bands don't have: talent.

This is an amazing band. I love the lyrics to many of their songs because they actually have meaning. Take Beneath the Skin, for example. That song is a gift from heaven because it's just beautiful. The lead singer has amazing vocals, and the impact is just incredible.
Northlane

The album Singularity features really interesting layers. While the lyrics are good, the vocals can sometimes distract from the music. The instrumental version of the album is incredible.

Marcus Bridge offers fantastic vocals, and some of their older material is also really fantastic.

They have creative tracks that are diverse and enjoyable to listen to.
Crown the Empire

Crown the Empire is an American metalcore band formed in 2010 in Dallas, Texas. The group initially gained attention with their debut EP Limitless and later released full-length albums including The Fallout, The Resistance: Rise of the Runaways, and Retrograde. They are known for combining heavy breakdowns... read more

How can you possibly rank Crown the Empire so low? From the amazing melodic songs sung by Andrew to the heavy screaming that Dave brings to the band, they have it all. Whether it's Limitless, The Fallout, or their newest album The Resistance: Rise of the Runaways, you can't help but fall in love with their catchy choruses, heavy breakdowns, and perfect blend of clean and screamed vocals.

In terms of style and creativity, this band has demonstrated through its increasing popularity that they embody metalcore. The vocalist, Andrew, has a unique range that fluctuates between strong and sometimes very weak, giving the band a personality that no other metalcore band possesses.
Of Mice and Men

Of Mice & Men is an American metalcore band from Orange County, California. The band's lineup currently includes lead vocalist and bassist Aaron Pauley, guitarists Phil Manansala and Alan Ashby, and drummer Valentino Arteaga. They are known for albums such as The Flood (2011) and Earthandsky (2019).

I like their early stuff, like on their self-titled album and their work on The Flood. But I think what makes them the best is their obvious growth.
Listen to Second & Sebring (Self-Titled), then O.G. Loko (The Flood), and then You're Not Alone (Restoring Force). You can hear just how much they've changed. They get more and more mature-sounding as they go.
I think they are a damn good band. Not the best, but a really good one that deserves to be higher up.

Austin Carlile has some of the best screams I have ever heard.
Whether it's from the eponymous album or the Restoring Force album, his voice is powerful and shows what a good-sounding metalcore band should be like. It may not have a thrash sound to their records, but metal records don't have to sound like that.
Hatebreed

Hatebreed is an American metalcore and hardcore band from Bridgeport, Connecticut, formed in 1994. They have released eight studio albums, with the most recent being Weight of the False Self, which came out on November 27, 2020. Their music combines the aggression of heavy metal with the intensity and... read more

Hatebreed leans more towards the hardcore punk side of metalcore, and they do it exceptionally well. It has to be said that if you like one album by these guys, you'll like every other album they release, and not in a bad way. The only drawback for Hatebreed is the lyrics. I'm not a huge fan of bands like Suicidal Tendencies, which focus on super tough guy lyrics. Although Hatebreed has more depth to their lyrics, they still have those moments.

This band should definitely be ranked higher than they currently are. They bring the fierceness in every album, and their live show is totally bad-ass. Don't be a sissy. Check them out. You'll thank me for it later.
Periphery
Volumes

Volumes is still relatively new, and I won't be surprised when they make it to the top ten very soon. They're an amazing band with a lot of potential.

When you listen to songs like "Edge of the Earth" and "Vahle," you'll want to keep listening more and more. These guys are incredibly addictive.

The riffs are incredibly catchy, and as a band, they can transition from breakdowns to ambient sections. They should rank second or third, not 97th.
In Hearts Wake

This band, both artistically and sonically, is one of the better ones I have listened to. I own a good number of metalcore albums, and I hope they don't get overlooked. With so many good bands releasing quality albums, it's easy to miss a great release. They are a band that truly deserves to be heard, and it must be said that their music has tremendous substance.

These are some relatively new guys who really deserve a listen. If you're into unique breakdowns and a sound that can be described as Parkway Drive mixed with clean vocals, then this is the band for you. They deserve to be in the top 10, especially with their latest album Divination.
Beartooth

Beartooth is an American metalcore band formed in 2012 by Caleb Shomo in Columbus, Ohio. Since 2013, the band has been signed to Red Bull Records. Shomo also has an electronic music project called CLASS, also signed to the same label.

I am obsessed with Beartooth. I saw them live at Warped Tour 2015, and they are just as good live as on their CDs. I can't wait to see them again. So worth the time to look up.

Beartooth only released their debut in 2013 and are already gaining serious popularity. Proper potential.

Beartooth is one of my favorite bands. I would've voted for Wage War, though, if they were on this list.
ERRA

Please give these guys a listen. They are one of the most complete bands I've ever heard and deserve far more recognition than they've received. In just two albums, they've completely shattered my conception of what I considered a good band to be. These guys are the future of the genre.
Check out songs like "White Noise," "The Architect," "Alpha Seed," "Dreamwalkers," "Hybrid Earth," "Rebirth," "Warrior," and "Lights City."

Anyone who listens to ERRA knows how good of a band they are. Anyone who doesn't should. These guys wear the metalcore crown. Shame on the people who made this list.