Best Melodic Metalcore Bands
Here are the top bands of this genre which include less screaming and more melodic leads, riffs, and choruses.
Trivium is an American Heavy Metal band from Orlando, Florida, formed in 1999. Their frontman, Matt Heafy, lead guitarist Corey Beaulieu and Bassist Paulo Gregoletto are the band's most consistent members and have appeared in every album since... read more This band makes some of the best melodies I've ever heard. Not only do they have impressive technical skill and the heaviness and intensity, but they are creative geniuses when it comes to composing music and putting emotion into it.
This band just made a revolution for the old metal that I got bored of. Now I listen to so many bands. This is the greatest band, and All That Remains rules as well.
The best band ever, hands down. No one can compare to the power and true sense of melody these guys possess with their music.
Bullet for My Valentine are a Welsh metalcore band from Bridgend, formed in 1998. The band is composed 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 I'm so relieved to see them number one on this list. Bullet for My Valentine defines melodic metalcore. Their lyrics combined with Tuck's extremely realistic vocals, Page's excruciatingly amazing riffs, Jay's screams, and Moose's drumming make them exceptional. When it comes to melodic metalcore, look out for these guys!
I suggest you listen to Tears Don't Fall and then immediately listen to Tears Don't Fall Part 2. You'll become die-hard fans of this band, trust me! Also, Scream Aim Fire and Room 409 are other good songs for newcomers to this band. They're really good.
Killswitch Engage is an American metalcore band from Westfield, Massachusetts, formed in 1999 after the disbanding of Overcast and Aftershock. Killswitch would be my number one pick, even though they have lost quality from album to album. Alive or Just Breathing was a tremendous display of what is possible in the genre of metalcore. With Jesse rejoining them, I imagine this is the turning point back to their old strength. No offense to Howard, he was a good vocalist and even very good in The End of Heartache, but Jesse is on another level.
No End in Sight, released in 2012, is really good. By reading Jesse say it was the worst album, which will be released soon, I think it could become nearly as good as AOJB. To conclude, I have to say: Killswitch is the very best core band, followed by The Sorrow and number three, As I Lay Dying.
As I Lay Dying is an American metalcore band from San Diego, California. Founded in 2000 by vocalist Tim Lambesis, the establishment of the band's first full lineup, which included drummer Jordan Mancino, occurred in 2001. As I Lay Dying has released six albums, one split album, and two compilation... read more This is the best band I have heard so far. The lyrics are amazing, as are the vocals. Bullet For My Valentine is also very good but not better. The Awakened album is the ruler.
This is the band that got me into metal, and I am still listening to them. An Ocean Between Us is their best album.
They are the best. All albums, especially Awakened, are the greatest.
No words. They are different and very unique. Armed with exceedingly talented people, their current lineup is second to none. The Gift of Life was a masterpiece. Each song has a tinge of what the band puts in as a whole. They are slowly making their way up, and I really want to see them succeed.
Very underrated and immensely talented. Unique, well-placed melodies, deep lyrics, and toned screams. Kevin is brilliant. Can't wait for the new album!
"The Gift of Life" is probably one of the greatest albums I've listened to all the way through recently. The singing, from the screams to the cleans, and the guitars, from the heavy riffs in songs like "Your Voice" to the wonderful harmonies in "Photographs" are exceptional.
Not to mention the drums. Just give each track the first 30 seconds. You'll see what I mean.
Mastodon is an American heavy metal band from Atlanta, Georgia, formed in early 2000 and composed of bassist Troy Sanders, guitarists Brent Hinds and Bill Kelliher and drummer Brann Dailor.
Soilwork is a Swedish melodic death metal band from Helsingborg. They are signed to Nuclear Blast. Formed in late 1995 by Björn Strid and Peter Wichers, originally under the name Inferior Breed, the band changed their name in late 1996 to Soilwork.
Sometimes I wonder what people consider melodic metalcore, as some of these bands aren't even metalcore. Bury Tomorrow brings everything to the table, unlike some bands that have out-of-sync music and riffs in inappropriate places. Their music doesn't sound like just a mash-up of all the instruments at the same time.
I started with Union of Crowns and loved it, but I like their first album, Portraits, even better, even though I listened to it second. Runes is, to me, their weakest but still good.
My top three bands and albums:
1. Bury Tomorrow - Portraits
2. Erra - Augment
3. Breakdown of Sanity - Perception
Even with this list, Killswitch Engage should have legendary status.
August Burns Red is an American metalcore band from Manheim, Pennsylvania. Formed in 2003, the group began their first performances while a majority of the members were attending their senior year of high school, and soon began playing shows around Lancaster, before being signed to CI Records. Afterwards,... read more Anup Thapa - Best Metalcore Band
Three good points about them:
1. Fascinating breakdowns
2. Amazing lead and guitar solo
3. Vocals are thrash
Check the songs Carpe Diem, Meddler, and Empire!
Greatest metal out there. Wait for the Christmas album to be released!
Best melodic metalcore band ever!
Opeth is a Swedish progressive metal band from Stockholm, formed in 1990 by David Isberg, who invited Mikael Åkerfeldt into the band as a bassist. Isberg ended up leaving the band, which led to Åkerfeldt becoming the band's vocalist, guitarist, principal songwriter, and driving force... read moreThe Newcomers
I vs. I was one of the earliest melodic metalcore bands in history. While the band isn't very well-known, their music represents the original melodic metalcore style.
That was the most unique band I have ever seen.
The world has no idea about these guys. By far the best on this list.
Demon Hunter is an American Christian metal band from Seattle, Washington, started in 2000 by brothers Don Clark and Ryan Clark. Although the brothers created the band together, only Ryan remains, since Don left the band to take care of his family. Every Demon Hunter song (except a couple) is pure brutality with amazing melodic choruses or verses. Every album has gotten better and better!
I've never heard a better band. All their songs are awesome!
Avenged Sevenfold is an American alternative metal band formed in 1999 in California. Their longest lineup consisted of M. Shadows (vocals), Synyster Gates (lead guitar), Zacky Vengeance (rhythm guitar), Johnny Christ (bass guitar), and The Rev (drums)... read more This band got me through loads of my dark times, and they still kick ass today. One of the best bands ever and will remain that forever.
All of these bands are great, but Avenged Sevenfold is the best of them all. I miss Rise to Remain from the list!
Make way through the night. You all will be in my sight.
Dead by April is a Swedish metalcore band from Gothenburg, formed in February 2007 by Pontus Hjelm and Jimmie Strimell. Most melodic metal band in the world for sure. Amazing melodic clean vocals, great screaming, and beautiful synths (especially on the track "Dreaming"). The guitars just rock, the drums boost my soul, and the bass rocks in my ear!
Not only instrumentally, but also lyrically, they write good songs with good messages about love and expressions of feelings. This band is better than all the bands out here. Where are all the Dead by April soldiers?! Vote, please! Let everyone know that Dead by April is still alive!
There are a lot of good metalcore bands, but I think Atreyu and Avenged Sevenfold are the best two choices. I like A7X more, but they aren't as metalcore anymore, so Atreyu wins.
Atreyu and A7X definitely did play some of the best metalcore I ever heard. Not like this generic, dance music-infected metalcore of today.
Are you kidding me? Atreyu should be number one! Absolutely insanely awesome!
All That Remains is an American heavy metal band from Springfield, Massachusetts, formed in 1998. They have released eight studio albums, a live CD/DVD, and have sold over a million records worldwide. Great singing and supernatural guitar leads. They should be at the top. Especially in Two Weeks, the lead that starts to play after the chorus is so amazing. The special thing is that all their songs have such similar guitar leads.
All That Remains is the closest thing to intercourse thus far, aside from actual intercourse. A lot of the time, I can't tell the difference.
Melodic metal, double bass drum, singing, and some growl. Love it!
Parkway Drive is an Australian metalcore band from Byron Bay, New South Wales, formed in 2003. As of 2015, Parkway Drive has released five full-length albums, one EP, two DVDs, a split album and one book, titled Ten Years of Parkway Drive. Why is Parkway Drive buried on this list? I have listened to every single band above them, and Parkway is far and away better. Parkway has better riffs, better breakdowns, and better songs.
One of the best "melodic" metalcore bands I have ever heard. Their songs create a powerful atmosphere around them! It seems people forgot this is a melodic metalcore list!
Hands down the best melodic metalcore band around. Listen to Dying to Believe.
Dream Theater is an American progressive metal band from Boston, Massachusetts. The band was formed in 1985 under the name of "Majesty", only to change its name to Dream Theater later... read more
Children Of Bodom was a melodic death metal band from Espoo, Finland. Formed in 1993, the final lineup consisted of Alexi Laiho, Janne Wirman, Henkka Seppälä, Jaska Raatikainen and Daniel Freyberg. Outstanding and melodious guitar riffs. No one can compare to these guys. They are gods of melodic death metal.
Queensrÿche is an American progressive heavy metal band formed in 1982 in Bellevue, Washington, out of the local band the Mob. They released their self titled EP in 1984, but didn’t gain notoriety until the release of their critically acclaimed album Operation: Mindcrime in 1988. As of now, they... read more
The Devil Wears Prada is an American metalcore band from Dayton, Ohio, formed in 2005. It consists of members Mike Hranica, Jeremy DePoyster, Andy Trick, and Daniel Williams. These guys are all so talented and offer a lot, bringing something a bit different to melodic metal and metal in general. This band's work is much more melodic than many other bands on this list.
Seriously, some of the best metal I've ever heard. This is the band that got me into metal in the first place!
Best metalcore band to date. Their lyrics are their strong point, and Mike Hranica is a genius.
Asking Alexandria are an English metalcore band from York, North Yorkshire formed initially 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 Just got into them as they got rid of their singer Danny, so I was worried about their direction with the new album The Black. While it's not as heavy as Stand Up and Scream, it still has an awesome sound with low and high vocals and plenty of melody!
Great band originally from York, England.
Simply an epic band. Although I don't know if they fall in this category, they create some sensational stuff! Listen to The Final Episode, I Won't Give In, Killing You, and The Prophecy, and then you'll believe me.
This band should be in the top 5 for sure. What do you think, guys?
Incredible balance between heavy and melodic, but not with your typical progressive sound. They cross barriers that are very unique and powerful. Chris Clancy has a voice that simply carries them in a way no other could.
Mutiny Within deserves a lot more credit than they get. They are a lot better than half the breakdown-dependent bands in metalcore today.
So underrated! Everyone please look these guys up! They're extremely talented and represent great clean vocals in metal. Truly a great band!
Scar Symmetry is a Swedish metal band from Avesta in Dalarna County, Sweden, formed in 2004. The band has released six albums, with seven released singles.
Miss May I is an American metalcore band from Troy, Ohio. Formed in 2007, they signed to Rise Records in 2008 and released their debut album, Apologies Are for the Weak through the label while the members were still attending high school. I don't think this band gets enough credit since they changed after their first two albums. However, overall, they are still an amazing band.
From the guitars to the drums, I love the clean vocals and screams!
Fantastic band. Insanely talented, with strong instrumentals.