Top 10 Best Screamo Bands

Screamo is one of those genres that draws you in with its raw intensity and emotional depth. It's a style of music that took the hardcore punk scene and dialed up the emotion, blending the aggression of punk with the heartfelt vulnerability of emo. The result? A whirlwind of throat-shredding screams, fast-paced instrumentals, and lyrics that often tackle deeply personal or existential themes.

When it comes to the best screamo bands, everyone has their own opinion, and the list is always evolving. These bands have developed loyal fan bases by putting their hearts on the line in every performance, often blurring the lines between anger, sorrow, and joy all in the same song. They've played basement shows, packed venues, and everything in between, creating a community of fans who are just as passionate as they are.
The Top Ten
1 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 exclusively... read more

I think Bring Me the Horizon has to be number one on this list for a few reasons. First, I've been a fan since they released their first full album, "Count Your Blessings." I did not know about them until that album, but I did listen to the EP they released, "This is What The Edge of Your Seat Was Made For," and they left a very good first impression on me. Keep in mind they sounded nothing like they do in Sempiternal, with no clean vocals, and I loved it.

Then they progressed to making Suicide Season. I suppose this album was what grew their fan base, followed by "There is a Hell" album and Sempiternal. When you compare the first album with the last, there is a dramatic difference. It just shows how much they have matured and found a style they want to take on and stick with.

What makes it stand out more is that the band has the right amount of confidence to pull off a whole new image and sound, not shy away from it or try to take it back like some other artists and bands out there. It was a bold move that worked out in their favor. In my opinion, Bring Me the Horizon is number one material.

2 Asking Alexandria 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

I listen to other screamo bands and love different ones, but this band is by far the best band I have ever listened to! All their songs are good and get stuck in my head (in a good way). Truly the best screamo band out there, and they deserve the number 1 spot on any top screamo band list.

I love the sound that this band is making. They totally rock this world! They are so amazing. Actually, they are my idols. Just keep it up! Stay cool.

Everyone in the band is great, but Ben Bruce and Danny Worsnop have an amazing talent! Danny has the best screaming, growling, roaring, and clean vocals I've ever heard. Ben is also a beast on the guitar, performing amazing solos and crafting melodies that fit each song perfectly.

3 Bullet for My Valentine 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

Best band ever! The first time I listened to their music, I fell in love with it and wanted more. The way they mix screaming with regular vocals is amazing and better than anyone else I have heard. The song "Deliver us From Evil" is one of my favorites and should be checked out. Also, how is the band Atreyu not on this list? They sound somewhat similar to Bullet For My Valentine but are just as good.

Bullet for My Valentine is my all-time favorite band. Matt Tuck has a great singing voice, but his screams are very unique, neither really high nor low, which no other band I know of uses. He doesn't have much range, but his unique vocals, the lyrics to the songs, and great guitar playing overshadow it.

4 Of Mice & Men Of Mice & Men is an American metalcore band from Orange County, California. The band's lineup currently consists of lead vocalist and bassist Aaron Pauley, guitarists Phil Manansala and Alan Ashby, and drummer Valentino Arteaga.

Sleeping with Sirens? Really? That's funny. Sleeping with Sirens isn't screamo at all. The lead singer sounds like a toddler on steroids and he doesn't even scream, he just sort of shouts. The only band Sleeping with Sirens can be compared to is One Direction. Of Mice and Men are a way better band than Sleeping with Sirens will ever be.

My favorite metal band by far. They just want to rock, and their lyrics have so much meaning. I love rocking to them alone in my basement or with my other metal friends. Nobody screams quite like Austin. Personally, I think Of Mice & Men should be in the top three, along with Asking Alexandria and Bring Me the Horizon.

5 Suicide Silence Suicide Silence is an American deathcore band from Riverside, California. Formed in 2002, the band has released four full-length studio albums, one EP and eleven music videos.

I'm surprised to see them at the bottom of the list, considering they are the only true screamo band here. I don't even listen to Suicide Silence, but the reason I vote for them is that the rest are rock. Black Veil Brides is a really good band but is not screamo. They are more glam rock. Most of these bands should be in a "Top Ten Best Rock Bands" list.

Suicide Silence should be on top. No questions asked. Mitch Lucker had a unique high scream range and made songs without using autotune. The only reason he sounds different live is because of audio distortion. Eddie is great too.

6 A Day to Remember A Day to Remember (often abbreviated ADTR) is an American rock band from Ocala, Florida, founded in 2003 by guitarist Tom Denney and drummer Bobby Scruggs. They are known for their unusual amalgamation of metalcore and pop punk. The band currently consists of vocalist Jeremy McKinnon, rhythm guitarist... read more

The best of the genre. They truly kick you in the face with their powerful songs! That's what sets them apart from all the other bands. When I listen to them, I find their sound unique, while all the others sound the same. Just give a try to 2nd Sucks and Downfall of Us All! You won't regret it, I promise!

I love ADTR. They took a totally different approach to their new album, Common Courtesy, and it paid off. They sound completely different. That might sound like a bad thing, but it's really a good thing. They have had some great songs like Mr. Highway's Thinking About the End and Show 'Em The Ropes, and that made them great, but now they are the best.

7 The Devil Wears Prada 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.

Best metalcore band ever! Jeremy has such melodic clean vocals, and Mike... Mike is the best screaming vocalist that has ever existed. The Devil Wears Prada makes me feel like I am walking in the skies. When I am down and hear Mike's vocals, it suddenly feels like the whole world has paused and nothing else exists at that moment. Before anyone compares The Devil Wears Prada to any other band, just listen to Danger Wildman, Gimme Half, and I Hate Buffering. There is The Devil Wears Prada and then there are other bands. Undisputed no. 1.

8 Pierce the Veil Pierce the Veil is an American post-hardcore band from San Diego, California. Formed in 2006, the band was founded by brothers Vic and Mike Fuentes after the disbandment of the group Before Today, which was formed out of the San Diego punk rock scene.

This is one of the only bands I listen to. In fact, I'm listening to their "Props & Mayhem" as I'm typing this. Vic's voice is amazing, and no, I don't like this band just because of how sexy the members are. Hell, I'm a lesbian. Pierce the Veil is the band that got me into the screamo/post-hardcore genre.

Before I heard their songs, I didn't even like the screaming. Now, I dislike some songs because they don't have screaming. This band is also amazing to see live. Vic has an amazing voice live, and the whole band is very fan-friendly, always getting their audience involved. Overall, this is the best band I've ever heard of, pun intended.

9 Motionless In White Motionless in White, often abbreviated MIW, is an American metalcore band from Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Motionless in White is absolutely amazing. Their lyrics actually mean something, unlike quite a few bands these days. They take the issues in our society and in today's world that people would preferably just ignore, and "shove them in people's faces," as Chris would say. I truly think this is genius. If we just ignore all the bad things going on, how do we expect them to stop? They will just continue to go on.

Not only are their lyrics great and meaningful, but so are their vocals, bass, drums, and guitar. Their sound in general is impressive. If you are looking for a badass Deathmetal/"Screamo" band to listen to, who are not a waste of time and put in the time and effort to write great things and who really care, I'd say Motionless in White is the band for you.

10 Falling In Reverse Falling in Reverse is an American post hardcore band from Las Vegas, Nevada, formed in 2008, signed to Epitaph Records.

The current members include the former Escape The Fate singer Ronnie Radke, Max Georgiev, Christian Thompson and bassist Wes Horton III. Former members of the band include Derek... read more

Anyone who listens to Ronnie's music knows that genres are always easy to blend into each other. Songs like Rolling Stone, Champion, and Alone are examples of the vocal and lyrical talent Ronnie was hiding while in Escape the Fate. Ronnie's screams have been so much better since he was kicked out of ETF. The anger he had towards ETF at the beginning of FiR's rise is another example of just how much talent he had but didn't get to use. Ronnie screams, sings, and raps. That's more than most vocalists in the genre. They are definitely the band that brings the Rap Rock style to Hardcore/Metalcore music.

The Contenders
11 Alesana

Great story, great lyrics, great sound. This band is simply amazing. Listening to their music is like a spiritual experience for me. Their lyrics are based on classic literature, and if you do much reading, you can really appreciate the beauty in Alesana. As far as the band members themselves go, all I can say is, great guys!

I love this band. Every song and album is a different story, yet all are mixed together at the same time. Their music is top quality and should be in the top five. I also love the string and piano sounds Shawn adds to the soundtracks, and the combination of harmony is simply perfect.

12 Black Veil Brides Black Veil Brides is an American rock band currently consisting of Andy Biersack (vocals), Jinxx (guitar), Jake Pitts (guitar), Christian Coma (drums) and Ashley Purdy (bass), that formed in 2006 in Ohio... read more

I'm such a big fan! I love many bands, but I just love this one the most. Nowadays, most pop songs just talk about twerking, getting girls, and cars. But just read some of the lyrics from Black Veil Brides songs:

Knives and Pens

With Knives and Pens we made our plight,
And I can't go on without your love, you lost, you never held on.
We tried our best to turn out the light. Turn out the light.

For example, consider this pop song:

My anaconda don't, my anaconda don't, my anaconda don't want none unless you got buns, hun.

Like, what?! That song has no meaning to it, and it's inappropriate.

See what I mean?

13 Alexisonfire Alexisonfire is a five-piece Canadian post-hardcore band that formed in St. Catharines, Ontario in 2001. The band consists of George Pettit, Dallas Green, Wade MacNeil, Chris Steele, and Jordan Hastings.

This group was out before any of these groups in the top ten. They set the standard with very little influence before them. They had no one to try and be better than. Sixth isn't bad, but I feel they were better than some of these other bands, especially since they never completely went mainstream.

All the bands are mediocre compared to Alexisonfire. They were the first screamo/post-hardcore band to break into popular music, and although they're broken up, they remain one of my most favored bands ever!

14 Sleeping With Sirens Sleeping with Sirens is an American rock band from Orlando, Florida currently residing in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The band currently consists of Kellin Quinn, Gabe Barham, Jack Fowler, Nick Martin, and Justin Hills.

This is what got me into the "Screamo" genre. I cannot believe that Sleeping With Sirens isn't in the top ten list of bands. My favorite song by SWS is... oh, oops, all of them! They should be at least #8 on the list. This band is one of the only reasons I don't cry when life gets tough. Kellin has the voice of an angel! I love him and the whole band!

This band is the band that got me into this type of music. Kellin is literally a god. He has such a beautiful voice. They should definitely be higher than this. At least in the top 5! Their music is so perfect it is indescribable.

15 August Burns Red 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

Gotta love these guys. They are so technical and never fail to impress with their depth of songwriting. They do not deserve to be this low on the list. Buy their Christmas album too. It's going to rock.

August Burns Red is one amazing band. I started listening to them about a year ago, and I loved them. They're a good Christian band and they know how to throw it down when it comes to their music.

This is my favorite band in the whole world. They should definitely not be number 14. These guys are the absolute best, and their music, as well as the people who perform it, is beautiful.

16 I See Stars I See Stars is an American rock band that formed in 2006 based in Warren, Michigan. The band currently consists of vocalist Devin Oliver, guitarist Brent Allen, keyboardist and vocalist Andrew Oliver, and bass guitarist Jeff Valentine.

Seriously, listen to Zach Johnson's screams. They feel and sound so powerful and full of raw emotion. I See Stars is for sure in my top 5 favorite bands of all time. When I saw them, they had an absolutely amazing live show, and they were just so enjoyable. The electronics add so much fun, but it's also hardcore enough to have a pretty great mosh pit. All around, a great band.

Great overall band, not for everybody, but they have a great style for anyone who likes dubstep type music or synthcore. Amazing vocals and great screams. This band also offers some variety, which you don't often see in a lot of bands. I'd put I See Stars in the top 5!

17 Escape the Fate Escape the Fate is an American rock band from Las Vegas, Nevada, formed in 2005 and originally from Pahrump, Nevada. They are signed to Eleven Seven Music.

They're the best because their beat is awesome, they have attractive band members, their screamo is easy to understand, and they differ from other bands that focus solely on screamo. This band actually includes clear lyrics. They're just the best. I love you, Ronnie and Craig!

Whenever I have a bad day, or even want to listen to a good metal song, I pick this band.

Escape The Fate is absolutely incredible. That's all I must say.

18 Atreyu

Atreyu should be in the top 5! Check out this band. You won't regret it. You will be hooked with their songs, plus Alex Varkatzas' voice is just amazing. It's so powerful! Check out "The Crimson."

Sure, not all songs are a hit, but "Lipstick and Black," "Bleeding Mascara," and "Ravenous" are great. They have a powerful duo. "Gallows," "Blow," "Anti-love Grand," and "When Two Are One" are also great.

Atreyu is definitely too low on here. A Deathgrip on Yesterday is a great album. Some of the bands on here are not really screamo, to be honest.

19 Miss May I 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.

Their new album is much more musically complex than any of their other albums, especially the song Ballad of a Broken Man. You should check that song out. They belong in the number one spot.

You've got to be kidding me. How is MISS MAY I not in the top 10? This and Blessthefall should be way up top.

20 Silverstein Silverstein (/ˈsɪl.vər.stiːn/) is a Canadian rock band from Burlington, Ontario, formed in 2000. Their band name is a reference to the famous children's author Shel Silverstein, whom the band had admired and whose work they had read as children. They have released a total of 11 studio albums, seven... read more

Way too low! Most of the bands rated above them have two or three tracks per album that are respectable. You can and should listen to Silverstein straight through. Every song has raw emotion, harmonic vocals, melodic riffs, solos, and above all, the sickest and cleanest screaming voice in the music industry.

A band that has been around for decades and has consistent albums to solidify their greatness. In terms of screamo, they helped define it, especially having one lead singer, unlike most bands, for clean and unclean vocals. Silverstein also has helped many with depression. Top 5 in any category!

21 Crown the Empire Crown the Empire is an American metalcore band formed in 2010 in Dallas, Texas. They have released one EP and three full-length albums.

Explain to me why these guys aren't in the top ten. They scream well, and their singer has an extremely unique voice and can carry melodies beautifully. Not to mention the few acoustic songs they have are amazing.

CTE definitely deserves to be in the top ten. These guys are amazing. Andy sings very beautifully, and David is an amazing screamer. Andy also screams great. So why is this number 47? I haven't heard one song by them that I don't like.

They have amazing vocals! Having two vocalists really does something for them, and their lyrics are really amazing!

22 Dead by April Dead by April is a Swedish metalcore band from Gothenburg, formed in February 2007 by Pontus Hjelm and Jimmie Strimell.

This band has the best screaming vocals I've heard in my whole life. Check out the songs "Painting Shadows" and "Losing You." Jimmie Strimell is the best screamer ever, that's for sure, and one thing the other bands don't have is the amazing singing talent which Dead by April has.

Dead by April has been around for a couple of years now, but I just found them and completely fell in love with their music. It's hard for me to get into a band this much, other than I See Stars.

I found this band last year and LOVED them! Their song "Dreaming" was my number 1 favorite!

23 The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus is an American rock band that was formed in Middleburg, Florida, in 2003. The band is best known for their 2006 single "Face Down" from their major-label release Don't You Fake It and has released five studio albums to date.

This is one of the most amazing bands I've come across. They have very inspirational songs like Face Down, Your Guardian Angel, and Godspeed. They feature an incredible mix of screaming and regular vocals. Personally, I think they deserve a higher ranking, but that's just my opinion.

Their best song was Face Down. This band got me listening to screamo, rock, metal, and hardcore. I still listen to them. I love them so much!

Oh my gosh, love their songs! Try them for sure!

24 Avenged Sevenfold Avenged Sevenfold is an American heavy metal band, that was formed 1999 in California. Their longest lineup of members was M. Shadows (Vocals), Synyster Gates (Lead Guitar), Zacky Vengeance (Rhythm Guitar), Johnny Christ (Bass Guitar), and The Rev (Drums)... read more

They are my favorite band, but since only their first two albums are screamo, I don't know if this band fits onto this list. However, they are the best band ever!

Avenged Sevenfold is cool. I even have a shirt of them. I love Avenged Sevenfold, so please vote for the greatest band in the world.

I have to agree. Avenged Sevenfold does deserve a better rating. They have been around for the longest time, and just about everyone knows at least one of their songs.

25 We Came As Romans We Came as Romans (abbreviated as WCAR) is an American metalcore band from Troy, Michigan, formed in 2005. The band has gone through one name change and multiple lineup changes, and signed to Albany, New York label Equal Vision Records in 2009. We Came as Romans is managed by Outerloop Management and... read more

These guys have a unique sound, which is something I value in any screamo band. It's a must for me. I also know this is not an easy accomplishment, adding to the fact they sound really good doing it. I have downloaded one album already and plan to download more. Keep up the good fight, guys!

I love this band. It's my favorite. I wouldn't change it for any other because no other band can compare to the talent We Came As Romans have. Their songs have helped me get through a lot of difficult times. I just love them!

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