Deathcore is a subgenre of heavy metal that blends elements of death metal and metalcore. The genre is known for its aggressive sound, which combines the brutality of death metal with the intensity and breakdowns of metalcore. In this article, we will explore what deathcore is, its origins, key characteristics, notable bands, and the role it has played in the evolution of modern heavy metal music.
Deathcore emerged in the early 2000s as a fusion of death metal’s blast beats, growling vocals, and technical guitar work, with metalcore’s breakdowns, melodic elements, and hardcore influence. The genre is often associated with a chaotic, intense, and emotionally charged atmosphere that resonates with listeners who seek catharsis through music.
The Origins of Deathcore
Early Roots of Deathcore: Metalcore and Death Metal
To understand deathcore, it’s important to first understand the two genres it is most often associated with: death metal and metalcore.
Death metal, with its heavy, guttural vocals, fast tempos, and technical musicianship, emerged in the 1980s with bands like Death, Cannibal Corpse, and Morbid Angel. This genre was known for its dark, violent lyrical themes and intense sound. On the other hand, metalcore began in the mid-1990s, combining hardcore punk with elements of metal. Bands like Earth Crisis, Killswitch Engage, and Hatebreed brought together the fast, aggressive rhythms of hardcore with the guitar work and breakdowns associated with metal.
The fusion of these two genres birthed deathcore, which took the heaviness and growls of death metal and combined them with metalcore’s breakdowns, rhythmic variation, and emotional intensity. The genre developed quickly in the early 2000s and became known for its extreme sound and chaotic performances.
The Birth of Deathcore in the 2000s
The 2000s saw the first wave of deathcore bands, with the genre gaining traction in the underground scene. Bands like Suicide Silence, Whitechapel, and Despised Icon helped solidify deathcore as a distinct genre. These bands mixed the technical guitar riffs and fast drumming of death metal with the breakdown-heavy, groove-laden rhythms of metalcore.
The sound was brutal, often described as chaotic and pulverizing. Deathcore’s defining characteristic was its ability to blend the melodic elements of metalcore with the extreme aggression of death metal, creating a unique fusion of sound that appealed to fans of both genres.
Defining Characteristics of Deathcore
Heavy Breakdown and Chugging Riffs
One of the key features of deathcore is the frequent use of breakdowns. These slow, heavy sections of music often involve chugging guitar riffs and intense drumming. Breakdowns are designed to build tension and create a cathartic release, encouraging moshing and headbanging at live shows.
The breakdowns in deathcore are generally more guttural and slow compared to those found in metalcore. While metalcore breakdowns tend to be melodic or harmonically driven, deathcore breakdowns are often rooted in low, distorted riffs, designed to create an overwhelming, crushing sound.
Guttural Vocals and Growling Techniques
Vocals in deathcore are typically harsh and guttural, employing growling techniques that are common in death metal. These growls are often combined with high-pitched screams and guttural “pig squeals” to create a range of vocal styles that convey the raw emotion and aggression of the music.
The vocal delivery is often challenging to understand due to the guttural nature of the sound, but this style of singing emphasizes the emotional intensity of the lyrics, which often deal with themes like violence, death, and despair.
Blast Beats and Technical Drumming
Blast beats are a staple of deathcore drumming. These fast, repetitive drum patterns are designed to create a sense of urgency and aggression. While blast beats are a defining feature of death metal, they are also used extensively in deathcore, adding to the chaotic and aggressive atmosphere of the genre.
The drumming in deathcore is highly technical, with fast double-bass patterns and rapid snare drum hits. These beats are often used to drive the intensity of the music, building up to the breakdowns and creating a sense of chaos.
Lyrical Themes: Violence, Death, and Despair
Lyrically, deathcore often explores themes of violence, death, and despair. Songs may deal with the horrors of war, personal struggles, or existential themes related to human suffering. While these topics are common in death metal, deathcore brings an emotional and raw intensity to the lyrics, often tackling personal and societal issues with unflinching honesty.
Evolution of Deathcore
The Second Wave: 2010s and Growth in Popularity
By the 2010s, deathcore had evolved into a more widely recognized genre. Bands like Bring Me the Horizon, Attila, and The Acacia Strain brought a more polished sound to deathcore, incorporating elements of melodic death metal, electronic music, and even elements of pop-punk into their music. This fusion allowed the genre to grow beyond its niche, appealing to a wider audience.
This era also saw the rise of more mainstream deathcore bands, including bands like Whitechapel, whose album This Is Exile (2008) became a milestone for the genre. These bands began playing larger venues, gaining more recognition in the metal scene, and helping solidify deathcore’s place in modern heavy music.
Fusion with Other Genres
In the latter half of the 2010s, deathcore began to merge with other subgenres, resulting in a broader spectrum of sound. Some bands introduced elements of black metal, adding atmospheric elements to their music. Others incorporated progressive metal or djent, creating more complex and experimental compositions.
The genre also became more inclusive of melodic elements, with bands like Lorna Shore and Fit for an Autopsy blending deathcore with symphonic elements, orchestration, and cleaner vocals. These developments continued to push deathcore in new directions, influencing both its sound and its fanbase.
Notable Deathcore Bands
Suicide Silence
Formed in 2002, Suicide Silence is one of the most well-known and influential deathcore bands. Their debut album, The Cleansing (2007), is considered a landmark release in the genre. With their aggressive sound, guttural vocals, and powerful breakdowns, Suicide Silence helped define the early sound of deathcore.
Whitechapel
Hailing from Tennessee, Whitechapel is another iconic deathcore band. Their 2008 album This Is Exile is considered one of the defining records of the genre. Whitechapel’s combination of death metal brutality and metalcore elements helped elevate deathcore’s popularity during the late 2000s and 2010s.
Despised Icon
Despised Icon from Montreal was one of the pioneers of the genre, helping to bring deathcore into the international spotlight. Their albums, such as The Ills of Modern Man (2007), showcased the band’s blend of blast beats, breakdowns, and guttural vocals, solidifying their place in deathcore history.
Lorna Shore
In recent years, Lorna Shore has become one of the most prominent bands in the deathcore scene. With their symphonic elements and technical musicianship, Lorna Shore has helped push the boundaries of deathcore, incorporating orchestral arrangements and atmospheric layers into their aggressive sound.
See Also: What Makes Heavy Metal Music Translate to Symphonic Music?
Conclusion
Deathcore is a genre of music that has emerged as a powerful and influential force in the world of heavy metal. With its brutal breakdowns, guttural vocals, and technical musicianship, it has created a unique sound that appeals to fans of extreme music. The genre’s roots in death metal and metalcore have allowed it to evolve in many exciting directions, and its continued growth and experimentation suggest that deathcore will remain an important part of the metal scene for years to come.
While deathcore may not be for everyone due to its extreme sound and often controversial themes, it remains a vital subgenre in the broader landscape of heavy metal. As new bands continue to emerge and old ones push the genre in new directions, deathcore will undoubtedly continue to captivate and inspire listeners around the world.
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