History of Metalcore in Timeline
Metalcore is a fusion genre blending heavy metal and hardcore punk, emerging in the 1990s and gaining popularity in the 2000s. It is characterized by aggressive verses, melodic choruses, breakdowns, low-tuned guitar riffs, double bass drumming, and polished production. Vocal styles commonly alternate between clean and harsh vocals. Lyrical themes often focus on personal, introspective, and emotive subjects. The classification of metalcore remains debated, with some viewing it as a subgenre of either metal or hardcore, while others consider it a distinct genre. Its status within the broader heavy metal scene is also a point of contention.
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February 1985: Maximumrocknroll refers to Black Pyramid as "heavy-metal core"
In February 1985, Maximumrocknroll referred to the Richmond band Black Pyramid as "heavy-metal core", using an early variation of what would become the term metalcore.
December 1985: Maximumrocknroll refers to False Confessions as "metal-core"
In December 1985, Maximumrocknroll referred to the Oxnard band False Confessions as "metal-core", using an early variation of what would become the term metalcore.
May 1986: Maximumrocknroll refers to Desecration as "death metal core"
In May 1986, Maximumrocknroll referred to the Mesa band Desecration as "death metal core", using an early variation of what would become the term metalcore.
December 1986: Maximumrocknroll refers to Last Will as "ghoulish metal/core"
In December 1986, Maximumrocknroll referred to the Austin band Last Will as "ghoulish metal/core", using an early variation of what would become the term metalcore.
1990: Overcast forms in Boston
In 1990, Overcast formed in Boston, Massachusetts, helping to develop an early metalcore scene in the city.
1991: Integrity releases debut album Those Who Fear Tomorrow
In 1991, Integrity released their debut album, Those Who Fear Tomorrow, which merged hardcore with apocalyptic lyrics and metal's guitar solos and chugging riffs, becoming one of the primeval albums in the metalcore genre.
1992: Starkweather releases album Crossbearer
In 1992, Starkweather released their album Crossbearer, which merged early metal's grooves and dark atmospheres with elements of hardcore, marking an important early metalcore release.
1993: Earth Crisis releases "Firestorm"
In 1993, Earth Crisis released the song "Firestorm", which became one of the most influential songs in metalcore due to its militant vegan straight edge ethic and emphasis on chug riffs.
1993: Ringworm releases debut album The Promise
In 1993, Ringworm released their debut album The Promise, which made use of a style closer to crossover thrash while also putting a heavy emphasis on breakdowns, contributing to the "holy terror" style of metalcore.
1995: At the Gates releases Slaughter of the Soul
In 1995, At the Gates released their album Slaughter of the Soul, which was highly influential for many melodic metalcore bands.
1996: Merauder releases debut album Master Killer
In 1996, Merauder released their debut album Master Killer, merging the sounds of metalcore, earlier New York hardcore, and the newly emerged beatdown hardcore style.
1997: Hatebreed releases debut album Satisfaction is the Death of Desire
In 1997, Hatebreed released their debut album Satisfaction is the Death of Desire, which helped the band achieve underground success and holds the record for Victory Record's best-selling debut album.
1997: Shadows Fall releases Somber Eyes to the Sky
In 1997, Shadows Fall's Somber Eyes to the Sky was released, marking one of the earliest releases of what would become the melodic metalcore genre.
1998: Kurt Ballou opens GodCity Studio
In 1998, Kurt Ballou, guitarist for Converge, opened the recording studio GodCity Studio, which would go on to record many influential hardcore records from Boston.
1999: Early melodic metalcore releases
In 1999, Undying's This Day All Gods Die, Darkest Hour's The Prophecy Fulfilled, Unearth's Above the Fall of Man and Prayer for Cleansing's Rain in Endless Fall were released, marking some of the earliest releases in the melodic metalcore style.
2000: Start of Punk Goes... compilation album series
In 2000, Fearless Records started its compilation album series Punk Goes..., which became known for metalcore bands covering pop songs.
September 2001: Converge releases Jane Doe
On September 4, 2001, Converge released Jane Doe to universal critical and fan acclaim, influencing the development of the sound of various bands and solidifying Converge's status as a legend in metallic hardcore.
2001: Avenged Sevenfold releases Sounding the Seventh Trumpet
In 2001, Avenged Sevenfold released Sounding the Seventh Trumpet, which was a metalcore album.
2002: Killswitch Engage's Alive or Just Breathing Charts
In 2002, Killswitch Engage's Alive or Just Breathing reached number 37 on the Heatseekers Albums chart.
2003: As I Lay Dying's "Frail Words Collapse" Sales
In 2003, As I Lay Dying released "Frail Words Collapse" album.
2003: Avenged Sevenfold releases Waking the Fallen
In 2003, Avenged Sevenfold released Waking the Fallen, which was also a metalcore album.
2003: Myspace launched
In 2003, Myspace was launched and became increasingly tied to the metalcore scene, launching the careers of bands like Bring Me the Horizon and Bullet for My Valentine.
July 2004: Chart Success for Killswitch Engage, Shadows Fall, and Atreyu
In July 2004, Killswitch Engage's The End of Heartache, Shadows Fall's The War Within, and Atreyu's The Curse peaked at numbers 21, 20, and 36 on the Billboard 200, respectively. Additionally, Atreyu's 2002 debut album Suicide Notes and Butterfly Kisses had sold 107,000 copies in the United States as of July 3, 2004. Also on July 17, 2004, Unearth's The Oncoming Storm peaked at number 1 on the Heatseekers Albums chart and number 105 on the Billboard 200.
April 2005: As I Lay Dying's "Frail Words Collapse" Sales
In April 2005, As I Lay Dying's 2003 album, Frail Words Collapse, had sold 118,000 copies in the United States.
June 2005: Waking the Fallen sales reported
On June 15, 2005, it was reported that Avenged Sevenfold's Waking the Fallen had sold 172,253 copies in the United States.
October 2005: Bullet for My Valentine releases "The Poison" in Europe
In October 2005, Bullet for My Valentine released their debut album "The Poison" in Europe.
2005: Norma Jean's O' God, the Aftermath nominated for Grammy
In 2005, Norma Jean's album O' God, the Aftermath was nominated for a Grammy award for Best Recording Package.
2005: Vision of Disorder anticipated to take metalcore to a massive audience
In a 2005 Billboard article, Greg Pato stated that Vision of Disorder was anticipated to take "metalcore" to a massive audience.
January 2006: Bleeding Through's "The Truth" peaks on charts
In January 2006, Bleeding Through's album "The Truth" peaked at number 1 on the Independent Albums chart and at number 48 on the Billboard 200.
February 2006: Bullet for My Valentine releases "The Poison" in the United States
In February 2006, Bullet for My Valentine released their debut album "The Poison" in the United States.
July 2006: "The Poison" sales reported by Blabbermouth.net
On July 26, 2006, Blabbermouth.net reported that Bullet for My Valentine's album "The Poison" had sold 72,000 copies in the United States.
2006: Architects release "Nightmares"
In 2006, Architects began as a mathcore band on "Nightmares" before transitioning into metalcore.
2006: Deathcore gains popularity
In 2006, a wave of metalcore bands strongly influenced by death metal, known as deathcore, gained moderate popularity, with notable bands like Bring Me the Horizon bringing the genre to the forefront. Also Bring Me the Horizon won the 2006 Kerrang! Awards for Best British Newcomer after they released their 2006 debut record Count Your Blessings.
October 2007: "The Poison" Sales Update
On October 27, 2007, Blabbermouth.net reported that Bullet for My Valentine's album "The Poison" had sold 336,000 copies in the United States.
2007: Architects release "Ruin"
In 2007, Architects moved into metalcore with the release of "Ruin".
2007: Atreyu's Lead Sails Paper Anchor and Killswitch Engage's Albums Certified Gold
In 2007, Atreyu's Lead Sails Paper Anchor peaked at number 8 on the Billboard 200. Also, Killswitch Engage's 2004 album The End of Heartache was certified gold by the RIAA.
2007: Deathcore wave continues
In 2007, the wave of deathcore bands continued, with Suicide Silence and Whitechapel achieving chart success with their albums.
October 2008: All That Remains' "The Fall of Ideals" sales
By October 1, 2008, All That Remains' 2006 album, "The Fall of Ideals," had sold 175,000 copies in the United States.
2008: Attack Attack!'s "Stick Stickly" goes viral
In 2008, Attack Attack!'s song "Stick Stickly" from the album "Someday Came Suddenly" went viral online, popularizing the crabcore meme.
2008: Matt Fox claims term "metalcore" was already in use.
In 2008, Matt Fox of Shai Hulud claimed in an interview that the term "metalcore" had already been in use before his band began releasing music.
2008: Unearth's The March Charts
In 2008, Unearth's album The March peaked at number 45 on the Billboard 200.
January 2009: "The Poison" certified gold by RIAA
On January 30, 2009, Bullet for My Valentine's album "The Poison" was certified gold by the RIAA.
May 2009: All That Remains' "Two Weeks" peaks on Mainstream Rock Songs chart
On May 16, 2009, All That Remains' song "Two Weeks" from the album "Overcome" peaked at number 9 on the Mainstream Rock Songs chart.
June 2009: Enter Shikari releases "Common Dreads"
In June 2009, Enter Shikari released their second album, "Common Dreads", which debuted on the UK Albums Chart at number 16.
July 2009: Waking the Fallen certified gold
On July 17, 2009, Avenged Sevenfold's Waking the Fallen was certified gold by the RIAA.
2009: Stray From the Path's album Make Your Own History cited as origin of "blegh"
Fans of metalcore usually cite Stray From the Path's 2009 album, Make Your Own History, as the origin of the nonce word "blegh".
2009: Killswitch Engage's As Daylight Dies Certified Gold
In 2009, Killswitch Engage's 2006 album As Daylight Dies was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
April 2010: "The Poison" Sales Update Reported by Billboard
On April 3, 2010, Billboard reported that Bullet for My Valentine's album "The Poison" had sold 573,000 copies in the United States.
2010: Bring Me the Horizon releases "There Is a Hell Believe Me I've Seen It. There Is a Heaven Let's Keep It a Secret."
In 2010, Bring Me the Horizon released "There Is a Hell Believe Me I've Seen It. There Is a Heaven Let's Keep It a Secret.", incorporating electronica, classical music, and pop music into their metalcore style.
2010: The Chariot's Long Live listed as one of Kerrang!'s "21 best U.S. metalcore albums of all time"
In 2010, The Chariot's album Long Live was listed as one of Kerrang!'s "21 best U.S. metalcore albums of all time".
2010: Metalcore Bands Develop Sleeker, Poppier Style
In 2010, post-metalcore bands developed a sleeker and poppier style, which was viewed negatively by many metalheads. These bands were seen as lacking conventional metal elements, such as guitar solos and raw power, and were considered an abomination by some.
2011: The Devil Wears Prada releases "Dead Throne"
In 2011, The Devil Wears Prada released their album "Dead Throne", which reached number 10 on the Billboard 200 chart. Also Asking Alexandria's 2009 song "Final Episode (Let's Change the Channel)" being certified gold by the RIAA.
2012: Thy Art Is Murder Debuts on ARIA Charts
In 2012, Australian deathcore band Thy Art Is Murder debuted at number 35 on the ARIA Charts with their album "Hate", making them the first extreme metal band to ever reach the Top 40 of this chart.
2012: Nu metal elements in Suicide Silence's "The Black Crown"
In 2012, Suicide Silence's album "The Black Crown" featured nu metal elements, contributing to a wave of bands taking influence from nu metal in the mid-2010s.
2013: Bring Me the Horizon releases "Sempiternal"
In 2013, Bring Me the Horizon released "Sempiternal", embracing elements of nu metal and becoming one of the earliest releases by a UK metalcore band on a major label, through RCA Records.
2013: My Ticket Home releases "Strangers Only"
In 2013, My Ticket Home's album "Strangers Only" merged metalcore with dark, nu metal influence, helping to establish the coming nu metalcore sound.
2014: Issues' debut album chart success
In 2014, Issues' self-titled debut album peaked at number nine on the Billboard 200 chart, with publications crediting them as ushering in a new wave of nu metal.
2014: Jorge Rosado of Merauder claims he coined the term "metalcore".
In a 2014 interview, Jorge Rosado of Merauder claimed that he and his band coined the term "metalcore".
2015: Bring Me the Horizon's "That's the Spirit" embraces nu metal
In 2015, Bring Me the Horizon's album "That's the Spirit" fully embraced nu metal, peaking at number 2 in both the UK and US.
2015: Metal Hammer discusses Hatebreed's influence
In a 2015 Metal Hammer article, Stephen Hill discussed how Hatebreed actively went out of their way to become the hardcore band metal fans listen to.
2016: Nu metalcore solidifies as a movement
By 2016, nu metalcore had solidified itself as a movement, with bands like Emmure and Of Mice & Men embracing the genre.
2016: Architects release "All Our Gods Have Abandoned Us"
In 2016, Architects released "All Our Gods Have Abandoned Us" to critical acclaim.
2016: Knocked Loose's "Counting Worms" becomes a meme
In 2016, Knocked Loose's song "Counting Worms" from their album "Laugh Tracks" became a meme due to its "arf arf" mosh call.
2017: Code Orange releases "Forever"
In 2017, Code Orange released their Roadrunner Records debut album "Forever" to critical acclaim and success.
2018: "Forever" nominated for Grammy
In 2018, Code Orange's title track "Forever" was nominated for a Grammy for Best Metal Performance.
2019: Knocked Loose releases "A Different Shade of Blue"
In 2019, Knocked Loose's second album "A Different Shade of Blue" received critical and commercial success.
2019: End of Punk Goes... compilation album series
In 2019, the Fearless Records's compilation album series Punk Goes... ended. Following the series' end, Our Last Night gained mainstream commericial success with their cleaner production, utilitarian take on the trend.
2020: Bring Me the Horizon's Post Human: Survival Horror reaches number one in the UK album charts
In 2020 Bring Me the Horizon's Post Human: Survival Horror reaches number one in the UK album charts.
2020: Loathe releases "I Let It In and It Took Everything"
In 2020, Loathe's second album "I Let It In and It Took Everything" saw critical acclaim for expanding the scope of metalcore, also Bring Me the Horizon's Post Human: Survival Horror was released and reached number one in the UK album charts.
2021: Architects' For Those That Wish to Exist reaches number one in the UK album charts.
In 2021, Architects' album For Those That Wish to Exist also reached number one in the UK album charts.
2022: Bad Omens releases "The Death of Peace of Mind"
In 2022, Bad Omens' album "The Death of Peace of Mind" was the band's commercial breakthrough after viral success of the album's second single "Just Pretend" on TikTok which then topped the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart.
March 2023: "The Death of Peace of Mind" streams on Spotify.
By March 2023, Bad Omens' album "The Death of Peace of Mind" had received 20 million streams on Spotify, leading to Metal Hammer calling them "the biggest metalcore band in a generation."
Mentioned in this timeline
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