Today, in this post, I’m gonna talk about a genre I specially love : METALCORE !

YAY !

Although you may fear the name, you will discover that there is something for everyone! And I would even say, you might like some songs!

So let’s go! I take you to the discovery of this kind that has made much talk of him throughout his existence!

WHAT IS METALCORE ?

Metalcore is a musical genre that appeared in the mid-1980s, but whose development is «in waves». There will be a new wave about every 10 years.

I’m using “wave” to talk about success, but also about style evolution. Because yes, the genre at its beginning is different from what you can hear today.

The metalcore wave of the 1980-1990 remain more or less marginal. It’s from the 2000s that the genre will really know commercial success.

But we can also say today that it is a genre in which we put many bands with totally different sounds. It’s a very accessible style of metal.

METALCORE’S ORIGINS

Metalcore is directly linked to two styles: metal and hardcore or hardcore punk. Hence its metalcore name. But we can see other influences like trash or death/ melodic death metal.

Then, with the evolution of the genre, you can find a little of any influence: electro, nu-metal, black metal, pop etc.

I’d say, there are as many influences as there are artists.

METALCORE CHARACTERISTICS / FEATURES

Metalcore is an almost permanent duality in all fields.

Music and instrumentation

In metalcore, we use very heavy riffs, well-saturated. And for the drum, the double bass drum/ double pedal is required.

Guitars are often tuned in drop D or C, but bands can totally change the tuning.

Melodies fluctuate, passing from calm moments to intense ones. Not to mention a key element of the genre: BREAKDOWNS (I explained what it is in this post). This promotes the practice of moshing.

Legato, staccato, and palm mute are widely used.

Then, with time, the genre became more and more free about the melody and the instruments used.

Definition :

Legato: A technique used to bind successive notes so that there is no silence between them. This technique gives an impression of fluidity. (source: Acadezic)

Staccato: A technique that indicates that the notes must be executed clearly detached. (source: Larousse translated)

Palm Mute: Technique used on guitar to create a muted sound effect with the slice of the palm of the hand on the strings.

Moshing: comes from the word mosh. It is a type of dance, derived from pogo, more or less violent linked to hardcore punk and metal.

Bands formation

We can already mention the basics:

• guitar(s),
• song,
• bass,
• battery.

Although some bands leave the bass to replace it with a guitar.

But we can also find:

• A synthesizer or keytar (mix between a guitar and a synth)
• The presence of a classical orchestra or instruments
• A rhythm box
• Etc.

Singing

You can also find this duality that I mentioned earlier in the singing.
While at first, the saturation usage was total, it changes over time. We can see that at one period the verses were sung in saturation mode and the choruses with clear voice.

Now, there are no more rules. You can find songs totally with “clean” singing, totally with saturation, or with both.

In a future post, I will explain the different types of vocals used in rock and metal.

Lyrics

For this one, we find the same themes as in the influences genres. So we hear lyrics about personal problems and societal/political problems.

It should also be noted that members of metalcore bands are Christian or vegan, and this is reflected in their lyrics as well.

METALCORE BANDS/ARTISTS

In the beginning, we can mention: Corrosion of Conformity, Dirty Rotten, Agnostic Front ou Suicidal Tendencies

Then, we can find: Integrity, Converge, Starkweather, Earth Crisis

After that, from the 2000s, we can add Killswitch Engage, Shadows Fall, All That Remains, Bring Me The Horizon, As I Lay Dying, August Burns Red, Parkway Drive, Bullet For My Valentine, Underoath, Asking Alexandria, Architects, Motionless In White, Spiritbox, Trivium, Avenged Sevenfold, A Day to Remember, Beartooth, Of Mice & Men, Miss May I, Bad Omens

EVOLUTION

Metalcore has not declined. It’s the opposite!

Initially, this genre was much criticized and misunderstood by the metal community. But over time, it became a major genre and much less criticized. For reasons, the gender is much more diverse than at the beginning.

In addition, metalcore will create subgenres such as deathcore, mathcore, …

Here it is, for this very diverse genre, both in terms of its sound and its evolution.

You can find the playlist dedicated right here !

Feel free to share this post if you liked it or comment.

Also, you can see all the drawings / caricatures right here !

See you soon !

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Sources :

Une Histoire Musicale du Rock – Christophe Pirenne

Discogs – Metalcore : https://www.discogs.com/fr/style/metalcore

L’éclaireur Fnac – Metalcore : quand le hardcore rencontre le metal ! – Mathieu M. : https://leclaireur.fnac.com/article/cp50051-metalcore-quand-le-hardcore-rencontre-le-metal/

Liveaboutdotcom – What Is metalcore ? – Chad Bowar : https://www.liveabout.com/what-is-metalcore-1756187

Legato – définition – Acadezik : https://www.acadezik.com/definition-legato/

Metalliquoi ? – épisode 31 : Le Metalcore : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omQRj2WvKeY

Wikipedia

Claire Abe

The post Metalcore: the duality of a genre appeared first on Rock N' Roll World.

This week’s post is going to be different from what I’ve done so far! This article wasn’t even scheduled 2 weeks ago. (because yeah, I’ve got several posts under my hands  😉)

For this article, the content is straight out of the oven because I’ll summarize the concert of Ice Nine Kills with Spiritbox and Invisions. And when I say it’s recent content, I was at the show yesterday!

So make yourself comfortable since I’m going to give you a brief summary of what happened this Thursday, June 2, 2022.

BANDS INTRODUCTION

Let’s start at the beginning. 3 groups were present:

INVISIONS

It’s a metalcore, post-hardcore English band. So for those who are lost, it’s a metal band  😉. The band is composed of Ben Ville (vocals), Lucas Cabb (guitar), Alex Scott (guitar), and Josh Hardi (drums). It was formed in 2016 in York.

We can count on their influences, or at least in the albums with which they have “grown-up” bands such as: Stand Up and Scream, Reckless Relentless, Killswitch Engage, Bullet For My Valentine, or Issues.

• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook

SPIRITBOX

Canadian band combining, among others, metalcore/post-metal/djent/progressive metal and alternative metal. He is composed of the couple Courtney Laplante (vocals), Mike Stringer (guitarist) and Zev Rose (drums).

The group was formed in 2017, following the departure of Courtney and Mike from the Iwrestleabearonce band. They replaced the singer and guitarist respectively.

Their musical influences are very broad, ranging from pop, and RNB to death metal.

• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook

INK (Ice Nine Kills)

It’s an American heavy metal/ metalcore/ horror punk band. However, they like to use the terms “theatricore” or “Wizard metal”. This is because of the esoteric atmosphere of their songs. The band is also known to be inspired by horror movies, both their lyrics and their scenography of concerts.

It’s composed of Spencer Charnas (vocals), Ricky Armellino (guitar), Joe Occhiuti (bass), Dan Sugarman (guitar) and Patrick Galante (drums).

The influences of the band are punk, ska, metal, and musicals.

• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook

THE SHOW

So, in this point, you’ll know all the anecdotes that happened to me from my arrival at the concert. And I remind you that it is from my own point of view as a spectator that I speak to you, and that it’s my personal opinion.

Also, there will be no videos (because I didn’t make any), nor photos (because I don’t know if I have the right to share them here).

So first, I almost arrived late for the concert because I followed what the internet told me (thank you very much!) and I found myself 30 minutes away from where I had to go. Luckily, with the help of my friends and traffic jams (lol), I arrived just in time, when the first band started their 1st song (YAY!).

First Part

So we start with the performance of InVisions. I must admit that I didn’t know them before this evening (except to draw their caricatures  😉). And I was conquered! Heavy sounds, mixing electronics, saturation/ distortion, and breakdown. Add to this the crazy vocal performances (clean and extreme singing) of the singer and guitarist. I say YES!

Also, I found that regarding stage presence and energy level, they do pretty well! For the moment, I don’t have much to say about this group, as it is a brand-new discovery. However, I recommend that you listen to their work because I think it’s fantastic. I look forward to seeing what they have in store for us afterward!

Second part

Then it’s time for Spiritbox. And I have to say that if I went to this concert, it’s mostly for them (and for INK as well). Since I started listening to the band, it’s simple, not a day goes by without listening to them! Courtney took the lead of the show with a master’s hand.
If I had to define her, I’d say it’s the Beauty and the Beast in one person. Superb “clean” singing where you can hear just the pop and rnb influences of Courtney. And “extreme” singing (which I personally envy) is just incredible.

The rest of the group is not left behind! Everyone did dirty and heavy. Although I confess that Courtney captured most of my attention. (No, I don’t fangirl at all). Of course, you guessed it, I will follow very carefully for the rest of their career. And I invite you to listen to their songs.

Last part

Finally, Ice Nine Kills. I admit I was a little scared for this part. As much as I love INK, I have a problem with horror movies… (yeah, don’t ask me to watch one, or I’ll certainly faint)

And in the end, everything went well. I loved it! Distorted, dirty, and heavy sound accompanied by symphonic arrangements strongly reminiscent of those present in musicals, sick singing techniques, and a scenography very inspired by horror films (but not to the point you might have a heart attack). Just fantastic!

By the way, shout-out to the beautiful pink sequin guitar used during the show. Well, let’s get back to the subject.

I must say that I had already heard people talk about every song of the band as potentially being a part of a musical. Well, after seeing them and hearing them live, I confirm that each song can be a “mini musical” (on horror movies themes) individually. In addition, the participation of extras and the stage expression and gestures of singer Spencer Charnas reinforce the whole. I personally think he would be great in a musical (now I don’t know if he can dance). Anyway, when you mix the influences of two genres that I love (metal and musicals), it’s obvious that I’m a fan of the band.

Also, in relation to the songs, I must say that I made connections with some other musical works. In Stabbing In the Dark, we can hear an “excerpt” from Chordettes’ song Mr Sandman. Plus, the songs Welcome To Horrorwood and Shower Scene reminded me at some point of Panic! At The Disco’s Emperor’s New Clothes.

If you don’t know the band yet, I also invite you to listen to their work.

In short, I loved it, but still don’t ask me to watch a horror movie.

Conclusion

I had a great time with any of the three groups. The atmosphere was great, and I managed to get them the caricatures with the help of an unknown girl. Who, in the heat of the moment, I think I forgot to thank, so I’m doing it right here. (I hope they’ll like it).

Now I wish them the best in the future and hope to see them again. 😊

Also, if you are interested in seeing them in concert, they are touring Europe until June 11 for INK and until June 30 for Spiritbox. As for InVisions, you can find them in various festivals (including Hellfest) this summer. I invite you to look on their respective social networks to know more.

So much for this week’s article. Tell me if you liked it and if you’d love to see more of this kind of content.

As usual, the playlist dedicated to the post is available just below. And don’t hesitate to share a maximum. We’ll meet again next week to continue the discovery of rock music.

If you want to see the complete setlists, here you go (from setlist.fm)

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sources bands info :

Wikipédia

InVisions interview with Lucas Gabb and Ben Ville on ‘Deadlock’ – PureGrainAudio : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uC0G36EBIs&t=132s

Interview with Spencer Charnas of Ice Nine Kills (Dead Meat Podcast #138) – Dead Meat : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uysX3wLCZ-A&t=1808s

Courtney LaPlante: SiriusXM Liquid Metal interview with Jose Mangin – SpiritBox official : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0OEu3MQMTs

setlist.fm : https://www.setlist.fm/

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Claire Abe

The post Show recap #1 : INK + SPIRITBOX + INVISIONS appeared first on Rock N' Roll World.

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