Metalcore

After the Burial, the Minneapolis progressive metal titans, have carved a significant path in the genre since their 2004 inception. Currently signed to Sumerian Records (through which they've released five of their six full-length albums), their journey has been marked by significant lineup changes. The band has endured two vocalist swaps, two drummer changes, and the heartbreaking loss of founding rhythm guitarist Justin Lowe, alongside the departure of bassist Lerichard Foral. Lead guitarist Trent Hafdahl remains the sole original member, a testament to his unwavering commitment. Their influence on subgenres like djent and progressive metalcore is undeniable, solidifying their status as key innovators.

History: Formation and Forging a Future Self (2004-2007)

Formed in 2004 by high school friends Nick Wellner, Trent Hafdahl, Justin Lowe (December 17, 1982 – July 21, 2015), and Greg Erickson, After the Burial initially relied on Dave Coleman on bass. Their search for a permanent bassist led them to Lee Foral via a Twin Cities hardcore message board. Their debut album, Forging a Future Self, recorded in late 2005 and released March 1st, 2006, marked their emergence, distributed through Corrosive Records without an official label deal.

Alesana (pronounced AL-iss-AN-a) is a post-hardcore band from Raleigh, North Carolina, currently signed to Revival Recordings and Artery Recordings. Formed in the fall of 2004 by Shawn Milke, Dennis Lee, Patrick Thompson, Steven Tomany, and Daniel Magnuson, the quintet has built a substantial catalog, boasting five full-length studio albums and three EPs.

Their debut, On Frail Wings of Vanity and Wax, quickly garnered underground buzz, showcasing a unique blend of pop, punk, metal, and classic rock influences. This eclectic sound became a cornerstone of their identity.

Early Days: From Baltimore to Raleigh

The band's origins trace back to early 2000s Baltimore, Maryland, where founding members Shawn Milke and Patrick Thompson, both veterans of separate local bands, began collaborating. Milke, previously a member of the punk rock band The Legitimate Excuse (formed in 2001), spent a year searching for bandmates and developing early demos under the Alesana moniker. Seeking a broader pool of talent, the duo relocated to Raleigh, North Carolina, where they recruited Dennis Lee as vocalist after a chance encounter – Milke famously recalling, "he looked like a band guy." Steven Tomany and Daniel Magnuson completed the initial lineup.

All Shall Perish: Oakland Deathcore Pioneers

All Shall Perish, formed in Oakland, California in 2002, were seminal figures in the deathcore scene. Emerging from the ashes of Bay Area bands Antagony, End of All, and Boof, the quintet – Matt Kuykendall, Ben Orum, Mike Tiner, Caysen Russo, and Craig Betit – quickly made their mark.

Their 2003 demo landed them a deal with Amputated Vein Records, leading to their debut full-length, Hate, Malice, Revenge, in the same year. Nuclear Blast Records recognized their potential and re-released the album in 2005, solidifying their place in the burgeoning deathcore landscape.

The band's aggressive sound and relentless energy propelled them forward. Their 2006 release, The Price of Existence, featured the breakout single "Eradication," which received video play on MTV2's Headbangers Ball. A surprisingly viral mashup of their track "There Is No Business to Be Done On a Dead Planet" with 'N Sync's "Bye Bye Bye" unexpectedly broadened their appeal, introducing them to a whole new audience.

All Shall Perish continued their trajectory with three more albums under Nuclear Blast, concluding their discography with This Is Where It Ends in July 2011. Their legacy remains secure: All Shall Perish are widely regarded as pioneers of deathcore, leaving an undeniable impact on the genre.

Hailing from Karlskoga, Sweden, Allt is a progressive metalcore band established in 2020. Their innovative approach to metalcore, coupled with compelling audiovisual storytelling, sets them apart.

All That Remains, the Springfield, Massachusetts metal titans, emerged in 1998, forging a career built on nine studio albums, a live CD/DVD, and over a million records sold worldwide. While vocalist Philip Labonte remains the sole original member, the band enjoyed a remarkably stable lineup from 2008's Overcome through 2015's The Order of Things, spanning four albums. This era ended with bassist Jeanne Sagan's departure in September 2015, replaced by Aaron Patrick. Tragedy struck in February 2019 with the death of original lead guitarist Oli Herbert, resulting in Jason Richardson joining the ranks. Further lineup shifts saw Patrick's exit in 2021 to focus on Bury Your Dead, with Matt Deis taking over bass duties in 2022. Labonte's journey to All That Remains began after his departure from Shadows Fall (appearing on their seminal Somber Eyes to the Sky), where "musical differences" led him to fully commit to his side project, releasing their debut album, Behind Silence and Solitude, in 2002 via Prosthetic Records.

Architects: A British Metalcore Force

Hailing from Brighton, East Sussex, Architects emerged in 2004, formed by twin brothers Dan and Tom Searle. This British metalcore band initially carved a chaotic path with their first three albums, heavily influenced by the likes of The Dillinger Escape Plan. Their sound was raw, aggressive, and rhythmically complex, a sonic whirlwind for fans of the genre.

In 2011, Architects shifted gears, adopting a more melodic post-hardcore direction with "The Here and Now". While this change resonated with some, it alienated others who preferred their earlier, heavier sound. They navigated this split in their fanbase with "Daybreaker" (2012), striking a balance between melody and technical aggression while incorporating more politically charged lyrics.

Their 2014 release, "Lost Forever // Lost Together", became a turning point, catapulting Architects into mainstream recognition and critical acclaim. It solidified their unique blend of melody, technicality, and raw emotion, resonating with a wider audience.

Tragedy struck in 2016, when guitarist and primary songwriter Tom Searle passed away after battling skin cancer. This left Dan Searle as the only original member. However, Architects' legacy continued. They released "Doomsday" in 2017, a powerful single featuring Tom's final work, and welcomed Middleton as their new lead guitarist. "Holy Hell," their first album without Tom, dropped in 2018, a testament to the band's enduring spirit and a poignant tribute to their fallen brother.

Architects, despite the loss, have continued to push boundaries, evolving their sound while honoring their roots. With each album, they showcase their dedication to crafting powerful, emotionally resonant metalcore that continues to captivate fans worldwide.

Hailing from San Diego, California, As I Lay Dying emerged in 2000, forged by vocalist Tim Lambesis. Solidifying their lineup in 2001—which included Lambesis' Point of Recognition bandmate Jordan Mancino—the metalcore titans went on to unleash a formidable discography: eight studio albums, a split album, and two compilations. Their impact resonated powerfully; An Ocean Between Us, their fourth studio effort, climbed to #8 on the Billboard 200 and conquered the Top Rock chart. The band became festival mainstays, electrifying crowds at Wacken Open Air, With Full Force, Soundwave Festival, Warped Tour, Bloodstock Open Air, and Taste of Chaos. Their achievements extend beyond chart success; they snagged MTV2's "Ultimate Metal God" award (2007), were crowned "Artist of the Year" at the San Diego Music Awards three times (2005, 2007, 2008), and even received a Grammy nomination for "Nothing Left" in 2008. The Powerless Rise, their fifth studio album, a meticulously crafted three-year project, dropped in May 2010 to widespread critical praise. Their final studio release before their hiatus, Awakened, arrived on September 25, 2012.

A Skylit Drive, the Lodi, California post-hardcore quintet, left an undeniable mark on the scene despite their relatively short lifespan. Their discography boasts a compelling mix of five studio albums – Wires...and the Concept of Breathing (2008), Adelphia (2009), Identity on Fire (2011), Rise (2013), and ASD (2015) – alongside an EP (She Watched the Sky) and a DVD. The band toured extensively, both headlining and as support, earning a dedicated following. However, internal strife, specifically a dispute between Nick Miller and Michael Jagmin, led to their breakup in 2017. The tragic passing of original vocalist Jordan Blake in April 2023 served as a somber coda to their story.

Blake’s departure in late 2007, due to health concerns, significantly impacted the band mid-tour following the release of their debut EP, She Watched the Sky, in January 2007 on Tragic Hero Records. Prior to this, A Skylit Drive shared stages with a who's who of the post-hardcore scene, including Four Letter Lie, blessthefall, Scary Kids Scaring Kids, Greeley Estates, Oh, Sleeper, The Blackout, Alesana, Before Their Eyes, Dance Gavin Dance, Kenotia, Pierce the Veil, and From First to Last. These early tours cemented their place within the genre's vibrant landscape, a legacy that continues to resonate with fans even after their disbandment.

Atreyu: A Heavy Metal Journey From California's Underground

Atreyu, the American metalcore titans, emerged from the fertile musical landscape of Yorba Linda, California in 1998. Initially known as Retribution, the band underwent a name change and lineup shift, embracing a heavier sound. Inspired by the character from Michael Ende's iconic novel "The Neverending Story," Atreyu embarked on their journey to conquer the music world.

Their early days saw the release of two independent EPs: "Visions," a seven-track showcase of their raw talent, and "Fractures in the Facade of Your Porcelain Beauty," a five-track gem released through the underground label Tribunal Records. These early works laid the foundation for their future success and featured tracks that would be revisited and refined in subsequent releases.

A pivotal moment arrived in 2001 when Atreyu inked a deal with Victory Records, a move that would catapult them to prominence. This partnership saw them unleash a string of critically acclaimed albums that cemented their place in the metalcore scene. The original lineup comprised Alex Varkatzas on lead vocals, Dan Jacobs and Travis Miguel on guitars, and Kyle Stanley on bass.

Atreyu's unique blend of heavy riffs, melodic vocals, and aggressive screams quickly captured the attention of metalheads worldwide. Their journey, however, was just beginning. The following years saw the release of a string of acclaimed albums, including "Suicide Notes and Butterfly Kisses" (2002), "The Curse" (2004), and "A Death-Grip on Yesterday" (2006), solidifying their place as a force to be reckoned with in the metalcore genre.

The band's evolution continued with "Lead Sails Paper Anchor" (2007), "Congregation of the Damned" (2009), and "Long Live" (2015). Each album showcased their musical growth and experimentation, pushing boundaries and exploring new sonic landscapes while maintaining their signature aggression.

Their relentless pursuit of artistic expression continued with "In Our Wake" (2018), "Baptize" (2021), and their latest release "The Beautiful Dark of Life" (2023), proving that Atreyu remains a vital and relevant force in heavy music.

Today, the band boasts a powerful lineup featuring Brandon Saller on lead vocals, Dan Jacobs and Travis Miguel on guitars, Marc "Porter" McKnight on bass and unclean vocals, and Kyle Rosa on drums. Atreyu's impact on the metalcore scene is undeniable, with their music continuing to inspire and ignite passion in fans across generations. From their early independent beginnings to their current standing as metalcore icons, Atreyu's journey is a testament to their unwavering dedication to their craft and their ability to connect with a devoted legion of fans worldwide.

Hailing from Westerville, Ohio, Attack Attack! burst onto the metalcore scene in 2007, initially operating under the moniker Ambiance. Their self-released debut EP quickly caught the attention of Rise Records, leading to a record deal that same year. The band's potent blend of metalcore aggression and catchy melodies propelled them to release three full-length albums through Rise: Someday Came Suddenly, their self-titled effort, and This Means War. After a successful run with Rise, Attack Attack! parted ways with the label in 2012 and ultimately disbanded the following year, concluding with a farewell tour. However, the Ohio five-piece's legacy proved far from over. A highly anticipated reformation was announced on October 19, 2020, featuring a mix of original members and new recruits, igniting renewed interest in this influential metalcore act.

The band's genesis involved a convergence of talent from various local high school bands. Johnny Franck, Andrew Whiting, Nick White, and Andrew Wetzel connected with Austin Carlile, eventually recruiting Caleb Shomo on keyboards. This lineup solidified as Attack Attack!, and the band immediately hit the ground running, self-recording material and leveraging MySpace to build momentum and generate buzz before signing to Rise Records.