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Electronicore
Electronicore
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Electronicore (also known as synthcore or trancecore) is a fusion genre of metalcore music with elements of various electronic music genres, often including trance, electronica, and dubstep.

Reception

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Attack Attack! is often recognized as the primary American contributor of the style,[1] being inspired by British band Enter Shikari.[2] Enter Shikari is an electronicore band that began in 1999 as Hybryd, adding their last member and adopting their current name in early 2003, in St Albans, England.[3] The group has received international radio airplay and a substantial number of musical awards, from Kerrang!, NME, Rock Sound Magazine and BT Digital Music Awards.[4][5][6] They express a relationship with electronic music genres such as trance and have been referred to as the "kings of trancecore."[7] Their second album, titled Common Dreads, was released in June 2009 and debuted on the UK Albums Chart at 16.[8] In 2020, British band Bring Me The Horizon released Post Human: Survival Horror, which has notable elements of electronicore in a few tracks such as 1x1 which features duo Nova Twins.

Characteristics

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Electronicore is characterized by typical metalcore instrumentation, breakdowns, and heavy use of sequencers, conventional instrument recorded-note samplers, electronic tone-generating synthesizers, auto-tuned singing, and screamed vocals.[9][10][11] The genre often features dynamic transitions from soft electronica ballads to intense metalcore passages. However, the degree to which metalcore characteristics are incorporated may vary. In addition to electronica, the fusion may involve a variety of other electronic music genres, including techno,[12][13] trance,[7] dubstep,[14] electro,[15] and dance.[11]

Enter Shikari's guitarist Rory Clewlow playing at VOLT festival, Sopron, Hungary, in 2012
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See also

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Electronicore is a fusion genre of music that blends the aggressive instrumentation and vocal styles of and with elements, such as synthesizers, drops, and club-oriented production. It typically features down-tuned guitars, double-kick drumming, screamed verses, and melodic clean choruses interspersed with EDM breakdowns and trance-like builds, creating a high-energy sound that appeals to both metal and rave audiences. The genre emerged in the early 2000s in the , with British band widely regarded as its pioneers after forming in 1999 and releasing their debut album in 2007, which incorporated riffs with and . Their track "Sorry You're Not a Winner" gained significant exposure through inclusion in the video game , helping propel electronicore's popularity across the Atlantic by 2008. The style, sometimes called trancecore or synthcore, peaked in the late 2000s and early 2010s through platforms like , where American and international acts experimented with the formula, often aligning with the "scene" subculture's fashion and themes of youth angst, introspection, and catharsis. Notable early bands include Attack Attack!, an American band known for their 2008 debut album that popularized electronic breakdowns in ; I See Stars, an American act from New York who fused electronicore with pop sensibilities on albums like 3D (2010); and Abandon All Ships, a Canadian band that emphasized EDM drops alongside harsh vocals before disbanding in 2014. Internationally, Japan's Crossfaith brought a chaotic, sci-fi edge to the genre on releases like Xeno (2015), while Sky Eats Airplane and Breathe Carolina explored melodic and trance-heavy variations. In the 2010s and beyond, electronicore evolved to incorporate influences from , , and , with bands like adding deathcore aggression and Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas infusing J-rock energy. Modern acts such as Germany's Electric Callboy (formerly Eskimo Callboy) have revitalized the genre with humorous, party-oriented tracks that mix EDM pulses with breakdown-heavy , as seen on their 2022 album . continues to innovate, topping UK charts with politically charged albums like A Kiss for the Whole World (2023), which reflect the genre's ongoing fusion of raw intensity and electronic experimentation. As of 2025, the genre remains active with tours like The Browning's Electronicore 2025 and teases of reunions from acts like . Despite niche status, electronicore's hybrid appeal has influenced broader metal and EDM scenes, maintaining a dedicated following through festivals and streaming platforms.

History and Origins

Origins in the Late and Early

Electronicore emerged as a fusion genre combining the aggressive breakdowns and screamed vocals of with electronic elements drawn from , , and sounds. The style's roots lie in the late and early , when underground bands in the UK and began experimenting with digital production tools to integrate synths and samples into and frameworks. A key pioneer was the UK band , formed in 1999 in St. Albans, , initially as Hybryd before adopting their current name in 2003. Their 2007 debut album marked an early high point, blending riffs and electronics with trance-like synths and dance beats, influencing the genre's development through its DIY ethos and live energy. This release showcased how electronic layers could enhance metalcore's intensity, setting a template for future acts. In the US, Horse the Band, formed in 1998 in Lake Forest, California, contributed to the genre's foundations by coining "Nintendocore" to describe their chiptune-infused metalcore sound. Their 2003 debut R. Borlax introduced 8-bit video game-inspired keyboards amid chaotic post-hardcore aggression, while the 2005 album The Mechanical Hand further emphasized these electronic-metal hybrids, drawing from the accessibility of early digital tools. The band's experimental approach highlighted chiptune's role in bridging gaming culture with underground metal scenes. The initial underground growth of electronicore in and scenes was facilitated by the rise of workstations (DAWs) in the early , such as GarageBand's 2004 launch, which made electronic sampling and production affordable for independent musicians without studio access. This technological shift enabled bands to layer synths and beats over structures easily, fostering experimentation in DIY communities. The term "electronicore" first appeared explicitly in online forums and media around 2008, often linked to emerging acts like , a band formed in 2006. Their 2009 debut 3D exemplified the style with dual vocals, thrashy riffs, and electronics, solidifying the genre's identity amid the boom.

Evolution and Peak in the

The surge in electronicore's popularity during the early was closely tied to the mainstream rise of , particularly the aggressive "brostep" style popularized by artists like , which inspired hybrids blending heavy metal breakdowns with electronic drops. This period, roughly 2010 to 2015, saw electronicore gain traction as (EDM) dominated global charts and festivals, drawing fans into danceable, synth-heavy soundscapes. Key releases exemplified this fusion, such as ' debut album Geeving in 2010, which merged EDM synth breakdowns with aggression to capture the era's hybrid energy. Similarly, ' 2012 Renegades Forever incorporated dubstep-influenced drops alongside metal elements, creating tracks that bridged mosh pits and club beats. These works built on the electronic experimentation of early pioneers like , amplifying the genre's accessibility through prominent electronic-metal contrasts. The genre expanded significantly through festival circuits in the 2010s, with events like the Vans Warped Tour serving as a primary platform for electronicore acts amid a wave of synth-driven performances. Bands such as leveraged these opportunities, gaining widespread exposure by infusing metalcore sets with electronic textures that appealed to diverse audiences at major touring festivals. Post-2015, as dubstep's popularity waned amid audience fatigue and shifting EDM trends toward and trap, electronicore evolved into diverse substyles and maintained relevance through new fusions and dedicated tours into the . Technological advancements facilitated this evolution, with widespread adoption of software like enabling bands to manipulate electronic elements in real-time during live metal performances, enhancing the genre's dynamic stage presence.

Musical Characteristics

Core Instrumentation and Production

Electronicore's core instrumentation draws heavily from metalcore foundations, featuring heavily distorted electric guitars tuned to low registers such as Drop C to achieve a sense of heaviness and aggression, often employing palm-muted chugging riffs and breakdowns. Drums typically include patterns and reinforced kits with samples to provide tight, punchy rhythms that support both metal breakdowns and faster electronic tempos around 140–150 BPM. Vocals alternate between screamed or growled harsh deliveries and clean singing, with the latter frequently processed using to create a polished, electronic-infused melodic quality. The electronic components integrate synthesizers for melodic and atmospheric elements, including sequenced arpeggios for trance-like leads, supersaw waveforms in choruses, and plucks in verses, often emulating classic analog designs to blend warmth with digital precision. Sequencers drive repetitive patterns, while samplers incorporate chiptune-inspired sounds or effects, such as stuttered edits and digital artifacts, to add textural complexity alongside conventional instrument recordings. Bass elements frequently feature growl or wobble synths reminiscent of , layered with traditional to maintain low-end power during drops. Production techniques emphasize hybrid layering, where electronic pads and ambient synths underpin metal breakdowns to enhance intensity without overpowering the core riffs, achieved through surgical EQ and multiband compression for clarity. is applied selectively to clean vocals for pitch correction and stylistic sheen, while integration allows for synchronized triggering of electronic drops and effects in both studio and live contexts. Key effects include reverb-heavy synth processing to evoke atmospheres, lush delay tails for spatial depth, and sidechain compression that ducks pads, bass, or synths against the kick drum, creating a pumping that unifies the metal and electronic pulses. In live performances, hybrid setups often incorporate keytars for onstage synth manipulation or laptops running DAWs to overlay real-time electronic elements via triggers and backing stems, ensuring seamless integration with the band's traditional instruments while maintaining click tracks for tempo synchronization. This approach allows for dynamic control of transitions, such as triggering risers, sweeps, or interruptions, heightening the genre's high-energy delivery.

Song Structure and Electronic Integration

Electronicore songs typically follow a verse-chorus structure augmented by breakdowns, a hallmark of metalcore, with electronic builds—such as rising synth lines—creating tension that resolves into heavy drops, resulting in tracks averaging 3-4 minutes in length. This format allows for dynamic shifts where ambient electronic intros or verses give way to intense choruses and mid-song breakdowns, maintaining the genre's high-energy pacing. Integration of electronic elements often involves clean electronic verses that transition smoothly to screamed choruses, incorporating dubstep-style "wobbles" in bridges and ambient breakdowns interrupted by glitch effects for added unpredictability. Synthesizers and sequencers layer over traditional metalcore riffs, with EDM-influenced beats enhancing the transitions between sections, as seen in the use of bass wobbles to amplify breakdown intensity. These techniques blend the aggression of metal with the euphoria of electronic music, creating a hybrid sound that emphasizes contrast and release. Vocal duality is central, featuring harsh, screamed vocals delivered over pulsating electronic beats in verses to build aggression, contrasted by melodic, often auto-tuned clean vocals in hooks that heighten emotional peaks and facilitate tension-release dynamics. This approach, influenced by trance and electronica, allows singers to alternate between raw intensity and polished, synthesized delivery, reinforcing the genre's emotional range. Rhythmic fusion manifests in half-time breakdowns synchronized to approximately 140 BPM electronic pulses, merging 4/4 metal grooves with syncopated EDM rhythms for a disorienting yet cohesive drive. Double-kick patterns from drums interlock with electronic percussion, enabling seamless shifts from fast-paced verses to slower, heavier sections without losing momentum. Thematic audio motifs frequently include recurring synth riffs that mirror or harmonize with guitar melodies, fostering cohesion across a track's sections and underscoring lyrical themes of chaos and transcendence. These motifs, often drawn from and influences, provide a unifying thread that ties electronic and metal components together, enhancing the overall flow.

Notable Artists and Bands

Pioneering Acts

Enter Shikari, formed in 1999 in Hertfordshire, UK, emerged as one of the earliest and most influential acts in electronicore, blending trance-metal hybrids with politically charged lyrics that addressed social and environmental issues. Their debut album Take to the Skies (2007) marked a breakthrough, integrating electronic synths and bass wobbles over post-hardcore structures, helping normalize electronic elements within metalcore scenes. Follow-up Common Dreads (2009) further solidified their sound, expanding on trance influences while maintaining a DIY ethos in production. The band continued releasing music into the 2020s, including the bootleg live album Live at Wembley in July 2025. Horse the Band, also formed in 1999 in , USA, pioneered —a substyle of electronicore characterized by chaotic riffs overlaid with 8-bit synths inspired by soundtracks. Their experimental approach, evident in albums like The Mechanical Hand (2005), emphasized keyboard-driven electronics amid aggressive breakdowns, distinguishing them as innovators in fusing retro digital sounds with heavy music. After a period of inactivity, the band reunited in 2025 for shows celebrating the 20th anniversary of The Mechanical Hand and released a new EP, their first music in over a decade. Precursors to these acts included The Dillinger Escape Plan's late-1990s experiments with electronics in mathcore, which laid groundwork for genre-blending by incorporating sound design elements into extreme metal frameworks, though full integration came in later works like Ire Works (2007). These pioneering bands established DIY electronic production techniques within metal communities, influencing subsequent label signings at Sumerian Records, which amplified electronicore's reach through artists adopting similar hybrid styles in the late 2000s.

Influential Mid-2010s Bands

During the mid-2010s, electronicore reached a commercial peak through bands that innovated on the genre's fusion of aggression and electronic production, expanding its appeal within circles, with many acts continuing to release music into the . , formed in 2006 in , exemplified this evolution with their blend of , , and EDM elements, creating danceable tracks that bridged mosh pits and nightclubs. Their 2012 album Renegades Forever and 2013 release New Demons highlighted this style, featuring heavy synths and drops alongside screamed and clean vocals delivered by Devin Oliver. The band released their sixth studio album The Wheel on September 12, 2025, via . Abandon All Ships, originating in Toronto, Canada, in 2006, further popularized the subgenre's electronic drops rooted in post-screamo structures. Their debut album Geeving (2010) introduced synth-heavy breakdowns that became a staple, though the band underwent significant lineup changes after 2012, leading to shifts in their sound and a disbandment in 2014. After a hiatus, they returned in 2025 with the single "Take One Last Breath" on October 3 and teased new music for 2026. We Came As Romans, established in 2005 in , integrated trance-like electronic layers into their framework, emphasizing melodic positivity in lyrics about personal growth and hope. Their 2013 album Tracing Back Roots showcased these elements through uplifting synth progressions and anthemic choruses. The band continued their evolution, releasing All Is Beautiful… Because We're Doomed on August 22, 2025, via SharpTone Records. These acts, building on foundational influences from earlier pioneers, achieved broader impact through frequent appearances from 2010 to 2015 and viral presence, which propelled electronicore's temporary dominance in scenes by normalizing EDM-metal hybrids.

Reception and Cultural Impact

Critical Reception

Electronicore has elicited a range of responses from music critics since its inception, often highlighting its bold fusion of metalcore aggression and electronic textures as both innovative and polarizing. Early works by pioneering acts like were lauded for revitalizing a stagnant scene through genre-blending experimentation; their 2007 debut album earned the John Peel Award for Musical Innovation, with reviewers commending its "head-bending mix of hardcore metal and trance" as a fresh departure that sold out 2,000-capacity venues independently. The album's trancey synthesizers layered over hard-as-nails metal riffs were seen as particularly effective in tracks like "," a "Faithless-meets-Napalm Death wig-out" that demonstrated the potential for noisy, boundary-pushing innovation. Critics have frequently praised the high-energy atmosphere of electronicore live performances, where mosh pits converge with rave-inspired elements to create dynamic, crowd-engaging spectacles. At festivals like Download 2025, acts performing the genre were noted for delivering "circle-pit inducing guitar heft with shafts of computerised noise," fostering an exhilarating blend of physical intensity and electronic euphoria that captivates audiences. Despite these strengths, electronicore has faced accusations of gimmickry, particularly during its dubstep-influenced phase in the early , where electronic flourishes were sometimes viewed as superficial trends diluting metal's authenticity. Pitchfork's review of captured this sentiment, calling the ravey keyboards and synth blasts an "unholy union" with thrash that offered "surprising moments of effectiveness" but ultimately functioned as a "semi-clever gimmick" prone to overuse and staleness. Later examples, such as Electric Callboy's 2022 Tekkno, drew similar critiques for its party-oriented electronicore, with reviewers noting that the "disparate elements refuse to mix" and the vocals come across as "annoying," underscoring concerns over reliance on electronics overshadowing cohesive songcraft. In recent years, post-2020 assessments have shown a more appreciative in critical views, crediting electronicore's foundational role in modern hybrid sounds. Kerrang!'s 2025 review of ' The Wheel highlighted the band's return as a "consistent" of the , blending past influences with forward-looking production to reaffirm its enduring vitality. This shift reflects broader recognition of electronicore's influence on subsequent metal-electronic crossovers, moving beyond initial dismissals toward acknowledgment of its lasting impact on scene innovation.

Influence on Broader Metal and Electronic Scenes

Electronicore's integration of electronic elements into significantly influenced the broader metal scene, particularly by normalizing synths, samples, and production techniques that bridged heavy riffs with dance-oriented sounds. This shift was exemplified by Bring Me the Horizon's 2013 album Sempiternal, which redefined through the contributions of keyboardist Jordan Fish, blending traditional breakdowns and screams with electronic keyboards and atmospheric synths in tracks like "Shadow Moses" and "." The album's success, reaching #3 on the and #11 on the while achieving Gold status in the and Silver in the UK, inspired a wave of bands to adopt similar fusions, moving away from purely aggressive structures toward more layered, electronically enhanced compositions that echoed nu-metal's experimental edge. In the electronic music sphere, electronicore paved the way for EDM-metal hybrids, particularly impacting the late-2010s rise of through shared influences in genre-blending and high-energy production. Pioneering electronicore acts like Attack Attack! and I See Stars, known for incorporating drops and trance elements into , directly shaped artists such as , whose members and cited bands including Attack Attack! and as formative inspirations from their experiences. This connection manifested in 's chaotic mixes of electronic glitches, heavy guitars, and breakdowns, as seen in ' remix of Linkin Park's "One Step Closer," which fused nu-metal aggression with EDM experimentation, and their collaboration with act on tracks blending rock and . Dorian Electra's 2020 album further exemplified this hybrid, featuring -style breakdowns alongside synth-heavy production reminiscent of electronicore's trancecore substyle. The genre's legacy extended to the proliferation of "core" subgenres in the , fostering electronic fusions within heavier variants like and contributing to greater stylistic diversity in metal festivals. Bands such as and The Devil Wears Prada helped establish electronicore's synth-driven breakdowns and wobbles as a standard in , influencing subsequent acts to experiment with EDM and integrations that spilled into , where electronic atmospheres enhanced brutal riffing and blast beats. In the 2020s, electronicore's echoes persist in digital revivals, with broader waves that reintegrate electronic elements amid trends.

Connections to Metalcore Variants

Electronicore maintains a direct lineage to 's development in the , a period when the genre evolved from its roots by blending aggressive breakdowns and melodic structures, as seen in emo-influenced bands like . This foundation allowed electronicore to emerge as an extension, integrating synthesizers and sequencers into 's core framework without abandoning its punk-derived intensity. Pioneering electronicore acts built upon this by layering digital production over traditional riffs, creating a hybrid that retained the emotional depth of early while introducing electronic textures. The genre overlaps significantly with other metalcore variants, particularly and , where electronic elements enhance existing complexities. In , bands like fuse electronic breakdowns with brutal, low-tuned riffs and guttural vocals, amplifying the subgenre's aggression through glitchy synths and techno-infused drops that maintain 's visceral heaviness. Similarly, acts such as incorporate synthesizers into intricate, polyrhythmic structures, using electronic orchestration to add atmospheric depth to their progressive breakdowns and shifting time signatures, thereby bridging 's technicality with electronicore's sonic experimentation. Despite these ties, electronicore diverges from variants like and nu-metalcore revivals in its production priorities and rhythmic emphasis. While centers on soaring guitar harmonies and clean vocal melodies, electronicore shifts focus to digital layers, sequencers, and synthesized leads that often overshadow traditional , creating a more hybridized sound palette. In contrast to nu-metalcore's incorporation of rap-rock grooves and downtuned chugs, electronicore prioritizes danceable beats derived from EDM, fostering a rhythmic drive suited for both and movement. Shared across these variants, however, is a breakdown-centric that fuels live , alongside a where electronicore's synth-driven atmospheres introduce greater variety, blending heavy pits with electronic in shared performance spaces. Electronicore draws heavily from , incorporating uplifting builds and melodic synth progressions reminiscent of artists like , where sequenced arpeggios and anthemic choruses create euphoric tension before metal breakdowns. These elements, often featuring supersaw synths and risers, provide a sense of escalation that mirrors trance's emotional peaks, as seen in early adopters blending them with aggression. Similarly, dubstep's influence is prominent through wobble basslines and rhythms at 140–150 BPM, particularly post-Skrillex in the , where explosive drops integrate growl effects and syncopated patterns to heighten the genre's intensity. Bands utilized these dubstep-derived techniques to craft hybrid sections that transition seamlessly from heavy riffs to electronic surges. Beyond these core borrowings, electronicore ties into and via 8-bit video game soundtrack samples, evoking nostalgic pixelated sounds layered over metal instrumentation for a playful yet texture. rhythms appear in faster breakdowns, contributing rapid breakbeats and deep sub-bass to propel the pace and add neurofunk-like complexity to transitions. Occasional elements surface in melodic sections, with club-oriented synth stabs, sidechained pads, and 120–130 BPM grooves providing a danceable undercurrent that contrasts the genre's harsher edges. The genre's bidirectional flow with is evident in how electronicore infused metal's heaviness into EDM, fostering collaborations that bridged the scenes during the , such as incorporating aggressive breakdowns and distorted guitars into dance tracks. This exchange normalized electronic production in metal while exposing EDM producers to hardcore structures, resulting in crossover appeal at festivals. Electronicore's evolutions have spawned substyles like cyber-metal, which amplifies industrial electronics with futuristic synths and effects while preserving screamed vocals as a distinguishing feature from pure EDM. This progression retains the genre's core fusion but emphasizes aesthetics and digital distortion for a more immersive, dystopian sound.

References

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