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List of mathcore bands
List of mathcore bands
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Mathcore is a dissonant style of music characterized by rhythmic complexity and tempo changes (such as those found in free jazz and math rock) with the aggressiveness of hardcore punk and extreme metal. The genre is sometimes considered a subgenre of metalcore. Notable mathcore bands are listed here in alphabetical order.

List

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Name Country Formed Ref.
The Algorithm France 2009
American Standards United States 2011 [1]
Antigama Poland 2000
Arcane Roots United Kingdom 2006 [2]
Architect United States 2004 [3]
Architects (early) United Kingdom 2004
The Armed United States 2009 [4]
Arsonists Get All the Girls United States 2005
Beecher United Kingdom 2001 [5]
Benea Reach Norway 2003 [6][7]
Between the Buried and Me United States 2000
The Bled United States 2001 [8]
Blood Has Been Shed United States 1997 [9]
Botch United States 1993 [10][11]
Burnt by the Sun United States 1999
The Callous Daoboys United States 2016 [12]
Cable United States 1994
Car Bomb United States 2002 [13]
Cave In United States 1995
The Chariot United States 2003 [14]
Classically Handsome Brutes United Kingdom 2012 [15]
Coalesce United States 1994 [16]
Code Orange United States 2008
The Color of Violence United States 2001
Converge United States 1990 [17]
Dance Club Massacre United States 2004
Daughters (early) United States 2001 [18]
Deadguy United States 1994 [19]
Design the Skyline United States 2007
The Dillinger Escape Plan United States 1997 [20][21]
Drowningman United States 1995 [22]
Employed to Serve United Kingdom 2011 [23]
The End Canada 1999 [24]
Eso-Charis United States 1995 [25]
The Esoteric United States 1996
Every Time I Die (early) United States 1998 [26]
Exotic Animal Petting Zoo United States 2004
Eyes Upon Separation United States 1998 [27]
The Fall of Troy United States 2002 [28]
Fellsilent United Kingdom 2003
From a Second Story Window United States 1999 [29]
Frontierer Scotland & United States 2011 [30]
Gaza United States 2004 [31]
Genghis Tron United States 2004
The Handshake Murders United States 2000 [25]
Heavy Heavy Low Low United States 2004 [32]
Heck United Kingdom 2009 [33]
The Human Abstract United States 2004 [34]
Into the Moat United States 2001 [35]
Ion Dissonance Canada 2001 [36]
Iwrestledabearonce United States 2007 [37]
Jesuit United States 1995
Keelhaul United States 1997 [38]
Knocked Loose United States 2013
Knut Switzerland 1994 [39]
Lethargy United States 1992 [40]
The Locust United States 1994
Look What I Did United States 2001 [41]
Lye by Mistake United States 2004 [42]
Narrows United States 2008 [43]
The National Acrobat United States 1998 [44][45]
Norma Jean United States 1997 [46]
The Number Twelve Looks Like You United States 2002 [47]
The Ongoing Concept United States 2009
Paria (early) United States 2001
Press to Meco United Kingdom 2011
Protest the Hero Canada 2001
Psychofagist Italy 2002
Psyopus United States 2002 [48]
Pupil Slicer United Kingdom 2016 [12]
Pyrrhon United States 2008
Rolo Tomassi United Kingdom 2005 [49]
Rorschach United States 1989 [50]
See You Next Tuesday United States 2004 [51]
SeeYouSpaceCowboy United States 2016 [52]
SikTh United Kingdom 1999 [53]
Some Girls United States 2002 [54]
The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza United States 2004 [55]
Vein.fm United States 2013 [56]
War from a Harlots Mouth Germany 2005 [57]

See also

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References

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from Grokipedia
Mathcore is an aggressive subgenre of hardcore punk and that emerged in the 1990s, characterized by complex, erratic time signatures, dissonant riffs, polyrhythms, and influences from , , , and , resulting in chaotic yet technically proficient compositions often featuring screamed vocals and unconventional song structures. The genre traces its roots to the 1980s post-hardcore scene, particularly bands like Black Flag, which laid the groundwork for intense, experimental punk energy, before evolving in the early through groups such as , , and Dazzling Killmen, who incorporated math rock's angular rhythms and elements into heavier formats. By the late and early , mathcore solidified as a distinct style with pivotal albums like Botch's (1999), The Dillinger Escape Plan's (1999), and Converge's Jane Doe (2001), which emphasized technical virtuosity, speed, and emotional intensity while attracting underground audiences through mosh pits and DIY scenes. Contemporary mathcore continues to innovate, blending in ambient, electronic, or progressive influences, as seen in works by bands like and . Key characteristics include low-tuned guitars (often in drop F), double bass drumming, feedback, random noise samples, and lyrics exploring themes of society, personal turmoil, and existentialism, all delivered with a raw, poetic aggression that prioritizes innovation over accessibility. This list catalogs notable mathcore bands, spanning foundational acts like Coalesce and to modern ensembles such as and The Number Twelve Looks Like You, highlighting the genre's enduring impact on extreme music.

Introduction

Definition of Mathcore

Mathcore is a subgenre of hardcore punk and metalcore that fuses the aggressive intensity of hardcore punk with the rhythmic complexity of math rock, resulting in a sound characterized by dissonant guitar riffs, odd time signatures, polyrhythms, and chaotic song structures. This style often incorporates erratic tempo shifts and experimental compositions, creating an abrasive and unpredictable listening experience that prioritizes technical proficiency and structural innovation over conventional songwriting. The term "" emerged as a in the late , serving as a portmanteau of "" and "" or "hardcore," evolving from earlier descriptors like "math metal" to capture the genre's intricate, mathematically inspired rhythms blended with punk's ferocity. It was particularly applied to bands exemplifying this fusion around the release of influential albums in 1999, marking a shift toward recognizing the style's distinct identity within the broader extreme music landscape. Unlike metalcore, which typically emphasizes melodic elements, breakdown riffs, and a more straightforward fusion of heavy metal and , mathcore leans into experimentation, dissonant textures, and influences from or to heighten its chaotic and intellectually demanding nature. This distinction underscores mathcore's focus on rhythmic disorientation and sonic unpredictability rather than or groove-oriented .

Origins and Terminology

The term "mathcore" emerged in the late 1990s within underground DIY hardcore punk scenes across the United States, particularly in the Northeast and other regions, where bands began blending the aggressive intensity of hardcore with the rhythmic complexity of math rock and elements of extreme metal. This development was deeply rooted in the do-it-yourself ethos of post-hardcore communities. Pioneering acts such as Botch and Coalesce played a pivotal role in shaping this nascent style, with their chaotic, technically demanding compositions inspiring fans and journalists to seek a descriptor for the evolving sound in underground publications and early online forums. As coalesced as a distinct subgenre, the terminology reflected the scene's rejection of mainstream categorization, often coined by music enthusiasts and writers to capture the fusion of hardcore punk's raw energy with math rock's intricate structures. Bands like Converge from and from exemplified this shift, fostering a cultural context of high-energy live performances in small venues that emphasized communal intensity over commercial appeal. The label "" gained traction around this period to differentiate the punk-infused aggression from prior technical metal styles, highlighting its origins in the DIY punk tradition rather than purely metallic frameworks. The evolution of the term marked a deliberate pivot from "math metal," a descriptor applied to earlier progressive thrash acts like Watchtower in the 1980s, which focused on virtuosic complexity within a heavy metal paradigm. In contrast, "mathcore" underscored the genre's punk roots and its emphasis on dissonance, erratic rhythms, and ethos, allowing it to resonate more authentically with the hardcore communities that birthed it. This terminological distinction helped solidify mathcore's identity as a rebellious offshoot, prioritizing conceptual and scene-specific adoption over broader metal associations.

Musical Characteristics

Rhythmic and Structural Elements

Mathcore's rhythmic foundation is built on intricate and unpredictable patterns derived from influences, featuring extensive use of odd time signatures such as 7/8 and 11/16, which create a disorienting sense of propulsion and tension. These signatures often shift abruptly within songs, compounded by polyrhythms that layer conflicting meters—such as 3:2 or 5:4 ratios—over a primary pulse, resulting in dense, overlapping grooves that demand precision from performers. Tempo fluctuations further amplify this complexity, with rapid accelerations into double-time feels or sudden decelerations that disrupt listener expectations, as seen in the erratic pacing of tracks on The Dillinger Escape Plan's (1999). This rhythmic intricacy draws from hardcore punk's inherent aggression, infusing it with mathematical precision to heighten emotional intensity. Structurally, mathcore rejects conventional verse-chorus frameworks in favor of non-linear forms characterized by through-composition, where motifs evolve without repetition or resolution, leading to fragmented, multi-part constructions. Abrupt transitions dominate these compositions, often pivoting from frenetic passages to atonal breakdowns via sharp textural shifts, such as halting rhythms or dissonant clusters that evade harmonic closure. Atonal breakdowns, in particular, serve as chaotic anchors, employing syncopated riffs against blast beats—rapid, continuous drumming patterns—to generate propulsive yet disharmonic climaxes, exemplified in Converge's Jane Doe (2001), where tracks like "Concubine" layer syncopated guitar lines over relentless percussion for a visceral, unpredictable assault. These elements culminate in song forms that prioritize exploration over resolution, fostering a sense of perpetual instability.

Instrumentation and Vocal Styles

Mathcore's guitar and bass work is defined by dissonant and angular riffs that employ extended techniques such as , detuning, and unconventional fingerings to create harsh and textural chaos, often utilizing extended-range instruments like 7-string guitars for lower tunings and added dissonance. These elements contribute to the genre's emphasis on intricate, non-tonal patterns that prioritize rhythmic complexity over melodic resolution, with bass lines providing prominent, groove-supporting counterpoints that mirror the guitars' angularity in odd-cardinality meters. Drumming in mathcore features erratic fills, rapid polyrhythmic patterns, and double-kick patterns executed with high precision to navigate complex meters and syncopations, resulting in a mechanistic and relentless propulsion that underscores the music's structural unpredictability. These percussive elements, including busy sixteenth-note streams and abrupt tempo shifts, demand virtuosic control to maintain clarity amid the genre's fluctuating rhythms. Vocal styles in mathcore typically involve screamed or shouted deliveries that integrate with the as aggressive, fragmented bursts, occasionally incorporating clean singing for contrast, while addressing lyrical themes of alienation, personal turmoil, and raw intensity. Production techniques favor a raw, unpolished aesthetic that preserves the dynamics and sonic , ensuring the vocals' tortured shrieks and yells cut through without excessive refinement.

Historical Development

Early Pioneers (Late 1980s–1990s)

The early development of mathcore emerged in the late 1980s and 1990s within the underground scenes of the , particularly in the Northeast and , where bands began incorporating complex rhythms, dissonant structures, and technical precision into aggressive hardcore frameworks. This period marked a shift from straight-edge and hardcore toward more experimental and metallic influences, laying the groundwork for the genre's distinctive intensity. Key pioneers included Rorschach, formed in 1989 in , which blended unpredictable tempo shifts and raw aggression drawn from influences like and Voivod. Their debut album, Remain Sedate (1991), captured this evolving sound through short, chaotic tracks that emphasized jagged riffs and emotional ferocity, influencing subsequent bands in the Northeast scene. Converge, established in 1990 in , further propelled the style's maturation with their relentless blend of and metallic elements. Early releases such as the album (1994) and the EP (1996) showcased intricate guitar work, rapid breakdowns, and screamed vocals that pushed boundaries beyond traditional hardcore. These works highlighted the band's role in bridging regional scenes, as they toured extensively and contributed to the Northeast's DIY ethos. Meanwhile, on the West Coast, Botch formed in 1993 in , introducing angular riffs and satirical undertones to the Pacific Northwest's burgeoning underground. Their initial EP, (1995), and subsequent demos demonstrated a subversive approach to hardcore norms, incorporating math rock-inspired amid heavy, abrasive textures. The rise of these bands was supported by independent labels like , which amplified the Northeast hardcore scene through releases of aggressive, metallic-leaning acts in the , fostering a network of venues and DIY collectives. Key events, such as regional hardcore festivals and all-ages shows in cities like and , provided platforms for cross-pollination, allowing pioneers to refine their sound amid growing audiences. By the late , these foundational efforts had solidified mathcore's core traits, though the term itself would emerge later to describe the genre's rhythmic intricacy.

Expansion and Evolution (2000s–Present)

The 2000s marked a period of expansion for , as bands achieved broader recognition through influential releases on labels like . The , building on their 1999 debut , reached a commercial and artistic peak with in 2004, which introduced cleaner vocals and more structured songwriting while retaining the genre's rhythmic complexity, thereby influencing subsequent and acts. Other notable releases from the era, such as Genghis Tron's Board Up the House (2008) on , highlighted the genre's chaotic energy and experimental edge, solidifying 's place within underground heavy music scenes. In the 2010s and , mathcore evolved by integrating electronic elements and atmospheres, fostering greater genre fusion and emotional depth. Bands like Frontierer employed robotic guitar effects and rapid percussion to push technical boundaries, while 156/Silence incorporated downtuned, atmospheric layers for a more introspective sound. Code Orange, originating from in 2008, exemplified this shift by blending mathcore's dissonance with aggression and industrial influences, as evident in albums like The Above (2023), which expanded the genre's accessibility through streaming platforms. This period also saw a revival driven by , with online communities amplifying bands such as Pupil Slicer and , whose works addressed contemporary themes amid the genre's renewed vitality. Mathcore's global reach grew beyond North America, with European acts like England's Rolo Tomassi merging ambient and mathcore elements in albums such as Hysterics (2008), contributing to the genre's international diversification. The broader music industry's decline in physical sales—dropping over 60% between 2001 and 2010 due to the rise of digital formats—posed challenges, yet streaming revenues surged in the 2010s and 2020s, enabling mathcore's resurgence through platforms and online forums. Key events, including European metalcore festivals like those curated in Germany's Core Calendar series during the 2020s, further supported the genre's live presence and community building.

List of Bands

North American Bands

North America, particularly the , has been the epicenter of the genre since its emergence in the late 1990s, fostering a dense concentration of bands especially in the Northeast region. This dominance stems from the genre's roots in American hardcore and metal scenes, with the Northeast—encompassing states like and —serving as a key hub for early innovation and community building. Dozens of mathcore acts have originated from the continent, blending intricate rhythms with aggressive energy and influencing global heavy music. Prominent among U.S. bands is , formed in 1997 in , known for pioneering chaotic structures and technical extremity; the group was active until disbanding in 2017 but reunited for performances in 2023, with their debut album (1999) standing as a cornerstone of 's sound. Converge, established in 1990 in , remains active and is celebrated for evolving through emotional intensity and metallic hardcore fusion; their breakthrough Jane Doe (2001) exemplifies the genre's and narrative depth. Botch, originating in 1993 in , disbanded in 2002 after shaping the West Coast scene but has since reunited for select shows; their final full-length (1999) is revered for its dissonant riffs and relentless pacing. Canada has contributed notably to North American mathcore, though with fewer acts compared to the U.S. , formed in 1999 in , , was active until around 2009 and pushed boundaries with atmospheric and technical elements; their early album Transfer Trachea Reverberations from Point: False Omniscient (2001) highlights a mathcore foundation before later experimental shifts. , hailing from , but often linked to broader North American extreme scenes, formed in 1993 and is primarily recognized in circles adjacent to ; their split releases and West Side Horizons (1999) compilation capture blistering, short-form aggression. Post-2016 developments have revitalized the scene, with bands like , formed in 2016 in , , actively blending with and influences; their album The Romance of Affliction... (2021) showcases vulnerable lyrics amid complex instrumentation. These examples illustrate North America's ongoing role in sustaining and diversifying .

European Bands

Europe's mathcore scene emerged in the late and early , distinct from its North American counterparts through integrations with local traditions, such as metal's atmospheric dissonance and crust punk's raw aggression. Bands across the continent adapted mathcore's polyrhythmic complexity and abrupt shifts to regional flavors, fostering cross-pollination in underground scenes from the UK's influences to Italy's grind elements. This resulted in hybrid sounds that emphasized emotional intensity and technical experimentation, often performed in DIY venues amid vibrant European hardcore circuits. Key examples include UK pioneers like , formed in 1999 in , , whose dual-vocalist approach and intricate guitar work on their 2006 debut album Death of a Dead Day helped define early European mathcore's theatrical edge. , established in 2005 in , incorporated early mathcore influences into their framework, evident in chaotic breakdowns on their self-titled 2007 album. , originating in in 2005, blended with and synth elements, as showcased in their 2008 debut Hysterics. More recent UK acts like Pupil Slicer, formed in around 2018, push boundaries with grunge-tinged aggression on their 2021 album Mirrors. In , Plebeian Grandstand, founded in in 2005, fused mathcore's dissonance with crust punk's ferocity, highlighted in their 2016 album False Highs, True Lows. Italy's scene features Psychofagist, assembled in in 2001, delivering technical deathgrind-mathcore hybrids on their 2006 EP Il Suono Delle Mie Ossa. Noise Trail Immersion, from since 2013, exemplifies blackened mathcore through swirling riffs and blast beats on their 2018 album Symbology of Shelter, merging the genre with Italy's black metal heritage. Poland's contributions include Antigama, formed in Warsaw in 2000, known for grindcore-infused on their 2005 album Stop the Chaos. Norway's Manhattan Skyline, started in in 2002, incorporated and into mathcore structures on their 2007 debut Manhattan Skyline. Benea Reach, also from and established in 2003, explored progressive mathcore with atmospheres on their 2007 Permanence. Germany rounds out notable acts with War from a Harlots Mouth, created in in 2005, whose erratic rhythms defined the country's mathcore sound on their 2007 Transmetropolitan. The Hirsch Effekt, hailing from Hannover since 2009, integrates and classical motifs into mathcore on their 2020 Kollaps.
BandCountryFormation YearKey Release
SikThUK1999Death of a Dead Day (2006)
GallowsUK2005Gallows (2007)
Rolo TomassiUK2005Hysterics (2008)
Pupil SlicerUK2018Mirrors (2021)
Plebeian GrandstandFrance2005False Highs, True Lows (2016)
PsychofagistItaly2001Il Suono Delle Mie Ossa (2006)
Noise Trail ImmersionItaly2013Symbology of Shelter (2018)
AntigamaPoland2000Stop the Chaos (2005)
Manhattan SkylineNorway2002Manhattan Skyline (2007)
Benea ReachNorway2003Permanence (2007)
War from a Harlots MouthGermany2005Transmetropolitan (2007)
The Hirsch EffektGermany2009Kollaps (2020)

Bands from Other Regions

Mathcore, a genre characterized by complex rhythms, dissonant structures, and aggressive hardcore elements, has seen limited but notable adoption outside and , particularly in and , where smaller scenes have emerged through underground networks and digital platforms since the . These regions often blend mathcore with local influences, such as progressive elements in Indian acts or chaotic hardcore in Southeast Asian bands, reflecting the genre's adaptability despite challenges like limited access to international labels. The scarcity of dedicated mathcore bands stems from dominant local or scenes, but online sharing and regional tours have fostered growth, with several acts gaining visibility by 2025. In , mathcore remains niche but has produced influential hybrids. Basil's Kite, formed in the early 2010s in the region, exemplifies the genre with their intricate, dissonant riffs and chaotic energy, as heard on their 2023 album Shooting Tsars released via Dark Trail Records. hosts some of the most dynamic mathcore scenes, particularly in and , where the genre intersects with and progressive traditions. In , Bilo'u, formed in 2005 in the area, delivers mathcore infused with breakdowns and traditional melodic flourishes, evident in releases like Muzjou (2009) and The Lack of Esse (2013), known for their technical precision and cultural hybridity. Vision of Fatima, established in Kyoto around 2010, blends emotive hardcore with mathcore influences, featuring odd-meter riffs and atmospheric builds on their 2022 single Phosphorescence and 2025 full-length Ai no Tekka. In , the scene is burgeoning with experimental acts; Oracle's Eye, from and formed in the early 2020s, innovates neoclassical symphonic mathcore, combining orchestral layers with dissonant guitars on their 2023 debut single "The Cognitive Octet," drawing from local progressive influences. Maneating Orchid, based in Bangalore since 2011, crafts dissonant mathcore/prog metal with intricate compositions, as showcased on their 2022 album Hive Mind, emphasizing technical virtuosity and thematic depth. Southeast Asian contributions highlight the genre's spread via regional hardcore circuits. Thailand's Satyr, active since the late 2010s in , channels mathcore through deathcore-tinged chaos and rapid shifts, releasing videos like "Halloween" in 2019 that capture their visceral live energy. In the Philippines, LIMBS from , formed in the mid-2010s, merges with elements, touring internationally by 2025 with tracks from their EPs that feature angular riffs and emotional intensity. Emerging Thai act Mutation Wrld further illustrates this growth, debuting in 2024 with a demo emphasizing chaotic, riff-heavy mathcore. South American mathcore scenes, such as in , remain sparse due to stronger and presences but show potential through influences from global pioneers like Discordance Axis, with underground acts like Abuso Sonoro experimenting in mathcore-grind hybrids by 2025. Overall, these peripheral scenes underscore 's global expansion, driven by digital dissemination rather than mainstream infrastructure, allowing 5–10 notable bands to emerge across and since 2010.

References

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