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Risecore
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| Risecore | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Sweetcore |
| Stylistic origins | |
| Cultural origins | Mid-2000s, United States |
| Typical instruments |
|
| Other topics | |
|
Audio samples: | |
| Audio sample | |
"Start Again" by Alive Like Me, from Only Forever (Rise). This demonstrates high-pitched clean vocals typical of Risecore aesthetics. | |
| Audio sample | |
"Chain of Memories" by I Am King. Illustrates the blend of pop-style clean vocals with aggressive screaming, a core feature of Risecore. | |
Risecore[1] is a subgenre of metalcore[2][3] and post-hardcore popular from late 2000s to mid 2010s. The style is often associated with the Warped Tour scene and was popularized largely by bands on Rise Records, though it includes acts from various labels.[4]
History
[edit]In the mid-2000s, many pop screamo bands began to push their music further into the prevailing metalcore sound, particularly Alesana, Drop Dead, Gorgeous, Blessthefall and From First to Last.[5] In turn, Drop Dead, Gorgeous, Alesana, Blessthefall, A Skylit Drive and Escape the Fate became early pioneers of Risecore.[6][7] By the end of the decade, this style had been popularised by Attack Attack!, the Devil Wears Prada, I See Stars, We Came As Romans and Of Mice & Men.[6][7]
Singer Courtney LaPlante of Spiritbox reflected on the genre's context within the broader metalcore timeline, noting how Risecore stood apart from other scenes like the Botch/Misery Signals or Killswitch Engage /As I Lay Dying schools of metalcore.[8]
By around 2015, Risecore had declined in popularity. Many of its prominent bands either broke up or changed musical direction in favor of newer trends such as progressive metalcore and nu metalcore or toward more accessible hard rock or alternative metal influenced style, often referred to as octanecore, after the SiriusXM station Octane that favored this sound.
Characteristics
[edit]The genre blends heavy screamed vocals and breakdowns with melodic, often featuring high-pitched clean-sung choruses[9] drawing from pop music and post-hardcore. Risecore balances aggression with melody and commercial appeal, often incorporating pop elements into clean vocals. While screaming is a common trait, some bands such as Hands Like Houses[10],Miss Fortune and Alive Like Me omit harsh vocals entirely, yet retain the genre's characteristic structures, instrumentation, and breakdown use.
Reception
[edit]Risecore has been the subject of criticism for its incorporation of pop-oriented vocal melodies and polished production. Detractors often label the genre "popcore", arguing it diverges from the raw aggression of 1990s metalcore and the complexity of earlier post-hardcore. Critics also note that some fans of traditional metalcore and post-hardcore reject the validity of Risecore as part of those lineages.[11][12]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Accepting Change: The Never-Ending Evolution of Bring Me The Horizon". Swim Into The Sound. January 14, 2020. Retrieved June 18, 2025.
When I was in high school, one of my most revelatory music phases came when I discovered the wonderful world of modern metal…"
- ^ Harris, Chris (July 8, 2021). "Bury Tomorrow Name the Metalcore Trends That Aged Poorly". Loudwire. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
"We're not trying to be the next big thing, we're trying to be the next big thing for us." – Daniel Winter-Bates
- ^ "Album Review: Phinehas – Till the End". New Noise Magazine. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
A ferocious mix of melodic metalcore and spiritual themes, *Till the End* cements Phinehas as one of the genre's most heartfelt and technically skilled acts.
- ^ "Nomad – Chasing Safety". AllMusic. 2017. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
Release date: January 6, 2017.
- ^ Enis, Eli. "10 ESSENTIAL METALCORE ALBUMS FROM 2009: THE YEAR EVERYTHING CHANGED". Revolver. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
- ^ a b "The History of Metalcore/Screamo". MetalSucks. June 7, 2010. Archived from the original on June 10, 2010. Retrieved January 18, 2018.
- ^ a b "Scientific Proof That Hardcore Punk Evolved Into Scenecore (record collectors beware… ur in for a scare)". Stuff You Will Hate. Retrieved February 2, 2026.
- ^ Enis, Eli (2024). ""Your whole family's going down": A blunt talk with Spiritbox singer Courtney LaPlante". Elienis. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
It's not that I don't want to answer questions, it's just that I'm not asked the questions.
- ^ Figge, Trevor (September 24, 2013). "A Skylit Drive – Rise". Highlight Magazine. Retrieved June 18, 2025.
A Skylit Drive is yet another Metalcore/Post‑Hardcore band with a falsetto singer… Rise defines A Skylit Drive as not just another band in the scene with technical guitar and drum parts that complement one another.
- ^ Morton, Luke (June 7, 2018). "The 10 Best Post-Hardcore Bands, as Chosen by Mosaic". Louder. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
"We're not trying to be the next big thing, we're trying to be the next big thing for us." – Daniel Winter-Bates
- ^ "WHAT do "true" Metalheads hate about metalcore??". Ultimate-Guitar.com forums. September 11, 2014. Retrieved June 18, 2025.
I've seen hate towards the image (ie: an "emo" look) and the fanbase,...
- ^ "Why Do Metalheads Think Metalcore Isn't Real Metal? — Reddit Users Answer". Loudwire. April 16, 2024. Retrieved June 18, 2025.
They view it as metal-lite that focuses too much on breakdowns instead of solos and riffs.