Progressive metalcore (also called technical metalcore or ambient metalcore) is a fusion of

progressive metal Progressive metal (sometimes shortened to prog metal) is a broad fusion music genre melding heavy metal and progressive rock, combining the loud "aggression" and amplified guitar-driven sound of the former with the more experimental, cerebral ...

and metalcore characterized by highly technical

lead guitar Lead guitar (also known as solo guitar) is a musical part for a guitar in which the guitarist plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs and chords within a song structure. The lead is the featu ...

, " atmospheric" elements, and complex instrumentation. Some notable practitioners take influence from

djent Djent () is a subgenre of progressive metal characterised by its use of off-beat and complex rhythm patterns. Its distinctive sound is that of high-gain, distorted, palm-muted, down-tuned strings. The name "djent" is an onomatopoeia of this s ...

History

Progressive metalcore evolved from progressive metal and metalcore in the 90s.

After the Burial After the Burial is an American progressive metal band from Minneapolis, Minnesota. They are currently signed to Sumerian Records and have released five of their six full-length albums through the label. Since their inception in 2004, the band h ...

is a pioneer of the genre, forming in 2004 and promoting "a sound that pushed the boundaries of heaviness through the use of extended-scale guitar work." According to the digital ticketing corporation AXS, "After The Burial play progressive metalcore and have been a key contributor to the sound of djent."

Erra Erra can refer to: * Erra (god), a Babylonian god * Erra, Estonia, a settlement in Sonda Parish, Ida-Viru County, Estonia * Erra, the purported home planet of the pleiadean aliens described by ufologist Billy Meier * Pizzo Erra, a mountain in Switz ...

has been referred to as "the spearhead of the whole modern/progressive metalcore movement" and noted for their "balance between involved riffs, beautiful clean moments and tasty solos." They were formed in 2009 and express their unique version of "progressive technical metalcore" by utilizing "precise stop-and-start arrangements." Born Of Osiris

According to ''Metal Insider'' in 2010, "progressive metalcore bands are now appearing all over the place." I, the Breather "weren’t exactly the first" to perform "technical metalcore," but are noted for their "well constructed" instrumentation; they have influenced the style alongside

For Today For Today was an American Christian metalcore band from Sioux City, Iowa, formed in 2005. They released two EPs, ''Your Moment, Your Life, Your Time'' and ''Prevailer'', and six full-length albums: '' Ekklesia'' in, 2008, ''Portraits'' in 2009, ...

and Born of Osiris, who have been referred to as "the bastions of modern technical metalcore" for their 2013 release '' Tomorrow We Die Alive''. Carcer City is a progressive metalcore band that showcases "technical riffs amid more prominent atmospheric sections." They have been described as "ambient metalcore." According to Corey Deiterman of the ''Houston Press'',

Northlane Northlane are an Australian heavy metal band from Sydney, formed in 2009. The band comprises guitarists Jon Deiley and Josh Smith, drummer Nic Pettersen and vocalist Marcus Bridge. Northlane have released six studio albums: '' Discoveries'' ( ...

is a primary contributor of the style, and is "making waves with their particular brand of progressive metalcore, which features ... interesting use of space and ambiance."

Invent Animate Invent Animate (previously stylized as Invent, Animate) is an American progressive metalcore band from Port Neches, Texas. The band formed in late 2011 and self-released their debut EP titled ''Waves'' on March 13, 2012. After a number of regiona ...

is a progressive metalcore band that formed in Texas in 2011. They have been compared with Northlane and Erra. They focus on "syncopating their music to help build ... ambient soundscapes." The band formed in 2015; rooted in "ambient metalcore," their debut album was "defined by its progressive riffing and percussive assault."

Volumes Volume is a measure of occupied three-dimensional space. It is often quantified numerically using SI derived units (such as the cubic metre and litre) or by various imperial or US customary units (such as the gallon, quart, cubic inch). The defi ...

is a djent-influenced progressive metalcore band that has received critical acclaim for their "career-defining" song "Edge Of The Earth," and their 2017 release, ''

Different Animals ''Different Animals'' is the third studio album by American progressive metalcore band Volumes, released on June 9, 2017 through Fearless Records. It is the first album to feature former Bury Your Dead vocalist Myke Terry as co-vocalist, and the ...

''.

Characteristics

Progressive metalcore can be distinguished by a marked emphasis on technical guitar-driven songs, sometimes featuring guitar solos. Often "intricate guitar playing dominate(s) the rest of the instruments." Like

in general, unconventional song structures and varying tempos may be used. Singing may be included, but death growls are more prevalent. The genre is also reliant on the incorporation of "atmospheric sections," ambient instrumentation and repetitive melodies. Progressive metalcore songs often feature intense breakdowns with heavily distorted palm-muted riffs. Some bands utilize keyboard or piano sections as a backdrop.

Related musical styles

* Mathcore is a fusion of heavy metal and

hardcore punk Hardcore punk (also known as simply hardcore) is a punk rock music genre and subculture that originated in the late 1970s. It is generally faster, harder, and more aggressive than other forms of punk rock. Its roots can be traced to earlier p ...

that is characterized by dissonant, fast-paced, loosely structured songs, and progressive elements. *

Technical death metal Technical death metal (also referred to as tech-death) is a musical subgenre of death metal that began and developed in the early- to mid-1990s, with particular focus on challenging, demanding instrumental skill and complex songwriting. Techni ...

is a progressive heavy metal subgenre that focuses on complex rhythms,

riff A riff is a repeated chord progression or refrain in music (also known as an ostinato figure in classical music); it is a pattern, or melody, often played by the rhythm section instruments or solo instrument, that forms the basis or acc ...

s, and song structures.

References

{{punk Metalcore genres Fusion music genres Heavy metal genres Hardcore punk genres Progressive metal Djent American rock music genres

History

Characteristics

Related musical styles

See also

References