• In the 2020s, metalcore has transformed from its roots of heavy riffs and guttural screams into a genre where brutal breakdowns now coexist with pop influences, electronic sounds, and polished production, bridging its intense past with a more diverse, refined present
• On RadioVideo.Music, 815 songs released in 2020s, are tagged “metalcore.” Among them, 14 have over twenty millions views on YouTube, and 4 have over fifty millions.
• Overall, the 5 most popular tracks are SiM’s “The Rumbling,” Motionless In White‘s “Another Life,” Electric Callboy‘s “We Got the Moves,” Bring Me The Horizon‘s “Parasite Eve,” and Bring Me The Horizon‘s “Ludens.”
• We have listed the 20 “Metalcore” songs released in the 2020s, with the highest engagements over the last 60 days.
• You will find them below in descending order of engagements.

1 . Babymetal & Electriccallboy - Ratatata

Collaborating with Electric Callboy, Babymetal brings together their iconic metal fusion in "Ratatata," released in May 2024. The song features a blend of metalcore and J-pop influences. It was performed at Hellfest 2024, captured by ARTE Concert.

Genres : Metal, Rock,idol rock, j-metal, kawaii metal, comic metal, german metalcore, trancecore

The music video is directed by Schillobros.

>> Lyrics >> More by the same : Website

16.42% / 1.75%

2 . Sim - The Rumbling

SiM's "The Rumbling" serves as the opening theme for the second half of Attack on Titan's final season, blending metalcore with orchestral elements. Released in 2022, it hit No. 1 on the US Hot Hard Rock Songs chart.

Genres : Metal,japanese metalcore, japanese screamo

The music video is directed by Taiyo Yamamoto

>> Lyrics >> More by the same : Website

3.88% / 0.57%

3 . Motionless In White - Another Life

Motionless In White's "Another Life" (2019) mixes gothic rock and metalcore, reflecting on the emotional aftermath of a painful breakup. The introspective lyrics focus on regret and the memories of a lost relationship.

Genres : Metal,alternative metal, metalcore

The music video is directed by Max Moore

>> Lyrics >> More by the same : Website

4.30% / 0.54%

4 . Bad Omens - Like A Villain

Bad Omens’ "Like A Villain" explores toxic relationships through a mix of alternative metal and electronic elements. Written by Noah Sebastian and Joakim Karlsson, the track delves into themes of guilt and emotional conflict.

Genres : Metal,american metalcore

The music video is directed by Orie McGinness

>> Lyrics >> More by the same : Website

7.07% / 0.91%

5 . Electric Callboy - We Got The Moves

Electric Callboy’s "We Got the Moves" (2021) combines metalcore and electro-pop, celebrating youth and freedom in a high-energy summer anthem. The lyrics, entirely in English, reflect the carefree vibe of the track.

Genres : Metal,comic metal, german metalcore, trancecore

>> Lyrics >> More by the same : Website

3.87% / 0.54%

6 . Bring Me The Horizon - Kool-Aid

Bring Me The Horizon’s "Kool-Aid" critiques societal conformity and blind faith. Released as part of their electronic-leaning album, the track references the Jonestown tragedy, symbolizing indoctrination with lines like "Drank the Kool-Aid."

Genres : Metal, Rock,melodic metalcore, metalcore, modern rock, rock, uk metalcore

The music video is directed by Masaki Watanabe

Featured on the album Post Human: NeXGEn

>> Lyrics >> More by the same : Website

14.64% / 1.82%

7 . Bring Me The Horizon - Parasite Eve

Bring Me The Horizon's "Parasite Eve" (2020) responds to the global pandemic, blending metalcore, electronic, and traditional Bulgarian choir elements. The song critiques societal responses to crisis and fear of invisible threats.

Genres : Metal, Rock,melodic metalcore, metalcore, modern rock, rock, uk metalcore

The music video is directed by Oliver Sykes

>> Lyrics >> More by the same : Website

1.90% / 0.25%

8 . Bad Omens - Nowhere To Go

Bad Omens' "Nowhere To Go" (2022) mixes metalcore and electronic influences, exploring themes of betrayal and the struggle to break free from the past. The track captures the band’s evolving sound and modern anxieties.

Genres : Metal,american metalcore

The music video is directed by Orie McGinnes

>> Lyrics >> More by the same : Website

6.31% / 0.79%

9 . Bad Omens & Poppy - V.A.N

Bad Omens' "V.A.N." (2022) addresses humanity’s relationship with AI and violence against nature. The 2024 live version with Poppy adds her distinct vocals, creating a stark contrast with Noah Sebastian's.

Genres : Pop, Metal,american metalcore, alt z

The music video is directed by Garrett Nicholson & Poppy

>> Lyrics >> More by the same : Website

11.55% / 1.33%

10 . Electric Callboy - Pump It - Velvet Remix

This remix of Electric Callboy’s "Pump It" adds heavier electronic elements, transforming the original 2021 hit into a more club-oriented track while maintaining its energetic fitness-themed message.

Genres : Metal,comic metal, german metalcore, trancecore

>> Lyrics >> More by the same : Website

2.91% / 0.41%

11 . Bad Omens - Limits

Bad Omens' "Limits" (2020) blends modern rock and metalcore, focusing on themes of betrayal, manipulation, and defiance. Noah Sebastian’s vocal delivery alternates between melody and aggression.

Genres : Metal,american metalcore

The music video is directed by Orie McGinness

>> Lyrics >> More by the same : Website

5.21% / 0.66%

12 . Slaughter To Prevail - K.O.D.

Slaughter To Prevail's "K.O.D." (2021) merges deathcore with nu-metal, featuring Alex Terrible’s signature growls. The lyrics touch on rebellion, violence, and domination, sung primarily in English with some Russian phrases.

Genres : Country,russian metal, russian metalcore, slamming deathcore

>> Lyrics >> More by the same : Website

19.20% / 1.48%

13 . Motionless In White - Werewolf

Motionless In White’s "Werewolf" (2022) draws on the metaphor of a werewolf to explore inner demons and loss of control. The song blends 80s influences with metalcore, creating a dark and danceable atmosphere.

Genres : Metal,alternative metal, metalcore

The music video is directed by Jensen Noen

>> Lyrics >> More by the same : Website

5.36% / 0.64%

14 . Bad Omens - Artificial Suicide

Bad Omens’ "ARTIFICIAL SUICIDE" (2021) critiques modern society's dependence on technology. Mixing industrial sounds with metalcore, the song alternates between clear vocals and harsh growls, addressing digital alienation.

Genres : Metal,american metalcore

The music video is directed by Orie McGinness

>> Lyrics >> More by the same : Website

5.69% / 0.68%

15 . Spiritbox - Circle With Me (w/ Tatiana Shmayluk)

“Circle With Me” intertwines sharp metalcore and progressive metal elements, delivering an emotional rollercoaster anchored in themes of anxiety, confidence, and self-doubt.

Released in 2021 and performed live in 2024 with Tatiana Shmayluk, the song captivates with its dynamic switches between ethereal melodies and crushing breakdowns.

The contrasting vocal interplay between Courtney LaPlante and Tatiana Shmayluk during the Louisville performance adds an electrifying twist, marking a live rendition that amplifies the original's intensity.

Written as a last-minute addition, the track's crisp production and the seamless layering of electronic textures underscore Spiritbox's ability to modernize metallic traditions without losing emotional resonance.

The official video, directed by Orie McGinness, is visually striking, while the 2024 Louder Than Life performance video, edited by guitarist Mike Stringer, emphasizes the raw energy of the song in a live setting.

“Circle With Me” thrives in its contrasts—soft, atmospheric verses clash thrillingly with heavier, gut-punch moments, mirroring the internal struggles the lyrics lay bare.

Chart placement for this track remains unmentioned, but Spiritbox's association with Rise Records and success with *Eternal Blue* singles situate the band firmly within modern metal's rising pantheon.

Genres : Metal,canadian metalcore

>> Lyrics >> More by the same : Website

64.20% / 0.83%

16 . Motionless In White - Masterpiece

Motionless In White's "Masterpiece" (2022) uses the metaphor of painting to explore themes of regret and self-forgiveness. The mix of metalcore and melodic rock underscores Chris Motionless’ emotional vocal delivery.

Genres : Metal,alternative metal, metalcore

>> Lyrics >> More by the same : Website

3.02% / 0.45%

17 . Bring Me The Horizon - Strangers

Bring Me The Horizon's "sTraNgeRs" (2022) delves into mental health struggles, feelings of alienation, and shared trauma. The track blends rock and metalcore with atmospheric electronic elements.

Genres : ,melodic metalcore, metalcore, modern rock, rock, uk metalcore

>> Lyrics >> More by the same : Website

4.86% / 0.71%

18 . Bad Omens - Concrete Jungle

Bad Omens' "CONCRETE JUNGLE" (2022) explores survival in a hostile urban environment, using metalcore and electronic textures to mirror the intensity and pressure of societal expectations and identity struggles.

Genres : Metal,american metalcore

The music video is directed by Orie McGinness

>> Lyrics >> More by the same : Website

7.39% / 0.87%

19 . Architects - Seeing Red

Featuring Sam Carter's infamous “blegh!”—an iconic vocal flourish in metalcore—"Seeing Red" channels frustration and societal critique. Architects juxtapose intense instrumentation with raw lyricism, creating a sonic punch emblematic of the band's dynamic style.

Genres : Rock, Metal,mathcore, melodic metalcore, metalcore, progressive metalcore, uk metalcore

The music video is directed by Dan Searle

Featured on the album The Classic Symptoms of a Broken Spirit

>> Lyrics >> More by the same : Website

12.41% / 1.27%

20 . Lamb Of God - Memento Mori

"Truth" by Godsmack is a raw, emotional ballad that takes a more introspective turn compared to the band’s typical heavy sound. Released in 2023 and produced by Andrew "Mudrock" Murdock, the song delves into themes of betrayal and personal pain, with Sully Erna’s lyrics reflecting on the end of a long-term relationship. The track’s softer musical arrangement highlights its emotional depth, allowing Erna’s vulnerability to shine through, as the lyrics grapple with heartbreak and the difficult search for inner truth.

Genres : Metal,alternative metal, groove metal, melodic metalcore, metal, nu metal, virginia metal

The music video is directed by Tom Flynn, Mike Watts

>> Lyrics >> More by the same : Website

1.82% / 0.33%

ABOUT Metalcore

What is Metalcore?

Metalcore is a musical genre that fuses elements of heavy metal and hardcore punk. It is characterized by heavy guitar riffs, powerful breakdowns, and a vocal interplay between guttural screams and clean singing. Lyrically, metalcore often tackles introspective, social, and emotional themes with both musical and lyrical intensity.

More recently, metalcore has drawn influences from pop, rap, and other genres, incorporating electronic sounds such as EDM and synthwave, alongside an increased presence of vocal melodies that contrast with traditional growls and screams.

The use of VST plugins and advanced software enables the creation of complex arrangements and highly refined sounds, while integrating electronic and orchestral elements. As a result, production has become more polished compared to previous decades, with a focus on the contrast between the heaviness of breakdowns and the clarity of melodic passages.

Metalcore : 10 Record Labels

• Founded in 1991, Rise Records is a U.S.-based label from Portland, Oregon. One of the largest in the metalcore and post-hardcore scene, it has signed influential bands like Of Mice & Men, The Devil Wears Prada, and Memphis May Fire.
• Epitaph Records, founded by Brett Gurewitz of Bad Religion in 1980, is one of the most respected labels in punk and metalcore music. With bands like Bring Me The Horizon and Architects, Epitaph played a key role in popularizing metalcore.
• Based in Los Angeles, Fearless Records is known for pop-punk and metalcore releases, producing notable bands like I Prevail, Pierce The Veil, and Ice Nine Kills. Fearless is also recognized for its “Punk Goes…” compilation series.
• Founded in 2006, Sumerian Records is a Los Angeles-based label specializing in progressive metalcore and djent. With bands like Asking Alexandria and Born of Osiris, Sumerian has helped define a modern and technical sound in metalcore.
• Nuclear Blast, based in Germany, is one of the world’s largest metal labels. Though primarily associated with genres like death metal and thrash, the label has also signed influential metalcore bands like As I Lay Dying and Bleed From Within.
• Roadrunner Records, founded in the Netherlands in 1980, is a major player in the metal world. The label signed some of the biggest names in metalcore, including Killswitch Engage and Trivium, helping to popularize the genre in the early 2000s.
• UNFD is an independent label based in Australia that focuses on metalcore and post-hardcore bands. With artists like Northlane, In Hearts Wake, and Architects, it has built a global reputation for high-quality productions.
• cords, founded in 2016, quickly gained prominence in the metalcore scene. The label represents bands like We Came As Romans and Miss May I, distinguishing itself with a modern and dynamic approach to the genre.
• Solid State Records is a subsidiary of Tooth & Nail Records, specializing in Christian metal and metalcore. With bands like August Burns Red and Demon Hunter, the label is a cornerstone of the Christian metalcore scene.
• Century Media Records, founded in 1988 in Germany, is a metal label that spans a wide array of subgenres, including metalcore. The label has worked with bands like Architects and Heaven Shall Burn, helping promote the genre worldwide.

Metalcore : Instruments and Stage Outfits

• Jackson Guitars is an American brand known for its electric guitars, highly favored in metal and metalcore for their aggressive design and technical performance.
• ESP Guitars, based in Japan, is renowned for its high-quality electric guitars, used by many metalcore musicians.
• Schecter Guitars is an American manufacturer of guitars and basses, particularly popular in the metalcore community. Their instruments are known for durability, active pickups, and distinctive aesthetics.
• Line 6 produces amplifiers and digital effects processors. Products like their Helix amplifiers and effects pedals are widely used in metalcore for their ability to create heavy and varied sounds.
• Pearl Drums is a drum and percussion manufacturer, recognized for its quality, power, precision, and durability.
• Hot Topic is an American retail chain specializing in alternative clothing and pop culture. They offer a wide range of metalcore-related clothing and accessories, including band t-shirts, hoodies, and accessories.
• Founded by Oli Sykes of Bring Me The Horizon, Drop Dead Clothing is an alternative clothing brand that offers limited collections

Further Reading : 10 magazines and one book

• Metal Injection is a news site that covers the entire global metal scene, featuring album reviews, interviews, videos, and reports on the latest events.
• Kerrang! is a British magazine that explores all aspects of rock and metal. Since its launch in 1981, it has been a major source of information, interviews, and reviews for heavy music fans, available both in print and online.
• Revolver Magazine is a U.S. magazine specializing in rock and metal music. Known for its bold covers and interviews with influential artists, it also offers album reviews, playlists, and cultural features.
• The PRP delivers news and rumors surrounding the metal and hardcore scene, renowned for its thorough coverage of tours, album releases, and relevant news for fans.
• Loudwire is an American site covering the full spectrum of rock and metal, featuring news, videos, interviews, and rankings.
• AltPress (Alternative Press) is a U.S.-based magazine covering alternative music, including punk, metalcore, and post-hardcore.
• Blabbermouth is a metal news site that provides everything from rumors to official announcements. It’s a must-visit for up-to-the-minute metal news, offering quick articles and constant updates on bands and activities.
• Decibel Magazine is an American magazine focusing on extreme metal genres. It’s recognized for its in-depth journalistic approach, featuring well-researched articles, interviews with influential artists, and detailed reviews.
• MetalSucks is a provocative and humorous website that covers the metal scene with an irreverent tone, focusing on news, reviews, commentary, and sharp analysis.
• Rock Sound is a British magazine covering a wide range of rock genres, from pop-punk to metalcore. It’s known for exclusive interviews, high-quality photoshoots, and support for emerging artists in the rock and metal scene.
• “A Guide to Metalcore Music Including the Pioneers of the Genre, Crossover Trash, Metallic Hardcore, Melodic Metalcore, and Subgenres” by Dakota Stevens provides a detailed look at the genre’s development over time.

ADJACENT GENRES

• djent
• deathcore
• alternative metal
• post-hardcore
• groove metal
• christian metal
• melodic death metal