The difference, by ear
The same two ingredients weighted the other way - metalcore with a sung chorus rather than pop punk with a breakdown.
Both are part sung, part screamed and move at much the same pace, around 150 to 190 bpm. To hear the difference, play New Found Glory next to Killswitch Engage. Easycore comes from the rock side of the tree and melodic metalcore from the metal side, and melodic metalcore came first, by eight years.
In figures
Easycore
Where it sits
Rock › Punk rock › Pop punk › Easycore
In short
Pop punk with hardcore breakdowns glued into the middle. Sweet chorus, hammer at the end.
How it sounds
- Pop punk verses and choruses interrupted by a hardcore breakdown.
- Modern production with guitars tuned lower than in classic pop punk.
- Sung vocals alternating with short shouts.
Key acts
- New Found Glory
- Four Year Strong
- A Day to Remember
Start here
The pickA Day to Remember - Homesick. The most effective sweet-to-brutal switching in the genre.
Full page →Melodic metalcore
Where it sits
Heavy metal › Metalcore › Melodic metalcore
In short
Gothenburg harmonies imported into American hardcore. The dominant formula of the 2000s.
How it sounds
- Melodic death metal guitar harmonies over hardcore structures.
- Clean sung choruses with melodic vocals and broad production.
- A final breakdown as the song's climax.
Key acts
- Killswitch Engage
- As I Lay Dying
- Trivium
Start here
The pickTrivium - Ascendancy. Metalcore that remembers to include solos.
Full page →