underrated metalcore albums
[Photos via Lotus Eater/Hopeless, Loathe, Knocked Loose/Tim Caymen, Jesus Piece/Amy Ha]

10 underrated metalcore albums that deserve another listen

These modern metalcore albums from the 2010s are all very different. They rework influences from progressive, alternative metal, hardcore punk, several branches of death metal and even shoegaze. Some were overshadowed by the success of other albums from these same artists and others were simply overlooked due to the sheer volume of music coming out.

They might not have become breakthrough records for these bands, most of whom you probably already know. However, it won’t take you long to realize why you should give these underrated metalcore albums another go.

Read more: This website generates your own ’90s festival lineup with real show footage

Loathe – The Cold Sun

In the past few years, Loathe have been taking metalcore almost everywhere it could possibly go. The Cold Sun marks an interesting intersection in the band’s creative evolution. The album seamlessly alternates between aggression and dreaminess, proggy twists and twirls and catchy melodies. It features elements that hint toward Loathe’s further expansion into their signature blend of metalcore, alternative metal, industrial metal, djent, post-hardcore and shoegaze. Interestingly, when you’re through the album, you can switch to either Loathe’s sophomore LP from 2020 or their debut EP from 2015 because the final track on The Cold Sun connects with the opening tracks on both of them.

Lotus Eater – Lotus Eater

You might have spotted Lotus Eater featured on Bring Me The Horizon’s eclectic Music to listen to from 2019. You might have also spun their sophomore EP from that same year. If not, their debut self-titled EP is a good start to Lotus Eater’s groovy and glitchy brand of metalcore. Charged with contrasting moods, killer breakdowns and maze-like drum patterns, the EP offers a fair dose of surprises that will make you come back to it over and over again.

Silent Planet – The Night God Slept

To fully appreciate Silent Planet’s evolution from an underground band whose potential was recognized at the 2017 APMAs to one of the most prominent names in modern metalcore, skipping their debut full-length isn’t an option. Though a bit more fragmented and not as polished as their breakthrough release Everything Was Sound, The Night God Slept offers a good preview to their dynamic, hypnotic fusion of metalcore, emotional post-hardcore, echoey post-metal-esque guitars, alarming breakdowns and screamo-like drama.

Read more: 18 hardcore and metalcore bands you probably forgot from the 2000s

Palm Reader – Braille

One more gem from U.K.’s flourishing scene, Palm Reader create emotional yet punchy metalcore beautifully revealed on latest full-length, Braille. Essentially, Palm Reader’s sound could be described as technical metallic post-hardcore. They take time to develop moody soundscapes that enrich tense intersections between the progressive and the aggressive.

Kadinja – Super 90’

Progressive metal meets djent on Kadinja’s Super 90’, a shape-shifting metalcore alien that employs melodic hooks, bright atmospherics and soaring breakdowns while also playing around with technical chord progressions—in almost absolute major-key dominance. Whether you’re into Animals As Leaders or Architects, you’ll find something to love on Kadinja’s sophomore full-length as they take you on 11 journeys, from dreamy and relaxing to intense and groovy.

Read more: 11 essential nü-metal metalcore bands to have on your playlist

Earthists. – LIFEBINDER

Earthists. hit that spot in the new generation of melodic metalcore that sounds timeless and futuristic at the same time. As an example, let’s tune into “FREEFALL,” the second track on their sophomore release. It opens with crossover-ish passage that melts into blackgaze-like blast beats and atmospherics followed by melodeath-infused metalcore. LIFEBINDER is full of such unexpected turns of events yet remains organic and free-flowing.

Jesus Piece/Malice At The Palace – Split

While it was their debut album, 2018’s Only Self, that catapulted Jesus Piece out of the underground, their earlier split EP with Malice At The Palace is worth checking out, too. Featuring two tracks from each band, it showcases two different yet perfectly matching sides of metalcore. Malice At The Palace’s hardcore punk-powered sound meets the death metal rooted in Jesus Piece’s tracks.

Read more: 10 albums that inspired deathcore before it was a movement

LANDMVRKS – Fantasy

Their sophomore album shows that LANDMVRKS surely know which wires to pull in your mind to make their tracks stick. Having mastered the art of catchy opening riffs, the French five-piece will keep your attention until the last second of Fantasy as they utilize the full power of intriguing buildups, energetic passages, emotional choruses, hypnotic atmospherics and smashing breakdowns. And the best part is that as poppy and accessible as they sound, they’re really not comparable to anybody else.

Vein – Self-Destruct

This is a concise introduction to the chaotic, proggy and aggressively over-the-top Vein who we grew to love since their massively successful full-length debut, Errorzone. If you’re enchanted by their dissonant horror universe and haven’t checked out Self-Destruct yet, that’s one significant mistake. Luckily, it will only take less than five minutes of your time to fix that.

Knocked Loose – Pop Culture

It’s debatable whether Pop Culture is actually underrated. Unless you’re a die-hard fan, you might never have stumbled upon this one. However, even if Knocked Loose’s puzzle-like and all-over-the-place style on their later releases sounds like too much to process, Pop Culture is the perfect record to get going with this awesome band. While it might not fully represent Knocked Loose as we know them now, this straightforward, clean and classically in-your-face release will prime your ears for further explorations of their discography.