Bree-free zone
If you're like me and you like deathcore but don't like bree, here's a list you might wanna see. In no particular order it shall be, to propose more do feel free. |
| 1 |  | Antagony
Rebirth
This band is never named among the deathcore OGs, but it wouldn't be surprising if they were THE first band that did music adhering to the modern definition of this genre. The album is full of hardcore/crust melancholic melodies and chugged breakdowns and also happens to be really good. Not a single bree here either |
| 2 |  | The Contortionist
Exoplanet
A thinking man's deathcore album, probably needs no introduction on Sputnik since it's pretty well-loved here. It was like 10-15 years ahead of the rest of the genre's contemporaries. And then they also went on to be the first band to decide deathcore is for idiots and abandoned the genre after producing one of the very best releases in its history. Of course guys like this wouldn't be interested in imitating slaughtered pigs lol |
| 3 |  | Despised Icon
Day Of Mourning
The single no-bree album of a band with a rather high bree proclivity, which has been brought back in recent years. Nice gateway into the band, especially if you like Suffocation-styled riffing (when there are no breakdowns, I mean) |
| 4 |  | Glass Casket
Desperate Man's Diary
Check out their first album too. A really nice foray into early deathcore with lots of hc punk admixtures, but also some of the first attempts at mixing in symphony (to very good effect, I might add). No bree to worry about here either |
| 5 |  | Ovid's Withering
Scryers of the Ibis
Another album that was long, long years ahead of its contemporaries. Incorporating symphony, weird time signatures, djenty stuff and an overall theatrical or cinematic feel to the music, this is defintiely something to check out. |
| 6 |  | Fit for an Autopsy
The Sea of Tragic Beasts
Some people complain that modern deathcore is no longer what it used to be, beause the artists started caring too much about "making good music" or "treating themselves seriously". Well if you're more of a sophisticated gentleman who enjoys actual musicality and ways in which music can affect your emotions (and also don't want bree to stink up your farts), this is a band for you. |
| 7 |  | Animosity
Animal
The scene kids hated this band because it was not catchy, goofy and "fun" enough (fun in the "party" sense), so it was overlooked in favor of mediocre clown bands such as Suicide Silence, but sure as shit is it chaotic, technical and angry. |
| 8 |  | The Red Chord
Fused Together in Revolving Doors
These guys show heavy music can be fun without being silly, and by silly I mean wearing emo haircuts, squealing like a pig and adding lounge music interludes to your incoherent screams about Frankenstein's monster or Freddy. This album has strong deathgrind underpinnings, but it makes the chaos exhilarating. It's also really, really well-written |
| 9 |  | Shadow Of Intent
Melancholy
A nice modern melodeath/symphonic deathcore band that has unfortunately fallen a bit into the recent trend of squeezing in as many styles of harsh vocals into the music as possible, which includes some goregrind styles. Fortunately on this album they seem to have gone a bit easier on that, and there is no bree. In return, there are some pretty nicely written melodeath/deathcore songs |
| 10 |  | Veil of Maya
The Common Man's Collapse
Quintessential "sumeriancore", incorporating an uplifting, borderline sci-fi sense of melody and technical math and djent elements (and levels of compression in the mix hitherto unprecedented) into a sound based in chug chugcore, the effect is pretty interesting and fun |
| 11 |  | She Must Burn
Umbra Mortis
Ok, this is one is cheating, because there's a single pig squeal in the opening of the 2nd track. But it's layered with a high-pitched scream, so they together sound more like a banshee wail, and it's pretty cool. Symphonic/gothic deathcore with extensive lady vocals that's a much, much easier and funner listen than Lorna Shore. |
| 12 |  | Ascariasis
Ocean of Colour
You could call this "neoclassical deathcore", with tons of such melodies and arpeggios strewn about, in combination with mathy and groovy slams for verses. The vocals are restricted mostly to very low growls, which makes it easy to listen and palatable. High levels of artistry and sophistication and very rewarding songwriting with nice buildups and climaxes and all. Comparable vibes to "Exoplanet". A highly recommended EP if you can find it somewhere (not present on Spotify sadly) |
| 13 |  | Oceano
Depths
This list's guilty pleasure probably, this is one of those more mediocre but more well-known bands. They've got some fun and headbangable moments on this release though, and the drumming sounds especially satisfying. And yeah, no bree to be found anywhere so if you're more of a basic b, try this alongside Suicide Silence |
| 14 |  | Aversions Crown
Tyrant
They're another of those bands that decided to jump on the "how many vocal styles can we squeeze in" bandwagon, but fortunately that happened AFTER this album. Thall-ish, apocalyptic, unsettling music about alien invasions, good stuff |
| 15 |  | A Night in Texas
The God Delusion
Very aggressive stuff with dark, nihilistic vibes. A bit intense for some tastes since it pretty much never lets up, but there are some pretty nice moments on this album (no bree moments though) |
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