Here are the top 50 Australian Metalcore songs of all time, in no particular order.
Disclaimer: While some of these songs may not exactly be ‘Metalcore’, they are still undeniably influential to the Australian Metal scene as we know it today. Sure the track may be Heavy Rock or something even darker, but in the end, it’s the music we’ve come to celebrate, not the arduous task of genre specifics. So without further ado, here is the list:
1. The Mark Of Cain – ‘Interloper’
The Mark of Cain is a hard rock, alternative metal band from Adelaide, South Australia. As a three-piece-band, they offered up some of the most raw and powerful metal tracks in the history of the genre, with a ferocity that has yet to be matched by modern contemporaries. ‘Interloper’ is probably the finest example of the grit that The Mark of Cain had on offer.
2. Karnivool – ‘Themata’
“Like a knot it binds, suffocating minds’ sang Karnivool on their addictive 2005 entry to the metal genre, ‘Themata’. Karnivool formed in Perth in 1997, and have only three albums under their belt, with the last coming out in 2013. Despite this, the band remain to be one of the most underrated metal outfits that have blessed us with their tunes in the recent years.
3. Carpathian – ‘Who The Fuck Taught You Snaps?’
From the album Nothing to Lose comes the incredible ‘Who the Fuck Taught You Snaps?’, an absolutely earth-shattering and rift-opening offering from Melbourne band Carpathian. Forming in 2003 and disbanding in 2011, Carpathian remain to be a key brick in the wall that is Australian metalcore. Aussie hardcore at its finest.
4. Nothing Sacred – ‘Deathwish’
Let’s travel back to 1985, when Nothing Sacred dropped their addictive and venomous metal track ‘Deathwish’. Times were far simpler, and the groovy riffs were still very much alive in the genre of metal. Formed in the early 1980s, Nothing Sacred was a thrash metal band that put Melbourne metal onto the map. Nothing but respect for our forefathers.
5. Nitocris – ‘Anger’
Nitocris was a Sydney punk and heavy metal band formed in 1992. They were one of our first all-female punk rockers of the “grot grrrls” movement. They released their debut album, Screaming Dolorous on Phantom Records in 1994, and that album was home to the phenomenal ‘Anger’, which undoubtedly made history in not just the scene, but in metal music altogether.
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6. The Amity Affliction – ‘Youngbloods’
There were many The Amity Affliction songs that could have taken this spot, as so many of them have paved the way for modern metal in Australia indefinitely. However, ‘Youngbloods’ remains to be an incredible offering from the Queensland band who have seen an amazing amount of success across the world. Youngbloods run free forever!
7. The Butterfly Effect – ‘One Second Of Insanity’
The Butterfly Effect is an alternative metal band from Brisbane, Australia, formed in 1999, and ‘One Second of Insanity’, despite its name, is 143 seconds of pure metal perfection. Last year, the band released their first single since 2008, so it looks like this iconic metal band are coming back with a vengeance.
8. Parkway Drive – ‘Carrion’
Dead flesh. A carcass. Decomposing matter. But also a double entendre for the term ‘Carry On’. This song is basically a staple in the halls of Australian metal, no, scratch that, in the halls of metal as a whole. Formed in 2003, this NSW band have cemented themselves amongst the greats with their now-classic brand of screamo perfection.
9. I Killed The Prom Queen – ‘Say Goodbye’
Adelaide metalcore band I Killed The Prom Queen formed in 2001, and cemented their place in Aussie metalcore rather quickly with their ferocious riffs and menacing vocals. Honestly, the voice of Michael Crafter could open up the gates to hell, it is absolutely insane.
10. Northlane – ‘Quantum Flux’
Mixing gentle moments with gutteral screams to form a beautiful balance in one single solitary song is no easy feat, but Northlane achieved it with ‘Quantum Flux’. Nothing could describe the feeling of being trapped in Limbo more than this track right here, and it deserves its place on every list. Sydney represent.
11. AC/DC – ‘Let There Be Rock’
It’s Acca Dacca guys, do they really need any introduction? Formed in Sydney in 1973 by Scottish-born brothers Malcolm and Angus Young, AC/DC went on to become the defining peak of Australian metal and rock, taking the world by storm in a way that no other band from Downunder had doneso before them. Since their beginnings they have lost a few members of the original band, but their undying legacy will live on forever.
12. High Tension – ‘Bite the Leash (Burn)’
High Tension is an Australian extreme metalcore band from Melbourne, Victoria. Formed in 2012, the band is fronted by the incredible voice of Karina Utomo. Her incredibly raw and tactile approach to the metal genre is what makes the band so insanely addictive, and their greatest offering so far has to be ‘Bite the Leash (Burn)’, an otherworldy gnashing of teeth at a world set on fire.
13. Thy Art Is Murder – ‘Laceration Penetration’
Nothing is more addictive than the beginning of ‘Laceration Penetration’ as it rolls along into one of the most aggressive metal songs out on the scene. Thy Art Is Murder is an Australian deathcore band from Blacktown, NSW that formed in 2006, and with only five albums under their belt, they have managed to win over fans from every corner of the planet with their ghastly sound that burns along with irrefutable grit.
14. Deez Nuts – ‘Face This On My Own’
This song only came out five years ago now, but it’s already a classic in the halls of Australian metal. Fusing rap tendencies with perfectly violent riffs, Deez Nuts have cemented themselves as ones to watch in the modern metalcore world. Formed in Melbourne in 2007, this band has always been one to watch, and without a doubt, has one of the best band names on the scene.
15. Psycroptic – ‘Lacertine Forest’
Death metal truly evolved into the beast it is today with the help from Hobart band Psycroptic. Their album The Scepter of the Ancients was filled to the brim with haunted, harrowing odes to the power of metal, filled with technical approaches to guitar play and drum work. Formed in 1999, it is safe to say that Psycroptic are legends of the scene.
16. The Red Shore – ‘Vehemence the Phoenix’
The Red Shore is an Australian deathcore/metalcore band from Geelong, Victoria, formed in 2004. Just two seconds into ‘Vehemence the Phoenix’ and you will understand the true meaning of death metal. The song is utterly insane.
17. In Hearts Wake – ‘Divine’
Hailing from Byron Bay, In Hearts Wake formed in 2006 and much like their brothers in arms Northlane, Parkway Drive and The Amity Affliction, became absolutely massive around the world, defining the sound of 2000’s metal with their insanely dedicated approach to riffs and lyricism.
18. Blood Duster – ‘Porn Store Stiffi’
Plucked right from the album Cunt, ‘Porn Store Stiffi’ was but one offering from the ever-controversial Blood Duster that put their name in the halls of Australian metal forever. Don’t get it twisted, however, the band always meant business, and laid down some of the best Aussie metal tracks of the last few decades.
19. Mortal Sin – ‘Mayhemic Destruction’
Mayhemic Destruction was the 1986 full-length release from the Aussie thrash metal band, Mortal Sin. Its lead single of the same name was one of the highlights of the 80’s metal scene, as it introduced this band into the fold, who became a beloved staple amongst metalheads. Old school thrash really just does something to the soul.
20. Hobbs’ Angel Of Death – ‘Crucifixion’
Hobbs’ Angel of Death was an Australian thrash metal band that began in 1987 in Melbourne, and are one of the first Australian groups to perform in the genre of Metal. They are undeniably iconic in the Aussie music scene, and ‘Crucifixion’ is but one of their offerings that we are still obsessed with.
21. Void of Vision – ‘Ghost in the Machine’
Melbourne’s godless guardians of the gates of hell, Void of Vision, are the metal four-piece that don’t play around. Comprised of frontman Jack Bergin, guitarists James McKendrick and Mitch Fairlie and drummer George Murphy, the band returned last year to drop their heaviest offering yet, Hyperdaze. Usher in the new decade of Metal bands boys, godspeed.
22. Pagan – ‘Death Before Disco’
Many would have tipped metal outliers, Pagan, to be one of the acts to really take the 20’s by the throat. However, all good things must come to an end, as the band took to social media this year to call it quits. Regardless of the fact that they are no more, their time spent with us will always be treasured, as the Melbourne band gave us track after track that cannot be forgotten.
23. Bel’Akor – ‘Of Breath and Bone’
Bel’akor is an Australian melodic death metal band from Melbourne, Victoria. The band’s name originates from the character Bel’akor the Dark Master, in the Warhammer Fantasy game setting. Formed in 2004, they’ve carved a legendary name for themselves in the Aussie metal scene.
24. Caligula’s Horse – ‘Firelight’
Caligula’s Horse is an Australian progressive metal band from Brisbane, Queensland, and honestly inject every single one of their songs into our veins. ‘Firelight’ is the prime example of how different Caligula’s Horse is from the rest of this list. The track is a fiery and beautifully delicate song crafted with metal sensibilities. We’re in love.
25. Dyssidia – ‘Dead Smoke’
Just listen to the start of ‘Dead Smoke’ and you’ll know why this band deserve a place on this list. God, my skin is still crawling from that searing intro.
26. King Gizzard and the Wizard Lizard – ‘Self-Immolate’
Thrash metal gets the King Gizz treatment with this insanely ferocious track. Also, the video is one of the most disturbing things we’ve ever had to bear witness to for an extended period of time.
27. DZ Deathrays – ‘Ocean Exploder’
Although they may have strayed from the darkness and into the light in recent years, DZ Deathrays definitely had an iconic metalcore moment in the history of their discography, with the insanely menacing ‘Ocean Exploder’. Released in 2014, this song will never cease to be a favourite of ours in the world of Aussie metal.
28. Caged Existence – ‘Human Disease’
Caged Existence are at the forefront of the blistering movement going on right now with Australian hardcore. Combining the face-melting ferocity of modern hardcore luminaries like Jesus Piece and Code Orange, they’ve cemented their place as leaders of the scene. Their EP The Body Prison saw wide acclaim amongst the community, with insane riffs and demon-summoning energy.
29. Never See Tomorrow – ‘The Reality of a Dream’
Due to personal reasons, the lead singer of Never See Tomorrow left the band, and without a lead singer, this 2006 metalcore group from Wollongong fell apart. Regardless, we miss them and the unique energy they brought to the metalcore scene when they were active. This video is also still the most low-budget yet endearing affair we have ever witnessed.
30. YLVA – ‘Hunting Room’
Hunting Room from YLVA’s debut record M E T A wasn’t just a swinging sledgehammer of desperation but more the blueprint of self-reflection and the record as a whole. Hailing from Melbourne, Australia’s capital of underground music – YLVA create patient, dark and mysterious pieces of heavy metalcore music.
31. Polaris – ‘Lucid’
Polaris is an Australian metalcore band hailing from South Sydney The band consists of vocalist Jamie Hails, guitarists Ryan Siew and Rick Schneider, bassist Jake Steinhauser and drummer Daniel Furnari. Their track ‘Lucid’ really gets the blood boiling, with vocals that will absolutely rip the roof off your house. God damn.
32. Ocean Grove – ‘Intimate Alien’
Ocean Grove is an Australian nu metal band formed in 2010, and their track ‘Intimate Alien’ absolutely took us by surprise. The song sounds completely otherworldly whilst still being grounded in modern metalcore principles, and honestly, how can you not love this banger.
33. Hellions – ‘Hellions’
What better track to represent Hellions than ‘Hellions’? This band is one of the reasons that so many folks outside of Australia recognise our country as the home to honest, raw and impeccable metal. Carry on boys.
34. Violent Soho – ‘Love Is A Heavy Word’
Although Violent Soho definitely lean more towards Alternative Rock and Grunge, ‘Love Is A Heavy Word’ was heavy af, and definitely deserves a mention on this list. And that’s that on that.
35. Buffalo – ‘Shylock’
Much like AC/DC, Sydney band Buffalo can be traced as one of the progenitors of Aussie metal. The band was the first non-British act to be signed to Vertigo and released three albums with them between 1972 and 1975 but never found mainstream success in Australia.
The group’s bass guitarist Peter Wells formed Rose Tattoo in 1976, another band often cited as laying a cornerstone for Australian metal.
36. Dead Kelly – ‘Such Is Knife’
Now, this… this is Aussie metal.
37. Ne Obliviscaris – ‘And Plague Flowers the Kaleidoscope’
Ne Obliviscaris are a six-piece Australian progressive metal band from Melbourne. Formed initially as a four-piece in April 2003, the group was founded by Marc “Xenoyr” Campbell and Adam Cooper.
38. Black Majesty – ‘Further Than Insane’
Black Majesty is an Australian power metal band formed in 2001 as Kymera. These Melbourne rockers have consistently put out exceptional metalcore tracks, and ‘Further Than Insane’ is but one example of their iconic prowess.
39. Seconds Before Sunrise – ‘Take A Breath and Hold’
Based in Adelaide, South Australia, Seconds Before Sunrise is a 6 piece Metalcore/Post Hardcore outfit, who were mainly active in 2012. Having been described as “…a fresh version of, The Devil Wears Prada and Eyes Set to Kill,” with “bright catchy, yet heavy songs”, the band became known for their incredible live performances full of energy.
40. Drowning the Light – ‘For This Blood is Sacred’
Now, this is what you call metal. With a punkish sound, Drowning the Light are exceptional at what they do, and what they do is rock tf out.
41. Buffalo – ‘I’m A Skirt Lifter, Not A Shirt Raiser’
Hard, psychedelic metal before its time, Buffalo definitely deserves two spots on this list. And yes, AC/DC could have two spots on this list but they get all the praise all the time. Buffalo are iconic in the Australian scene, so lets show them some love. Plus, this song title is iconic as hell.
42. Slaughter Lord – ‘Legion’
Slaughter Lord is a raw as f*ck Australian Black / Thrash / Death / Metalcore band, and their track ‘Legion’ comes from the compilation Thrash till Death 86-87.
43. Mortal Sin – ‘I Am Immortal’
Mortal Sin was an Australian thrash metalcore band that formed in 1985 and existed over four distinct periods until 2012. The band released five albums and were the first Australian thrash metal band to tour internationally.
44. diSEMBOWELMENT – The Tree Of Life And Death
Death. Doom. Disembowelment. What more could you ask from a metalcore band?
45. Alchemist – ‘Solarburn’
Shout out to the album this song comes from, Austral Alien, because that my friends is Aussie metal in a nutshell.
46. Portal – ‘Curtain’
This song has been described as “elevator music for the ride down to Hell” and honestly, yes. The track is just so genuinely evil-sounding that it makes every other metalcore band look like children playing around with guitars.
47. Zeahorse – ‘Pool’
In the masterful days of their prime, Sydney psych-rockers Zeahorse built a major reputation as one of the noisiest, most energetic live acts going around. Their gripping 2013 album Pools was recorded at a farmhouse in the tiny northern NSW town of Whian Whian.
48. Mournful Congregation – ‘Remembrance of the Transcending Moon’
Funereal doom metal straight from the heart of Australia. Mournful Congregation established themselves as masters of gloom and abyssal creations, painting absolutely nightmarish landscapes with every track that they release.
49. Sleepmakeswaves – ‘one day you will teach me to let go of my fears’
Rhythmic metal that will make you cry, dance, and feel utterly free. It is truly mesmerising what Metal can accomplish sometimes, and Sleepmakeswaves embody that notion completely.
50. King Parrot – ‘Bozo’
And now let us wrap up this list with something utterly bonkers. King Parrot are an Australian thrashcore band formed in Melbourne in 2010, and let’s be real, they’re practically legends at this point. All hail the King Parrot.
